When most people think about sustainability, they picture recycling cans, solar panels, paper straws and public transit.
These are all sustainable habits that the University of Oregon utilizes in the dorms, dining halls and around campus. But sustainability at UO runs deeper than these surface-level efforts.
If you walk past the EMU on any given day, you’ll see locally-sourced, fresh produce offered to students for free, clothing swaps and outdoor gear rentals. If you attend an event hosted by Net Impact UO, you’ll see students networking with professionals, conversing about changing sustainability practices in industry.
UO has built a network of programs and student-led organizations that encourage students to practice sustainability in their personal and professional lives.
Programs like the Student Sustainability Center, the environmental leaders academic residential community for first-year students and clubs like Net Impact or the Coalition Against Environmental Racism encourage student sustainability at the intersection between sustainability, social change and their future professional careers.
UO Director of Sustainability Steve Mital notes the importance of UO programs like the Willamette River Natural Area habitat restoration that allows students hands-on experience in conservation and restoration.
Mital also said the UO sustainability dashboard that tracks the sustainability performance of the university has given students the opportunity to analyze data and recommend improvements to campus sustainability policies.
On top of these programs, the SSC offers a plethora of on-campus sustainability efforts for students.
The SSC Food Equity program that runs the Trillium Produce Plus Produce Drops works to tackle food insecurity in college students, providing them with free, locally-sourced produce.
The Waste Reduction program does something similar. This program provides free school and office supplies like iClickers, graduation gowns, menstrual products, home goods, reusable water bottles and travel mugs to UO students and staff.
The Grove Community Garden is a student-run garden facilitated through the SSC to connect students with others who are interested in gardening to build a community.
Students are able to grow their leadership skills, volunteer and learn how to plant and tend a garden. The produce grown in the garden is available to student volunteers to take home or is donated to the Produce Drop or Student Food Pantry.
The SSC even runs a climate anxiety outreach program for students who are experiencing psychological effects due to worrying about the impact of climate change.
Other student-run organizations like Net Impact, Climate Justice League, LiveMove and more work to promote sustainability at UO through active club meetings, campaigns and networking events.
“Net Impact has helped me deepen my understanding of sustainability and explore career opportunities within the field,” Shamica Tendolkar, Net Impact’s vice president of membership, said. Tendolkar has been part of Net Impact since her first year at UO, and has found that the club has given her unique opportunities to network with professionals and learn more about how sustainable business practices are currently being implemented in the workforce.
“(Through Net Impact) I’ve learned how businesses can create positive environmental and social impact while remaining financially successful,” Tendolkar said.
The sustainability efforts that UO students are building, and the education they are receiving from them, deserve recognition and should be valued and protected.
The SSC, Net Impact and the restoration and sustainable policy efforts from UO students reflect a campus-wide culture where students are given the tools to become more sustainable.
Sustainability is something the university should always prioritize, especially when it comes to student-led efforts.
