Auburn University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Sustainability is included in activities and programming throughout orientation. Incoming students receive information from various offices and initiatives across campus through presentations, tabling events, the Auburn Guide phone application, and print publications. Orientation camps are required for both incoming freshmen (Camp War Eagle) and for incoming transfer students (Successfully Orienting Students). The content for the two orientations is the same.

New-student orientation Camp and Parent counselors receive training that includes presentations on sustainability-related initiatives and resources on campus. During the orientation program, Camp War Eagle (CWE), all students are together for three different presentations that cover different aspects of sustainability. 1) During the Welcome Session, sustainability-related features on campus such as the WEGL water stations are highlighted. All students were previously advised to bring a refillable water bottle to the orientation camp. 2) At the Be The Creed session incoming students hear from the Health Promotion and Wellness Office, the Student Conduct office, and the Department of Public Safety. These speakers touch on both societal and the individual wellbeing aspects of sustainability. 3) Various social issues are addressed during an evening skit titled ‘Real World’.

During counselor training, the Office of Sustainability shares: Auburn’s commitment to sustainability, what sustainability is and why it matters, how students can get involved with sustainability at Auburn. In addition offices and programs present on: diversity and multicultural affairs, the University’s transit system, learning communities, sustainable dining options and initiatives, and physical and mental health resources.

The CWE counselors spend all day with the incoming students and their parents. In addition they attend tabling sessions where they can get information from campus departments and offices at Auburn. In the realm of personal wellbeing they find out about resources such as: the Women's Resource Center/WISE, Health Promotion and Wellness, Student Counseling Services, AU Medical Clinic, the Fresh From the Plains dining venue, other initiatives through Tiger Dining, and the Office of Public Safety. The Office of Accessibility and the Office of Inclusion and Diversity provide services and information during orientation. Related to transportation students are given information about the Tiger Transit bus system, the car-share program, public transit, and biking resources through Parking Services and the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. Related to recycling students learn about recycling in the residence halls and throughout campus. In addition, the Office of Sustainability is also there to share Auburn University’s commitment to sustainability, resources for alternative transportation, a packing guide, an action guide, Green Event Guide, and more.

During the Student Involvement session students find out about community service opportunities, social and support groups available to students, learning communities, and themed first year seminars. The following learning communities (LC) and themed first year seminars (FYS) have connections to health and wellness, leadership, global perspectives, inclusion and diversity, community and civic engagement and other sustainability related topics: Be Well (LC), Citizenship and Democracy (FYS), Conservation Biology (LC), Cultivating Diversity in STEM (LC), Engaging in a Diverse World (FYS), Global Perspectives (LC), Leadership (FYS), Live Green-Save Green (LC), Marine and Natural Sciences (FYS), PLUS scholars (FYS), Pop Culture and Social Justice (FYS), Women in Science & Engineering (LC), and Women Thriving in Science and Math Careers (FYS).

Participants in CWE are encouraged to use the Auburn Guides app to get connected with resources on campus. Both the CWE guide and the Successfully Orienting Students guide provide contact information for campus resources, many which are related to sustainability. In addition the Welcome Week guide has a schedule of all the events during the week, including the Sustainability Picnic.

The Sustainability Picnic is open to all students. The purpose of the picnic is to connect incoming students with the student organizations, opportunities, and offices on campus related to sustainability. Students learn about Auburn University’s commitment to sustainability and various initiatives, resources, and activities that will happen throughout the year.

All CWE participants receive the Tiger Transitions publication in which the Office of Sustainability has a full page ad that encourages students to connect with the office, learn about sustainability, and engage with others. The Tiger Transitions publication can be found at: http://fye.auburn.edu/wp-content/uploads/Tiger-Transitions-2019-Reduced.pdf.

Graduate Student Orientation is not done through the First Year Experience Office, however, graduate students are strongly encouraged to attend the Graduate School’s Welcome Event and Resource Fair. The Office of Sustainability along with many other university offices share information at the Resource Fair on sustainability related to transportation, sustainability, health and wellness, dining, mental health, safety and security, and medical resources. The Graduate Student Orientation went online in 2020 and connects student with alternative transportation, such as transit.

Jen Morse received First Year Experience information from Melissa Dunn in the First Year Experience Office who facilitated the updates of this information, as it applies to first-year and transfer students, with the responsible parties who are involved in orientation. Statement regarding graduate student orientation is from Jennifer Morse, Office of Sustainability.