Cornell University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Each Fall, all incoming undergraduate students (first-year and transfer students) complete a sustainability module entitled "Mission Sustainability" as part of their new student "To-Do List." This course includes four parts: a climate & sustainability literacy survey, a 13-minute video about sustainability at Cornell, an exploration of sustainability-related campus resources, a 'test your knowledge' quiz, and three short reflection essays.

Graduate students are welcome to complete the 'open' version of this course, but it is not included as part of their "To-Do List." Graduate students are invited to and participate in the Orientation programming outlined below.

https://sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/news/sustainability-and-climate-literacy-module-added-first-year-orientation
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In Fall 2022, the following events were hosted for all incoming students, including undergraduate and graduate students.

- Sustainability Goosechase: The "Sustainability Goosechase" is a virtual scavenger hunt to help you learn more about your campus by completing small challenges. Compete against your friends and residential community members. The competition runs from September 1st through September 15th.
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2022/08/sustainable-scavenger-hunt-begins-sept-1st

- ECOFest: Getting involved in sustainability clubs
ECOFest is an introduction to student-driven, sustainability organizations at Cornell. The event features 30+ sustainability clubs. Chat with upperlevel students, and learn how to make a meaningful impact on issues like climate change, renewable energy development, wildlife conservation, botanic gardens management, and environmental justice, on campus and beyond.

- State of Cornell Sustainability Address: Sharing progress on renewable energy development on campus, sustainability reporting metrics, and progress in areas like dining food waste, student climate literacy, and more, the Sustainable Cornell Council (SCC) will provide an update and open Q&A form at the “State of Cornell Sustainability” Address on September 27 at noon over Zoom.
https://sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/news/sustainable-cornell-council-provide-progress-update-networking-event-fall

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During a typical year, the Campus Sustainability Office leads several sustainability events as part of New Student Orientation at Cornell. Examples of orientation events include: ECO 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 hiking tours with Nature Rx.

The EcoRep Orientation Leaders also manage waste sorting and education at large-scale Orientation events offering food, and "Cornell's Guide to Living Sustainably" is featured on the New Student Programs Orientation website.

Residential staff 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 Office also trains the PREPARE Orientation Staff on sustainability topics, in order to prep them to cover these topics with new international students on campus.