The University of Oregon is happy to announce that our system-wide council has just approved the establishment of OLIS-"Oregon Leadership in Sustainability." OLIS is a one-year graduate certificate program housed in the Dept of Public Policy, Planning and Management at the University of Oregon, but truly an interdisciplinary effort with courses being taught by faculty in Environmental Studies, the Lundquist College of Business, and the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.

OLIS is a one year sustainability "Boot Camp." The program will provide 30 students a year with hands on skills and experiences needed to contribute to a professional work environment engaged in sustainability issues for cities-whether with a public agency, a non-profit, or a private firm working in the public and non-profit sectors.

OLIS has three components: Leadership Skills; Core Courses in energy and climate change issues and solutions for cities, green cities, ecological design; and a three quarter Practicum working on projects for a real client. Projects may include an analysis of water recycling alternatives for a neighborhood; sustainability indicators and metrics; design of an eco-district; business plan for a district heating plant among others.

We are looking for 30 students from diverse backgrounds who have a BA or BS and who would like to work on sustainability issues in the public and non-profit sector, or private firms working in those sectors. Students can use the program as an immersion experience in sustainability, or to enrich their work in a particular area.

For more information please email [email protected] or find us online at http://olis.uoregon.edu.