University of Ottawa
EN-2: Student Orientation

Alternative 101 Week is an orientation week ran by the Ontario Public Research Interest Group which offers students a radically different and politically progressive orientation experience. The events focus on sustainability and other forms of activism/progressive initiatives on campus. These events are open to all incoming students.

1) Orientation Week programming: During orientation week, the new students are told about many sustainability related initiatives on campus. The Student Federation (SFUO) focuses on telling students about the sustainability services available through the student unions and some of the sustainability related campaigns that they work on (ex. Right to Water Campaign). This is reinforced with messaging during some orientation week events. 2) Environmentally friendly swag : The Student Federation takes many steps to reduce the overall environmental footprint of the materials that they distribute to the new students. In past years the SFUO has provided memory sticks instead of paper, has put their programs on-line rather than in pamphlets, and provided students with organic cotton, fair-trade t-shirts. These initiatives are sometimes coordinated for greater impact (ex. All SFUO Orientation Week events are Bottled Water Free. This message is repeated at various events and students are provided with a free reusable water canteen). 3) Alternative 101 (2010) : During Orientation week, the Ottawa Public Interest and Research Group (OPIRG) hosts an event called Alternative 101. The idea behind this event is to offer students an accessible alternative to the typical frosh events. Alternative 101 introduces students to the surrounding community, safe sexual practices, socially progressive documentaries, nature walks, a green campus tour, and sustainable food options. This event is run in partnership with the SFUO and the Office of Campus Sustainability. 4) International student orientation (2010) : Every semester the International Students are treated to a presentation by the Office of Campus Sustainability about the sustainability initiatives on campus. The new students are then treated to a Free Store (where used items can find a new home) so that they do not have to purchase new items. 5) Green campus ambassadors : The University of Ottawa tours over 50,000 prospective students and their parents around the campus. Through a partnership with the Office of Campus Sustainability and the Liaison Office, campus ambassadors are taught about some of the sustainable aspects of the campus and in turn relay some of this information during their campus tours, thereby raising awareness about campus sustainability issues. This also extends to our off campus liaison team. Other responsible parties : Josee Richard Alt 101 Coordinator , OPIRG gripocampus@gmail.com's email Jonathan Rausseo Gestionnaire de développement durable | Campus Sustainability Manager - Service des immeubles | Physical Resources Services - 613.562.5800 x 2530 - www.durable.uOttawa.ca | www.sustainable.uOttawa.ca Gabrielle Arkett Summer Assistant SFUO Sustainable Development Centre greenevents@sfuo.ca