Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.61
Liaison Brandon Trelstad
Submission Date Dec. 20, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Oregon State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Leticia Cavazos
Sustainability Program Specialist
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):

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:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

OSU has several newsletters that cover sustainability. One is an email-based resource that is targeted specifically for OSU faculty and staff. Some of the topics 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
https://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/sustainability_advocates

The Sustainability Office and Campus Recycling issue a bi-weekly newsletter for the OSU community:
https://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/sustainability_at_osu


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:

The following OSU units have Facebook pages and twitter and instagram accounts:
-Sustainability at OSU that includes content from Campus Recycling and OSU Sustainability Office (plus additional transportation and energy related pages)
-Center for Civic Engagement
-Numerous student groups
.
Ecologue, the OSU sustainability blog, incorporates content from multiple departments and is linked below.


The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
Does the institution have regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat?:
No

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
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Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

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. http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/ecologue/

Momentum, the College of Engineering research publication, also includes student activity in every edition. http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/engineering/momentum/


The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

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. The OSU Energy Center, Kelley Engineering, Weatherford Hall, the Student Experience Center and Kearney Hall are all LEED certified at varying levels and have signage showcasing the LEED certification.

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 website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

OSU dining halls have food signage that discusses sustainable food systems and suppliers like Food Alliance, Oregon Country Natural Beef, etc. There are also signage and outreach around vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.


The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

Signage for specific sites, such as the horticulture demonstration areas, is located on each site.

In parts of the Corvallis campus, there are signs for pollinator gardens, butterfly plantings, and the native plant garden. University Housing and Dining Services have installed plant identification labels throughout their buildings.


The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

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:
Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:

Our transportation alternatives brochure, website and social media communicate and promote alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle.



The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

The OSU Transportation 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:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

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://fa.oregonstate.edu/sustainability/resources-students/eco-reps


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:

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 these materials or publications:
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.