Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 69.86
Liaison Nicole Arsenault
Submission Date April 3, 2024

STARS v2.2

York University
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

1st Partnership 

Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability :
TD Engagement Centre - Catalyst Grant

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? :
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe?:
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership?:
Sustainability-focused

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability:
The York University-TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC) strives for academic innovation through community building and experiential learning, post-secondary attainment for Black Creek Community, and fosters collaborative research and partnerships. Our local approach informs our thinking more broadly about community engagement and the role of the university in strengthening communities and addressing societal issues. One of the CEC's successful initiatives is the catalyst grant, which has awarded over $150,000 to meaningful partnerships between Black Creek community residents/organizations and York University Faculty and staff. This year, the catalyst grant is focusing on projects that creatively address sustainability in the Jane Finch community, a disadvantaged community in the Greater Toronto Area.

Learn more here: https://cec.info.yorku.ca/catalyst-grants/

2nd Partnership

Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
MOU with Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC)

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (2nd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (2nd partnership):
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership’s sustainability focus? (2nd partnership):
Sustainability-related

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (2nd partnership):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (2nd partnership):
"York U and Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create positive change for Black-owned businesses and social enterprises by reducing barriers to commerce and driving inclusive economic growth.

In terms of material support, the MOU recognizes the important work the chamber does in supporting Black-owned businesses – creating a pathway for CBCC members to fast track their applications in York’s first-of-its-kind Social Procurement Vendor Portal. By actively identifying and contracting with diverse-owned businesses and social enterprises, and others who disproportionately experience unemployment or underemployment and discrimination, York has prioritized vendor diversity through both its Social Procurement Policy and its Social Procurement Vendor Portal.

The new agreement also commits both organizations to share knowledge and best practices to break down barriers.

Learn more here: https://www.yorku.ca/news/2023/03/13/york-u-and-canadian-black-chamber-of-commerce-partner-to-create-positive-change-for-black-owned-businesses-and-social-enterprises/

3rd Partnership 

Name of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
Markham Campus Partnership

Does the institution provide financial or material support for the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Yes

Which of the following best describes the partnership timeframe? (3rd partnership):
Multi-year or ongoing

Which of the following best describes the partnership? (3rd partnership):
Sustainability-related

Are underrepresented groups and/or vulnerable populations engaged as equal partners? (3rd partnership):
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal community partnership to advance sustainability (3rd partnership):
The York University Markham Campus is based on a joint partnership contribution between York University, the City of Markham, and York Region. Opening in Spring 2024, the Markham Campus will embed York University in the heart of one of the most diverse and dynamic urban communities in the province and country. Academic programs and research will reflect the local economy, revolving around the core themes of technology and entrepreneurship and how they are driving innovation across all areas of knowledge and society.

Throughout the construction of the new campus, York University has embedded and integrated sustainability in multiple aspects and had engaged underrepresented groups.
- Representatives of the three levels of government as well as consulates and staff from York University were invited to participate in the Markham Spring Gala to celebrate Lunar New Year, where the university announced a $25,000 scholarship for students to attend the campus.
- Ensuring that Indigenous traditions and values are honoured and reflected in the design of York University’s Markham Campus (MC), it will incorporate several key principles that are included in York University's Indigenous Framework, which was developed by the Indigenous Council, an independent body that advises the University on Indigenous initiatives, with the support from other Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
- Significant sustainable features are embedded in the design to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and lower energy consumption through its operation.

In terms of material support, the $275.5M campus project will help drive the economic growth of Markham and York Region and acts as a catalyst for learning, research and development, and talent development to serve the needs of the local community and employers.

Learn more here: https://www.yorku.ca/markham/

Optional Fields 

A brief description of the institution’s other community partnerships to advance sustainability:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s community partnerships to advance sustainability is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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