| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 80.87 |
| Liaison | Megan Butler |
| Submission Date | Jan. 26, 2024 |
Macalester College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Megan
Butler Sustainability Director Sustainability |
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:
Macalester students participated in the Day at the Capitol on Feb. 28, 2024 to advocate for new help for low- and middle-income students at private nonprofit colleges, through the proposed Promise Equalization Scholarship. Member institutions represented on Feb. 28 included Augsburg, St. Kate’s, Macalester, St. Olaf, Northwestern, and St. Scholastica. Students were scheduled to meet with their hometown legislators, bringing up the need for action and the scholarship proposal. Students attending were able to meet with 45 representatives in the House and 28 state senators. They were joined at the Capitol by several presidents and senior staff — from St. Olaf, Northwestern, St. Kate’s, Macalester, and Augsburg.
This example highlights Macalester's efforts to promote access do education and well-being as well as holistic sustainability of Macalester College's campus.
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:
Macalester's President worked with the other MN private college presidents in 2024 to develop a Promise Equalization Scholarship proposal that was introduced in both the MN House and Senate. President Rivera signed a letter to the Governor about the importance of expanding financial aid for MN students
https://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/policy-research/advocating-student-aid/state-legislative-session
Macalester's President, along with the presidents of other Minnesota private colleges, sent a letter in March to members of the Minnesota congressional delegation advocating for full funding for Federal Work-Study and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), and for an an increase in the federal Pell Grant. In July 2023, President Rivera sent individual letters to our Minnesota congressional delegation on this same topic
This example highlight Macalester's commitment to the diversity, well-being and holistic sustainability.
On April 19th, 2021 the Macalester Social Responsibility Committee (SRC) forwarded a proposal to divest the college from Enbridge Energy, denounce the Line 3 Oil Pipeline Expansion Project and to create greater transparency in the operation of the college endowment. On August 23rd, the Board of Trustees responded to that proposal with decisions to: 1) divest of its shares of Enbridge, Inc., and 2) adopt a college investment policy that prohibits new investments that are solely oil and gas asset based.
https://www.macalester.edu/trustees/enbridge-divestment-proposal-portal/
In August 2023 after the Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action, President Rivera was quoted in a newspaper article about diversity in Minnesota's selective institutions. Dr. Rivera is quoted in the following section:
"I think the spirit of affirmative action was one of deliberately or intentionally building the future we wanted to see for the country," said Suzanne Rivera, president of Macalester College in St. Paul. "So the challenge we're facing now is how to continue advancing on that goal."
In the article, Dr. Rivera and representatives from other MN-based colleges talk about the efforts being done to diversity the student body in MN and continue to advance the goal of encouraging more diversity in the state.
In April 2021, Macalester College became the first College in Minnesota to require COVID-19 Vaccinations. President Rivera was interviewed during this time about her rationale for the decisions and why other educational institutions in MN should adopt similar policies. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/04/28/macalester-joins-growing-list-of-us-colleges-and-universities-to-require-covid19-vaccination
Both of these examples of local-scale advocacy highlight Macalester's commitment to diversity and the well-being of its students.
On July 6, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance pertaining to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), stating that the U.S. “would remove temporary exemptions for international students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester, and would bar them from entering or remaining in the country if their fall classes are taught exclusively online” (Rivera, 2020). In response to decisions made by the DHS, the state of Minnesota joined the Massachusetts Attorney General in the legal case to oppose the directive. By supporting the state’s decision, President Suzanne Rivera advocates on behalf of the broader Macalester community for public policies that grant needed flexibility for institutions and international students. Commitment to the well-being and holistic sustainability of Macalester College is evident at the state, national, and international level.
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:
In August 2022, President Rivera released an opinion piece advocating for college access in the wake of the Biden Administration decision regarding student loan repayment. In the article, President Rivera writes: "A bachelor’s degree is the single most significant step a person from a low-resource family can take to improve their economic standing and potential for building wealth. More students need access to college, and that requires investment in their talent. Institutions must invest through their need-based aid programs. The public must invest through federal and state grant programs. And students must have the full range of tools to invest in their own futures — including low-interest student loans. All these things happened for me decades ago, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity.
https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-when-debating-student-loan-debt-keep-college-access-in-mind-as-the-end-goal/
In addition, in anticipation of the supreme court ruling ending affirmative action, President Rivera joined libreal arts institutions throughout the United States in signing an open letter advocating for universities to continue prioritize diversity. The presidents’ open letter argues that more, not less racial diversity is needed to ensure that college campuses reflect the racial composition of our nation. https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2023/05/11/liberal-arts-colleges-keep-prioritizing-diversity?mc_cid=b5e38db462&mc_eid=e5fbcf9b3b
https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaunharper/2023/05/04/presidents-say-their-colleges-will-sustain-diversity-commitments-regardless-of-supreme-court-affirmative-action-ruling/?sh=41a101dcfc0a
Macalester is a member of the Presidents' Alliance for Immigration Reform, and in February of this year the Alliance steering committee sent a letter to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and congressional leaders asking for the incorporation of relief measures for Dreamers, including those with and without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
These examples of national-scale advocacy highlight Macalester's commitment to diversity. Commitment to the diversity, well-being and holistic sustainability of Macalester College is evident. These diversity commitments are also reflected by Macalester's commitment to sustainability and environmental justice.
Macalester is a member of the Ceres Investor Network on Climate Risk and Sustainability. The coalition supports the Green New Deal, the American Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Act, clean car regulations, and other initiatives focused on reducing emissions and promoting environmental justice.
Macalester College is a signatory to Climate Action 100+, an investor initiative aimed at curbing emissions, improving governance and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures at both the national and international levels.
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:
Macalester sends a delegation to the UN Conference of the Parties each year. Macalester signed the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge to demonstrate our commitment to the importance of international climate action ahead of the UN COP21. Additionally, our former President Brian Rosenberg signed his support for the "We Are Still In" statement supporting the Paris Climate Accords after the Trump Administration pulled the US out of the international agreement.
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
Through his actions in support of environmental sustainability and social justice and equity, former President Brian Rosenberg has actively taken political positions on behalf of the Macalester College community. Whether referring to legislation pertaining to climate change, immigration rights, or other sustainability issues, the institution has continued its commitment to sustainability and environmental justice. Through her recent comments and actions, President Rivera gives the impression that she is equally committed to combating climate change and advocating for social justice and sustainability.
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, Macalester College is prohibited from making political donations.
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:
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