Carnegie Mellon University
ER-3: Sustainability in New Student Orientation

Prior to move-in day, Housing & Dining includes information, sent to incoming students, about minimizing their waste during move-in and recommend environmental or energy saving items to bring to campus. During freshman move-in day, student volunters help to collect boxes and recycle 100% of the cardboard. During the entire student move-in process, cardboard is collected and recycled on campus and in the surrounding communities. Freshman orientation includes programing to promote green practices and introduce incoming students to environmental opportunities through-out the week. 1.) 'Green Isn't Just a Color Anymore' program showcases the sustainability efforts and opportunities made by administrative and student groups on campus: Green Practices, Sustainable Earth, and Eco-Reps. This meeting is open to all freshman and is facilitaed by students, with support from Student Affairs and Green Practices. 2.) The 'Eco-Fabulous Cook-Out' is an informal event that all environmental minded faculty, staff and students on campus are invited to attend. Additionally, the University hosts a sustainability-themed dinner during the new student orientation to promote sustainability. The fall 2010 event was called the Dinner - Picture This: Your Role in a Sustainable World (A Zero-Waste Dinner) was co-sponsored by the Eco-Reps, and the Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research. It provided the first-year students a first-hand experience with the Carnegie Mellon University's sustainability culture such as recycling and food composting. This event was first hosted on August 17th, 2010. The University hopes to continually host this event during orientations in the future and increase zero waste events.