Overall Rating	Silver
Overall Score	60.64
Liaison	Amanda Kohn
Submission Date	Feb. 13, 2024

STARS v2.2

University of Minnesota, Crookston
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status	Score	Responsible Party
	2.00 / 2.00

"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Local advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:

Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:

The University, through its governance bodies, administrators, and parnterships with other entities advocate for sustainability policy through published statements, engagement with elected officials, and other means. Additionally, the University connects local leaders with research and outreach on initiatives and policy guidance conducted by U of M faculty and staff. For example, UMC works with the City of Crookston on the development and operation of the Crookston Campus and Community Connection (also called C4), a group working to enhance the already strong relationship between the campus and the local community. UMN has worked with C4 to submit to submit several grant applications related to decarbonization and other sustainability efforts. The Chancellor has been involved in the review/submission of grant applications. https://crk.umn.edu/university-relations/public-relations

The Office of Sustainability has also hosted interns that worked with the City of Crookston on the Green Step Cities Program. Interns were responsible for starting the program and for getting the city up to a Step 2. This required attending a City Council meeting and presenting recommended policy updates for Council approval. Information here: https://www2.crookston.mn.us/ns/gov/greenstep

Regional advocacy

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:

The University, through its governance bodies, administrators, and parnterships with other entities advocate for sustainability policy through published statements, engagement with elected officials, and other means. Additionally, the University connects state leaders with research and outreach on initiatives and policy guidance conducted by U of M faculty and staff. Some recent examples:

- The University contributed to the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change (https://climate.state.mn.us/advisory-council) and in Work Groups (https://climate.state.mn.us/advisory-council) formed to review and advise on the State of Minnesota Climate Framework (https://climate.state.mn.us/minnesotas-climate-action-framework).
- As a member of and in partnership with the Sustainable Growth Coalition (https://environmental-initiative.org/our-work/sustainable-growth-coalition/) the University has testified to the Minnesota House and joined regulatory fillings to advocate for increased deployment of renewable energy (e.g. https://environmental-initiative.org/news-ideas/minnesota-sustainable-growth-coalition-members-share-sustainability-story-with-house-energy-committee/ and https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=showPoup&documentId={4018F876-0000-C618-AE57-FA0043340E49}&documentTitle=20211-169734-01).

National advocacy

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

Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:

International advocacy

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:

The University of Minnesota has organized a delegation to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change annual Conference of the Parties.

https://environment.umn.edu/education/susteducation/great-opportunity-for-umn-delegates-to-observe-cop27/

http://environment.umn.edu/education/susteducation/cop26/umn-cop-26-blog/

Optional Fields

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

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None

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:

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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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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.