| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.26 |
| Liaison | Stephanie MacPhee |
| Submission Date | Dec. 9, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
The Sustainability Office website offers updates on programming, upgrades and events in real-time for the Ryerson community.
The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Sustainability Office maintains an active Twitter account which highlights sustainability initiatives and features on campus, volunteer opportunities, and sustainability tips.
The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
Does the institution have regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat?:
A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
We take interviews with Ryerson journalism students working for school newspapers such as the Ryersonian and the Eyeopener. See the article attached below titled "Rye’s sustainable campus initiatives the past and present".
The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
2020 Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO) and Showcase - Ryerson University’s Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) is funding the Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO) program in Summer 2020. The URO program offers students a meaningful opportunity to participate in scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities and to benefit from working directly with a faculty mentor. At the end of the program, the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation in collaboration with Ryerson University Library will host a virtual showcase to help promote undergraduate research at Ryerson. Students from across all faculties in the URO program at Ryerson disseminate their research at the URO Showcase to a wide audience that includes faculty supervisors and staff.
Ryerson Urban Water and Sustainability Ryerson co-hosted a World Water Day Fair - On Friday, March 22, 2020 Ryerson Urban Water and Sustainability Ryerson co-hosted a World Water Day Fair in the Center for Urban Innovation to showcase research and initiatives being undertaken at Ryerson related to water. Students, researchers, faculty, and staff joined forces to educate on water initiatives.
For example, Facilities staff and RUW researchers were on hand to describe the Salt Reduction Demonstration on campus. This project is using Ryerson as a living lab to test the application of brine (salt dissolved in water) in place of rock salt on campus. This part winter, Ryerson applied 6 tonnes less road salt while maintaining safety on campus.
The Ryerson Urban Farm Living Lab (RUFLL) is a research platform that integrates users, community members and industry partners in interdisciplinary research projects focused on rooftop farming using green roof technology. Headquartered at our quarter-acre Urban Farm, our Living Lab initiative builds on user-centric, experiential research and data collection with the ultimate goal of compiling and mobilizing knowledge that will further the growth of the rooftop farming industry. Sustainability related research projects conducted by students and faculty are made available on the Urban Farm’s website.
Ryerson’s Centre for Studies in Food Security - Established at Ryerson University in 1994, the Centre for Studies in Food Security (CSFS) works to promote food security through research, dissemination, education, community action, and professional practice.
They take an interdisciplinary and systemic approach to social justice, environmental sustainability, health, and socio-cultural aspects of food security. The Centre shares information and facilitates dialogue among civil society organizations, universities, and governments through seminars and workshops, their website, and associated mailing lists.
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
There is signage on our LEED certified buildings highlighting this designation. There is signage promoting the use of our water fountains to encourage a bottled water free campus.
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
The Ryerson Centre for Studies in Food Security provides briefs and information about research projects that have been undertaken on the subject of sustainable food systems. The Ryerson Urban Farm advocates for the awareness of green roofs, rooftop farming, and sustainable food systems as they create many partnerships with community organizations such as Harvest Share and our very own café and catering services to contribute to a local food system, and create a strong connection from farm to plate.
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Sustainability tours are available upon request. Features of the tour include: Ryerson Urban Farm Green Roof, LEED certified buildings, heating and cooling facilities, solar panels, on-campus EV charging stations, bike parking and share locations, public transit stops, campus bookstore, carpool parking, water refill stations, battery collection bins.
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
One of Ryerson University’s largest sources of environmental impact is student, faculty and staff commuting. We are committed to encouraging sustainable transportation habits through campus education and engagement, as well as through the development of new infrastructure. Information on our website is available detailing methods of sustainable transportation as well as resources for cyclists and other initiatives.
The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
As part of our Campus Core Revitalization Project, details outlining navigation tools cyclists and pedestrians including routes, policies, services, and safety can be found in the link below.
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
We are currently in the process of developing a pilot Sustainability Residence Council (SRC) at our Pitman Hall residence building. Promotion/recruitment for upto ten SRC student positions to start in January 2021. The Sustainability Residence Council (SRC) will aim to provide opportunities for student residences to take action on sustainability issues that impact their residence. This includes: - Waste management - Energy conservation - Networking opportunities - Food (Health & Wellbeing) In addition we have developed a Green Residence Guide that outlines sustainability tips and resources that students can use to incorporate sustainability into their everyday residence lives.
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
A brief description of these materials or publications:
A Sustainability Yearbook is published on our website to showcase campus sustainability initiatives, projects and programs on an annual basis.
The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.