Sustainable Oregon Tech
Students have hands-on learning opportunities in the OREC lab. |
Oregon Tech's Sustainability Mission
Oregon Tech's mission is to be the leader in sustainable technology education and to excel in full sustainability integration in campus operations, academics, and community involvement.
Full-time Staff Dedicated to SustainabilityOregon Tech has two Sustainability Coordinators and an Energy Analyst who are responsible for coordinating sustainability efforts on campus and tracking progress using the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's (AASHE) Sustainability, Tracking, and Rating System (STARS).
Climate Neutral by 2050 Oregon Tech will be climate neutral by 2050 through a combination of energy conservation, improved building design, purchase of carbon offsets, use of a "small" geothermal powerplant, and construction of a "large" geothermal power plant.
Multiple Sustainability Action Groups Groups involved in sustainability include the Sustainability Committee made up of faculty, students, administrators, and community members; the student Sustainability Club; Engineers without Borders; student Sustainability Internship program; and the Sustainability Office (two paid students who promote sustainability on campus).
Programs Integrating Sustainable Technology Several programs at Oregon Tech are intimately linked with training graduates in sustainable technology, design, and practices: Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (life cycle analysis and lean manufacturing), Renewable Energy Engineering (renewable energy and resources), Civil Engineering (environmental design and LEED building design), and Environmental Sciences (Watershed Sciences, Geographic Information Systems, and Sustainable Technologies emphasis areas).
Native Plant Garden Featuring Xeriscaping A native plant garden which features xeriscaping has been planted on the Oregon Tech campus. This project, designed by Civil Engineering students and maintained by the Sustainability Committee, is a test plot for the introduction of native plant species into the Oregon Tech landscape and will serve as a teaching garden for the community. Oregon Tech also has a small on-campus wetland!
Encouraging Alternative Transportation Oregon Tech encourages alternative transportation use for community members. Bus passes are free for students, staff, and faculty. A pilot program for spring 2009 tested the feasibility of reduced parking fees for carpoolers. There are also several electric bikes in use on campus.
Sustainability Club at Earth Day 2008 |