Oregon State University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

Supporting Oregon State University's increasing emphasis on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, the Basic Needs Center (BNC) 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 BNC. At the Basic Needs Center, the student team works together to build community, share resources, develop strategies and have fun along the way. BNC Student Leaders use their experience and training to help other students find resources and create a plan to make it to graduation in an increasingly expensive college environment. The BNC team believes in an ethos of "radical hospitality" - drop in anytime the center is open (no appointment needed!) and don't be surprised if you're offered a cup of coffee or a snack while you're here.

BNCC programs like the Food Pantry and Textbook Lending Program address holistic sustainability. The BNCC 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. In 2022 the BNC launched a Textbook Request Pilot Program through which students can request a physical textbook that is not already in its library.

BNCC 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 BNC 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. BNC 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!

BNC 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 BNC 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.

BNC 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 $5 Makes Cents meals, which are offered every day at each of our three dining centers.

Oregon State University has been awarded a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with farmers and Native American Tribes on cropping practices that can enhance soil health and reduce the carbon footprint of the Pacific Northwest potato industry.

Oregon State University is collaborating with the University of Idaho and Washington State University, Tribal nations, commodity groups and potato processing businesses on the five-year project that funded under the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program.

It is one of 70 projects totaling up to $2.8 billion funded by the USDA to support America’s farmers, ranchers and forest owners and to strengthen U.S. rural and agricultural communities by building markets for what the USDA is calling climate-smart commodities, meaning implanting green and climate resilient practices in food and agriculture.

The project team will assess how potatoes and rotation crops are currently being grown on conventional and organic farms and Native Americans lands. By studying what is presently being done and measuring the soil conditions of fields at the beginning of the project, the team will then work with the farmers and Tribal leaders will work to identify soil health building practices and rotation options that work for their farms and land conditions.

In June, 2022, university leadership approved the OSU Path to Carbon Neutrality, an updated climate plan with nine actions that accelerate decarbonization of university activities. Prior to approval, the OSU Sustainability Office and the Faculty Senate Carbon Commitment Committee led a year of campus community engagement to help shape the Path's nine actions.

By implementing the Path, OSU reaffirms its commitment to advancing climate science and also to our Strategic Plan Action 14: Reduce our carbon footprint.

The plan has been informed by significant engagement throughout the university community, including with faculty, staff, and students, and by benchmarking with peer universities nationally. The Path's nine actions include prioritizing energy efficiency; emphasizing on-site renewable energy production and the use of off-site renewable energy; reducing and eliminating the use of natural gas; promoting sustainable transportation options; and evaluating carbon offset potential from university lands. For the first time, specific actions and projects have associated funding sources, estimated carbon reduction, expected timelines and responsible parties to accelerate implementation and success.