| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.49 |
| Liaison | Elizabeth Swiman |
| Submission Date | March 15, 2023 |
Florida State University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Elizabeth
Swiman Director of Campus Sustainability Facilities |
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:
FSU leadership routinely work with Tallahassee local governments and policy makers in support of sustainability-related issues germane to our community (DEI, access to education, hunger) including those related to the SDGs.
FSU faculty, staff, and student representatives sit on several City of Tallahassee and Leon County committees and advisory boards, including the Leon County Science Advisory Committee. FSU also engages heavily with the City of Tallahassee and Leon County through joint participation in community engagement, capital projects, funding, and design and construction.
Active calls for action are found via the University President's public statements (https://twitter.com/FSUPresThrasher). For example, during the George Floyd protests, then President Thrasher called upon local leaders to meet with him and students concerned for the safety of their peers in our community. President Thrasher was vocal that he “deplore(s) police brutality”. As a result of President Thrasher’s request, a meeting was hosted by the FSU President, Mayor, and Police Chief for students of Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. President Thrasher continued to support DEI work on campus, especially after every national tragedy.
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:
The Office of Governmental Relations is the official liaison between Florida State University and local, state and national governments. Special emphasis is placed on monitoring the Florida legislative process, from which the University receives a majority of its funding. The Governmental Relations staff is committed to informing the University community of key legislative issues of interest and impact. The office publishes a “Legisletter” newsletter, detailing bills that are relevant to the FSU community. The office also provides resources for community members to talk to legislators about priorities. Particularly, Advocate for Florida State is an advocacy network comprised of alumni, students, and friends who serve as advocates for Florida State University. Through Advocate for Florida State channels, state decision-makers develop greater appreciation and support for issues that affect FSU.
Former President Thrasher was also very vocal about issues of gun control. In 2021, he publicly opposed HB 6001, a bill to allow concealed weapons on Florida college & university campuses, vowing to continue to fight against campus carry. President Thrasher has been a key voice in Florida gun control since 2011, when he helped defeat the NRA guns-on-campus bill.
https://govrel.fsu.edu/legisletter/2023/legisletter-final-week
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/university-beat/2020-12-05/outgoing-fsu-president-vows-to-continue-fight-against-campus-carry
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/university-beat/2020-12-05/outgoing-fsu-president-vows-to-continue-fight-against-campus-carry
Current issues of concern include, hunger/homelessness on college campuses; access to education, and affordable access to healthcare.
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:
Former President Thrasher took several opportunities to support civic engagement and condemn violence. Notably, President Thrasher joined U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and former U.S. Senator Mel Martinez following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, which President Thrasher publicly condemned in a message to all students, faculty, and staff, to call for bipartisanship. President Thrasher has also served as an advisor to Florida State University’s Power of WE, a landmark student-led initiative dedicated to empowering students to engage across differences. He has advocated for coming together in community to break down polarization in the United States.
Former President Thrasher also made statements regarding antisemitism, religious discrimination, federal immigration guidelines, anti-racism, racial equality, xenophobia, and police brutality.
https://news.fsu.edu/news/business-law-policy/2021/03/02/manchin-and-martinez-recall-a-friendlier-senate-urge-compromise-at-institute-of-politics-forum/
https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2021/01/27/fsus-power-of-we-to-host-discussion-on-social-media-and-democracy/
https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2021/01/07/a-message-from-president-john-thrasher-condemning-violence-in-nations-capital/
https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2020/08/12/a-message-from-president-john-thrasher-an-update-on-antisemitism-and-religious-discrimination/
https://news.fsu.edu/announcements/covid-19/2020/07/08/a-message-from-provost-sally-mcrorie-to-international-students-regarding-federal-immigration-guidelines/
https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2020/07/06/president-thrasher-announces-special-task-force-on-anti-racism-and-racial-equality/
https://news.fsu.edu/news/university-news/2020/06/03/a-message-from-president-john-thrasher-letter-to-mayor-dailey-and-chief-revell/
https://twitter.com/FSUPresThrasher/status/1374117048272441349
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):
n/a
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.