Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 76.79
Liaison Mike Wilson
Submission Date Jan. 27, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Victoria
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:

The Mission contained in the current Strategic Plan (Feb. 2012) for UVic includes, "promoting the development of a just and sustainable society through our programs of education and research and the stewardship of our own financial and physical resources" (p 6). It also contains a section on Developing and Sustainably Stewarding Our Resources, with Objective 34 to update the Campus Plan that is informed by our commitment to sustainability, and Objective 35 to "demonstrate leadership in sustainability through the continued development and implementation of innovative operational practices and their integration with institutional planning activities." (pp 40-41)


A copy of the strategic plan:
The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):

University of Victoria Campus Plan 2016 http://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/Campus-Plan-Update-2015/UVicCampusPlan.01.26.2016reduced.pdf

University of Victoria Strategic Research Plan 2016 - 2021 http://www.uvic.ca/research/assets/docs/researchplan/UVicStrategicResearchPlan2016-2017Final.pdf

University of Victoria Employment Equity Plan 2015 - 2020 https://web.uvic.ca/eqhr/equity/eep2015.pdf

University of Victoria International Plan 2017-2022
http://www.uvic.ca/assets2012/docs/international-plan.pdf

University of Victoria Indigenous Academic Plan (Draft) 2016-2021
https://www.uvic.ca/vpacademic/assets/docs/indigenousacademicplan/DraftIAP.pdf

UVic Strategic Plan 2012: https://www.uvic.ca/strategicplan/assets/docs/strategicplan.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The Indigenous Academic Plan (2016-2021) "Pillar 3: Programs" outlines three specific goals:
1) Ensure the quality, sustainability and relevance of the university’s Indigenous academic programming.
a. Ensure that students in existing professional programs that serve and intersect with Indigenous people and communities (e.g., business, civil engineering, cultural heritage and resource management, education, environmental studies, health and human service professions, law, social work) are exposed to the realities of Indigenous history and culture and the impact of colonial practices on Indigenous peoples and communities.
2) Support the development and delivery of select new Indigenous academic programs where there is identified student/community interest, where we have existing or emerging faculty expertise, and where we can provide quality programming, develop essential resources and be seen as a national leader.
3) Develop opportunities for all students of UVic to gain a better understanding of Indigenous peoples, history and culture, and the realities and impact of colonization.

This "Programs" section of the Indigenous Academic Plan set the foundation for academic courses to be developed and offered to indigenous and non-indigenous students. Many of UVic's indigenous are sustainability courses or include sustainability within the curriculum. Listed below are some of the many academic courses offered in the 2016-17 academic year:

- Indigenous Language Teaching and Learning Practicum (IED 251), Indigenous Education, Faculty of Education
- Indigenous Studies Foundations (IS 200A), Indigenous Studies, Interdisciplinary Programs
- Coast Salish Culture and Contemporary Life (ANTH 433), Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Traditional Systems of Land and Resource Management (ER 326), Environmental Restoration, School of Environmental Studies
- Ethnoecology (ES 321), School of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Ethnobotany: Plants and Human Cultures (ES 421), School of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Indigenous Women in Canada (GNDR 203), Gender Studies, Faculty of Humanities
- Indigenous Resurgence (IGOV 382), Indigenous Government, Faculty of Human and Social Development
- Indigenous Politics in Canada (POLI 363), Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences
- Governance in Indigenous Communities (ICDG 301), Indigenous Community development and Governance, Department of Public Administration


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The UVic Strategic Plan (2012) includes in its Mission:
“Promoting the development of a just and sustainable society through our
programs of education, research and the stewardship of our own financial and
physical resources.”

UVic's Sustainability Policy has been established to further the goals set out in the University's Strategic Plan.

Sustainability Policy: http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/GV0800_1794_.pdf

Policy 8.0: Sustainability Activities will support the academic, teaching and research
priorities and will draw upon the abilities and expertise of the University Community.

UVic's Sustainability Policy defines "Activities" as including, but not limited to, the university’s operations, practices, teaching, research, decisions, events, strategies, actions and planning.

Furthermore, one of UVic's Strategic Research Plan (2016-2021) priorities to "expand its focus on partnerships as mechanisms to enhance innovation, generate new
research opportunities, engage with community partners, mobilize knowledge in society, policy and professional practice, and support entrepreneurship.

An excellent example of one of the deliverables of this policy is the research associated with the creation of bikemaps.org by the UVic Geography SPAR Lab (Spatial Pattern and Analysis Research). The website was developed to collect data on cycling safety.

Further information: http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00053/full
Website: www.bikemaps.org


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

UVic's Sustainability Action Plan: Campus Operations (2014 -2019) contains several goals relating to campus engagement.

Section 4 of the UVic Sustainability Action Plan sets out goals for Campus Engagement. For example, Goal 2.2 is to "work with campus partners to increase the awareness of local and global sustainability issues within the campus population and the surrounding community." The university has measured the success in this category using various social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Hootsuite, website and e-newsletter to share and promote sustainability news and programs. As of November 2016, the Facebook page has over 600 likes and the Twitter page has almost 1,600 followers. Further, collaboration with Communications maximized the reach of university sustainability content through UVic’s primary social media accounts, and produced a video in the fall of 2016, entitled Sustainability in Action at UVic. The video profiled various campus partners through engaging web content and has over 9,300 views on Facebook alone (this does not include the views on Twitter, through our sustainability newsletter, and SnapChat, etc.).

Another example is Goal 2.3 which is to "create new programming for the Sustainability Action Team program with offices, labs, and residences."

Progress on this goal has been measured in the Sustainability Action Plan: Progress Report 2014-2016. Three new programs have been established including the Student Residence Green Team, Green Labs Program and the Staff Sustainability Network.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:

UVic's Sustainability Action Plan: Campus Operations (2014 -2019) contains several goals relating to Public Engagement.

For example, goal 2.4 in the Plan is to "engage the local community in the university’s sustainability initiatives and develop programs to work collaboratively on issues of mutual interest and benefit." Progress on this goal has been measured in the Sustainability Action Plan: Progress Report 2014-2016. The Sustainability Office coordinated with several departments to donate more than $3,000 to the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Ready, Set, Solve! Program. It aimed to connect inter-disciplinary teams of students from post-secondary institutions with local government, non-profit organizations and institutions to address climate related challenges and provide real solutions for the region. In all, the program engaged thirteen student teams from UVic, most of which were made up of undergraduates, in valuable experiential learning projects. Project partners included the CRD, the Township of Esquimalt and the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre.

The Sustainability Office also maintains relationships with cycling related organizations in the community. UVic provides a $8,000 sponsorship each year to the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society to help promote cycling. The Bike to Work Week/Day events mobilizes those already commuting by bike as leaders in the workplace and each year draws new participants into commuter cycling. Nearly 1,000 UVic students, staff, and faculty participate each year, which helps to increase the cycling mode share on campus. Similarly, the Sustainability Office has collaborated with the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, who advocate for better cycling infrastructure and help educate the cycling community in the region. This included promoting events, and sharing and distributing information about issues of mutual interest and benefit. The Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability also sit on Active Transportation committees with the CRD and the District of Saanich, and liaises with nearby City of Victoria.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:

2014 - 2019 Sustainability Action Plan goals:
- Achieve a total institutional greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 30%, relative to 2010 as the baseline year.
- Reduce campus electricity consumption intensity by 8% by 2019, relative to 2010 as the baseline year.
- Reduce campus natural gas consumption intensity by 12% by 2019, relative to 2010 as the baseline year.
- Implement renewable energy demonstration projects on campus that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall energy use.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals
- Ensure all new buildings and major renovation projects achieve the standard of LEED Gold or equivalent certification
- Utilize sustainable green building practices for all renovation and building construction projects that are below the threshold for mandatory LEED Gold or equivalent certification
- Utilize sustainable operational and building maintenance practices in all campus buildings and facilities
- Develop systems that provide for the reduction, measurement and reporting of construction and demolition waste.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals:
- Reduce campus electricity and natural gas consumption intensity
- Increase our renewable energy portfolio.
Additional goals:
- Campus Integrated Energy Master Plan implementation
- Campus Plan 2016 Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Section 4.3)


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals:
- Benchmark and increase the number of local food producers and suppliers and maintain an active preference for Island produced products.
- Enhance waste reduction and diversion practices in campus food outlets.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals:
- Reduce the quantity and improve the water quality of stormwater on campus that enters the local drainage and stream networks
- Protect and manage the ecological diversity of the natural areas on campus and enhance the use of native species in campus landscape management
- Develop a formalized Integrated Pest Management Plan as part of the overall grounds management system.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals:
- Review purchasing procedures and develop refinements that assist in furthering the incorporation and formal application of triple bottom line sustainability criteria in procurement decisions
- Further develop reporting systems that include information on the source and environmental footprint of goods and services purchased by the university.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals:
- Increase the use of transit, cycling, walking and carpooling to 70% of the campus transportation modal split by 2019.
- Improve the sustainability of the campus fleet by reducing fuel consumption by 10% through staff training and the gradual replacement of vehicles with the most fuel efficient versions on the market.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals:
- Increase the waste diversion rate to 75% by 2019.
- Reduce the total amount of waste produced as measured in kilograms per campus user (students, staff and faculty) by 2019, relative to 2010 as the baseline year
- Provide for responsible hazardous waste management on campus and reduce where possible the use of hazardous materials.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:

Sustainability Action Plan 2014-2019 goals:
- Reduce water consumption by 25% by 2019, relative to 2010 as the baseline year
- Retrofit 25 water fountains in campus buildings for easy refilling of personal water bottles.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The UVic Strategic Plan, states as it's first objective: "To be a diverse, welcoming learning community, with a demonstrated commitment to equity and fairness", with 4 key strategies which include identifying and reporting on equity, diversity and fairness issues across the university including the recruitment, retention and experience of students, faculty and staff. (p.15) See:
http://www.uvic.ca/strategicplan/assets/docs/strategicplan.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:

UVic's Sustainability Action Plan: Campus Operations (2014 -2019) Goal 1.3: Enhance responsible investment policies to reflect industry best practices.

Beginning in 2011, the University of Victoria Foundation Board (the Board) began the process of documenting its investment beliefs. Since 2015, the Board has expanded its Summary of Investment Beliefs, as related to Responsible Investing, to include the requirement that the Foundation’s investment managers (1) provide a report on responsible investing activities each year; and, (2) that the report also include a record of the manager’s proxy voting activity. In an effort to be more transparent about these initiatives, the Foundation’s first Responsible Investing Report was included in the 2014-15 Annual Report. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles are incorporated into the investment decision making process through proxy voting which demonstrates the Board’s commitment to responsible investing. The Board has delegated voting rights to be exercised by the investment managers. Equity investment managers are expected to vote all proxies in the best interests of the Foundation and to remain active participants within their equity portfolios.


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:

UVic Strategic Plan 2012 - Objective 1(d) - The University of Victoria actively promotes and communicates coordinated practices of inclusion, respect, wellness, accessibility, safety and accommodation as the foundations of a healthy campus community.

Source: https://www.uvic.ca/strategicplan/assets/docs/strategicplan.pdf

As a campus community we recognize that we all play a part in an inclusive community. We are committed to a supportive campus which includes a comprehensive approach to Mental Health and well-being. The following components are part of a preventative and systematic approach to address Mental Health and wellness for faculty members, librarians and staff.

Institutional Policies & Practices/Supportive Policies and Procedures can be found on the University Secretary’s website at http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/policies/index.php

Representative examples of policies and programs are:

Discrimination and Harassment Policy

http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/GV0205_1150_.pdf

Employee Accommodation

http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/HR6115_1110_.pdf

Employment Equity

http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/HR6100_1100_.pdf

Policy on Human Rights, Equity and Fairness

http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/GV0200_1105_.pdf

Employment Equity Plan 2015 – 2020

http://web.uvic.ca/eqhr/equity/eep2015.pdf


Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:

The Sustainability Action Plan includes the following goals for Computing
- Maximize the energy efficiency of information systems infrastructure across campus
- Develop systems and procedures that help reduce paper use in computer labs, offices and in administrative procedures across the university
-Ensure that green manufacturing standards and energy saving criteria are applied to all computing services purchasing decisions (EPEAT Gold and Energy Star rated).

A goal in the Engagement section of the Action Plan references working with campus partners to increase the awareness of local and global sustainability issues within the campus population and the surrounding community.

The Campus Plan in Section 3.2.2.5 Public Art and Cultural Expression includes sustainability objectives that relate to strengthening campus identity, increasing awareness and engagement and celebrating First Nations' and other diverse cultural character.


Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:

Sustainability Policy GV0800 adopted by the Board of Governors in March 2009. Policy reviewed and updated in January 2017.


The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):

"Sustainability is the state of achieving the ecological balance that allows social development and economic prosperity to be achieved across generations." from UVic Sustainability Policy, see: http://www.uvic.ca/universitysecretary/assets/docs/policies/GV0800_1794_.pdf


Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) No
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment No
The Talloires Declaration (TD) Yes
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:

UVic is one of the creators and original signatories of the University and college Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action for Canada.


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:

UVic integrates various strategic planning processes and administrative/management functions that include sustainability as a central theme or an important component. The UVic Strategic Plan (http://www.uvic.ca/strategicplan/assets/docs/strategicplan.pdf) contains many references to sustainability in its Mission and various Objectives (34 & 35 in particular).

The Sustainability Action Plan: Campus Operations, 2014 -2019 http://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/assets/docs/policy/action-plan-2014.pdf

Many other plans and departments incorporate sustainability with diversity, equity, health and wellness into their work with students, staff, faculty and the community. UVic has a Diversity and Equity Advisor to the Provost, a multi-stakeholder Healthy Campus Advisory Committee, and Work-Life consultants assigned to each department.

The School of Business includes a Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation which has as its purpose to promote sustainability into the teaching, research and operations of the school, see: http://www.uvic.ca/gustavson/cssi/


UVic integrates various strategic planning processes and administrative/management functions that include sustainability as a central theme or an important component. The UVic Strategic Plan (http://www.uvic.ca/strategicplan/assets/docs/strategicplan.pdf) contains many references to sustainability in its Mission and various Objectives (34 & 35 in particular).

The Sustainability Action Plan: Campus Operations, 2014 -2019 http://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/assets/docs/policy/action-plan-2014.pdf

Many other plans and departments incorporate sustainability with diversity, equity, health and wellness into their work with students, staff, faculty and the community. UVic has a Diversity and Equity Advisor to the Provost, a multi-stakeholder Healthy Campus Advisory Committee, and Work-Life consultants assigned to each department.

The School of Business includes a Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation which has as its purpose to promote sustainability into the teaching, research and operations of the school, see: http://www.uvic.ca/gustavson/cssi/

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.