Eastern Connecticut State University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Sustainability is included and implemented in multiple ways during new student orientation. Student Orientation Counselors (SOC) introduce new students to many aspects of campus sustainability during their summer session visit. Students take tours of the campus with SOC's including sustainability features as part of their visit. This year (2015) SOC's introduced tray-less dining at Eastern’s dining hall. The orientation program uses online materials for all new students helping students to understand the importance of reducing waste of materials. The orientation program also distributes an Orientation Guide for new students and parents electronically. The Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) orientation program at Eastern has implemented an online reservations system with electronic ticketing and a check-in process that minimize the need to print and mail reminder postcards or tickets for distribution. All students are also encouraged to bring their SOAR ticket on a mobile device for scanning at check-in. Students who participate in SOAR are encouraged to recycle and are educated on how to recycle both in residence halls and other campus buildings. During SOAR, the Advising and Registration department give all new students water bottles to discourage the use of disposable water bottles in order to reduce waste production. When SOAR materials are printed, no dates are printed on any of the materials so that the materials can be reused for the next year. Lastly, items that are left behind by students and are not claimed are donated to the local community organizations such as the Willimantic Access Agency, as part of Eastern's growing move out waste efforts.

This information was input using information gathered from meeting with Chris Dorsey Director of Admissions.