Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.05
Liaison Nicole Arsenault
Submission Date April 20, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

York University
EN-3: Student Life

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
Yes or No
Active student groups focused on sustainability Yes
Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems Yes
Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes Yes
Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills No
Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience Yes
Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles No
Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences No
Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills Yes
Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution Yes
Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions No
Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives Yes

The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:

Regenesis @ York is a student-run, grassroots environmental and social justice organization. They believe in empowering students as initiators of change. They focus on real, comprehensive and practical solutions to make York’s campus and communities, cities and planet a more sustainable place. Regenisis @ York is responsible for projects including: cycling, urban gardens, and the YUM farmers market.


The website URL where information about student groups is available:
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A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:

The Maloca Community Garden is located on York University’s Keele campus and features approximately 2,000 sq. ft. devoted to both individual and communal plots for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. The garden was established by Faculty of Environmental Studies students to provide an opportunity for individuals affiliated with York University to learn about, grow and harvest food according to the principles of organic agriculture. The methods used and taught at Maloca Garden stress minimal environmental impact.


The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:

The Lunik Co-op café located at York’s Glendon campus is a student-run cafe that has adopted a number of sustainable practices. Lunik’s official objectives state that in operation, it will uphold the principles of sustainability broken down into three forms: equity/social sustainability, economic/ financial sustainability, and’ environmental/ resource sustainability. On top of that, Lunik has a Safe Space policy to ensure the café is a safe, equitable and sustainable social environment.


The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
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A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
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The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
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A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

Ontario’s Sustainability Challenge – October 17, 2013
The Symposium on Sustainability was facilitated by the former Toronto Mayor and environmental consultant David Miller. The symposium presented the potential for renewable energy and for green engineering in Ontario.


The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
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A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:

The Eco Art and Media Festival is an annual event held every spring that is coordinated by the Faculty of Environmental Studies. With the goal of inspiring public discussion, engagement and dialogue around a yearly environmental/social theme, the festival incorporates: visual arts, dramatic performance, an academic forum, film/video/new media, workshops, food, music, dance, public outreach, spoken word, storytelling and more. The festival is a campus-wide event and is co-sponsored by multiple faculties at York.


The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:
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The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
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A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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The website URL where information about the theme is available:
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A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:

The Rez Race to Zero program is allows students living in residences to learn how to reduce their energy consumption. Environmental Ambassadors in each residence are tasked with educating their peers on sustainable practices to achieve lower energy consumption.


The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
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A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:

York University has a work-study position available for students that wish to work in sustainability at York. The Responsibilities of the sustainability assistant include: Create sustainability related engagement initiatives targeted at students, maintain consistent community presence for sustainability (tabling in heavy foot traffic areas) assist coordination of student involvement in YorkU projects (campus clean up days, water bottle phase out), facilitate student centered initiative(s), (e.g. pledge drive, engagement competitions, “green” training for clubs), seek out and take collaborative opportunities, exhibit professionalism and pride in the institution, be a consistently positive and engaging role model with an evident passion for sustainability.


The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
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A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
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The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
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A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:

York’s EcoTeam is a student-run organization that exists to encourage fellow York University students to engage in sustainability. The EcoTeam plans events throughout the year to spread awareness, educate and advocate for change in multiple sustainability and environmental issues.


The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.