English Español
English Español

INAUGURATION OF
EARTH UNIVERSITY’S NEW PRESIDENT,
DR. ARTURO CONDO

WELCOME

INAUGURATION OF EARTH UNIVERSITY’S PRESIDENT, DR. ARTURO CONDO


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, March 8

Guests arrive on campus

6:30 p.m.
Transfer to President’s House
Meeting point:PEP main entrance
6:45–9:00 p.m.
Cocktail and Dinner
Location: President’s house
Dress code: Casual

9:00 p.m.
Transfer to PEP

Thursday, March 9

8:00–9:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Location: PEP
9:30 a.m.
Transfer to gymnasium
Meeting point: PEP main entrance
10:00–12:00 p.m.
Presidential Inauguration Ceremony
Keynote Speaker – Christiana Figueres

Former Executive Secretary to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Location: Gymnasium
Dress code: Business casual
12:00 p.m.
Transfer to Tim and Denny Solso Conference Center
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Luncheon
Location: Tim and Denny Solso Conference Center, PEP
2:00–5:30 p.m.
Forum:
“EARTH University and the Challenges of Global Sustainability”
Location: Gymnasium

Session One

2:00-2:20 p.m.
Panelist: Ms. Ana Helena Chacón, Vice President of Costa Rica
2:20-2:30 p.m.
Panelist: Fourth year EARTH Student
2:30-2:50 p.m.
Panelist: Ms. Yanine Chan, Academic Dean EARTH University
2:50-3:30 p.m.
Discussion Q/A
3:30-4:00 p.m.
Coffee Break

Session Two

4:00-4:20 p.m.
Panelist: Faculty Member, EARTH University
4:20-4:30 p.m.
Panelist: Fourth year EARTH Student
4:30-4:50 p.m.
Panelist: Mr. John McArthur, Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution & Senior Advisor on Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation
4:50-5:30 p.m.
Discussion Q/A
5:45 p.m.
Transfer to PEP


6:30 p.m.
Transfer to President’s House
Meeting point: PEP main entrance
7:00–9:00 p.m.
Farewell Dinner
Location: President’s house

Dress code: Casual
9:00 p.m.
Transfer to PEP

Friday, March 10

7:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Cafeteria
07:45 a.m.
08:15 a.m.
Presentation: EARTH’s Commercial Operation
-Erick Aguilar
Videoconference room
Academic #2
08:15 a.m.
09:15 a.m.
Field trip:banana plantation and packing plant
-Erick Aguilar
Shuttle at Library circular driveway
09:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
Field trip: Periurban Agriculture Project
-Alex Pacheco, Professor, Agroecology and Natural Resources
Shuttle continues from packing plant to periurban project
10:45 a.m.
12:00 m
Field trip: Integrated Animal Farm
-Arnoldo Avila
Shuttle continues from periurban project to animal farm
12:10 p.m.
Lunch
Cafeteria
01:30 p.m.
03:00 p.m.
Field trip:Entrepreneurial project (Organic Farm)
-Irene Alvarado
Shuttle at PEP’s circular driveway
03:30 p.m.
04:30 p.m.
Presentation: Admissions process
-Julius Mbuga
Videoconference room
Academic #2
06:30 p.m.
Dinner
Las Terrazas restaurant
Shuttle at PEP’s circular driveway

Saturday, March 11

08:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Breakfast debrief with
-Arturo Condo
Private dining room
10:15 a.m.
Departure from EARTH
Shuttle at PEP’s circular driveway
11:30 a.m.
12:55 p.m.
Field trip: coffee plantation
-Juan Ramon Alvarado (Class 1999)
01:00 p.m.
Lunch
Brumas del Zurqui
02:30 p.m.
Departure from Brumas del Zurqui
03:30 p.m.
04:30 p.m.
Gold Museum visit
Street 5th
05:00 p.m.
Namu Gallery visit
Av. 7 between Calles 5 and 7
06:15 p.m.
Departure to the Hampton Inn Hotel


Dinner – on own
  • Rosti Pollos and Denny’s are within walking distance of the Hampton Inn
  • The Hampton Inn has a shuttle at 7:30 p.m. which will take you to Plaza Real, a shopping area with a variety of restaurant options. Taxis are available at the front desk if you want to go at another time or place.


PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

As you prepare for your trip to EARTH, we want to pass along some helpful information that will help you make the most of your experience on campus. The agenda will include field trips to the rainforest reserve, campus farms, and gardens; presentations and interactions with faculty and students; and time to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the University’s 8,200-acre campus.

Weather and Dress

Temperatures at EARTH are consistently hot and humid, so you should feel free to dress comfortably and casually. On campus, appropriate daywear for campus tours and meals includes lightweight long pants, t-shirts and hiking boots or tennis shoes. Due to the prevalence of mosquitoes and other biting insects, long pants and closed toe shoes are recommended for farm tours.

During the evening, slacks and polo shirts are appropriate for men and casual dresses, skirts or slacks and sandals are appropriate for women.

The weather in San José will be much cooler, in the 60s and 70s, especially in the evenings.

Essential Packing List

Sunscreen
Bug repellant
Wide-brim hat
Sunglasses
Lightweight long pants* and long sleeve shirts
Hiking boots or comfortable closed-toe outdoor shoes*
Resort casual evening outfits
Light sweater/jacket
Water bottle – tap water in Costa Rica is safe to drink

*Visits to our Organic Farm and Community Development Experience require closed shoes and long pants

Before Arriving in Costa Rica

Unless you use a global data plan on your cell phone, we recommend turning off your cellular service before landing in Costa Rica. Otherwise, data and roaming charges can be considerable. Wi-Fi is available at PEP and all across central campus. Passwords are not required for access.

Before Departing from Costa Rica

In order to depart campus in a timely way, please pack your bags before breakfast on the day of your departure. Luggage may be left in your room until departure, but there will be no time to pack after lunch, so please be sure luggage is ready before breakfast.

Airport Exit Tax – customarily paid separately upon leaving the country, this tax has been included now in fares with nearly all major airlines including, Delta, American, Avianca, Copa, Jet Blue and United. As of this writing, only a handful of airlines still require the tax to be paid at the airport in advance of departure at the assigned counter (or your hotel may process this for you upon request).

 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR STAY

Accommodations at EARTH

Housing during your stay will be at PEP – the University’s conference center. Rooms are comfortable and have private baths and hot showers. Overhead fans keep rooms cool. Wi-Fi is available at many points throughout campus, including PEP.

Check-in time is 2:00 p.m. and check-out is 11:30 a.m.

The reception desk is open Monday to Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays.

Meals

The EARTH cafeteria serves a healthy menu with sustainably grown food produced on EARTH’s academic farms. A vegetarian option is available at all meals.

The water at EARTH (and in San Jose) is completely safe to drink. We refrain from using disposable plastic bottles on campus, but you may refill your reusable bottle anywhere on campus. And if you need a water bottle, visit Oropéndola, the campus store, to purchase one with the EARTH logo!

Should you have a severe food allergy to note, please email Margaret Jenkins at mjenkins@earth-usa.org

Aroma’s coffee shop is a very popular recent addition to the campus. Their hours are the same as Oropéndola. Be sure to stop by for a delicious cappuccino, espresso, or cold refreshment.

La Jama is the student snack bar near PEP (next to the pool tables). It is open from
8 am – 10 pm, except during meal times. Colones only, please.

Campus Sustainability

Our campus is carbon neutral thanks to our efforts to reduce our carbon output, increase our forest cover and promote conservation. You can help us maintain our green in the following ways:

Classify waste

Use the color-coded garbage containers correctly and consistently
Save energy

Turn off the lights and ceiling fans while not in the room
Drink tap water

The water is safe to drink directly from tap. You can also buy a reusable water bottle at La Oropendola gift shop on campus.