University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
EN-2: Student Orientation

All new students (including transfer and graduate students), are guided through an orientation program that informs them on university workings; as UTRGV has integrated sustainability into its founding mission and operations, almost every aspect of orientation addresses at least one dimension of sustainability. UTRGV faculty and staff involved with orientation provide presentations that cover environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability to the new members of the student body, who will need the information to participate effectively in a sustainable campus culture. These presentations: -share university policies of non-discrimination, equity (such as how to apply for financial aide), and more; -encourage students to practice alternative forms of transportation (how to bike on campus, for example); -inform about campus health and safety services (mental and physical health clinics, campus police, recreation facilities, and offices of specific student concerns, among others); -provide academic information sessions. UTRGV has integrated sustainable development ideas into every college, and no matter their major, UTRGV students learn that they can make a positive impact on the world. During orientation, students learn how to look up and register for courses. During orientation, students also receive a package that includes UTRGV promotional items and introductory information. For this package that reaches 800 students per orientation session, the Office for Sustainability prepares informational guides and items that instruct students to live and study in a way that is sustainable: -The "Student Sustainable Living Guide" introduces sustainability as a subject and provides specific action items students can practice to engage in the sustainable mantra of "Reduce, reuse, and recycle," such as environmentally and ethically conscious purchasing. The printed guide in the orientation package refers them to the Office for Sustainability website, which expands upon the action items and offers a wealth of information about other UTRGV provides opportunities for sustainable engagement and education. Promotional items serve as reminders to keep sustainability at the forefront of students' thinking and actions: -Promo item 1: a bookmark made of recycled paper printed with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals on the front with the question, "Tell us where and how YOU WILL connect, collaborate, and contribute." Providing the U.N. SDG shows students that there are 17 ways to break down sustainability, and piques their interest by inviting them to choose how they will be involved. On the back, "WE WILL build a better future together. WE WILL achieve sustainable development," phrases that integrate sustainability into the UTRGV Slogan, "WE WILL..." and helps to solidify the commitment UTRGV has made to sustainability, which extends towards its students. Links to the OFS website and social media accounts encourage students to get engaged and share their sustainable activities to the rest of the campus community. -Promo item 2: a desk coaster made of recycled cork emblazoned with the OFS social media links and website. Taken as a whole, students leave orientation with a well-rounded idea of what UTRGV is doing to prepare them to contribute to a brighter future, and reminders to engage with the world in a sustainable way.

UTRGV’s student orientation activities work toward the sustainable development goal of sustainable communities by educating the student community about the principles and practices of sustainability.