Finance and Administration News
The efforts behind a greener Ohio University
Every day, students, faculty and staff work to make Ohio University a more climate-friendly place to live and learn.
From the Office of Sustainability facilitating the OHIO Sustainability and Climate Action Plan to the many colleges leading innovative research efforts, Ohio University is home to an abundance of programs that seek to benefit people and the planet.
Read on to learn more about Ohio University’s sustainability efforts.
Greening OHIO Initiative increases sustainability for on-campus events
Nearly eight years ago, Nicole Kirchner, senior project manager for Energy and Environmental Programs at the George Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service(opens in a new window) (GVS), 2016 GVS Research Scholar Kate Blyth, and former GVS professional staff member Elissa Welch wanted to make the OHIO campus more sustainable. The three started small: spreading the word and advertising to various organizations about changes they could make to host environmentally friendly events.
In 2019, GVS Research Scholar Elle Dickerman took over the project with Kirchner. The two were working together on the Sugar Bush Foundation-funded, Appalachia Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI), a project with community partner, Rural Action, that provides education and resources on local waste infrastructure, waste reduction, and informing students and community members on becoming active in the mission to reduce and divert waste. Kirchner said this initial outreach by AOZWI inspired the expansion of the checklist and led them to redevelop the Green Events Guide(opens in a new window).
Benefits Open Enrollment Scheduled to Start the week of April 17, 2023
The annual Benefits Open Enrollment is currently scheduled for April 17, 2023, through May 10, 2023.
Landscape coordinator and alumna Susan Calhoun retires after 35 years
When one takes a stroll through Ohio University’s Athens campus, the beautiful nature is undeniable. Part of that is thanks to the many grounds services workers, including Susan Calhoun, BS ’85.
For 35 years, Calhoun took care of OHIO’s magnificent trees and landscapes, including the iconic cherry trees, until her recent retirement as landscape coordinator.
Calhoun started in the grounds department in 1987, but also worked as a student employee previously in the plant biology department for the greenhouse and gardens under Dr. Richard Rypma. She graduated from OHIO with a degree in plant biology(opens in a new window) from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Want to choose a climate-friendly college? Here are some standouts.
Climate change is on the minds of many in the future Class of 2027, and could be a critical factor in how current high-schoolers make their final college choices in the coming weeks. For many prospective students, climate change is an existential threat; as a result, colleges and universities across the country are seeking and finding innovative ways to curb their emissions and become more environmentally sustainable.
Climate change affects local environment
With the fluctuating weather temperatures in Athens, there's no denying the dramatic effects it has on plants, animals and community members. Ryan Fogt, professor of meteorology, acknowledged the wavering temperature changes happening around the world, and he said the climate is only going to get more extreme and intense in the future.