Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 71.86
Liaison Isabel Savransky
Submission Date June 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Ontario Tech University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.75 / 4.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

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 Strategic plan highlights the institutions commitment to social, scientific and economic innovations, the three pillars of sustainability. Introductory Statement of the Strategic Plan: 'Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology) is an emerging leader in career-ready education and collaborative research that produces new and useful ideas. A fast-growing university with ambitious expansion plans, we are committed to social, scientific and economic innovations that create a better Canada and a better world. Guided by our strategic plan our university aims to be recognized globally as a change-maker and leader in technology-driven research and scholarship. Our reputation is built upon our strengths and will advance through a sharpened focus on the three words that define our work: challenge, innovate, connect.' Another exert: 'Together, we make a difference by answering the big questions that face society at multiple levels such as issues with sustainability and the impact of technology on our world. In collaboration with our partners, we provide inspirational and imaginative solutions that benefit our local and global communities. We commit to growing our culture of discovery.' Measurable objectives are described after each goal ('To do this, we will' section)

A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
https://ontariotechu.ca/about/office-of-the-president/strategicplanning/index.php

Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
https://shared.uoit.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/UOIT_CDM2014-FINAL.pdf

Other Published Plans 

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):
Campus Master Plan CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Strategy and Action Plan: https://shared.uoit.ca/shared/department/research/documents/crc-institutional-edi/uoit-canada-research-chair-equity-action-plan-2019.pdf https://ontariotechu.ca/about/university-planning-office/current-planning-documents/index.php

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision Component 3, Outcome 3: Identify and pursue opportunities to incorporate the principles of sustainability and environmental literacy into course curriculum https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf Behavioural Measures (pg. 12) outline in The Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan: Consider including elements and/or methods of green education within the campus to increase the visibility of the Sustainability program on campus and encourage student, staff participation in programs. This will be tracked through annual inventory of sustainability-related and sustainability-focused courses. https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/UOIT_CDM2014-FINAL.pdf

Research 

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision Component 3, Outcome 3: Identify and pursue opportunities to incorporate the principles of sustainability and environmental literacy into course curriculum; and Outcome 5: Engage in partnerships with the local community and government organizations for the furtherance of environmental objectives. Measurable outcomes: - tracking number of faculty conducting sustainability related research (annually tracked based on published journal articles and research) - tracking partnerships with community connects to research conducted by faculty https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Campus Engagement 

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan: Vision Statement 3: Outcomes 1 and 2: 1. Share knowledge and engage with students, staff, faculty, and community members to promote ecoliteracy and ensure effective participation of the University community in green living practices. 2. Develop a team program in order to build a network of sustainability-focused individuals across the University. To accomplish these outcomes, measurements related to: Number of sustainability initiatives/events hosted on campus annually Number of sustainability related student groups/clubs Number of students part of the Blue Team (dedicated sustainability team on campus) https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Public Engagement 

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan: Vision Statement 3: Outcomes 5 and 6: 5. Engage in partnerships with the local community and government organizations for the furtherance of environmental objectives. 6. Communicate with the outside community about the University’s environmental performance and activities Measurement of these outcomes include: - number of sustainability related events open to the public and community (Green Energy Doors Open, Pollinator Tour, Community Garden and Farm Tours, Sustainability related conferences and discussions. -local and national engagement and partnerships that related to sustainability

Air & Climate 

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:
Incorporated in the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan https://news.ontariotechu.ca/archives/2014/07/documents/UOIT_Energy_Conservation_Demand_Management_Plan.pdf Strategic Sustainability Plan: Vision Component 2: Outcome 3 Build and renovate facilities in accordance with energy efficiency and sustainability principles and Outcome 4 Use ecological landscaping methods and ensure green space in future building planning. Measurable objectives are to accomplish strategies and outcomes in both plans, relate to building energy efficient systems and infrastructure to reduce our overall carbon foot print (by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions) while also creating and preserving green spaces (# of trees planted annually and size of wildflower gardens for carbon sequestration).

Buildings 

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:
Incorporated in the Strategic Sustainability Plan Phase 1 and Phase 2 and Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan https://news.ontariotechu.ca/archives/2014/07/documents/UOIT_Energy_Conservation_Demand_Management_Plan.pdf Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision Component 2 Best Practices in Infrastructure Planning: Targets and actions are tracked to measure progress relating to this entire component: Identify areas on campus that are suitable for different types of green infrastructure applications and implement feasible projects; tracking number of energy efficient projects on campus along with retrofit projects while also tracking implemented green infrastructure elements in new construction and development (energy efficient systems and fixtures) https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Energy 

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:
Incorporated in the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan https://news.ontariotechu.ca/archives/2014/07/documents/UOIT_Energy_Conservation_Demand_Management_Plan.pdf Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision Component 1 Outcome 4 Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, implement energy conservation measures where possible and establish programs that promote to faculty, staff and students the efficient use of energy.Measuring this outcome entails tracking and measuring energy use and greenhouse gas emissions annually. https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Food & Dining 

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:
Measurable objective, include but not limited to increasing percentage of local and sustainable food purchases (local producers, increase sustainably certified food and products- Fair Trade products, Rain Forest Alliance). This links directly to the Strategic Sustainability Plan: Vision Component 1, Outcome 5, Strategy 5:Develop programs to encourage local food procurement and community involvement. https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Grounds 

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision 2 Outcome 4 Use ecological landscaping methods and ensure green space in future building planning. Measuring this goal encompasses tracking the area of green space (# of trees planted, community garden space, wildflower meadows. https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Purchasing 

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:
Measurable objectives are tracked based on the Strategic Sustainability Plan: Vision Component 1: Outcome 5: 5 Ensure that University procurement policies and procedures incorporate an assessment of environmental impact of purchases throughout their life-cycle and factor this consideration into the procurement assessment. Encourage the use of producers and suppliers who follow environmentally responsible practices. Some measurable outcomes includes, but not limited to: - amount of recycled and/or recyclable materials purchased - amount of local food procurement - tracking other sustainability related purchases https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf Organizational Measure from the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan: Develop a procurement policy that incorporates assessing, wherever possible through all life cycle phases, the environmental impact of all products (Pg 12) https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/UOIT_CDM2014-FINAL.pdf

Transportation 

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision 2 Outcome 2 Integrate sustainable features into new and existing building design and application Measurable outcomes include number of staff, student and faculty that track commuting trips to and from campus on the Smart Commute tool; number of electric vehicle charging stations and number of electric/hybrid vehicles on campus https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf Other specific measurements and outcomes are outlined in the Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan (2019-2024)- to be published online soon. Section of the Campus Master Plan: Pedestrians and cyclists as well as public transit will be given priority in terms of long term planning and facilities. The provision of public transit to and from campus will improve over time, and will, in turn, reduce reliance on personal vehicles. The Master Plan will be positioned to leverage future transit investment.

Waste 

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision 1 Outcome 2 Adopt effective waste management strategies that reduce the volume of waste generated and sent to landfill. Measurable indicators include: - number of waste and recycling events hosted - diversion rate (waste diverted from landfill) https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Water 

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision 1 Outcome 3 Identify opportunities to reduce water consumption, implement water conservation measures where possible and establish programs that promote the efficient use of water. Measurable indicators include: - amount of water used on campus, quarterly - amount of plastic water bottles eliminated because of hydration stations - water efficient systems and fixtures (urinals using collected stormwater) https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Diversity & Affordability 

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:
CRC Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Strategy and Action Plan Ontario Tech University will support greater equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program by committing to: - Embed the values of EDI into our academic and research culture at all levels, starting at the top. This begins with an institutional equity statement that is reflected in all policies and procedures, as well as in the everyday actions of senior leaders, administrators, faculty and students. - Ongoing rigorous self-assessment to keep appraised of our community’s composition and needs. We commit to pan-university data collection to gather baseline data and analyze it through an intersectional EDI lens in order to better inform our institutional EDI strategy by identifying barriers to EDI in the CRC Program and in the research culture at large. - Attract and retain diverse talent to the CRC Program, and to the university at large. https://research.ontariotechu.ca/faculty/ontario-tech-crc-equity,-diversity-and-inclusion-awareness-strategy-and-action-plan-.php

Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

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

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:
Strategic Sustainability Plan Vision 3 Outcome 1: Share knowledge and engage with students, staff, faculty, and community members to promote ecoliteracy and ensure effective participation of the University community in green living practices. As sustainability ties to health and wellbeing, this outcome is measured in Phase II through tracking of the number of events hosted by the Healthy Workplace Committee and other groups on campus and the number of mindfulness sessions hosted on campus, to name a few. https://shared.ontariotechu.ca/shared/department/ocis/documents/strategic-sustainability-plan.pdf

Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
No

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

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:
The University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology is committed to ensuring that sustainability is reflected in our policy, planning, and decision making processes. This 5 year Strategic Plan is our strongest commitment to date and will guide further transition to Campus Sustainability.

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
Sustainability means our needs are met, without jeopardizing future generation’s ability to do the same. Sustainability is a three-tiered thought process encompassing environmental well-being, social justice and economic prosperity.

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

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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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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.