| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.49 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | Dec. 8, 2021 |
Oregon State University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Brandon
Trelstad Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Office |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Human Services Resource Center
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Supporting Oregon State University's increasing emphasis on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, the Human Services Resource Center (HSRC) plays a critical role to create a more sustainable society. Environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability are all concretely embodied in the work of HSRC.
HSRC programs like the Food Pantry and Textbook Lending Program address holistic sustainability. The HSRC prioritizes access to the Textbook Lending Program during the first week of Fall, Winter and Spring terms to students with higher financial need. An additional benefit of the Textbook Lending Program is reducing textbook material waste and upstream lifecycle impacts. HSRC also runs a laptop lending program, and has multiple ways they partner with other campus departments (like the Library) to connect students with additional academic resources.
The HSRC Food Pantry is available to food insecure students, staff, and community members. If those in need already receive another form of assistance (SNAP, TANF, SSI, etc) they are still eligible to receive food from the pantry as needed per month. Requestors do not need to be OSU staff or students to get food from the pantry. The only eligibility requirement is that individuals and/or families meet income requirements.
Food insecurity is much higher among college students compared to the general population: 23% of OSU students experience food insecurity, compared to 11% of the general population. HSRC has other programs to address food insecurity including:
- Healthy Beaver Bags, which every Friday offer low-income students (and staff) keep some healthy nutritional options in their diets and guidance on how to use these options
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program guidance
- @eatfreeosu on Twitter, where OSU departments can advertise their events that include free food as well as notify students when there are leftovers from an event. This is a win-win because it both feeds students and prevents food waste!
HSRC has other programs that help meet students' basic needs, including on-site emergency housing and by-request DIY laundry service even for those not using housing resources. The Basic Needs Navigator is a specific position within HSRC that supports student's academic potential by providing 1:1 support to those navigating challenging financial barriers and having a hard time meeting their basic needs.
HSRC connects students to a host of other resources from other agencies and entities including those listed above, like SNAP. Other examples include the Good and Cheap cookbook, the Double Up Food Bucks program at local famer's markets and University Housing & Dining Services $3 Makes Cents meals, which are offered every day at each of our three dining centers.
HSRC programs like the Food Pantry and Textbook Lending Program address holistic sustainability. The HSRC prioritizes access to the Textbook Lending Program during the first week of Fall, Winter and Spring terms to students with higher financial need. An additional benefit of the Textbook Lending Program is reducing textbook material waste and upstream lifecycle impacts. HSRC also runs a laptop lending program, and has multiple ways they partner with other campus departments (like the Library) to connect students with additional academic resources.
The HSRC Food Pantry is available to food insecure students, staff, and community members. If those in need already receive another form of assistance (SNAP, TANF, SSI, etc) they are still eligible to receive food from the pantry as needed per month. Requestors do not need to be OSU staff or students to get food from the pantry. The only eligibility requirement is that individuals and/or families meet income requirements.
Food insecurity is much higher among college students compared to the general population: 23% of OSU students experience food insecurity, compared to 11% of the general population. HSRC has other programs to address food insecurity including:
- Healthy Beaver Bags, which every Friday offer low-income students (and staff) keep some healthy nutritional options in their diets and guidance on how to use these options
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program guidance
- @eatfreeosu on Twitter, where OSU departments can advertise their events that include free food as well as notify students when there are leftovers from an event. This is a win-win because it both feeds students and prevents food waste!
HSRC has other programs that help meet students' basic needs, including on-site emergency housing and by-request DIY laundry service even for those not using housing resources. The Basic Needs Navigator is a specific position within HSRC that supports student's academic potential by providing 1:1 support to those navigating challenging financial barriers and having a hard time meeting their basic needs.
HSRC connects students to a host of other resources from other agencies and entities including those listed above, like SNAP. Other examples include the Good and Cheap cookbook, the Double Up Food Bucks program at local famer's markets and University Housing & Dining Services $3 Makes Cents meals, which are offered every day at each of our three dining centers.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Food & Dining
Diversity & Affordability
Wellbeing & Work
Diversity & Affordability
Wellbeing & Work
Optional Fields
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
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Second Point of Distinction
Oregon State University First to Reach 10 STARS Ratings
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
In 2020, Oregon State became the first institution to achieve 10 STARS ratings, and reached Gold for the tenth time. Driven by the global imperative for higher education to help create a more sustainable society, the philosophy within the OSU Sustainability Office builds on the concept that "you can't manage what you can't measure."
To increase OSU's capacity to make informed, data-drive decisions in an increasingly complex society and economy, STARS plays a key role in advancing OSU's Strategic Plan, decarbonization efforts and sustainability management overall. The data gathering process also helps raise visibility of sustainability efforts in parts of the institution where it is not routine, and creates a culture of sustainability that is becoming business as usual.
To increase OSU's capacity to make informed, data-drive decisions in an increasingly complex society and economy, STARS plays a key role in advancing OSU's Strategic Plan, decarbonization efforts and sustainability management overall. The data gathering process also helps raise visibility of sustainability efforts in parts of the institution where it is not routine, and creates a culture of sustainability that is becoming business as usual.
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Coordination & Planning
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
PA-1
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
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Third Point of Distinction
Sustainability Double Degree and Sustainability Minor
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
Our changing world presents challenges that leaders in all sectors are called upon to address. Business, government, nonprofit and community leaders need to be prepared to effectively address complex social, environmental and economic issues, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequities, and water and food scarcity. The sustainability double degree and minor provide students with a rich interdisciplinary curriculum that explores sustainability issues in the world today and fosters the knowledge, skills and abilities to address complex sustainability issues in communities and workplaces.
In step with the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability, the degree was designed to complement all OSU degree programs and is earned as a second Bachelor’s degree in addition to any major area of study. Students generally respond that the additional credit hours can be easily incorporated into their desired academic timeline. OSU works with each student and their primary advisor to ensure that graduation requirements are met in a timely manner.
Students may obtain a Bachelor of Science, Sustainability, after completing 32 credits of required and elective courses and a practicum, such as an internship or research project.
Students may earn a Sustainability Minor after completing 27 credits of required and elective courses.
In step with the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability, the degree was designed to complement all OSU degree programs and is earned as a second Bachelor’s degree in addition to any major area of study. Students generally respond that the additional credit hours can be easily incorporated into their desired academic timeline. OSU works with each student and their primary advisor to ensure that graduation requirements are met in a timely manner.
Students may obtain a Bachelor of Science, Sustainability, after completing 32 credits of required and elective courses and a practicum, such as an internship or research project.
Students may earn a Sustainability Minor after completing 27 credits of required and elective courses.
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Curriculum
Campus Engagement
Campus Engagement
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
AC-3
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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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.