Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.13
Liaison Brandon Trelstad
Submission Date Jan. 31, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

Oregon State University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Brandon Trelstad
Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:

The OSU Sustainability Website:

- Provides information on how OSU is practicing and promoting sustainability on campus
- Serves as a "hub" to connect and enhance the visibility of existing OSU resources
-Increases awareness of the need for a more environmentally sensitive, socially equitable, and economically stable culture


The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

This email-based resource is targeted specifically for OSU faculty and staff. Some of the topics types covered include:

* Major milestones in advancing institutional sustainability, such as implementing OSU's Climate Plan and STARS!
* Opportunities for departments to contribute to the sustainability movement
* Electronic tools and resources
* Case studies and success stories from inside and outside OSU
* Awards and recognition the university receives
* Resources departments can share with students


The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

Terra Research Magazine:

The Terra Web site is produced by the Departments of Research Communications, University Marketing and Web Communications at Oregon State University. Research Communications promotes OSU’s strategic plan by telling the stories of OSU researchers through Terra and the president’s annual report.


The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

Several OSU buildings have building signage that highlight green features that are present in the building. Kelley Engineering, Weatherford, and Kearney Hall are all LEED certified and have signage to inform students and guests about the sustainable features.

Dixon Recreation Center has one of the most comprehensive sets of sustainability signage that talks about many different aspects of sustainability. Copies of the signs can be viewed at the below provided.


The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

The Dining Halls of OSU have food signage that discusses sustainable food systems as it relates to Food Alliance, Oregon Country Beef, etc. There are also signage and outreach around vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options in dining.


The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:

Signage for specific sites, such as the Student Sustainability Center, People's Park and the horticulture demonstration areas, is located on site.


The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The Self-guided Campus Sustainability Tour brochure highlights some of the many ways OSU is working toward sustainability, and is one of our most popular publications.


The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:

Oregon State University's main campus has been designated by the National Center for Urban Transportation Research as one of their Best Workplaces for Commuters. This designation recognizes employers for outstanding efforts to provide alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle. Some of the programs include, ride sharing, campus shuttle system, bike parking, bike lockers, local pedicab services, Corvallis Transit, and the We Car car sharing program. All this information is available in one location, the url listed below, and appears in multiple publications such as orientation material and visitor information.


The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

University Housing and Dining Services provides programs and information about sustainability in the residence halls and how students living in them can reduce environmental impact.


The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution have regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper (either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat)?:
Yes

A brief description of regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:

The OSU Sustainability Office maintains contact each year with a designated reporter for sustainability and environmental issues but there is no limitation from other reporters from reporting on sustainability or other similar issues / events.


The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

OSU Sustainability Office Brochure:

The guide describes the different activities that the OSU Sustainability Office participates in or puts together. It also talks about how to get involved on campus and what Faculty and Staff can do.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Campus Recycling brochure, talking about the recycling, surplus and online sales programs, zero waste events, what to recycle on campus and many other aspects of waste reduction.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

A "Gold" LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council made OSU's Kelley Engineering Cneter the the greenest academic engineering building in the U.S. The publication linked below discusses building green features in detail, like natural lighting, natural ventilation and a rainwater harvesting system that was cutting edge when the building was designed in 2002.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Ecologue, the OSU Sustainability Blog

Ecologue provides a place where the OSU community can dialogue about sustainability. Open to any student, faculty or staff to participate, and for anyone to comment, it is a casual place where sustainability practitioners talk in the most current terms about projects and other activities.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Campus Recycling's Green Events Guide

This information provides the campus community ideas and resources for carrying out zero waste events, large and small.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Student Sustainability Listserv

The student sustainability listserv includes information for students, faculty, staff and community members about student projects, resources, campus and community events, and much more.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

Momentum, the College of Engineering Newsletter

Momentum regularly features undergraduate, graduate and faculty research and civic engagement activities around sustainability. Emphasis areas include renewable energy, bioproducts and transportation engineering.


The website URL for this material:
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
Yes

A brief description of this material:

A self-guided tour brochure to Kearney Hall's green features discusses green features like the extensive use of salvaged wood, native plants in landscaping and many other features. The brochure also goes into some detail on how the building is used as a teaching tool for engineering students.


The website URL for this material:
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.