Fall is a time of traditions and new starts throughout the country. The first tree leaves begin to change color and fall, students young and old attend their first classes of the term or semester, fall weather attire comes out of the closet, and the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP), the University of Oregon's premier program for promoting and implementing transformational change in Oregon, kicks off its program year. This year saw a packed house in the Many Nations Longhouse on the University of Oregon campus to celebrate the cities and preview the upcoming projects this particular program year. The City of Philomath and the City of The Dalles have both been selected by SCYP for a two-year partnership with the cities of Gladstone and Estacada continuing their existing partnerships from last academic year. The kick-off at the Many Nations Longhouse was focused on the City of The Dalles, with local government and interested parties coming down to Eugene to talk to university leadership and students.
“We’re excited to partner with the University of Oregon through the Sustainable City Year Program,” said The Dalles Mayor, Richard Mays. “This collaboration brings fresh perspectives and creative problem-solving to some of our community’s most important priorities.”
In partnership with the City of The Dalles, SCYP will match resources from existing university courses to high-priority projects recognized by the City Council and community. Classes will continue to be matched throughout the 2026-28 academic years, supporting four primary focus areas: Economic Development, Housing, Historic Preservation, and Transportation.
For the City of Philomath, courses will be matched to a diverse portfolio of applied projects that address key community priorities, from parks and downtown vitality to infrastructure, sustainability, and economic development. Throughout the partnership, students will support the City through research, planning, and community engagement delivering practical, community-centered recommendations aligned with Philomath’s goals.
"Philomath's partnership with UO's Sustainable City Year Program is just what we need,” said Philomath Mayor, Christopher McMoran. “We have several important community projects that have been on our strategic plan for years but we haven't had availability of staff resources to take on. This program allows us to expand our capacity and make some real progress. I know that Philomath will be an even better place to live as a result of the work we're doing together."
Megan Banks, SCYP Director, shared that “[w]orking in the Columbia Gorge with the City of The Dalles and the southern Willamette Valley with the City of Philomath allows our students to experience the diversity of Oregon and its cities. Both partners present unique challenges for students and faculty to focus on, resulting in creative yet practical solutions for our partners.”
The City of The Dalles partnership has officially launched with the completion of the October 23 celebration event at the Many Nations Longhouse on campus. Initial spring term 2026 classes, in partnership with the City of The Dalles, included an Advanced Urban Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course focused on walkability and three Business Leadership and Communications courses supporting the Federal Street Plaza and downtown activation. The City of Philomath partnership was kicked off at a separate celebration event at Philomath High School held on October 2. Detailed class projects are featured in a Virtual Open House on each city’s partnership page. Planning for additional classes is underway.
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 experiential learning. For more about SCYP, see: https://sci.uoregon.edu/scyp.
Learn More
