Toggle Menu MENU SEARCH REQUEST INFO VISIT APPLY GIVE CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY Breadcrumb HOME ABOUT CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY Ohio Northern University has made several strides in sustainability, and continues eﬀorts to realize the full beneﬁts of a comprehensive approach in several areas of sustainability, alternative energy and environmental stewardship that include: ENERGY CONSERVATION When building the Mathile Center for the Natural Sciences, The Inn at Ohio Northern University and the Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building, energy conservation was an important part of the design and construction process. High-efficiency water heaters, HVAC systems and lighting were installed in both buildings in addition to increased insulation, low-flow fixtures, and dual or automatic flushing toilets. The Lehr Kennedy Engineering Building is a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building. Sustainable living is not only good for the planet, but also for budgets. Living in on-campus housing provides students with the opportunity to take individual responsibility for their carbon footprint. In addition to educational and practical programming, students also will see stickers on every light switch that say "Do your part... Conserve Energy. Turn lights OFF when leaving." Individuals can conserve energy by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth, and maintaining reasonable temperatures in their apartments or residence hall rooms. ONU’s fleet of hybrid and electric campus vehicles reduces the University’s dependence on fossil fuels. A joint investigative effort (as a corollary to the Master Plan) by Plugsmart, MetroCD Engineering and Bodie Electric has provided in-depth analysis identified the major buildings with room for energy improvements – everything from outside lighting, the type of lighting used internally, windows, outmoded motors, etc. Although an initial investment would be required, the energy savings could add up to millions of dollars and paybacks should be promising. WIND TURBINES Three wind turbines generate 400 kilowatts of power and the 3MW solar array field reduces ONU’s carbon footprint by over 3,300 tons, equal to 315 average households. Combined wind and solar generate more than 20 percent of ONU’s annual electricity needs. SOLAR FIELD AGREEMENT Ohio Northern and AEP Energy have formally signed a 25-year contract to construct, operate and maintain a 3 megawatt (annually) solar field placed on 11 acres of University property located southwest of campus on Klinger Road. The agreement allows for 18,000 panels, a surrounding chain link fence covered in greenery and a perimeter tree line. Ohio Northern provided the property and AEP provided the funding of the entire project. AEP Energy will provide all mechanical and ground maintenance of the property. FOR THE BEES The grassy area surrounding the retention basin on the south side of campus between the president’s home and Stadium View Apartments is home to a colony of bees. This prairie area features natural vegetation (i.e., wildflowers and small flowering trees) that provides a perfect habitat for bees. Seeding this former grassy space eliminates the need for mowing, thereby reducing the University’s use of gasoline and polluting lawn mowers. AFFINITY GARDENS TREE CAMPUS USA TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS AFFINITY GARDENS IS UP AND GROWING The Affinity Gardens project has transformed the green space of ONU’s Affinity Village residence community into a modern-day victory garden where student organization-adopted raised garden beds are growing fresh organic produce for the Ada community. Vegetables harvested from the garden are donated to the Ada Food Pantry and the ReStore Community Center, complementing and supplementing the nonperishable food items these agencies provide to the community members they serve. ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATIONS Thanks to donations from two alumni, four electric vehicle charging stations have been installed on campus. Locations include: Lot X) Dicke Lot; Lot U) The Inn at Ohio Northern University Lot; Lot J) King-Horn Lot; and Lot P) Raabe Lot. These locations can be found on the campus map. At this point in time, owners of electric vehicles can use this service free of charge. CAMPUS MAP RECYCLING EFFORTS The past few years have seen the reduction of “landfill” dumpsters and an increase of recyclable dumpsters on campus. In fact, the University’s landfill waste has been cut in half. Although these efforts have not led to any cost savings, they have reduced the number of trash hauls and we’re doing something that we know is good. In conjunction with Allied Waste Haulers, Ohio Northern is funding a recycling program at Ada Schools. A recycling dumpster has been placed on the Ada Schools campus. SUSTAINABLE DINING ONU Dining Services promotes a number of sustainability initiatives, including these programs: “Green Container, Green Planet” program, “Skip the Straw”, use of BPA-free recyclable tumblers, trayless operations, as well as celebration of WasteLESS Week and Earth Day events. GEOTHERMAL HEATING Founders Complex and Affinity Village Complex feature a geothermal heating and cooling system to reduce energy use and water consumption. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Are you interested in majoring in an environmental field of study? A knowledge of environmental issues from several disciplinary perspectives, using methods from the social sciences, the natural sciences and the humanities are available to you. ADVANCED ENERGY CONCENTRATION The Ohio Northern advanced energy concentration is open to electrical, mechanical and computer engineering students. The concentration builds on a foundation of strong fundamentals coupled with current energy topics and issue ENVIRONMENTAL AND FIELD BIOLOGY The environmental and field biology major connects key concepts from many disciplines in an environmental context, providing a framework for the study of ecosystems and human interaction with the Earth. 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