| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.23 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | Jan. 31, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Oregon State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Eric
Beeler Program Coordinator Student Sustainability Initiative |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student Groups
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.
* 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
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
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 Innovation Nation (launched based off of the Austin Entrepreneurship Program) at Weatherford and Poling Residential Colleges, as well as the International Living Learning Center Global Village, is a unique living-learning environment for undergraduates offering entrepreneurship courses, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to explore business ideas.
http://business.oregonstate.edu/main/innovation-nation
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
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 projects in FY13 and is currently in the process of being repaid over 5 years.
Since 2013, plans have evolved to expand and simplify the program into a revolving fund process. The total allocation available in FY17 was $470,000. During FY18, the program will be further developed to reinvest in additional high return projects.
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives is available (optional):
---
Events
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
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 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
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 you find
* Minimize use and impact of fire
Resources Available:
* Oregon's Wild Areas
* Pacific Northwest Hikes
* 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, Backcountry Leadership, and Wilderness Living Techniques.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors programs is available (optional):
Sustainability-Related Themes
No
A brief description of the sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
---
The website URL where information about the sustainability-related themes is available (optional):
---
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. SSI also hosted 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
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
The website URL where information about the student employment opportunities is available:
Graduation Pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledges:
---
The website URL where information about the graduation pledges is available (optional):
---
Other 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
---
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
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.