| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.38 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | Dec. 9, 2022 |
Oregon State University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Leticia
Cavazos Sustainability Program Specialist Sustainability Office |
Does the institution have an active student group focused on sustainability?:
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
The Environmental Council is a forum for undergrad, grad, and ecampus students representing different organizations and departments at OSU and within the community to collaborate on environmental issues and follow up on projects to make campus more sustainable.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/159783744703138
The Environmental Sciences Club is open to all students that have a passion for the environment. This club aims to educate students about environmental issues, inspire them to pursue issues they care about, and serve the community through local environmental service projects. Weekly meetings feature guest speakers and student-led presentations with weekend hikes, field trips, service projects, and camping trips.
http://osuenvisciclub.weebly.com/
Does the institution have a garden, farm, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery program, or an urban agriculture project where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems?:
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 an 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.
Does the institution have a student-run enterprise that includes sustainability as part of its mission statement or stated purpose?:
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
Does the institution have a sustainable investment fund, green revolving fund, or sustainable microfinance initiative through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills?:
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
InnovationX, OSU's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is a training ground for turning its focus on problem-solving into results and sustainable businesses. While the center lives in the College of Business, InnovationX serves students of any major across OSU and promotes access to entrepreneurship programming for OSU's communities.
The center delivers programming that allows students to explore entrepreneurship, participate in entrepreneurship activities, test new business ideas, and launch new ventures. The center also builds an inclusive culture of entrepreneurship across the institution so that every OSU student has access to entrepreneurship resources and feels welcomed into the entrepreneurship community. To create an environment where any student can feel a sense of belonging, InnovationX uses a concept called inclusive design. Inclusive design is the development of mainstream products and services that are accessible to and usable by as many people as reasonably possible – without the need for specialized adaptation/design.
Students can join the Launch Academy (Part of InnovationX), an incubator for student entrepreneurs who want to be immersed in an innovative, high-energy environment that promotes the creation, evolution and implementation of business ideas. Launch Academy students earn OSU credit for working on their businesses and have access to seed funding, prototyping equipment, co-working space, mentoring and training to help them advance their ideas. Launch Academy students learn how to deliver an elevator pitch and exclusively pitch for the opportunity to earn up to $5,000 in startup funding. The pitch needs to be for a service, product or community change project.
Recently, the Deshpande Foundation, which supports sustainable, scalable social and economic impact through innovation and entrepreneurship in the United States, Canada, and India, named Launch Academy, InnovationX's student business incubator, a recipient of the Rising Star Award for Excellence in Curriculum Innovation. The award recognizes Launch Academy’s flexible and accessible model for providing students with entrepreneurship resources, training and community.
https://business.oregonstate.edu/student-experience/student-centers/innovationx
Has the institution hosted a conference, speaker series, symposium, or similar event focused on sustainability during the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on 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.
https://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/starker-lectures
Science Pubs are where OSU takes science out of the laboratory and bring it into the community, with food and drinks. Science Pubs facilitates fascinating discussions with researchers from throughout OSU and OSU-Cascades. Participants learn about researchers and the work they are doing to solve some of the world's toughest challenges. No scientific background is required to attend.
https://communications.oregonstate.edu/events/events-and-projects/corvallis-science-pub
https://osucascades.edu/community-connect/science-pubs
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 2022 conference centered on the theme of “Trim One’s Sails”.
http://pftfish.net/2022/index.htm
Has the institution hosted a cultural arts event, installation, or performance focused on sustainability with the previous three years that had students as the intended audience?:
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on 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.
https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/art/art-about-agriculture
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.
https://today.oregonstate.edu/archives/2010/may/sustainability-mural-be-unveiled
https://precollege.oregonstate.edu/sites/precollege.oregonstate.edu/files/campus_photo_tour_teacher_version_2017.pdf
Does the institution have a wilderness or outdoors program that follow Leave No Trace principles?:
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.
Has the institution had a sustainability-focused theme chosen for a themed semester, year, or first-year experience during the previous three years?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
Finley Hall houses the Earth2OSU Learning-Living Community. Earth2OSU is an opportunity for students that are passionate about the planet, whether through advocacy, activism, personal choice or professional pursuit. Earth2OSU is organized by the College of Earth, Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, but is open to students from any major and any college.
Goals of the Earth2OSU Floor
-Build community and networks of support
-Connect with resources around sustainability & environmental activism
-Create opportunities to discuss environmental issues and challenges, share solutions-based approaches to earth and planet health, and inspire others to make a difference
Benefits of the Earth2OSU Floor
-Living with like-minded students
-Just-in-time registration advising and assistance on-site
-Timely and topical movie screenings
-Workshops
-Relevant club showcasing
Does the institution have a program through which students can learn sustainable life skills?:
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
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.
https://fa.oregonstate.edu/sustainability/get-involved/students/eco-reps
Does the institution offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities?:
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The OSU Sustainability Office, Campus Recycling and the Center for Civic Engagement 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
https://cel.oregonstate.edu/about
Does the institution have a graduation pledge through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions?:
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that do not fall into one of the above categories:
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.