Oberlin College: Gold STARS Rating
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) is a comprehensive survey of institution’s sustainability initiatives and achievements. See Oberlin’s submission.
Oberlin Sustainability
Photo by Professor John Petersen
The Office of Environmental Sustainability (OES) works to facilitate the implementation of the College’s comprehensive environmental policy in line with the College’s strategic goal of sustainability and commitment to carbon neutrality. OES interacts with the administration, faculty, staff, and students to focus attention on ways to maximize the environmental performance of Oberlin College and develop the awareness and tools required to respond dynamically to issues affecting them. It also reaches out to the wider community and provides a connection between Oberlin and regional and national activities.
News & Announcements
Feedback wanted on prototype covered bike rack
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Oberlin College began installation of a new covered bicycle rack today. Located at the Science Center on W Lorain St., the metal supports will soon receive cover panels. The prototype was installed to test the design and receive feedback from bicyclists before additional covered racks are installed throughout campus. We want your feedback.
Read More
Professors Orr, Frantz, & Petersen Speak at the Climate, Mind and Behavior Symposium (videos)
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Videos of Professors David W. Orr, Cindy Frantz, and John Petersen ’88 speaking about the Oberlin Project at the Garrison Institute’s Climate, Mind and Behavior (CBM) symposium in February 2012. CBM “convenes leading thinkers and practitioners in the fields of climate change and environmental advocacy, neuro-, behavioral and evolutionary economics, psychology, policy-making, social networking, investing and social media, working together on ways to shift behavior on a large enough scale to realize substantial emissions reductions.” Orr delivered a plenary on Oberlin's integrated strategies. Frantz, Petersen, and Anders Faijersson Ferguson ’75, chair of Friends of the Oberlin Project, followed with a panel on the Oberlin Project, connections to nature and social norms, bio-feedback, and climate investing.
Read More
New Solar Array to Produce Energy for the College
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Read More
Get Ready for Ecolympics, Part 3
Friday, March 16, 2012
In a society where so much of our time is spent commuting, a liberal arts college campus is a sanctuary. Students at Oberlin can spend an entire semester without ever leaving a single square mile patch of land. While most Obies are content with this lifestyle, sooner or later, many of us need to leave the bubble and get a taste of the “real world.” But while there’s nothing wrong with spending a little time off-campus, we should be cognizant of the environmental impact of certain modes of transportation.
Read More
Sustainability Events: March 9-12, 2012
Friday, March 09, 2012
Sustainability related events in and around Oberlin this weekend: a talk by Gar Alperovitz on "Is There an America Beyond Capitalism?", a two day symposium "Fukushima: Lessons Learned?", an OPAL discussion on college-community relations, the local food summit, and an online discussion of research on campus resource reduction competitions.Read More
Get Ready for Ecolympics, Part 2
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Environmentalism will be the theme this spring at Oberlin as the campus prepares for one of the main events in this year’s Ecolympics: the second annual Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN). The competition challenges college students across the country to reduce their water and electricity use to promote conservation.
The CCN is made possible by a resource monitoring system developed by the Oberlin alumni-founded software company, Lucid Design Group. Oberlin has had the luxury of using Lucid’s technology to power its Campus Resource Monitoring System since 2005. At oberlin.edu/DormEnergy, students who live in dormitories or village housing can monitor their water and electricity use in real time.
Read More
Oberlin Earns Gold STARS Rating for Sustainability
Monday, February 20, 2012
Oberlin has earned a gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a green-rating system created by sustainability directors and college administrators that aims to provide the most comprehensive and transparent approach to evaluating campus performance. Oberlin is just one of 30 schools to receive a gold rating, which is the highest level that has been achieved so far.
Read More
Get Ready for Ecolympics
Friday, February 10, 2012
Since 2005, Oberlin has held an annual Dorm Resource Reduction Competition (DRRC) that challenges students living in campus dormitories to reduce their electricity and water use. The 2011-12 DRRC takes place this semester, when Oberlin also will participate in the second Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN), a nationwide competition that boasts 150 participating colleges and universities. The competitions will run for three weeks—April 3 to 23—and will be part of the many events in Oberlin’s Ecolympics.
Read More
Review: Campus Retrofitting Saves Money, Energy
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
The Oberlin Review's Joseph Dilworth covers OES's lighting retrofit: "Since the end of the fall semester, Oberlin has begun the first of a three-phase retrofitting lighting project in 22 buildings, which will purportedly save both money and energy. School officials believe the overall watt reduction will serve as a stepping-stone towards the goal of carbon neutrality by 2025."
Read More
Annika Sullivan '12 and OSWAMP bring rain gardens to local schools
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Before she came to Oberlin, Annika Sullivan was already a self-made expert on conservation and rainwater runoff. Since high school, the Portland, Oregon, native has been surveying natural streams and building rain gardens. During fall break, Sullivan is collaborating with student organizations to build rain gardens at Oberlin High School and the Boys and Girls Club.
Read More
Upcoming Events
Wildflower Meadow at Kendal
Apr. 29, 2012The Western Reserve Land Conservancy in collaboration with Kendal residents will be restoring wildflower...
Vegucated Documentary Screening
Apr. 29, 2012Join Oberlin Animal Rights in watching a screening of the new documentary Vegucated, which follows the...