Baldwin Wallace University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Prior to their arrival at the university, the parents/guardians of students who will reside in the university dormitories receive a letter from the Director of Residence Life, Robin Gagnow, noting the university's recycling program and providing instructions on energy conservation and waste reduction while residing at the university. Please see the included letter to parents/legal guardians from Robin Gagnow in the attached file. Subsequently, upon arrival, Director Gagnow leads orientation sessions for new students which include details about recycling, waste reduction, and energy conservation while at BW. Student RA ECO Reps assist with this process serving as additional contact points for students. Likewise, newly installed signage in the dormitories at recycling recptacles helps students to better sort their items at the moment of discard. Students residing in Ernsthausen, Saylor, Davidson, and Klein which are geothermal powered dormitories receive a handout about geothermal power including a description of this form of energy and that Ernsthausen was the first dormitory in Ohio to use the environmentally-friendly GeoExchange Space Comfort System. Please see the attached file for the handout. Likewise, students residing in the R. Amelia Harding House for Sustainable Living are apprised of the building's sustainability features such as its status as a Gold LEED Certified structure with a 400 sq. ft green roof with 11 raised garden beds and solar panels. Please see the attached file for this handout as well.

Likewise, as of the SP19, students have been invited to participate in the Residence Life Green Room Certification campaign. This process is used to give recognition to students living a sustainable lifestyle on campus. There are three levels that increase in difficulty and points. By scoring all the actions that apply to students may receive a Silver, Gold or Platinum level of certification (Gold and Platinum require a visit from Office of Residence Life). Higher levels of achievement receive increasing levels of acknowledgment. This campaign is supported by the Residence Life Eco Reps and the BW Sustainability Committee.

Silver Certification (at least 75 points): Certificate to post near your door.
Gold Certification (at least 150 points): The above plus a coupon to the Cyber cafe.
Platinum Certification (at least 220 points): All of the above plus a water bottle.

1. I use Construction Electrial Products (CEP) fluorescent light bulbs in my room/apartment - 2 pts
2. I put my computer/tablet on sleep mode when not in use - 2 pts
3. I use reusable water bottles - 3 pts
4. I use reusable coffee cups - 3 pts
5. I practice regular recycling habits in my room and around campus - 5 pts
6. I turn the water off while I am brushing my teeth - 3 pts
7 . I only do full loads of laundry - 2 pts
8. My roommates and I share one television - 3 pts
9. My roommates and I share one refrigerator - 4 pts
10. I use the compost bins around campus and in the dining hall - 2 pts
11. I use double-sided printing in my room and/or on campus computers - 2 pts
12. I have reusable containers from Dining Services - 1 pt for each containter
13. I don't use a tray when eating in the dining rooms on campus - 2 pts
14. I regularly use reusable bags when I shop - 3 pts
15. I have reduced my meat consumption to once per day - 4 pts
16. I turn off the lights when I leave a room/apartment - 2 pts
17. I purchase Energy Star certified products - 3 pts
18. I do not buy bottled water - 10 pts
19. I use natural lighting when I can - 6 pts
20. I do not use decorative holiday lights - 6 pts
21. I unplug my devices from the wall socket when not in use or fully charged - 8 pts
22. I do not take showers that last longer than 8-10 minutes - 10 pts
23. I wash my clothes using cold water - 7 pts
24. I make an effort to buy locally grown foods - 9 pts
25. I have attended a SEA club meeting - 7 pts
26. I donate unwanted items or swap them with friends - 10 pts
27. I only eat meat 2-3 times a week - 7 pts
28. I avoid eating with disposable items (utensils, plates, cups, etc.) - 7 pts
29. I shop at thrift stores - 7 pts
30. I have a bike/skateboard and regularly use it as my transportation - 8 pts
31. I use shuttles or buses as my primary mode of transportation - 8 pts
32. I turn my computer all the way off when I am not using it - 12 pts
33. I line dry my clothes whenever it is possible - 17 pts
34. I do not have a car with me at school - 16 pts
35. I am vegetarian or vegan - 18 pts
36. I have contacted my legislature (email, phone call, letter, ect.) about making a change to improve my city/state's environmental behaviors - 20 pts

For the link to the online application fgorm, please visit: https://fs22.formsite.com/bwtest1/form401/index.html?1539105599234

We appreciate the assistance of Robin Gagnow, Director of Res Life and Student Conduct, for his assistance in the pararation of this section of the STARS report.

The parents/guardians of incoming freshmen this past July received the following letter which addresses recycling, waste reduction, and energy conservation:
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July 16, 2018

Dear Parent/Guardian(s):

On behalf of the entire Office of Residence Life staff, I would like to welcome you and your student to campus for the upcoming Fall Semester. Our goal is to provide an environment that will allow your student the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop lifelong friendships in active living-learning communities that will complement his/her academic pursuits.

Due to the size of the incoming class, room space will be at a premium; therefore, we will limit room changes both before and after classes start. Please encourage your student to fill out the roommate agreement form to address any roommate issues.

All residence halls will open for new student check-in on Wednesday, August 15 between the hours of 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. Check-in for returning students will be Saturday, August 18 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and again from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 19. Residence Life and Orientation staff members will be available to help ensure that the move-in process goes smoothly. If your student is a fall BW athlete, Fraternity and Sororities, Honors Student, FYE Course Assistant, member of the Marching Band, etc… please follow the early arrival procedures sent to you by the BW sport team or department with which your student is affiliated. It is the responsibility of the student to complete the form in advance.

If your student is not associated with one of these groups but has an extenuating circumstance that you believe qualifies him/her for early arrival status, please complete the online application form located at the following link: www.bw.erezlife.com

Once you have accessed the page, scroll to the “Reason for Arriving Early” and submit the application form for “Other – not a member of sponsored, pre-approved group.” Please note: If approved, your student’s BW account will be charged a per diem amount not to exceed $50.00 for each day he/she occupies a room before the official check-in date. The Associate Director of Residence Life will discuss details with you following application approval.

If you have cardboard moving boxes you wish to discard following check-in, we ask that you help us with our recycling efforts.

Pre-move-in waste reduction tips:
1. Pack in reusable crates and bags, and save them to use again for move-out.
2. Please avoid bringing Styrofoam or packing peanuts to campus.
3. Remove appliances from boxes before you arrive (especially fans and microwaves).
4. Coordinate with your roommate(s) before move-in so you do not bring unnecessary duplicate items.

We will have a location in each area to help collect boxes that have been broken down (flattened) for recycling. Last year we were able to recycle over 50 yards of cardboard. We also ask that you bring energy-saving CFL (Compact Fluorescent) light bulbs for your personal lamps (they last 15 times longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs). For safety reasons, we only allow heavy-duty, three-pronged extension cords with a minimum 14 gauge wire. We encourage students to use surge protectors that are UL approved with a self-tripping breaker.

When you arrive in the fall, you will meet your caring and enthusiastic Resident Assistant (RA). RAs are student staff members of the Office of Residence Life and are essential leaders within the BW community. They are committed to promoting individual and community development, assisting with personal and academic concerns, and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residential community. They genuinely care about others, inspire respect, and establish a good example in attitude and behavior. If your student is looking to be more involved in the BW community, has an ability to work and connect with others, and has the desire to make a difference in the lives of others, we encourage them to consider becoming an RA. More information regarding the RA application process will be available in mid- November. If your student has questions about the RA process, please see your Residence Hall Director.

The following website provides information on what to bring and what to leave at home: https://www.bw.edu/student-life/housing/

For new students, a complete schedule of the Weekend of Welcome activities can be found on the following website: https://www.bw.edu/orientation/wow/

To help you plan for the upcoming academic year, I have listed some important dates:

 Wednesday, August 15 - Residence Halls Open for Transfer Students, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Residence Halls Open for New Students, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

 August 17 - Apartment and House Check-In from 1:00 – 3:00 pm

 August 18/19 - Residence Halls Open for Returning Students - 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Apartment Students Check-In from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

 August 20 - Fall Semester classes begin

 September 3 - Labor Day (No Classes)

 September 15 - BW Community Day and BW Homecoming Football Game

 October 12 - Fall Break (No Classes)

 November 21-23 - Thanksgiving Break (Halls Remain Open)

 December 3-7 - Fall Semester Final Exams

 December 7 - Residence Halls Close at 7:00 pm

 December 8 -Residence Halls Close at 7:00 pm for Graduating Seniors

 January 6, 2019 - Residence Halls Open for Spring Semester at 10:00 am

 January 7 - Spring Semester classes begin

 January 21 - Martin Luther King, Jr. (No Classes)

 March 1 - Residence Halls Close for Spring Break, 7:00 pm

 March 4-8 - BW Spring Break

 March 10 - Residence Halls Open at 10:00 am

 March 30 - Good Friday (No Classes)

 April 5 - Residence Life Room Lottery for 2019-20

 April 12/13 - April Reign Weekend

 April 12/13 - Bachfest

 April 25 - Ovation/Honors (No Classes)

 April 29-May 3 - Spring Semester Final Exams

 May 3 - Residence Halls Close at 9:00 pm

 May 4 - Undergraduate Graduates Check Out by 9:00 pm

 May 5 -Apartment and House residents Check Out by 9:00 pm

Our Residence Life team is committed to making your student’s stay on campus as positive and rewarding as possible. We hope that you will encourage participation in the many opportunities offered. We are excited to have your student join our community and make it a home away from home. If you have specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at rgagnow@bw.edu.

Warmest Regards,

Robin W. Gagnow
Robin W. Gagnow
Director of Residence Life/Student Conduct/Commuter Services/International Student Services
Baldwin Wallace University