| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 47.15 |
| Liaison | Sergio Alza |
| Submission Date | Nov. 24, 2020 |
Brock University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Elenore
Breslow Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management and Environmental Sustainability Research Centre |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Name of the institution’s featured sustainability program, initiative, or accomplishment:
Ranked as No.1 in Maclean’s for Mental Health Services
A brief description of the institution’s featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
For three years in a row, Brock University has been ranked first among all comprehensive universities in Canada for mental health supports for students, according to the latest annual Maclean’s rankings. The Maclean’s rankings are based on thousands of surveys from students across the country, as well as data from the universities. As a comprehensive institution, Brock is ranked against schools such as Waterloo, Simon Fraser, Ryerson, York, Guelph, Carleton and others.
The ranking is a reflection of Brock’s Student Wellness and Accessibility team, who developed and implemented the mental health initiatives, which include:
- Brock has developed a workshop that explains anxiety and provides students with strategies to manage it, especially around exam time. Some 1,400 students have participated so far, and we also work with instructors to bring this wellness skill-building workshop into the classroom.
- A panel of undergraduate and graduate students advises Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre on everything from hours of operation to what kinds of communication work best with students.
- Brock partners with agencies like Community Addiction Services of Niagara and the CMHA, so that mental health initiatives are supported by a larger system that extends beyond campus. Among other benefits, this means more counselling is available to students, especially during the period leading up to exams which is a particularly stressful time for students.
The ranking is a reflection of Brock’s Student Wellness and Accessibility team, who developed and implemented the mental health initiatives, which include:
- Brock has developed a workshop that explains anxiety and provides students with strategies to manage it, especially around exam time. Some 1,400 students have participated so far, and we also work with instructors to bring this wellness skill-building workshop into the classroom.
- A panel of undergraduate and graduate students advises Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre on everything from hours of operation to what kinds of communication work best with students.
- Brock partners with agencies like Community Addiction Services of Niagara and the CMHA, so that mental health initiatives are supported by a larger system that extends beyond campus. Among other benefits, this means more counselling is available to students, especially during the period leading up to exams which is a particularly stressful time for students.
Which of the following impact areas does the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Wellbeing & Work
Optional Fields
STARS credit in which the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
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A photograph or document associated with the featured program, initiative, or accomplishment:
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Second Point of Distinction
Brock University’s District Energy System
A brief description of the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Brock University recently completed its District Energy Efficiency Project (DEEP), which has upgraded and modernized the University’s co-generation facility – a reliable and energy-efficient source of electricity, heating, and cooling on campus. As part of DEEP, Brock added Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system on each engine exhaust to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and non-methane hydrocarbons. Another example of environmental improvements made through DEEP is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 15% via increased engine efficiency.
Brock’s innovative 7.9 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration plant produces power to cover most of the Main Campus’ needs. Each of these four 2750 HP internal combustion engines produces up to 1,976 Kilowatts of electricity at 4160 volts. This power is used for lighting and research equipment operation, building ventilation systems, operation of cafeterias, etc. As the generators produce power, for every 1 Kilowatt of electricity produced approximately 3,412 btu/h is also generated for a total of up to 6.7MMbtu/h of heat per engine. The recovered heat from the cogeneration engines is used to feed the campus hot water heating system. Hot water is less carbon-intensive than steam production. Hot water is used to heat many campus buildings during winter and produce domestic hot water around campus. In the summertime, the recovered heat is converted by a Lithium Bromide Absorption Chiller to produce chilled water which is used for campus air conditioning systems.
Brock’s innovative 7.9 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration plant produces power to cover most of the Main Campus’ needs. Each of these four 2750 HP internal combustion engines produces up to 1,976 Kilowatts of electricity at 4160 volts. This power is used for lighting and research equipment operation, building ventilation systems, operation of cafeterias, etc. As the generators produce power, for every 1 Kilowatt of electricity produced approximately 3,412 btu/h is also generated for a total of up to 6.7MMbtu/h of heat per engine. The recovered heat from the cogeneration engines is used to feed the campus hot water heating system. Hot water is less carbon-intensive than steam production. Hot water is used to heat many campus buildings during winter and produce domestic hot water around campus. In the summertime, the recovered heat is converted by a Lithium Bromide Absorption Chiller to produce chilled water which is used for campus air conditioning systems.
Which impact areas does the second program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Air & Climate
Buildings
Energy
Buildings
Energy
Website URL where more information about the second program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the second program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency and IN-47: Innovation A
A photograph or document associated with the second program/initiative/accomplishment:
Third Point of Distinction
Annual Waste Audit
A brief description of the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
The University has been conducting annual waste audits and reduction plans since 2010, with results publicly shared on the Sustainability at Brock website. In the 2018 waste audit, Brock had a diversion rate of 73%, which was from 24/7 samples over the course of 8 days from 26 different buildings.
The most recent results demonstrate a number of recommendations and potential pathways forward that the University will assess. For example, while there is already an organics program on campus, the Brock University Project Charter partnership explored the benefit of looking at ways to focus more attention on organics diversion in order to capture more of the organic materials that are currently ending up in the garbage stream.
While Brock continues to look for ways to continue making positive steps towards a more sustainable environment, the partnership focused on Sustainability at Brock encourages the University community to be mindful that small, individual actions can make a big difference. Here are some of their recommendations:
- Purchase and use reusable and/or recyclable materials when possible (i.e. using a reusable water bottle and coffee mug)
- Carefully read all signs on garbage and recycling bins to properly dispose of waste as this can significantly reduce contamination rates
- Participate in events hosted by Sustainability at Brock, which highlight the impact our decisions make and advocates for positive change
- Make pledges to be more environmentally friendly (as seen on the ESRC Instagram page), to encourage holding oneself more accountable and encourage others to take action
The most recent results demonstrate a number of recommendations and potential pathways forward that the University will assess. For example, while there is already an organics program on campus, the Brock University Project Charter partnership explored the benefit of looking at ways to focus more attention on organics diversion in order to capture more of the organic materials that are currently ending up in the garbage stream.
While Brock continues to look for ways to continue making positive steps towards a more sustainable environment, the partnership focused on Sustainability at Brock encourages the University community to be mindful that small, individual actions can make a big difference. Here are some of their recommendations:
- Purchase and use reusable and/or recyclable materials when possible (i.e. using a reusable water bottle and coffee mug)
- Carefully read all signs on garbage and recycling bins to properly dispose of waste as this can significantly reduce contamination rates
- Participate in events hosted by Sustainability at Brock, which highlight the impact our decisions make and advocates for positive change
- Make pledges to be more environmentally friendly (as seen on the ESRC Instagram page), to encourage holding oneself more accountable and encourage others to take action
Which impact areas does the third program/initiative/accomplishment most closely relate to?:
Campus Engagement
Waste
Waste
Website URL where more information about the third program/initiative/accomplishment may be found:
STARS credit in which the third program/initiative/accomplishment is reported (if applicable):
OP-18: Waste Minimization and Diversion
A photograph or document associated with the third program/initiative/accomplishment:
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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.