York University
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

The University Academic Plan (UAP) 2020-2025 is about coming together to make positive change for our students, our campuses, and our local and global communities. The UAP outlines six Priorities, each of which focus on a key dimension of positive change that York University will pursue over the next five years.

-21st Century Learning: Every York University graduate, regardless of background or field of study, must be equipped with the knowledge, transferable skills, and values to navigate a 21st century world in which change is the only constant.
-Knowledge for the Future: As change accelerates around us, we aim to be more responsive to our communities by generating critical knowledge and works of art, ideas and innovations that engage multiple perspectives while propelling Ontario as a global knowledge-economy leader.
-From Access to Success: With many of our students facing current challenges and uncertain futures, York will devote additional attention to supporting students of all backgrounds and circumstances to complete their studies successfully and to realize their full potentials.
-Advancing Global Engagement: York University draws people from around the world who seek to learn from each other and to gain the global fluencies needed to work locally and across borders toward a better future.
-Working in Partnership: York University understands that by partnering with other entities and sectors we gain vital insights and capacity to create positive impact for our students, our campuses, and our broader communities.
-Living Well Together: Making positive change requires that all members of our diverse community feel welcomed into a sense of belonging, common purpose, and shared responsibility to support and enrich each other’s work.

Some of the latest activities include:
- In 2022, York University announced bold new actions and initiatives that will see York become one of the most sustainable universities nationally, embracing a holistic approach to sustainability and amping up targeted resources in support of a plan that will get York to net-zero.
- York’s Office of Sustainability is growing, including recruitment for a Chief Sustainability Officer. In March 2022, York University hired Mike Layton, a former Toronto City Councillor, York alum, and long-time champion of sustainability. He will play a pivotal role in developing the University’s new Sustainability Strategy building on existing strengths and driving new initiatives.
- A new one-million-dollar fund for Sustainability Innovation has been announced.
- An open access microlecture series and badge in Sustainable Living was created in March 2023, an innovative, open access program that gives participants the opportunity to learn from six of York’s world-renowned academic experts on a diverse range of topics related to sustainability.
- York has pledged to reduce direct and indirect emissions by 45% by 2030. "
-A new Sustainability Framework which includes Working Groups, a Taskforce and Steering Committee
- York faculty, staff and course instructors invited to engagement sessions for the renewal of the Sustainability Strategy
- York University maps courses that teach about Sustainable Development Goals
- A new Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028
- A new Well Being Strategy in development
- York University funds $4.05M to support interdisciplinary research for the SDGs https://www.yorku.ca/edu/2023/01/11/york-university-funds-4-05m-to-support-interdisciplinary-research-for-the-un-sdgs/
- The SDGs-in-the-Classroom Toolkit a resource for faculty and students to embed the SDGs within Teaching & Learning

"In 2020, the Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building was announced as one of the nine winning projects of the 13th annual Canadian Green Building Awards, a program of Sustainable Architecture & Building (SAB) Magazine. The Canada Green Building Council issued the Gold certification, a third-party validation that Schulich’s new building has been designed to meet several sustainability criteria, including water efficiency, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and indoor environmental quality.

The 67,000-square-foot building is one of the first in Canada to use the principles of thermally active building systems. One of the building’s core features is a dramatic glass solar chimney that stands 27 metres in height and provides passive natural ventilation for the entire facility. Some of the other sustainable building features include more than 200 automated, computer-controlled and operable exterior windows to provide natural ventilation and radiant heating and cooling within the floors and ceilings."

In 2023 York University's Board of Governors approved the renewal of the sustainability policy.

This Policy aims to foster environmental protection, sustainable development, and responsible stewardship within the university community. It establishes requirements for the development of a comprehensive sustainability strategy and framework to get York University to Net-Zero on Scope 1 and 2 and to significantly reduce Scope 3 emissions by 2040.

The Policy reaffirms York University's commitment to address complex environmental, social, and economic issues. By adhering to applicable environmental laws, allocating responsibilities to various stakeholders, and providing a platform for sustainable development efforts, this policy aims to create a holistic approach to sustainability that integrates seamlessly into all aspects of university operations, thereby fostering a culture of sustainability and contributing to a more sustainable future.