| 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-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
Ryerson has worked to improve sustainable transportation not only through our commitment in this area but through our planning and development activities which is a testament to the fact that the university doesn’t simply talk about it but takes active steps to demonstrate this commitment.
We created a pedestrian-friendly public-realm, which included successfully advocating for City of Toronto funding to pay for half of the project. The new space features a significant amount of trees and plants, and the design puts the focus on features to encourage walking.
In addition to this, Ryerson President Mohamed Lachemi has advocated for improved transit access to Dundas Subway Station on Ryerson's campus by writing letters to the City. Better access will lead to fewer car-trips and a more pedestrian-friendly campus.
Ryerson University was one of the founding members of Toronto Mayor John Tory's Green Will Initiative that he launched in Copenhagen on behalf of the City of Toronto.
Ryerson helped the Mayor's office design this initiative and think through partnership engagement.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
In partnership with other universities through the Council of Ontario Universities, Ryerson has been advocating for more investment in green infrastructure and clean tech research from the provincial government. We have outlined to the province that clean technology is, and will be, critical to long-term environmental sustainability, and economic growth.
We advocated to position Ryerson as a recognized global leader in helping deliver these solutions.
In past submissions we have provided examples of our university-industry partnerships that are developing new, innovative solutions to issues of energy production, recycling, lighting and transportation with the aim at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Provincially, Ryerson hosted and participated in the Great Lakes Guardians' Council event last year (2019). The Great Lakes Guardians’ Council, established by the Province of Ontario under the Great Lakes Protection Act, provides a forum to identify and find solutions to Great Lakes challenges, increase our science and consideration of First Nations and Métis communities’ traditional knowledge, and strengthen our shared understanding of the Great Lakes At the event Ryerson committed to being involved moving forward and offered the campus to host again.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
Federally we are currently advocating for "Innovations for a Sustainable Future" with Ryerson's Center for Urban Energy. While the campaign broadly pushed for green infrastructure investment and climate change research in collaboration with Universities Canada, our focus has been on advocating for more investment into cleantech R&D and suggesting Ryerson as a national partner.
We are also advocating for more investment in green, digital and accessible university infrastructure as part of the federal government’s COVID-19 recovery plan to reduce universities' carbon footprints.
Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level, including the issues, legislation, and ordinances for or against which the institution has advocated:
President Mohamed Lachemi joined other Canadian universities, in writing a public statement condemning U.S President Donald Trump’s executive order preventing individuals from predominantly Muslim countries of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the United States for 90 days. The statement indicated that Ryerson is "actively working with Universities Canada, to express not only our opposition to this ban but to share our support for anyone in our university community who may have been affected."
A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.