Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.59
Liaison Daryl Pierson
Submission Date June 27, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Portland State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Amanda Wolf
Program + Assessment Coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

“Let Knowledge Serve the City: PSU’s Strategic Goals 2016-2020” comes after one of the most extensive campus conversations yet on the future of the university. The document encompasses viewpoints from thousands of faculty, students and staff.
The plan contains dozens of proposed initiatives in areas such as elevating student success, keeping college costs affordable, advancing excellence in teaching and research, addressing issues of equity and access and ensuring PSU remains a leader in community engagement.

-Mission - We are dedicated to collaborative learning, innovative
research, sustainability, and community engagement.
-Values - We commit to curiosity, collaboration, stewardship,
and sustainability
-Reputation - Portland State University pursues excellence
through: Accessibility, innovation, collaboration,
engagement, sustainability, transformation

Strategic Goals:
-Elevate student success
-Advance excellence in teaching and research
-Extend our leadership in community engagement
-Expand our commitment to equity
-Innovate for long-term stability


A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):

Bicycle Transportation Plan (2011) - https://www.pdx.edu/campus-planning/sites/www.pdx.edu.campus-planning/files/PortlandStateUniversity_BicycleTransportationPlan_March2011_ScreenRes.pdf

University District Framework Plan (2010) - https://www.pdx.edu/campus-planning/university-district-framework-plan

Diversity Action Plan (2012) - https://www.pdx.edu/diversity/diversity-action-plan-0

Integrated Pest Management Plan https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/PSU%202012%20IPM%20Plan.pdf

Tree Care Plan (2014) - https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/Tree%20Care%20Plan%20Final_Pretty.pdf

Water Conservation Plan (2016) - https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/PSU%20Water%20Conservation%20Plan.pdf

Energy Management Plan (2015) - https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/SEM%20Plan.pdf

Stormwater Management Plan (2005) - https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/sus_Stormwater_Management_Policy_0.pdf

Sustainable Food System Plan (2014) - within the Food Service Contract (exhibit E), https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/Exhibit%20E%20Final%20Signed.pdf

PSU Office Standards (2013) - https://www.pdx.edu/campus-planning/sites/www.pdx.edu.campus-planning/files/Office%20Space%20Standards.pdf

PSU Furniture Standards (2016) - https://www.pdx.edu/campus-planning/sites/www.pdx.edu.campus-planning/files/Furniture%20Standards%2008_2016.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Playbook:
- Faculty development workshops offered each year
- SNI partner MOUs completed, deepen student understanding of academic content, strengthen student professional skills, increase student sense of social responsibility, increase ability to work together better with partners, provide significant organizational capacity for partners, provide value to partners, make measurable impacts on local sustainability goals
- Living lab program established with Campus Sustainability Office, projects advances campus sustainability priorities and metrics, students will identify the connection between academic content and the sustainability experiential learning, students will describe how their project helped support or made measurable progress on PSU’s campus sustainability, students will apply the sustainability experiential learning concepts locally, regionally, and globally to broaden project relevance, students will explain how the sustainability experiential learning related to the development or strengthening of their professional skills
- Increasing number of CES projects per year

Climate Action Plan:
-Become a global leader in climate research and curriculum
-Develop an administrative structure that actively intergrates PSU ac ademics with operations around climate mitigation projects
-Adopt energy/climate learning objectives for PSU curriculum
-Develop three strategic partnerships with other urban universities aroudn the world on climate-related research and curriculum initiatives
-Create a structure for Deans and the heads of PSU operation to meet and discuss climate projects

Diversity Action Plan:
-Produce graduates who can be leaders in a global community
-Ensure that diversity is incorporated into the curriculum

Bicycle Transportation Plan:
-Expand and make more frequent the selection
of maintenance and commuting workshops,
possibly to the extent of developing a proprietary
certification or curriculum.
-Existing academic courses in bicycle and pedestrian
facility planning and engineering could
be supplemented with maintenance and commuting
classes; such classes could be compiled
into a bicycle coursework track or curriculum.

Strategic Plan:
-Enhance the ability of faculty to deliver culturally
responsive pedagogy and curriculum, including
universal design for learning.
-Clarify academic pathways
-Develop an academic plan with programs that
prepare students for competitive advantage in life
and career.
- Provide flexible degrees to accommodate the
diverse needs of students
-Assess opportunities for innovative academic
programs that align with career paths, locally
and globally
-Assess the array of academic program offerings on a
regular basis to ensure relevance, quality and equity.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Playbook:
- Number of Research to Action events held each year, survey faculty to understand the value and make improvements to events
- Increase availability of research funding for urban sustainability, increase number of publications resulting from research
- Offer financial incentives for faculty teams to work with neighborhood partners
- Work with development to create research funding streams
- Reflect on compiled data and connect with other units for utilization potential.

Climate Action Plan:
-Become a global leader in climate research and curriculum
-Develop an administrative structure that actively intergrates PSU ac ademics with operations around climate mitigation projects
-Adopt energy/climate learning objectives for PSU curriculum
-Develop three strategic partnerships with other urban universities aroudn the world on climate-related research and curriculum initiatives
-Create a structure for Deans and the heads of PSU operation to meet and discuss climate projects

Bicycle Transportation Plan:
-Collaborate among various PSU institutions,
such as the Oregon Transportation Research
and Education Consortium (OTREC), the Initiative
for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation
(IPBI), and the Center for Transportation Studies
(CTS), the College of Urban and Public
Affairs, the School of Engineering and Computer
Science, and others to engage students
and employees in bicycle-related data collection
and research.

Strategic Plan:
- Create opportunities for faculty and graduate
students to develop and enrich their research efforts.
-Determine and prioritize research investment and
academic program development in areas where PSU is
known for excellence, that show the greatest potential
for collaboration and in which we have a competitive
advantage.
-Promote and incentivize faculty research, including
support for disciplines with limited opportunities for
external funding.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Playbook:
- Publish signature sustainability events calendar and host free, open events
- Create student leadership and resource toolkit
- Gather baseline data of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs departments with sustainability goals
- Increase involvement with student life programs
- Create sustainability newsletter and promote blog and social media tools, increase social media followers/likes
- Hire student ambassador to give sustainability tours
- Promote Ashoka change maker campus initiatives
- Tailor programs and communications to PSU’s diverse student body

Bicycle Transportation Plan:
-promote awaremenss and support of bicycle commute options for the entire university community via outreach, marketing material, community involvement and outreach, and incentive programs


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Climate Action Plan:
-Develop destination and gathering spaces
-Connectivity, complete a green urban design

University District Framework Plan
-create a public realm that promotes pedestrian activity and a streetscape that prioritizes the pedestrian expierence
-create interconnected public spaces

Sustainability Playbook:
-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
-PSU is known nationally for delivering sustainability science and education that is relevant and
connected to on-the-ground practitioner needs.
-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.
- 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.
- PSU’s Community Environmental Services is recognized as a model for innovative collaboration
between students and external organizations and expands into new markets
-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.

Strategic Plan:
-Sustain the community engagement experience
throughout the lives and careers of alumni by connecting
students and campus initiatives to alumni who wish to
remain engaged.
-Expand engagement with regional school districts to
ensure more students are prepared for college.
-Facilitate opportunities for partners who wish to join
us for community-based learning, applied and collaborative
research, internship placement and initiatives that
build community
-Align PSU’s workforce and career pathway strategy
with regional economic plans.
-Work in concert with Oregon Health & Science
University and other partners to create innovative health
and life sciences programs.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Carbon Neutrality by 2040
80% below 2008 GHG levels by 2030

*Numerous topic specific goals around energy, waste, purchasing, travel, and commute...outlined for those sections below.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Climate Action Plan:
Measurable Objective: Starting in 2012, all new buildings and major renovations to be LEED Gold Minimum

There are also numerous specific standards set for building efficiency, reuse of existing resources, healthy materials, storm water management, landscaping, and more.

Office Standards:
Reduce the number of hard walled offices constructed to create flexible spaces, reduce energy costs, and create equity in the office setting


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Climate Action Plan 2030 Energy Goals:

REDUCE ENERGY use per square foot 25% below 2000 levels through demand management

GENERATE 80% of total building-related energy use from local and renewable sources

INCREASE EFFICIENCY of the energy systems by 50% (2000 baseline)

REDUCE ENERGY use by 10% through better utilization and scheduling of buildings


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Dining Goals from Exhibit E.

-Increase total local and third-party certified food expenditures each by 5% annually within each food category, based on fiscal year 2014 baseline for the duration of this contract.

Climate Action Plan:
-Incorporate embodied emissions analysis into the decision-making processes for purchasing materials, goods, and foods
-Revise custodial and dining services contracts as
they relate to recycling and compost.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Tree Care Plan objectives:
-No net loss in Trees starting 2014 - if one tree comes down, another is planted.
-Create a tree inventory in FY2015

Sustainability Playbook:
-PSU’s natural environment is maintained in an exemplary fashion including sustainable stormwater
management, reduced use of chemicals and diverse, ecologically responsible plantings.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Climate Action Plan:
-REDUCE embodied emissions for select commodities by 25% (2008 baseline)
-Incorporate emobdied emissions analysis into the decision-making prrocesses for purchashing materials, goods, and foods

Sustainability Playbook:
-PSU is a leader in waste reduction, water conservation, fiscal responsibility and climate action
through its operations practices and policies.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:

2030 Climate Action Plan Goals:

Maintain 2010 levels of travel emissions

Establish a local offset program for travel that is used
by 75% percent of travelers.

Reduce the mode share of drive alone trips to 15% of
commute trips made to the PSU campus.

Reduce the per capita number and distance of commute
trips to the PSU campus.

Lower the carbon impact of vehicles used in the commute
to campus.

Bicycle Transportation Plan Goals: 2030

INCREASE THE SHARE OF EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT COMMUTE TRIPS TAKEN BY BICYCLE

INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF CAMPUS RESIDENTS WHO USE BICYCLES FOR THEIR
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS

PROMOTE CAMPUS AWARENESS OF BICYCLING

IMPROVE BICYCLE ACCESS TO, FROM, AND WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHORT-TERM BICYCLE PARKING

INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY AND ATTRACTIVENESS OF LONG-TERM BICYCLE PARKING ON CAMPUS

EXPAND BIKE HUB MEMBERSHIP, SERVICES, AND RETAIL OFFERINGS

PROMOTE AWARENESS AND SUPPORT OF BICYCLE COMMUTE OPTIONS FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE CITY, TRIMET, METRO, AND STATE BICYCLING INITIATIVES

CONTINUE AND EXPAND SURVEY AND DATA COLLECTION EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY PROGRAM AND FACILITY SUCCESSES AND DEFICIENCIES


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Waste Goals 2030
REDUCE solid waste generated on campus by 25% (2008 baseline)
REDUCE landfill-bound waste to 10% of total waste generated


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Water Conservation Plan:
-Continue to implement water conserving fixtures and appliances as noted
in the Technical Design Standards and update standards at least annually
to reflect evolving water efficient technologies.
-PSU will pursue LEED for Existing Buildings, Operations & Maintenance in
at least two, likely four, campus buildings. Certification of first two
buildings to be completed in 2017.
-The Campus Sustainability Office will work with the Utility Manager to
identify incentive opportunities to fund increased water conservation
measures (e.g. through City of Portland Water Bureau).
- Ensure that each annual round of Green Revolving Fund project selection
considers at least one water conservation project
-Prioritize WE credits on all new LEED projects.
-Enable water use reduction through improved data: PSU is entering a third
party bill pay partnership with ECOVA which will provide meter-level
detail for all water and irrigation consumption, and thus more accurate
consumption data to assist in meeting quantitative reduction goals.
-Establish a quantitative irrigation reduction goal: To be established fall
2018, after modernization of central irrigation system is complete and all
controllers are installed, ECOVA partnership is established, and accurate
baseline is determined.
-No net increase in irrigated acreage.
-Increase use of native plants with low water requirements.
-Continued modernization of central irrigation system to cover over 50% of
PSU’s irrigation needs: three additional irrigation controllers and several
flow sensors will be installed.
-Improve soil quality as needed in irrigated areas to improve water
absorption and reduce reliance on irrigation through:
-Planning for water efficiency in new landscaped spaces: carefully consider
characteristics like sun exposure, shade, slopes, and soil types when
choosing plants for new spaces
-Mulch landscaped areas to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, slow
evaporation, and protect roots.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Produce graduates who can be leaders in a global community:
Objective 1: Increase proportion of PSU students who go abroad.
Metric 1: Increase 6% from current levels by 2015, increasing by 3% every five years.
Data source: Office of International Affairs

Ensure that diversity is incorporated into the curriculum:
Objective 1: The Center for Academic Excellence assessment team will work with academic units to advance their programmatic, diversity learning goals.
Metric 1: Move each academic unit along the learning assessment continuum.

Create more robust communication channels to bring the world to the campus and the campus to the world:
Objective 1: Continue the ―U Belong‖ at PSU campaign and highlight new video profiles of diverse faculty, students, and staff.
Metric 1: Annual increase in the number of new videos and profiles published on the Web site
Objective 2: Expand the ―U Belong‖ campaign to include student stories in other languages targeted at Native American and international students.
Metric 2: Annual increase in the number of video ―hits‖ from outside the United States
Objective 3: As resources allow, produce more ―U Belong‖ videos generally, and make sure they stay in frequent rotation with the other videos featured on the home page of the PSU Web site.
Metric 3: Annual increase in the number of ―U Belong‖ videos produced and the frequency with which they are viewed on the PSU Web site
Objective 4: Increase the number of courses with diversity themes that are produced either wholly or in part for the online environment.
Metric 4: Number of new courses that are offered online

Endorse a campus-wide cultural competency training plan:
Objective 1: Implement a core training program for all staff, faculty, and student employees in order to help ensure that all employed members of the campus community know how to engage with others in ethical and legal ways that promote professionalism and respect.
Metric 1: 80% of University employees have completed the training by July 1, 2013

Recruit and Retain Diverse Faculty and Staff:
Objective 1: Increase efforts and innovative strategies to attract and accept faculty and staff applications from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities to a level that reflects the demographics of those communities.
Metric 1: AAP workforce data Portland State University -- 2011-2012 Diversity Action Plan
Objective 2: Foster a campus community that celebrates differences, and is welcoming and inclusive toward faculty and staff from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities.
Metric 2: Workforce retention data and climate/culture audit
Objective 3: Supplement promotion and tenure standards to include ―diversity efforts‖ as a measure to achieve promotion and tenure status.
Metric3: Satisfaction survey or other measurement

Recruit and retain a greater number of historically underrepresented, historically underserved and international students:

Objective 1: Identify and increase strategic initiatives that support historically underrepresented student access and success.
Metric 1: Increase overall undergraduate (UG) — new freshmen (FR) and transfers (TR) underrepresented student enrollment.
Metric 2: Meet or exceed underrepresented first time FR and TR goals for student retention rate goals of 75% (FR) and 82% (TR).
Objective 2: Identify and increase strategic initiatives that support the access and success of Latino/a students.
Metric 1: Meet or exceed new UG FR and TR Latino/a student enrollment goal of 181 FR and 341 TR by Fall 2013.
Metric 2: Meet or exceed FTF and TR goals for Latino/a student retention rate goals of 75% FR and 85% TR by Fall 2013.
Objective 3: Identify and increase strategic initiatives that support international student enrollment.
Metric 1: Meet or exceed new UG FR and TR international student enrollment goal of 80 FR and 100 TR by Fall 2013.
Objective 4: Identify and increase strategic initiatives that support access for Certified Veteran Students.
Metric 1: Meet or exceed overall Certified Student Veteran enrollment (undergraduate and graduate) goal of 1,000 by 2013.

Objective 5: Identify and increase strategic initiatives that support Native American student enrollment by coordinating recruitment strategies with tribal colleges, universities and tribal education departments to increase the number of student applicants from tribal nations.
Metric 1: Increase new UG FR and TR Native American student enrollment commensurate with high school graduation levels of the districts locally and nationwide by Fall 2013.

Develop and support relationships with community, alumni and other partners:
Objective 1: PSU should increase its emphasis on recruiting and graduating more students of color. The eventual goal should be to have a student body that is representative of the region‘s demographics.
Metric 1: Increase in diversity of student body and graduation rates of students of color
Objective 2: Given PSU‘s commitment to incubating and accelerating the creation of new businesses, every effort should be made to enroll and graduate more immigrant students, particularly those with an interest in business.
Metric 2: Increase the diversity of the student body in the School of Business.
Objective 3: Work with the PSU Office of Advancement to develop a systematic approach to tapping our international alumni base for targeted giving, mentoring and employer facilitation.
Metric 3: Increased giving from international students and their families.
Objective 4: Work with the Office of Business Affairs to increase the number of contracts with Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business (MWESB) firms.
Metric 4: Annual increase in the number and amount of MWESB contracts
Objective 5: Develop and support relationships with community, alumni, tribes, and other partners.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategic Plan:
- Develop a strategy for leveraging our purchasing,
employment, and investment priorities to advance equity,
sustainability and community wealth-building.
-Ensure sufficient reserves to manage through the
cyclical budgetary nature of higher education funding
and to make longer term strategic investments


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategic Plan:
-Promote diversty through hiring and retention
-Provide professional development opportunities and support for staff
-Create expectations, training and incentives for
faculty, staff, and students to regularly participate in culturally
responsive education and sharing opportunities

Diversity Action Plan:
- Implement a core training program for all staff, faculty, and student employees in order to help
ensure that all employed members of the campus community know how to engage with others in ethical and
legal ways that promote professionalism and respect.
-Increase efforts and innovative strategies to attract and accept faculty and staff applications
from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities to a level that reflects the demographics of
those communities.
-Foster a campus community that celebrates differences, and is welcoming and inclusive
toward faculty and staff from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Strategic Plan:
-Create opportunities for international and intercultural
engagement in existing campus housing, cultural
and recreation programs.


Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

Mission: We are dedicated to collaborative learning, innovative research, sustainability and community engagement.

Values: We commit to curiosity, collaboration, stewardship and sustainability.


The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):

Sustainability is a promise that present and
future generations will have the opportunity
to enjoy productive and rewarding lives.
Picture a healthy environment that supports a
thriving economy, strong families and vibrant
communities, a place where all citizens are valued
and engaged in governance. Imagine that these
opportunities extend equitably to those in the
present generation and are also available for
future generations. The environmental, social and
economic realms function as an interconnected
dynamic system, not as separate parts.


Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) Yes
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:

As a signature of the Tallories Declaration, PSU has made a commitment to:
-Expand civic engagement and social responsibility programs in an ethical manner, through teaching, research and public service.
-Embed public responsibility through personal example and the policies and practices of our higher education institutions.
-Create institutional frameworks for the encouragement, reward and recognition of good practice in social service by students, faculty, staff and their community partners.
-Ensure that the standards of excellence, critical debate, scholarly research and peer judgment are applied as rigorously to community engagement as they are to other forms of university endeavor.
-Foster partnerships between universities and communities to enhance economic opportunity, empower individuals and groups, increase mutual understanding and strengthen the relevance, reach and responsiveness of university education and research.
-Raise awareness within government, business, media, charitable, not-for-profit and international organizations about contributions of higher education to social advancement and wellbeing. Specifically, establish partnerships with government to strengthen policies that support higher education’s civic and socially responsible efforts. Collaborate with other sectors in order to magnify impacts and sustain social and economic gains for our communities.
-Establish partnerships with primary and secondary schools, and other institutions of further and higher education, so that education for active citizenship becomes an integral part of learning at all levels of society and stages of life.
-Document and disseminate examples of university work that benefit communities and the lives of their members.
-Support and encourage international, regional and national academic associations in their efforts to strengthen university civic engagement efforts and create scholarly recognition of service and action in teaching and research.
-Speak out on issues of civic importance in our communities.
-Establish a steering committee and international networks of higher education institutions to inform and support all their efforts to carry out this Declaration.

PSU has signed Second Natures Climate Commitment and Carbon Commitment combining a focus on both carbon emissions accounting as well as planning for resiliency. PSU has developed a campus-wide plan for achieving carbon neutrality and is the beginning phases of developing a collaborative resiliency plan with the City of Portland and other institutions.

Moving the Needle: Advancing Women in Higher Education: PSU recently signed this commitment agreeing to provide training, resources, and opportunities for women to advance into leadership roles at the University

PSU has also made a formal declaration for the support of sustaniability. https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/sites/www.pdx.edu.sustainability/files/psu_sust_declaration.pdf


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

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.