The Campus Sustainability Office is housed within Finance and Administration and ensures that the campus moves toward sustainability-related goals. Here is an overview of current projects!  For more information or to volunteer as staff or student, contact Noelle Studer-Spevak, Campus Sustainability Manager.  You can also call the Sustainability Office's main line at 503-725-8951.

Planning

College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

Climate Action Plan (due September 2009)

• Facilitate campus building energy conservation study
• Greenhouse Gas Audit
• Work with the Office of Information Technology to develop a plan for meeting University Presidents' Climate Commitment
  
• Incorporate Transportation & Parking’s strategy for energy conservation
  

The Green Investment Fund (TGIF)

• Work with student government to create a four-year green fee that would create a dedicated fund for energy conservation projects with paybacks of 5 years or less. 
• Update: TGIF, sponsored by the Associated Students of PSU (ASPSU) passed through student elections in 2009.  For more information, click here. 

Sustainability Dashboard Project: creating a feedback system for a smart campus

• Sustainability Tracking & Rating System Pilot (STARS) - PSU voluntarily provided campus data, along with 70 other universities, to the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. This study was the first of its kind at PSU and was completed in January 2009.  Results will be posted on the EcoWiki soon.
  
• Utility Manager Server – Tracking utility bills
• Sightlines benchmarking effort for Oregon University System
  
• Real-time energy consumption feedback pilot
• Annual Sustainability Report for 2008-09 (view it here)

Maintenance & Construction

• Providing input for Science Building 2 Renovation
• Enhancing the availability of drinking water on campus
• Update: Facilities and Planning has agreed to install eight water bottle refilling stations with filters around campus.  This project is a collaboration between staff, faculty and students.  Refilling stations should be installed by fall of 2009.  Check EcoWiki or sign up for the EcoWiki Bulletin for updates!

Contracts & Purchasing

• Appendix E of Dining Services Contract – Reporting local & Food Alliance Certified food purchases.

Leadership & Communication

Sustainability Advisory Council

Set goals and a timeline for academic programs and efficiency gains in energy, water, waste, and purchasing.

Working with Residence Housing Association (RHA) to create a campus-wide sustainability pledge (expected completion: September 2009)

Students

• New Student Sustainability Leadership Coordinator, funded by Miller grant
  
• PSU EcoWiki: Your local sustainability action hub
• Residence Hall energy conservation
• Recycling Education (Recyclemania, Chuck it for Charity)

Employees

• Green Teams create a network of educated & engaged staff capable of shifting and engaging in annual conservation campaigns. So far 5 green teams have been created and the first campus-wide green team meeting will take place December 3.
• Green Guide – a resource to answer all questions about sustainable practices and programs on campus.