| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 43.88 |
| Liaison | Matt Wolsfeld |
| Submission Date | Jan. 30, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Saskatchewan
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Margret
Asmuss Sustainability coordinator The office of sustainability |
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | Yes | Yes |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | Yes | Yes |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | No | No |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | Yes | No |
| Other | No | No |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
The Education Sub-Committee of the Sustainability Commitment Working Group has defined education for sustainability as “Course-based content and processes that educate and engage students on questions related to interactions of humans with nature in support of the stewardship of the environment in a socially and economically responsible manner that meets the needs of both present and future generations.".
The Education Sub-Committee’s recommendations represent the result of months of work to both build on our university’s existing strengths and to identify areas for improvement in regard to education for sustainability. The intention is that these recommendations would help the U of S make a meaningful contribution to education for sustainable development, and thus also to long-term local and global sustainability.
The recommendations range from cataloging what we currently do, to developing whole new programs. Some initiatives are expected to be accomplished relatively quickly, while others will take planning and implementation over several years. The initiatives are organized by: current initiatives to enhance or build upon; new initiatives to be achieved during the Third Integrated Planning Cycle (2012-2016); and new initiatives to be achieved during the Fourth Integrated Planning Cycle (2016-2020).
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
Currently in development or completed (how objectives will be measured in brackets):
- Campus as a living lab (# students accessing program)
- Inventory of sustainability courses and programs (increase of # courses over time)
- Sustainability literacy assessment (increasing literacy over time)
- Workshops for incorporation of sustainability into the curriculum (# of faculty)
- Small grants for incorporation of sustainability into courses (# of faculty, # of courses)
- Strengthen links to SK RCE for Sustainability in Education (# of collaborations)
Before 2017
- Provosts' Taskforce on Sustainability Courses and Programs (enhanced access)
- Mechanisms to increase Aboriginal students in sustainability graduate studies (# of students)
- Undergraduate student mentorship program (# of students)
- Sustainability learning communities (# of communities)
2017 - 2020
- Sustainability immersive experiences (# students)
- Sustainability special collection in libraries (# of items and access rate)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, School of Environment and Sustainability, Office of Sustainability and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
As defined by the Research Sub-Committee of the Sustainability Commitment Working Group, “Sustainability research, scholarly and artistic work is focused on interactions of humans with nature in support of the stewardship of the environment in a socially and economically responsible manner that meets the needs of both present and future generations.".
Research, scholarly and artistic work is a central function of our university. By orienting this work towards sustainability issues, theories and concepts, our university can contribute to the development of new technologies, strategies, and approaches to address sustainability challenges. Sustainability transcends traditional academic divisions, so it is critical that sustainability-focused research, scholarly and artistic work cuts across a wide range of disciplines.
The recommendations from the Research Sub-Committee of the Sustainability Commitment Working Group represent the result of months of work to both build on our university’s existing strengths and identify areas for improvement in regard to sustainability research. The intention is that these recommendations will establish the U of S’s role in making a meaningful contribution to sustainability research, and thus also a long-term legacy of sustainability.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Currently in development or completed (how objectives will be measured in brackets):
- Inventory of sustainability research scholarly and artistic work (Increases over time)
Before 2017:
- Sustainability research networking conference (# of participants, # of collaborations)
- Sustainability research support, coordination and facilitation (increases over time)
2017 - 2020:
- Sustainability research, tenure and promotion mechanisms (increases of trans-, inter-, and multi-disciplinary research over time)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability, Research Services and others
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
In developing its recommendations, the Community Engagement Sub-Committee attempted to address the barriers that inhibit individuals from engaging in sustainable behaviours through three main communications and engagement approaches:
1. Communicative: One-way communication, including posters, pamphlets, announcements publications, etc.
2. Interactive: Engagement that is based on two-way communication.
3. Integrative: Engagement that is based on working together.
To achieve true engagement, it is clear that integrative approaches have the most impact. However, it is also clear that communication and interactive approaches are often essential in the process of linking people with opportunities to engage at the integrative level. For instance, in reviewing existing initiatives, the Community Engagement Sub-committee determined that much solid integrative programming already exists, but that a major barrier to wide spread participation is low awareness of the opportunities. This speaks to the need to significantly develop communicative and interactive approaches, while continuing to build on and strengthen our integrative sustainability programming.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
Currently in development or completed (how objectives will be measured in brackets):
- Enhanced sustainability online presence (# of searches, # links)
- Energy Awareness Training promotion (# of participants)
- Enhanced support for student groups and initiative (# of grants and consultations)
- Enhanced support for student community gardens (# of participants)
- Work Green program (# of participating workplaces)
- Work Green grants (# of initiatives)
Before 2017:
- Prairie Habitat Garden support (# of inquiries)
- Work Green recognition program (# of awards)
- Consistent sustainability content in campus publications (# of articles)
- Residences eco-representative program (# of participating residences, # of initiatives)
- Engagement with campus unions (# of collaborations, inclusion in contracts)
- Communications personnel training (# attendees)
- Multi-category sustainability award (# of nominations and awards)
- Annual sustainability summit (# of participants)
2017 - 2020
- Highly visible demonstration sites (# of inquiries)
- Demonstration residence dorm (# of inquiries)
- Information and wayfinding signage featuring sustainabililty (# of inquiries)
- Sustainability Commons (completion of building)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability and others
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
A number of the sub-plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan include initiatives that are focused on engagement of the community beyond the campus.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
Currently in development or completed (how objectives will be measured):
- Strengthen links to SK RCE for Sustainability in Education (# of collaborations)
- Prairie Habitat Garden support (# of inquiries)
Before 2017:
- Sustainability in student recruiting (# of inquiries)
2017 - 2020
- Highly visible demonstration sites (# of inquiries)
- Information and wayfinding signage featuring sustainabililty (# of inquiries)
- Alumni engagement strategy ($ raised from alumni for sustainability)
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability includes Air and Climate initiatives. We also have a Climate Action Plan which charts the actions required to meet our climate goals.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
The U of S seeks to reduce emissions to 20% below our 2006/07 emissions by 2020.
The Climate Action Plan can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management Division and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with buildings.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Measurable objectives will be based on energy consumption, water consumption, ghg production, and protection of local ecosystem.
Strategies and timeframes can be found at: http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management Division (FMD), Consumer Services and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with dining and food services.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Measurable objectives will relate to quantifiable improvements in such areas as percentage of local food purchased, amount of garbage of produced and energy and water used for food services.
Strategies and timeframes can be found at: http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability, Consumer Services (Food Services) and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with energy use. An Energy Management Plan is currently in development.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
The university has set a goal to reduce energy and water consumption annually by 5%.
Strategies and timelines can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Facilities Management Division, Office of Sustainability and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with grounds keeping.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Indicators of progress are related to the initiatives and will include quantification of compost use, native plants and pesticide use reduction.
Strategies and timelines can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Sustainability Committee, Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management Division's Grounds Department, Meewasin Valley Authority and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with purchasing.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Indicators of progress are related to the initiative and will include evidence of appropriate policies and procedures being implemented.
Strategies and timelines can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Purchasing Services, Campus Computer Store, Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Committee and others.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with transportation.
As well, a Transportation Demand Study has been completed which identifies strategies to advance sustainability in transportation on campus. This study will inform the process of updating the Campus Sustainability Plan.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Changes in the modal split will be used as indicators of progress.
Strategies and timelines can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Parking and Transportation Services, Office of Sustainability, Campus Transportation Committee, Climate Action Planning Team, Sustainability Committee, Facilities Management Division.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with waste.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Facilities Management has set the goal of reducing campus solid waste by 90%.
Indicators of progress will be based on volumes moving into defined waste streams.
Strategies and timelines can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Facilities Management Division, Food Services, Consumer Services, Purchasing Services, Residences, WSEP, Information Technology Services, Sustainability Committee and the Office of Sustainability.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
The Operations Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that seeks to minimize the environmental impacts associated with water consumption and management.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
The university has set a goal to reduce energy and water consumption annually by 5%.
Strategies and timelines can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Facilities Management Division, Sustainability Committee and the Office of Sustainability.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
U of S diversity and inclusion strategies do not specifically reference linkages to sustainability.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
U of S health and wellness strategies do not specifically reference linkages to sustainability.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The Governance Sub-Plan of the Campus Sustainability Plan identifies initiatives that
address sustainability in university investment.
In contrast to other parts of this Campus Sustainability Plan which articulate recommendations for sustainability initiatives or programs, the section on Governance brings forward recommendations on approaches to embedding sustainability in the fabric of our organization, including all three of our governing bodies – Senate, Board of Governors, and University Council, thus enhancing our organizational capacity to integrate sustainability at all levels of the organization.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
The Governance Sub-Plan includes an the directive to work toward "integrating investor values and concern into the investment manager process as a means to positively impact society, while achieving competitive returns."
Indicators of progress will be based on changes in our investment portfolio over time.
Strategies and timelines can be found at:
http://sustainability.usask.ca/our-commitment/plans.php
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
Financial Services Division, Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Committee.
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is the stewardship of the natural environment in a socially and economically responsible manner that meets the needs of both present and future generations.
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
From the University of Saskatchewan's Third Integrated Plan: Promise and Potential: "One of the drivers of creativity is our desire to contribute to social, environmental and economic sustainability in our immediate environment and around the world. Our sustainability goals cross the traditional lines of teaching, research, operations, administration and service and call on all of us to find new ways to work together in service of global goals. One form of sustainability is the stewardship of the natural environment in a socially and economically responsible manner that meets the needs of both present and future generations. In this regard, our vision is that every member of the campus community will act sustainably and will make informed choices in all areas of campus life: education, research, operations, governance and community engagement. In the second planning cycle, members of our community worked together to develop a Campus Sustainability Plan. In this planning cycle, we will identify three or four concrete initiatives that will serve as prototype projects in the first year and which will result in demonstrable gains for enhanced sustainability on campus. We will identify the actions required and costs associated with implementing the University and College Presidents’ Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada, to which the university is a signatory. We will encourage members of the campus community to make individual and collective choices in their daily lives to be responsible participants in the local and global communities.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
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.