| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.73 |
| Liaison | Stephanie MacPhee |
| Submission Date | Aug. 12, 2011 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dalhousie University
ER-4: Sustainability Outreach and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes
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A brief description of the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
The website is home to all issues relating to sustainability at Dalhousie. The website is broken down into a main homepage which lists recent news and highlights in the world of sustainability at Dal. The site offers a list of sustainable policies, publications and sustainability programs (including Dalhousie's very own 'Rethink Program'; ways to get involved; news and events, and external links of interest. Here you can find Dalhousie's recently approved University Sustainability Operations Plan. Each of the links on the main homepage have sub-links that further expand and provide additional information relating to issues of sustainability.
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The website URL for the central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts:
None
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
Newsletter describes current and key events that are happening at Dalhousie regarding sustainability. Users can also subscribe via email to get a sustainability newsletter emailed to them.
None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
None
Does the institution have a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
One method is via the class ENVS 3502. In this course the campus serves as a living laboratory for identifying, evaluating and assessing indicators of progress toward greater campus sustainability. Working in groups, students apply problem solving models to case studies using qualitative and quantitative research methods and make recommendations for improvements on campus based on their analyses. A conference is then held, open to the public, where presentations are made regarding student's research.
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The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
None
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes
None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Mona Campbell building has a self-directed green building tour with green building signage throughout the building.
• cistern to collect nonpotable water and low flow fixtures – signs in bathrooms
• 85 heat pumps to recirculate heat from different parts of the building – sign
• high-efficiency lighting with sensors that detect when a room is in use or not –sign
• FSC-certified maple paneling – sign on the FSC paneling
• "OptiNet" air quality sensors that measure humidity, carbon dioxide and small particles – signs near optinet sensors
• recycling and organics bins on each floor – sign near bins
• "Bubbledeck" technology used, a construction method that uses fewer materials and energy than traditional methods – sign and sample on first floor
• "green" roof, planted with drought-resistant sedum and grasses – sign by window looking at green roof
• solar wall, about 200 metres square, to preheat ventilation air – sign near solar wall
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The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
None
Does the institution have food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes
None
A brief description of food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Food is integral to everyday life, and the food choices we make every day have a significant impact on communities and the environment. The degree to which a food source is sustainable depend upon factors including: the level of pesticides and herbicides applied during the growing process; where and how food is grown in terms of land use and agricultural practices (e.g. organic or genetically modified products, etc.), and the impact it has in terms of the energy involved in production and distribution.
Aramark is working to list products that are local and encourage greater use of local supplies. Their food supply is sourced from the Maritime Provinces through its Farm-to-Table program. They provide organic fair-trade coffee in many of their campus locations and through their catering service. They have also made an effort to reduce packaging. Their initiatives are detailed here. Aramark and Sodexho (servicing the Student Union Building) offer a 10 cent discount on coffee and other hot drinks if you bring your own mug.
In 2008, all residence dining halls managed by Aramark removed the serving trays and went "trayless". This has eliminated the washing of 4,100 trays per day, or, 900,000 trays per year. Annually, it will save 870,655 litres of water and the associated energy needed to heat it, as well as reduce the use of washing chemicals.
In 1998, Dalhousie initiated an organic waste collection program which includes food waste and non-recyclable paper products. Collection sites are located outdoors adjacent to residence cafeterias, the Student Union Building, the Oxford Street warehouse, and various departmental lounges and buildings. 181.88 tonnes of organic waster was collected by Facilities Management in 2006, and the total from 1999-2006 was 1126.55 tonnes.
Since 1996, Seymour Green, a raised bed community garden, has been located on campus.
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The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
None
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed?:
No
None
A brief description of signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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None
The website URL for signage on the grounds about sustainable grounds-keeping strategies employed:
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None
Does the institution have a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
The tour is 30 minutes – 1 hour and has up to 10 sites on the tour that weaves throughout the campus. The Tour covers:
1. LSC – $30 million sustainability retrofit (solar panel stop and other green building features);
2. New water fountains in Chemistry building;
3. Unique green building features in Mona Campbell including bubble deck display;
4. Oldest tree on campus – behind Shirreff Hall
5. Food gardens on Seymour Street and behind computer science building
6. Idle-free and ride share signs – Dentistry loop
7. Highest energy and water consuming buildings – discussion at the Tupper building – along with the opportunity for solar
8. We car – car share station on carelton campus
9. Campus Bike Centre
10. New lighting upgrades/Idea building sexton campus
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The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
None
Does the institution have a guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
Dalhousie has a sustainable transportation plan that promotes the use of alternative methods of transportation such as the metro buss system and cycling. Please see websites for more detail.
http://office.sustainability.dal.ca/Files/Sustainable_Transportation_May_20101.pdf
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The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use alternative methods of transportation:
None
Does the institution have a guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Campus Green Guide. Dalhousie University go-to for sustainable and green living resources. This small but mighty tome contains some very important information for living a sustainable lifestyle. Guide provides practical advice on how to live a sustainable lifestyle that can be used by a variety of audiences.
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The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
None
Does the institution have regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper (either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat)?:
Yes
None
A brief description of regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
Regular coverage on all topics pertaining to sustainability occurs in the online news paper for the university, Dalhousie News. There is something sustainability related in all editions (weekly coverage).
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The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (1st material):
Yes
None
A brief description of this material:
Dalhousie's Re-think program is a primary tool used to produce sustainability publications and outreach material.
None
The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (2nd material):
Yes
None
A brief description of this material:
Dalhousie has a sustainability blog that focuses on all matters relating to sustainability.
None
The website URL for this material:
None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (3rd material):
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None
A brief description of this material:
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None
The website URL for this material:
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None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (4th material):
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None
A brief description of this material:
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None
The website URL for this material:
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None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (5th material):
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None
A brief description of this material:
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None
The website URL for this material:
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None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (6th material):
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None
A brief description of this material:
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None
The website URL for this material:
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None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (7th material):
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None
A brief description of this material:
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None
The website URL for this material:
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None
Does the institution produce another sustainability publication or outreach material not covered above? (8th material):
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None
A brief description of this material:
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None
The website URL for this material:
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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.