| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.20 |
| Liaison | Sarah Gilly |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2020 |
Stevens Institute of Technology
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Mercedes
McKay Deputy Chief of Staff Office of the President |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
Stevens developed and supported a local zoning ordinance that was adopted by the City of Hoboken in 2018 that included a Transportation Demand Management plan and requirements for green infrastructure to mitigate storm water issues in this urban location.
Stevens currently advocates for local bike share and ride sharing programs with the City of Hoboken for its employees in order to reduce automobile usage and parking needs on campus. Stevens has shown their support for this local public policy aimed at reducing automobile usage in cities by agreeing to have bicycle docking stations installed and local car rentals available on their campus. Members of Stevens' community – students, faculty and staff – also receive incentives to use ride-sharing programs. Promotion of these programs by Stevens also supports engagement of the greater Hoboken community. Stevens also advocates for electronic recycling programs in partnership with the City of Hoboken and periodically holds recycling events on its campus for the Hoboken community.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
Stevens ACES: In order for sustainability research to reach its full potential, it is necessary that those individuals participating in the research come from diverse backgrounds. Stevens has been advocating for legislation in New Jersey that would create the New Jersey ACES (Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science) program that would create opportunities for underrepresented students from underserved communities to participate in pre-college summer programs and undergraduate programs in STEM at the research universities in New Jersey through a collaboration between the state, the universities, and corporations. The legislation has already passed the New Jersey state Senate and Stevens is continuing to advocate for its passage in the State Assembly and for it to be signed and funded by the Governor.
Stigma Free Campus: In 2016, accompanied by State Senator and former Governor Richard Codey, Stevens announced it would be a “Stigma Free” Campus. The “Stigma Free” campaign was developed by the Codey Fund for Mental Health with the goal having municipalities and college campuses pledge to promote public awareness, create conversations, and work towards overcoming stigmas, stereotyping, discrimination, and removing any barriers to recovery. Stevens Institute of Technology is proud to be “Stigma Free” and encourages all students to attend and pursue a STEM degree, helping to further the possibility of diversity in sustainability research in all walks of life, including those with different mental health needs.
Edison Innovation Fund: In 2018, Stevens Institute of Technology advocated strongly for the passage of S-1921/A-1930 which would create the Edison Innovation Science and Technology Fund to provide grants to colleges and universities in New Jersey with a goal to strengthen industry-university research collaborations and create the increased potential for attracting federal funding and private investment. The fund would award grants to public and private institutions of higher education engaged in research projects and invest in programs that advance science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in fields of strategic importance, including sustainability innovation.
The Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology, created in 2018, was also supported and advocated for by Stevens Institute of Technology. This Commission as established to exercise oversight for the responsibility of implementing, evaluating and formulating long-range plans and programs for science, innovation and technology in New Jersey. The Commission recognizes the role and the importance of innovation developed at the State’s institutions of higher education and businesses to the economy of this State. Stevens President Nariman Farvardin now sits as a member of the Commission and works collaboratively with other university, industry and public representatives to best develop programs for our state.
In September of 2017, the Assembly Transportation & Independent Authorities Committee hosted a committee hearing on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology. The Committee did not take legislative action at the hearing but received testimony from industry experts and residents regarding the operation of ferry services between New Jersey and Manhattan. The proceedings began with a welcome by Stevens President Nariman Farvardin and were concluded with a tour of the Stevens Living Laboratory, a laboratory that hosts a rain garden, multiple bioretention planters and multiple green roof setups in order to create different forms of bioretention solutions, for five of the committee members and their staffs.
Stevens Institute of Technology is committed to fostering conversations with elected officials in New Jersey from the City Council of Hoboken to state legislators. Over the years, Stevens has invited these elected officials to tour the campus and specifically learn about the research being done at our Davidson Laboratory, a renowned marine research laboratory that supports forecasting for extreme weather events, coastal resilience and marine hydrodynamics. Stevens shares its research with elected officials to ensure they have the background and education necessary to craft public policy that supports this kind of research and puts New Jersey in the position to be a haven for innovative discovery in this field.
Post-Superstorm Sandy Resiliency Efforts: Since Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Stevens has advocated for legislation to increase dedicated funding to the Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million annually. This legislation has not advanced due to State Budget constraints. Stevens continues to advocate for the enactment of S-1614/A-825 to provide for this wise investment in preparing New Jersey for future storms and help to avoid the devastation that has occurred during weather-events such as Superstorm Sandy.
Through its “Hugo Neu Corporation Sustainability Seminar Series,” Stevens currently advocates for state and regional sustainability policies by featuring higher education, corporate, and government speakers on sustainability-focused topics in this weekly lecture series.
Stevens Institute of Technology also holds an Annual Innovation Expo that features research projects on sustainability developed by our very own senior class. Elected officials are invited to this event as well and are exposed to innovative ideas developed by the youth of our state, which can highlight the fact that it is not only important for legislation to support our seasoned researchers, but also to support our young, up-and-coming sustainability activists who are highly motivated to make a difference in the world.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Stevens periodically meets with U.S. Senators, Congressional Representatives, and agencies in Washington DC to advocate for research programs that encompass sustainability. Stevens is a member of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), an alliance of professional organizations, universities, and businesses united by a concern for the future vitality of the national science, mathematics, and engineering enterprise. Stevens participates in its annual Capitol Hill Exhibition and Reception designed to showcase current research to policy makers on Capitol Hill.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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