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| SEM WORKS CANADIAN E-NEWSLETTER, Volume 12, 2009 |
Perhaps the single greatest change in current societal values is a shared concern for environmental sustainability. Many institutions across the country have made a commitment to improve sustainability practices. Some institutions have adopted sustainability as a strategic priority and have introduced strategies that are shaping their student recruitment practices, academic curriculum, student life programs, in addition to their administrative practices. The recently released GreenReportCard.org is the first website to provide in-depth sustainability profiles for hundreds of colleges in all 50 states in the U.S. and Canada. See the results. The report offers ideas and resources to prospective students for using this information in selecting an institution of choice and for becoming involved in encouraging more sustainability initiatives at their school.
This edition of the SEM Canada newsletter presents what's happening across many institutions in their quests to ‘go green'.
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INSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVES
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- NSAC microsite encourages applicants to "embrace your world": Nova Scotia Agriculture College's interactive recruitment portal, "Embrace Your World", allows prospective students to weigh in on environmental issues such as climate change and water depletion. Visitors to the site can click on an animated globe to read the lastest topics, cast votes in polls, and share thoughts in discussion forums. Read more
- Mount Allison students approve levy to cut carbon emissions in Sackville: In a recent student union referendum, almost 80% of Mount Allison University voted in favour of a $10 "green" fee aimed at reducing carbon emissions both on and off campus. The new SAC Green Investment Fund will support community initiatives in Sackville NB such as tree nurseries and the use of solar power technology to offset carbon emissions. Mount Allison also hosted a "How Green Are You?" video contest, which challenged participants to demonstrate what they are doing for the environment. Read more. Read also
- Laval students get free use of bicycles- After pilot program's success with res students, borrow-a-bike program will expand. Read more
- McMaster launches sustainability website: McMaster University recently unveiled a new website dedicated to environmental and social sustainability. Read more
- uToronto tops in magazine survey on sustainability: The University of Toronto has placed first in 2 categories in Toronto-based publisher Corporate Knights' annual survey on post-secondary programs incorporating environmental and social practices. The University of Waterloo was the top university in the undergraduate business program category, while York University's Schulich School of Business placed first in the MBA section. The other top winners are Humber College for industrial design and Carleton University for public policy. Read more
- Carleton launches Sustainable Energy Research Centre: Carleton University has developed a Sustainable Energy Research Centre, which will focus on innovative ways to reduce energy consumption, research and examine emerging renewable energy sources while exploring strategies for using tradition, non-renewable sources effectively and responsibly. The centre combines expertise from the Faculty of Engineering and Design and the School of Public Policy and Administration while reaching out to other faculties at the university. Read more
- Acadia introduces trayless dining: As part of its effort to reduce its environmental footprint, Acadia University removed food service trays from Wheelock Dining Hall. Other institutions in Canada that have gone trayless include the University of Manitoba and Dalhousie University. Read more
- uAlberta opens Office of Sustainability: The University of Alberta has established an Office of Sustainability, a central hub for campus initiatives encompassing energy consumption, the environment, climate change, water, and human health. The office will take a more academic approach, using the expertise of scholars and research centres across various disciplines to educate students about the importance of sustainability in present society. Read more
- uAlberta, McGill among Canada's Greenest Employers: The University of Alberta and McGill University are among 30 workplaces selected as Canada's Greenest Employers for 2009. Read more
- Sauder opens Centre for Sustainability and Social Innovation: The Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia launched the Centre for Sustainability and Social Innovation, designed to assist the business community in addressing global issues and educate the next generation of green entrepreneurs. Read more
- SFU opens Faculty of Environment: Simon Fraser University launches new Faculty of Environment. Read more
- UBC and Canadian think tank receive $1 million to create effective, equitable green policies -The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) are winners of a $1-million grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to study the social and economic impacts of climate change and develop innovative green policies. Read more
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NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ‘SUSTAINABILITY' NEWS
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- College Sustainability Report Card- According to the latest College Sustainability Report Card, the majority of the 17 Canadian universities listed in the report have either improved their standing or remained steady compared to last year's grading. The highest grade among Canadian institutions this year is a "B+," shared by uAlberta, UBC, uCalgary, McGill, and York. Dal, UNB, and uToronto each received a "B." Carleton showed the most improvement, moving up to a "B-" from last year's "D-." 6 Canadian schools were given a C-level grade. uWaterloo came in last with a "D+." Read more
- College Students Flocking to Sustainability Degrees, Careers- Two thirds of students surveyed for The Princeton Review's recent "College Hopes and Worries" survey said a college's "environmental commitment" would be a factor in where they applied; colleges are hurrying to respond with new programs. Read more
- Green Ideas- "Green Ideas," a new Inside Higher Ed feature, will spotlight different strategies, big and small, that colleges are adopting in attempts to reduce their environmental impact. Read more
- A Wiki for the Climate- New how-to resource offers guidance on cutting emissions on campus. Read more
- Sustainability and Sports- Environmental initiatives are a top priority for many colleges, but they are an afterthought -- or a distraction -- for most Division I sports programs, a new survey finds. Read more
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UPCOMING SEM CONFERENCES
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- SEMM Forums (SEM and Marketing) in Canada - Gain indispensible knowledge and learn valuable best practices while networking with some of Canada's top experts at the Strategic Enrolment Marketing & Management Forum 2009. Featured speakers include Dr. Jim Black, President & CEO of SEM Works; Mr. Ken Steele, Senior Vice President, Education Marketing of the Academica Group Inc.; Gary Fretwell, Senior Vice President and Principal, Noel-Levitz, Inc.; and Graham Donald, President of Brainstorm Consulting. See website to register at a location near you...
- Halifax (Nov 19)
- Vancouver (Nov 24)
- Toronto (Apr 23)
- The First-Year Experience Conference
February 12-16, 2010, Denver, Colorado http://www.sc.edu/fye/events/annual/index.html
- 2010 Naspa Annual Conference
March 6-10, 2010, Chicago, Illinois http://www.naspa.org/conf/default.cfm
- Noel-Levitz National Conference on Student Recruitment, Marketing, and Retention
July 21-23, 2010, Atlanta, Georgia view website
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This e-newsletter was edited by Lynda Wallace-Hulecki, Senior Consultant at SEM WORKS, based on publicly-available information. Neither the editor nor SEM WORKS assume liability for comments or information posted by others. Please send your comments, news releases, or submissions to Kara Mohre, Director of Marketing, at [email protected]
407 Pebble Ridge Court - Greensboro, North Carolina 27455 - USA
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