Core: Administrative Support

The 2017 Administrative Support infographic outlining progress towards the 2011 sustainability benchmarks and new goals set for fiscal year 2026. AASHE STARS Gold is a rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System(STARS).  Gold is the second highest rating; as of 2019 only 4 institutions have the highest rating, Platinum. Click the tabs below to learn more! 

Assessibility View of Administrative Support Graphic

Progress toward 2011 Sustainability Plan (as of 2017)

• Benchmark 6: Institute annual sustainability profile tracking and assessment process. Target met; tracking & assessment process exists.​

• Benchmark 10: Integrate sustainability goals and objectives into capital campaign. Target not met; no capital campaign has started since plan was created.​

Administrative Support Graphics

The above graphic shows how Ohio University compares against other programs by STARS. As seen above, Ohio University is well above the national average.

The above graphic shows the breakdown of carbon emissions by the Office of Sustainability staff. Fun fact: Ohio University students, faculty, and staff emit an average of 4.35 metric tons of emitted carbon dioxide per full time equivalent (FTE) per year.

2017 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Goal #1

Goal 1: Achieve recognition for innovative and robust sustainability planning, coordination and governance by increasing Ohio University's STARS rating from Silver to Gold; thereby, increasing its national sustainability ranking.

Potential Strategies​

• Transform OHIO Sustainability into model engagement ecosystems utilizing the Sustainability Hubs​

• Apply for national sustainability rankings and awards​

• Plan and implement compelling sustainability events; encourage green events in campus/community ​

• Increase marketing of sustainability events; initiatives and achievements to OHIO campuses; communities and alumni​

• Track and third-party verify carbon, nitrogen, and air pollutant emissions through internationally accepted reporting protocols ​

• Maintain reporting for all other internal and external sustainability commitments​

Benefits of Goal #1 

• Increased positive reputation
• Reduced emissions
• Increased social engagement

Costs of Goal #1

• Staff time
• Operation and management costs

2017 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Goal #2

Goal 2: Build resiliency into processes and infrastructure by mandating plans and procedures aligning with national sustainability metrics

Potential Strategies​

• Review best practices for resiliency & sustainability integration at other institutions ​

• Create recommendations for Chief Facilities Officer ​

Benefits of Goal #2

• Reduced operating expense
• Reduced risk
• Reduced emissions
• Increased positive reputation

Costs of Goal #2

• Staff time
• Operation and management costs

2017 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Goal #3

Goal 2: Create funding mechanisms for sustainability initiatives outside of General Funds by increasing spending to $10,000 per year.

Potential Strategies​

• Collaborate with Advancement to develop a philanthropic case for sustainability; continue to promote sustainability in annual giving materials ​​

• Apply for grant funding​

• Create sustainability revolving loan fund​

Benefits of Goal #3

• Creates a source of capital funds
• Reduced emissions
• Increased reputation and enrollment

Costs of Goal #3

• Staff time
• Operation and management costs

Current Data

Initiatives

Sustainability Hubs

This innovative organizational structure utilizes faculty affiliates to lead progress in various categories of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.

Sustainability Reporting

The Office of Sustainability issues a variety of reports in response to internal and external commitments, including an annual greenhouse gas inventory through Second Nature, a tri-annual AASHE STARS report, and annual internal reporting to the Ohio University Sustainability Committee and the Ohio University Board of Trustees.

Sustainability Events

The Office of Sustainability holds many events each year, including signature events such as Pollution Prevention Week the third week in September, and Earth Month in April.  The Sustainability website is also the home for the Green Events Guide.

Sustainability Marketing

The Office of Sustainability has a bi-weekly newsletter (sign up link) and uses the Calendar of University Events and social media (Facebook, Instagram) to market sustainability events. 

Sustainability Funding

The Office of Sustainability has a University Foundation account with funding for sustainability initatives and student projects.  Donations for this account are accepted at all times.

Sustainability staff members submit grants or participate in grant submission regularly, often providing letters of support for faculty members who conduct sustainability research that advances goals in the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.