University of New Hampshire
EN-2: Student Orientation

New student exposure to and engagement with sustainability begins even before students are enrolled, as the Sustainability Institute (SI) staff work directly with UNH Admissions to ensure sustainability is part of campus tours. SI via its Changemaker Collaborative provides sustainability training via presentations, resources and materials to UNH tour guides (student staff) and Admission Counselors (professional staff) annually. The presentations introduce students to sustainability principles, how UNH practices sustainability, and initiatives that take place on campus, including efforts toward energy and zero waste, sustainable investing and racial equity.

For incoming students, sustainability is embedded in all aspects of student orientation. They are encouraged to participate in pre-orientation programs, all of which include sustainability: www.unh.edu/orientation/pre-orientation-programs

UNH's Changemaker Collaborative at the Sustainability Institute, which gives students a chance to work directly with sustainability both in and out of the classroom, is featured in the UNH’s June Orientation. For example, it was one of the featured presentations on "Campus Life Resources and Opportunities" (see https://media.unh.edu/channel/New+Students/162665801) in June 2021.

Incoming freshman, transfer, and commuter students participate in Wildcat Days the weekend before fall classes begin. Programming includes sustainability themes throughout the Student Orientation performance of “The Wild Year Ahead”, which addresses several topics related to college life by WildActs, UNH's only social justice theatre troupe. New students are also introduced to encouraged to participate in, the Sustainability Advocates program in residence halls; and in other structured activities (e.g. a Sustainability Campus Tour as part of the planned fall 2021 "choose your own adventure" program.) www.unh.edu/orientation/wildcat-days

In addition, there is an emphasis on outfitting dorm rooms and apartments from UNH’s “Trash 2 Treasure” yard sale. This sale is open to the entire community at fall move-in and with items that students donate during spring move-out. It is held prominently on-campus and advocates a “Zero-Waste” goal. During Move-In weekend, representatives from SI attend the yard sale and talk with parents and incoming students about sustainable initiatives on campus, such as the Sustainability Advocates, the Sustainability Dual Major, the Sustainability Fellowship, the Semester in the City program, waste reduction through proper recycling methods, and sustainability student groups. UNH Housing takes on the task of diverting all the cardboard produced from Move-In from the garbage to cardboard recycling, among other recycling initiatives.

During the fall semester, there are a variety of events where undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students learn about sustainability at UNH, such as through the Resident Assistants training and resource fair, UNH tour guides training, University Day, Graduate Student Resource Fair, Parents' Weekend, the Career and Internship Fair, and Commuter and Transfer Students Resource Fair. SI holds a booth at these events informing students about sustainability initiatives at UNH both academically and in the community, opportunities to get involved, and what resources and events are available to them. Other offices that provide information and opportunities related to sustainability include University Transportation Services, the Office of Commuter Students, the Aulbani J. Beauregard Center for Equity, Freedom And Justice, the office of Community, Equity and Diversity, UNH Dining, and UNH Housing and Residential Life.