Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.22
Liaison Mary Ellen Mallia
Submission Date Dec. 21, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University at Albany
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.33 / 2.00 Mary Ellen Mallia
Director of Environmental Sustainability
Finance and Business
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
---

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:

UAlbany signed onto a joint letter addressed to our Governor and the Governor's of the other states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, which calls for policies that support a transportation system that encourages clean energy and reduced emissions. Second Nature and Ceres played a coordinating role in this initiative. https://secondnature.org/2018/07/12/signatories-support-transition-to-clean-transportation-future/


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:

Josh Alland, a PhD student in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Science, joined leaders of UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) in Washington DC, to advocate for science research funding. Josh was one of only six students selected to participate in this lobbying effort. His winning essay submission cited "effects of climate change ... threaten stability around the globe." Josh is mentored by DAES professors Kristen Corbosiero and Brian Tang. See: https://www.albany.edu/news/87515.php
Another example is the campus advocacy in support of the Perkins Loan program. Students and administrative staff has engaged in activities related to the Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2017 (H.R. 2482) Student advocacy included gathering 1,000 "Save Perkins" letters and holding a campus rally. They were supported in their efforts by our Equal Opportunities Program (EOP) director, United University Professions (UUP) leaders and House Representatives. Additionally, Maria Livolsi, Director of the Student Loan Center and President of COHEAO, Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations testified in Washington in support of continuing Perkins. She is quoted in this release: https://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-group-introduces-perkins-loan-extension-act-of-2017

A campus story on the student rally is here: https://www.albany.edu/news/81912.php
Coverage in a local newspaper: https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/UAlbany-students-rally-for-Perkins-loans-12211740.php


Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:

The University at Albany has signed onto the We Are Still In Coalition. This group of
governmental leaders, colleges and universities, businesses, faith groups, and investors declare their support for the Paris Agreement, publicly oppose the Trump's administrations decision to withdraw the US from the agreement. Additionally, the participants agree to undertake actions to limit global temperatures under 1.5 degrees Celsius. UAlbany's participation in this coalition earned a Mark of Distinction from Second Nature. https://www.wearestillin.com/we-are-still-declaration


A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):

As a public institution, we are prohibited from taking political stances.


A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):

We are prohibited from making political donations.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.