Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.84
Liaison Lisa Kilgore
Submission Date Feb. 27, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Cornell University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Sarah Carson
Director, Campus Sustainability Office
FS - Energy & Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Are the following students provided an opportunity to participate in orientation activities and programming that prominently include sustainability?:
Yes or No
First-year students Yes
Transfer students Yes
Entering graduate students Yes

Percentage of all entering (i.e. new) students (including transfers and graduate students) that are provided an opportunity to participate in orientation activities and programming that prominently include sustainability (0-100):
100

A brief description of how sustainability is included prominently in new student orientation (including how multiple dimensions of sustainability are addressed):

New Student Orientation at Cornell features several sustainability events including a "Big Red Leads Green" faculty presentation with a sustainability student org "pecha kucha" presentation and student org expo following the event, hiking tours with Nature RX, ECO Fall Fest (sustainability student org fair, representing graduate and undergraduate student orgs), a Sustainability Dinner co-hosted by Cornell Dining and the CSO in one of our all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, and "The Truth Has Changed" play performed by Josh Fox (open to the public, over 1000 attendees). The EcoRep Orientation Leaders also managed waste sorting and education at every major event with food during Orientation. "Cornell's Guide to Living Sustainably" is also featured on the New Student Programs Orientation website.

RAs discuss key sustainability information during first community meetings, and staff from the Campus Sustainability Office were featured at Graduate Student Orientation events (resource fair and international students orientation). The Sustainability Engagement Manager also trains the PREPARE Orientation Staff on sustainability topics, in order to prep them to cover these topics with new international students on campus.

A sample of additional 2018 sustainability-focused orientation events include:
(1) Dump & Run Sale -- This annual sale is a green way to stock up on items for your new room. Consider shopping here first and see what you can reuse to reduce harm to the environment. All proceeds go to charity.

(2) Camp Out for the Environment Meet and Greet Campfire -- The Ecology House invites new and returning students to join us in the backyard for the annual welcome back campfire and s’mores. Around the campfire, current Ecology House members will share stories and talk about ways you can get involved in the many projects and leadership opportunities offered in the Ecology House and on campus through environmental-themed student organizations.

(3) Big Red Leads Green -- Sunday, August 19th from 2-4pm, Uris Hall, G01 Auditorium
Did you know that Cornell is the most sustainable Ivy League university? Our multidisciplinary approach makes us a global leader in climate change and sustainability solutions. We are changing the world. Join us as Cornell faculty share cutting-edge research and innovative solutions, and learn how to take action here on campus with our sustainability student organization expo. "I truly believe that Cornell - and really it's just all of the very smart people here - are going to save the world." - Bill Nye '77

(4) ECO Fest -- Saturday, August 25th from 3:00-5:30pm, RPCC 1st Floor
Did you know that Cornell has 40+ sustainability student organizations? Cornell students are empowered to drive just and sustainable change through innovation, collaboration, and engagement. Come explore Cornell's annual sustainability club fair, and connect with upperlevel students to learn how to make an impact on campus and beyond. Hosted by Cornell's Environmental Collaborative (ECO), Cornell Dining, and the Campus Sustainability Office (CSO). Giveaways and prizes!

(5) Sustainability Dinner -- Wednesday, August 29th from 5:30-8:00pm, RPCC Marketplace Eatery
Join your fellow Cornellians for the most Sustainable Dinner of the year. Learn about the Residential Compost Program, Cornell Dining Sustainability initiatives, meet with a Cornell Dining Nutritionist, and more!


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.