Resources for Sustainability Engagement
Student leadership is an important part of what makes SOU a wonderful place to live and study. With staff and faculty support, students at SOU manage and operate a wide range of student resources including outdoor adventure programming, community gardens, film screenings, bicycle services, an organic farm, and more.
Sustainability Council
The mission of the Sustainability Council is to advise, encourage, and coordinate the operations, research, and campus culture of Southern Oregon University in a manner that is consistent with the values and practices of environmental stewardship and sustainability; promoting individual, institutional and community well-being.
SOU Sustainability Center
The SOU Sustainability Center serves as SOU’s environmental resource center. ECOS (now SOU Sustainability Center) was founded in 1995 by students who recognized the need for a facility that would focus on the ever-changing dynamics of local, national, and global environmental issues. With our student staff, funding, and community connections, we work to create ecologically-related projects and initiatives.
The Farm at SOU
The Farm at Southern Oregon University is a center for sustainability. The student-led organic farm produces healthy, sustainably harvested food for the SOU community. It is a hub for education, student and faculty research and community outreach to the Rogue Valley. Projects on The Farm inspire a generation of ecologically-committed leaders who promote a vision of living and working sustainably in community and on the land.
Environmental Affairs Committee
The Environmental Affairs Committee (EAC) is a committee of the student government. The committee works on sustainability issues on campus and manages the Green Fund. The Green Fund, generated by student fees, is available to students to use for renewable energy, water restoration, and campus sustainability projects.
OSPIRG
When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, OSPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and wellbeing and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy, and litigation. OSPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.
Transportation Options
Southern Oregon University provides a wide-range of resources to students emphasizing the importance of driving less. The Transportation Options Program collaborates with offices throughout campus and the community to provide students with bicycle access, reduced-cost bus passes, ride-sharing services, bike rentals and much more.
Outdoor Programs
SOU Outdoor Program (OP) advocates the spirit of adventure for students. We offer student-led trips throughout the school year for the entire campus community, as well as, high-quality camping/rafting/kayaking/backpacking equipment rentals for students and the community. The Outdoor Program is an inclusive campus resource for all students and is associated with Student Life. The OP also supports all the adventure-based clubs on campus. If you’re interested in getting outside, come by and check us out!
