Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.21
Liaison Joanne Wong
Submission Date Feb. 5, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Mills College
SD-1: New Student Orientation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete N/A Britta Bullard
Sustainability Coordinator
Campus Facilities
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Does new student orientation include presentations, speakers, or skits that address sustainability and take place in large venues that most or all first-year students attend?:
Yes

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Provide a brief description of the presentations, speakers or skits:
During a highly attended Orientation event, the student government Sustainability Senator and a Department of Student Life Ambassador give a presentation on the different programs on campus and tips on urban sustainable living. They have a large collaged mural where students can make a pledge to incorporate sustainability into their daily lives, studies, and social activities.

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Does new student orientation incorporate sustainability information into presentations (e.g., made by Residential Advisors to individual dorm floors)?:
Yes

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Provide a brief description of the presentations:
Before orientation and students arrive on campus, Residential Advisors attend a week-long intensive training. During this time, the Sustainability Coordinator provides a training on how Mills is addressing energy and climate change, recycling and composting, transportation, and sustainability-related events. Each of these themes are connected directly to how residential students can participate and how RAs can be role models and provide leadership. During their initial hall meetings, RAs are able to introduce and review the Mills sustainability programs and how they relate to residents. Even more, RAs utilize these opportunities in programming throughout the year.

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Does new student orientation actively engage students in activities that raise awareness about sustainability, highlight how sustainability plays out on campus, or allows students to take part in a productive green activity?:
No

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Provide a brief description of the activities:
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Does the institution make new student orientation more sustainable via efforts such as a zero-waste meal or carbon offsets?:
Yes

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Provide a brief description of the efforts:
All new students are also given reusable canvas bags with the Mills logo and an Oak tree to encourage reuse and the use of more eco-friendly materials.

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Does the institution incorporate sustainability into new student orientation in other ways?:
Yes

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Provide a brief description:
During check-in at Orientation, there are a variety of tables that address different components of sustainability. The Sustainability Center has a table and checks in with each students regarding different programs on campus, creek restoration, energy conservation and recycling programs. Student Orientation Leaders host a table that distributes universal bus passes and gives information about public transit. Another table is hosted by AC Transit, the bus system, giving out maps and information. Lastly, check-in also hosts a table discussing local and sustainable food options through the dining services on campus.

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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