Sustainability Initiative

A proposal by NSU Tahlequah's 2008 Environmental Geology Class : (Led by Instructor: Deb Smith, and Students: Joshua Bliss, April Cole, Jordan Cosner, Austin Jackson, Tatsuya Matsushita, Nao Nakaya and Tony Rogers

Since Northeastern State University is currently celebrating its Centennial, it is the intention of members of the Environmental Geology class, in collaboration with a number other participating groups, to begin the second century on a positive note and leave a legacy of an improved environment. Much attention is being focused on Going Green around the country and indeed, around the globe. NSU has the opportunity to become a leader by establishing environmentally and economically sound sustainability policies.

Environmental and economic policies merge into the concept of Sustainability . Sustainability, though difficult to define, generally refers to development or use of resources in such a way that future generations have the same, or better, opportunities available to them. These types of developments are economically viable, do not damage the environment, and are socially just.

The proposal for Northeastern State University's Sustainability Initiative will address four areas of current resource utilization that can be improved. The Sustainability Initiative is broken down into phases that can begin after feasibility studies are completed and funding is secured through external grants or community collaboration.

The proposed Northeastern State University Sustainability Initiative will address the directives communicated to the faculty concerning the growth desired by the university and provide a number of opportunities for students to have a positive impact on their campus.

The N.S.U.S.I. can address the following directives:

• Attraction of government agency funding
• Collaboration among NSU departments
• Collaboration between the university and community organizations
• Increased research opportunities through inclusion of Environmental Science Emphasis in the proposed Masters of Natural Science Degree
• Increased undergraduate research opportunities
• Provide national as well as international notoriety for the university.

NSU can become a flagship model for other universities or large organizations to become more sustainable and reduce their environmental impact.