Green College Spotlight: Ohio State University
January 19, 2009 · Print This Article
Ohio State University has recently begun to blossom with sustainability initiatives, ranging from increasingly energy-efficient buildings to a football game recycling program. The Office of Energy Services and Sustainability was founded in 2006 and a task force of students, faculty and staff has been formed to create a green purchasing policy. OSU, ranked as the top public university in Ohio by U.S. News & World Report, was also honored with a ‘B’ grade on the College Sustainability Report Card for 2009.
President Gee signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and a six-year retrospective cabon emissions inventory was carried out in spring 2008. OSU has an active, university-wide energy committee that meets on a regular basis to draft energy conservation policies, and three full-time staff members conduct regular energy audits and identify and implement energy conservation projects. Ohio State also purchases the maximum amount of renewable energy credits allowed from its local power provider.
Ohio State has quite a large campus, so getting around without a vehicle can be tough – but vanpooling, car sharing, free on-campus bus service and bus passes for local transit services are available to students, faculty and staff. The university fleet also includes hybrid and electric vehicles and all diesel vehicles on campus run on B20 soy biodiesel.
Two new buildings at OSU have been LEED certified: the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center and the Moody Hall Neighborhood Policing Center. The 4-H Center is made with many recycled materials, gets lots of natural light, has eco-friendly furnishings and carpeting and recycled 89% of constructiond debris. A third building, the Ohio Union, is currently undergoing renovation and is also seeking LEED certification.
New green organizations are forming at OSU all the time, like “Students for Food Sovereignty” which aims to strengthen the movement toward agricultural sustainability and is currently working on a student-run farm to be planted in the spring. The students hope that the farm will help raise awareness about food and agriculture issues and increase involvement among all students throughout the campus. Currently, the dining hall spends 36% of its total food budget on locally produced goods, serves fair trade coffee and has adopted a goal of 30% waste reduction by 2010.
Other green organizations on campus include Students for Recycling and Students for a Sustainable Campus. A sustainability chair at each dormitory develops and coordinates sustainability-related educational programs as part of OSU’s Scarlet, Gray and Green conservation program and student involvement will no doubt increase as sustainability continues to gain a higher profile on campus.
Link [Ohio State Sustainability]
- Ohio Wesleyan University Students for Environmental Responsibility
- Fund the Movement, Fund OSEC by Ohio Student Environmental Coalition
- Green Guerrillas Youth Media Tech Collective: challenge natural gas drilling in 31 states
Related Posts:
Green College Spotlight: University of VermontGreen College Spotlight: California State University at Chico
Green College Spotlight: Cornell University
Green College Spotlight: University of New Hampshire
Green College Spotlight: Duke University
And not far Ohio State is AltE University, who offers workshops on renewable energy right in Columbus, Ohio. Check out: http://workshops.altenergystore.com/
Workshops are currently oriented to homeowners and Do-It-Yourselfers. Second half of 2009 will bring the professional series of workshops that are available in the Massachusetts location.