SUSTAINABILITY Newsletter
WINTER 2024
Campus Updates
Solar and Electrification on Campus
SOU is making significant steps to move to solar energy self-sufficiency and electrification of the campus. The two largest rooftop installations to date are due to commence installation in the coming months. These two new installations on Lithia Motors Pavilion and The Hawk Dining Commons will increase SOU’s photovoltaic output by 86 percent – from the current 455 kilowatts to a total of 848 kilowatts. These installations are part of a $4 million solar project on campus for 3 new solar rooftop arrays and SOU’s first parking lot solar array. SOU has also added 4 new EV charging ports, funded by the Student Green Fund, at Student and Family Housing for use by the residents. SOU is also looking to expand the EV charging infrastructure on campus as well as update existing chargers. SOU has replaced campus fleet vehicles with 2 new hybrid Ford Maverick trucks and an electric Ford Transit van.
SOU Institute for Applied Sustainability Innovation Fund
The SOU Institute for Applied Sustainability (IAS) recently announced the launch of its Innovation Fund, a pool of micro-grants that contribute to sustainability-oriented research and projects for the SOU community. The fund has already led to a wide variety of projects: bee research at The Farm at SOU, a DMC lighting overhaul, another round of the Recology Ashland artists-in-residence program with SOU students, and a research project on the economic value of forest carbon.
The IAS began its work in the Fall of 2022 after receiving $12 million from Lithia Motors to turn SOU into a place of elite sustainable innovation. With the brainpower of staff, faculty, and students from a wide variety of academic fields, the IAS is a pioneer in evolving what it means for a university to be truly sustainable. Along with investing in projects related to efficient landscaping and campus electrification, they will be focusing on increasing the community around sustainability efforts through internships, regional partnerships, and more. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the IAS Innovation Fund, please reach out directly to the IAS Coordinator, Kira Welch at welchk1@sou.edu.
Recology x SOU Sculpture– Turning Trash Into Treasure
Ashland Recology has partnered with the SOU Sculpture Department to host their another cohort of student-artists-in-residence. For the second time since the program’s start in 2023, a select group of students have been invited to Recology Ashland’s Valley View Transfer Station to scavenge for materials and create treasure out of trash.
This year’s artists are working with a wide variety of materials, with everything from old rope and street signs to cat food containers and wedding photos. The goal is to bring attention to and interrupt the mass cycle of waste that circulates our community, which can be accomplished by any creative avenue the artist’s decide to take. The students are also challenged to have found objects and materials take up 98% of their pieces.
The first round of artists were initiated into the program in January 2023 and displayed their work at the Center for the Visual Arts galleries that June. This 2024 cohort, which includes Cameron Daniel-Whiting, Naia Duggan, Adam Garrett, Carli Lamberto, and Mel Villarrea, hopes to display its work in May and June of this year.
This partnership would not be possible without the help of Recology Ashland, the Oregon Center for the Arts, Professor Michael Parker, SOU x Recology Liason Chella Foster-Flynn, and the Institute for Applied Sustainability. Find out more @sousculpture on Instagram.
Website Update
We are excited to announce that SOU’s commitment to environmental stewardship has taken a leap forward with the complete overhaul of our sustainability website. This revamped platform now boasts a wealth of up-to-date information, showcasing the various initiatives and strategies that SOU is actively implementing to prioritize sustainability across the campus. From innovative energy-saving measures (like our many solar projects) to comprehensive waste management programs (including an on site recycling center), and inclusive community engagement projects, the website serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly campus environment. This initiative is part of our broader goal to not only reduce our carbon footprint but also to inspire our students, faculty, and the wider community to embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives. Take a look at the updated website here.
Tree Campus Recognition
Southern Oregon University proudly upheld its status as a Tree Campus USA for the year 2023, a prestigious recognition it has consistently maintained since 2014. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of everyone on campus. Tree Campus USA, an initiative by the Arbor Day Foundation established in 2008, celebrates colleges and universities, along with their leadership, for fostering healthy trees and engaging the campus community in conservation efforts.
Despite the increasing number of institutions striving for this recognition, SOU stands out for its commitment to the Arbor Day Foundation’s five core standards of effective campus forest management: establishing a tree advisory committee, developing a comprehensive campus tree-care plan, allocating annual expenditures for its campus tree program, observing Arbor Day, and implementing a student service-learning project.
At the heart of SOU’s Tree Campus work is the Tree, Bee, and Bird Committee, which includes members from the faculty, staff, and student body. This committee plays a crucial role in overseeing and guiding the university’s efforts in tree conservation and campus environmental stewardship. The continued recognition in 2024 reinforces Southern Oregon University’s position as a leader in sustainable campus practices.
The Success of 2024 Food Drive
Each February, the SOU staff and faculty community gather to raise money and collect physical donations for the SOU Food Pantry. This February Food Drive partnership through the Governor’s State Employee Food Drive of Oregon works to alleviate the hunger that a large percentage of college students face during their time in school. According to a 2018 Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition survey, 43.5% of college students face food insecurity; SOU students are no exception.
A small team of SOU Food Pantry employees worked nonstop on March 1st to collect food barrels in each main-campus building, weigh donations by hand, and organize and stock the pantry’s storage center. Thanks to the generosity of our non-student community, this program has nearly 550 more pounds of food to provide to SOU Food Pantry members.
But it’s not too late to make an impact! The SOU Food Pantry accepts monetary, non-perishable, and hygiene-oriented donations all year long, with a physical donation box in SU 312 and a monetary donation site here.
Sustainability Spotlight
Winter term’s Sustainability Spotlight focuses on Mimi Pieper, PEAK Student Sustainability Coordinator.
What are you studying?
I’m in the Honors College studying Computer Science, with a minor in Rhetoric and Reason. I’m excited to graduate with honors in June 2024!
Tell us about yourself
I like to say yes to opportunities, which has led me to become deeply involved in our campus community. In addition to my role as the Student Sustainability Coordinator, I serve as the voting student body representative on the SOU Governing Board of Trustees. It’s my second term, and the board’s commitment to sustainability and their expertise in so many fields has been truly inspirational.
In addition to my role as Student Sustainability Coordinator, I’m also working at the Oregon Small Business Development Network as the lead Data Analyst. There, I support small businesses with research on market trends and other key insights.
On top of that, I’m a Senior computer science tutor, where I help other students grasp complex concepts in our field.
What does your role in Sustainability involve? What do you like about it?
I work on projects that aim to improve energy efficiency across campus. This is important since it helps the university be more sustainable and also save money. My responsibilities range from solar output analysis, grant writing for future solar initiatives, to writing federal reports. A key achievement was integrating the Energy Star Portfolio Manager with SOU, enhancing our ability to track and improve energy efficiency campus-wide.
Given your major is in Computer Science, how do you integrate technology with sustainability?
I’ve found many ways to blend technology with sustainability. I revamped our sustainability website, which was both a coding and writing challenge. I also use my data analysis skills to figure out where SOU can be more energy-efficient.
How did you get involved in sustainability and what is your advice to other students on how to get involved?
I’ve always been environmentally conscious, thanks to my upbringing. My advice for others interested in sustainability is to start small and integrate sustainable practices into your daily life. I personally practice sustainability through ethical consumption (purchasing secondhand first, shopping bulk sections, supporting small businesses), upcycling before buying as much as possible, recycling everything I can after attempting to reuse it, and having a wonderful little vegetable garden! I got more involved with sustainability at SOU through my job, and it’s been wonderful to see how it’s woven into the fabric of how the university operates.
What do you like about SOU?
SOU is great because it lets you carve your own path. The university offers a lot of room for professional growth, and I’ve gained a variety of experiences here that I believe will be beneficial in my future career. I’m also grateful for the supportive community at SOU – mentors and managers across various departments have been incredibly helpful.
Events and Opportunities
Keep up to date by following our instagram at Sustainability_SO
Follow SJEC’s Student Sustainability Team at SOU_studentsustainability
- SOU’s Rogue Earth Day
April 19, 2024
3:30pm – 7pm
Join Southern Oregon University and community partners for exhibits, live performances, bike rodeo, art, food trucks, and more, all in celebration of Earth Day! See more here. - Arbor Day
April 26, 2024
We are looking for students, staff and faculty volunteers to help plant trees on campus for Arbor Day on the morning of April 26th. Contact Becs Walker walkerr6@sou.edu if you would like to volunteer. More details coming soon!
