Ecologue

Congratulations to the OSU-Cascades Office of Student Life on earning the gold-level Green Office Certification!

The Sustainability Office has been working with the Office of Student Life on Cascades campus to make their office space more sustainable, and they’ve made some awesome progress!

Some highlights from their results include:

• Ensuring that all electronic devices are turned off after 1 hour of activity;
• Always wearing layered clothing to adapt to office temperatures, to avoid frequent changes to the thermostat;
• Checking OSU Surplus for needed office supplies before purchasing new ones, and disposing of unwanted furniture and supplies there;
• Creating a designated supply closet for the sharing and reuse of office supplies;
• Purchasing copy paper with 100% post-consumer waste content;
• Providing adequate and secure indoor bike parking available for employees to encourage more bike travel;
• Training all employees in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion each term.

The Office of Student Life joins fifteen other OSU offices that have received a certification so far! We can’t wait to see how they plan to improve their score and go for platinum!

About the Certification:

The Green Office Certification is a simple yet effective way for OSU faculty and staff to further their sustainability efforts and get recognition for their work. It is also intended to provide new ideas for easy steps your office can take to reduce your environmental footprint and carbon emissions.

It takes the shape of an online survey that assesses current office practices under five categories: Utilities, Waste Management, Office Purchasing, Transportation and Travel, and Outreach, Engagement, and Professional Development. 

Possible Certification Levels:         

• Copper (50-59%)
• Silver (60-69%)
• Gold (70-79%)
• Platinum (80+%)   

Don’t work in an office but are still interested in ‘greening’ your space? Check out our Green Labs Certification and Green Greek Certification. More information about our Green Certifications program can be found here. 

Those interested in learning more or completing a Green Certification can reach out to sustainability@oregonstate.edu.

Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary’s River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855, Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (ctsi.nsn.us).