Oklahoma State University

The Carnegie Foundation Elective Community Engagement Classification recognizes universities that have shown sustained excellence in collaborating with off-campus communities. OSU has continuously maintained this classification since 2006. In 2017, OSU was recognized in both the … read more

The Carnegie Foundation Elective Community Engagement Classification recognizes universities that have shown sustained excellence in collaborating with off-campus communities. OSU has continuously maintained this classification since 2006. In 2017, OSU was recognized in both the General and Economic Opportunity categories for the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which recognizes institutions of higher education that raise the visibility of effective, meaningful service, OSU also published its Campus in Action Plan in 2017. See more activities and accomplishments: https://humansciences.okstate.edu/community-engagement/about-us/recognitions-and-mem…

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OSU's carbon footprint, which we have been tracking since 2006, has been greatly reduced by our purchase of wind power RECs that provide approximately 72% of the campus' electricity. Facilities Management recently instituted a No-Idle … read more

OSU's carbon footprint, which we have been tracking since 2006, has been greatly reduced by our purchase of wind power RECs that provide approximately 72% of the campus' electricity. Facilities Management recently instituted a No-Idle Policy and the Department of Parking & Transit has many measures in place to reduce pollution included CNG powered buses, carpool and bike programs.

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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently recognized the Student Union as a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building. The impetus began as a student initiative and evolved into a $65 million … read more

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently recognized the Student Union as a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building. The impetus began as a student initiative and evolved into a $65 million renovation, which has given new life to the historic building, the most comprehensive Student Union in the world.

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2017 marked the 10-year anniversary of the OSU Energy Management Program. Since its inception, OSU-Stillwater has avoided over $40M in energy costs, due in large part to the efforts of OSU faculty, staff and students … read more

2017 marked the 10-year anniversary of the OSU Energy Management Program. Since its inception, OSU-Stillwater has avoided over $40M in energy costs, due in large part to the efforts of OSU faculty, staff and students and their increased awareness of the need to adjust behaviors to save energy, such as turning off computers and lights when not in use, along with reporting opportunities for reduced HVAC scheduling.

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OSU's University Dining Services' collaboration with the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center has resulted in dozens of Oklahoma companies providing food and beverage products to campus. Since 2009, growth in Made in … read more

OSU's University Dining Services' collaboration with the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center has resulted in dozens of Oklahoma companies providing food and beverage products to campus. Since 2009, growth in Made in Oklahoma program product purchases by UDS has increased an average of 29% annually.

In terms of meeting the needs of a diverse student body, University Dining Services (UDS) is offering more vegetarian and vegan choices than ever before and takes pride in introducing students to international dishes they may have never tried. UDS invites students to taste local foods when they are in season through a monthly Farm Fresh program and they make healthy dining easy through their Choose Orange program, which focuses on nutrition.

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Nearly 28,000 square feet of turf grass areas were converted to native plant gardens that serve both as an educational tool but also to increase the number of pollinator gardens on campus. Students were involved … read more

Nearly 28,000 square feet of turf grass areas were converted to native plant gardens that serve both as an educational tool but also to increase the number of pollinator gardens on campus. Students were involved in the design and planting of two of these gardens and submitted for funding support of $6,000 from the SGA Green Student Initiative program to help offset some of the garden installation costs.

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We are dedicated to the efficient and effective use of resources and sustainability practices to conserve those resources. We are partnering with suppliers that can provide sustainable products at economically feasible prices. An example is … read more

We are dedicated to the efficient and effective use of resources and sustainability practices to conserve those resources. We are partnering with suppliers that can provide sustainable products at economically feasible prices. An example is collaborating with Staples to add Forest Stewardship Council paper to OSU's procurement contract.

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The OSU transit system not only serves the campus community but also City of Stillwater residents, which have no other mode of public transportation. OSU maintains a CNG fill station for the public and efforts … read more

The OSU transit system not only serves the campus community but also City of Stillwater residents, which have no other mode of public transportation. OSU maintains a CNG fill station for the public and efforts were made during the last three years to complete the conversion of all of transit buses to compressed natural gas. In an effort to reduce the number of parking lots and increase green space, a third multi-level parking structure was recently completed to serve campus motorists as well as bicyclists. Skateboard locking systems were also added in various campus locations.

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The creation of a recycling department and recycling center in 2013, along with comprehensive outreach efforts and participation from the campus community, has resulted in OSU increasing its recycle rate from 3% in our baseline … read more

The creation of a recycling department and recycling center in 2013, along with comprehensive outreach efforts and participation from the campus community, has resulted in OSU increasing its recycle rate from 3% in our baseline year to 25% today.

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Energy Services operates OSU's Water Treatment Plant. This Plant draws raw water from Lake Carl Blackwell, 8 miles west of Stillwater. The water is treated in the Plant, making it potable, and distributed to every … read more

Energy Services operates OSU's Water Treatment Plant. This Plant draws raw water from Lake Carl Blackwell, 8 miles west of Stillwater. The water is treated in the Plant, making it potable, and distributed to every building on Campus as drinking and processing water. In 2017, OSU completed the Clearwell Expansion project to increase storage capacity of finished water. The extra capacity helps OSU avoid peaks and valleys in water quality (turbidity in particular) in its distribution across campus.

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OSU’s Division of Institutional Diversity has a number of programs and initiatives that support students, faculty, and staff, as outlined below. In addition to the listed programs that help facilitate the success of underrepresented and … read more

OSU’s Division of Institutional Diversity has a number of programs and initiatives that support students, faculty, and staff, as outlined below. In addition to the listed programs that help facilitate the success of underrepresented and underserved students at OSU, the Oklahoma Louis Stokes for Minority Participation program is a five-year $3.4 million NSF grant that serves first generation, low income, and students with disabilities.

In 2016, the enrollment and graduation numbers for students of color reached an all-time high and OSU experienced significant growth among graduate students of color. Most notably, the graduation rate for students of color continued to increase at all degree levels.

Furthermore, OSU has a capital campaign focused on diversity and inclusion. The campaign total is approximately $3.5M, and includes 32 new endowed diversity and inclusion scholarships. In the past year, OSU received designation as a Purple Heart University, which was bestowed by the Military Order of the Purple Heart for the institutional dedication and support of honoring America’s combat wounded Veterans.

Additionally, OSU is one of eighteen schools in the nation to have received the HEED Award five consecutive years. While the aforementioned accolades (more at this website: https://diversity.okstate.edu/osu-diversity-highlights) are all very important and align with the mission of OSU, maintaining a diverse workforce is critical to the success of those goals. Accordingly, OSU’s procedure for recruitment, hiring, placement, training, promotion, and termination of all employees’ ensures that access to equal opportunity is assured.

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Due to cuts in our state appropriations, OSU has struggled to maintain compensation levels that are competitive for our staff and faculty positions. However, we have worked very hard to ensure that the wages earned … read more

Due to cuts in our state appropriations, OSU has struggled to maintain compensation levels that are competitive for our staff and faculty positions. However, we have worked very hard to ensure that the wages earned by our employees are not eroded by rising health costs.

In 2015, OSU-System chose to adopt a self-insured plan. In doing so and in making changes to the overall plan design while minimizing costs to employees, OSU has been able to maintain a 70% + employer-subsidization of employee and dependent premiums as well as ensuring that premium levels for employees are well below the regional average. In addition to this premium subsidization, OSU employees have the ability to earn up to $480 in premium credits by completing an annual biometric screening ($20 per month/$240 per year) and/or certifying their tobacco-free status ($20 per month/$240 per year). Our health insurance rates are available at https://hr.okstate.edu/2018-health-premiums

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