Southern Oregon University
PAE-4: Sustainability Plan

The SOU Master Plan was created with feedback from multiple stakeholders. There was a consulting team of architects from a firm out of Portland; SOU students, faculty, staff and upper administration; an SEIU representative; and a representative from the City of Ashland.

Specific Sustainability Policies & Goals: 1. All major renovations and new construction will meet energy efficiency performance targets consistent with the Presidents Climate Commitment and the implementing Action Plan that will accompany that commitment. 2. All new construction and major renovations by the University will be designed and constructed to meet a minimum of Silver rating under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System. 3. The OUS-established goal for carbon-neutrality will be pursued, assuming that funding strategies can be identified that recognize the potential for increased capital costs, accompanied by reduced operating costs. 4. For projects serving the University but built and operated by private partners, the University will offer incentives as available to encourage the builder to meet the LEED® Silver minimum standard. 5. The University will create an Energy Master Plan that will address energy consumption in a comprehensive way and identify the most cost effective means to comply the President’s Climate Commitment. As part of energy master planning, the University will evaluate the potential to create an “eco-district” with the campus and surrounding neighbors. 6. In line with the energy master planning process, the University will continue to evaluate opportunities to develop renewable energy infrastructure. 7. The University will make a coordinated effort to reduce water consumption through the following means: -Review of landscape irrigation practices, including exploration of xeriscape landscapes where appropriate; -Use of low-flow fixtures and other emerging technologies that demonstrate significant water savings; -Future building projects will assess the feasibility of both greywater and rainwater reuse for appropriate purposes such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and cooling water; and -Replace existing manual irrigation systems with automated irrigation system to increase efficiency and reduce consumption of Talent Irrigation District (TID) water. 8. The University will continue to manage solid waste streams to reduce waste sent to landfill. Recyclable material collection facilities will be accommodated in new construction and renovation projects. 9. The University will continue to partner with other relevant agencies – including the City and RVTD – to develop appropriate Transportation Demand Management strategies. Strategies that will be assessed include: -Development of campus housing to facilitate full-time students ability to live close to campus and reduce or eliminate dependence on automobiles for basic commuting; -Review parking policies and parking facilities to create disincentives to single-occupancy driving; -Cooperate with City staff to help ensure that campus parking policies do not create an excessive burden on surrounding streets; -Provide bicycle parking, showers and other amenities to serve bicycle commuters; -Continue to advocate for improved transit service to the University, and cooperate with RVTD on programs designed to encourage transit usage; -Investigation of specialized transit options such as carpool matching programs, preferred parking incentives, vanpools and/or reservation-based shuttles to events at the Higher Education Center; and -A ‘guaranteed ride home’ program for staff that commute by bus but may occasionally miss the final bus home due to work demands. 10. All new construction shall have zero net addition of CO2 to the campus emissions. All construction on existing facilities shall lower the CO2 emissions of the facility by no less than 25%. 11. Reduce the impacts of commuting to campus by automobile by increasing the amount of housing close to the campus. 12. By 2020, achieve greenhouse gas levels that are 10 percent below 1990 levels. 13. By 2050, achieve climate neutrality.

In increasing the sustainable practices of the University, it will be important to partner with utility service providers and others who help shape the campus’ ‘ecological footprint.’ These include the City of Ashland, the Bonneville Power Administration, the Talent Irrigation District, Ashland Recology Sanitary Service, and the Rogue Valley Transportation District. These organizations will aid in tracking data and will provide input to university-wide conversations about reduction and conservation. Further, the Sustainability Council will ensure that plan goals, projects and programs are implemented successfully and tracked effectively.