MacEwan University
EN-3: Student Life

Sustainability Leadership Council and MacEwan Sustainability Volunteers sustainability@macewan.ca Office of Sustainability volunteers that lead, deliver, and support campus sustainability initiatives (see EN 1) Oikos International Club – MacEwan Chapter president@oikos-edmonton.org Our goal is to engage students in sustainable business practices in commerce through a platform of learning, networking and hands-on projects. ENACTUS Club president@enactusmu.ca An organization dedicated to mobilizing university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders and to create a better world through the positive power of business. The Leguminadi Club http://www.leguminadi.com leguminadisociety@gmail.com The Leguminadi Club welcomes everyone who are interested in vegan/ vegetarianism or wanting to adopt a more healthy, sustainable and cruelty free life. We support those who live or are interested in living a compassionate and plant based lifestyle. Established in 2016 as a social group for vegans and vegetarians to communicate and organize together for both social and educational activities. The Leguminadi’s goal is to promote vegan and vegetarian lifestyles within the downtown Edmonton community and are motivated to provide MacEwan students with access to the vegan alternatives. We provide information and guidance on various aspects of veganism and aim to enrich everyone’s understanding on the sustainable, health and ethical benefits of a plant-based diet.

- Students can access grants to initiate projects based on agriculture. For instance, a recent grant was given to a net-zero farming project by engineering students. - Students may join an Urban Food Systems Tour to learn about innovative food production systems and how to get involved (Tower Gardens: aeroponic system that grows lettuce and herbs for Food Services, Urban Cultivators: indoor microgreen production system, Aquaponics: tanks with goldfish that nutrify greens) - The Office of Sustainability always has one to three volunteers who help with the Urban Beekeeping project (season depending, 6 rooftop Flow hives and a bee hotel)

Mission Possible is a Sustainable Business class project (BUSN 201) in which students are tasked to come up with an idea for a product or service, to sell and raise money for a community project or charity. They learn about the triple bottom line and how to create a business plan that generates favorable economic, environmental and social outcomes. A microloan enables them to start their own business and incorporate their newly acquired knowledge in a meaningful project. The project is now in its 6th year. Some of the businesses brought forth by Mission Possible still exist, students are given the chance to sell their products for pop-up shows and in the bookstore on campus. Business concepts include beauty products such as bath bombs and salts and lip balm; beer soaps; mittens; a job recruiting platform; meal prep services; terrariums; greeting cards etc. There are 3 examples of student-run enterprises that were developed in the BUSN 201 class. As mentioned above, all students were required to meet the tripple bottom line when creating their business plans. All businesses employ students: - StudentHire https://studenthire.ca/ This websites connects students offering (professional) skills with those requiring various services (videography, graphic design, lawn maintenance, music lessons etc.) - Student Automotive https://www.studentautomotive.ca/ Student Automotive is a fully licensed repair facility that provides students with professional, and affordable automotive services. The team of journeymen mechanics ensure that student vehicles are safe for the road. - StudentsEat https://studentseat.ca/ Students can order food from different vendors in- and outside of their campus. The order will be delivered directly to their spot.

The Sustainability 201 Speaker Series is planned between the Office of Sustainability and course professors twice per academic year. Guest lecturers are invited to come to MacEwan where students, staff, faculty and community members are invited to the presentation. Students enrolled in the Sustainability 201 course receive credit for attending. Global Awareness Week is an annual event by MacEwan International. It is an opportunity for the entire MacEwan Community to learn about human rights and gender equality issues, to witness the impact of sustainability initiatives and poverty education and to get creative at hands-on workshops. The Office of Sustainability is one of many contributors. Past sessions included topics like Fairtrade, Decline and Protection of Pollinators/Urban Beekeeping, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Images of Climate Change: organized in partnership with the City of Edmonton, the University of Alberta’s Office of Sustainability, and MacEwan University’s Office of Sustainability, this series of events focused on the power of art (paintings, film, video and photography) to communicate the stories of climate change. Events included two evening lectures, a student-led festival of climate ideas and images, and an art exhibition featuring the works of dozens of post-secondary art students from the University of Alberta and MacEwan University. Part of this Series was the MacEwan University Student Art Exhibition 'Living with the Damage' Dates: March 1-8, 2018, Location: MacEwan University, Allard Hall Living with the Damage presents work in a range of media, from drawing to installation and performance. Students from the MacEwan Fine Art program created artwork in response to issues of climate change, consumption, ecology and sustainability, often using recycled materials and sustainable approaches.

The Macewan Outdoors club provides affordable Outdoor activities for students that enjoy activities such as hiking, canoeing, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, climbing etc. The club follows the Leave No Traces Principles by - reducing fire( making fire in designated areas) and waste impact( taking waste with you on trips), not taking any plants,berries or mushrooms etc.with you on a hike, taking tracks that have already been created for you, respecting wildlife(do not feet them, approach them) and other people, planning ahead and by camping in designated areas.

A list of all events and corresponding attendance numbers will be attached as additional proof. Events to learn about sustainable life skills comprised, but were not limited to: (1) Bee Hotel Workshop - the Edmonton and Area Land Trust partners with the Office of Sustainability to teach workshop participants how to provide habitat for pollinators at home, with the intent of building food security and biodiversity (40 attendees April 2018) (2) Vermicomposting Workshop - In November 2017 and March 2018, Master Naturalist and Urban Gardener, Kaz Haykowsky, offered an introduction to vermiposting to MacEwan students and community members (20 and 35 attendants in total). The event started with a short presentation and discussion about composting. Afterwards, participants could build their own vermicompost bin. The event was free for anybody to attend, $30 were charged to cover the materials if participants wanted to build their own bins. participants learned to reduce food waste by composting with red wigglers. (3) Fermentation Workshop - In February 2017, participants learned to cook and preserve food using fermentation, including sourdough, kefir, and pickled peppers. (4) Winter Cycling Workshop - November 2017, MacEwan Sustainability Volunteers planned a drop in workshop and demonstration to educate the community on best practices for safe winter cycling. The workshop was led by a skilled bike mechanic. 15 persons participated.(5) A sustainability themed room was designed and opened as an environmentally friendly, sustainable space in MacEwan’s hospitality wing (MacEwan Residence) in 2017. There are no regular vising hours on a regular basis, however, students and the general public may request sustainability tours to view the room. The room is designed with a focus on biophilic design hence incorporating elements of nature and earth. this is evident through the products, colours, textures and shapes chosen. Every effort has been made to consider the effects of manufacturing both on humans and the environment. Items crafted by hand and constructed from renewable resources were carefully selected for this space. Where possible, recycled items were also key to cultivating a sustainable space." (5) Students' Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) host the annual "SUSTAINaMANIA", which features activities such as build your own terrarium; a farmers’ market advocating local organic products; bicycle repair workshops; a free store promoting reuse; and do-it-yourself stations for tea, bath salt, and cleaning products. https://samu.ca/event/sustainamania-2/

Sustainability Communications Assistants - this part time staff member supports the Office of Sustainabilities communications, including social media account management, newsletter and story writing, interviews with campus partners. The most recent job description for the term of summer 2018: Communications Assistant - WIL Placement Winter 2018 May 1 to August 24 2-3 positions available 160 hours total Description At MacEwan University, we do more than talk about sustainability. We act. We innovate. We motivate. We are change agents seeking to create a thriving, equitable, resilient and ecologically healthy future on campus and in our community. ​The Communications Assistant supports the work of MacEwan University's Office of Sustainability by developing content for internal and external communication channels Roles and Responsibilities Resources for Campus Develop resources for different groups on campus including students, staff, faculty Social Media Social Media account management Developing and posting content on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Monthly metric tracking Researching interesting and fun social media strategies and initiatives Newsletter Creating monthly newsletter stories and content Other areas of work Public engagement campaign development assistance General communications - assistance in developing key messages and marketing materials for the Office of Sustainability ​Learn lots, build skill sets and have a great time! Qualifications Experience with social media Strong organizational skills Strong written and oral communication Research, analysis, critical thinking Understanding of, and willingness to explore, the complexity of social, economic, environmental and cultural issues Problem solving, solution-based mentality Adept in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point), Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides). In Design, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop considered an asset. Additional Information The nature of working with the Office of Sustainability requires managing a high volume of work. Our staff are committed to working with you to expand and improve your skills, which may include project management, time management, and any others you identify. We offer a flexible workspace and opportunities to get involved in the wider campus environment.

(1) The "Student Community Engagement Grant" provides seed funding for students to pursue projects and training opportunities related to community engagement, development, and social awareness. It seeks to empower students to connect and enhance their communities through qualified initiatives. Students are eligible to apply as individuals and groups for funding for community engagement projects, partnerships and conferences within Canada. There are 3 deadlines throughout the year with a maximum of $1500 for individuals and $6000 per group to a total of $125 000 per year. (2) Tours: Campus Sustainability Tours, Waste Management Centre Tours - students are invited to join periodic tours that identify practices and iniatitives that reduce waste, conserve water and energy, build community and foster social inclusion on campus. Further, by attending a Waste Management Centre Tour off-campus, students learn where their waste goes and the importance of correct waste diversion; 16 students in total have attended two tours of the Edmonton Waste Management Centre