Portland State University
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

Graduate students researched other universities' sustainability plans, and presented their findings to a group of faculty, staff, and students who then created an overall outline. The outline was sent to administrative and academic departments and student affairs/groups for their input. All the information was distilled and sent out again for review, then the plan was presented to the President's Strategic Committee.

Education and Curriculum Goal: PSU provides transparent and accessible curricular pathways to success through selected programs and majors. Goal: PSU provides distinctive interdisciplinary programs that align with community needs. Goal: PSU is internationally recognized for social entrepreneurship education that graduates changemakers focused on building a better future. Goal: PSU recognized as a leader in problem-based, project-based curriculum that has measurable community impact. Goal: Disciplinary and interdisciplinary sustainability curriculum is valued and supported through institutional incentives. Student Experience and Engagement Goal: Sustainability is embedded throughout the student experience. Student life at PSU is healthy, accessible, inclusive, and vibrant. Goal: Enrollment Management and Student Affairs division is a national leader in sustainability thought, practice and innovation. Goal: PSU is recognized as an innovative leader in developing exemplary co-curricular programs that demonstrate measurable success in cultivating change skills and abilities in our students. Goal: PSU students embrace shared values and model behaviors, attitudes and skills that recognize the interdependence of environmental, social, and economic systems. Research Goal: PSU is a recognized leader in policy-relevant urban sustainability research that integrates across transportation, planning, ecology, social issues, business, community development, energy, and related disciplines. Goal: PSU is a recognized leader in policy-relevant research into ecosystem services supporting urbanizing regions. Goal: PSU is a recognized leader in advancing social sustainability research. Community Engagement Goal: PSU is known regionally and nationally for catalyzing and advancing dialogue and action around priority issues related to urban sustainability, ecosystem services and social sustainability. Goal: PSU is known nationally for delivering sustainability science and education that is relevant and connected to on-the-ground practitioner needs. Goal: PSU, through the Institute for Sustainable Solutions and Research and Strategic Partnerships, is seen as a trustworthy and effective forum for convening around complex issues. Goal: PSU Impact Entrepreneurs is a key partner for aspiring and existing social entrepreneurs and a leader in strengthening the ecosystem for social entrepreneurship on campus and in the community. Goal: PSU’s Community Environmental Services is recognized as a model for innovative collaboration between students and external organizations and expands into new markets. Goal: PSU’s sustainability alumni are connected to the university and provide a vibrant link between the university and the broader sustainability community in Portland and beyond. Campus Operations Goal: Buildings are maintained in accordance with LEED for Existing Buildings, Operations & Maintenance (EB+OM) certification standards, and all new construction or major renovations will meet LEED Gold or higher standards. Goal: PSU will be a carbon neutral campus by 2040 using strategies outlined in the Climate Action Plan. Goal: PSU’s natural environment is maintained in an exemplary fashion including sustainable stormwater management, reduced use of chemicals and diverse, ecologically responsible plantings. Goal: PSU is a leader in waste reduction, water conservation, fiscal responsibility and climate action through its operations practices and policies. Goal: PSU will maintain 2010 levels of travel emissions. Institutional Policies and Administration Goal: PSU’s Institute for Sustainable Solutions has clear processes for advancing sustainability research and measuring the impact of its programs. Goal: PSU has a cohesive sustainability brand and communications strategy that is consistent with the university’s overarching brand and delivers clear information about sustainability resources on campus. Goal: The philanthropic community has heightened awareness of PSU sustainability initiatives and views them as long-term investments that benefit the entire region.

Progress is measured through the assessment of a program's one year goals towards the larger 5-year Sustainability Playbook goals. Assessment is done on a yearly basis and includes objectives, direct and indirect measures, findings/observations, and plans for improvement. Goal revisions and changes based on assessment findings are included in the yearly assessment portfolio.