University of Connecticut
EN-2: Student Orientation

For the third year in a row, the UConn Bookstore participated in an LED desk lamp giveaway for all incoming students, funded by UConn's energy provider, Eversource Energy. Students were given free LED desklamps and handouts outlining the environmental benefits of LED vs. Incandescent/CFL bulbs in addition to information on campus sustainability at UConn. https://uconnoep.wordpress.com/2015/09/04/a-bright-idea-from-uconn-and-eversource/

Dining Services gave out reusable water bottles to all first-year students. Also held in the beginning of the semester is the school involvement fair which helps students get involved on campus. The involvement fair is UConn’s largest free event open to all students, faculty, and staff. Over 600 student organizations and university programs participate in the fair held on Fairfield Way, the heart of campus. A section of the fair is dedicated to environmental groups on campus. Many clubs and organizations such as EcoHusky, Office of Environmental Policy, and Spring Valley Student Farm table in this area to introduce students to environmental issues and ways to get involved. The EcoHusky homepage and facebook page contain a large amount of sustainability information and resources for new students.

Additionally, in the late spring, the Director and the Sustainability Coordinators of the Office of Environmental Policy train University Orientation leaders on sustainability activities and green campus features for the orientation program, including the walking tour of the campus. As part of the tour, the students and parents stop in front of a sustainability wall mural (near the model dorm room) that gives an overview of campus sustainability initiatives and programs. The wall has become a feature on the campus tours. It is located near McMahon dining hall, which was recently certified LEED-gold. The dining hall’s LEED features (along with the several other LEED certified buildings on campus) are also discussed with incoming students and their parents.

There are also many aspects of social sustainability discussed at orientation. Every student is taught the importance of tolerance, honesty, and safety on a college campus through various workshops and shows.

New students can also learn about campus sustainability efforts by visiting the EcoHusky or EcoHouse tables at the Student Activities Fair, which usually occurs during the first month of the fall semester. The EcoHusky homepage and facebook page contain a large amount of sustainability information and resources for new students.