Luther College
EN-2: Student Orientation

Throughout orientation for new and transfer students there are many opportunities to learn about sustainability at Luther. Activities Fair: The activities fair provides an opportunity for students to learn about the ways they can get involved with the sustainability office and the student environmental groups on campus. On the Saturday of new student orientation in 2018 Luther hosted a Local and Sustainable Luncheon to celebrate local and sustainable foods. Representatives from the Winneshiek County Farmers Market tabled outside the cafeteria. Honey, pies, and other assorted goods were available for purchase. Also during orientation there is a presentation on building more inclusive communities: This presentation by Dr. Maura Cullen takes place on an evening during orientation and explores race, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, religion, ability, and size discrimination in a lively and interactive format. Sustainability Scavenger Hunt: A scavenger hunt was made available to all incoming students. Students who completed the scavenger hunt received a free Kleen Kanteen water bottle if they showed photos from their scavenger hunt to a member of the sustainability staff. Stops on the hunt included renewable energy features, sustainable transportation, local food and more. Information regarding all these events is included in the orientation booklet provided to all first-year students. The booklet itself is printed on locally manufactured paper (from Wisconsin), made using environmentally friendly practices and contains 10% recycled post consumer fiber. It is also printed with soy ink. Since 2015, the Center for Sustainable Communities has offered a week-long immersive outdoor pre-orientation program focused on building camaraderie, developing community and building self-confidence for incoming first-year students. In addition, the outdoor immersive experience drives students to develop a greater sense of place and awareness for the natural world. In 2017, working in conjunction with our Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success team we were able to grow the scope and size of our program and bridge the gap between our other pre-orientation programs that were geared towards international students and domestic students of color. Together, we launched Endeavor Together, one unifying college-wide pre-orientation program with the goal of creating a more inclusive college campus while developing renewed confidence and an emerging sense of place for our students. This unique approach to pre-orientation is highlighted in our Innovation Credits. Sponsored by the Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities and the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Student Success , the Endeavor Together Program connects people and place to build lasting community that will ease the transition to college life.