| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.69 |
| Liaison | Susan Dorward |
| Submission Date | July 31, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Raritan Valley Community College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Susan
Dorward Sustainability and Energy Coordinator Facilities and Grounds |
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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
Prof. Jay Kelly served on the Readington Environmental Commission, Prof. Emilie Stander serves on the Somerville Environmental Commission, and Sustainability & Energy Coordinator Susan Dorward is on the Bridgewater Environmental Commission and the Somerset County Energy Council.
Prof. Jay Kelly and students have given over 50 talks to local groups, including many involving public officials, about the impacts of deer and invasive species on forest health and have been encouraging communities to implement deer and vegetation management practices to improve forest health. These have been supported by RVCC administration, which implemented a deer management policy on campus as a result.
Prof. Kelly also been working with Pinelands Preservation Alliance to conduct outreach with coastal parks, municipalities and beach-users about the importance of beach habitats for endangered species, dune development and erosion control. We have been advocating for ecological beach management practices that support these natural resources while still allowing for continued recreational uses of beaches by people. The college is supporting it, as we have received several major grants (which they signed), as well as Foundation support (which the administration signs off on).
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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
The College supports a "green amendment" to the state constitution and signed on to a letter to this effect in 2018. The letter was organized by the Delaware Riverkeeper. The amendment is sponsored by Kip Bateman, a state senator in our area.
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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
In 2016, the College signed Second Nature's letter "Higher Education Backs We Are Still In" to the Trump administration in support of staying in the Paris Agreement.
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, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
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):
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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