PRESS RELEASE
University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program Launches Partnership with the City of Oakridge
WHAT: Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) Oakridge Kickoff Celebration
DATE: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
TIME: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m
WHO: Elected Officials, City of Oakridge staff, University of Oregon faculty and students
PLACE: University of Oregon, Many Nations Longhouse, 1630 Columbia Street, Eugene, OR 97403
BACKGROUND
The City of Oakridge has been selected by the University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) for a two-year partnership. Based out of the University of Oregon, SCYP helps communities solve the problems of today and lays the groundwork for a sustainable, livable future—all while helping students prepare for the workforce through applied learning. For more, see: https://sci.uoregon.edu/ and https://sci.uoregon.edu/sustainable-city-year-program-0.
SCYP and community partnerships are possible, in part, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending and the U.S. Department of Education. With additional matching funds from the cities, the partnerships will allow UO students and faculty to study and make recommendations on city-identified projects and issues while leveraging and strengthening city capacity to reach their equity, housing, and transportation goals.
“As a proud graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, I’m always pleased when my alma mater expands its connections beyond Eugene to help communities around the state,” Senator Ron Wyden said. “Today’s news marks a fantastic opportunity for Oakridge to make real gains with the climate crisis as well as equity. And I’m glad the teamwork with our delegation has produced this big win tapping the creativity at U of O and in Oakridge to develop fresh solutions that achieve a more sustainable future.”
“UO’s Sustainable City Year Program is a proven model of success, using the drive and expertise of students and faculty to discover solutions that move Oregon communities—both urban and rural—to a clean energy future faster,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “The entire Oakridge community will benefit from becoming an idea-sharing hub over the coming years, which will provide students with tangible, real-world learning opportunities while also making the rural community more sustainable and resilient to climate chaos threats in the future.”
SCYP will match resources from existing university courses to high priority projects identified by the City Council and the Oakridge community such as the Oakridge Industrial Park marketing and development, Willamette Activity Center planning and outreach, city website improvements, urban renewal opportunities and research, housing development planning and design, community service program options, and affordable GIS alternatives for the city. SCYP courses to address these project ideas could include business, journalism, geography, planning, design, and public administration with more disciplines added throughout this year and next as project and course matches are made.
“The City of Oakridge is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to begin our two-year partnership with SCYP,” said City Administrator, James Cleavenger. “The expertise and assistance from UO faculty and students will allow us to take-on far more projects and endeavors benefiting the city than we would otherwise be able to accomplish due to understaffing and limited funds. As a UO Law School graduate myself, it is especially exciting to be able to work with my alma mater to find solutions to a myriad of complex issues facing the city.”
The partnership will officially launch with a celebration luncheon with leaders from Oakridge and the University of Oregon, faculty, students, local elected officials, and community members. At the event, Oakridge staff and UO faculty will unveil the year’s upcoming projects and share specific details of the partnership.
ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE CITY YEAR PROGRAM
Established in 2009, SCYP is now in its 15th year of partnerships with Oregon communities. SCYP partnerships connect University of Oregon students with local communities to implement real change drawing directly from community-identified issues. Through hands-on learning, SCYP harnesses the innovation of students and faculty to offer communities unique perspectives and ideas. Communities emerge from SCYP partnerships with increased community outreach, expanded conversations, and cutting-edge solutions, while students emerge better prepared to enter the workforce.
ABOUT THE CITY OF OAKRIDGE
Nestled in the foothills of the Western Cascade Mountains and surrounded by the vast Willamette National Forest, Oakridge offers unlimited outdoor opportunities, where families and businesses can live, work, play, and grow, in a safe and sustainable community. The citizens of the Oakridge area hold their history and culture close with events and productions all year around. The City of Oakridge is poised for diversified and sustainable growth in a number of industries. With robust physical and digital infrastructure in place, and a stunning mountain setting, it is easy to see a bright future studded with tourism and new business.
FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
Community partnerships are possible in part due to support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for SCYP through Congressionally Directed Spending.
CONTACTS:
Megan Banks, Director, Sustainable City Year Program, University of Oregon, 541-346-6395, [email protected]
James Cleavenger, City Administrator, City of Oakridge, 541-782-2258 x6, [email protected]
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
