| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.99 |
| Liaison | Eric Meliton |
| Submission Date | Dec. 20, 2013 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wilfrid Laurier University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Eric
Meliton Manager: Sustainability Office Facilities and Asset Management |
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | Yes | Yes |
| Investment | Yes | Yes |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The plan to advance sustainability in Curriculum is to offer an inter-disciplinary Sustainability Option to all undergrad students at the Waterloo campus, provide professional continuing opportunities in sustainability, expand sustainability within curriculum including practical initiatives happening at Laurier and increase the amount and participation of sustainability organizations within Community Service Learning.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Target for education scope increase is completion in one years time. The measurable objectives used for this area include, the number and facets of programs integrated, the number of programs and topics integrated and the percentage of people involved in sustainability on and off campus.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Faculty of Arts, Business and Economics, Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies, Liberal Arts, Music, Science, Social Work, Education and Seminary.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
Laurier's plan to advance sustainability in research includes improving the academic scope regarding sustainability.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
The strategy for achieving advancement in sustainable research is to provide professional continuing education opportunities in sustainability and formalize a sustainability collaborative between stakeholder groups on campus and potentially in the local community, expand sustainability topics within the curriculum including practical initiatives at Laurier. We will be able to measure the success of this initiative by the amount of increase in campus research projects based in sustainability.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Research Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
Plans to increase Campus Engagement around sustainability include improving internal media channels and strengthening advertising capabilities, distribute accomplishments to external bulletins, conferences, etc. and to increase and improve modes of communication from the Sustainability Office.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
The percentage of people involved in sustainability on and off campus, the amount of online following and outreach the office has and the popularity of events held by the office. The timeline for increased campus engagements is 2013 to have quantifiable data that indicates growth within this area.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
Plans to advance public engagement include engaging the local and broader community in Laurier sustainability initiatives, enhancing the degree of community and campus partnerships and strengthening awareness of sustainability and citizenship through learning, research and community service.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Laurier plans to accomplish this by including the community in events and participate in community initiatives, offer programs and time off for volunteering to faculty and staff, expand Community Service Learning (CSL) opportunities in sustainability and expand Laurier's current partnerships. We plan on measuring these achievements through the number of initiatives and the level of participation, the percentage of staff who become involved in community programs, the percentage of students who become involved with CSL and the number of projects integrated within the community
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
Laurier's plan to advance sustainability in air and climate is to continue to be an observing member of Sustainable Waterloo Region, a non-profit organization that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
The following goals and related action items in the Sustainability Action Plan are meant to achieve a 15% carbon emissions reduction by 2016, based on 2009 numbers
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Sustainability Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
The development of all new buildings on campus must follow the criteria of a minimum of LEED Silver and Laurier must aim to improve building structures and surrounding infrastructure that are to remain on campus long-term. Laurier plans to abide by the Sustainable, Open Space and Building Material Reclamation Design Guidelines, ensure interested stakeholder groups are engaged in the development process and ensure all buildings are designed with efficient maintenance and operational requirements.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
The strategies that will be taken to meet this goal include, following the Sustainable Design, Operations and Open Space Guidelines and recommission buildings. The success will be measured based upon the number of buildings that meet these requirements.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Physical Resources, Planning, Design & Construction
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Laurier plans to benchmark and institutionalize the local and organic food practices by integrating sustainable certification requirements into Laurier's food policy for all contracts and support and integrate student initiatives and community partnerships. We also plan on improving the reach of our current food programs by expanding our partnerships with local food non-profits and community groups to increase participation on Laurier's plot with the Farm Market.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
The strategies that will be taken to achieve improvements in Dining Services include benchmarking and institutionalizing the current sustainable food practices and set targets for improvements. We will measure the success of this program through the percentage change of sustainable food purchasing and programs.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Food Services, Student Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
The plan to advance sustainability in Energy is to decrease our natural gas and electricity consumption by 10% over the space of the action plan based on 2009 numbers. We plan on accomplishing this by ensuring that equipment upgrades and replacements follow energy saving standards and guidelines, perform a renewable energy assessment for fitting areas and technologies on campus and solicit incentives and funding opportunities for renewable energy installations and calibrate Building Automation System every 3 years to ensure it is operating efficiently.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
The strategy to achieve this objective is to complying with Sustainable Design and Operations Guidelines for all new constructions, retrofit custodial and maintenance closets with occupying sensors, train Physical Resource and other staff in energy management initiatives and accurately capture and report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and strengthen energy management awareness through programming.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Physical Resources, Facilities Operations
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Laurier's plans to advance sustainability in Grounds stems from water conservation and the goal to decrease water consumption by at least 7% over the span of the next 5 years. Ground maintenance and upgrade are a part of Laurier's overall initiative to better preserve Laurier's ecology.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Some strategies for reducing water consumption is to reduce the amount of water from the City's supply that is used for ground maintenance. Laurier also plans to continue to abide by the new Open Space Guidelines by planting local plants and building habitats for native species, follow the Smart About Salt program and pledge to only use environmentally friendly salt products for the winter season along with the use of calibrated salters which help lower the amount of salt used and pick up e-waste from departments to be properly disposed of by an environmentally conscious third party.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Physical Resources, Grounds
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
In order to advance sustainability in purchasing, Laurier plans to promote sustainability in our daily business practices.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
In order to achieve this goal Laurier plans to develop sustainable purchasing policies, including a life-cycle analysis approach that ensures use of energy star rated equipment, Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) products, recycled content, fair trade, local, organic, green certified hygiene products, etc.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Procurement Services
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Laurier's plans to advance sustainability in transportation are to improve and expand alternative transportation incentives and communicate broadly and to improve the sustainability profile of the campus fleet.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
We plan on accomplishing this objective by establishing prime parking spots as part of our carpooling programs, diversify our carpool matching services to expand compatibility, establish secured bike parking facilities, establish a bike share program, investigate feasibility of hybrid of fully electric vehicle for grounds, catering services and student recruitment through pilot program and monitor the GHG emissions of campus vehicles. Laurier plans to provide more alternatives to driving and integrate efficient vehicles on campus and measure the number of new initiatives and efficient modes of transportation that are introduced on campus.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Parking and Transportation Resources
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
The plan to advance sustainability in waste include increasing diversion rate by at least 10% over the span of 5 years, based on 2009 numbers, improve recycling and composting capacity of food services on campus and dispose of all toxic materials in an environmentally responsible manner.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
In order to achieve these goals Laurier intends on actively promoting resource sharing, electronic communication, bulk purchasing and aggregated delivery office supply swap programs. We also plan on placing more recycling centres across campus wit clear signage in both public and departmental areas, eliminate disposable take-out containers and utensils in all university operated food service and retail operations and formalize an equipment and furniture replacement program to allow for reuse where possible prior to recycling. Laurier is also in the process of expanding it's central recycling program to include composting centres in all food areas and provide transportable recycling and composting infrastructure for catered events. The time frame to advance sustainability in waste at Laurier is to increase diversion by 10% over 5 years through infrastructure and operations improvement and will be measured by the percentage of diversion based on yearly audits.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Physical Resources, Sustainability Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Laurier's plan to advance sustainability in water include decreasing water consumption by at least 7% over the span of 5 years and to provide alternatives to bottled water in public and department areas on campus.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
In order to achieve these goals Laurier plans on designing new buildings with water efficiency and harvesting in mind, accurately measuring and monitoring each building's water usage via billing and/or energy management system, using efficient models with replacing fixtures and integrating water conservation awareness through programs. In order to achieve a water bottle phase-out Laurier plans on installing built-in bottle-fill stations in all academic buildings, retrofitting existing water fountains to service reusable water bottles and advertise and expand bottle-fill water coolers on campus. The time frame for this objective is 5 years to decrease water consumption by 7% and accomplishing this through design, harvesting and programing and will be measured using the percentage change of water use found on water submeters.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Physical Resources, Facilities Operations
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Laurier's plan to advance Diversity through the Accessibility Plan put forth by the Diversity and Equity Office. The plan includes strategic planning, short and long-term objectives, new policies and revision of existing policies and overview of a standing committee, Laurier Accessibility Advisory Committee, dedicated to diversity and accessibility at Wilfrid Laurier University. Laurier has also recently launched the Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program. The goal of this certificate is to engage Laurier staff and faculty in conversations about diversity and equity and to provide resources, knowledge, and tools required to make Laurier and inclusive campus.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
The Diversity and Equity Office plans to achieve these objectives by staying on course with their planning modules and reaching their set targets. The success of the Inclusive Excellence Certificate Program will be measured in the number of faculty and staff members who sign up for the workshops that are needed to complete the certification process.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Diversity and Equity Office
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
Wilfrid Laurier University provides programs and services to help employees maximize the relationship between their job and their health. We are committed to providing guidance and supper to employees and managers during medical leave, a return to work and by facilitating workplace accommodations. Laurier strives to help employees balance their work and person lives by creating a positive, productive and respectful environment, where employees feel recognized, valued and supported. Laurier plans on advancing sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work by implementing the Wilfrid Laurier Wellness committee who have been organized to provide benefit programs and resources which promote emotional wellness, physical health, personal growth and fulfillment of our Laurier community.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
The strategies that will be used to include Health, Wellbeing and Work into future plans will be to value the advice given by the Wilfrid Laurier Wellness committee in regards to employee wellbeing and take appropriate action to ensure their objectives as a committee are met.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Human Resources, Employee Health & Well-being
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
Laurier's plans to advance sustainability in investment include assessing endowment investment in sustainable corporations and entities and recommend strategies for increasing investment and to promote sustainability in Laurier's daily business operations.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Laurier plans on achieving advancement in sustainable investment by seeking positive investments that promote sustainability including sustainable industries, businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance and socially responsible investment and mutual funds, and community developed financial institutions. Laurier also plans to integrate sustainability related funds into the Laurier Student Investment Fund, strengthen the output of information on ethical and sustainable products used on the Laurier campus and showcase the suppliers/manufacturers that provide them and revisit contracts as they come up for renewal and include relevant sustainability additions.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
Financial Resources
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
Unknown.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Unknown.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
Unknown.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability refers to the development and maintenance of social, economic, and ecological health and well being for both ourselves and future generations. At Laurier, the scope of sustainability involves education, operations, and community relations. Laurier will be better equipped to respond to emerging trends and opportunities by effectively managing sustainability in the short, medium, and long term.
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Wilfrid Laurier University’s ‘Sustainability Action Plan’ has been created to establish initiatives and related milestones for sustainability progress within the scope of Education, Operations, and Community Partnerships, based on our current standing.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.