Northeastern University
EN-8: Employee Orientation

In the past three years, the University has explored providing orientation in a virtual environment. The program has been shortened and now serves lunch only, whereas lunch was included in previous years; this reduces food production and potential waste. As of April 2020, due to Covid-19, New Employee Orientation has shifted to a completely remote delivery format. It remains to be seen whether this new format will continue once campus reopens for business as usual post-COVID-19. Effective March 23, 2020, no more paper will be provided to new hires. This eliminates 50,000 pieces of paper annually, reducing energy consumption and waste from related printing activities. the material will be provided by a new dedicated website which links directly to a page that discusses sustainability efforts. This will be seen by every new hire to the University. https://onboardinginfo.weebly.com New hires are given a water bottle and encouraged to use water refill stations around campus. They are also introduced to the Green Office Program which launched in 2016. It enables all University employees to engage in a sustainability-focused certification system that's based on individual and group/office/department/unit-based actions to support the University's sustainability initiatives and goals. There are other related programs that align with Green Office goals such as the Virgin Pulse program which is used within departments to facilitate competition surrounding sustainability themed efforts, such as turning off the tap while brushing teeth; reusable coffee mugs; reusable water bottles; and turn down the thermostat. Over 650 employees are Green Office Certified, out of which approximately 100 are EcoAmbassadors who are the contact person(s) within their working units. During 2021, the Green Office Program data is being analyzed to support a more consumer-friendly and engaging program, and the Green Events Guide is being updated to better reflect current University event planning and waste management, recycling, and sustainability efforts. All of these programs, Green Office included, are steps towards implementing and supporting the University's signature onto the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and Northeastern's Climate Action Plan.

https://facilities.northeastern.edu/sustainability/goc/ https://facilities.northeastern.edu/sustainability/cap/