University of Utah
EN-2: Student Orientation

New and transfer undergraduate come to the university for two-day campus visits from late May to early August. The University of Utah Sustainability Office engages in multiple ways with incoming students’ orientation:
• Sustainability staff coach Orientation leaders on a wider range of programming and opportunities so the leaders can better answer student questions;
• During all tours, Orientation leaders highlight the location of the campus farmers market, bike parking, and the university’s first building with a path to be net neutral;
• Sustainability staff participate in all information sessions during orientations to help provide interested students with more detail about sustainability programming and values, with a particular emphasis on the campus farmers market and its Double Your Dollars program, a food security effort that provides $1-for-$1 matches for students to purchase more grocery items;
• Safe and sustainable transportation modes are included in the Transportation breakout session; Finally, sustainability is highlighted throughout New Student Orientation’s Parent & Family Handbook.

In 2019, the Sustainability and Orientation & Transition offices partnered to reduce waste at the annual New Student BBQ, held the Saturday before school begins. At the event:
• Food and beverage items, such as chips, lemonade, and condiments, were served in bulk;
• Organic waste was collected;
• All attendees received reusable silverware giveaways that include fork, spoon, knife, and chopsticks in a neoprene case.

The Sustainability Office also tables at International Student Orientation.

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.

Access the Orientation Parent & Family Handbook at https://orientation.utah.edu/parents/Parent%20Family%20Handbook%202019.pdf.