Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.27
Liaison Jessica Thompson
Submission Date Feb. 18, 2020

STARS v2.2

Northern Michigan University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.67 / 2.00 Sarah Mittlefehldt
Professor
Earth, Environmental & Geographical Sciences
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Local advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
In 2016, the President authorized the creation of a Sustainability Advisory Council to review policies and practices related to campus sustainability. In addition to conducting STARS inventories every three years, members of the Sustainability Advisory Council developed a Sustainability Plan and have been working to implement the five strategic sustainability initiatives. The Plan was approved by the Board of Trustees and will serve as a public policy to support campus sustainability.

Northern Michigan University is also an official partner in the Climate Adaptation Task Force that works to develop regional-specific strategies for adapting to climate change. The Climate Adaptation Task Force (CATF) was formed to help prepare local leaders and Marquette County stakeholders to think proactively about the effects of climate change and to develop strategies that will make the Upper Peninsula more resilient and effective when dealing with the consequences of climate change.

In the past three years, members of the Climate Adaptation Task Force (CATF) have worked with the City of Marquette’s Planning Commission to create the new Land Development Code. This new city ordinance contains measures that protect and promote riparian buffers, food production, stormwater management, woodland ecosystems, walkability and non-motorized transportation, and other climate adaptation and resiliency measures.

Members of the Climate Adaptation Task Force (CATF) have also worked with Marquette County to include sustainability policies in the new county Master Plan. For example, the new Master Plan seeks to promote energy independence, water and green space protection, public transportation, and more.

The Northern Climate Network, which is affiliated with the Climate Adaptation Task Force, engages in campaigns that aim to change public policy on climate change, and to promote greater awareness about local, regional, state, national policy measures. The Northern Climate Network serves as an essential bridge between regional policy makers, advocates, and the scientific community.

Regional advocacy

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:
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National advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
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International advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
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Optional Fields 

A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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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:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.