GO GREEN

Orientation 2011 Greening Steps

In partnership with Orientation  The Campus Sustainability Initiative worked to Green Orientation, including efforts such as :

  • Campus Sustainability Tour lead by OLs
  • Follow-up quiz to knowledge of sustainability at Brandeis!
  • Zero waste first year BBQ and the first Certified Green Event!
  • Distributing sustainability Welcome Kits in dorm rooms- you should receive an energy efficient light bulb, recycling bins, reusable water bottle, and coupon to the Move In Market.
  • Organizing an optional welcome bike ride around Waltham, and a First Year Sleep-Out (more info to come)
  • Holding a Sustainability Teach-in with Laura Goldin entitled: "Greening Campus and Community: How You, Too, Can Change the World through Environmental and Social Justice Learning, Engagement and Activism"
  • Organizing the Move-in-Market Thursday, Sept 1 · 4:00pm - 6:00pm in on Chapels Field. 

Want to show off what you learned in Orientation? Take the GO GREEN Quiz!

New Student Sustainability Tips

There are a lot of ways you can make sustainable choices before you even arrive on campus. Once you are here, there are many opportunities to be involved! Brandeis students have been leaders in creating a more sustainable and green campus.

Top Sustainability Tips for New Students

Pack lightlighting sale

No sure you need something? Hold off on a purchase until moving in. Coordinate with your roommates on big items. You will be glad that you don't have to move, ship or store unnecessary stuff during at the end of the year. We hold a Move In Market during the fall  semester with a sale of reused items. For the spring there is also a Room of Requirement in East to pickup/trade stuff. 

Pack green list

  • Reusable shopping bags, beverage containers and mugs are all great to have. A water bottle will be provided to new students when they arrive.
  • Reusable plates, a sponge and soap for cleaning.
  • Power strips to help turn off chargers, etc.
  • Compact Florescent (CFLs) or LED light bulbs (each student gets 1 free- we will have a sale on Thursday Sept 1 with even more!)
  • Energy Star appliances. (We have a discount coupon see below)
  • Bicycle. A workout and transportation in one.
  • A trash can! Want to keep recycling and trash separate. 

Buy Energy Stark

Most of the electronics used in a dorm room are available in an energy efficient, Energy Star labeled model,
which certifies that it will be more sustainable. In order to make Energy Star even a better deal we partnered with a local store- Best Buy Framingham to offer you 10% Energy Star appliances! Download the coupon.

Avoid Vampires

iPod and cell phone chargers are “vampires.” They draw electricity even when you’re not using them. A power strip is an easy way to shut off electronics.

Recycle

We recycle paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass and aluminum can recycling at Brandeis. A room recycling bin is provided. Recycle your cardboard boxes during move-in! Just flatten them and place them beside the blue recycling bins.

Sleep is Good

Make energy efficiency a habit by turning off lights and appliances when you aren’t using them or enabling the power saving settings on your computer before you come to campus.

Get Involved

Your Eco-Rep is a student leader in your quad who can help get you connected to a Certified Green Room, fun events, and environmental classes and more!

Any questions? Contact Campus Sustainability Coordinator Janna Cohen-Rosenthal '03 at jannacr@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4194.

Getting Oorientation GREEN (GO GREEN) was a project to implement a more environmentally friendly Mid-Year Orientation starting January 2011. A group of students have worked hard in the Greening the Ivory Tower class for Fall 2010 to make the midyear orientation the greenest ever- now some of their ideas are incorporated in the regular orientation!