Mohawk College
EN-3: Student Life

The Sustainability Rep Committe (SRC) is a space for students who are interested in sustainability and executing initiatives within and outside the college community. By joining the SRC students meet new people and contribute to advancing sustainability during their time at Mohawk. Developments supported by the committee include the Community Garden, Roof Top Pollinators Gardens and the Bike Loan Program. Through participating in this committee, students have the opportunity to develope their own understanding of sustainability in action. Students take part in event planning (i.e. tree planting, community clean-ups), collaborate with internal staff to develop sustainable initiatives, work with external stakeholders to offer sustainable outreach event, and much more.

Note: Due to ongoing COVID-related restrictions many student in-person groups across campus have been placed on hold

Community Garden, Pollinator Garden, Three Sister's Garden

The Mohawk College community garden has 49 raised bed plots, including three accessible plots. The garden is used as a place for student, staff, and community members to learn organic growing techniques and the benefits of a local food system. Every week a Community Garden Newsletter is sent out to educate members on plant health, gardening tips and sustainable pest management. The community garden operates from May-November annually.

Our Rooftop Pollinator Garden was established in 2016 with the help of WWF. Located just out-side of our Learning Exchange (library), this garden is a green roof space that invites and sup-ports many types of pollinators like butterflies, hummingbirds, beetles and bees. Within the gar-den is a variety of native vegetation species including wild grasses, purple cone flowers, wild strawberries and sedums. Signs stationed throughout the garden educate users about pollinators and the features of the garden that support them. This space supports a diverse, healthy plant population while also creating teaching and learning opportunities that engages our students and community members.

Mohawk College’s Three Sisters Garden is an indigenous space used to promote Indigenous culture and traditions while teaching students and staff about sound agriculture practices with the planting of corn, squash and beans.

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Through the Sustainability Initiatives Fund (SIF) students can submit project ideas that promote campus sustainability. These projects are then approved by the Sustainability Initiative Fund Committee and funded through the SIF. Some examples of completed projects include installing a rainwater harvesting system in the Community Garden, installation of bike repair stands across campus, and improved waste management stations in the cafeteria. In addition, a portion of SIF funding is annually allocted to support a Microgrant program whereby students can submit proposals to offset the cost of sustainable professional development, projects or initiatives up to $1000 per student.

In April 2021, Mohawk Sustainability participated in the Inspiring Minds Conference by hosting a session called ""Connecting Through Sustainability"

In the Fall Semester of 2021, Mohawk College hosted several virtual triva nights in collaboration with the Mohawk Students's Association (MSA) in an effort to engage with students about sustainability remotely. Topics included how to act sustainably on campus, at home, energy saving tips, waste sorting knowledge etc. Triva nights were offered across the Fall 2021 semester.

In Fall 2021, the Sustainability Office also hosted a sustainable webinar series. Local vendors and community stakeholders offered 1-hour zoom sessions. Examples included Beekeeping 101, Sewing and Mending and Hamilton Bikeshare. This series was hosted in collaboration with the MSA."

Social Inc. Film Recommendations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Social Inc. and the Mohawk College Library have been hosting weekly film recommendations every Wednesday and Friday, focused on themes of diversity and inclusivity. All films can be accessed free by students through streaming services or the Mohawk College Library: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/events?audience=All&campus=All&event_type=All&type=All&department=All&facility=All&facility_department=1191

2040 Film Screening and Q&A

Also during the pandemic, the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk partnered with local independent cinema The Playhouse to host free screening passes and a virtual Q&A with the filmmaker of the film 2040. The film 2040, follows Damon Gameau as he meets with innovators and changemakers around the world who are addressing the concerns of climate change. The event and free screening passes were promoted to Mohawk students.

Mohawk Sustainability, in collaboration with Student Life, hostS Great Shoreline Clean Ups with Cootes Paradise in Hamilton. Recent clean ups include Confederation Park and the Redhill Watershed

As an example we have spotlighted a clean up from 2018 which was captured in Mohawk College's Ignite News. We had over 25 volunteers come out to clean up and area of the Cootes Paradise and Red Hill Water Shed. More than 1300 pounds of waste was recovered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLulXlrrNPI&t=6m11s

Mohawk College has started a Greening Orientation Program in partnership with the MSA. There is a set fund of $17,000 which can be placed towards a sustainable initiative each year, promoting sustainability at the campus.

A yearly sustainability theme is presented to all incoming students each year through the Greening Orientation Program. Last year the focus was on reducing the amount of single use plastics used on campus, transportation and local food. Over 2000 incoming students signed a pledge to go (disposable) water bottle free.As a reward students received a free Mohawk College reusable water bottle which can be used at the over 30 water refill stations throughout the college.

Day One Student Leadership Training
Every year Student Life holds a training for Day One Student Leaders that are tasked being leaders for students during the school year. The Sustainability Office hosts a 30 minute workshop for the leaders on Sustainability at Mohawk and how they can empower students to learn, live and lead sustainability in their own lives. Topics included waste management, active and alternative transportation and community action on sustainability.

The Sustainable Leadership Program (SLP) is a free, 8-module course that students can take online. The SLP course does not confer academic credit, but rather the position of "Sustainable Leader" on student co-curricular records. The SLP course content include an introduction to sustainability, sustainability at home, waste sorting, green jobs and resume building as well as climate action in the community.

The Mohawk Sustainability Office hires students each semester through the Sustainable Initiatives Fund and/or the internal CSEP (work-study) program. Typically 4-6 students are hired for a variety of roles including; Outreach & Social Media Assistant, Sustainable Programs & Reporting Assistant, and Community Garden & Grounds Assistant.

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Students have the opportunity to complete the "Climate Change Management for Business" course for free. Once completed, a certificate is awarded and the course completion is added to their CCR.