| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.92 |
| Liaison | Amy Brunvand |
| Submission Date | Sept. 12, 2023 |
University of Utah
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.67 / 2.00 |
Kerry
Case Chief Sustainability Officer Sustainability Office |
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:
Salt Lake City (SLC) ordinance amendments: The University collaborated with SLC Transportation officials to change current ordinance to permit a license and fee structure for micromobility providers. This license included equity pricing and guaranteed device availability in low income and low transit zones within the SLC city boundary. The ordinance amendment allowed the University to select a licensed SLC provider and negotiate an exclusive contract for micromobility services within the University boundary, surpassing over 40,000 trips by ebike or escooter in the first year of fleet operation.
Salt Lake City Foothill Trails System Master Plan (2019- 2023):
The University owns land within the Salt Lake City Foothills, and participated in the development of the Foothill Trails System Plan to guide trail construction, layout recommendations and trail development projects for the next 10 years. The public policy implications of this plan focus on trail use guidelines and etiquette, equitable access to trails for all user types including people with disabilities, improved non-motorized access to trailhead locations, and city ordinance changes related to off-leash dogs and allowance of electric bicycles. The University has a Staff Work Group to advise on these public policy issues and construct the University owned portion of the Foothill Trails system to align with current SLC law.
SLC Vision Zero Action Plan: Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries, while focusing on safe, healthy, equitable mobility for every resident of our community. SLC Mayor Mendenhall announced Salt Lake City’s commitment to becoming the first Vision Zero city in the state of Utah. The Mayor has set a goal to achieve zero traffic fatalities and serious traffic injuries by 2035. The University currently has two representatives on the SLC Vision Zero Task Force, serving to identify the most critical areas of the city where intervention may be necessary to prevent future crashes, injuries, and deaths.
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:
Great Salt Lake Strike Team: Utah’s public research universities – With support from administration, the University of Utah and Utah State University – formed the Great Salt Lake Strike Team to provide a primary point of contact for policymakers as they address the economic, health, and ecological challenges created by the record-low elevation of Great Salt Lake. Together with state agency professionals, the Strike Team brings together experts in public policy, hydrology, water management, climatology, and dust to provide impartial, data-informed, and solution-oriented support for Utah decision-makers. The Strike Team does not advocate but rather functions in a technical, policy-advisory role as a service to the state. https://gardner.utah.edu/great-salt-lake-strike-team/
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:
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):
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.