Emory University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Since 2007, the Office of Sustainability Initiatives (OSI) has partnered with schools throughout Emory in varying capacities to incorporate sustainability into new student orientation. Listed below are Emory’s current efforts to integrate sustainability in orientation. • All incoming students (undergraduate, transfers, and graduate) receive either reusable water bottles, reusable bamboo utensil sets, or farmers market tote bags that include Emory's sustainability goals to encourage sustainable behaviors from the beginning of their time at Emory. • The Office of Sustainability has a booth at orientation fairs/expos with Emory College, Rollins School of Public Health, School of Nursing, School of Medicine, School of Law, and Laney Graduate School. The Office of Sustainability participates in a post-orientation student engagement expo hosted by the School of Theology. • The Office of Sustainability leads a campus sustainability tour during Orientation which is open to all incoming students and their parents. • In 2009, Emory held its first "Zero-Waste" Orientation and participation and numbers increase each year. Composting and recycling bins are provided for major events such as the Orientation Fair, Parent’s Breakfast, and in some years, the Coke Toast, so that all materials from these events are diverted from the landfill. Student volunteers are stationed by waste receptacles to educate students and their parents about how to properly recycle or compost waste. Orientation planners are presented to by the Office of Sustainability Initiatives and are contacted for reminders to plan their Orientation events as Zero Waste events. • For several years, new Emory undergraduate students have received sustainability tips and a general introduction to sustainability at Emory in a flyer and/or via the Orientation Blackboard website. Information on alternative transportation options and “back to school” shopping tips are sent to all incoming students and parents prior to arriving on campus. • In 2013, Orientation Leaders distributed water bottles from OSI to all incoming undergraduates during a required meal during Orientation week. All freshmen also received a cinch bag with a link to the sustainability pledge (www.sustainability.emory.edu/pledge) in their residence hall and all graduate schools received water bottles, tote bags, or reusable bamboo utensils set to provide to their incoming students. • OSI and the Educational Garden Project have tables to provide information to incoming students at the Orientation Fair. Zip Car and Bike Emory are also present at the fair, offering bike safety tips, bike check-out program, and alternative transportation information. • The Sustainability Showcase (formerly known as the Green Activities Fair) has been held for the past six years in collaboration with Few and Evans Halls during Orientation Week. Representatives from sustainability-related student organizations and Emory departments provide information on how students can get involved on campus. • All Resident Advisors (RA), Sophomore Advisors (SA), and Orientation Leaders (OLs) receive sustainability training by Office of Sustainability staff. • Laney Graduate School and School of Nursing students watch the 30-minute “Emory as Place” video during orientation. This film highlights Emory and Atlanta’s history, civil rights struggles, environmental challenges, and opportunities for students to contribute. There is a table at the Graduate School Orientation with information about sustainability, alternative transportation and Bike Emory, and the School of Nursing takes students on a woods walk during orientation. • At the Goizueta Business School, the BBA Program Orientation has moved in recent years to reduce the amount of paper distributed to students and instead direct them to a list of helpful websites. • In Candler School of Theology's Orientation, Emory's Director of Sustainability Initiatives, Ciannat Howett, has presented at a sustainability panel in past years.