1 — PREAMBLE
Mount Allison University’s mission is to provide a rigorous liberal education of high quality primarily to undergraduate students.
Because the University is a perpetual and endowed institution, it must be even-handed between the current and future generations. Therefore it must protect the interests of the current generation by operating as efficiently as it reasonably can and by providing a healthy environment for its students, faculty and staff, and it must protect the interests of future generations by operating in a sustainable manner.
Because the University operates in a local and global context, it must also consider the impact it has on others, including its impact on future generations.
For these reasons, Mount Allison seeks to improve its efficiency and to minimise its negative impact on the environment through a program of continual improvement in environmental performance. This will be achieved by implementing a feasible and comprehensive environmental policy with measurable and achievable metrics as set out in its sub policies. Compliance with, and progress towards metrics set out in, the sub-policies is the responsibility of the applicable University departments who are accountable to their respective vice-presidents.
2 — POLICY
This policy is structured into eight areas: Emission Reduction, Transportation, Water, Waste, Food, Paper, Grounds and Buildings.
The performance indicators and metrics associated with each area will serve as standards, and progress in meeting these standards will be measured through an independent audit process.
2.1 Emission Reduction
The University will endeavour to minimize energy consumption and emissions emanating from heating, electrical consumption and University approved travel and vehicle use as set out in its Emission Reduction Policy.
2.2 Transportation
The University will endeavour to minimise energy consumption and encourage less carbon intensive means of transportation as set out in its Transportation Policy.
2.3 Water
The University will endeavour to use water responsibly as set out in its Water Policy.
2.4 Waste
The University will endeavour to minimize solid waste production and to recycle and divert as much waste as possible as set out in its Waste Policy.
In accordance with that Policy the University will also monitor the use and disposal of hazardous materials.
2.5 Food
The University will endeavour to minimize the ecological impact of food consumption and food waste on campus as set out in its Food Policy.
2.6 Paper
The University will endeavour to minimize the use of paper and paper products as outlined in the Paper Policy and encourage responsible, environmentally-aware paper procurement consistent with the University’s Procurement Policy.
2.7 Grounds
The University will endeavour to minimize the ecological impact of its grounds maintenance program as set out in its Grounds Policy.
2.8 Buildings
The University will endeavour to minimize the ecological impact of the construction, maintenance and operation of its buildings as set out in its Buildings Policy.
3 — ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
The Environmental Issues Committee will have the following membership:
- Three administrative members appointed by the Vice President, Administration;
- Three faculty members appointed by the Provost and Vice President, Academic & Research;
- One community member appointed by the Vice President, Advancement;
- Five students appointed by MASU; and
- A chair appointed by the President.
4 — ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE MANDATE
The mandate of the Committee will be as follows:
- to educate members of the University community on environmental issues and initiatives;
- to foster co-operation and facilitate communication between the University and the broader community concerning environmental matters of mutual interest;
- to foster co-operation and facilitate communication with other universities concerning environmental initiatives so that all institutions will benefit from environmental progress made at any one institution;
- to highlight to the community those courses and other educational opportunities that focus on environmental matters;
- at least once every three years to review and to either recommend to the President amendments to the Environmental Policy and its sub policies or recommend that they be confirmed;
- to review and to report to the President on the results of the annual audit completed under this policy; and
- to report to the President on any other matter on which it considers it appropriate to report.
5 — AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Each summer the University will complete an audit of its compliance with, and the progress made towards goals set out in, at least two of the sub-policies under this Policy, which audit may include criteria from external bodies such as Stars, ISO14000 or others. It is expected the audit will usually be completed by a student.
This Policy and related sub-Policies will be included in the University’s annual legal, regulatory and policy compliance report to the University’s Audit Committee.
Policy 2102a — Transportation Policy
Subject: Transportation Policy of the Environmental Policy
Group: Institutional
Approved by: Vice-President, Administration
Approval date: November 28, 2012
Effective date: November 28, 2012
Administered by: Controller
1 — PURPOSE
Mount Allison is committed to reducing its impact on the environment through its use of vehicles.
2 — POLICY
It is the University’s policy, where it is appropriate to do so, to encourage modes of transportation that reduce consumption of fossil fuels; reduce the number of University owned vehicles; replace vehicles with more those that are more energy efficient; encourage the adoption and use of more sustainable approaches to transportation; continue to designate the campus as a pedestrian campus; and encourage the University community to use less carbon intensive modes of travel.
3 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TARGETS
Financial Services will collect information and report metrics and progress on transportation. The metrics to be considered for inclusion are emissions from University funded travel, and emissions and mileage from University owned vehicles.
Policy 2102b — Water Policy
Subject: Water Policy of the Environmental Policy
Group: Institutional
Approved by: Vice-President, Administration
Approval date: November 28, 2012
Effective date: November 28, 2012
Administered by: Director of Facilities Management
1 — PURPOSE
Mount Allison is located within the Tantramar River watershed and plays an important role with respect to water use in the region. As a steward of the environment the University is committed to responsible water management. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance and direction to address the roles and responsibilities of Mount Allison in meeting this commitment.
2 — POLICY
It is the University’s policy to concentrate its efforts in the areas of infrastructure and best practices.
2.1 Infrastructure
The University will ensure that the University’s built environment reflects a commitment to responsible water consumption. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that increasing water efficiency is a considered factor when new buildings and renovations are carried out; using longevity and water efficiency as primary considerations when purchasing water fixtures; installing low flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets to decrease water consumption when feasible; regularly reviewing opportunities and emerging technologies for reduction of water consumption; maximizing the use of recycled rainwater and grey water for new and existing buildings; and minimizing the use of water for grounds operations as prescribed in Policy 2102.f.
2.2 Practices
The University acknowledges that promoting conscious consumption behaviour is an important component in an effective water management strategy. Strategies are to include promoting water conservation to students, staff, faculty, and campus visitors and increasing awareness of sourcing, treatment and disposal of water on campus; and ensuring that the risk of run-off contamination to waterways and the Waterfowl Park is minimized and that the Town of Sackville is aware of the University’s water management decisions and practices.
3 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TARGETS
Financial Services will collect information and report metrics and progress on water management. The metrics to be included are Annual potable water consumption; and Annual potable water consumption per square foot, per student and employee.
Policy 2102c — Waste Policy
Subject: Waste Policy of the Environmental Policy
Group: Institutional
Approved by: Vice-President, Administration
Approval date: November 28, 2012
Effective date: November 28, 2012
Administered by: Director of Facilities Management
1 — PURPOSE
Mount Allison is committed to practicing responsible and sustainable management of solid waste material to reduce the University’s impact on the environment.
2 — POLICY
It is the University’s policy to concentrate efforts in waste reduction at source and in best management of waste streams:
2.1 Source Reduction
The University will decrease the amount of waste at the source by preventing or delaying entry of material into waste streams.
2.2 Waste Streams: General Practices
The University will ensure consistent location and labelling of disposal sites across campus and will educate the University community on proper waste separation. Types of waste will be managed according to Federal and Provincial guidelines:
- Wet/Dry waste separation will follow guidelines set out by the Westmorland Albert facility;
- metal waste will be recycled;
- construction waste resulting from demolition or remodeling of campus facilities will be reused or recycled where it is economically feasible to do so;
- hazardous waste will be kept to a minimum by taking steps to reduce the use hazardous materials where it is reasonable to do so;
- reusable items such as surplus furniture, clothing from residence students and other items will be made available to the University community, the local community or charitable organizations; and
- cardboard will be recycled.
3 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TARGETS
Facilities Management will collect information and report metrics and progress on waste reduction annually. The metrics to be considered for inclusion are
- tonnes of waste delivered to Westmorland Albert;
- number of truck trips to Westmorland Albert;
- number or volume of re-purposed items; and
- amount of disposed hazardous waste.
Policy 2102d — Food Policy
Subject: Food Policy of the Environmental Policy
Group: Institutional
Approved by: Vice-President, Administration
Approval date: November 28, 2012
Effective date: November 28, 2012
Administered by: Director of Administrative Services
1 — PURPOSE
The University recognizes its responsibility to take a leadership role in its commitment to incorporating environmental initiatives into planning and decision making in its dining operation. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance and direction in the exploration and adoption of more sustainable practices.
2 — POLICY
Efforts will be concentrated in two areas of the operation: i) Local Food and Menus and ii) Waste Reduction.
2.1 Local Food and Menus
The University make every reasonable effort to
- continue to explore sources of affordably priced local food grown or produced in the three Maritime Provinces and to maintain its ratio of locally sourced food at a minimum of 40%;
- continue to ensure that fish species at risk are not served;
- continue to support the purchase of vegetables grown on campus when feasible;
- continue to look at menu items that are lower on the food chain and to support vegan and vegetarian students with a wide array of choices;
- continue to provide healthy food choices to all students; and
- continue to promote local food when it is served in the dining hall.
2.2 Waste Reduction
Food waste and waste produced by food packaging represent a large portion of the University’s overall waste. The University will make every reasonable effort to
- compost its food waste;
- explore ways to use spent vegetable oil;
- continue to use biodegradable service ware in the café operations;
- continue to promote and improve the scraping station to further reduce post-consumer food waste;
- continue to support the use of reusable water bottles and mugs; and
- continue to purchase items in bulk to reduce packaging.
3 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TARGETS
Administrative Services will collect information and report metrics and progress on both local food and menus and reduction of food waste. The metrics to be considered for inclusion are
- percentage and dollar value of food items sourced in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia;
- percentage of vegetarian items on the menu;
- volume of post-consumer food waste per student; and
- volume of food waste composted.
Policy 2102e — Paper Policy
Subject: Paper Policy of the Environmental Policy
Group: Institutional
Approved by: Vice-President, Administration
Approval date: November 28, 2012
Effective date: November 28, 2012
Administered by: Controller
1 — PURPOSE
This policy is intended to reduce overall paper consumption and to shift from the use of virgin paper to the use of more post-consumer recycled paper or paper derived from responsibly managed forests. Such actions are significant for both reducing the volume of solid waste and demonstrating the institution’s commitment to lessening our environmental impact in all areas.
2 — POLICY
It is the University’s policy to
- purchase paper for campus use that contains post-consumer recycled content, or is procured from forests that have been responsibly managed and certified by a third party, when it is economically feasible to do so;
- encourage practices among all members of the University community to reduce overall paper consumption. Such practices include, but are not limited to,
- setting the defaults on printers and photocopiers to duplex;
- accepting student assignments that are duplex, or submitted electronically;
- posting course materials, such as syllabi, online rather than distributing printed copies;
- reducing the number of printed materials that are distributed throughout campus;
- scanning and digitizing documents and records, when it is reasonable to do so;
- saving documents and emails to hard drives, rather than creating printed copies;
- ensuring that recycling or scrap-paper receptacles are readily available near all printers and copiers; and
- promote education to staff, faculty and students about the importance of paper-use reduction.
3 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TARGETS
Financial Services will report annually on the type and amount of paper purchased.
Policy 2102f — Grounds Policy
Subject: Grounds Policy of the Environmental Policy
Group: Institutional
Approved by: Vice-President, Administration
Approval date: November 28, 2012
Effective date: November 28, 2012
Administered by: Director of Facilities Management
1 — PURPOSE
Mount Allison’s grounds operation supports the work and other activities of, and provides a safe and attractive environment for, students, faculty, staff and visitors. This policy is intended to promote the adoption and continued use of approaches to grounds maintenance that will reduce the adverse impact on the environment.
2 — POLICY
It is the University’s policy to use the following practices for grounds maintenance:
- integrated pest management (IPM) will be used for pest and disease control using prevention, monitoring, mechanical/biological controls, and, as a last resort, pesticides;
- landscape plantings will incorporate xeriscaping, water conservation, natural heating and cooling for buildings, site condition selection of plant material and organic mulching to retain moisture and prevent erosion;
- invasive plants on the New Brunswick list will be avoided;
- local plants meeting the Canadian standard for nursery stock will be purchased;
- yard waste will be composted on site;
- the use of salt or alternatives will be reduced where possible;
- new equipment with the least impact on the environment will be considered;
- trees will be maintained by using best practices for tree planting, by monitoring trees in their formative years to ensure healthy growth, by protecting trees from construction damage and by planting three trees for every tree removed; and
- plant materials will be chosen by taking into account the advice of those with botanical expertise whenever possible.
3 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TARGETS
Facilities Management will collect information and report metrics for grounds maintenance annually. The metrics to be considered for inclusion are:
- volume of organic and synthetic pesticides used;
- quantity of salt and salt alternatives used; and
- number of trees removed and planted.
Policy 2102g — Buildings Policy
Subject: Buildings Policy of the Environmental Policy
Group: Institutional
Approved by: Vice-President, Administration
Approval date: November 28, 2012
Effective date: November 28, 2012
Administered by: Director of Facilities Management
1 — PURPOSE
The University is committed to constructing, operating and maintaining its buildings in ways that will reduce operating costs, provide healthy environments for students, faculty, staff and visitors and contribute to the goals of protecting, conserving, and enhancing the environment.
2 — POLICY
It is the University’s policy to
- ensure that, whenever it constructs a new building, or does work on an existing building, it will take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure the building is energy efficient, uses no more water than is necessary, and is economical in its use of space
- ensure Green Globes design processes and environmental assessments and audits are incorporated in planning for such work where it is appropriate to do so;
- take reasonable steps to achieve measurable life cycle cost savings in respect of its buildings and to minimize their ecological impact. Strategies include but are not limited to:
- a. rating the energy and environmental performance of existing buildings;
- b. reporting and implementing short-term building repairs in a timely fashion to reduce carbon and water footprints;
- ensure that University buildings are operated so as to provide a healthy environment for their occupants; and
- ensure that existing space is used as efficiently as possible.
3 — PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND TARGETS
Facilities Management will set and review objectives, collect information and report metrics and progress on buildings annually. The metrics to be considered for inclusion are:
- Green Globe rating on projects; and
- carbon emissions calculation