Crew Experience mentor Gary Lundgren at SOU Ashland

Acclaimed Ashland director and screenwriter leads SOU students’ “Crew Experience”

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Ashland-based writer-director Gary Lundgren will guide student filmmakers at Southern Oregon University in bringing “An Extraordinary Year” to life this spring, when he mentors those in the Digital Cinema Department’s innovative “Crew Experience” course.

“Crew Experience,” launched in 2022, has given SOU’s Digital Cinema students a chance each year to work on and complete a full-fledged film project. The course allows students to assume professional film crew positions under the guidance of professional mentors in the production of a short film.

They will be mentored this year by Lundgren, an Ashland-based director and screenwriter, while bringing his new short film project “An Extraordinary Year” to the big screen. The class is being guided by Megan Isser, an experienced producer and instructor in SOU’s Communication, Media and Cinema department. Oregon Shakespeare Festival actors Chris Butler and Barret O’Brien, past collaborators with Lundgren, have joined the film’s cast.

“I’m so excited to work with this impressive faculty to mentor film students,” Lundgren said. “I’d love to help demystify the filmmaking process. As an aspiring filmmaker in L.A., I learned the most from being on set or in edit bays watching filmmakers make decisions.

“The fact that SOU is allocating resources to give their students an opportunity like this while they’re still in school feels exciting and unprecedented. In 10 weeks, we will cover the entire process, from script to screen and complete a short film together.”

“I am beyond thrilled to be working side-by-side with Gary and I’m so excited for our students to learn from him and from each other,” Isser said. “I have worked with many directors in my filmmaking career, and it is rare to find someone who is not only as wildly talented as Gary, but who is also willing to take the time to mentor future professionals. And the cherry on top is that we’re all going to walk away with a fantastic film.”

The Digital Cinema program was recognized by MovieMaker Magazine in 2024 as a “Top 30 Film Program in North America,” in large part due to innovative course offerings like “The Crew Experience.”

The SOU Digital Cinema program sets itself apart as a hub for creative innovation and experiential learning. With the guidance of industry professionals such as Lundgren, students hone their craft and make meaningful contributions to the world of cinema.

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Global Innovation Scholars from SOU and UG in Guanajuato

Global Innovation Scholars unite to serve U.S. and Mexican businesses

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Nine students and two faculty members from Southern Oregon University have been working for most of the past week with their Mexican counterparts at Universidad de Guanajuato on the annual Global Innovation Scholars program – a multicultural business development initiative to help organizations and businesses in both Guanajuato and Ashland while providing students with experience in international collaboration.

“Southern Oregon University’s 56-year relationship with the University of Guanajuato is a testament to the wonders that can come from a foundational bond built on love, admiration and mutual respect,” SOU President Rick Bailey said. “We have demonstrated that we can move mountains when we come together, united in purpose, to serve others and to help make our world a better place.”

Students from SOU and UG in Global Innovation Scholars programThe 18 combined students from the two universities spent the past week researching and analyzing three Guanajuato businesses before concluding the visit by offering suggested development plans to the business owners. The students will reunite for a week in Ashland beginning on April 26, to provide the same services to three Rogue Valley businesses or organizations.

The 20-week Global Innovation Scholars program includes international, online coursework for participating students during each year’s winter and spring terms, in addition to the opportunity for immersive social and cultural experiences. The SOU and Guanajuato delegations met last week with various leaders of the Mexican university and with the region’s political leaders. Students typically spend a total of more than 250 hours on their projects, including the two site visits.

Global Innovation Scholars was developed by the two universities’ business schools as part of the “100,000 Strong in the Americas” program, sponsored by the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Embassies and the nonprofit organization Partners for the Americas.

“I believe that economic prosperity and peace are best built hand-in-hand across all borders,” Vincent Smith, dean of SOU’s School of Science and Business, said in his opening remarks for the gathering last week. “Our students are a symbol of hope.

“They are working together to build economic prosperity and community in both Mexico and the United States of America,” Smith said. “They symbolize not only the importance of international trade, but of international friendship. They are a reminder that real strength comes from building friendships, not walls. They remind us that we are better together.”

A key point of discussion during this year’s Global Innovation Scholars session in Mexico was the new U.S. tariffs and growing trade war. Guanajuato’s primary economy is the export of automobiles and automobile parts.

SOU and UG have initiated a variety of exchange and cooperative projects since they became sister universities in 1969. The link between the two schools has led more than 1,000 students, faculty members and others to participate in exchanges – and has resulted in more than 80 marriages that have tied people from Ashland and Guanajuato over three generations.

“The opportunity to do the Global Innovations Scholar program has made a tremendous difference in my skills in teamwork and my international worldview,” said Tiana Gilliland, president of the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University and one of the business students in this year’s program.

“I have had the opportunity to work closely with several other scholars to make a real difference in businesses that are striving to make a difference in their community,” Gilliland said.

Another student leader – Garima Sharma, a student member of the SOU Board of Trustees – said she has learned much about the power of connection and making a change in the world through her involvement with the Global Innovation Scholars program.

“I have learned that building relationships with students from both Southern Oregon University and Universidad de Guanajuato is a privilege which not many have,” Sharma said. “I have … gained a deeper understanding of our shared goals and how we can use our differences to create innovative solutions.”

The current Global Innovation Scholars project grew out of a previous partnership between the two schools – the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program – which brought together classes of upper-division business students to work on the development of international business relationships.

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Raider Education Day and keynote speaker Jay Schroder come to SOU Ashland

Raider Education Day for new and prospective teachers

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Author, teacher and consultant Jay Schroder will deliver a keynote address, highlighting the third annual Raider Educator Day – an event on Saturday, April 5, that will allow new and prospective teachers to gain insights into the field. The forum, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rogue River Room of SOU’s Stevenson Union, is hosted by Southern Oregon University’s School of Education, Leadership, Health & Humanities.

The annual Raider Education Day provides an opportunity for prospective and current students, and recent alumni, to connect with seasoned education professionals and explore career opportunities.

Schroder has taught high school English and social studies for 24 years. He’s the creator of the “Teach from Your Best Self” professional learning programs and the author of the book “Teach from Your Best Self: A Teacher’s Guide to Thriving in the Classroom.” Schroder is an affiliate faculty member at SOU, a teacher consultant for the Oregon Writing Project and a certified instructor of social emotional learning and character development.

Schroder currently works for the Southern Oregon Regional Educator Network (SOREN), supporting schools and educators throughout the region. He offers professional learning experiences that help educators increase resiliency, avoid burnout and thrive in the challenges of education.

“Jay Schroder is a tremendous resource for our region and for those who have chosen careers as teachers,” said Dustin Walcher, dean of SOU’s School of Social Sciences and interim dean of the School of Education, Leadership, Health & Humanities. “Raider Educator Day gives newcomers to the field of education a chance to learn from our most respected educators.”

Schroder has received High School Teacher of Excellence Awards from both the Oregon Council of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of English. Schroder has also trained for more than 25 years in the martial arts, and holds a sixth-degree black belt in karate. He was recently inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Other presenters at the event include South Umpqua School District Superintendent Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns, principal at Ashland’s Walker Elementary, who are co-authors of the book “Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students.” Bare and Burns will lead a breakout session on tools and strategies for communicating and building relationships with students that enable learning while avoiding power struggles.

Raider Education Day each year includes sessions and mock interviews with superintendents, administrators, hiring managers and teachers from local school districts – many of whom are SOU alumni. School of Education faculty members and student leaders also participate.

The day is intended to provide valuable career and pathway advice to attendees. Topics include teacher preparation programs, scholarships and insights into the evolving landscape of the education field.

Raider Educator Day is open at no charge to all who are interested. The schedule and sign-up information are available online. More information about the event is available from Mary Patridge, student success coordinator for the School of Education, Leadership, Health & Humanities, by email or by phone at (541) 552-7154.

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Southern Oregon firefighters at LA wildfires

SOU student applies classroom experience to work on LA wildfires

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Bryan Cohee was juggling his usual responsibilities back in January – as a husband, father, battalion chief with Jackson County Fire District 3 and undergraduate student in Southern Oregon University’s Innovation and Leadership Program. A phone call resulted in yet another role, and both opportunities and challenges for Cohee: it was an offer to serve as co-leader for a deployment of southern Oregon firefighters to help battle the historic Los Angeles wildfires.

Participation was voluntary, but the nature of the assignment required a quick decision.

At LA wildfire, Bryan Cohee (left) and the co-leader of southern Oregon deployment

At LA wildfire, Bryan Cohee (left) and his co-leader on the southern Oregon deployment

“With three kids at home and a wife who has her own career and is also a student, there is never an entirely ‘convenient’ time,” Cohee said.

“We had about four hours to prepare for this instance; this gave me ample time to have a conversation with my wife and get most of my affairs in order,” he said. “Deployment opportunities typically only happen once or twice a year, so I want to take advantage of all the experiences I can to sharpen my skills for our local events.”

But there were balancing acts beyond those on the domestic front. Cohee is on what he calls his “third crack” at a bachelor’s degree. He lacked focus during his first attempt following high school, then about 15 years later was doing well with his second attempt until a kitchen remodel caused him to take a term off – which turned into seven years.

He didn’t want to jeopardize his current standing as a senior in SOU’s Innovation and Leadership Program, a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree completion program for working professionals. His winter term schedule includes Psychology 438, Group Dynamics – a five-week, accelerated course with one class session per week – and accepting the deployment would cause Cohee to miss one or two of the classes, depending on how long the firefighters remained in Los Angeles.

He immediately contacted SOU senior instructor Erica Knotts, who teaches the Group Dynamics course.

“I often encourage students to bring their own initiatives into the learning space,” Knotts said. “In Bryan’s case, he was actually the one who made the connection between Group Dynamics and his experience fighting fires. Once he shared the parallels he was experiencing, I worked with him to shape an assignment so he could apply course concepts to his real-world experience in a meaningful way.”

Cohee and Knotts collaborated on a plan – he would go about his deployment with group dynamics in mind, noting learning moments and other situations worth discussing with his classmates. For example, trust and accountability became issues because Cohee had worked with some but not all of the personnel from the five southern Oregon departments that sent members on the deployment, and effective firefighting is dependent on the confidence that comes from close working relationships.

Oregon apparatus at LA wildfires“The Group Dynamics material allowed me a deeper understanding of the root of the difficulties, which will lead to a change in how I will address similar situations moving forward,” Cohee said.

Other conditions on his absence from the class included keeping up with materials from the sessions he would miss, and during his deployment he was assigned to a group to work with on a final presentation for the class. He also wrote a four-page summary of his experiences, and the dynamics among those on the task force of about 15 firefighters that he helped to manage.

“Once we knew Bryan would be out, I let the class and his group members know where he was so they could show their support,” Knotts said. “He was also able to briefly Zoom into one of the sessions, which gave everyone a chance to check in with him.

“The INL program is incredibly supportive, and when he returned, there were plenty of conversations about his experience and the cohort felt ‘whole’ again.”

SOU’s Innovation & Leadership Program offers an accelerated bachelor’s degree for working professionals hoping to develop skills in academic areas including organizational leadership, project management, systems thinking, communication, emerging media, and data management. The degree can be completed either in-person or fully online.

Cohee and a coworker from Fire District 3 – which includes Central Point, Gold Hill, White City and Eagle Point – are the fourth and fifth members of that department to attend the SOU program.

“There’s no buyer’s remorse; it’s been a fantastic fit from a convenience and application standpoint,” Cohee said. “The content, facilitation and convenience make it a natural fit for police and fire agencies.”

Knotts said the INL program worked as it was designed in Cohee’s case – it incorporated and drew from practical experience to enhance the classroom experience.

“Hands-on learning and real-world application make education more meaningful, and as an instructor I personally try to create those opportunities whenever possible,” Knotts said. “Of course, normally we have more time to plan and structure these kinds of experiences – but sometimes unexpected opportunities arise, even in challenging and devastating situations like these fires.”

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Bill Thorndike passes away unexpectedly

SOU to host official memorial service for William Thorndike, Jr.

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University will host a public gathering and celebration of the life of William Downie (Bill) Thorndike, Jr. – a prominent statewide civic servant, the university’s first board chair and recipient of SOU’s highest honor – on Sunday, April 27.

Those who attend the event, at 1:30 p.m. in the SOU Music Recital Hall, are encouraged to wear something identifying their affiliation with Thorndike – whether a hat, uniform, sweatshirt or organizational nametag.

“We are honored to host Bill’s memorial service. His service to our university, and to organizations and groups throughout Oregon and beyond, was absolutely unmatched,” SOU President Rick Bailey said. “We will join his family in paying tribute to him and to the wide variety of causes that were so meaningful to him.”

Thorndike passed away at age 71 while vacationing with his wife, Angela, at the family’s cottage on Whidbey Island, Washington, on Feb. 15. He was a third-generation native of the Rogue Valley, graduating from Medford Senior High School in 1972.

He attended Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C., then graduated from Portland’s Lewis and Clark College in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then began his lifelong employment with the Thorndike family’s business, now known as Medford Fabrication. He was the company’s president and board chairman at the time of his death.

Thorndike’s public service included terms as president or chair of Asante health system, Pacific Retirement Service, SAIF Corporation, Oregon Business Council, Oregon Cultural Advocacy Coalition and Crater Lake National Park Trust. His particular interest in education led to his service as a member of the SOU Board of Trustees since its inception in 2015 and the board’s first chair, president of the SOU Foundation Board and member of the State Board of Higher Education, the Oregon Independent College Foundation, the Oregon Senate Committee on Educational Excellence and the Rogue Valley Workforce Development Council.

His influence also reached beyond Oregon’s borders. His expertise in finance and economics led to his service, including as chairman, with the U.S. Central Bank’s Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (Portland Branch).

He was particularly proud of being a fellow of the American Leadership Forum, and his many honors and awards included the SOU President’s Medal, the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County First Citizen Award, the Jackson County Community Service Coalition Person of the Decade, Willamette University’s Glenn L. Jackson Leadership Award and SOLV’s Tom McCall Leadership Award.

Thorndike is survived by his wife, Angela; brothers Dan and his wife Joan, and David and his wife Sally; and by five nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Oregon Community Foundation for the William and Angela Thorndike, Jr., Arts, Educational and Cultural Interest Fund (oregoncf.org/thorndike-fund).

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SOU shows up at sustainability conference

SOU participants make a splash at regional sustainability conference

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University students, staff and faculty made their presence felt at last week’s Washington Oregon Cascadia Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC) in Portland, where SOU participants shared the university’s stories of success in sustainability with peer institutions.

The conference was hosted this year by Portland Community College and was attended by representatives from colleges and universities throughout the Northwest. SOU and its Institute for Applied Sustainability served as one of three “leading host sponsors” for the three-day event, March 5 through 7.

SOU Sustainability Director Becs Walker presented on two of the university’s major successes in the past year: its groundbreaking work on solar installations and commitment to produce 100% of its daytime electricity by 2035; and its development of The Institute for Applied Sustainability, which has brought together sustainability professionals from academic affairs, student life and campus operations to establish sustainability as a pillar of excellence at SOU.

“Southern Oregon University has led efforts to institutionalize sustainability in higher education for more than two decades,” said Vincent Smith, Ph.D., dean of the School of Science and Business. “The invitation to share our successes this year with an audience of more than 300 WOHESC attendees speaks to our continued leadership in this important field.”

Walker said in her presentation that SOU is set apart by its unique partnerships across various areas of campus. Last week’s conference was attended by a diverse group who were drawn together through the SOU Sustainability Council.

“Our success stems from a solutions-focused collaboration driven by student passion,” Walker said.

The Washington Oregon Cascadia Higher Education Sustainability Conference is registered as a Certified B Corporation – a for-profit company that meets established standards for social and environmental performance and accountability, and whose operations benefit all stakeholders. WOHESC is described on its website as “a platform for inspiring change, facilitating action, and promoting collaboration related to sustainability and social justice within the region’s higher education institutions.”

The conference featured a lineup of main stage keynote speakers – PCC President Adrien L. Bennings, author Sarah Jaquette Ray, Portland State University faculty member Judy Bluehorse Skelton and Samoan climate activist Brianna Fruean – along with six plenary speakers and more than 90 session speakers. This year’s conference theme, “Cultivating Sustainable Communities, was an exploration of the intentional care required to build inclusive and resilient communities.

SOU Honors College student Sierra Garrett attended this year’s WOHESC – including a workshop on sustainability student engagement – as a representative of the Associated Students of SOU and Director of Student Engagement for the Institute for Applied Sustainability.

“I love learning from other colleges about how they are engaging students in sustainability, but it is so rewarding to be able to share our work at SOU with others,” she said. “Students I meet from other schools are always amazed by what we are doing at SOU.”

This year’s attendance and sponsorship of WOHESC is an important part of SOU’s Institute for Applied Sustainability’s strategic plan, which emphasizes establishing sustainability education, research and operations as a pillar of excellence for SOU, as a means to recruit students and external funding. IAS staff and faculty fellows have already raised over $12 million to support SOU since the institute’s inception three years ago.

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Gender-based violence survivors have new resource at SOU

SOU enters partnership to support survivors of gender-based violence

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University has a new resource to support students and employees who have experienced gender-based violence such as stalking, sexual assault and dating or domestic violence. Community Works, a Medford nonprofit, is offering free on-campus sessions two days per week with a specially trained confidential advocate.

SOU and Community Works recently signed a memorandum of understanding to make the advocacy services available, as required by state law.

“We previously needed to refer folks to off-campus agencies for this same support,” said Sarah Olejniczak, Ph.D., SOU’s interim director of equity grievance and Title IX coordinator.

“We are only in our first few weeks of this partnership, so only a small handful of individuals have been referred – but we certainly hope it will make a difference for the campus community. (The confidential advocate’s) services are open to any member of the SOU community – student, staff and faculty.”

Community Works confidential advocate Hannah Neudorfer is available to meet with students or employees on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the Dean of Students Office, at Room 321 of the Stevenson Union. Hannah can also be reached during business hours at (541) 951-3406 or hneudorfer@community-works.org.

All incidents of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct should be reported via online form to SOU’s Office of Equity Grievance and Title IX. Members of the university’s Equity Grievance Team will respond to and manage all such reports, contacting involved parties and enforcing university policies.

SOU has a long history and national reputation for effectively addressing instances of sexual harassment and violence through its Office of Equity Grievance. The university also offers a wide range of in-person and remote counseling options for both students and employees.

The Dean of Students Office offers a website full of resources for survivors of sexual violence. Counseling for any mental health crises or other concerns is available to students through the La Clinica Student Health & Wellness Center; in-person or remote sessions can be scheduled through the online health portal or by calling the SHWC at (541) 494-4875.

On-demand, no-appointment sessions by phone or chat are available to students at any time through SOU’s affiliation with TELUS Health Student Support, at (866) 743-7732. Assistance is also available from the SOU Care Coordinators Office.

SOU employees can seek guidance through SOU’s employee assistance program, Canopy (formerly Cascade Centers), by calling (800) 433-2320 or visiting the organization’s website.

Neudorfer is a full-time advocate with Community Works, serving clients based on their requests and needs. The Community Works organization was selected for the partnership with SOU in part because of its experience with higher education clientele.

“Community Works was able to provide this (service) for us at no additional cost, and they have previously served another campus community, so understand how this position can interact positively within SOU’s community,” Olejniczak said.

Under terms laid out in the memorandum of understanding, Community Works will also help with training and prevention programming at SOU. The university will help prepare the organization’s confidential advocates to support clients through potential campus processes, in addition to their typical work with supporting clients through criminal proceedings.

Title IX – a federal law that in part prohibits exclusion or harassment based on sex – applies to all educational institutions, both public and private, that receive federal funds.

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Behavioral Health Initiative dialogue session

SOU embraces Behavioral Health Initiative

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University took a step toward “Creating a Culture of Care” through a well-attended dialogue session with that title earlier this month. The wide-ranging discussion – with more to come – is one of the projects currently included in the university’s Southern Oregon Behavioral Health Initiative, funded last spring with a legislative allocation intended to address a statewide shortage of behavioral health providers and programs.

“During the dialogue, we dove deep into behavioral/mental health and well-being, and what that looks like on campus,” said Robin Sansing, SOU’s Behavioral Health Initiative director. “We had great group discussions focusing on critical behavioral health issues including topics like supporting gender-affirming care and appreciating neurodiversity. Across all groups, there was a strong call for more accessible resources, inclusive conversations and community-driven solutions.”

About 40 students, faculty and staff attended the Feb. 10 “Culture of Care” discussion in Hannon Library’s Meese Room, and the next such session is being planned for Tuesday, April 15.

Topics at this month’s session included the need for more conversations and curriculum integration to support gender-affirming care; strategies including youth-friendly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, a speakers bureau and “party mentors” to help prevent addiction and overdose; supporting undocumented people by addressing their fears and offering tangible help; embracing neurodiversity with access to affordable diagnoses, stronger accommodations and faculty awareness; and using storytelling to address climate anxiety.

The on-campus dialogue series is one of the first projects of the new Southern Oregon Behavioral Health Initiative, an SOU program that advances behavioral health education, workforce development and community collaboration. SOBHI is taking the lead in creating the Rogue Valley Behavioral Health Employment and Career Opportunity Network, offering professional development programs in behavioral health, expanding on-campus behavioral health opportunities and support, and maintaining the “Culture of Care” dialogue.

The SOBHI mission is to create partnerships that impact behavioral health, mental wellness and early childhood development at SOU and around the Rogue Valley through education, action and scholarship.

Behavioral health addresses the connection between behaviors and well-being, and how support through prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery may impact overall health. It encompasses mental health, lifestyle and health behaviors, substance use, and crisis and coping strategies.

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Senior living proposals sought by SOU Ashland

SOU seeks development proposals for senior living

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University has begun the process of identifying a private-sector partner for the construction and operation of a senior living center on a 4.3-acre parcel where a defunct dormitory complex is currently being demolished.

A “request for qualifications” – an invitation for developers and operators of retirement facilities to submit proposals – was issued last week, with all bids due by April 18 and finalist interviews scheduled for the last week of May. The project is expected to be completed as soon as fall of 2027.

“This is an exciting moment for our university,” SOU President Rick Bailey said. “As we endeavor to reimagine the fiscal model of the institution, entrepreneurial ventures like this one will help us transition from being solely dependent on state dollars and tuition for our revenue sources.

“In addition to the fiscal benefits, this project will also present a world of opportunities in lifelong learning, intergenerational connectivity and much more,” he said. “The possibilities are endless. I also want to say a very special thank you to our team members who worked tirelessly over the last several months – years really – to get to this point. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”

The request for qualifications process is intended to identify an experienced operator of retirement communities with whom the university will negotiate specifics for a public-private partnership to build and run the proposed SOU facility. The document issued last week describes “a program and facility designed to accommodate a growing contingent of previously underserved nontraditional students: retirees.”

The senior living center at the site of the Cascade Complex is seen as an entrepreneurial opportunity to forge a unique synergy between the facility’s residents, traditional SOU students, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at SOU and the university. The project is intended to generate long-term revenue for SOU while supporting the university’s commitment to lifelong learning.

Senior communities are a rare but growing feature on university campuses across the U.S., and the SOU facility would be the first in Oregon – capitalizing on southern Oregon’s reputation as a retirement mecca with a blend of educational, cultural and recreational opportunities.

“SOU believes that retirement today looks very different than it did just decades ago,” the request for qualifications said. “As people transition from full-time careers, today’s active and engaged retirees are looking for dynamic places to live, learn and play.”

Residents in the proposed SOU center could either audit or take regular SOU courses for credit, attend concerts, athletic events and lectures, and participate in a full range of offerings through OLLI at SOU – one of the largest of 125 OLLI chapters on college and university campuses across the U.S. The SOU program has close to 1,700 members and provides a diverse mix of academic courses, activities and excursions intended for those who are 50 and older.

The university also was accepted for membership a year and a half ago in the Age-Friendly University Global network — a collection of more than 100 universities across five continents that have committed to age diversity and intergenerational interactions on their campuses.

SOU’s plans include opportunities for traditional students to benefit from the academic and real-world experiences of retirement community residents, some of whom are expected to serve as mentors.

“This project has the potential to create a whole new demographic of SOU students and community members, organically develop new educational initiatives, and diversify and stabilize university revenue,” the request for qualifications said.

Proposals from would-be developers of the project are limited to 50 pages and must be “comprised of recyclable and, ideally, recycled materials.” Those responding must outline their companies’ expertise in senior living, and describe how their philosophies may align with SOU’s mission and project objectives.

The university will choose the proposal that is “the most advantageous to SOU,” then will enter into negotiations for a legally binding partnership. If those negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the university will shift to the runner-up in the request for qualifications process.

The university is not expected to take an ownership interest or operational role in the project, but will provide agreed-upon services and amenities for the facility and its residents.

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Solar projects underway at SOU Ashland

Construction underway on SOU’s latest solar projects

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(Ashland, Ore.) — Southern Oregon University is making headway in its march toward becoming the first public university in the U.S. to produce all of the daytime electricity used on its campus, with more than $5 million in recent state, federal and student funding and multiple solar projects underway.

SOU completed a rooftop solar  installation on Lithia Motors Pavilion in July, with the project adding a 241 kilowatt solar array to the 63 kilowatt array already located on the athletic pavilion’s roof – making it the largest rooftop solar array in Ashland. SOU’s next project – a solar array and battery storage bank – will begin this month at The Hawk Dining Commons. That project will enable SOU to support community resilience by providing 24/7 power at The Hawk, if needed, in the event of an emergency.

Other upcoming solar projects include installation of four more rooftop arrays on the SOU Art Building, Theatre Building, Marion Ady Building and Central Hall. Also in the works are projects in parking lots adjacent to Lithia Motors Pavilion and the Computer Science Building, in which solar arrays will be installed on raised “canopies” above parking spaces. The second of those projects will include another battery storage bank in the Computer Science Building.

“We are looking ahead to our next phases of funding and excited about this journey for revenue diversification, low-carbon energy production and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Becs Walker, the university’s director of sustainability. “At the same time, we recognize the importance of energy efficiency and are monitoring all buildings to identify potential improvements. A recent renovation project on Britt Hall improved our energy efficiency across campus.”

The recent and upcoming projects have been funded so far by a total of $3 million from the Oregon Department of Energy’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, $800,000 through a legislative allocation for Sustainability Funding for Oregon’s Technical and Regional Universities, and $51,000 from the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University’s Green Fund. Another $2 million that was appropriated by Congress as part of a December 2022 spending bill is also earmarked for the current projects.

SOU is continuing to work through details of the federal appropriation’s funding mechanism, and is using the state grants to maintain the pace of its solar build-out.

Construction on the current round of projects began last spring with the installation of inverters and electronics at Lithia Motors Pavilion, and the installation of solar panels in the summer under a contract with Ashland’s True South Solar and its subcontractor, Welburn Electric of Phoenix.

The university anticipates generating 100% of its own electricity by 2035. SOU is focused on being entrepreneurial in its approaches to revenue generation, and on energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its eventual energy independence will save the university at least $750,000 per year in utility costs, and each solar array that comes on-line results in an incremental reduction of the overall energy bill for campus.

SOU has 10 existing solar arrays, plus one at the Higher Education Center in Medford and a pole-mounted array installed in 2022 by a nonprofit on land leased from the university.

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