Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.20
Liaison Jonathan Rausseo
Submission Date March 29, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Ottawa
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Alex Latus
Commmunications & Special Projects Officer
Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):

The Office of Campus Sustainability has created and maintains a website which acts as an information hub for the University of Ottawa campus community to gain information on the various sustainability initiatives undertaken by the university. The website is continually updated and contains annual reports on the Sustainable Development goals, indicators, and progress.


The website URL for the central sustainability website:
Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:

The Office of Campus Sustainability releases a monthly newsletter to subscribers which details the current initiatives, events, and news about sustainability. It focuses on the campus but sometimes contains relevant information about community events. The Office releases a separate newsletter targeted at volunteers.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:

The Office of Campus Sustainability regularly updates its Facebook page and Twitter accounts within information on sustainability events and news on campus and within the campus community.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:

The student newspaper recently started a feature on 'green' issues related to the campus and the larger public.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:

The uOttawa research portal is used by students to publish their research. Students that are enrolled in the Master of Science in Environmental Sustainability are encouraged by their supervisors and by academic staff to submit their sustainability-related research for publishing on this portal upon completion of their degrees.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :

The Advanced Research Complex on campus has signage that highlights green building features including a publicly posted info sheet that breaks down the building's key features such as: heat island effect reducing pavement, sustainable transportation infrastructure (bike storage and showers), low-emitting materials (paints, carpets, etc.), locally produced and recycled materials, storm-water management features (landscaping and building design), low-flow fixtures, water-efficient landscaping, and certified wood products.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:

As part of the Fair Trade Canada certification process, the University of Ottawa must highlight its commitment to fair trade products through visible signage that notes which products are fair trade and what fair trade certification means in terms of encouraging sustainable food systems. Additionally, with the opening of the zero-waste, tray-less dining hall, the University of Ottawa has highlighted its commitment to reducing waste through signage at this location and through promotions on its website.


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?:
No

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:

The University does have signage that delineates the community garden but it does not highlight sustainable practices. However information is available on the University's sustainability website.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:

The Campus Sustainability Manager operates sustainability walking tours of campus either by appointment, during orientation weeks, and as scheduled throughout the year by external community members. He highlights the sustainability features of buildings, the way the pedestrian space is shaped on campus to enhance sustainable transportation outcomes, the cycling features of campus, waste diversion infrastructure, and other items which contribute to the overall sustainable operations of the university.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:

The University of Ottawa has two full-time dedicated staff which work to enhance the sustainable transportation options and increase the modal share of commuters. The office of Sustainable Transportation releases information on how to use alternative methods of transportation including how to go about using the city bus service, car pooling, car sharing, cycling, and the shuttle bus via its website.


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)? :
Yes

A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:

The Office of Sustainable Transportation and the SFUO Bike Co-op work collaboratively to deliver educational workshops and information on cycling safety and infrastructure on campus that supports cycling. The Bike Co-op hosts several workshops through the year on bike safety including how to plan your route and how to interact safely on the roads with other users. The Bike Co-op also leads groups rides which introduces beginners to road safety techniques in larger groups to ensure comfort on the road.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:

A Living Learning Community (LLC) is a dedicated space in residence where residents are grouped according to their interest in a particular area; one of which is Environmental Sustainability. Individuals involved in this LLC are instructed in how to live sustainably in residence and how to get involved with sustainability initiatives at the community-level. The Office of Campus Sustainability has also released a guide on sustainable living tips on its website: https://sustainable.uottawa.ca/sustainable-practices.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:

The University of Ottawa has a publicly shared open, green map which allows students to report sustainability items/places/information onto an open-source web platform.


The website URL for these materials or publications:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

https://foodservices.uottawa.ca/sustainability;

Other responsible parties :

Elena Pizzo, Campus Signage Coordinator, Physical Resources Service, 613-562-5800 ext. 6645, epizzo@uottawa.ca

Pierre de Gagne, Assistant Director of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Physical Resources Service, 613-562-5800 ext. 6619, pdegagne@uottawa.ca

Daniel Spence, Sustainable Transportation Manager, 613-562-5800 ext. 6523, dspence@uOttawa.ca


https://foodservices.uottawa.ca/sustainability;

Other responsible parties :

Elena Pizzo, Campus Signage Coordinator, Physical Resources Service, 613-562-5800 ext. 6645, epizzo@uottawa.ca

Pierre de Gagne, Assistant Director of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Physical Resources Service, 613-562-5800 ext. 6619, pdegagne@uottawa.ca

Daniel Spence, Sustainable Transportation Manager, 613-562-5800 ext. 6523, dspence@uOttawa.ca

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.