Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability invites all University employees to learn about the Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP) on Tuesday, Jan. 23, from noon to 1 p.m. in Baker University Center 239.

STEP is an Ohio University-specific sustainability certification program which aims to recognize departments or offices across campus for their sustainable efforts, whether they be existing practices or new changes. The certification program consists of a series of items or tasks on a checklist that count as points toward becoming certified. Behavior changes, implementation of new protocols, and education make up a large amount of the tasks included in the checklist. The goal of STEP is to engage faculty, staff and students in the effort to improve the sustainability profile of Ohio University.

In 2018, to enhance the program, the Office of Sustainability is seeking ambassadors who wish to learn more about the program, bring it to their departments and, potentially, teach other departments how to become more sustainable through STEP. 

“We’ve had great feedback about this certification program over the past few years as we developed it, and now we’re ready to increase its reach by asking employees to become peer educators through the program,” explained Sustainability Specialist Elaine Goetz.

The STEP Ambassador Training event will cover basic sustainability definitions and programs occurring at Ohio University and will teach employees about how to most efficiently incorporate sustainability into their everyday actions on campus.  

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by emailing sustainability@ohio.edu, but drop-ins are welcome. Those in attendance are invited to bring a lunch to enjoy while receiving the training. 

“This is a win-win program,” explained Sustainability Project Coordinator Sam Crowl. “Employees get to participate in a quick and fun professional development training and, simultaneously, we get to enhance awareness about sustainability on campus.”