Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.21
Liaison Brandon Trelstad
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Oregon State University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Brandon Trelstad
Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainability Office
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Student Groups 

Does the institution have one or more active student groups focused on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of active student groups focused on sustainability:
The Student Sustainability Initiative (SSI) works to advance student efforts to create a culture of sustainability at Oregon State University through programming that fosters environmental, social, and economic justice. 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. 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 * An on campus food assessment * Water Refill Stations Retrofit * Bike delivery for the on campus paper * Energy efficiency studies * Permaculture learning garden * Corvallis Bicycle Collective * OSU Bike Loan Program

The website URL where information about the student groups is available (optional):

Gardens and Farms 

Does the institution have gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
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.

The website URL where information about the gardens, farms or agriculture projects is available (optional):

Student-Run Enterprises 

Does the institution have student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes (e.g. cafés through which students gain sustainable business skills)?:
Yes

A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
16xOSU is an international organization focused on mobilizing university students to create economic opportunity for others while discovering their own potential. 16xOSU 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. 16xOSU participates in community outreach programs at OSU and around the world. 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. This living-learning community is the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi 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, including food cultural weeks and Meatless Mondays.

The website URL where information about the student-run enterprises is available (optional):

Sustainable Investment and Finance 

Does the institution have sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
Started in January 2010, the Sustainable Energy Revolving Loan Fund was a student program that provided a local source of low interest financing to accelerate sustainable energy projects at Oregon State University. Funding was delivered through a competitive application process. $170,000 was granted to a projects in FY13 and is currently in the process of being repaid over 5 years. Upon recapitalization, OSU will evaluate if continuation of the Fund is viable for the long run.

The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):

Events 

Does the institution have conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability:
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 2016 conference centered on the theme of “Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future.” http://pftfish.net/

The website URL where information about the conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability is available (optional):

Cultural Arts 

Does the institution have cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience?:
Yes

A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability:
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. 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 website URL where information about the cultural arts events, installations or performances is available (optional):

Wilderness and Outdoors Programs 

Does the institution have wilderness or outdoors programs (e.g. that organize hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or other outings for students) that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
Yes

A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
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 website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):

Sustainability-Related Themes 

Does the institution have sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences (e.g. choosing a sustainability-related book for common reading)?:
No

A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
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Sustainable Life Skills 

Does the institution have programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
Yes

A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
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 website URL where information about the sustainable life skills programs is available (optional):

Student Employment Opportunities 

Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
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 website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:

Graduation Pledge

Does the institution have graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
No

A brief description of the graduation pledges:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
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Other Programs and Initiatives 

Does the institution have other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives?:
Yes

A brief description of the other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
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.

The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available (optional):

Optional Fields 

Estimated percentage of students (full-time and part-time) that participate annually in sustainability-focused co-curricular education and outreach programs (0-100):
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.