Oregon State University
EN-3: Student Life

The Student Sustainability Initiative mission is to support student efforts to create a sustainable community at OSU through action, education, and opportunity. Objectives: * Reduce the ecological footprint of the OSU community. * Connect students' innovation and energy with the resources and skills needed for them to succeed. * Identify and help implement best practices through collaboration and research with OSU and the greater community. * Manage student funds responsibly. * Diversify and integrate with the OSU sustainability community. * Model a transition toward sustainable practices through renovations on the Student Sustainability Center Objectives are implemented through: * Volunteer opportunities * Project leadership opportunities * Community building events * Experiential learning * Strategic investments * Grassroots organizing training * Relationships with faculty, staff, and administration SSI work implements its mission statement through financing internships, grants, activities, projects, and work parties. The SSI has helped fund: * Interns on the restoration of Oak Creek * The renovation of the Student Sustainability Center * An on campus food assessment * Composting on campus * Energy efficiency studies * Permaculture learning garden * Corvallis Bicycle Collective * OSU Bike Loan Program

The OSU Organic Growers Club is an all-volunteer, student-run, organic farming project that began in 2000. The group was founded by a handful of undergraduate students on the notion that folks getting a degree in agriculture science should at some point in their academic careers, put a seed in the ground, take care of it, and harvest the benefits of that effort. Since then, the group and the farm have grown into much more than a ideological reaction and more toward a forward thinking community of students, staff, and faculty that have a common interest in food, fun, and above all experiencing the reality that is ecosystem sustenance. The OSU Organic Growers Club farm is located on ~2 acres of OSU agricultural research land and has gained the support of many faculty, staff and the community which has helped it to grow to over 300 members and 400 community clients.

Enactus is an international organization focused on mobilizing university students to create economic opportunity for others while discovering their own potential. Enactus is an opportunity for students to apply their classroom experiences to the real world with the help of faculty and advisors. Skills learned in market economics, entrepreneurship, personal finances, sustainability, and business ethics are applied to real life business situations. Enactus participates in community outreach programs at OSU and around the world. OSU also has the largest Residential College west of the Mississippi with the Austin Entrepreneurship program. The Austin Entrepreneurship Program at Weatherford Residential College is a unique living-learning environment for undergraduates offering entrepreneurship courses, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to explore business ideas. The Weatherford program focuses on four key initiatives: - Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Social Entrepreneurship and Social Initiatives - Sustainability - Professional Development Pangea Cafe is is a student run on-campus restaurant that is available Monday through Friday. They offer a low price healthy alternative with a focus on international menus and sustainability.

Started in January 2010, the Sustainable Energy Revolving Loan Fund is a student program that provides a local source of low interest financing to accelerate sustainable energy projects at Oregon State University. Funding is delivered through a competitive application process. $100,000 were available each year from FY10-FY12, then an additional $170,000 was granted to a specific project in FY13.

The Starker Lecture Series takes inspiration from the Starker Family's history of leadership in supporting sound forestry and vibrant communities through scientifically grounded education and positive, sustained action. The Starkers' long-time recognition of the value of closely observing and learning from actions and outcomes "in the woods" also inspires an integration of technical knowledge with practical, on-the-ground experience. The lectures carry an emphasis on issues and opportunities in the active management of forest resources, through lectures, in depth discussions, and field based events. Held on the second Monday of the month, Science Pub Corvallis offers cool presentations in an informal atmosphere where attendees can interact with experts. No scientific background is required to attend. http://oregonstate.edu/terra/science-pub-corvallis/ The Pacific Fisheries Technologists is an organization that includes three parties: industry, academia and government that exchange the most up to date technical information during their 3-day annual conference. Directed and organized by OSU members the conference includes every state from Alaska to Mexico along the Pacific Ocean and often includes fellow visitors from Pacific Rim countries as well. The 2015 conference will be covering practices involving “Safe and Sustainable Seafood”. http://pftfish.net/

Art About Agriculture is a program in the College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, which encourages artists to investigate agriculture and natural resources themes for creating their works of art. It strives to develop an understanding and appreciation of food and fiber among Oregon's diverse audiences. Also, the art installation "Pomp and Circumstance" by Patrick Daugherty used student and volunteer labor to harvest local materials for the all natural stick based sculpture, located in the core of campus. A permanent mural titled "Powered by Sustainability" spans a nearly 25 foot section of a wall within the Kelley Engineering Center and demonstrates the connection of the work done by the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department and aspects of sustainability, specifically focused on renewable energy systems.

The OSU Adventure Leadership Institute (ALI) helps students learn about the recreational opportunities in the area and follows Leave No Trace principles. Resources are available at the ALI to learn more about what can be done to leave no trace. Principles include * Plan ahead and prepare. * Camp and travel on durable surfaces * Pack it in pack it out. * Leave what your find * Minimize use and impact of fire Resources Available: * Oregon's Wild Area's * Pacific Northwest Hike's * Oregon State Parks * Pacific Northwest Camping * The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook * National Forest Service Maps Specific courses that include Leave No Trace content include: Backpacking, LNT Awareness, Wilderness Living Techniques, and Winter Backcountry Travel.

The Student Sustainability Initiative hosted weekly garden work parties where students learn organic gardening skills, local cooking classes, and a winter weatherization workshop for students living off-campus.

The OSU Sustainability Office, Campus Recycling and the Student Sustainability Initiative are dedicated to providing student employment and internship opportunities and do so extensively. All three organizations also offer periodic projects on which students can work. http://recycle.oregonstate.edu/contactinfo http://sli.oregonstate.edu/ssi/about-ssi/ssi-staff-directory

The Eco-Reps program is an opportunity for students living in the resident halls to take a leadership role in promoting sustainability among their peers. They help with various programs like hall-wide composting, promote events on campus, and spread information within their halls.