Northwestern University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Institution includes sustainability prominently in its student orientation activities and programming. Sustainability activities and programming are intended to educate about the principles and practices of sustainability. The topics covered include multiple dimensions of sustainability (i.e. social, environmental and economic).

Because orientation activities vary from one institution to another, prominent inclusion of sustainability may not take the same form on each campus. Prominent inclusion of sustainability may also take different forms for different types of students (e.g. undergraduate students, transfer students, graduate students). When reporting for this credit, each institution will determine what prominent inclusion of sustainability means given its particular context. (See the Credit Example in the STARS Technical Manual.)

As this credit is intended to recognize programming and student learning about sustainability, incorporating sustainability strategies into event planning (e.g. making recycling bins accessible or not serving bottled water) is not, in and of itself, sufficient for this credit. Such strategies may count if they are highlighted and are part of the educational offerings.  For example, serving local food would not, in and of itself, be sufficient for this credit; however, serving local food and providing information about sustainable food systems during meals could contribute to earning this credit.    

This credit applies to all institutions that hold student orientation. 

Institutions earn the maximum of 2 points available for this credit when sustainability is included prominently in orientation activities and programming made available to all entering (i.e. new) students (including transfers). Incremental points are available based on the percentage of entering students that are provided an opportunity to participate in orientation activities and programming that prominently include sustainability. For example, an institution that offers activities and programming that meet the criteria to 50 percent of its entering students would earn 1 point (half of the points available for this credit).  

See scoring table and example in the STARS Technical Manual.

Timeframe

Institutions may choose to report activities from the most recent semester (or equivalent), the most recent year, or the three years prior to the anticipated date of submission.

Sampling and Data Standards

Include all entering (i.e. new) students (including transfers and graduate students).