Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 70.01
Liaison Rebecca Walker
Submission Date April 13, 2022

STARS v2.2

Southern Oregon University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.33 / 2.00 Rebecca Walker
Sustainability Manager
Facilities, Management, Sustainability and Planning
"---" 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:
The Sustainability Manager is represented on the Conservation and Climate Outreach Commission and helps support local policy developments around climate change and sustainability. This includes the implementation of the City of Ashland's Climate Energy Action Plan. The Plan includes aggressive goals for the community to reduce GHG emissions by an average of 8% per year, every year.

In past years, the university has participated in other legislative issues addressing sustainability within the municipality, including a city ordinance that banned plastic bags and added a ten-cent fee to all paper bags.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
SOU signed the We are still in statement through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities pledging support for the Paris Climate Accord. In December 2020, we reiterated our committment and supported the additional statement through the We are still in pledge. https://www.wearestillin.com/sites/default/files/resources/America%20Is%20All%20In%20Statement%20and%20Signatories.pdf

In October 2020, the president of SOU participated in a discussion at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities on sustainability and developments in the area in higher education.

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:
https://www.ourclimate.us/higher_ed_initiative

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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