The University of Oregon has had a long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility. For example, reducing energy use on campus has been a primary focus for decades. Despite substantial construction over the past decade, the overall campus electrical use as of 2004 has not increased due to energy-conservation retrofit projects.

The university has also received national attention for its transportation innovation. All construction projects make every effort to encourage alternate modes of transportation. Based on a 2009 transportation survey, 70% of students and 51% of employees use alternative modes of travel to and from campus on a daily basis. Incentives include nearby student family housing, free bus passes for faculty, staff, and students, on-campus transit stations, and numerous bicycle amenities. Overall there are more bike parking spaces than car parking spaces on campus.

The university’s commitment to sustainable design expanded with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Plan in 2000. Since then, the university has adopted the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development (2011) which continues the principles of the Sustainable Development Plan, and addresses the unique aspects of campus buildings and landscapes by focusing on what matters most - Energy, Water, and People.

Design Standards for Sustainable Buildings

The University of Oregon requires that all new construction projects follow the Oregon Model for Sustainable Development and comply with the State of Oregon Sustainable Facilities Standards and Guidelines (pdf) as developed by the State of Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS).

The Oregon Sustainable Facilities Standards and Guidelines (established in 2004) are the state-modified version of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (USGBC LEED) version 2.0 criteria. DAS also requires compliance with the state of Oregon State Energy Efficiency Design (SEED) program which was established to ensure that cost-effective conservation measures be included in new and renovated public buildings. Click here for SEED Guidelines (pdf).

UO Facilities Services also adheres to Capital Construction Standards for campus building and landscape area projects, many of which implement sustainable goals.

Related University of Oregon sustainability links:
- "UO receives publication's highest honors for sustainability"
- Campus Recycling Program
- Office of Sustainability
- Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratories
- Institute for a Sustainable Environment
- UO Sustainability Report

Fun Facts about Sustainability

• Buildings represent 38.9% of U.S. primary energy use (includes fuel input for production).

• In the U.S., buildings account for 38% of all CO2 emissions and represent 72% of U.S. electricity consumption.

• Buildings use 13.6% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year.

• Green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and pump $554 million into the American economy over the next four years (2009-2013).

• In comparison to the average commercial building: Green buildings consume 26% less energy, have 13% lower maintenance costs, 27% higher occupant satisfaction, and 33% less greenhouse gas emissions.

• People in the U.S. spend about 90% of their time indoors.

• An experiment identifies a link between improved lighting design and a 27% reduction in the incidence of headaches, which accounts for 0.7% of overall employee health insurance cost at approximately $35 per employee annually.

• Students with the most daylighting in their classrooms progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% faster on reading tests in one year than those with less daylighting.

• Improvements in indoor environments are estimated to save $17-48 billion in total health gains and $20-160 billion in worker performance.

Data from: The U.S. Green Building Council - Green Building Facts (2010): http://www.usgbc.org /DisplayPage.aspx?CMS PageID=1718

1998-2000
Knight Law Center
Moshofsky Center
Organic Chemistry Lab   Remodel
Student Recreation Center

2001-2005
Autzen Stadium
East Campus (Moss Street)   Children's Center
Lillis Hall Business   Complex

2006-2010
HEDCO Education Building
Living Learning Center
Lorry I. Lokey Integrative   Science Complex
Miller Theatre
(School of) Music and   Dance
Peterson Hall Renovation
University Health and   Counseling Center