| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.63 |
| Liaison | Leslie North |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Western Kentucky University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.67 / 2.00 |
Madeline
Petty Graduate Assistant Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
The Student Government Association is active in supporting the local Fairness Campaign, which would protect people from being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Student Government Association also played a large role in improving Renter's Rights through local policy. A resolution was passed to provide a recycling bag to students in a dorm room when they move in. The SGA President is a representative on the Board of Regents at WKU with voting rights and represented such in the support of the resolution; the Board of Regents is the highest governing body at WKU, and their support of these campaigns signifies the university's public policy advocacy on these local sustainability issues. The SGA President reports to the Board of Regents, thus, advocacy supported through student government is ultimately approved by top administration and enacted at an institutional level.
The following are additional examples of public policy advocacy at the faculty and student level, which may not qualify for AASHE points but demonstrates other ways the university is involved in public policy:
Students and Faculty of the WKU Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies (CHNGES) are engaged with local city and county government - the City of Bowling Green and Warren County - by assisting with development of a Comprehensive Plan, in addition to development and regulation of policy regarding stormwater management, water quality, and geohazards and sinkholes.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
WKU is a part of the Coalition for a Smoke-free Tomorrow. The mission of the coalition is "to improve Kentucky's health by protecting Kentuckians from secondhand smoke and other tobacco emissions, and by reducing the high rate of smoking and tobacco use in the Commonwealth." Recent state legislation was introduced in 2021 by the coalition - HB 147 and SB81 - to support the rights of local governments to adopt ordinances governing marketing and sale of tobacco products in their jurisdiction. A virtual rally was held by the coalition to advocate this legislation. https://nkytribune.com/2021/02/smoke-free-tomorrow-coalition-holds-rally-moser-schroder-take-part-aims-to-stop-teen-smoking/
https://www.smokefreetomorrow.org/who
The following are additional examples of public policy advocacy at the faculty and student level, which may not qualify for AASHE points but demonstrates other ways the university is involved in public policy:
WKU CHNGES Students and Faculty are in partnership with Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) to influence and advocate for regional policy regarding watershed management, stormwater, water quality, and geohazards. BRADD's mission is to preserve and advance the quality of life and economic well-being for the citizens of BRADD through regional collaboration. BRADD’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated as part of research and collaboration on policy with WKU CHNGES and AGU Thriving Earth Exchange. https://thrivingearthexchange.org/project/bradd-ky/
WKU CHNGES students and faculty also engage in development of and advocacy for Kentucky state level policy regarding stormwater management and water quality. These policies ensure sustainable management of water resources in Kentucky.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Students and Faculty of WKU CHNGES collaborated on water and climate policy development and advocacy through work with organizations such as American Geophysical Union (AGU) Thriving Earth Exchange, Next Generation Science Assessment (NGSA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
The Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies is a cooperative between WKU, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center in Belize (who represent the 26 nation's of the Caribbean in climate policy decisions), and University of Akureyri, Iceland (who house two governing bodies who direct tourism and climate policy for Arctic regions). This cooperative was formed to advance collaborative climate change research among the partners, and uses this research to advocate policy and enhance outreach/education about these sustainability topics. The former President of WKU traveled to Belize and Iceland to sign these cooperative agreements. Also, a WKU CHNGES professor, Dr. Jason Polk, represented the United States Representative for Universities and Colleges at the 2015 Arctic Circle Roundtable Canada to U.S. transfer. Dr. Polk presented on "The Power of Partnerships in Science and Communication to Address the Global Climate Change Challenge: A U.S. University Perspective."
It is expected that an international research cooperative can and will contribute to body of knowledge influencing climate change related policy and practice at institutional, local, and international levels. Members of the Center may attend legislative and governing body meetings with partners to advocate for climate change policy and social equity concerns. Many such meetings have been attend by members of CHNGES on behalf of WKU.
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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:
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.