Oberlin College
EN-2: Student Orientation

Sustainability is a large focus of new student orientation. As new students get settled in to their housing assignments, a discussion on living sustainably is included in hall meetings and dorm-cluster meetings, which are mandatory. During the campus resource fair, an opportunity for students and parents to interface with offices on campus, the Office of Environmental Sustainability is on hand to answer questions, provide resources about sustainability at Oberlin, and connect students with opportunities to engage with sustainability through various clubs and programs. Students are encouraged to sign up for our car-sharing program at this time. A key orientation event is the Office of Environmental Sustainability's "Green Orientation." Green orientation brings together departments and student groups that are engaged in sustainability work to give presentations and offer opportunities for new students to get involved. Furthermore, the Resource Conservation Team (RCT) does a "Fresh Swap" for new students and promotes recycling and reuse activities during this time. In an effort to reduce waste and consumption, the RCT collects various essentials—lamps, fans, hangers, bedding, school supplies, kitchen utensils and wastebaskets, clothing, etc.—from departing students each May, and makes these items available to incoming students during orientation, at no charge. There are also new student lunches that are zero-waste and sourced with local food to display Oberlin College's commitment to sustainability early on.