| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.48 |
| Liaison | William Clancey |
| Submission Date | Jan. 3, 2023 |
Durham College
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Tanya
Roberts Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Student groups
Yes
Name and a brief description of the active student groups focused on sustainability:
Student Green Team - DC's prime student focused group dedicated to Sustainability and eligible for co-curricular points.
Centre for Food Society - Networking/Leadership Club for DC's CFF students
Vegan Club
Good Deeds and Sustainability Club
Centre for Food Society - Networking/Leadership Club for DC's CFF students
Vegan Club
Good Deeds and Sustainability Club
Gardens and farms
Yes
A brief description of the gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and/or urban agriculture projects:
The W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF) is Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on the field-to-fork concept. The CFF, a Green Restaurant Association (GRA) 3-star certified facility, can accommodate approximately 900 students studying in cohesive programs based on the field-to-fork concept, completing the full supply chain cycle from sustainable farming practices to the processing, preparation, serving and celebration of local food.
Student-run enterprises
Yes
A brief description of the student-run enterprises:
DC's Fast Start office and entrepreneurship program host an Enactus chapter at the college.
Operating out of their home in the 360insights Entrepreneurship Centre, DC student entrepreneurs volunteer their time to work collaboratively to create non-profit and social enterprise businesses and projects that have a positive and measurable impact on our community, and on the world! They do some amazing work and have the opportunity to travel to regional and national competitions during the year.
Operating out of their home in the 360insights Entrepreneurship Centre, DC student entrepreneurs volunteer their time to work collaboratively to create non-profit and social enterprise businesses and projects that have a positive and measurable impact on our community, and on the world! They do some amazing work and have the opportunity to travel to regional and national competitions during the year.
Sustainable investment and finance
Yes
A brief description of the sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives:
Durham College has formed various partnerships with local processors and asset recovery companies to ensure all electronic waste and surplus asset items are recycled locally, and in a sustainable way. The Sustainability office, in partnership with the Information Technology Services and Finance departments, has created a program that ensures a small revenue stream is generated back into a sustainability fund for student projects and sustainability initiatives.
Events
Yes
A brief description of the conferences, speaker series, symposia, or similar events focused on sustainability:
On September 20, 2017 the Sustainability Office in partnership with the First Peoples Indigenous Centre hosted a session with Joseph Pitawanakwat who specializes in plant-based medicine.
In May 2019, Durham College coordinated & hosted the Regional Envirothon:
Envirothon gets high school students outdoors, to experience nature first hand and hands on! Envirothon is a unique team competition that rewards students for learning about the natural world around them. Local conservation organizations partner to provide students with interactive field trips and workshops to help them understand forests, soils, wildlife, aquatic ecosystems and the human impact on all of the things we value in nature. Envirothon uses field testing to develop critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and communication skills.
The Ontario Envirothon builds environmental awareness and leadership among high school youth through practical, hands-on educational experiences, enabling them to make informed, responsible decisions that benefit the earth and society.
Program objectives are:
to increase students’ awareness of the natural balance and complexity of environmental ecosystems;
to increase students’ understanding of basic science concepts in the areas of forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and soil, together with a current environmental issue each year;
to provide opportunity for students to experience differing views and concepts relative to environmental issues;
to provide opportunity for students to experience new ideas, geography, and cultures throughout Ontario and North America.
In May 2019, Durham College coordinated & hosted the Regional Envirothon:
Envirothon gets high school students outdoors, to experience nature first hand and hands on! Envirothon is a unique team competition that rewards students for learning about the natural world around them. Local conservation organizations partner to provide students with interactive field trips and workshops to help them understand forests, soils, wildlife, aquatic ecosystems and the human impact on all of the things we value in nature. Envirothon uses field testing to develop critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and communication skills.
The Ontario Envirothon builds environmental awareness and leadership among high school youth through practical, hands-on educational experiences, enabling them to make informed, responsible decisions that benefit the earth and society.
Program objectives are:
to increase students’ awareness of the natural balance and complexity of environmental ecosystems;
to increase students’ understanding of basic science concepts in the areas of forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, and soil, together with a current environmental issue each year;
to provide opportunity for students to experience differing views and concepts relative to environmental issues;
to provide opportunity for students to experience new ideas, geography, and cultures throughout Ontario and North America.
Cultural arts
Yes
A brief description of the cultural arts events, installations, or performances focused on sustainability:
Campus market: Launched in 2015 in partnership with our campus partner Ontario Tech University and Aramark’s Eat Local Initiative. The market has been hosted every year in late summer or early fall and since 2018 it has been exclusively hosted by Ontario Tech in the Polonsky Commons
Thrift swap: Durham College hosts a bi-annual thrift swap event in partnership with our campus partners Ontario Tech University and campus residences. These events take place at the end of each semester and allow students to drop-off or pick-up any used or end-of-life items for reuse. Any remaining items get donated to a local thrift shop.
Thrift swap: Durham College hosts a bi-annual thrift swap event in partnership with our campus partners Ontario Tech University and campus residences. These events take place at the end of each semester and allow students to drop-off or pick-up any used or end-of-life items for reuse. Any remaining items get donated to a local thrift shop.
Wilderness and outdoors programs
No
A brief description of the wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles:
N/A
Sustainability-focused themes
No
A brief description of the sustainability-focused themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
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Sustainable life skills
Yes
A brief description of the programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
Durham College hosts an online course created and taught by one of our Sustainability ambassadors titled "Greening your Life" (GNED1521). In 2018, the Sustainability Coordinator also taught a section of this course.
Student employment opportunities
Yes
A brief description of the sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution:
The DC sustainability office hires work-study students part-time, when possible. Durham College also seeks opportunities for students with the college's vendors of records and suppliers of energy and ghg reduction services to the college.
Graduation pledge
No
A brief description of the graduation pledge(s):
N/A
Optional Fields
The Student Green Team is recognized under the Co-Curricular program.
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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