Office of Sustainabilty
What is Sustainability
Ohio University defines sustainability as the capacity to simultaneously benefit people, the planet and prosperity now and in the future. Life-cycle analysis, life-cycle costing, social financial proxies, and multi-criteria decision analyses are tools that are used to evaluate sustainability. Also used at Ohio University is a popular but less actionable definition, adpated from the Bruntland definition of sustainable development: sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Mission
Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability facilitates the implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan by providing services and support to the campus community and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being.
Donate
Donations made to the “Ohio University Sustainability Fund” will be used to enact infrastructure, curriculum, and research projects that can help advance success toward the goals within the Sustainability and Climate Action Plans of Ohio University. Projects will not be housed in one single department or division. In fact, it is the intention of the OHIO Foundation that these funds will be utilized by all divisions for various sustainability-related projects hoping to advance institutional sustainability efforts. Donations made to this fund will be added to a generic pool of sustainability funding and used toward projects agreed upon by various stakeholders. Donors who wish to contribute to a particular project are urged to reach out to the Office of Sustainability (sustainability@ohio.edu, 740-593-0460) before making a donation so that proper funding allocations occur.
News and Announcements
New recycling grant assists initiative to ...
September 6, 2019
Ohio University was awarded a recycling grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency that will support a 12-month initiative to improve organic waste collection on campus.
OU opens the door to more local food in di...
September 5, 2019
Ohio University earlier this year announced that it’s now buying food both from the Chesterhill Produce Auction in Morgan County and from the university’s Student Farm on West State Street for its dining halls and markets.
Fall 2019 Sustainable Administration Hub S...
September 3, 2019
Dr. Ryan Fogt, the OHIO Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator, will kick off the fall Sustainability Hub Seminar Series on Wednesday September 4th at 5pm in Baker Center’s Front Room. This semester the Seminar Series will be held on September 4th, October 3rd and November 6th at 5pm in the Front Room.
Upcoming Events
Office of Sustainability Featured Programs
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Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors
JoinThe Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors program is an initiative of the Sustainable Administration Hub. The Ambassadors are an energetic and enthusiastic group of students who assist in the implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. You can find them leading the Earth Day Sustainability Parade; instructing Bobcats fans on proper disposal of game day waste; teaching in the local middle schools; labeling our storm drains with "drains to river" markers; and more!
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Sustainability Alumni Network
Connect with UsAre you an OHIO alumni enthusiastic about creating more socially just, ecologically balanced, and prosperous communities? Then the Sustainability Alumni Network is the group for you!
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Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP)
Get CertifiedThe Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP) is a sustainability certification program which aims to recognize departments or offices across campus for their sustainable efforts, whether they be existing practices or new changes.
Sustainable Hubs
We welcome participants to our new Sustainable Hubs! The Hub Seminar Series for Fall 2019 will be on September 4th, October 3rd, November 6th at 5pm in Front Room. Please sign up for our newsletter or visit our events calendar for more information.