The following appeared on the San Tan Valley Today website Wednesday June 15th 2011

June 15, 2011 — Many people think the next big job boom will happen in the area of sustainability. Research from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University shows a huge percentage of employers are already giving positive weight to job candidates with sustainability skills. However, the same research indicates these job applicants also need professional training in existing fields, to push them over the top in the hiring process.

“Right now, sustainability jobs in business are linked to existing organizational structures,” says W. P. Carey School of Business Professor Kevin Dooley, who authored the research. “You’re probably not going to find a sustainability department in many companies, but employees with skills and interest in sustainability will get assigned to related projects and move up the ladder. Job candidates with both sustainability skills and a solid professional background in a field like business or engineering are receiving job offers that far exceed what’s warranted in the current market, and that’s because there aren’t many of them.”

Dooley analyzed about 100 job postings related to sustainability, interviewed several corporate sustainability managers, and surveyed about 200 managers and executives from small, medium and large companies. Across the board, companies valued sustainability training. In the surveys, 65 percent of small-company respondents said they would consider a sustainability concentration when making a hiring decision, 87 percent of the large-firm respondents agreed, and a whopping 97.5 percent of the large-firm executives, in particular, said they would value the concentration.

The survey participants also said certain sustainability-related topics should be taught to all managers and executives. These areas include corporate social responsibility, sustainability strategy, measuring sustainability, sustainability-related product and process improvement, and environmental and health policy and business.

“There is an indication that companies are beginning to hire executives in sustainability-related positions, and it won’t be too long before these executives fill out their staffs with lower-level positions,” says Dooley, who is also academic director of The Sustainability Consortium, a group working to drive innovation to improve consumer-product sustainability. “Also, more ‘green’ companies and non-governmental organizations are emerging, and they need all types of professionals in management, marketing, accounting, purchasing and other fields, who also have knowledge of sustainability.”

Dooley says job applicants who receive “golden opportunities” are those with dual degrees in sustainability and another professional field, or those with an undergraduate degree in one area and a graduate degree in the other.

“Sustainability is solutions-focused,” explains Christopher Boone, associate dean for education and professor in ASU’s School of Sustainability. “Our students want to tackle real-world problems, and we want our students to demonstrate to future employers why a sustainability approach adds value to organizations. As such, students in the School of Sustainability are required to have a meaningful internship or participate in a client-driven workshop. As our alumni network grows and sustainability becomes mainstream, I see fantastic opportunities for students with a sustainability education.”

The following is from the Friday June 10, 2011 edition of the YFile

As far as garbage goes, it has been a pretty good year for York University's ZeroWaste Program.

The numbers show that since it launched on June 8, 2010 by Campus Services & Business Operations (CSBO), ZeroWaste has diverted the equivalent weight of more than 11 subway cars of trash, or 716 metric tonnes of garbage, from area landfills.

The figure, which equates to a 23 per cent reduction in waste, shows that with the help of the University community, York is well on its way to reaching its initial ZeroWaste target of diverting 65 per cent of its total institutional waste by 2013.

“What the figures show is that the ZeroWaste message that we have to change the way we think about our garbage has been taken to heart by the community,” says York environmental studies grad and waste management supervisor Meagan Heath (MES '10).

Specific figures for the first year of ZeroWaste show that York community members have decreased the amount of paper they put in the trash by 46 per cent, or 257 metric tonnes, and there was a 13 per cent decrease in garbage, or the equivalent of 222 metric tonnes.

"Mixed paper products sent for recycling declined because of the increased emphasis on double-sided printing and paperless practices. During the first seven months of the program, bottles and cans going into the garbage decreased by 23 per cent because people are now bringing their own mugs and water bottles to work," says Heath.

Rather than resting on the success of ZeroWaste, CSBO waste management staff continue to develop new and inventive ways to increase what can be diverted from landfills. Over the past few months, they've expanded ZeroWaste to include recycling of batteries, small electronics, appliances, ink cartridges and more. Paper towel dispensers are gradually being removed from the University washrooms in high use areas and are being replaced with hand dryers, which was likely the largest contributor to the drop in paper consumption. Heath says that several studies show that "hand dryers are more energy efficient than using paper."

There are now handy chilled water stations situated throughout the Keele campus specifically for refilling reusable personal water bottles. Add to these measures the increased signage, recycling bins and a continual encouragement through messaging and ZeroWaste is hitting home with York faculty and staff.

Heath says that students are also being encouraged to embrace ZeroWaste. "For the first time this year during residence move-out we did a formal e-waste drive," says Heath. "We placed big bins in every residence and asked students to put any electronics or small appliances they were throwing out into the bins. We also included a bin to collect batteries."

Students were receptive to recycling their e-waste and Heath says a lot was learned from the e-waste drive. "We learned that students need to be able to recycle their e-waste throughout the year and when something is broken, they need to be able to recycle it right away," she says.

You can help the program by doing the following:

• Dispose of your organics into the organic bin located in all kitchenettes.
• Do not put organics in your office waste bin (unless you like fruit flies).
• Keep in mind that your office garbage is not collected, and empty your office recycling and waste bins into centrally located tri-bins.

You can also help the University be successful by making sure that all of your waste is placed in the appropriate tri-bin section:

• newspaper and office paper (not including used paper coffee cups or plates) should go into the paper products section of the tri-bin;
• cans, bottles, juice boxes and milk cartons that have been emptied of any liquid, should go into the bottles and cans section of the tri-bin;
• plastic or metal wrappers and packaging, such as coffee cups and take-out foam clamshells, should go into the garbage section of the tri-bin;
• all organic waste, including soiled napkins and coffee grinds should go into a separate kitchenette bin or digester.

When ZeroWaste was first conceived more than a year ago, CSBO staff knew the secret to the program's success would be in how the community viewed their own trash. By making it necessary to walk to these communal trash and recycling centres, Heath says that people are really paying attention and thinking about what they are throwing away.

While there are many successes, Heath says there is still much to be done. "York doesn't sort its trash, so if someone throws a water bottle that can be recycled into the garbage, it goes to the landfill," she says. "Any garbage that ends up in a recycling bin goes into the recycling stream. We are just not equipped for sorting.

"Until now, there has been a big focus on creating an awareness of recycling and how it is important to put the materials into the right bins," says Heath. "Going forward we will be shifting our efforts towards getting everyone to reduce the amount of trash we produce."

For more on ZeroWaste, visit the ZeroWaste website.

The following appeared in the Wednesday, May 25, 2011 edition of Y-File.

Today marks the debut of York's new Accessibility Hub, a comprehensive online resource that gathers into one place all of the services, information and standards that are related to increasing accessibility at the University.

Accessibility builds and maintains standards for the inclusion of all individuals across the University in daily activities. Whether it is through face-to-face interaction, teaching, web or print materials, everyone has a role to play in making York accessible for people of all abilities.

York's new Accessibility Hub provides information on accessible website standards, accessibility legislation, tips on interacting with persons with disabilities, training and more, all in one convenient location. As new information becomes available, the hub will be adapted and enhanced. It will serve as a living laboratory to reflect new thinking and developments in accessibility.

The push towards accessibility has its roots in the 1980s, when several provincial laws were passed to increase accessibility in the province. While progress has been made in some areas and by some organizations, accessibility in some areas still remains limited and people with disabilities do not have equal access to services, employment, transportation or buildings that others in Ontario enjoy.

In 2005, the provincial government addressed this inequality with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Under the act, businesses and organizations in Ontario, including all universities and colleges, will have to identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility. AODA, which will be reviewed every five years, sets out series of standards designed to move the province forward on accessibility in a number of key areas.

These standards will be rolled out in stages over the next few years with a goal of completion in 15 years. A University AODA coordinating committee was convened to provide leadership for these new standards.

In 2010, York introduced to the University community the first set of standards to be implemented under AODA. The "customer service" standard ensured that  goods and services offered by the University and other public sector organizations are provided in ways that are accessible to persons with disabilities, see YFile, April 20, 2010. All individuals who deal with the University's customers (students, visitors, prospective community members and alumni) are required to complete an online training module.

“York University has an advantage over some institutions as it has been a leader in being an accessible place to work and study for some time,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, York's president & vice-chancellor. "As Canada’s third largest University, with more than 65,000 students, faculty and staff, we understand how important it is that people of all abilities are able to enjoy what York has to offer."

York's Accessibility Hub provides an accessible toolkit of web standards and will evolve as new information and developments become available. The hub also offers a comprehensive list of resources, training, an option to provide feedback and a list of documents community members can use to make the University more accessible.

"The Accessibility Hub is an evolution of the University's efforts to raise awareness of disabilities and accessibility," said Leanne De Fillippis, York’s AODA coordinator.  "it offers a home for all the services and information available on accessibility."

To learn more, visit York's Accessibility Hub online, or contact the AODA office at aodainfo@yorku.ca, or by telephone at 416-736-5310.

The following appeared in the Tuesday, May 10, 2011 edition of Y-File:

York University has enhanced its commitment to going green by adopting a new sustainability policy.

Approved by the Board of Governors on April 25, the University's sustainability policy was developed by the President’s Sustainability Council in accordance with one of its recommendations in the 2009 President’s Sustainability Council Report.

“I am pleased that York’s sustainability policy was approved by the board,” said Mamdouh Shoukri (right), York's president & vice-chancellor. “The policy provides the framework for sustainable and responsible practices, activities and operations at our institution. Not only does the adoption of such a policy demonstrate the University’s commitment to sustainability principles, but it also emphasizes our intention to work towards environmentally sustainable campuses.”

The policy focuses on six main areas:

• York will work towards being a sustainable university. A sustainable university is one that enhances the ecological functioning of its campuses; models knowledgeable, active and responsible global citizens; and does so within an integrated, long-term framework of full-cost economic and environmental accounting. 
• York will bring vision, scholarship and high ethical standards to achieving and maintaining institutional leadership in sustainable operations and community engagement.br />  
• Progress will be monitored, and measurable goals will be explored and adopted where feasible. 
• York will draw upon the abilities and expertise of the University community to promote practices that maximize the beneficial effects and minimize the harmful impacts that may arise out of its operational, academic and research activities. 
• York will strive to be at the forefront of sustainability research and education, and will use its capacity and expertise to promote sustainability within and beyond the University, with its alumni, governments and the surrounding communities. As part of these efforts, there will be an ongoing program of communication to the York community, reporting on progress and achieving goals as they relate to sustainability.
• York will encourage the active engagement of all members of the University community in issues of sustainability and will support sustainability awareness in the greater community.

In addition to the new sustainability policy, the president recently appointed a new chair of the council. Beginning July 1, Professor Ilan Kapoor (left) of the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) will assume the role from FES Professor Jennifer Foster (right), who is taking a sabbatical.

“As the outgoing chair of the President’s Sustainability Council, I am thrilled that the policy, which is such an incredibly important component to sustainability at York, was adopted,” said Foster. “This policy will continue to build on the recommendations highlighted in this year’s Sustainability Report, and provide York with a framework that will allow members of the community to continue to enhance a pan-University strategy, expanding our institution’s commitment to sustainability."

The Sustainability Report for 2010 was released on Saturday, March 26, in conjunction with Earth Hour. The report highlights York’s commitment to sustainability on its campuses, and profiles the University’s efforts to function in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner over the past year.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Jennifer Foster for her leadership and dedication in serving as the inaugural chair of the council. She has done great work moving many of the recommendations outlined in the sustainability reports forward, and I wish her well on her sabbatical," said Shoukri. "I would also like to welcome Professor Ilan Kapoor, who will assume the role of chair on July 1. Having served as the undergraduate program director in FES, I know that he is up to the challenge.”

To learn more about the sustainability policy or about the work of the council, visit the Sustainability Council website.

Above: From left, Glendon students Guillaume Garcin, Jacklyn Volkhammer and Kelly Liu accept the first-place plaque on behalf of Wood Residence for winning the annual Res Race to Zero competition to reduce energy consumption

In their first year of eligibility, students at Glendon’s Wood Residence have won the Res Race to Zero – York’s annual competition to promote energy savings in the University’s nine student residences.

The winning team, led by Kelly Lui, residence environmental ambassador for Wood, received congratulations and a plaque from Rob Tiffin, York vice-president students. “I was quite amazed at the differences between this year’s and last year’s residence figures,” said Tiffin. “This is a very positive competition and I think this just reinforces the whole sense of sustainability and how that really has developed a strong base here at York.” The winning team also received a cheque for $2,000 to put towards future sustainability efforts.

Right: From left, Ken McRoberts, principal of Glendon, and Rob Tiffin, York's vice-president students, applaud the winners

Ken McRoberts, Glendon's principal, also offered his congratulations to Lui and fellow team members Guillaume Garcin and Jaclyn Volkhammer at the presentation ceremony, held in Glendon Manor on Friday.

Liu said her team took a “passive programming” approach to encouraging their fellow residents to save electricity. “We made doorknob signs for everyone. We wrote on the white board on each person’s room door with a message and [we] made a lot of posters trying to build up the competition between Hilliard [Residence] and Wood.”

Pavel Graymason, coordinator of residence life and project lead on the Res Race to Zero, said the Wood team might even have had a disadvantage in the competition but overcame it with enthusiasm. “They were just keener,” he said. “If anything, they are some of the older buildings and they still did really, really well.”

Graymason was also impressed with the job that all the residence teams did in helping achieve another reduction in energy use over last year’s results. “We still had an across the board drop even though this is the third year – an aggregate drop; very significant from four years ago when the program started. Compared to then, our usage is much much lower. About 30 to 40 per cent lower on average,” he said.

Since the competition measures energy reduction from year to year, Glendon’s two residence teams had to wait a year to establish their benchmark once the proper metering tools were installed.

Liu said students in her residence, even if they were reluctant first-year neophytes, were able to get excited about the competition as a way to make a difference. The Res Race to Zero website allows them to track their energy usage per capita, allowing them to see what one person can do to make a difference.

One other point that Liu noted was her team’s focus on what she called “phantom usage” – the energy used by leaving charge cords plugged in, even when the cellphone or laptop they recharge isn’t attached.

Graymason said it is champions of energy-saving habits like Liu that make the program work. “It’s that positive peer-to-peer connection that really makes the difference,” he said. “Without them it wouldn’t make a difference. You could put up all the posters you want, but without a champion to say ‘this matters’, it wouldn’t work.”