Greener Foundations

Greener Foundations is designed to help new Evergreen students transition successfully to academic and student life.

About Greener Foundations

Greener Foundations is a 2-credit course in fall quarter on Monday afternoons. You will connect with the Evergreen community, campus resources and opportunities, while developing skills essential for academic success, and discovering your own purpose and potential at Evergreen.

We know that college is a different experience than high school. We know that Evergreen’s freedom of choice, team-taught classes, and narrative evaluations give you a unique college experience. We’re proud of our differences, and ready to help you navigate Evergreen.

You’ll spend a couple of hours a week getting to know your fellow students, learning about Evergreen and its history, drawing up your academic plans, getting to know faculty and advisors, visiting various offices and resources on campus, exploring your education, getting out into the community, and having fun!

Who Is Greener Foundations For?

Greener Foundations is designed for students new to college. If you’re coming directly from high school, or after a gap year or two, Greener Foundations is for you! If you are transferring from another institution and are still in your first year of college, Greener Foundations is for you too! If you have completed some college-level course work while in high school, Greener Foundations is also for you!

Learning Outcomes

There are three learning outcomes for Greener Foundations, all of which are intended to help you connect today and excel tomorrow:

Foster Academic Success
Connect with the Evergreen Community
Prepare for a life in the changing world of the 21st century

These learning outcomes are achieved through meaningful assignments, readings, videos, and in-class discussions and activities.

Class Exceptions

Students are not expected to take Greener Foundations if:

You have already finished the 4-credit sequence of Greener Foundations classes
You have successfully completed a college-level Student Success course somewhere else
You have received 40 or more college credits, indicating you have learned to navigate and thrive in college
You were a Running Start Student
You are 21 years old or more
You are registered in the TRIO program

Register for Greener Foundations
All you have to do is register!

Any first-year student registering for an academic program (that is coordinated with Greener Foundations) will automatically be prompted to register for a Greener Foundations section.

If you are interested in being part of Greener Foundations but it isn't part of your program, email greenerfoundations@evergreen.edu.

How to Register

Visit the Greener Foundations Help Wiki for step-by-step instructions on how to register for Greener Foundations.

Greener Foundations Registration (Help Wiki)

Request an Exemption

If you feel you should not be registered for this class, you can request an exemption. No exemption requests will be granted after the form has closed.

Accepting Exemption Requests for Fall 2025:
May 19, 2025 – October 10, 2025 at 3 pm (PST)

Request an Exemption from Greener Foundations (MS Forms)