| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.94 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | April 30, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Oregon State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.67 / 4.00 |
Brandon
Trelstad Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Office |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | No |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | No |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | No | No |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | No | No |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | No | No |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | Yes | Yes |
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The first of three Signature Areas of Distinction of the OSU Strategic Plan Phase II is "Improving the understanding of the earth ecosystems upon which all life depends, and promoting their sustainability through high-impact public policy involvement with issues such as climate change, food security and safety, renewable energy production, and economically viable natural resource management."
Additionally, Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan Phase II is to:
"Provide outstanding academic programs that further strengthen performance and pre-eminence in the three Signature Areas of Distinction: Advancing the Science of Sustainable Earth Ecosystems; Improving Human Health and Wellness; and Promoting Economic Growth and Social Progress."
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
This is a campus wide plan and effort.
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
The first of three Signature Areas of Distinction of the OSU Strategic Plan Phase II is "Improving the understanding of the earth ecosystems upon which all life depends, and promoting their sustainability through high-impact public policy involvement with issues such as climate change, food security and safety, renewable energy production, and economically viable natural resource management."
The OSU Climate Plan includes strategies for supporting research activities. It also promotes student involvement in and exposure to OSU sponsored research related to sustainability, environmental issues, climate change, etc.
Since the Climate Plan was written in 2009, the Student Sustainability Initiative has begun a research grants program that helps accomplish this strategy.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
While the climate plan included measurable goals, strategies and actions, it did not include specific timelines for each. Please see OSU Climate Plan page 42. http://oregonstate.edu/sustainability/sites/default/files/docs/osuclimateplan2009.pdf
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office, for Climate Plan.
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
The Education and Engagement section of the OSU Climate Plan includes metrics and timelines specific to experiential and applied learning. One strategy was to "Engage existing student groups in campus operations activities that enhance their understanding of energy conservation, renewable energy, and climate issues." - OSU Climate Plan, page 35
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Among other steps, a revolving loan fund was a tactic established in 2009 and implemented in 2010 that engaged students in the financial aspects of GHG reduction projects. Other actions included strengthening hiring and marketing process for paid positions within the Student Sustainability Initiative.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office
Student Sustainability Initiative
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
The Campus and Community Engagement section of the OSU Climate Plan includes goals, strategies and actions for public engagement.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Strategies include providing access to members of the academic community and departments and community groups with student organizations in order to facilitate internship, volunteer, and work opportunities. A specific tactic includes providing tours of campus sustainability features.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
This is the basis of the OSU Climate Plan. Please see http://oregonstate.edu/sustainability/climateplan
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
OSU has specified a target date of 2025 for net carbon neutrality.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office and OSU leadership
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
This is the basis of the OSU Climate Plan, which largely focuses on energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities in buildings.
The OSU Master Plan also contains many elements related to sustainability in buildings: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/facilities/cpd/campus-master-plan
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
OSU has specified a target date of 2025 for net carbon neutrality.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office and OSU leadership
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
This is the basis of the OSU Climate Plan.
The OSU Master Plan also contains many elements related to energy: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/facilities/cpd/campus-master-plan
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
OSU has specified a target date of 2025 for net carbon neutrality.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office and OSU leadership
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
The OSU Master Plan contains many provisions for protecting open space and natural areas on the Corvallis Campus. It limits impervious surface and disturbance of native and riparian areas that run through campus, and identifies and protects natural areas.
More information at http://oregonstate.edu/dept/facilities/cpd/campus-master-plan
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
The Master Plan uses a sector-based approach that limits within each sector the amount of development that can occur, and has provisions for where growth occurs that require a dense, walkable campus. This prevents sprawl.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
OSU Campus Planning
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
As one of OSU's major sources of carbon emissions, the OSU Climate Plan includes goals, strategies and actions to address transportation. Please see pages 24 for air travel and page 28 for ground transportation.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
The Climate Plan goal was by 2012 to reduce emissions from ground transportation to no
more than 11,500 t CO2e.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Goals in the Climate Plan included decreasing the waste stream through traditional methods such as recycling, composting and other methods. At the time, conventional thinking was that claiming credit from composting would not offset landfill emissions but the current Clean Air-Cool Planet calculator supports this mitigation and as such, OSU has been able to substantially reduce emissions from waste. Many more opportunities exist within purchasing, however, which OSU has not yet addressed.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
The Climate Plan goal was by 2012 to reduce emissions from solid waste to no more than
300 t CO2e.
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
OSU Sustainability Office
Procurement
Campus Recycling
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
The Leadership Council for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity is charged to advise the President, the Provost, the Interim Executive Director of Equity and Inclusion, and other university leadership. The initial focus of the Council is the seven key objectives identified through the self-study process as foundational to attainment of the four overarching dimensions of diversity, equity and inclusion:
1. Institutional and Individual Capacity
2. Education, Scholarship, and Outreach
3. Access and Success
4. University Climate and Sense of Community
http://oregonstate.edu/oei/leadership-council
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
This information can be found at http://oregonstate.edu/oei/self-study-report#keyobjectives
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Leadership Council for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
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A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
Oregon State University is the only state university in Oregon to have a national historic district. The district was approved by the National Register of Historic Places June 25, 2008. The purpose of a preservation plan is to provide for the continued identification, evaluation, protection and enhancement of historic properties. Preservation of the built environment provides an opportunity to celebrate a diverse cultural heritage by focusing on its historic resources that include buildings, landmarks and landscapes, monuments, and archaeological sites, while improving sustainability metrics by increasing the amount of building materials and facades that are reused.
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The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
One of the first goals to be developed is Statewide Planning Goal 5: Natural Resources, Scenic and Historic Areas, and Open Spaces. The goal states:
“To protect natural resources and conserve scenic and historic areas and open spaces.”
More information at http://oregonstate.edu/admin/facilities/campusplng/histpres/index.html
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Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
OSU Campus Planning
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The institution’s definition of sustainability:
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Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
Yes
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A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The first of three Signature Areas of Distinction of the OSU Strategic Plan Phase II is "Improving the understanding of the earth ecosystems upon which all life depends, and promoting their sustainability through high-impact public policy involvement with issues such as climate change, food security and safety, renewable energy production, and economically viable natural resource management."
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The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.