University of Alberta
EN-2: Student Orientation

WEEK OF WELCOME (WoW) http://sustainability.ualberta.ca/orientation https://www.su.ualberta.ca/events/orientation/ Early September is an exciting time at the university; student enthusiasm is especially high and the opportunity for education and outreach is unparalleled. As thousands of new and returning students re-establish themselves within the campus community, sustainability is at the forefront of their campus experience. The Students' Union (SU) leads many activities during this busy time and sustainability is weaved throughout WoW. For example, the following events were Green Spaces certified in 2016: Transitions Welcome BB and WoW’s Pancake Breakfast and Beer Gardens. As well, the SU incorporated sustainable actions into their Clubs Fair event through presentations to participating student groups; information included in email packages to student groups and exhibitors; regular social media posts; and electronic slides across campus. The SU and the Office of Sustainability coordinated the following sustainability-related activities during WoW, Orientation and Clubs Fair: ‘Sustainability Stops’ that communicated visible sustainability features of North Campus. Office of Sustainability staff were also present in high-profile locations at outreach tables, offering students the chance to learn about campus sustainability and get information about opportunities to become involved in sustainability initiatives on campus. Staff delivered waste education and actively engaged people in discussions to reduce contamination at various high-profile events where recycling and composting facilities were made available.