Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 71.89
Liaison Isabel Savransky
Submission Date Nov. 14, 2023

STARS v2.2

Ontario Tech University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 4.00 Isabel Savransky
Sustainability & Asset Planner
Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Integrated Academic-Research Plan 2021-2023 - Importantly, as stated in our vision and mission, we are committed to “Embracing technology with a conscience to advance knowledge and promote sustainability” and “We equip future leaders to solve complex problems.”...." Through our research (e.g., with an
emphasis on energy, digital technology, intelligent manufacturing, environmental sustainability, clean
technologies, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, computer science, forensic psychology, health and life
sciences, dementia care, and much more), we are helping to re-shape the local and provincial economic
landscape" https://ontariotechu.ca/about/leadership-and-governance/office-of-the-provost/integrated-academic-research-plan.php

Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision Component 3, Outcome 3: Identify and pursue opportunities to incorporate the principles of sustainability and environmental literacy into course curriculum
https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Behavioural Measures (pg. 12) outline in The Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan: Consider including elements and/or methods of green education within the campus to increase the visibility of the Sustainability program on campus and encourage student, staff participation in programs. This will be tracked through annual inventory of sustainability-related and sustainability-focused courses.
https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/UOIT_CDM2014-FINAL.pdf

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Strategic Sustainability Plan: Vision Statement 3: Outcomes 1 and 2:
1. Share knowledge and engage with students, staff, faculty, and community members to promote ecoliteracy and ensure effective participation of the University community in green living practices.
2. Develop a team program in order to build a network of sustainability-focused individuals across the University.

To accomplish these outcomes, measurements related to:
Number of sustainability initiatives/events hosted on campus annually
Number of sustainability related student groups/clubs
Number of students part of the Blue Team (dedicated sustainability team on campus)

https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

The plan is currently being updated.

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Incorporated in the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan
https://news.ontariotechu.ca/archives/2014/07/documents/UOIT_Energy_Conservation_Demand_Management_Plan.pdf

Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision Component 1 Outcome 4 Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, implement energy conservation measures where possible and establish programs that promote to faculty, staff and students the efficient use of energy. Measuring this outcome entails tracking and measuring energy use and greenhouse gas emissions annually.
https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Both plans are currently being updated/approved.

Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
President’s Indigenous Reconciliation Task Force Strategic Plan September 2020
This strategic plan will guide Ontario Tech University in its activities, investments and development of human resources in its response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action, released in December 2015.
https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/uoit/documents/uoit-publications/prez_indigenous_reconciliation_strategic_plan_v7-web.pdf

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
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Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
Minor theme

The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
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Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Ontario Tech University is committed to ensuring that sustainability is reflected in our policy, planning, and decision making processes. This 5 year Strategic Plan is our strongest commitment to date and will guide further transition to Campus Sustainability.

The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability means our needs are met, without jeopardizing future generation’s ability to do the same. Sustainability is a three-tiered thought process encompassing environmental well-being, social justice and economic prosperity.

Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability ---
SDG Accord ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
All Ontario Tech Institutional level plans: https://ontariotechu.ca/about/leadership-and-governance/university-planning-office/current-planning-documents/index.php

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.