Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 58.29
Liaison Justin Mog
Submission Date Feb. 6, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Louisville
SD-1: New Student Orientation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete N/A Justin Mog
Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives
Office of the Provost
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does new student orientation include presentations, speakers, or skits that address sustainability and take place in large venues that most or all first-year students attend?:
Yes

Provide a brief description of the presentations, speakers or skits:

Themes of campus sustainability are integrated into evening “Real World” skits performed by Student Orientation Staff (SOSers) for all new students on the first evening of each Orientation session. The SOSers who put together and perform the hour-long session of skits receive in-person training provided by UofL’s sustainability coordinator on the principles of sustainability, UofL’s commitment to sustainability, and ways students can contribute and engage. The also receive a one-page hand-out covering 10 key points about UofL sustainability, and a list of campus groups involved, as well as details about our new alternative transportation programs.


Does new student orientation incorporate sustainability information into presentations (e.g., made by Residential Advisors to individual dorm floors)?:
Yes

Provide a brief description of the presentations:

Sustainability slides added to video screen slideshow loops in SAC, Strickler, etc. and pre-show slideshow during gathering.


Does new student orientation actively engage students in activities that raise awareness about sustainability, highlight how sustainability plays out on campus, or allows students to take part in a productive green activity?:
Yes

Provide a brief description of the activities:

• Campus sustainability clue(s) included in the mandatory “Cardinal Challenge” text message scavenger hunt during Orientation.

Sustainability in Welcome Week:
• Morning Walk: Discover Old Louisville! Highlighting local businesses and healthy local food options!
• Car-Free Lunch Trip to Gray St. Farmers' Market. Cyclists gather in front of the Red Barn. Bus riders meet at the TARC Route #18 stop across from the the Belknap Bus Station. Both groups meet up at UofL's farmers' market ant learn about local food and how to traverse the city without a car on this trip from Belknap campus to UofL's Health Sciences Center. All attendees receive a reusable UofL Sustainability shopping bag made in the USA of 100% recycled materials!
• Health Promotion’s Cardinal Quest Treasure Hunt features UofL Sustainability initiatives!


Does the institution make new student orientation more sustainable via efforts such as a zero-waste meal or carbon offsets?:
Yes

Provide a brief description of the efforts:

• In partnership with the University Admissions office and Louisville Farm to Table, UofL Dining Service (Sodexo) is increasing the amount of local ingredients included in the 8000 meals served to parents and new students during Orientation. Commensurate marketing materials accompany this meal service, including menu identification of local foods and a leaflet stating “U of L Likes Local” with five reasons why the university supports the use of local food and a list of campus sustainability efforts.
• All new students must spend a night in Unitas Hall, featuring a new Building Dashboard system that provides real-time feedback about energy use in the dorm.
• Providing a reusable shoulder bag made with recycled material content to all families and encouraging them to bring reusable water bottles.
• Providing reusable UofL Sustainability/Office of Health Promotion water bottles (made in USA of 100% recycled materials) for new students (2700), with water filling stations in the Student Activity Center, Strickler Lobby, Bigelow Hall, and Unitas lobby.
• Attending to adequate provision and placement of recycling bins.


Does the institution incorporate sustainability into new student orientation in other ways?:
Yes

Provide a brief description:

• Newly redesigned Sustainability Council ad (and mini Cards Go Green! pledge) printed in the Summer Orientation Guide magazine that all participants receive.
• Green campus post(s) included in Admissions blog at http://uoflblog.com/uncategorized/uofls-green-committment/
• Providing UofL Sustainability buttons for Orientation staff (made in the USA of recycled materials).
• Bike maps included in orientation packets for international students.
• Student environmental group, GRASS, tabling at Cards Expo during lunches (2nd day of Orientation).
• UofL Sustainability Council representatives present for all Family Orientation Receptions.
• UofL Sustainability banner & Tree Campus USA flag hung from ceiling in lunch room.
• Large photo of campus sustainability activities hung in gathering space at Strickler.


Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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