University of California, Davis
ER-3: Sustainability in New Student Orientation

Fall Welcome events begin once the new students have moved into the residence halls (a few days before academic instruction begins) and continue until early October. The events are designed to introduce new and current students to UC Davis. Several events at the Fall Welcome prominently promote sustainability. The Campus Resource Fair is where all new residents receive their free stainless steel water bottles to reduce the use of throwaway plastic water containers and visit multiple booths including many with sustainability information. Annual participants include the sustainability staff from Dining Services, Student Housing, Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability, and Transportation & Parking Services. For example, the Student Housing Sustainability Interns conducted a water taste test and operate a sustainability trivia wheel. Another Fall Welcome event is done in partnership with Downtown Davis and features information on sustainable and local shopping. During the first few weeks at UC Davis, new students are exposed to the campus sustainability website, the weekly Student Housing newsletter featuring sustainability information, sustainable food systems signage, the alternative transportation guide, and some of the green building signage on campus.