From the Office of Sustainability

Most of us live in a culture that saves celebration for the end of things, once the accomplishment is accomplished, the achievement achieved, the finish line crossed, the contract signed and the project complete. You may have heard the phrase, “Don’t spike the football on the one-yard line,” which warns against celebrating too early lest you fail to achieve the primary objective. But in thinking about sustainability in terms of sustaining ourselves, withholding celebration feels a bit punitive, possibly even parental: “No cake for you until you do the thing!” Tying celebration so much to completion, or to a handful of major life events such as weddings and births, effectively links celebration to achievement. This linkage, in turn, implies that in the absence of achievement, celebration is undeserved. Since there is always more to achieve, more to do, a next thing to be focused on, it’s easy for celebration to fall away altogether or to feel unearned when it happens.

Which is why we are sending this message now, in May, in week 7 of spring term, rather than in June when classes will have been completed, grades earned, fiscal-year budgets wrapped, graduation achievements unlocked. Because celebration is worth doing for happenings small as well as big, personal as well as shared. Have a tough conversation? Celebrate it. Make someone laugh? Give yourself a pat on the back. Find yourself stopped in admiration of a beautiful tree or glorious anything? Applaud that beauty and yourself for being a being that can witness beauty. Fail in some way, big or small? Pump your fist because you tried. As we head into the end of the quarter, school year, fiscal year, and beyond take some time for celebrations in-between milestones.

Green background with gray text that says ''on campus''

Yellow and white background with text that says ''Join us for an environmental justice-focused sustainability open house''

Spring Sustainability Open House May 22nd

Join us for an Environmental Justice-focused Spring Sustainability Open House on Wednesday, May 22nd from 12:00-1:30pm in the EMU, Room 230. The first hour will feature presentations from students and staff on environmental justice work done around campus, inside and outside the classroom. The last thirty minutes will be an opportunity to network with presenters and attendees. Not available for the entire event? No problem. Feel free to come and go as you please. Refreshments will be provided.

Learn more

Seal with gold background and the text ''stars a program of aashe'' with ''Sustainability tracking, assessment and rating system'' around outer edge of seal

Celebrating Steve Mital's new combined role

Congratulations to Steve Mital on his new combined role as the Director of Utilities and Energy and Sustainability! Steve's appointment highlights the university's commitment to decarbonize, as he brings a sustainability-oriented approach to his position. He plans to renew the university's focus and roll out programs on campus relating to resiliency, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, while also strengthening existing relationships with local utilities EWEB and Northwest Natural to advance energy transition goals.

Success at Sustaina-fest

During Earth Week, the Student Sustainability Center hosted Sustaina-fest, an afternoon of music, crafts, and sustainability events in the EMU Amphitheater. The Office of Sustainability had a table at the event and encouraged students to take a short quiz on microplastics in the environment. Those who finished the quiz received prizes like reusable water bottles, reusable bags, and trendy baseball caps with a recycling logo.

Yellow background with green text that says the waste corner

Text ''Moving out? Sort your stuff'' with images for recycling, packing, and donations

Give your used dorm room items a second life

We are already more than halfway through spring term, which means the end of the year is coming fast! Start getting ready for campus move-out and the annual collection of donation materials. Moving out of your dorm? Start sorting your materials for recycling, donation, and what you will take home. Reuse is a great way to support waste reduction. For more information on acceptable donation materials, click the button below.

View list

Celebrate warm weather by biking to campus

Exciting news! Bike racks are filling up on campus, including the a full rack outside of Campus Planning and Facilities Services administration building last week. Full racks reflect the increasing popularity of biking to campus as the weather gets nice. Biking is a greenhouse gas-free way to commute, promotes mental health, and allows us to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Plus, statistics show that the more people who bike, the safer it is for all cyclists, making it a win-win for everyone.

Animated graphic with the text ''Seeking gown donations'' with graduates cheering in the bottom right corner

Not using your gown after graduation? Donate it to the SSC

The Student Sustainability Center's (SSC) Grad Gown Share Program makes graduation more sustainable and affordable for UO students. After commencement, students donate their gowns and other regalia, which are then loaned out to the following year's graduates. The SSC is accepting gown donations from now through the summer - please help us spread the word to any students who will be graduating this year! Graduates can drop off their gowns, caps, and other regalia at the Student Sustainability Center (Erb Memorial Union 005) any time, including during the summer after commencement. We can also accept donations via mail at:

Student Sustainability Center

1395 University Street

Eugene OR 97403

Visit SSC website

Sustainability in action: faculty spotlight

Meet three faculty members making significant strides in sustainability: Alexandra Rempel, Lauren Ponisio, and Lucas Silva.

Alexandra Rempel integrates traditional earthen construction with modern techniques to optimize passive heating and cooling systems, contributing to sustainable building practices. Lauren Ponisio and her team reintroduce native plant species in post-wildfire timber plantations to support bee populations and biodiversity while addressing the decline of bee populations. Lucas Silva's research focuses on the effectiveness of riparian reforestation in sequestering and storing carbon, providing valuable insights into climate change mitigation strategies. Your contributions to building a more sustainable future are greatly appreciated.

Glowing sign on wall that says ''we're hiring join us'' next to a megaphone

Office of Sustainability hiring students

Are you a student looking for a job over the summer? Check out the Office of Sustainability's job postings on Handshake.

Sustainability Associate, Irrigation Systems Auditor, summer 2024 Hiring multiple people for the position, applications open now and will close 5/22 at 6:00pm – Job ID # 8957474

Environmental Leaders ARC

Apply for one, two, or all three! Applications for ARC positions due Sunday May 12.

Orientation Planning Coordinator, summer 2024 – Job ID # 8927045
Orientation Trip Leader, pre-fall 2024 – Job ID # 8926998
Teaching Assistant, fall quarter – Job ID # 8927242

Go to Handshake

Green background with gray text that says ''events and opportunities''

Flyer titled ''Black Ecofeminism and Abolitionist Ecology'' presented by Jennifer James on May 14th at 4:00pm in the EMU Room 146 (Crater Lake Room North)

Attend Black Ecofeminism and Abolitionist Ecology talk led by Professor Jennifer James

Jennifer James, Associate Professor at George Washington University, will be visiting UO on Tuesday, May 14th in EMU Room 146 to discuss her theory of Black ecofeminist "bottoming". Join the discussion to learn more about her intersectional approach to environmentalism.

Drawing of a lit lightbulb at a workstation with sticky notes and a pencil

Leverage your role to reduce UO emissions

Have you ever wondered what you can do to help reduce UO emissions and create a more sustainable workplace? Attend the FYI Friday discussion on Friday, May 17th from 11:00am-12:00pm to learn how you can leverage your role to drive sustainable change at UO. The discussion will be led by Sarah Stoeckl and Katie Lucca from the Office of Sustainability. Register for the event in MyTrack below. Event open to staff and faculty.

FYI Fridays, hosted by UO Learning and Development, is an opportunity for university employees to learn about the work being done by others on campus through short presentations held on Fridays throughout the year.

Register in MyTrack

Animated desk at UO with yellow background with spring term hours

Surplus spring hours April 1st to June 8th

Help surplus reuse! We offer hundreds of items on discount.
Hours for Spring Term:

Public Sales:
- Monday 4-6pm
- Wednesday 4-6pm
- Saturday 11:30-1:30pm

For more information on sales, hours, & reservations visit our website below or contact surplus staff at: 541-999-4173 or uosurplus@uoregon.edu

Browse surplus site

Other events and opportunities in May

Intertwined : UNTOLD - Stories of Struggle, Transformation, & Triumph (5/14-5/15/24), a personal storytelling event by undergraduates and Alumni to celebrate creativity and vulnerability
OUT/LOUD Queer and Trans Performance Fest (5/26/24), a LGBTQIA2S+ celebration featuring comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle
Be Unbound – Nasreen Alkhateeb (5/21/24), dinner presentation with the award winning filmmaker Nasreen Alkateeb
OUT and About: Navigating LGBTQ+ Experiences Abroad (5/22/24), a panel of alumni sharing study abroad adventures, challenges, and triumphs
Book Talk: Washington State Rising: Black Power on Campus in the Pacific Northwest (5/23-5/24/24), two discussions with Dr. Marc Robinson on his book, Washington State Rising: Black Power on Campus in the Pacific Northwest, documenting the origins, actions, and impact of the Black Student Union (BSU) in Washington from 1967 to 1970
¡Juntos! Latinx Support Group, a drop-in processing and support space for Latinx students on Thursdays during spring term (5/16-6/13/24)
Anxiety Skills Lab, drop-in sessions on Mondays throughout spring term (5/6-6/10/24) to improve understanding of anxiety while also learning anxiety-management strategies

Have a story for the newsletter? Email your idea to Katie Lucca (klucca@uoregon.edu).

Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.

1295 Franklin Blvd | Eugene, None 97403 US

This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.

Subscribe to our email list.