SOU Campus Ecology
As an educational institution,
we have a critical role in what our future holds.
Regardless of
how well we understand the natural world, how sophisticated our theories,
how accurate our computer models, how complete our empirical knowledge,
or how well we understand indigenous knowledge, none of this will be of
value if we do not put it into practice.
Mission: As the Ecology Center of The Siskiyous it is our mission
to bring to student and public awareness the realities of what impact
our campus has on the environment and the future. We have been working
over the years to lessen our impact through a system of campus programs.
The starting point is to ask how we as an institution work within the
larger patterns and flows of the natural world on which we depend for
energy, water, materials, food and where we in turn dispose our waste.
Important Questions to Investigate
- What impact do institutional purchases have on the diversity of life on earth?
- Does this institution have a clear policy to implement energy efficiency?
- Do we use nontoxic materials in new construction and renovations?
- Do we recycle organic wastes and other materials such as paper, plastic, glass and cardboard to our maximum ability?
- Are we making means as an institution to lower out resource intake as a whole?
- Do we purchase recycled or environmentally friendly materials in our departments and bookstore?
- Have we begun to phase out toxic substances in our landscaping and ground maintenance?
- Are our employees notified of the effects of chemicals they may be exposed to at work? For example, pesticides and cleaners.
- How much solid waste do we create in a year? 10 years? 20 years?
- Do we support local economy? Do we buy from local farmers and merchants?
- Does the SOU master plan take these questions into account?
Other
Universities nation wide have begun making significant progress in redesigning
institutional operations to reduce environmental impacts. State University
of Buffalo-New York saved $3 million in 1991 by implementing a systematic
energy efficiency program. Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas is buying
as much of its food as possible from local farmers to reduce transportation
and environmental costs. By doing this the quality of food was improved
for students, faculty and staff while supporting the local economy.
Dozens of universities have started full scale recycling programs. In
a move similar to those of several universities, College of the Atlantic
announced February 27, 2001 that it will switch to 100% recycled, old
growth-free, chlorine-free, forest friendly paper products ranging from
toilet paper to notepads. COA also pledged to pursue salvaged, recycled,
or nonwood building materials before buying new lumber for construction
on its campus.
The
redesiging of instituional resource flows is a visible
and real sign of an institution’s commitment to the future.
The future of SOU requires
a campus-wide commitment to environmental literacy that includes administrative
officials, staff, faculty, students and trustees.
Ecology Center of the Siskiyous
1250 Siskiyou Boulevard
SU 329
Ashland OR, 97520
ecos@students.sou.edu
541-552-8512
1-800-482-SOSC (daytime only)