Updates

The University of Toronto is addressing a critical need for on-campus housing, innovation space and other services with its double bottom line 4 Corners (4C) Strategy, a plan that creates a future source of revenue to help fund U of T’s academic mission – and contributes to the vitality of the city’s urban fabric. The approach is laid out in a policy framework dubbed the “four corners strategy” which is meant to guide the university’s thinking as it goes about building new, high quality, non-academic amenities and services on the periphery of U of T’s downtown Toronto campus, as well as at [...]

Marc Couture, director, sustainability and energy management, at the University of Toronto’s Sustainability Office, is one of Canada’s Clean16 Award recipients and a Clean50 honouree. For more than a decade, the Clean50 Awards have recognized 50 Canadian sustainability leaders who facilitate understanding, collaboration and innovation in the fight to limit global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. The leader in each category receives the Clean16 award.  Last year, U of T's Ron Saporta was recognized with the award. Couture was recognized for his leadership in developing the climate positive campus strategy for the St. George campus and implementing a tri-campus sustainability performance standard.   You can read [...]

Zupaash Naveed arrived at University of Toronto just a few weeks ago, but she already feels right at home.  The first-year computer science co-op student is part of the first cohort to live at Harmony Commons, a new, 746-bed student residence at U of T Scarborough that opened at the beginning of September. Read more here.  

The University of Toronto is accepting proposals for projects to reduce its carbon footprint. U of T offsets business air travel emissions by collecting a fee from all University-funded air travel. Up to $300,000 in pooled fees will be available to support tri-campus projects that reduce University emissions. This call for proposals is open to all students, staff, and faculty. The deadline to submit a proposal is October 23.    

How universities are overhauling operations in an effort to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. BY MOIRA MACDONALD SEP 05 2023 Read more here about UofT's leading role in on campus greenhouse gas emission reduction through Landmark's "geoexchange" initiative.

Facilities & Services has launched a new tri-campus standard that will guide the accessible design of campus facilities. The standard was developed through a tri-campus technical working group following a community consultation process, and complies with accessibility requirements set out by the Ontario Building Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Design of Public Spaces Standards. The new standard was effective as of June 15, 2023, for all new construction, renovation, renewal, maintenance, and capital projects—including projects currently in early design stages. Where possible, feedback received through the consultation process was incorporated into this version; the remainder [...]