| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.87 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Seattle University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Yolanda
Cieters Associate Director CEJS |
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:
• Seattle University worked over the past years (and will continue to do so) with other local university and college campuses (between 2021-2023) to provide comments at the city level with regards to the City’s new Buildings Emissions Performance Standard policy (Dec 2023) which is projected to reduce building emissions 27% by 2050.
• A representative of Seattle University is a member of the Capitol Hill Ecodistrict. The Ecodistrict has advocated at the City and County level for initiatives that make the Capitol Hill neigborhood and the City of Seattle more equitable, environmentally resilient, and culturally vibrant. See: https://www.capitolhillecodistrict.org/
Examples:
--The Capitol Hill EcoDistrict advocated for the passage of the Housing Levy (local). The Seattle Housing Levy, established in 1986, has been a crucial source of funding for affordable housing, providing over 11,000 rental homes and 1,000 homeownership opportunities. Seattle Housing Levy was officially renewed on November 7, 2023, granting $970 million for affordable housing.
--The EcoDistrict (CRH) advocated for the passage of “Doors Open” supporting arts funding (county). The Doors Open Levy was passed on December 5, 2023. Doors Open aims to revive and sustain the arts community, providing crucial support to organizations, workers, and artists recovering from the impacts of COVID-19. A significant portion of the funding is allocated to foster new cultural centers and organizations outside of Seattle, showcasing a commitment to the overall well-being and cultural richness of King County.
• Seattle University is a convener and supporter of issues of criminal justice and police reform and public participation. Seattle University plays an integral role in the Seattle Police Department’s Micro-Community Policing Plans, using its faculty, staff, students, and the institution itself to help improve police services for the public: https://www.seattle.gov/police/information-and-data/data/mcpp-about
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:
• Seattle University has (between 2019-2023) advocated at the state level on Washington’s new Clean Buildings Act (E3SHB 1257) and amendment HB1390 for District Energy Systems and continues to work with other university campuses across the state and the Department of Commerce.
• Seattle University contributes to state level public policy through its active participation in the Independent Colleges of Washington as well as of its own initiative, organizing students, faculty, and staff to testify in favor of legislation that provides, among other things, equity in education and educational outcomes.
https://icwashington.org/page/state_priorities
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 2022, Seattle University Signed Onto "I Stand With Immigrants Day of Action." As a signatory to the 7th annual "I Stand With Immigrants Day of Action" for colleges and universities on Nov. 2, Seattle University joined with other institutions in celebrating the diverse heritage of our nation’s social fabric and calling on Congress to protect Dreamers by passing bipartisan Dream legislation that year. See: https://www.seattleu.edu/su-today/announcements/seattle-university-signs-onto-i-stand-with-immigrants-day-of-action.html
• Seattle University contributes to national public policy through our active participation in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities as well as other national higher educational organizations. Additionally, Seattle University faculty and leadership regularly travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers to help move higher education issues forward.
https://ajcunet.edu/government-relations/
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:
• President Peñalver was a signatory on the Ecojesuit Statement in advance of the COP28 (Nov 2023), a commitment statement entitled “Towards COP28: Committing to a South-North Climate Justice Advocacy.” See the statement here: https://climatejustice.ecojesuit.com/ecojesuit-towards-cop28-committing-to-a-south-north-climate-justice-advocacy/
• In August 2023, President Peñalver issued a statement to the university community about Seattle University denouncing the Nicaraguan government’s seizure of our sister Jesuit university, the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in Managua, Nicaragua and adding our voice to the international condemnation of this unjust act that violates fundamental human rights in the country. These actions by the Nicaraguan government have been condemned by the Central American Province of the Society of Jesus, the Association of Jesuit Universities in Latin America, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J., and a widening circle of leaders and institutions around the world. Seattle University joined with these voices to strongly condemn this action and called on the Nicaraguan government to do the following: 1. Return the UCA to the Society of Jesus and restore its leadership team; 2. Guarantee the safety and wellbeing of all UCA employees and students; and 3. Seek impartial experts to investigate the claims the Nicaraguan government has leveled against the UCA.
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):
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.