Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 74.49
Liaison Brandon Trelstad
Submission Date Dec. 8, 2021

STARS v2.2

Oregon State University
IN-48: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50 Brandon Trelstad
Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
OSU hosts first Cultivating Change chapter west of Mississippi River

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
The Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences has launched the fourth chapter in the nation, and the first west of the Mississippi River, of a club for agriculture community members identifying as LGTBQ+ and their allies.

“This club is an opportunity to acknowledge students who have always been a part of agriculture but perhaps never felt like they had a place that truly accepted them,” said Christina Walsh, one of the faculty advisors for the club and the student engagement coordinator for the College of Agricultural Sciences. “It’s exciting to witness the enthusiasm of students who feel like they finally have a home.”

The club, Cultivating Change, is part of the Cultivating Change Foundation, which was founded in 2015 with the aim of starting a conversation that acknowledges and values the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in the agricultural industry. Three other universities – Penn State, Virginia Tech and Ohio State – currently have chapters.

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
See also: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/oregon-state-introduces-nation%E2%80%99s-fifth-chapter-agricultural-science-lgbtq-club

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