Valparaiso University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
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Reporter |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Local advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
The Sustainability Initiative at Valparaiso University is advocating a single-use plastics reduction and a more advanced recycling drive that spans both campus and community outlets. Its drive to increase its solar sources have impacted the local City of Valparaiso government, which is installing solar on 6 of its municipal buildings. Additionally, local NFP "Project Neighbors" has adopted a new policy of installing solar on every new housing structure it builds - with the assistance of VU faculty on its governing board and many VU students participating in the installation efforts.
Regional advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
VU is currently working with DriveClean Indiana to aid in its desire to electrify its campus fleet and install EV charging stations. Through the local nonprofit INvest, VU is helping to identify cleaner air and water standards regionally.
National advocacy
No
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
VU's international Journal of Values-Based Leadership - published twice a year - regularly highlights clean energy needs and practices through many of its articles, editorials, and interviews. Additionally, research is being conducted concerning the use of compost collected at regional businesses and ultimately diverted to the national airline industry. Additionally, faculty research is completing a national roadmap, indicating the best locales in the US for the most applicable installations of renewable energy. A full report on hydroelectricity, in particular, is expected to be submitted to the DOT by the end of summer, 2023. In addition, VU's MBA program was named the "5th Greenest" in the country by the Princeton Review.
International advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
VU's international Journal of Values-Based Leadership - published twice a year - regularly highlights clean energy needs and practices through many of its articles, editorials, and interviews. Additionally, research is being conducted concerning the use of compost collected at regional businesses and ultimately diverted to the national airline industry. Additionally, faculty research is completing a national roadmap, indicating the best locales in the US for the most applicable installations of renewable energy. A full report on hydroelectricity, in particular, is expected to be submitted to the DOT by the end of summer, 2023.
Optional Fields
While not necessarily assuming a political position on an institutional basis, in May of 2022, an interview was conducted with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur in part regarding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and how VU might be able to partner (https://scholar.valpo.edu/jvbl/vol15/iss2/10/)
None
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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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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