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With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name:
Title:
Date survey submitted:
ADMINISTRATION
SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES
1) Does your school have its own formal sustainability policy?
[x ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
The recommendation from the President’s Council on Sustainability that is going to the President in August 2009 is that a policy should be created. See question #15 also.
2) Has the president of your institution signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)?
[ x ] No
[ ] Yes. If completed, please provide the date the GHG Report was submitted to the ACUPCC:
The President and the Senior Administration are committed to campus sustainability. The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) has developed an Ontario version of this statement which will be signed by Ontario universities including York University this fall.
3) Has your institution signed the Talloires Declaration?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes
4) Is there a sustainability component in your institution's master plan and/or strategic plan (check all that apply)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes, in the master plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/york_u_plan.htm
York has collaborated with the City of Toronto Planning Department in a process to update a municipal secondary plan that covers all of the Keele campus lands. An overarching objective of the update process has been to create a planning document that embodies a multifaceted approach to sustainability. This approach, and the ensuing policies have been reported to, and sanctioned by, the University's Board of Governors. Although not yet approved by City Council, a draft plan document contains specific and detailed policy direction pertaining to Natural Environment and Sustainability, and Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable Design, which will not only directly influence the formulation of a new Master Plan for the University, but also how future non-academic "city building" is pursued and developed on York-owned lands that surround its academic core.
Permeating throughout York's current Master Plan are principles that speak to sustainable campus development, all of which are commonplace in today's context, but were identified as important and embodied in a document that was created over 20 years ago . The following are some of these principles:
• that new academic growth occur in a compact form, emphasizing the need to infill the gaps between existing buildings before new edge sites are used, and that higher site densities be achieved;
• that emphasis be placed on maintaining and strengthening the campus' heritage of natural areas, open spaces, and relationship to the adjacent Black Creek (a major urban watershed) ;
• that over time the campus avail itself the projected expansion of a regional rapid transit network as a key means of improving the transit modal split of commuters to the university; and
• that a storm water management system be developed over time to detain and improve run-off before discharging into the adjacent watercourse
A process to update the current York University Master Plan, to reflect the direction established through the City's draft Secondary Plan, has recently begun. A major focus of the update process will be to enhance, and "contemporize" the strong sustainable foundation laid out in the 1988 document.
[ ] Yes, in the strategic plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
ADVISORY COUNCIL
5) Does your school have a council or committee that advises on and/or implements policies and programs related to sustainability?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes
If you answered "No" to question 5, please proceed directly to question 11.
6) Please provide the name of the committee and list the number of meetings held since August 2008.
Name: President’s Council on Sustainability
Number of meetings:
The Council has met 7 times in the past academic year.
Student Sub-Cttee to the Council has met 6 times in 10 months. The student sub-committee allows for a greater student participation of interested student groups and reports into the President’s Council. The membership for this sub-committee is open and ranges from 20-45 students at any one time although we consistently have 23 active student members.
The Sustainability Council is an advisory body to the President with responsibility for providing input on York University's sustainability initiatives, projects, and practices. It is also a mechanism to support and enable York students, faculty and staff to participate meaningfully in the planning and implementation of York University's sustainability initiatives, projects and practices. It will serve to foster the integration of knowledge and issues about sustainability into research, education and application.
The Sustainability Council will operate in an atmosphere of collegial co-operation, where all participants respect each others' participation through sharing of expertise, information and strategies. Specifically, the Sustainability Council will:
- Develop a framework for understanding the different dimensions of sustainability as relevant to the university's campuses;
- Conduct a sustainability audit to establish a common understanding and benchmarks; after reviewing the 2001 Report of the President's Task Force on Sustainability
- Provide a forum in which members may discuss sustainability challenges and opportunities and establish a pan-university approach to sustainability initiatives;
- Identify and review current university sustainability practices and ascertain opportunities for synergies;
- Through a planning/prioritization process, identify and examine specific high priority issues and develop recommendations for the President to consider implementing;
- Develop a communication tool that will serve as a focal point for sustainability activities and initiatives as York; and
- Produce an annual report on sustainability at York relative to the Council’s Activities.
7) Please provide number of stakeholder representatives on the committee.
[# 5 ] Administrators
[# 4 ] Faculty
[# 3 ] Staff
[# 4 ] Students
[# ** ] Other. Please describe: The Student Sub-cttee has 23 active student members and reports into the Council.
8) Please provide the name of the chair(s) of the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year, and indicate which stakeholder group the chair(s) represents.
If 2009-2010 academic year information is not yet available, please provide information for 2008-2009 instead.
Name of chair(s): Professor Jennifer Foster
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student): Faculty member of the Environmental Studies department.
9) To whom does the committee report (e.g., president, vice president)? President and Vice-Chancellor, Mamdouh Shoukri.
10) Please list key issues/programs that the committee has addressed or implemented since August 2008.
Key issues/programs that the group has addressed/implemented since August 2008:
Progress made on each of these issues since August 2008:
- Website developed: www.yorku.ca/sustainability
-Compilation of current sustainability initiatives on campus to create a common understanding of work currently being done. This is posted on the website. www.yorku.ca/sustainability
The Council has identified a number of areas to review and to make recommendations to the President by the end of August 2009.
1. Social Justice
2. Curriculum
3. Campus Operations
4. Organization Structure for Sustainability
5. Transportation
6. Food
7. Waste
8. Student Engagement
SUSTAINABILITY STAFF
11) Does your school employ sustainability staff (excluding student employees and interns)?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide titles and number of sustainability staff. Helen Psathas, Senior Manager, Environmental Design and Sustainability, Campus Services and Business Operations
[# 4 ] Number of full-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ ] Annette Dubreuil, Tony Morris, IRIS Coordinators, Dawn Bazely, Director, IRIS
[# ] Number of part-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ ]
12) Does the head of the sustainability staff report directly to the president or another high-level administrator (e.g., vice president, vice chancellor)?
[ ] N/A
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe: Reports to the Associate Vice President Campus services & business operations
OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT
13) Does your school have an office or department specifically dedicated to furthering sustainability on campus?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe (including name of office or department and year created):
1/ IRIS (Academic Research) Created c. 1993.
2/ Environmental Design & Sustainability (Operations) Created 2008.
WEBSITE
14) Does your school have a website detailing its sustainability initiatives?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide URL: www.yorku.ca/sustainability
Communication Campaign: http://www.yorku.ca/yorkwise/about.html
Sustainability Report 2007-8: http://www.yorku.ca/susweb/pdf/2007-2008.pdf
GREEN PURCHASING
15) Does your school have a formal green purchasing policy?
[ ] No
[X ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to full policy, if available:
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/licensing/Forms/Lic%20Code%20of%20Conduct.pdf
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=27
http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/policies/document.php?document=58
16) Does your school purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products?
[ ] No
[ X ] Some. Please describe: Appliances/Printers/Copiers.
[ ] All
17) Does your school purchase environmentally preferable paper products (e.g., 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council)?
[ ] No
[ X] Some. Please describe: York Bookstores and Printing Services received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Recycled content is up to 30%. FSC certified is 100%.
All centrally printed materials are FSC. This practice will be formalized in an institutional RFP to be posted in September.
[ ] All. Please describe:
18) Does your school purchase Green Seal, Environmental Choice certified, or biorenewable cleaning products?
[ ] No
[X ] Some. Please describe: 30% of buildings are 100% green products only. Other buildings have green products, however, complete conversion has not yet taken place. (Ecologo/Greenseal/Preferred clause in tender call T08-049 and T08-133.
[ ] All. Please describe:
19) Are your school's computer/electronics purchase decisions made in accordance with standards such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[X ] All. Bronze standard.
20) Does your school use only pesticides that meet the standards for organic crop production set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Canadian Organic Standards (excluding on-campus farms)?
[ X] No
NB: Very little pesticides are used on campus – municipal requirements only related to West Nile mosquito control. No licensed pest control service provider, is required to meet the requirements of the Canadian Organic Standards. However, Abell Pest Control meets all the procedural requirements of the Canadian Organic Standards. This would include investigative, mechanical collection devices, data collection and tracking/reporting of pests.
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ ] All
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY
21) Has your school completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] No.
[ ] In progress. Please describe status and provide estimated completion date:
[X ] Yes. Please provide total annual GHG emissions (in metric tons of CO2e). Also, include the start date for each year as well as the URL to each inventory, if available online, or attach the document.
2008: 58,071
2007: 63,691
2006: 62,943
2005: 65,268
Note this includes direct sources from natural gas consumption including on site electricity generation
COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The purchase of carbon offsets does not count toward greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions for this indicator. They are counted in a subsequent indicator.
22) Has your school made a commitment to reducing GHG emissions by a specific amount?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details.
http://www.yorku.ca/csbo/energymanagement/energyinitiative/index.html
http://www.yorku.ca/csbo/energymanagement/index.html
Reduction level: 25% (YorkWI$E $39.5 million Energy Management Program –see above URLs)
Baseline year: 2006
Target date: 2011
If you answered only "No" or "In progress" to question 21, please now skip to question 27.
REALIZED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
23) Has your school achieved a reduction in GHG emissions?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details.
Percentage reduced: 15%
Baseline year: 2006
Date achieved: 2008 fiscal (meaning April 2009)
24) Please provide the total heating and cooling degree days averaged over the past three years.
Data on total degree heating and cooling days is available at: http://www.degreedays.net/. This information will be used to help reduce bias between schools in different climates.
Heating degree days average over the past three years: 6905 F
Cooling degree days average over the past three years: 596 F
25) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-thousand-square-foot basis for the past three years.
Per-Thousand-Square-Foot Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total maintained building space in thousands of square feet.
2008: 8.09
2007: 8.19
2006: 7.46
26) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-full-time-student basis for the past three years.
Per-Student Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total number of full-time enrolled students.
2008: 1.12
2007: 1.23
2006: 1.22
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
27) What programs or technologies has your school implemented to improve energy efficiency (e.g., cogeneration plant, retrocommissioning of HVAC systems, performing system tune-ups, temperature setbacks)?
10MW Cogeneration Plant
Extensive HVAC retrofitting
HVAC CO2 control with variable speed drives, temperature set backs and fan shutdowns
Lighting redesign, efficiency upgrade and automation including some occupancy sensors
Chilled Water differential temperature improvement to reduce pumping head and flow, variable speed pumps and cooling tower fans
ENERGY CONSERVATION
28) Do you facilitate programs that encourage members of the campus community to reduce energy use (e.g., cash incentives, signs reminding individuals to turn off lights and appliances)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe:
Signs, articles, reminders, also see information on Residence Challenge ‘Res Race to Zero’ www.yorku.caresrace - described elsewhere in this document (Q. 55 & 57) Also launched ‘Yorkwise’ multi-media campus campaign - including posters, advertising, on-line media/– designed to encourage community stewardship of resources including energy conservation. See yorku.ca/yorkwise
RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
29) Does your school generate renewable electricity?
[X ] No, we have completed feasibility studies on geothermal and solar hot water but other conservation projects had much more significant impact to carbon footprint reduction so we are pursuing those first
[ ] Yes. Please specify percentage of overall electricity generated from each of the following sources and describe details below.
[ %] B100 biodiesel
[ %] Clean biomass
[ %] Concentrating solar power (CSP)
[ %] Geothermal
[ %] Low-impact hydropower
[ %] Solar photovoltaics
[ %] Wind
[ %] Other
Description:
30) Does your school have solar hot water systems?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please specify number of systems and total BTUs generated annually, if available:
RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASE
31) Has your school purchased electric energy from renewable sources or renewable energy credits (RECs)?
RECs and electricity from renewable sources must be Green-e certified or meet the requirements of the Green-e standard.
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe. Course kits are carbon neutral. York University contributes 10 cents per kit to the not-for-profit organization Zerofootprint, to purchase local renewable energy and support other projects such as tree planting. See www. Zerofootprint.net
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (kWh):
Percentage of your total electric energy use that it represents:
32) Has your school purchased non-electric energy from renewable sources?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract:
Quantity (BTUs):
Percentage of your total non-electric energy use that it represents:
ON-SITE COMBUSTION
33) Please provide total BTUs of energy for heating and cooling from on-site combustion:
Total including on site electricity generation for 2008 is 1,174,796,963,303.Because we make cogenerated electricity this consumption is inherently combined and approximately 17.5% of this total is converted to electricity.
34) Please list each fuel source (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil) and the percent of overall BTUs derived from that source: 100% natural gas in 2008
35) Is any on-site combustion for heating and cooling derived from renewable sources?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Percentage on-site combustion derived from renewable sources: [ %]
Total BTUs of energy generated from renewable sources: [# ]
Description of renewable energy sources used for on-site combustion for heating and cooling:
FOOD & RECYCLING
The food portion of this category is covered in a separate dining survey.
RECYCLING OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS
36) Please indicate which traditional materials your institution recycles (check all that apply).
[ ] None
[ x ] Aluminum
[ x ] Cardboard
[ x ] Glass
[ x ] Paper
[ x ] Plastics (all)
[ ] Plastics (some)
[ x ] Other. Please list: tires, vehicle fluids (waste oil) steel/scrap metal, concrete, asphalt, wood/metal from furniture
37) Diversion rate: [ 60 %]
RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
38) Does your institution have an electronics recycling program?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. If available, please indicate the total annual weight or volume of each material collected for recycling or reuse. 17.4 metric tonnes in total:
[ x ] Batteries
[ x ] Cell phones
[ x ] Computers
[ x ] Lightbulbs
[ x ] Printer cartridges
[ x ] Other E-waste. Please list: fax machines, printers, photocopiers
COMPOSTING (ASIDE FROM DINING FACILITIES)
39) What percentage of your campus's landscaping waste is composted or mulched?
[ 100 %]
40) Do you provide composting receptacles around campus in locations other than dining halls (e.g., in residence halls, offices, academic buildings)?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe: Organic Compost Digesters, approximately 100 located across campus
SOURCE REDUCTION
41) Do you have any source-reduction initiatives (e.g., end-of-semester furniture or clothing swaps and collections)?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe:
- Procurement swap program
- Residence trading post
- Clothing swaps programs within residences
- Donations to charities
GREEN BUILDING
GREEN BUILDING POLICY
42) Does your school have a formal green building policy?
[ ] No
[X ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to the full policy, if available:
http://www.yorku.ca/vpfa/documents/2007-2008.pdf
The University has adopted a number of green principles to which it adheres in building, renovation and campus grounds management.
All capital projects are subjected to ongoing analysis form the standpoint of sustainability. Projects are conceived giving consideration to sources of material, construction methods, the reduction of energy consumption standards, redirection (recycling) of waste heat sources to building heating, utilization of recycled material (fly ash concrete, asphalt, wood), viability of green roof, efficiencies in building envelope and floor plate, efficiencies in HVAC and lighting systems, use of recycled materials for landscape furniture and benches. Proposals for new developments are examined from the standpoint of maximizing building and operational sustainability, carefully examining the viability for fixed guidelines, such as, but not limited to, LEED Certification.
Infrastructure improvements, including new parking garages, road construction and extensive storm water management projects, have occurred in service of creating greater sustainability on the campus. Parking garages were built using 50% slag concrete and are located on the periphery of the campuses, while transit stops are more conveniently, i.e. centrally, located. New roads have been constructed incorporating storm water management, carefully selected lights that eliminate up lighting, and designated bike lanes. Extensive storm water management initiatives have also been undertaken. These include the creation of retention ponds, bio swales instead of storm sewers; the use of porous paving, “stormceptors” in parking lots, green roofs; and the removal of excessive paved areas with soft ground treatment to allow for water infiltration.
Renovations, small and large scale, have incorporated sustainability measures into planning and design, which in turn, have yielded more sustainable operations. This includes consideration to the reuse of existing buildings, materials, and in the case of new, the use of environmentally friendly sourced materials and supplies. Each renovation brings unique opportunities, and at the same time, all are subject to review from the standpoint of more generally applicable green guidelines, including, but not limited to, the use and distribution of natural light, operable windows, use of low VOC (volatile organic compounds), minimized inflexible interiors (focus on partitions and open concepts for office designs), the use of light sensors and the use of exterior sun shades and canopies to minimize cooling requirements.
The principle of sustainability in grounds operations has been a driving force in the creation of all new landscape designs. Sustainable practices include the use of low maintenance shrubs and drought resistant and native plants; the increase of naturalized open space areas; the elimination of irrigation where used previously; the use of mulch in planted areas for water retention and weed control; and the use of porous hard surface materials such as interlock pavers which are reusable, provide better durability than asphalt/concrete and improves water infiltration. Grounds management has adopted the goal of eliminating all chemical or unsafe fertilizers and pesticides. It continues to provide ongoing support to faculty and student inspired improvements to the site, including the Maloca Community Gardens, the annual Arbor Day Tree Planting, and Faculty of Environmental Studies garden.
GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
43) Please indicate LEED-certified buildings.
[# 0 ] Total number of LEED-certified buildings.
[ sq ft] Certified-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ 250,000 sq ft] Silver-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names: York Research Tower & Archives of Ontario *
* LEED Silver certified - they are not certified today, but application to the Canada Green Building Council is imminent, and will be easily achieved.
[ sq ft] Gold-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
44) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED certification criteria but are not certified.
[# 5 ] Total number of buildings that meet LEED criteria * NOTE: the projects below would meet or exceed silver certification requirements related to sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy, materials/resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation. However certain modeling, third party verifications and other protocols/requirements of registration were not necessarily followed
[ 973,000 sq ft] Certified-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
Silver-level criteria met, but not certified. Please list building names: Computer Science Building (118, 000sq. ft); Pond Road Residence (133,000sq. ft.); Seymour Schulich Building (247,000sq. ft.); TEL (412, 000 sq. ft.); Sherman Health Sciences and Research Center (63,000 sq. ft.)
[ sq ft] Gold-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
45) Please indicate buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# ] Total number of ENERGY STAR buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
Energy Star labeling for buildings does not exist in Canada.
RENOVATIONS AND RETROFITS
46) Please indicate LEED-EB certified buildings.
[# 0] Total number of LEED-EB certified buildings. Please list building names:
47) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED-EB certification criteria but are not certified.
[# 0] Total number of buildings that meet LEED-EB criteria but are not certified. Please list building names: HNES (Health, Nursing, and Environmental Studies)
NOTE: this project would meet or exceed LEED –EB certification requirements related to sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy, materials/resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, however certain modeling, third party verifications and other protocols/requirements of registration were not necessarily followed
[ 190,000 sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
[ 0 sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
48) Please indicate renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# ] Total number of renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
Energy Star labeling for buildings does not exist in Canada.
49) What energy-efficiency technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., HVAC systems, motion sensors, ambient light sensors, T5 lighting, LED lighting, timers, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of maintained building space have been retrofitted with motion sensors; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
-midway through a $40 Million Energy Management Program (EMP) of retrofits and upgrades with the aim of reducing energy consumptions by 25% on a campus which has approx. 90 buildings representing approx. 8 million square feet of occupied space
-modifications through renovations and new building programs have included high efficiency HVAC systems, variable air volume systems (VAV), variable speed drivers on equipment, low velocity air system diffusers, in floor radiant heating and cooling, extensive T8 and some T5 lighting, selected LED lighting, occupancy sensors, heat recovery systems
50) What water-conservation technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., low-flow faucets, low-flow showerheads, waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, gray water systems, laundry technology)?
-Low flow faucets, low flow shower heads, waterless urinals( improvements to product selection have resulted in more ordering for planned developments); examining new laundry technology; all equipment Energy Star or similar .
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of the maintained building space have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
51) What percentage of your institution's non-hazardous construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfills?
( approx. 90 - 95 %]
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
52) Are there any sustainability-themed residential communities or housing options at your school?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Name of program: Pond Road Residence
Type of community (e.g., hall, building, house): building complex
Number of students involved: approx 440
Additional details: predominance of natural light, green roof, radiant in floor heating and cooling, low flow shower heads and faucets, operable windows, common areas have furniture that can be assembled in different ways to suit users.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
53) Does a portion of your new student orientation specifically cover sustainability?
[ ] No
[X ] Yes. Please describe how sustainability is incorporated (e.g., information sessions, green tour): Red Zone (new student information centre), Student Handbook, York Federation of Students handbook. All textiles and most materials are produced under fair labour guidelines - FLA and WRC
INTERNSHIPS/OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
54) Does your school offer on-campus office-based sustainability internships or jobs for students?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide number of students and average number of hours worked weekly per student: GA part time grad students
[# 6 ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student: 10 hours per week
[# 10 ] Unpaid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student: 2 to 5 hours a week (varies by position)
55) Does your school have residence hall Eco-Reps or other similar programs to promote behavioral change on campus? REA’s – Residential Environmental Ambassadors
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please provide details below, and indicate URL if available:
There are Residence Environmental Ambassadors in all 8 undergraduate residence buildings who help build awareness, educate, and ultimately change behaviour. In March 2009 – The Keele campus undergraduate residences competed in the “Res Race to Zero’ to reduce their carbon footprint. . The Res Race to Zero complements York's 5-year energy plan which includes a $40 million investment to reduce consumption by 25%. Modifying behaviour is an essential component of reducing our carbon footprint. Additionally any savings will be invested in improvement of quality of life of residence students on campus.
http://www.yorku.ca/resrace/
[# 8 ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student: 8 Residence Environmental Ambassadors – 5 hours a week, additionally, each residence has responsibility for recycling.
[# 0 ] Positions that award academic credit. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Uncompensated positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
56) Does your school have active student-run organizations devoted to sustainability efforts on campus?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please provide total number of active organizations, names of organizations, a brief description of each, and URLs, if available:
York Is U's Green Team
York is U’s Green Team is a group of coordinators that formulate and implement Green initiatives and try to help improve the campus in a green friendly way! The Green Team helps promote all York is U events, and helps make all the events as green as they can be! The Green Team helps with tree planting/Arbour Day, and other environmental events. The Green Team also works as Green Ambassadors for York and help make York a better place. York Is U holds an annual one week long interactive environmental expo that includes tree planting (Arbour day), an eco-food fair and a recycled eco-friendly fashion show.
http://www.yorku.ca/yorkisu/new_web/en/events/GreenTeam/
The Graduate Environmental Studies Student Association (GESSA)
The Graduate Environmental Studies Student Association (GESSA), of which every Environmental Studies graduate student is automatically member, is the student-run organization for graduate students in the Faculty of Environmental Studies. GESSA is also an associate member organization of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) at York University. Representing over 445 Masters’ and Doctoral students, GESSA is one of the largest governance bodies for graduate students at York University.
http://gessa.ca/web/joomla/
Bachelor in Environmental Studies Students Association
Bachelor in Environmental Studies Students Association (BESSA) is the undergraduate students’ association of the Faculty of Environmental Studies and is recognized by the York Federation of Students. BESSA holds regular meetings and undertakes activities of interest to BES students. These include participation in environmental actions, planning student tours and exchanges, and liaising with other student groups. BESSA is also involved in the selection of undergraduate representation on the Faculty of Environmental Studies Council and its committees. http://www.yorku.ca/fes/resources/bessa/index.htm
Clubs Directly Related to Sustainability
Campus Greens: to raise awareness about green politics, environmental issues and the Green Party of Canada @ York. http://www.yorku.ca/gparty/greens/Welcome.html
Environmental Network @ York University: to connect students across faculties sharing the desire to catalyze environmental. It is a space for sharing ideas, information and funding opportunities for initiatives and increasing awareness about the environment on campus.
Environmental Outreach Teams: dedicated to educating primary and secondary students in the GTHA about important environmental issues and solutions. We work to create positive environmental and social change through various initiatives. http://www.yorku.ca/envreach/
Fair Trade Coalition: The purpose of establishing a Fair Trade coalition is to promote fair trade issues on campus, through educational/awareness campaigns and working to find 4 trade alternatives on campus. http://www.yorku.ca/spc_ft/
Healthy Food Initiatives @ York: We provide healthy, varied, affordable, socially just, ecologically conscious and local food to students and the community. This involves serving a weekly healthy lunch and planning for a farmer's market and a healthy food cafe at York University. http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/HyFIY/
Las Nubes Student Association: Promoting awareness of conservation issues, ecological and social sustainability in Costa Rica where the Las Nubes rainforest exists and promoting Las Nubes fair trade sustainable coffee. http://www.lnsa.ca/
Maloca Community Garden: The objective of Maloca Community Garden is to provide an outdoor space on campus in which members can learn to grow their own food, an activity which promotes sustainable living, community-building, and improved health through nutrition and exercise. http://malocagarden.wordpress.com/
Regenesis @ York University: Regenesis is an environmental, humanitarian and social justice organization. We appreciate that the current level of consumption in our planet is unsustainable, and not acting NOW will have detrimental consequences to be felt within our own lifetime. http://www.theregenesisproject.com/
Clubs Indirectly Related to Sustainability
Atmospheric Science Club @ York: The York Atmospheric Science Club (YASC) aims to educate and inform its members and other like-minded individuals about all things weather and other atmospheric phenomenon. http://www.yorku.ca/yasc/
Marine & Freshwater Science Association: The MFSA provides students with resources pertaining to all aspects of marine and freshwater science, including aquaculture, employment, research and general interest. The Association offers students an opportunity to broaden their knowledge. http://www.yorku.ca/mfsa/information.htm
Ontario Public Interest Research Group – York: We are a student-funded, student-directed organization mandated to do popular education and advocacy around social justice and environmentalism. We are committed to making links between issues including anti-racism, economic justice, the environment, Native rights, sexuality and women. http://www.opirgyork.ca/
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
57) Does your school organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details for all competitions.
Name of competition: Res Race To Zero
Year initiated: March 09
Frequency of competition: one month challenge
Participants: 8 undergraduate residences
Incentives: competition to determine which residence could reduce electrical consumptions the most
Goal of competition: improve residents electrical usage behavior
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced: 26%
Lasting effects of competition: launching greater effort in fall 09 to include all residences; success of REA’s and lead to program to initiate Building Environmental Ambassadors (BEA)
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/resrace. See also question 28 & 55.
TRANSPORTATION
CAMPUS MOTOR FLEET
58) How many vehicles are in your institution's fleet?
[# 92 ] This includes (12) electric golf carts; and (5) transit buses for campus shuttles
59) Please list the number of alternative-fuel vehicles in each class.
[# 1 ] Hybrid. Please list makes and models:
Plug-In Electric Hybrid Toyota Prius - York University is participating in a pilot program with the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, A123 Systems and Hymotions to test out the vehicle.
[# 12 ] Electric. Please describe type of vehicles:
Golf Carts – York University has been reducing it vehicular fleet and replacing vehicles with electric golf carts for operational staff, areas include: Parking Enforcement, Grounds, Facilities Maintenance, Transportation Services and Security Services. This has allowed the University to reduce its carbon footprint for operational staff where possible to move around campus utilizing alternate modes of transportation.
[# ] Biodiesel. Please describe type of vehicles and list biodiesel blend(s) used: York University is currently working on a feasibility study to look at options of implementing biodiesel as a fuel for some of the University fleet.
[# 2 ] Other. Please describe: Transportation Services currently operates two Natural Gas buses which are utilized within the transportation fleet for Campus Shuttles.
60) What is the average GHG emission rate per passenger mile of your institution's motorized fleet?
[# 2.3 ] pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per passenger mile traveled.
Campus Services and Business Operations has a number of Standard Operating Procedures in regards to fleet management.
The University is currently developing an Idle-Free Campaign and a Smart Driver Program. The program is designed to reduce CO2 emissions and improve vehicle efficiency and reduce operational cost.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
61) Does your school offer incentives for carpooling?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe details of the program including the type of the incentive and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):
- York University partners with local Transportation Management Association Smart Commute – North Toronto Vaughan to provide an online ride-matching tool, Carpoolzone.ca. This tool is actively promoted across campus through posters, newsletter coverage and numerous outreach events throughout the year. In 2008-09, it is estimated that the Carpool Zone prevented the emission of over 41 tonnes of GHGs. Participation rate in Carpool Program has increased by 50% from 2007 to 2008.
- Smart Commute NTV also provides an Emergency Ride Home program for employees who carpool, take transit, walk or cycle to work.
- Carpool members who are registered with Parking and Transportation Services are part of the Diamond Pool program which entitles them to receive incentives. This reduces the number of cars brought to campus while meeting emergency parking needs.
62) Does your school offer public transportation subsidies?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe the program including the size of the discount (as a percent of full price) and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students):
· The University is served by 1700 bus trips per day by public transit agencies (with approximately 50% municipal and 50% regional). Furthermore, there are 8 GO Trains per day servicing the University.
· Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) monthly Metropasses are sold from the Parking & Transportation Office for $96.00, which is a discounted rate of approximately 12% off the regular price which is $109.00 per month. All York University student, staff and faculty members are eligible for this service. The University fully underwrites the cost of administering this service.
· Parking & Transportation Services issues GO Transit Student Identification Cards which provides York University students with discounted fares for GO Transit. GO Transit works on a fare zone system and the fares vary based on destination, however, the discount is approximately 20%. The GO Transit Student Identification Card is only for students (staff and faculty are not eligible).
· Parking & Transportation Services have made these services available on-line to the York Community for process improvement and customer convenience.
63) Does your school provide free transportation around campus?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please describe:
- Transportation Services provides a free shuttle bus between the two campuses which has 26 trips per day during the academic year. In the 2008-2009 academic year 47,000 passengers were transported on this shuttle.
- goSAFE operates a free evening transportation safety (shuttle bus) service to travel around campus. There are currently two routes with 11 stops where students can pick up the service approximately every 20 minutes (between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. during the academic year and 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. during the Summer months). In the 2008-2009 academic year 32,000 passengers were transported on this shuttle.
64) Does your school operate a free transportation shuttle to local off-campus destinations?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ x] Yes. Please describe:
· Transportation Services provides a free shuttle bus between the campus and the GO Train station which is located 1.5 km east of the University. There are 8 trips per day. In the 2008-2009 academic year 47,000 passengers were transported on this shuttle.
· goSAFE operates a free evening transportation safety (shuttle bus) service to travel around campus and several designated off-campus destinations in the surrounding neighbourhoods where there is a high student residential population. There are currently two routes with 11 stops where students can pick up the service approximately every 20 minutes (between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. during the academic year and 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. during the Summer months). In the 2008-2009 academic year 32,000 passengers were transported on this shuttle.
BICYCLE PROGRAM
65) Does your school offer a bicycle-sharing/rental program or bicycle repair services?
[ X ] No The University currently does not have a bike sharing/rental program, however, the University’s Transportation Service and Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan and student groups have completed a feasibility study and are currently looking into means of implementing such programs for the future.
[ x ] Yes. Please provide details below. Bike U, a student club on campus, provides bike repair sessions on campus periodically throughout the academic year.
Year created:
Number of bikes available:
Fees for participation:
Repair services provided: General basic maintenance repairs and pumping air in tires
Other Bike Initiatives Include:
- Smart Commute Events to promote cycling on campus
- Bike to work/school day
- Two secure bike cages on campus
- Bike racks conveniently located throughout campus
- Shower facilities available for cyclists
- On campus Bicycle User Group (BUG)
- Bike lanes on many of the campus roads
- GO Transit & TTC have bike racks on their buses coming into the University
CAR-SHARING PROGRAM
66) Does your school partner with a car-sharing program?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. Please provide details below. Zipcar
Year created: Fall 2007
Total number of vehicles: 2
Number of hybrid vehicles: 0 (Zipcar is looking at the feasibility of implementing one or more hybrids on campus for September 2009.)
Fee for membership: $25
Zipcar has been a success on campus, utilization rates have been drastically increasing since inception in Fall 2007, there are over 400 York University members. The University is currently working with Zipcar to add two additional vehicles on campus for September 2009.
PLANNING
67) Does your school have policies that support a pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly campus (e.g., in the school's master plan, a policy prohibiting vehicles from the center of campus)?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please describe: Contained in two documents:
1) the York University Master Plan, 1988, creates a long term vision for the approx 550 acre campus; land use policies describe a series of physical elements, including:
- -the creation of compact development, created through infill and intensification where possible;
- -structured open spaces, to bring a human scale to campus, the goal that all pedestrians be within 5 minutes of a major ‘green’ space;
- -the creation of a system of weather protected pedestrian links at grade;
- -the creation of distinct open space areas, ranging from active/formal areas to naturalized/ informal areas, all of which must be accessible only to pedestrians;
- -the creation of an extensive pedestrian only walkway system throughout campus with major parking lots located on the periphery of campus; and
- the identification of parking lot/structure locations around the periphery of the campus, thus reducing the need for vehicular traffic traversing the academic core.
2) the 1991 York University Secondary Plan is currently being updated through a cooperative planning exercise between City of Toronto and York University;
- a key reason for the update, and resultant policy direction of the Draft Plan document is to recognize the expansion of the Toronto subway system that would extend a line through the campus, as well as future LRT lines on adjacent arterial roads. With two subway station stops proposed on the campus, and the overall enhancement of rapid transit options in the general vicinity, total transit usage by the campus community is projected to increase (currently 65% of all visitors to campus take transit, representing approx 1,700 daily bus trips during academic year) – note, why not provide the student ridership levels instead/in addition to the visitor traffic;
- the proposed Draft Plan provides policies for well connected network of on and off street cycling routes, and convenient, safe, weather protected pedestrian routes;
- detail development plans are to be designed to encourage walking and cycling as most viable modes of travel in order to reduce the use of automobiles
68) What percentage of individuals commute to campus via environmentally preferable transportation (e.g., walking, bicycling, carpooling, using public transit)?
[ 65 %]
York University has strategically developed a continuously evolving Transportation Demand Management Plan. In 1998, 70% of York University’s commuters drove personal motor vehicles alone to and from campus. That figure is now down to 35%. The institution projected significant expansion in the years ahead, foresaw growing congestion and unsustainable trajectory. In response, the University undertook transportation demand initiatives, including leadership in developing a Transportation Management Association (now known as Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan).
The Transportation Demand Management Plan includes the following initiatives and successes:
- Partner with transit agency to increase services to the University, as a result increased the number of buses from 575 in 1999 to 1700 in 2008.
- Established the York University GO Transit Highway 407 express bus route and a GO Transit rail stop located 1.5 km outside of the University.
- Offer discounted TTC monthly passes and GO Transit Student Identification Cards (York University students).
- Implementation of the Carpool Zone ride-matching database (Smart Commute – North Toronto, Vaughan)
- Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan also provides an Emergency Ride Home program for employees who carpool, take transit, walk or cycle to work.
- Shuttles Services (GO Train Shuttle; Glendon-Keele Shuttle)
- goSAFE Transportation/Safety Program
- Partnership with Zipcar to implement carsharing on campus
- Cycling improvements (Bicycle User Group, Bike Lanes, Bike Cage, Promotional Events, Shower facilities)
- Participation in a pilot program for a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (Toyota Prius)
- Development of an Idle-Free Campaign
- Participation in the Clean Air Commute Week (Pollution Probe)
- Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan outreach events on campus
As a result of the efforts, significant improvements have been made on campus to reduce the number of single occupant vehicles. Currently 65% of trips to and from campus are made using environmentally preferable modes of transportation including public transit, carpooling and cycling. The shift in commuter modal split has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 44,000 in 2007 as compared to 2002.
York University is currently working with the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission on an extension of the Spadina subway line through the University campus into York Region in the North. This will provide 2 subway station stops connecting City urban core to central campus which will further enhance total public transit use. Construction will begin in 2011 and completion will be in 2015.
In September 2009, a bus only roadway will be open from York University to Downsview station; the 6-kilometre route will give buses a high-occupancy vehicle lane to significantly reduce travel time between the University and the closest subway station.
STATISTICS
69) Campus setting:
[ ] Rural
[ ] Suburban
[ X ] Urban
[ ] Other. Please describe:
70) Total number of buildings: [# 90 ]
71) Combined gross square footage of all buildings: [# approximately 8 million square feet ]
72) Full-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# 42,775 ]
73) Part-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# 9,214 ]
74) Part-time enrollment as a proportion to a full-time course load: [# A course - load of less than 60% is considered part-time. ]
75) Percent of full-time students that live on campus: [ 8.9 %]
Questions 76-87 are for informational purposes only; responses will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
OTHER AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT
76) Outdoors club: [ x ] www.yorku.ca/yuoc
77) Disposable water bottle ban: [ X ] Two buildings on campus Seymour Schulich Building and the Health Nursing and Health Sciences Building
78) Participation in Recyclemania: [ ] Not applicable in Canada
79) Student trustee position: [X ] 2 student positions sit on the University’s Board of Governors .
80) Environmental science/studies major: [x ]
81) Environmental science/studies minor or concentration: [x ]
82) Graduate-level environmental program: [x ]
83) Student green fee: [ ]
84) Alumni green fund: [ ]
85) Revolving loan fund for sustainability projects: [ ]
86) Campus garden or farm: [x ] See Q. 57 http://malocagarden.wordpress.com/
87) Single-stream recycling: [ ]
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