University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
EN-2: Student Orientation

The Sustainability Office participates directly in two prominent freshman orientation events through tabling and direct contact with interested students. During Warhawks SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration), the Sustainability Office is prominently featured along with several other key campus departments as part of an information fair designed to bring students and their parents additional information about sustainability programs and involvement opportunities. The Sustainability Office also participates in Hawk Fest, an informational session featuring campus departments and resources in a fun atmosphere where students can learn more directly from participants. Additionally, more than 90% of all freshman at UW-Whitewater enrolls in New Student Seminar. This course is designed to help students make a positive adjustment to college through discussing, writing, and critically thinking about a variety of relevant topics, engaging with faculty and other students in class, and attending university events and programs. Students will explore the purposes of higher education and the expectations of an academic community; review the university’s resources, policies, and procedures; investigate personal interests and strengths while setting academic and personal goals; and explore one’s identity and the multiple dimensions of diversity. Among other outcomes, students are educated on: Success in a changing world: - Understand your rights and responsibilities and what it means to be a responsible member of the University community - Recognize the personal, social, and environmental impact of your choices - Describe how background, identity, experiences, and social context influences your perspective - Appreciate others’ backgrounds, social identities, and experiences - Explore personal and career goals Additionally, several New Student Seminar instructors reach out to Sustainability Office staff to visit classes with guest lectures or connect with sustainability-related student organizations to discuss involvement with those groups. Some video training materials have also been developed and used over various semesters in the last three years, but need to be polished and implemented using the new content management platform for future years.

http://www.uww.edu/fye