University of Arkansas
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

The University of Arkansas engages in sustainable local policy in countless ways. Some examples of advocacy and support for sustainable policies in that past couple of years include: The UA faculty and staff helped develop updates to the City of Fayetteville Tree Preservation Ordinance and Invasive Species List for Developers. The UA advocated for lowering the speed limit on city streets near campus to encourage alternative transportation and better pedestrian experience. The UA endorsed and partnered with the City of Fayetteville on their bicycle share program and their electric scooter ordinance which brought a unified bike share and e-scooter share system to the community. The UA supported the City of Fayetteville's updated recycling strategy which included the addition of food waste composting, enhanced recycling education program, and a pricing structure to incentivize recycling. The UA endorsed a the expansion Razorback Transit service routes and providing free transit to all community members in City of Fayetteville. The UA supports the City's proposal to create a stormwater utility.

The University of Arkansas engages in public policy at the state and regional level on a regular basis and advocates for responsible policies that align with sustainability goals such as carbon neutral by 2040. A good example is with renewable energy in recent years. The University of Arkansas has helped support policies and subsequent development of wind and solar farms. This support has led to the Arkansas Public Service Commission's approval of 810MW of wind energy through the North Central Wind Project. The state of Arkansas also recently passed SB145: The Solar Access Act of 2019 which has paved the way for University of Arkansas solar service agreements. Additionally, the Office for Governmental Relations coordinates University of Arkansas activities related to government and community organizations on a local, state, and federal level. Sustainability issues going through the legislature (state or federal) or local governments may be addressed through the Office for Governmental Relations, which is able to formally lobby for policy change on behalf of the institution. Furthermore, the Associated Student Government (ASG) hosts the Razorback Action Group (RAG), an all-student advocacy organization that focuses on state and federal politics. ASG has passed multiple sustainability policies, including (but not limited to) resolutions supporting solar services agreements, which RAG is able to use to advocate from the student perspective.

In 2007, the University of Arkansas became the first higher education institution in the state and among the first 100 in the nation to commit to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment with a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2040. In 2016 the University of Arkansas doubled down by signing onto Second Nature's Climate Commitement which included a resiliency commitment along with carbon neutrality by 2040. In 2021 Chancellor Steinmetz signed a letter on behalf of the UA pushing the Biden Administration to adopt a target of at least 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. https://news.uark.edu/articles/56653/u-of-a-joins-other-institutions-supporting-strong-climate-target The U of A has also taken a proactive stance on DACA and signed on with more than 600 college and university presidents who favor supporting DACA students. We urge the continuation of federal and state laws and policies that support their ability to pursue higher education. https://chancellor.uark.edu/key-communications/chancellors-statement-on-daca.php Additionally, the Office for Governmental Relations coordinates University of Arkansas activities related to government and community organizations on a local, state, and federal level. Sustainability issues going through the legislature (state or federal) or local governments may be addressed through the Office for Governmental Relations, which is able to formally lobby for policy change on behalf of the institution. Furthermore, the Associated Student Government (ASG) hosts the Razorback Action Group (RAG), an all-student advocacy organization that focuses on state and federal politics. ASG has passed multiple sustainability policies, including (but not limited to) resolutions supporting solar services agreements, which RAG is able to use to advocate from the student perspective.