Williams College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.33 / 2.00 |
Christine
Seibert Sustainability Coordinator Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives |
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:
Tanja Srebotnjak, Director of the Zilkha Center, serves on Williamstown's COOL (CO2 Lowering) Committee with the Provost’s support. The COOL Committee seeks to advance municipal-level sustainability programs and policies, with a focus on climate. In 2021, the Committee brought forward a Net Zero Williamstown proposal for the town. Williams College showed institutional-level support by having the Zilkha Center co-host a panel with the COOL Committee to explain the proposal and how it complements Williams’ own carbon reduction plans. Both Tanja Srebotnjak and Provost Dukes Love were speakers on the panel. The resolution was adopted by the town in June 2021.
https://www.coolwilliamstown.org/net-zero-emissions
https://www.iberkshires.com/story/64696/Williamstown-s-Net-Zero-Effort-to-Be-Subject-of-Panel-Discussion.html
https://vimeo.com/539797169
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:
Through the Center for Learning In Action, the Sentinels Summer Research Fellowship, a U.S. public policy research program, supports student research projects focused on contemporary issues in U.S. economic or social policy, including but not limited to regulation, inequality, community and regional development, and/or processes and powers of American Government. In the past this has dealt with local or regional community development and improvements to transportation and food access. A 2020 project focused on the siting of rail lines (or lack thereof) in low income communities of color in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the impact of greenwashing on preventing justice https://learning-in-action.williams.edu/opportunities/sentinels-summer-research-fellowship/
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:
Williams signed on to "We Are Still In" in 2017, which became "America is Still In" in 2021 and we remained a signatory: https://www.americaisallin.com/whos-in/
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:
As part of the Living Building Challenge (LBC), Williams has worked with manufacturers in order to offer more construction materials that do not contain toxic or harmful components. Because we were required to source products compliant with the materials petal of the LBC we contacted many manufacturers to trace what is in their products, aiding in transparency in this process. In talking with manufacturers we advocate for cleaner materials if they do not currently provide them. However, this approach focuses on consumer advocacy over policy change.
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.