Dickinson College
EN-2: Student Orientation

Sustainability has been a distinctive part of new student orientation each Fall since 2011. In Falls 2012-14, the Center for Sustainability Education and Eco-Reps hosted an information table, offered rebuilt green bikes for students to check out for the semester, organized a sustainability scavenger hunt, and staffed stations to assist students with separating waste and recyclables for move-in. Our green devil sustainability mascot was also present throughout orientation. The sustainability scavenger hunt is a distinct offering open to all new students and typically draws a large percentage of students. In Fall 2014, Dickinson introduced new pre-orientation programs, optional 2-1/2 day intensive programs of experiential education, team building, early involvement, and leadership adventures that introduce new students to Dickinson through interaction with new and current students, faculty, and staff. 12 pre-orientation programs were offered, seven of which connect with sustainability themes: • Change the World through Service! • Food for Thought with the Dickinson College Farm • Kick Start Dickinson (Sustainability Innovation) • Outdoor Orientation I: Bouldering and Caving in West Virginia • Outdoor Orientation II: Whitewater Rafting and Hiking • Outdoor Orientation III: Biking and Rafting the Middle Yough • Why Place Matters: A Sustainable Local Adventure Prior to 2014, orientation included Discover Dickinson programs that engaged groups of 10 to 15 new students in a half-day of service and learning activities that are led by faculty, staff, and students. Six of the 2013 Discover Dickinson programs were sustainability themed and were organized and led by student interns of the Center for Sustainability Education: • A Sustainability Bike Tour: Local resources of the Carlisle community coupled with bike safety education • Take Aim at Climate Change: A behind the scenes tour to learn what Dickinson is doing to combat climate change, coupled with conversation about actions students can take • The Handlebar Bicycle Maintenance Workshop: Students used The Handlebar bicycle coop's resources to tune up their bikes, learn about biking resources in the community, and talk about alternative transportation modes • Grease & Soap, Dickinson's Biodiesel Shop: Students helped make biodiesel from waste vegetable oil for use in Dickinson's farm tractors and vehicles, made soap, and talked about renewable energy • Sustainable Living at Dickinson: Cooking with Local Foods. New students cooked a meal together at the Center for Sustainable Living (aka Treehouse) using ingredients from the Dickinson Farm and other local farms while discussing local food and sustainable food systems • Hiking the South Mountain: the Outing Club introduced a group of new students to South Mountain, leading them for a hike in Michaux State Forest and teaching camping skills

Students will begin their Dickinson experience by participating in one of our many programs designed for 10-20 students. Combining experiential education, team building, early involvement, and leadership adventures, each program introduces students to Dickinson through interaction with new and current students, faculty, and staff. Sustainability is a major focus of many of these programs.