University of New Hampshire
EN-2: Student Orientation

The Sustainability Institute (SI) Communications Coordinator and Director work directly with UNH Admissions to ensure sustainability is part of campus tours. Both provide materials and present to UNH tour guides once a year. The presentation introduces students to sustainability principles, how UNH practices sustainability, and initiatives that take place on campus, including efforts toward energy and zero waste. For incoming students, sustainability is prominently embedded in all aspects of student orientation. Incoming freshman are encouraged to participate in pre-orientation programs, all of which include sustainability: https://www.unh.edu/orientation/pre-orientation-programs Incoming freshman, transfer, and commuter students participate in Wildcat Days the weekend before fall classes begin. Programming includes sustainability themes in the presentation WildActs Presents: The Wild Year Ahead. https://www.unh.edu/orientation/wildcat-days In addition, there is an emphasis on outfitting dorm rooms and apartments from UNH’s “Trash to Treasure” yard sale. This sale is open to the entire community and with items that students donate during spring move-out. It is held prominently on-campus and advocates a “Zero-Waste” goal. During Move-In weekend, representatives from SI attend the yard sale and talk with parents and incoming students about sustainable initiatives on campus, such as the Environmental Advocates, the Sustainability Dual Major, waste reduction through proper recycling methods, and sustainability student groups. UNH Housing takes on the task of diverting all the cardboard produced from Move-In from the garbage to cardboard recycling, among other recycling initiatives. During the fall semester, there are a variety of events where undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students learn about sustainability at UNH, such as Jukebox, Resident Assistants training and fair, UNH tour guides training, University Day, Graduate Student Resource Fair, Parents' Weekend, Commuter and Transfer Students Resource Fair. SI holds a booth at these events informing students about sustainability initiatives at UNH both academically and in the community, opportunities to get involved, and what resources and events are available to them. Other offices that provide information and opportunities related to sustainability include University Transportation Services, the Office of Commuter Students, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, UNH Dining, and UNH Housing and Residential Life.