70 SUNY Oneonta Students Recognized for Sustainability Efforts

Seventy SUNY Oneonta students were recently honored for their dedication to sustainability efforts on campus thanks to the Green Dragon Recognition Program. The Green Dragon Recognition Program (organized by the Office of Sustainability) seeks to celebrate and recognize students who have shown commitment to sustainability during their time at SUNY Oneonta.

Honorees received the following Green Dragon Recognition awards: Roots, Shoots and Saplings. Students who received the Roots award attended eight sustainability-tagged events throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. The Shoots award was given to students who attended 10 sustainability-tagged events and earned a B or above in two sustainability-related courses or one sustainability-focused course.

The Saplings award was given to students who attended 10 sustainability-tagged events, earned a B or above in two sustainability-related courses or one sustainability-focused course, and completed two sustainability-leadership experiences, including internships, presenting sustainability-related posters at Student Research and Creative Activity day, being an EcoRep, Sustainability Resident Advisor, Recycling Ambassador and more.

Sustainability is a core value at SUNY Oneonta, and it is infused into all aspects of campus life, from academics to operations and engagement. Evidence of the university's commitment to sustainability can be seen in the student-run Red Closet Thrift Shop, courses with sustainability designations in more than half of the academic departments, an active University Advisory Council made up of faculty, staff and students, and an overall commitment to supporting a community that is socially just, environmentally healthy and economically stable.