Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.76
Liaison Eric Meliton
Submission Date Jan. 16, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Wilfrid Laurier University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Dan McGregor
Sustainability Coordinator, Outreach and Programs
Physical Resources
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Central Sustainability Website 

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 University has a website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts. We have three different portals; one dedicated to students, one dedicated to staff and one for the general public. The Sustainability Office website provides up to date information regarding Laurier's sustainability efforts on campus and beyond. It provides information on projects and programming to demonstrate how Laurier integrates sustainability into their daily operations. The website includes resources on academics along with programs and services. It highlights campus and community partnerships, upcoming and ongoing projects, and is a main point of reference for all things related to sustainability at Laurier for students, staff, and faculty.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
https://students.wlu.ca/student-life/sustainability/

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The sustainability newsletter is an overarching piece of information typically directed at students of the university. The main sections to the newsletter are: spotlights on key events that are coming up, spotlight on previous events, any highlights on holidays that are happening during the month (example: world indigenous peoples day), a sustainability tip (how to eat local or how to shop sustainably), events that are happening on campus and in the community, job and volunteer opportunities and finally links to our social media accounts (including: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). This may vary if there are special events or situations we would like to highlight such as our September 2018 Newsletter that will focus on the FreeStore that we will be piloting this September.

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The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
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Social Media Platforms 

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:
We have a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram page dedicated to connecting with students, staff and the community about sustainability events, news, facts or tips.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
https://twitter.com/LaurierGreen

Student Newspaper Coverage 

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:
Laurier's main student newspaper, The Cord, has included articles pertaining to sustainability. These articles were focused on either sustainable changes at Laurier, sustainability events, news from the Sustainability Office, or regarding guest speakers present to discuss environmental issues. Sustainability has been of growing interest for the student body and as such, The Cord (our campus paper) has increased covered of sustainability issues, including front cover stories on plastics reduction (July 2018) and centerfold features on importance of bees.

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
https://thecord.ca/

Student Research Publication 

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:
Scholars Commons @ Laurier is a website which provides public access to intellectual, creative, and academic work of the Laurier community. Its purpose is to make university output accessible to a wider audience than traditional forms of distribution. By sharing content globally through the Internet, the university supports open scholarly communications, collaborative research, and lasting visibility and recognition for a scholarship at Laurier. The website can be navigated by area of interest or discipline, allowing the public to easily access articles and student research on sustainability. Laurier's Sustainability Office website also offers itself as a vehicle to display student research on sustainability to faculty members, students, as well as the general public. The research section of the website is dedicated to student research and highlights current and past research conducted by faculty members and students. Additionally, the Office of Research showcases Laurier's Research Centers, many of which are related to sustainability, including the new founded Viessmann Centre for Engagement and Research in Sustainability (VERiS).

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
http://scholars.wlu.ca/geog_etd/

Green Building Signage 

Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Two large interactive touch-screen kiosks are installed in high traffic areas of campus, in the Concourse and Science Building Atrium. They display detailed information regarding sustainable features throughout campus and in each building. It also provides real-time data of energy consumption for each university building which can be tracked and compared to other buildings and universities. Laurier's LEED-certified buildings on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses feature highlighted signage demonstrating their LEED accomplishments, and also house signage throughout them. Lazaridis Hall on Waterloo Campus is LEED gold. Laurier's Waterloo main campus is home to a water harvesting/cistern project, which includes an informative sign displayed in front of it explaining its sustainability qualities. During the construction of Laurier's Energy Efficiency Project (LEEP), there is signage to explain the positive outcome of the project. The sign outlines the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced annually as a result of this project.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
https://www.facebook.com/pg/LaurierSustainability/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1373227376078284

Sustainable Food Systems Information 

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:
We have several signage/brochures that include information about sustainable food systems such as our CSA program (which gives students and staff the opportunity to purchase locally grown vegetables, grown on our Northdale Campus with Young City Growers), we also have brochures and signage about our Fairtrade campus designation and where you can purchase fair trade coffee, tea and food on campus. Laurier's Food Service's website dedicates a section to sustainability. Staff and students can easily access information regarding the sustainable food practices that are in place such as local, organic, and vegan dining, as well as operations initiatives such as trayless dining and the reusable takeout container program. Signage is posted in food service areas which promote the use of the ecotainer and inform students of the biodegradable and compostable products they receive such as napkins, utensils, to-go cups etc. Signage is posted beside food option in the Laurier Food Services Dining Hall, provided by the Fresh Food Company. Signage is posted beside sustainability sourced MSC certified, vegan, vegetarian foods. Additionally, there is signage at all the Laurier owed coffee station indicating that all coffee is 100% fair trade certified.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
https://students.wlu.ca/student-life/sustainability/programs-and-services/agriculture.html

Sustainable Grounds Signage 

Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
Laurier's community and indigenous gardens are equipped with signage explaining the native plant species grown there and the sustainable up-keep procedures employed. This includes signage regarding the use of the garden to grow medicines for smudging ceremonies and vegetables for the Aboriginal Student Centre’s soup and fry bread Tuesdays. Signage to promote ways to manage storm water on properties to protect local rivers, and a butterfly garden that uses water that would otherwise erode soil and flow into storm sewers, are also implemented. Laurier's Waterloo main campus is home to a water harvesting/cistern project, which includes an informative sign explaining it's function and sustainable qualities.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
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Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
Laurier's Sustainability Map has been integrated into the Welcome Center's resources. Laurier's Sustainability Office launched an OurLaurier Vidya map, an interactive digital map of Laurier's Waterloo and Brantford campuses. The map highlights each sustainable component on Laurier campuses. This is an online interactive map which provides information on the location of energy, food, water, transportation and waste management tools and resources found on campus. It also provides a feedback form for individuals to be able to answer how much they knew about the resources before coming to this webpage. Note: We are in the process of transitioning from the Vidya map to embedding sustainability content into the main online campus map therefore we cannot provide a website URL until this process is complete.

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
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Guide for Commuters 

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:
Laurier's Parking & Transportation Resources webpage provides detailed information for commuters on how to use alternative methods of transportation. This includes information on using public transit (local and inter-city bus transit as well as train systems), carpooling, corporate bus passes, as well as cycling services (storage facilities and area trail information). Laurier's Sustainability web page also includes a programs and services section which has an alternative transportation tab. This highlights the tools that Laurier offers for students to access alternative transportation such as carpooling, community access bikeshare, and city bus passes.

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
https://students.wlu.ca/student-life/sustainability/programs-and-services/alternative-transportation.html

Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
We share and promote the Waterloo Region's resources instead of creating our own.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
http://www.bikewr.com/

Green Living Guide 

Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
We have a "Living Sustainable 24-7 Guide" that is available for students to grab. This talks about how to live more sustainably through transportation, food and academics. There are many links towards things such as our sustainable hawk fund (a program which encourages sustainable entrepreneurship for students and their projects through funding and connecting students to resources on campus) or how to get involved on the first year sustainability council or sustainable clubs on campus.

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
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Other Outreach Materials 

Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:
We have a staff sustainability certificate workshop series, an email newsletter, and have hosted walking tours (Water Innovation, Pollinators, Green Buildings). The Students Union (student run environmental organization) produces a blog titled "Staying Green @ Laurier". Entries are posted monthly or bi-monthly throughout the main academic year. Blog posts highlight recent sustainability news on campus and provide coverage of events which encourage sustainable practices. The main page of the blog also provides links to information regarding several of the university's sustainable features for users to explore. Laurier's radio station, Radio Laurier hosts an environmental radio show called 'Noise Pollution'. Noise Pollution broadcasts once a week with open discussion on environmental news, artists demonstrating eco-stewardship, and lifestyle tips centralized around a theme of the week. Local food, natural disasters, vegetarian living, and more are all topics up for debate and discussion on the show.

The website URL for these materials or publications:
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Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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