Cornell University
EN-2: Student Orientation

New Student Orientation at Cornell features several sustainability events including Climate Change presentations by Faculty, campus sustainability tour, ECO Fall Fest (sustainability student organization fair -- representing graduate and undergraduate student orgs), and EcoRep Orientation volunteers at most orientation events. A student green guide (sustainability tips) is also featured in the New Student Handbook, and free water bottles are placed in student rooms upon the arrival (in collaboration with Take Back the Tap). The EcoRep volunteers managed composting and recycling education stations at every major event that served food throughout orientation week. Additionally, due to the drought in Ithaca this summer, RAs discussed Water Use Restriction and drought-related information during first community meetings, and staff from the Campus Sustainability Office were featured at Graduate Student Orientation events (resource fair and international students orientation). A sample of the 2016 sustainability orientation events include: (1) Slow Murder and Food Justice: An Overview of a Movement -- This interactive presentation will provide an overview of the issue of food justice and give a preview of a fall class focused on the topic in relation to Ithaca. It will also look briefly at service-learning approaches for bringing about social equity and justice in relation to food availability, access, and sustainability for those on a fixed or low income. (2) Dump & Run Sale -- This annual sale is a green way to stock up on items for your new room. Consider shopping here first and see what you can reuse to reduce harm to the environment. All proceeds go to charity. (3) Camp Out for the Environment Meet and Greet Campfire -- The Ecology House invites new and returning students to join us in the backyard for the annual welcome back campfire and s’mores. Around the campfire, current Ecology House members will share stories and talk about ways you can get involved in the many projects and leadership opportunities offered in the Ecology House and on campus through environmental-themed student organizations. (4) Sustainability at Cornell 101 -- Discover the Cornell Sustainable Campus! Tour campus with the Cornell EcoReps and learn how we minimize waste through composting and recycling, use renewable energy on campus, and how you can be involved in the sustainable-campus transformation at Cornell. It all starts with you. (5) Climate Change: It’s a HOT Topic at Cornell -- At Cornell, addressing climate change is seen as an institutional responsibility, and Cornell is responding with its inspiring and visionary Climate Action Plan. Explore the links between climate change, the environmental movement, and societal impact at Cornell. Through dialogue with faculty, staff, and current students discover your own connections to the climate change crisis and how you can make a difference as a Cornell student. (6) Eco Fall Fest -- Interested in creating environmental solutions? Come out and meet members from clubs creating change now! With a wide variety of focuses including building design, conservation, activism, zero-waste, and much more, find an environmental organization perfect for you. Made up of over 40 organizations involved in environmental sustainability and beyond, ECO is a council for student leaders to band together to improve environmental issues on campus and beyond.