| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.27 |
| Liaison | Mark Klapatch-Mathias |
| Submission Date | Feb. 29, 2024 |
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.33 / 2.00 |
Mark
Klapatch-Mathias Sustainability Coordinator Office of 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:
UWRF's Sustainability Office has a seat on the committees listed below and thus has or is having a direct impact on the decisions listed.
POWERFUL CHOICES:
-Powerful Choices has been instrumental in pushing the City of River Falls toward two prestigious designations - an EPA Green Community designation and a Wisconsin "Energy Independent Community" designation.
-Powerful Choices pushed forward a River Falls approved "NEV Ordinance" allowing the use of NEVs on nearly all city streets, including those adjacent to UWRF.
-Powerful Choices developed a River Falls-approved property tax-financed renewable energy program, which leverages the city's bonding rate for providing homeowners low-interest loans to install renewables, which are paid back through annual property tax payments.
-Powerful Choices has developed a grant program that allows residents to apply for grant funding for conservation and/or renewable energy funds up to $5,000.
-Powerful Choices developed a proposal in 2014 for the River Falls community, which resulted in a Solar Garden award from WPPI, only one of two awarded throughout the member network.
Sustainability Proclamation: UWRF, School District of River Falls, City of River Falls, and Chippewa Valley Technical College - Joint Resolution to reaffirm and advance our actions as part of a sustainable community. Resolutions supporting the proclamation were approved by the governing bodies at all organizations. This included all four shared governance groups at UWRF, city council, the school district school board, and the board at CVTC. This proclamation places sustainability as a priority for our community and has been leveraged to introduce additional sustainable actions for our community.
UWRF also has representation on the City of River Falls Tree Advisory Committee and their Bee City committee.
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:
We are bound by political campaign activity rules of the Universities of Wisconsin. However, our institution does have employee legislative liaisons who pass on relevant policies for comment periods. In 2023, we provided comments on LRB – 2936/1 relating to: programs and requirements to address requirements to address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. We also provided comments on LRB 4850/1 relating to: an electric vehicle infrastructure program and making an appropriation.
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.