| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.79 |
| Liaison | Mike Wilson |
| Submission Date | Jan. 27, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Victoria
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
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:
The University of Victoria advocates for sustainability at the local and regional level through its agreements with the Victoria, Peninsula and West Shore Chambers of Commerce on the importance of supporting local economic sustainable development and the promotion of hiring students in the region.
The University is also a supporter of the United Way and the work that it undertakes to advance social, economic and environmental well being. A memorandum of understanding is in place with the United Way involving a research project with the university's Centre for Youth and Society.
The University works closely with local municipalities and the region on various sustainability plans and is an advocate for improvements to the transportation network and transit service arrangements.
The University of Victoria Undergraduate Student Society (UVSS) has non voting membership on the Victoria Regional Transit Commission and advocates for transit service delivery improvements that would benefit the community and the campus. The UVSS and the Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) represent 36,000 undergraduate students in Victoria, BC. Together, along with Unifor 333 (Greater Victoria Bus Drivers Union), they are founding members of The Make Transit Work Coalition.
https://uvss.ca/2016/02/23/uvic-camosun-students-deliver-thousands-postcards-vrtc-bc-transit-asking-expanded-late-night-bus-service/
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 University of Victoria is a member of the The Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia (RUCBC). It represents the interests of the six major universities in British Columbia. Its mandate is to identify issues facing the universities, provide system wide leadership in the development of relevant public policy and communicate on behalf of the university system. RUCBC also provides a coordinating forum for its member universities and acts as a provincial focal point for dealing with the Government of British Columbia and provincial or national bodies associated with universities. Sustainability issues including the university interests in climate change and provincial government policy and funding assistance to advance carbon neutral at the campus level have been part of the RUCBC engagement activities.
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:
The University of Victoria is a member of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). It is a dynamic knowledge network that brings together leading researchers from British Columbia (BC) and around the world to study the impacts of climate change and to develop positive approaches to mitigation and adaptation.
Its mission is to partner with governments, the private sector, other researchers and civil society, in order to undertake research on, monitor, and assess the potential impacts of climate change and to assess, develop and promote viable mitigation and adaptation options to better inform climate change policies and actions.
The Institute's main objectives are:
•understanding the magnitude and patterns of climate change and its impacts;
•evaluating the physical, economic and social implications;
•assessing mitigation and adaptation options and developing policy and business solutions;
•evaluating and strengthening educational and capacity-building strategies to address climate change; and
•communicating climate change issues to government, industry and the general public
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:
The University of Victoria is a member of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). It is a dynamic knowledge network that brings together leading researchers from British Columbia (BC) and around the world to study the impacts of climate change and to develop positive approaches to mitigation and adaptation.
Its mission is to partner with governments, the private sector, other researchers and civil society, in order to undertake research on, monitor, and assess the potential impacts of climate change and to assess, develop and promote viable mitigation and adaptation options to better inform climate change policies and actions.
The Institute's main objectives are:
•understanding the magnitude and patterns of climate change and its impacts;
•evaluating the physical, economic and social implications;
•assessing mitigation and adaptation options and developing policy and business solutions;
•evaluating and strengthening educational and capacity-building strategies to address climate change; and
•communicating climate change issues to government, industry and the general public
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
None as it is not permitted by a public institution.
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
None as it is not permitted by a public institution.
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:
UVic is a member of the Higher Education Carbon Neutral Committee along with other postsecondary institutions in the province who work together to advocate for policy improvements and share information related to carbon neutral government regulation and legislation.
UVic is a member of the Higher Education Carbon Neutral Committee along with other postsecondary institutions in the province who work together to advocate for policy improvements and share information related to carbon neutral government regulation and legislation.
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.