Wilfrid Laurier University
EN-2: Student Orientation

The following activities and efforts amount to prominent inclusion of sustainability in new student orientation at Laurier:

-When first year students arrive on their first day of orientation week, they are provided with an "O-week bag". One of the items located in this bag is a USB key, on which the Sustainability Map, Green Guide for Living, and information about how to become involved in the Sustainability Council (a first year leadership program focused on promoting sustainability amongst first year student) are all preloaded. This gives new students information on sustainable services, events, projects and facilities from the beginning of their Laurier career.

-Also included in the bag is a reusable water bottle. Throughout orientation week, multiple water filling stations are provided for students to fill up their bottles in order to stay hydrated, and reduce the amount of plastic water bottles used. Five large banners are produced and put on display in the main gathering locations throughout the week, which feature a map of campus indicating all the water filling station locations, bike racks, and compost/recycling/garbage facilities. New students are encouraged by their O-Week leaders to use these resources and the Ecohawks help expand on the benefits of sustainable practices during meal times.

-The Ecohawks play a crucial role in waste management over orientation week as they bring compost, recycling, and garbage bins to each of the four meal locations and ensure that every piece of waste is put into the proper receptacle. All meals contain extremely limited amounts of non-compostables or non-recyclables, and for approximately 5000 first year students, each meal produces no more than 4 garbage bags. Before each meal time, new students are addressed by the Ecohawks, who engage them in waste education reinforcing the importance of proper waste management practices.

-One of the main events during orientation week is the 'Get Involved Fair' which features campus clubs, services and organizations. Each year the Sustainability Office, Sustainability Council and Ecohawks have a presence where they have the opportunity to promote volunteer opportunities, projects, sustainability highlights, and a chance for incoming students to interact face to face with the staff and volunteers who run these organizations. Students can ask questions, discuss projects directly and express their concerns or ideas.

-First year students are divided into groups, and guided throughout the week by an upper year student leader. These student leaders are provided with a manual containing useful information which they carry around with them for the week. Among many things, the manual includes information on the role of the Sustainability Office and Ecohawks, as well as recycling and composting guidelines and waste disposal and water filling station locations. This is to ensure that student leaders have easy access to this information to answer any questions from the incoming students.