Oregon State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

The Strategic Plan 4.0 addresses curriculum development. Specifically, one of the university's four strengths listed in the SP 4.0 is "Revolutionary Earth Systems Science", and by leveraging this strength, the Plan set the following goals by 2030:
-OSU is a global leader in blending the natural and social sciences, unique experiential learning opportunities, interdisciplinary research and engagement to address the health and well-being of the ocean and coastal communities.
-OSU's Earth system science researchers and students operate pole-to-pole connecting science to society and improving environmental literacy.
-OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center is a global destination for research and discovery and a hub for collaborative teaching and experiential learning.
-OSU-Cascades utilizes its extensive natural laboratory to address the resiliency of ecosystems and connections to health, wellness and economic prosperity.
-OSU is a world leader in research on energy.
-OSU is a leading innovator in water resources research and global water conflict resolution.
-OSU serves the world and enhances rural economies through continued discovery in the use of mass timber for multi-story buildings.

Additionally, as stated in Strategic Plan 4.0, Oregon State’s discoveries are the engine for improving the welfare of our society, economy and planet. By 2030:
-We are a preferred global partner in developing marketable sources of energy that propel economic prosperity and enable carbon neutrality.
-We are a global center of excellence in integrating big data science and informatics in our natural resource, engineering and health research.
https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/strategic-plan/strengths-2030

Assessment of progress on SP4.0 actions and tactics available here: https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/provost/strategic-plan/current-university-strategic-plan

The OSU Path to Carbon Neutrality is a plan with nine actions that accelerate decarbonization of university activities. In 2022, OSU leadership, the Sustainability Office, and the Faculty Senate Carbon Commitment Committee created this document. Action 7: Engage University Community, includes objectives that address community engagement. The goal of this action is to inspire individual and collective actions that reduce carbon emissions by conducting outreach campaigns that engage the university community.

https://fa.oregonstate.edu/sites/fa.oregonstate.edu/files/sustainability/docs/path_to_carbon_neutrality_6-8-22.pdf

The OSU Path to Carbon Neutrality is an implementation plan with specific actions to accelerate decarbonization of university operations. It defines and funds actions the university must take to achieve carbon neutrality in 2025, or soon thereafter. Generally, OSU will prioritize direct emissions reductions, like building efficiency improvement, before indirect actions such as purchasing off-site renewable energy. The nine actions below are listed in priority order but work will occur simultaneously.
1. Improve Existing Building Efficiency. Goal: Increase building efficiency by implementing heating and cooling system tune ups and calibration, known as retro-commissioning, within at least two existing buildings each year.
2. Leverage Capital Improvement and Renewal Projects. Goal: Replace and upgrade heating and cooling systems, building controls, lighting and other aging and failing systems to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings.
3. Expand On-site Renewable Energy. Goal: Install solar electrical equipment at two to four university properties each year for 10 years.
4. Decarbonize Major Capital Projects. Goal: Include deep energy efficiency and decarbonization in Major Capital Projects. Prioritize renovation of existing buildings over building new structures, whenever possible. Evaluate hybrid work opportunities to reduce needed building space.
5. Purchase Off-site Renewable Energy. Goal: By 2025, all of OSU’s purchased electricity comes from renewable sources.
6. Implement Sustainable Transportation Strategy. Goal: By 2030, implement OSU’s Sustainable Transportation Strategy to reduce commute emissions. Encourage alternatives to university-funded air travel.
7. Engage University Community. Goal: Inspire individual and collective actions that reduce carbon emissions by conducting outreach campaigns that engage the university community.
8. Decarbonize District Energy Systems. Goal: Create a plan and timeline to eliminate fossil fuel use at the OSU Energy Center and in Corvallis campus district energy distribution systems.
9. Purchase Carbon Offsets. Goal: Prioritize direct emissions as much as possible. Evaluate carbon offset potential from university lands. Evaluate third-party-certified, regional carbon offsets to address remaining emissions.

https://fa.oregonstate.edu/sustainability/osu-path-carbon-neutrality

Launched in 2018, Innovate & Integrate: Plan for Inclusive Excellence is Oregon State's first comprehensive diversity strategic plan and a key step towards the realization of Oregon State’s vision to become a national model for inclusive excellence. The plan was developed through extensive engagement with stakeholders who contributed their expertise and experience to the development process. The plan represents a roadmap to advance inclusive excellence by leveraging existing successful initiatives and embracing new innovative ideas. The Plan includes specific targets, with a few examples listed below:
-By 2023, raise $250,000 in new commitments to support institutional efforts to recruit students from underrepresented communities
-Increase the number of students from underrepresented communities winning national scholarships and awards by 20 percent
-Partner with local government agencies to increase resources and services for students and employees from underrepresented communities
Progress toward the targets are listed in the Progress Report: https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/sites/diversity.oregonstate.edu/files/diversity_strategic_plan_tracking_072920.pdf
https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/strategic-plan

At its November 11, 2004 meeting, the OSU Faculty Senate adopted the following statement:
Sustainability at Oregon State University
Oregon State University (OSU) honors the commitments made by the Governor of the State of Oregon, state agencies, and many of Oregon’s companies and communities to develop sustainable solutions that balance economic, environmental, and community needs while building opportunities for future generations to meet their own needs. As the state’s land, sea, and space-grant university, OSU is ready to support and lead both public and private sector organizations to find sustainable approaches, educate future leaders and citizens who understand and practice sustainability, and demonstrate sustainable practices in the University’s day-to-day operations. OSU is committed to incorporating sustainability in its education, research, outreach, and operations as a critical component to its goal of becoming a top-ten land grant university.

In addition to the statement above, the Faculty Senate in 2021 voted to establish a standing committee to address OSU's commitment to reducing carbon emissions, known as the Carbon Commitment Committee. https://fa.oregonstate.edu/sustainability/faculty-senate-carbon-commitment-committee