University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
EN-2: Student Orientation

100% of our incoming students (5977 freshman and 2079 transfers) entering in Fall 2022 were invited to attend Welcome Week activities that prominently include sustainable events and activities.

The Friday of Welcome Week is coined the "Campus Exploration Fair." One of the large events that day is the "Sustainability Action Fair." This event is a large outdoor fair like event in front of the student union where student groups, academic departments, operations departments, external community groups come together with the Office of Sustainability and the Institute on the Environment to promote sustainability opportunities on campus. This event is one way that we attempt to create a culture of sustainability on campus. This event is also paired with a Zero Waste lunch for all students and event participants and volunteers.

In addition to The Sustainability Action Fair:

Sustainability efforts in Welcome Week include:
-The use of an electronic app that provides full Welcome Week schedule instead of printing a 60+ workbook given to all new students.

-Contracted hybrid Campus Connector buses for when increased bus service is needed to support the program.

-A partnership with the University ReUse Center provides a Free Store for new students as they are checked in for Welcome Week. This event provides FREE furniture, supplies, shoes, clothes, and more clothes that were collected from the U of M’s Pack and Give Back program (each spring students moving out of their dorms donate this program). Students can find items for their residence hall room as they begin to get settled and can decrease the number of new items they purchase.