Sustainability

Hybrid Vehicles Rented for Transportation Needs

Each year Oberlin College rents vehicles for use during Commencement/Reunion Weekend. These vehicles are used to provide transportation for those who need assistance and for those attending off-campus events. In 2008, the College made the commitment to rent only hybrid vehicles for this purpose.

Unfortunately, these vehicles are in very limited supply. In 2009, we will use some hybrid vehicles and some gasoline powered vehicles.

Local and Organic Foods Served

Approximately 20-35% of the food served by Campus Dining Services and  Bon Appétit will be from local sources.

Composting Available at Select Meals

During two of the main events, the Friday night picnic and the Champagne Luncheon, all of the biodegradable waste will be composted. Every plate, cup, utensil and scrap of food will be compostable at these meals. Composting will also be available at other meal locations across campus. 

Carbon Offsets Purchased by Participants

Donations towards offsetting carbon emissions for travel to Commencement/Reunion Weekend will be accepted at the Green Education Booth near Headquarters in the Science Center through POWER Fund (Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly). When you offset your carbon through the POWER Fund, you fight climate change, stimulate the local economy and lift people out of poverty. POWER offsets carbon by making low-income housing as efficient as possible.

Programs Printed on 100% Post-Consumer Paper

Commencement programs, the full Commencement/Reunion Weekend program, and other printed materials are being printed on “Environment,” 100% post-consumer paper.

Green Pledge Signed by the Senior Class

The Class of 2007 adopted a green pledge and more than 264 seniors signed a Social and Environmental Responsibility Pledge and wore green ribbons during Commencement. In 2008, 168 students signed the green pledge. The hope is for every future class to adopt the same pledge: “I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of my future career and lifestyle decisions. I will also try to improve these aspects of any organization for which I work.”

Bio-ware Used for Plates and Flatware

In an effort to reduce the amount of waste generated from the many Commencement/Reunion events, Campus Dining Services, managed by Bon Appétit Management Company, has replaced all plastic ware with bio-ware. The used bio-ware plates, cups, knives, spoons and forks will be collected in special containers and composted in an off-site facility. This process requires your help to be successful. Please take the time to dispose of only bio-ware in the marked containers. With your help, we will be able to repurpose waste that would otherwise have been deposited into a landfill.

Rideshare

Your journey can be part of the celebration and help us green Oberlin: Fly or Drive Together! Whether you fly or drive to Commencement/Reunion Weekend, you now have an opportunity to connect with your neighbors on your journey. You can carpool to Oberlin or share a cab or rental from the airport. Does your car have an extra seat? Use your trip as a mini-reunion and find other Oberlin alumni and friends in your region, while reducing the number of cars traveling to Oberlin in May. Go to http://www.spaceshare.com/oberlin175/ and make a connection.
Shuttle link: http://www.gohopkins.com/ 

Printed Reunion Directories Replaced with Online Connections

In 2009, the 15th, 25th and 35th Reunion classes are directing all alumni to OBIEWEB for classmate connections. Log onto OBIEWeb to make your own connections by visiting http://www.oberlin.edu/alumni/.