University of Oregon
EN-3: Student Life

"Cimate Justice League The mission of the Climate Justice League is to empower students to organize their communities and be leaders in the climate justice movement. By using targeted campaigns, we will work together toward a safe, just and sustainable future for all. LiveMove LiveMove promoting healthy, sustainable communities by integrating transportation and livability through collaboration, education, research and outreach. The University of Oregon Transportation and Livability Student Group brings together undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to focus on the planning and design of transportation systems as they relate to community quality of life and livability. Recently, Live Move has completed a project redesigning 13th Avenue with a two way cycletrack, of which the City of Eugene is now pursuing as an option. Campus Zero Waste Program The campus zero waste program provides excellence in waste reduction, recycling, composting service and other sustainable campus practices, to the campus community while providing students with direct experience in environmental management through paid positions, academic internships and volunteer opportunities. The Campus Zero Waste Program strives to model excellence in environmental stewardship and to stimulate campus and community sustainable practices. Net Impact Net Impact's mission is to mobilize a new generation to use their careers to drive transformational change in their workplaces and the world. Students for Global Health SGH is a student group at the University of Oregon devoted to learning about and taking action against poverty-linked healthcare issues across the world. The group meets regularly to learn about these problems and raise money or develop action against them. Oregon State Public Interest Research Group OSPIRG was established by students to animate the University’s mission – to research problems that impact all Oregonians, educate the public and advocate for solutions. We do this by combining the energy of students with the expertise and continuity of a professional staff of advocates and organizers who work both on and off campus to advocate for the public."

The Urban Farm, a program of the Landscape Architecture Department, has been in operation since 1976. It serves as an educational model for productive urban land use, where people can grow food, work together, take care of the land, and build community. The acre and a half farm is a place which integrates biological, ecological, economic and social concerns. The farm’s goal is to teach students how to learn about nature through gardening. Classes are offered in spring, summer and fall terms. Activities vary seasonally but are primarily hands-on with some lectures and field trips. Students learn about the importance of caring for the soil, various organic gardening practices, composting, permaculture, biodynamic agriculture, and agricultural land issues. Other departments take advantage of the Urban Farm: sociology and biology students use the area to study bee populations, while art students use the natural space as a place to draw. The food grown in the garden goes to students working in the garden, is donated to the local food bank, or sold to support the farm’s efforts.

The Associated Students of University of Oregon (ASUO) is the student government. It collects fees totaling approximately $16 million annually and funds a range of student-run programs. These include a childcare facility, Safe-ride home program, cultural events center, bus-pass, and many many more programs.

The UO Student Sustainability Fund is grant funding awarded by students to fund student projects and initatives. It requires student submitters to prepare a proposal and financial budget for their work plan. The review commitee reviews the proposals to gauge sustainability metrics and the financial impact of the project

The Holistic Options for Planet Earth Sustainability (HOPES) conference is an annual event, held every April by the Ecological Design Center, a student group at the University of Oregon. Inaugurated in 1994, the conference is an opportunity for students, faculty, community members, and visiting scholars to discuss the relationship between ecology and design, and how this connection can produce sustainable buildings. The conference usually consists of a combination of panels, keynote speakers, professional showcases and workshops. Past topics addressed during the conference include: environmental literacy, food sustainability issues, religion and the environment, product innovation, and sustainability in art. Over the past ten years, the conference has brought such luminaries as Shigeru Ban, Sim Van der Ryn, Samuel Mockbee, James Hubbel, Angela Danadijieva, Michael Pyatok, Steve Badanes, Richard Register, David Orr, John Schaeffer, Stephen Kellert, and Clare Cooper Marcus to the University of Oregon campus.

The Cultural Forum hosted a sustainability themed art show in April 2015. The event featured art from the student art collective Metamorphosis.

The Outdoor Pursuits Program offers a comprehensive selection of courses for academic credit, and is a component of the Department of Physical Education and Recreation. It offers exploration, adventure and expert instruction in a wide range of outdoor activities. OPP courses are fun, exciting, challenging, and are designed to help develop the skills and knowledge needed for safe, responsible participation in outdoor activities. Their gateway course, WILDERNESS SURVIVAL, must be taken prior to participating in their backcountry courses.

The Community for Ecological Leaders (CEL) is a community for students who understand the importance of environmental sustainability and want to work proactively on solutions to the challenges of our time. The CEL engage residents with student and community leaders so that they can explore sustainability and make steps towards a healthier planet.

The Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement provides students with numerous opportunities for personal growth and leadership. HLC offers numerous co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives including service learning, alternative breaks, and community volunteering. All of these options have sustainability themed opportunities.

The Student Sustainability Center employs 14 Student Project Coordinators. The Student Project Coordinator position gives graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to lead sustainability projects on campus and in the community. These projects include surveying the water fountain infrastructure on campus, coordinating educational events, and conducting cost-benefit analysis for campus departments.

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"The Community for Ecological Leaders (CEL) is a community for students who understand the importance of environmental sustainability and want to work proactively on solutions to the challenges of our time. The CEL engage residents with student and community leaders so that they can explore sustainability and make steps towards a healthier planet. $CORE The $CORE program was launched in Fall 2012 and supervised by the Office Sustainability. The program provides a free peer-to-peer energy auditing service to UO students living in off-campus housing. Student energy educators help off-campus households save money on their energy bills by providing them with the materials and information they need."

The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available: http://cel.uoregon.edu/