Green Commencement/Reunion Weekend Initiatives
In 2007, Oberlin College began its journey towards climate neutrality by hosting its first eco-friendly Commencement/Reunion weekend. The “green commencement” initiative provided more than 5,000 alumni, family members and friends a variety of ways to reduce their carbon footprint during the four-day event. Since then, we have increased the number of green initiatives and ways for those in attendance to reduce their environmental impact. We again encourage this year’s graduating class, family members, and alumni to learn more about how they can purchase carbon offsets, decrease their use of energy, and responsibly dispose of any waste generated during this weekend.
Bring Your Own Water Bottle
As part of our ongoing effort to make Commencement/Reunion Weekend have as little impact on the planet as possible, in 2009 the Green Commencement/Reunion Committee asked Campus Dining Services to eliminate single use water bottles wherever possible. Again in 2012, we are asking all alumni, graduates and their families to help us reduce the amount of plastic on campus by using a refillable water bottle. Water will be available in several locations throughout the weekend, so bring your reusable water bottle with you!
Bio-ware Used for Plates and Flatware
In an effort to reduce the amount of waste generated from the many Commencement/Reunion events, Campus Dining Services, managed by Bon Appétit Management Company, has replaced all plastic ware with bio-ware. The used bio-ware plates, cups, knives, spoons and forks will be collected in special containers and composted in an off-site facility. This process requires your help to be successful. Please take the time to dispose of only bio-ware in the marked containers. With your help, we will be able to repurpose waste that would otherwise have been deposited into a landfill.
Approximately 20-35% of the food served by Campus Dining Services and Bon Appétit will be from local sources.
Composting Available at Select Meals
During two of the main events, the Friday night picnic and the Celebration Luncheon on Sunday, all of the biodegradable waste will be composted. Every plate, cup, utensil and scrap of food will be compostable at these meals. Composting will also be available at other meal locations across campus.
Green Pledge Signed by the Senior Class
The Class of 2007 was the first to adopt a Green Pledge, and more than 264 Seniors signed a Social and Environmental Responsibility Pledge and wore green ribbons during Commencement. The hope is for every future class to adopt the same pledge: "I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of my future career and lifestyle decisions. I will also try to improve these aspects of any organization for which I work."
Carbon Offsets Purchased by Participants
Donations towards offsetting carbon emissions for travel to Commencement/Reunion Weekend will be accepted at the Green Education Booth near Headquarters in the Science Center through POWER Fund (Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly). When you offset your carbon through the POWER Fund, you fight climate change, stimulate the local economy and lift people out of poverty. POWER offsets carbon by making low-income housing as efficient as possible.
Printed Reunion Directories Replaced with Online Connections
In 2012, the 15th, 25th, 35th, and 65th Reunion classes are directing all alumni to OBIEWEB for classmate connections. Log onto OBIEWeb to make your own connections by visiting http://www.oberlin.edu/alumni/.
Rideshare Program
Your journey can be part of the celebration and help us green Oberlin: Fly or Drive Together
Whether you fly or drive to Commencement/Reunion Weekend, you now have an opportunity to connect with your neighbors on your journey. You can carpool to Oberlin or share a cab or rental from the airport. Does your car have an extra seat? Use your trip as a mini-reunion and find other Oberlin alumni and friends in your region, while reducing the number of cars traveling to Oberlin in May.
Please utilize the Seeking Rides and Rides Offered sections of Oberlin College's online classifieds to coordinate travel to and from Oberlin.
For information on shuttle rides to and from the Cleveland airport, visit http://www.gohopkins.com.
Rent a bike for the weekend!
Want to park your car for the weekend and get around campus and town in true Oberlin style? Rent a bike from the newly renovated Oberlin Bicycle Co-Operative, located in the basement at the rear of Keep Cottage, 154 N. Main St.
Bikes can be rented by the day or for the whole weekend. The Bike Co-Op accepts cash or checks, but not credit cards. They have a number of bikes, but all bikes are available only on a first-come, first-served basis, so come as early as you can. Locks will not be provided, so please bring your own lock from home.
If you have any questions about the Co-Op’s Bike Rental program, please contact the Oberlin Bicycle Co-Operative, or Nico Osborne, Co-Op co-president.
All bikes must be returned to the Co-Op during open hours, before departing Oberlin. Please do not leave unlocked bikes outside the door!
Programs Printed on 100% Post-Consumer Paper
Commencement programs, Commencement/Reunion Weekend program books, and other printed materials are printed on "Environment." 100% post-consumer paper.
