Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.05
Liaison Herbert Sinnock
Submission Date July 12, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Sheridan College (Ontario)
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Anna Pautler
Sustainability Data Assessment & Reporting Officer
Office for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Air & Climate 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Air & Climate?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Air & Climate:
The Solutions in Sustainability course has completed many on-campus projects that seek to improve sustainability on campus including investigating the interest of the Sheridan community in existing and additional green walls.

Buildings  

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Buildings:
The Davis Energy Centre has been designed as a Living Laboratory, with glass walls that allow the public to view the inside of the centre. In addition, classes have view into the centre and control systems from the classroom. Courses in mechanical and electrical engineering technologist programs are now utilizing the centre for teaching and learning. The Solutions in Sustainability course has completed many on-campus projects that seek to improve sustainability on campus including investigating the interest of the Sheridan community in creating a green roof that could include a community garden.

Energy 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Energy:
The Davis Energy Centre has been designed as a Living Laboratory, with glass walls that allow the public to view the inside of the centre. In addition, classes have view into the centre and control systems from the classroom. Courses in mechanical and electrical engineering technologist programs are now utilizing the centre for teaching and learning.

Food & Dining 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Food & Dining:
The Solutions in Sustainability course has completed many on-campus projects that seek to improve sustainability on campus including investigating the interest of the Sheridan community in creating a green roof that could include a community garden. Another group conducted research on implementing a greenhouse on campus.

Grounds 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Grounds:
Over the last few years ACER has been performing a tree audit on-campus. Sheridan and University of Toronto students have inventoried our trees, added QR codes to the trees that can be scanned for information about the species, and created maps of the campus trees. The students also write reports about the tree audit, which includes information about the species and sizes of trees, and amount of carbon stored in the trees.

Purchasing 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Purchasing:
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Transportation 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Transportation:
The Solutions in Sustainability course has completed many on-campus projects that seek to improve sustainability on campus including: investigating the feasibility of a bike rental program, implementing self driving electric buses, and providing a U-Pass.

Waste 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Waste:
An Environmental Control student completed a capstone project to evaluate the waste minimization potential from replacing all paper towel dispensers on campus with hand dryers. The project helps to support the business case for this decision. The Solutions in Sustainability course has completed many on-campus projects that seek to improve sustainability on campus including enhancing communication on how to sort waste properly on-campu and improving the waste sorting bins themselves. In addition, students from the Environmental Control program have completed several projects over the years that aim to address specific waste contamination issues, such as people throwing coffee cups into the wrong bins, doing spot audits to determine main contaminants in specific areas, and providing additional signage to address specific behaviour related to improper waste sorting.

Water 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Water:
The Solutions in Sustainability course has completed many on-campus projects that seek to improve sustainability on campus including engaging arts students in proper paint disposal. Toxic paints and materials should not be dumped into the municipal sewer system, but disposed of properly in the provided bins.

Coordination & Planning 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Coordination & Planning:
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Diversity & Affordability 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
ENACTUS Sheridan is a student-driven organization providing opportunities to future leaders through project initiatives. They accomplish this by identifying social, economic and environmental gaps that students bridge through social entrepreneurial action. Project Young Women in Business Day: Through a collaboration with Girl Guides of Canada, ENACTUS has designed a day of interactive, hands-on, informative and engaging learning for the girls. The workshops have been structured around the different age groups (Brownies age 7-9, Guides age 9-12, Pathfinders age 13-15, and Rangers age 16-17), with the intention of bringing awareness to the different roles of women in business. The girls, through these workshops, have a chance to design marketing campaigns, learn about personal and business finance and accounting; the importance of Human Resources, be introduced to Occupational Health and Safety, and business communication. This past year, 150 girl guides came to HMC to participate in the YWIB day event. This summer, ENACTUS is exploring ideas of how to expand our reach and broaden outside of a one-day event. This upcoming year, two more elementary and middle schools will provide workshops for young women and will introduce them to the world of business.

Investment & Finance 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Investment & Finance?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Investment & Finance:
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Public Engagement 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Public Engagement:
The Solutions in Sustainability course has completed many on-campus projects that seek to improve sustainability on campus including: feasibility of implementing a green roof with a community garden; seeking ways to improve the waste sorting system; creating a phone app that awards users for sustainable actions such as using a reusable coffee mug; improving sustainability posters and communications; and engaging arts students in proper paint disposal.

Wellbeing & Work 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Other Impact Areas 

Is the institution utilizing its campus as a living laboratory for multidisciplinary student learning and applied research in relation to other areas (e.g. arts & culture or technology)?:
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A brief description of the student/faculty projects and how they contribute to understanding campus sustainability challenges or advancing sustainability on campus in relation to other areas:
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Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.