Wilfrid Laurier University
PA-1: Sustainability Coordination

The goal of the Committee is to encourage, assist, support, and counsel the Sustainability Office in developing a sustainable Wilfrid Laurier University based on the University commitments outline in the 4.13 Sustainability Policy. Purpose The purpose of the Committee is to assist the Sustainability Office in promoting environmentally, socially, and economically responsible practices throughout the University. The Committee will provide campus-specific guidance and assistance to the Sustainability Office on sustainability program development and delivery. The Committee will provide a forum for students, faculty, and staff to effectively develop ideas and opportunities for the sustainable future of Wilfrid Laurier University while ensuring accountability to those served by the Sustainability Office. Objectives 1. Advise on issues of campus sustainability including setting sustainability goals and priorities; 2. Review and comment on documents developed by the Sustainability Office including policies, plans, and reports; 3. Increase awareness and understanding of on-campus sustainability challenges, opportunities and different campus groups working on sustainability by disseminating information, ideas and proposed directions to representative organizations or departments; and 4. Assist in the adoption of sustainability policies and programs by the university community.

The Committee is made up of students, faculty and staff. The Committee shall contain no less than 10 and no more than 18 participants. Membership shall include representatives from the following groups: • At least 1 staff member from the Sustainability Office • At least 4 students; o including representation from as many of the following groups as possible: EcoHawks, GSA, Net Impact, Enactus, WLUSU, LSPIRG, Laurier Greens, WLU Farm Market and the Campus Environmental Coalition, etc. o Including representation from undergraduate and graduate students • At least 2 faculty members • At least 4 staff members from as many different departments as possible Members are appointed for one year terms but may be reappointed to serve subsequent terms. One member will be elected as Chairperson or two members will be elected as Co-Chairs. Committee Members 2016/2017: Leanne Hagarty, Fulltime Faculty, Business Department - H.R. & Research, Faculty Melinda Woitzik, EcoHawks Coordinator, Students' Union, Undergrad Student Claire Bennett, Manager: Sustainability Office, Physical Resources, Staff James Emary, Area Manager: Grounds Services, Physical Resources, Staff Monica Papinski, WLU, GSA, Grad Student Anthony Tomizza, VP Programming & Services, Students' Union, Undergrad Student Mohammad Akbar, Admin and Development Director, LSPIRG, Undergrad Student Vicky Gerlings, Sustainability Council Advisor, FYLP, Undergrad Student Helen Ojo, Talent Development Coordinator, Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship, Staff Peter Farrugia, Associate Professor, History and Society Culture & Environment Programs, Faculty Corrie Bird, Marketing Manager, Food Services, Staff Anne Forler, Launchpad Program Leader, Trust Funds-Dean of Business & Econ, Staff Jon Kursikowski, Coordinator, Sponsorship & Events Athletics, Staff Steve Farlow, Executive Director, Schlegel Centre for Entreprenuership, Faculty Junior Ramsoram, Student, Grad Student Ron McKenzie, Director, Business & Facility Operations, Physical Resources, Staff Dorota Rams Skazinski, Learning & Org Devel Admin, Human Resources, Staff Megan Duquette, HR Assistant, Human Resources, Staff Megan Lacoursiere, Director: Sponsorship, Students Union, Staff Sue Dawson, Manager: Parking Services, Parking Services, Staff Alysha Ferguson, Res Experiential Learning Co-ord, Residences - Learning Communities, Staff Liz Mitchell, CAS – Music, Faculty of Music, Faculty Alison Blay-Palmer, Director, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, Faculty Barry Colbert, Director, P&G Centre for Business & Sustainability, Faculty Ignacio Castillo, Professor, School of Business and Economics, Faculty Robert McLeman, Associate Professor, Arts - Geography & Environmental Studies, Faculty Stefan Todoroff, Educational Tech Administrator, TSS - Educational Technologies, Staff Manuel Reimer Nick Dinka, Library Communications Officer, University Librarian, Staff Kim Botril, Owner, Fiddleheads Heal and Nutrition, Community Rosemary McGowan, Associate Professor, Business Technology Management and Leadership Brenda Murphy, Graduate Coordinator, Associate Professor Ellen Russel, Digital Media, journalism, Robert Feagan, Associate Professor

Laurier's Sustainability Office is committed to advancing awareness and action on campus and beyond. Through projects that span operations, education and community partnerships, the goal of the office is to create a culture where sustainability is embedded into university life.

We have seen some major successes over the last few years, some key ones are highlighted here: • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Laurier decreased its intensity based greenhouse gas emissions by 32% (from 2009 levels) over the period of the previous Sustainability Action Plan. In large part, this was due to initiatives related to energy and waste and the province of Ontario’s phase out coal-fired electricity generation. • Energy: Laurier has undertaken a comprehensive initiative, termed the Laurier Energy Efficiency Project (LEEP) to improve energy efficiency and conservation through a partnership with an energy service company, whereby we pay for the project out of the energy savings it provides. Laurier has chosen to take a highly progressive approach to energy management, including common measures such as fixture upgrades, weather stripping and re-commissioning but extending to advanced applications, including solar photovoltaic arrays and power storage. Laurier has also shown innovation in green building with LEED Gold designated projects, most recently with the award winning Lazaridis School of Business and Economics. • Waste: Over the span of the last Action Plan, Laurier has taken substantial effort to improve waste diversion, outfitting the entire Laurier Waterloo campus with our central waste programming, as well as many key Brantford buildings. This has allowed us to achieve a 60% waste diversion rate at a multi-campus level. • Sustainability Investment Models: The Sustainable Hawk Fund, a SEED type program, has provided significant financial contribution to student, staff and faculty led projects that improve sustainability services and life for Laurier students. • Open Space Projects: The Sustainability Office has secured funding, both through operating budgets and grants, to significantly improve upon and add new open and gathering spaces throughout campus, including tables, benches, bike storage, safe pedestrian linkages, natural plantings, gardens and art installations. • Fair Trade Campus: We received the Fairtrade Campus designation from the Canadian Fair Trade Network (CFTN). Under the designation, all food outlets operated by Laurier and the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union in Brantford and Waterloo, including Laurier catering, serve fair trade certified coffee, and fair trade certified options for tea and chocolate bars.

The role is responsible for the overall management of the Sustainability Office, including all staff and associated student, volunteer, and community and committee member functions and is the primary representative and expert for internal and external relations in the area of institutional sustainability. The scope of the role spans sustainability within business and facilities operations and planning, design, and construction as well as education and community partnerships.

The coordinator role is focused on embedding a culture of sustainability across our campuses by improving outreach & program development in the three areas: Operations, Academic, & Community. Some projects/programs include: • Sustainable Hawk Fund: established an annual $30,000 seed fund and mentorship program for student/staff ideas that yield positive sustainability benefits on campus and beyond. • Student Move Out Waste Program: planned residence and off-campus student housing program, working with community stakeholders, key staff, municipal representatives, recyclers and reward partners, to reduce waste at the curbside and landfill during move out periods. • Communications Strategy development and implementation.