| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.33 |
| Liaison | Ryan Kmetz |
| Submission Date | Feb. 25, 2020 |
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Local advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
UMBC is actively involved in engaging with local communities (specifically Catonsville and Arbutus) to achieve/maintain a Sustainable Communities Designation by The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Sustainable Communities Program ("the program").
UMBC's Office of Sustainability and Climate Action Plan transportation working group is actively encouraging and working with Arbutus Community, via the Greater Arbutus Community Association, to pursue and achieve this designation.
The program is a place-based designation offering a comprehensive package of resources that support holistic strategies for community development, revitalization and sustainability. Led by the Department, Sustainable Communities has provided local governments with a framework for promoting environmentally, economically and socially responsible growth and development in existing older communities. All Sustainable Communities Area applications must meet the following requirements:
Sustainable Community boundaries must be entirely within a Priority Funding Area and should be indicative of a targeted approach. To determine if an address falls within a Priority Funding Area, or existing Sustainable Community, see Mapper;
A local government resolution in support of the boundary designation and Plan must accompany the application;
The proposed Sustainable Community should be within or near a town center or transportation center, and have a need for financing assistance for local revitalization initiatives such as support for nonprofit organizations, strengthening older commercial districts and residential communities and improving public amenities. The proposed Plan must be consistent with other existing community or comprehensive plans.
UMBC's Office of Sustainability and Climate Action Plan transportation working group is actively encouraging and working with Arbutus Community, via the Greater Arbutus Community Association, to pursue and achieve this designation.
The program is a place-based designation offering a comprehensive package of resources that support holistic strategies for community development, revitalization and sustainability. Led by the Department, Sustainable Communities has provided local governments with a framework for promoting environmentally, economically and socially responsible growth and development in existing older communities. All Sustainable Communities Area applications must meet the following requirements:
Sustainable Community boundaries must be entirely within a Priority Funding Area and should be indicative of a targeted approach. To determine if an address falls within a Priority Funding Area, or existing Sustainable Community, see Mapper;
A local government resolution in support of the boundary designation and Plan must accompany the application;
The proposed Sustainable Community should be within or near a town center or transportation center, and have a need for financing assistance for local revitalization initiatives such as support for nonprofit organizations, strengthening older commercial districts and residential communities and improving public amenities. The proposed Plan must be consistent with other existing community or comprehensive plans.
Regional advocacy
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
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III, president, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) spoke at the National Institute of Mental Health in 2019 to explicitly advocate for Inclusive Excellence in Science. Under President Hrabowski's leadership and guidance, UMBC has become one of the most innovative universities in the country, a model for undergraduate teaching, inclusion and STEM success. In fact, UMBC now produces more African Americans who go on to earn M.D.-Ph.D.s than any other institution in the country. Hrabowski has long touted four pillars of college success in science: high expectations for students, faculty, universities and national agencies; fostering a supportive community; researchers producing researchers by getting students into labs; and rigorous evaluation. Hrabowski cited such programs as the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, created 30 years ago at UMBC, and HHMI [Howard Hughes Medical Institute] that offer resources to foster diversity among future STEM leaders. UMBC also recently started a program to help transition more postdocs of color into faculty positions.
“I challenge NIH to learn from the HHMI approach and partner with places that have shown demonstrated and inclusive excellence,” he said, encouraging leadership to create incentives and focus resources toward increasing minority representation in science.
“I challenge you, as I did [when I first spoke here] 10 years ago…to set some goals to take this to the next level.” With brainpower, creativity and staunch commitment, it can be done, Hrabowski said.
https://nihrecord.nih.gov/2019/01/11/umbc-president-advocates-inclusive-excellence-science
This advocacy at the national level supports the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
“I challenge NIH to learn from the HHMI approach and partner with places that have shown demonstrated and inclusive excellence,” he said, encouraging leadership to create incentives and focus resources toward increasing minority representation in science.
“I challenge you, as I did [when I first spoke here] 10 years ago…to set some goals to take this to the next level.” With brainpower, creativity and staunch commitment, it can be done, Hrabowski said.
https://nihrecord.nih.gov/2019/01/11/umbc-president-advocates-inclusive-excellence-science
This advocacy at the national level supports the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
International advocacy
Yes
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
UMBC is a proud "We are still in" participant with Second Nature. Our membership in this group asserts that:
1. In the absence of Federal support, states, cities, colleges and universities and businesses will pursue ambitious climate goals, to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions.
2. In the U.S., the actors that will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges and universities and businesses.
3. We will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to under 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.
1. In the absence of Federal support, states, cities, colleges and universities and businesses will pursue ambitious climate goals, to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions.
2. In the U.S., the actors that will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges and universities and businesses.
3. We will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to under 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.
Optional Fields
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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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