Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 81.02
Liaison Sam Lubow
Submission Date June 29, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Stanford University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Moira Hafer
Sustainability Specialist
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Are the following students provided an opportunity to participate in orientation activities and programming that prominently include sustainability?:
Yes or No
First-year students Yes
Transfer students Yes
Entering graduate students Yes

Percentage of all entering (i.e. new) students (including transfers and graduate students) that are provided an opportunity to participate in orientation activities and programming that prominently include sustainability (0-100):
100

A brief description of how sustainability is included prominently in new student orientation (including how multiple dimensions of sustainability are addressed):

Prior to arriving on campus, all incoming and transfer students are introduced to campus sustainability through a series of articles in New Student Orientation’s weekly e-newsletter. Articles include campus sustainability information and digital resources, such as the "Student Sustainable Living Guide” and “Sustainable Living Video." These resources provide a helpful overview of Stanford's sustainability programs and practical advice on how to save energy and water and reduce waste on campus. The guide and video include remarks from university leadership describing why Stanford considers sustainability to be a key component of the university’s mission and the overall Stanford experience. Hard copies of the Sustainable Living Guide are also offered to all incoming students on move-in day.

All freshmen participate in a zero waste lunch during New Student Orientation. Boxed lunches that include only compostable and recyclable materials are prepared for all students. At the zero waste lunch students learn details about waste reduction efforts at Stanford, including how to compost and recycle successfully on campus. Student volunteers station themselves at each compost and recycle bin to ensure waste is sorted and disposed of properly. Volunteers also solicit pledges from attendees to live sustainably on campus. In addition, informational signage displayed throughout the event provides information about sustainability on campus. All sustainability staff members attend the event and are available for student questions. An article detailing the academic year 2015-16 Zero Waste Lunch can be found here: http://www.stanforddaily.com/2015/09/20/nsos-zero-waste-lunch-reduces-its-waste-this-year.

Partnerships with multiple student affairs organizations allow sustainability to be included in other campus events during New Student Orientation as well. A sustainability information table is present during bike registration. Sustainability interns participate in the student activities informational panel. A tour of the new Central Energy Facility is offered to all incoming graduate students by the Graduate Life Office. Residential Living displays sustainability signage throughout their staff training location.

Sustainability is even further integrated into New Student Orientation through green event practices at all events. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are included in all meals. Plastic water bottles are avoided by using compostable cups. Recycling bins, compost bins, and compostable service ware are provided for all campus-sponsored events during the week. In addition, orientation staff are trained to help the incoming students sort their waste during the entire week of orientation.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.