Arizona State University
EN-8: Employee Orientation

Sustainability is included in the New Employee Orientation (NEO) presentation to newly hired benefits-eligible faculty and staff. Information about Arizona State University’s mission and goals is presented via printed materials, a PowerPoint presentation, video, and the web. At NEO, the sustainability information is distributed in printed materials: “A New American University” booklet and a flyer containing important University web addresses. Sustainability information is also presented within the PowerPoint presentation when we talk about the University’s goals and objectives; it is viewed in the “ASU Challenges” video (www.asuchallenges.com) as part of our teaching, research, and business practices; and it is viewed on the web as we review Arizona State University’s 8 design aspirations (http://newamericanuniversity.asu.edu) and “the challenges before us” (www.asuchallenges.com) which include “How do we create a sustainable way of life?” The NEO presenter also “models” sustainable business practices by providing printed materials as two-sided copies and by directing new employees to refill reusable water bottles at the drinking fountains and to use the recycling baskets. Electronic versions of these materials are available for part-time employees who are not required to attend NEO in person, but instead go through an online orientation to familiarize themselves with University policies. New Employee Orientation is presented at least twice per month for newly hired benefits-eligible faculty and staff at Arizona State University. About 1,200 new employees attend NEO each year.

Lesley Forst