University of Utah
EN-2: Student Orientation

The Sustainability Office is a regular presence at new and transfer student orientations. Orientation leaders highlight sustainable features of campus, including the Edible Campus Gardens, water-bottle filling stations, and the campus beehives. A video created by graduate students on active and public transportation is also featured at the orientation. It teaches new students how to use their University ID to access local bus and light rail systems for free, as well as highlights the health and monetary benefits of not driving. Additionally, staff members from the office attend all 15 orientation sessions throughout the summer. At these sessions, we meet one- on-one with students through tabling to highlight programs and ways to get involved, including: **Volunteering in the Edible Campus Gardens and as a Recycling Ambassador; **Applying for grant money to initiate on-campus sustainability projects with the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund; **Attending the University of Utah’s on-campus farmers market; **Making use of sustainable transportation options, including public transit, active transit (walking/biking), and carpooling by using the University’s Zimride account; **Participating in annual events, such as the Social Soup lectures, the Global Change & Sustainability Center’s research seminar series, and the Earth U: Sustainability & Diversity Mentorship Dinner; **Getting involved with student groups, including the student government sustainability board, student housing sustainability board, the Real Food Challenge, Tree Campus USA, the University of Utah Beekeepers Association, and the Bennion Community Service Center; **Staying in the know by signing up for the Sustainability Office’s social media, newsletter, and blog, Sustainable Utah; **Using the campus recycling system At the orientation sessions, the Sustainability Office also provide handouts on the Edible Campus Gardens, the Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund, recycling, Zimride, the University of Utah Farmers Market, and a sustainability walking tour map that features on-campus projects, bike fix-it station locations, and LEED-certified buildings. We also sign up students for weekly emails on garden volunteering and the Sustainability Office newsletter.”—Ayrel Clark-Proffitt, Sustainability Office Campus Engagement Coordinator

NOTES 75% of entering students provided an opportunity to participate in orientation activities and programming that prominently include sustainability: Incoming graduate students are not required to attend orientation. However, all students attending orientation are provided an opportunity for this participation. So, the percentage is our currently enrolled undergraduates (23907)/currently enrolled undergraduates and graduates (31673).