Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.78
Liaison Brandon Trelstad
Submission Date April 30, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Oregon State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Brandon Trelstad
Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution produce the following outreach materials and/or publications that foster sustainability learning and knowledge? :
Yes or No
A central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution’s sustainability efforts Yes
A sustainability newsletter Yes
Social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability Yes
A vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability Yes
Building signage that highlights green building features Yes
Food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems Yes
Signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed Yes
A sustainability walking map or tour Yes
A guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation Yes
Navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians Yes
A guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience Yes
Regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat No
Other sustainability publications or outreach materials not covered above Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website:

The OSU Sustainability Website:

- Provides information on how OSU is practicing and promoting sustainability on campus
- Serves as a "hub" to connect and enhance the visibility of existing OSU resources
-Increases awareness of the need for a more environmentally sensitive, socially equitable, and economically stable culture


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

OSU has several newsletters that cover sustainability. One is an email-based resource is targeted specifically for OSU faculty and staff. Some of the topics types covered include:

* Major milestones in advancing institutional sustainability, such as implementing OSU's Climate Plan and STARS
* Opportunities for departments to contribute to the sustainability movement
* Electronic tools and resources
* Case studies and success stories from inside and outside OSU
* Awards and recognition the university receives
* Resources departments can share with students

Another newsletter is targeted to student audiences and focuses topics of interest to them.


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus specifically on campus sustainability:

The following OSU units have Facebook pages:
-OSU Sustainability Office (plus additional transportation and energy related pages)
-Campus Recycling
-Student Sustainability Initiative
-Numerous student groups

Campus Recycling and SSI also have Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Ecologue, the OSU sustainability blog, incorporates content from multiple departments and is linked below.


The website URL of the primary social media platform that focuses on sustainability:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

Terra Research Magazine:

The Terra Web site is produced by the Departments of Research Communications, University Marketing and Web Communications at Oregon State University. Research Communications promotes OSU’s strategic plan by telling the stories of OSU researchers through Terra and the president’s annual report.

Ecologue, the OSU sustainability blog, also includes stories about student research and projects funded from the Student Sustainability Initiative grant programs. Creating a blog post is mandatory for grant recipients.


The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

Several OSU buildings have building signage that highlight green features that are present in the building. Kelley Engineering, Weatherford, and Kearney Hall are all LEED certified and have signage to inform students and guests about the sustainable features.

Dixon Recreation Center has one of the most comprehensive sets of sustainability signage that talks about many different aspects of sustainability. Copies of the signs can be viewed at the below provided.

The Student Sustainability Center includes signage throughout it's building.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

The Dining Halls of OSU have food signage that discusses sustainable food systems as it relates to Food Alliance, Oregon Country Beef, etc. There are also signage and outreach around vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options in dining.


The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:

Signage for specific sites, such as the Student Sustainability Center and the horticulture demonstration areas, are located on each site.


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies:
---

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The Self-guided Campus Sustainability Tour brochure highlights some of the many ways OSU is working toward sustainability, and is one of our most popular publications.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

http://fa.oregonstate.edu/sustainability/resources-visitors

Additionally, Oregon State University's main campus has been designated by the National Center for Urban Transportation Research as one of their Best Workplaces for Commuters. This designation recognizes employers for outstanding efforts to provide alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle. Some of the programs include, ride sharing, campus shuttle system, bike parking, bike lockers, local pedicab services, Corvallis Transit, and the WeCar car sharing program. All this information is available in one location, the url listed below, and appears in multiple publications such as orientation material and visitor information.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

The OSU Alternative Transportation Advisory Committee works with the City of Corvallis to keep current bike maps - for commuters and recreation - available to the university community.


The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

University Housing and Dining Services provides programs and information about sustainability in the residence halls and how students living in them can reduce environmental impact.

Additionally, the Eco-reps program includes green living and sustainability information directly delivered to residential students through paid employees in residence halls. http://oregonstate.edu/sustainability/blog/2013/11/welcome-the-201314-eco-reps/


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
A brief description of regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
---

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
---

A brief description of another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above (1st material):

OSU Sustainability Office Brochure:

The guide describes the different activities that the OSU Sustainability Office participates in or organizes. It also talks about how to get involved on campus and what faculty and staff can do.


The website URL for this material (1st material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (2nd material):

Campus Recycling brochure, talking about the recycling, surplus and online sales programs, zero waste events, what to recycle on campus and many other aspects of waste reduction.


The website URL for this material (2nd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (3rd material):

A "Gold" LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council made OSU's Kelley Engineering Center. The publication linked below discusses building green features in detail, like natural lighting, natural ventilation and a rainwater harvesting system that was cutting edge when the building was designed in 2002.


The website URL for this material (3rd material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (4th material):

Campus Recycling's Green Events Guide

This information provides the campus community ideas and resources for carrying out zero waste events, large and small.

In addition to the link below, Campus Recycling offers a Green Event planning worksheet for event managers.


The website URL for this material (4th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (5th material):

OSU's Corvallis campus has a variety of rain water mitigation techniques, many of which are on the cutting edge of sustainability. The map highlights locations with bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs, rain collection, sewer access structures, and permeable pavement.


The website URL for this material (5th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (6th material):

Momentum, the College of Engineering Newsletter

Momentum regularly features undergraduate, graduate and faculty research and civic engagement activities around sustainability. Emphasis areas include renewable energy, bioproducts and transportation engineering.


The website URL for this material (6th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material (7th material):

The Spring Creek Project is an organization that incorporates multiple disciplines in a discussion about pivotal environmental issues. They have a blog that highlights events and topics relating to sustainability and their mission. This blog is used frequently for outreach of sustainability focused events.


The website URL for this material (7th material):
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
No

A brief description of this material (8th material):
---

The website URL for this material (8th material):
---

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.