Sustainable OIT
Sustainability Club at Earth Day 2008
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Leading Oregon in Sustainable Technology Education
OIT's mission is to be the leader in sustainable technology education and to excel in full sustainability integration in campus operations, academics, and community involvement.
Full-time Staff Dedicated to SustainabilityOIT has two Sustainability Coordinators and an Energy Analyst who are responsible for coordinating sustainability efforts on campus and tracking progress on the OIT Sustainability Plan.
Climate Neutral by 2017 OIT will be climate neutral by 2017 through a combination of reduction of energy consumption, improved building design, use of large and small solar arrays, and construction of a low-temperature geothermal power plant.
Multiple Sustainability Action GroupsGroups involved in sustainability include the Sustainability Committee made up of faculty, students, administrators, and community members; the Sustainability Club that is currently working on improving offerings in the Marketplace (on-campus food service); Engineers without Borders; Sustainability Internship program (interns work on the Climate Action Plan and OIT's carbon footprint studies); and the Sustainability Office (two paid students who promote sustainability on campus).
Programs Integrating Sustainable Technology Several programs at OIT are intimately linked with training graduates in Sustainable technology, design, and practices: Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (life cycle analysis), Renewable Energy Engineering (renewable energy and resources), Civil Engineering (environmental design and LEED building design), and Environmental Sciences (Watershed, GIS, and Sustainable Technologies emphasis areas).
Native Plant Garden Featuring Xeriscaping A native plant garden which features xeriscaping is planned on the OIT campus. This project, designed by Civil Engineering students and maintained by the Sustainability Committee, will be a test plot for the introduction of more native plant species into the OIT landscape and will serve as a teaching garden for the community.
Encouraging Alternative Transportation OIT encourages alternative transportation use for community members. Bus passes are free for students, staff, and faculty. A pilot program for spring 2009 tested the feasibility of reduced parking fees for carpoolers. There are also several electric bikes in use on campus.
Students have hands-on learning opportunities in the OREC lab.
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Sustainability...