Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

DCISE Annual Report 2016-2017

Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

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DCISE Annual Report 2016-2017 8 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY CLINIC The Pace Environmental Policy Clinic was at the forefront of several major issues this year with breakthrough developments in environmental policies that presented students with unprecedented opportunities for research, applied learning and direct civic engagement at the local and state legislative levels. This year's work introduced key figures to DCISE and advanced the Clinic's standing across a statewide audience as a pathbreaking program in undergraduate education and civic engagement unique to Pace University and Dyson College. This year's cases included: Clinic students in the Pleasantville class continued to advance the Elephant Protection Act, initially drafted by prior clinicians. Students spent the semester lobbying for the bill, including several trips to Albany to meet with representatives and their staff face- to-face. As a result, students and faculty of Dyson College's Environmental Policy Clinic scored a big win with both the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate voting in favor of the Elephant Protection Act (A-464B / S2098-B). In October 2017, the Act was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo making New York the first state to outright prohibit elephants in circuses and entertainment. Student clinician research discovered the U.S. Coast Guard's violation of its own procedures and public participation requirements in the decision-making process of 43 "special anchorage" locations along the Hudson River, which would likely store oil barges. Students participated in a press conference with state and county government leaders. They also submitted official comments in response to the Coast Guard's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. In June, the Coast Guard withdrew the proposal, pending completion of the very study the Clinic identified as required. New York City clinicians proposed legislation closing a loophole that allows underage individuals to purchase and possess tobacco products in New York State. Like all states, NY prohibits tobacco sale to those under legal age, but is one of only four states that still allows underage individuals to purchase and possess. Students presented their research and proposed legislation in testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Health. CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Students in the Environmental Policy Clinic met with representatives and their staff in Albany to advocate for the Elephant Protection Act, a bill drafted by clinic students and passed by the New York State Legislature in June 2017.

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