Recognition

OSU is one of only a handful of colleges and universities in the US to attain a Gold rating in STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. As a STARS Charter Participant, OSU was the first school in Oregon to submit its report. STARS is a set of peer reviewed, standardized indicators that help measure, and therefore manage, sustainability efforts within higher education.
The Princeton Review, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, named OSU to its honor roll of the 16 most environmentally responsible colleges. OSU was among the schools to score the highest in the ranking — the 16 schools each scored a 99 — which considered sustainability factors such as food sourcing, transportation, green buildings, opportunities to focus on the environment and sustainability in student studies and energy efficiency.
OSU has been awarded a Silver designation by the League of American Bicyclists under the Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) program. The League recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bicycle-friendly campus for students, staff and visitors. The BFU program provides the roadmap and technical assistance to create great campuses for cycling.
For the 2010 Sierra Club “Cool Schools” rankings, Oregon State has the highest green ranking in the state, and is listed as 24th in the nation. OSU received perfect ten scores in administration and other initiatives, and scores of eight in academics, transport, waste and investments.
Oregon State University has four times been ranked a campus sustainability leader: 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The ranking is part of the Sustainable Endowments Institute's "College Sustainability Report Card," an assessment of sustainability in higher education. This ranking puts OSU in the top 25 in the nation.
OSU won a 2008 Green Power Leadership Award from US Environmental Protection Agency and is currently the 4th largest college or university purchaser of renewable energy in the nation. OSU has also dominated the PAC-12 Conference in renewable energy purchases. The university purchases about 98% of its electricity from renewable sources. More >>
In 2008, OSU was rated as one of the top 25 green colleges and universities by the Kaplan College Guide. A number of criteria, including environmentally-responsible projects, courses, and initiatives, as well student groups and organizations on campus, were evaluated to populate the list.
OSU'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.
OSU placed first in the 2006 RecycleMania competition, and fourth in 2005, and placed well in 2008, when corrugated cardboard, and bottles and cans were the targeted materials. More >>
OSU has several LEED certified buildings, two certified Gold. Several other construction projects are underway. All new construction and major remodels at OSU are LEED Silver equivalent or better.