Kwantlen Polytechnic University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

The Office of Sustainability within the Campus and Community Planning Department officially launched an Instagram page to highlight the various initiatives, services, projects, and engagements happening at KPU and beyond related to sustainability. The OoS recognizes it is not the only body working to advance sustainability at KPU, thus, this social media platform is used as a means to connect, communicate, educate, and inform all members of the KPU community, including those actively engaged in sustainability as well as those who are not. The Instagram handle is "sustainablekpu".

KPU has 8 Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) buildings on its four land-based campuses. Many of the LEED certified buildings provide signage in the form of a plaque near the entranceway listing the specific LEED award.

KPU also has equity-related signage on campus. There is inclusive signage at the Surrey Fitness Center which includes the phrase "Gender Diverse People Welcome" in support of inclusivity and embracing diversity. In addition, KPU has the Progress Pride Flag on each campus. At Langley, Richmond, and Surrey Campuses, they are on staircases. At Civic Plaza they are on the outside building pillars and at KPU Tech they are on a pathway. As an extension of these efforts, there are stickers on walls as "signs" throughout campus noting that KPU is working to create a safe space for LGBTQ2+ communities.

KPU has Indigenous language signage. hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ is the language spoken by people of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Tsawwassen, Kwikwetlem, and Musqueam First Nations on whose traditional territories KPU is built. A statement on Indigenous languages at KPU: 

"At Kwantlen Polytechnic University, we are committed to advancing Reconciliation and weaving Indigenous knowledge, values, and representation into our organization. Part of our responsibility for systemic transformation includes honoring Indigenous languages at KPU. In our not-too-distant history, Indigenous languages were once illegal to speak, record, and share within Canada. Colonialism has had and continues to have a devastating effect on the survival of Indigenous languages across North America. We believe it is our role and responsibility to listen and learn Indigenous languages and follow revitalization work led by Indigenous Language Keepers." https://www.kpu.ca/indigenous-languages

As a part of these efforts, KPU created the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ Language Initiative to embed the language into many features at KPU, including Building Signage across campus. When walking around Surrey and Langley Campuses, one will find names of buildings, welcoming words, and other relevant place names, in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. These are displayed both visually and orally through a QR code voice clip at the entrances of doorways. The Campus Community and visitors can walk from door to door to learn select words in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language that are also relevant at KPU, such as the building names. For example, many of the campus buildings on Surrey Campus are named after native tree species like Cedar, Hazelnut, and Hemlock.

 Note: Each of the signs includes an English language translation for further comprehension. News release: https://www.kpu.ca/news/2019/11/19/kpu-installs-indigenous-signage 

Not applicable - no residences

Facilities' Sustainability & Energy Website: https://www.kpu.ca/sustainability