| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.59 |
| Liaison | Lily Strehlow |
| Submission Date | Feb. 2, 2024 |
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
| -- | 1.33 / 2.00 |
Lily
Strehlow Sustainability Specialist Risk Management, Safety, and 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:
The development agreement between the University and its Foundation and the City of Eau Claire for the County Materials Complex secured a commitment of $1.5 million for sustainable infrastructure. This upheld the City's priorities in its Renewable Energy Action Plan, advanced the university's goals of creating a carbon-neutral facility, and made broader sustainable infrastructure investments through partnerships with the Foundation possible. the CMC is a carbon-neutral, energy-independent facility, this success will allow the County Materials Complex.
This project is currently under construction, and plans with the citer were initiated in 2020, during the reporting framework.
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:
The university has also advocated for administrative and legislative policy enhancements at the State level to allow for capital construction and renovation projects to explore more sustainable infrastructural investments. For instance, the university’s buildings are currently connected by underground steam pipelines that span several campus districts. While funding to replace the steam system in-kind has been enumerated, the university has advocated with the UW System administration, Wisconsin State Legislature, and Wisconsin Department of Administration to allow the project to pursue geothermal system installation where appropriate and feasible. This represents a departure from standard practices, but aligns with the state administration’s sustainability goals. Movement toward more sustainable practices, and creating avenues to amend the scope of enumerated projects to pursue better investments, has been university focus since at least 2019 and could benefit all projects administered by the State of Wisconsin.
The Chippewa-St. Croix Passenger Rail Commission is currently an active organization.
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:
The university chancellor has appointed an ex-officio university representative to the Chippewa-St. Croix Passenger Rail Commission, which forged intergovernmental partnerships to position western Wisconsin to receive federal infrastructure funds to develop passenger rail service where none currently exists. The university's ongoing participation will endure for several years. Future advocacy may seek matching state funds for a portion of the sizeable influx of federal funds the Commission could secure to provide an additional, more sustainable transportation option for the university's students, employees, and visitors, and all residents of the area.
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.