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Resources for Faculty & Staff

While students outnumber faculty and staff almost 4 to 1, OSU employees have a dramatic impact on their surroundings and environment.

Save Energy and Money

There are numerous ways to improve the efficiency of your building or home. While many of these improvements carry some costs, there are a number of incentives and tax credits to help in improvements.

Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO)
Funded by a public purpose charge of 3% added to consumers' utility bills, the ETO is tasked with encouraging energy conservation, renewable power and the transformation of the energy market in Oregon. Numerous incentives are available to homeowners and business owners who wish to make their spaces more energy efficient.

Federal Tax Credits
Resulting from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the federal government offers tax credits for energy efficiency. These apply to residential homeowners, manufacturers, commercial buildings and more.

State Efficiency Programs
The State of Oregon is offers numerous programs and incentives to increase energy efficiency. Of special interest are the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) and the Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC).

Sustainable Natural Resources Graduate Certificate
This 18-credit online certificate is designed for all students, especially company, industry, or agency employees who desire more training in assessing and solving complex sustainability problems. Students will receive graduate-level university credits and a graduate certificate upon successful completion of the program. With approval, credits may be transferred to other graduate degree programs at OSU, and may be applied to the Professional Science Master's (PSM) in Environmental Sciences.

Sustainable Business Initiative
The College of Business provides a distinctive educational and research program focused on sustainability so that students entering the business world understand that a sustainable business meets economic, social and environmental needs

Clubs

Biodiesel Initiative
The OSU Biodiesel Initiative is a community of interested students and community members who meet biweekly on campus to discuss biofuels for diesel vehicles and other energy solutions. Emphasis is placed on sustainable, environmentally safe products that conform to ASTM/MSDS practices.

Organic Growers Club
The Organic Growers Club provides students with an opportunity to gain practical experience growing and marketing plants and produce.

Solar Vehicle Team
The OSUSVT is currently designing a solar powered vehicle to compete in the 2007 American Solar Challenge and the 2007 World Solar Challenge in Australia. The group is comprised of students from many disciplines, including engineering and science as well as business and liberal studies.

Employment

Campus Recycling
Recycling offers student employment and internship opportunities in both recycling and other sustainability related areas.

View the EcoEmploy web site or subscribe to get email updates.

OSU students can use Career Services.

Student Life

ASOSU Environmental Affairs Task Force
As part of the Associated Students of OSU, the Environmental Affairs Task Force works with a hired student director on a self-selected set of projects and initiatives.

Student Involvement
The Student Organization Development program in the Center for Student Involvement encourages and supports the development of all students through participation in clubs and organizations

Student Sustainability Initiative
SSI’s mission is to reduce the ecological footprint of OSU and advance sustainability awareness. It is run and funded by students.

University Housing & Dining Services

Housing and Dining's Resource Conservation Management Program promotes energy conservation and responsible resource management within OSU's residence halls. Students are encouraged to use electricity sparingly, conserve water as well as recycle and reduce trash. Residents can even have their rooms green certified.

Dining Services works with the Food Alliance to purchase local organic food when it's available. Dining halls also donate excess food and compost food waste.