| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.11 |
| Liaison | Sarah Williams |
| Submission Date | Feb. 7, 2020 |
Whitman College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.33 / 2.00 |
Elissa
Brown Campus Sustainability Coordinator Office of Sustainability, Physical Plant Services |
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:
With explicit support from Whitman's CFO, the Campus Sustainability Coordinator is an active member of the Walla Walla City Council Sustainability Committee. The Committee's objective is to be a resource for City staff, departments, administration, council, and the community for defining and exploring options for sustainability during the decision-making process.
In November-December 2019, the Campus Sustainability Coordinator led the Committee in opposing a new ordinance by City Council that would effectively discontinue curbside recycling. This effort was successful: the Council voted unanimously to take an alternative approach that maintained the recycling program and a new ad-hoc Recycling Committee is in development to advance the city's approach to recycling.
The Committee is currently working with the City's Department of Public Works to identify sustainability- and climate-related priorities to bring to the City Council for action.
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:
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:
In January 2017, President Kathleen Murray release a statement in response to Donald Trump's executive order banning entry to the United States for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. https://www.whitman.edu/campus-life/diversity/policies-and-statements/murray-immigration-statement
Also in 2017, President Kathleen Murray joined more than 1,000 leaders from across the United States in signing We Are Still In: a declaration of support for staying in the Paris Climate Agreement amid the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw.
In October 2019, Whitman College, together with 165 colleges and universities, joined an amicus brief in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for an upcoming case before the Supreme Court.
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:
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.