Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.26
Liaison Gioia Thompson
Submission Date March 1, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Vermont
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.33 / 2.00 Joe Speidel
Advancement Professional
University Relations
"---" 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:

As a land grant institution, the University’s role at the state and local levels includes participation in collaborative efforts to advance sustainability about a variety of issues through the provision of faculty and staff resources and expertise, rather than advocacy for specific legislation.


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

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:

As a land grant institution, the University’s role at the state and local levels includes participation in collaborative efforts to advance sustainability about a variety of issues through the provision of faculty and staff resources and expertise, rather than advocacy for specific legislation.


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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:

President Sullivan signed the White House Climate Pledge in January 2016, applauding progress already made to promote clean energy and climate action and recognizing the need to avoid significant costs to the global community’s economic prosperity and public health. The University pledged to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy while enhancing sustainable and resilient practices across campus. UVM’s commitment to climate action on campus spans academics, culture, operations and policy. It includes: expanding course offerings related to sustainability through a general education requirement that began in Fall 2015; supporting climate-related lectures and events; engaging students in peer-to-peer education via the Eco-Reps Program; providing support for a culture of active, low-carbon transportation; certifying that all new buildings and major renovations at a minimum level of LEED Silver, and funding energy efficiency upgrades through the Energy Revolving Fund; and achieving, in 2015, the University’s 2010 Climate Action Plan goal of purchasing 100% renewable electricity.


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:

As in 2014 and 2015, in 2016 University of Vermont President Thomas Sullivan applied for UVM to be an admitted NGO in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). A UVM delegation participated in the work to change public policy in favor of “preventing “dangerous” human interference with the climate system”, the stated aim of the UNFCCC. Dr. Asim Zia led the UVM delegation. Zia’s international climate change work connects with efforts to understand how climate change will affect our beloved Lake Champlain.


A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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