Sustainability News

Ohio University has been recognized as the top “Green School” in the state of Ohio, and among the “Top 50 Green Schools” nationally, within the Princeton Review’s 2025 Guide to Green Colleges.(opens in a new window)

As part of this list, OHIO is being recognized for its “superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education and a healthy quality of life for students on campus.”

Ohio University has been recognized as the top “Green School” in the state of Ohio, and among the “Top 50 Green Schools” nationally, within the Princeton Review’s 2025 Guide to Green Colleges.(opens in a new window)

As part of this list, OHIO is being recognized for its “superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education and a healthy quality of life for students on campus.”

On Tuesday, students walked across campus proudly displaying “I Voted” stickers stuck to their short-sleeved t-shirts. Voters basked on College Green, taking in a balmy 75-degree day before the election results arrived. Later that night, Donald Trump was announced as the 47th President of the United States, along with his drastic climate policies. 

On Election Day, cities nationwide set records for high temperatures. Around the world, scientists clamored to spread the news that 2024 will be the first year on record to breach the 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit. Each data set is a testament to the importance of climate change policy.

Yet, despite recent devastating environmental events, climate change took a backseat during this year's election cycle. Hurricanes Milton and Helene tore across entire towns, wiping out whole communities. Droughts raged through Southeast Ohio, snapping the agriculture industry under its impacts. The U.S. lost billions of dollars to environmental disasters in the last year.

Elected officials determine the next steps for climate policy. By electing Donald Trump as president, the U.S. has put him in charge of deciding our future climate. Examining his last presidential term puts what awaits ahead for climate change policy into perspective. 

When the average person thinks of accounting, they likely think of something monetary and rooted in finance. While it is true many accountants measure financial impact, recently, their skills are also being applied to sustainability—measuring environmental impact, social impact, emissions, employee well-being, energy usage and more.

Dr. Jennifer Stevens, an associate professor in OHIO’s College of Business says that her students are different today. More and more students have a desire to use accounting to make an impact and benefit society, and sustainability accounting is a career option for students to do just that.

When the average person thinks of accounting, they likely think of something monetary and rooted in finance. While it is true many accountants measure financial impact, recently, their skills are also being applied to sustainability—measuring environmental impact, social impact, emissions, employee well-being, energy usage and more.

Dr. Jennifer Stevens, an associate professor in OHIO’s College of Business says that her students are different today. More and more students have a desire to use accounting to make an impact and benefit society, and sustainability accounting is a career option for students to do just that.

Ohio’s rich history of coal mining is seen through several viewpoints including old run-down buildings, historical markers and the no trespassing signs that surround mining entrances. The most prominent one, however, is the deep orange color that has stained the waterways that run throughout Appalachia.

While this stain has been seen in the rivers for decades, time has proved to be a healing factor along with several outside forces who have come together to speed up the process including Rural Action.

The non-profit organization focuses on creating a more equitable economy by utilizing the area's resources in sustainable ways. 

Ohio’s rich history of coal mining is seen through several viewpoints including old run-down buildings, historical markers and the no trespassing signs that surround mining entrances. The most prominent one, however, is the deep orange color that has stained the waterways that run throughout Appalachia.

While this stain has been seen in the rivers for decades, time has proved to be a healing factor along with several outside forces who have come together to speed up the process including Rural Action.

The non-profit organization focuses on creating a more equitable economy by utilizing the area's resources in sustainable ways. 

Student Senate met Wednesday, passing its first bill of the academic year along with several resolutions to expand Senate by adding members.

The bill Senate passed was to support the city’s appeal of the Aug. 28 court decision, which ruled Athens’ plastic bag ban unconstitutional.

The bill to support the appeal was presented to Senate by the Governmental Affairs Commission. The bill's sponsors included Governmental Affairs Commissioner Donald Theisen alongside senators ​Jayson Smith, Jack Meermans and​ primary sponsor Mark Vitelli.

Student Senate met Wednesday, passing its first bill of the academic year along with several resolutions to expand Senate by adding members.

The bill Senate passed was to support the city’s appeal of the Aug. 28 court decision, which ruled Athens’ plastic bag ban unconstitutional.

The bill to support the appeal was presented to Senate by the Governmental Affairs Commission. The bill's sponsors included Governmental Affairs Commissioner Donald Theisen alongside senators ​Jayson Smith, Jack Meermans and​ primary sponsor Mark Vitelli.

Ohio University will be holding a donation drive support international students for the second year in a row.

All donations will be collected and provided to international students in need.

Donations will be accepted at Parks Hall, located at 24 West Green Drive, off Richland Avenue and near the Convocation Center, on Monday, Aug. 19, and Tuesday Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Ohio University will be holding a donation drive support international students for the second year in a row.

All donations will be collected and provided to international students in need.

Donations will be accepted at Parks Hall, located at 24 West Green Drive, off Richland Avenue and near the Convocation Center, on Monday, Aug. 19, and Tuesday Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The OHIO Student Farm(opens in a new window), managed by the Environmental and Plant Biology department(opens in a new window) within the College of Arts and Sciences(opens in a new window), is a unique resource located on West State Street within the Ohio University Research & Enterprise Green, only a five-minute shuttle ride from Baker University Center(opens in a new window). The farm is a place where those who are passionate about farming and agriculture can learn, research and reap fresh produce in the process. The oldest part of the farm was created more than 40 years ago. It has since expanded to include approximately two acres in total including outdoor classrooms, learning gardens, student garden plots and a high tunnel—a structure resembling a greenhouse that extends the growing season for certain crops.

The OHIO Student Farm(opens in a new window), managed by the Environmental and Plant Biology department(opens in a new window) within the College of Arts and Sciences(opens in a new window), is a unique resource located on West State Street within the Ohio University Research & Enterprise Green, only a five-minute shuttle ride from Baker University Center(opens in a new window). The farm is a place where those who are passionate about farming and agriculture can learn, research and reap fresh produce in the process. The oldest part of the farm was created more than 40 years ago. It has since expanded to include approximately two acres in total including outdoor classrooms, learning gardens, student garden plots and a high tunnel—a structure resembling a greenhouse that extends the growing season for certain crops.

April 22, 2024 marks the 54th annual Earth Day. College students are rooted in the history of this celebration and continue to be the spearheads of environmental change. But how do the flaws contribute to the planet’s deterioration and what can students do to save the future? 

No genre of music is as synonymous with a particular geographic region as bluegrass is with Appalachia. Stemming from the folk music of Irish and Scottish settlers in the region mixed with African traditions brought by formerly enslaved people, bluegrass focuses on acoustic instruments such as the banjo and fiddle with an emphasis on musical dexterity.

Earth Day is this Monday, April 22, and Ohio University has about six hours worth of activities starting with a parade to celebrate the holiday. 

On April 22, the parade will start at 4 p.m. on South Green in front of Pickering Hall and will end around 4:45 p.m. at Baker University Center, according to OU’s website. After the parade, people can attend the sustainable infrastructure hub seminar in The Front Room Coffee House at 5 p.m. However, Earth Day events don’t end there, as there are more the following day.