San Diego State University
EN-2: Student Orientation

Sustainability is a core value at SDSU and we seek to communicate this value to new students from their first day on campus. We demonstrate our commitment to building a more sustainable world at orientations through educational outreach programs, by highlighting resources for students, and by setting an example at events through sustainable campus practices. SDSU offers Explore SDSU Open House which is a free all-campus event featuring an information fair, academic program information sessions, tours and open houses. This is a great opportunity for future students to explore what life is like as a student at San Diego State University during the spring before the series of orientations for new student and parents throughout the summer. This then culminates with an All-University Convocation and Welcome Week in the fall. We table at every Explore SDSU in which we provide presentations and campus sustainability tours. The Office of Sustainability works to reduce waste at orientation events. Interns and volunteer students had a booth where we had information about waste minimization and sustainable practices. The booth also included a recycling game that teaches parents and students alike on how to sort their landfill, recycling, and compost. Students stood at waste areas where they would teach students on how to properly dispose of their waste integrating sustainability into our campus culture from day one. Sustainable practices prominently featured at orientation include: offering materials on-line to reduce printing; food service; and promotion of alternative transportation options; programs that support diversity, student achievement, and community engagement; health and wellness resources for students; and the Aztec Shops Book Store textbook rental program. We also have a section in the Student Handbooks (page 14) which is given out at summer orientations: - "Office of Sustainability is an effort to improve campus sustainability through operations, engagement, academics and research. Sustainability focuses on balancing the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability works to reduce environmental impacts, while improving social and economic conditions. SDSU has a Climate Action Plan with a goal to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050 and operational carbon neutrality 2040. On campus, Office of Sustainability works to improve operations including LEED-certified green buildings, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and recycling and composting. Students can participate through student organizations like GreenLove and e3. They can also pitch in by recycling, bringing reusable containers, and coming to campus by walking, biking, carpooling or on transit. Students can also major or minor in sustainability or take a variety of sustainability-related classes, regardless of their major."