OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Oregon State University has been recognized as a top performer in the 2022 Sustainable Campus Index, ranking 9th in the area of Waste. Specifically, OSU has demonstrated excellence in waste reduction, waste diversion, and hazardous waste management. A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).
The university has adopted a Path to Carbon Neutrality to guide our carbon reduction strategies going forward. This plan has been informed by significant engagement throughout the university community, including with faculty, staff, and students, and by benchmarking with peer universities nationally. The plan includes a set of nine actions, including prioritizing energy efficiency; emphasizing on-site renewable energy production and the use of off-site renewable energy; reducing and eliminating the use of natural gas; promoting sustainable transportation options; and evaluating carbon offset potential from university lands.
Do you have a passion for sustainability and are you interested in creating positive change at OSU? Will you be living in a residence hall next year? If so, the Sustainability Office invites you to apply for an Eco-Rep position! Eco-Reps are responsible for encouraging a culture of sustainability in their residence halls by conducting outreach, planning events, managing their hall's composting program, and more. In this role, you can expect to collaborate with a fun team, develop skills in leadership and communication, and work a flexible schedule– now at $15/hour! Apply by October 9. For accommodations related to a disability, please contact Leticia.Cavazos@oregonstate.edu.
Interested in learning more about the OSU Solar Trailer? The Sustainability Office has created a new video to highlight the Solar Trailer's features and answer frequently asked questions! The Solar Trailer is available for university and non-university events across the state and provides a quiet renewable energy supply. Download the request form here, and if you're on Facebook, track where the Solar Trailer has been and how it's feeling!
OSU's new Sustainability Engagement Program is a two-part leadership course designed to offer a structured, practical, and meaningful experience for students who wish to explore sustainability without committing to the time or expense of a for-credit class. This non-credit, transcript-visible course is free of charge. The Fall session begins on September 21.
Green Certifications help the OSU community further sustainability efforts and receive recognition for excellent work. Green Office, Lab, and Greek certifications utilize online Qualtrics surveys to assess existing practices, such as energy and water use, waste management, purchasing, transportation, and outreach. Each survey can be saved and continued at any time, allowing you to complete it at your own pace. Once data entry and analysis are complete, we will send your score and certification level, as well as customized recommendations for improvement to reach the next level!