University of Victoria
EN-2: Student Orientation

At UVic, all new students including undergraduates, transfers, and grad students have the opportunity to engage in and learn about sustainable practices on campus. During orientation, each new student receives the Climate Action and Sustainability Handbook for Students. This handbook touches on many aspects of sustainability on campus, emphasizing helpful sustainability tips to add to daily practices and spotlighting ways to get involved. It educates students on sustainability initiatives across campus, such as new sustainable infrastructure, plant-formward dining, responsible waste management, active transportation, water conservation, sustainable purchasing, and campus climate action. The first section of this handbook showcases the thriving outdoor spaces on campus, educating students about the lək̓ ʷəŋən history of the land, and encouraging students to explore the diverse green spaces on campus. The handbook provides examples of how students can get involved with climate action and campus sustainability on campus, promoting the club and course union days that occur in the sub. It gives the when, where and how of the Campus Bike-Hub and their amazing resources such as the bike loan program. This is to encourage students to bike to campus or consider more sustainable alternatives of daily travel, as well as promote the re-use and recycling of bicycles.

New students also receive a tour of the campus during orientation. The tour includes education and awareness of sustainability on campus, such as the Campus Bike Hub and how to participate in the bike loan program, Sort-It-Out waste reduction stations, water bottle filling stations, and the Campus Community Garden.

New members of the campus community can engage with sustainability topics through the Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability information table at events such as Residence Move-in, International Student Welcome BBQ, and Thunderfest, a large back-to-school kick off event organized by Vikes Nation, the UVic Students’ Society, and Residence Life in which sustainability activities are featured. Awareness of waste reduction is promoted through providing students with reusable items such as coffee mugs, reusable bags, reusable food containers, and metal straws. During the International Student Welcome BBQ, we aim to be as close to zero-waste as possible and help sort waste properly at various stations.

Before students arrive on campus, all new students living in residence received an email on sept. 4th 2023, detailing everything they need to know for their first week. In the email, the Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability provided a QR for students to access embedded maps of water fill stations, expanded recycling bins, covered bike shelters, and more. The QR code to these embedded maps is also featured in a sticker that will be handed out at tabling events throughout the school year. The embedded maps engage the community and provide students with a helpful resource and enhance the convenience of eco-friendly practices, waste reduction and active transportation.

Information about Vikes Thunderfest:
https://vikesrec.ca/events/2023/thunderfest-2023
Information about the International Student Weclome BBQ:
https://www.uvic.ca/orientation/events/international-student-welcome/index.php