York University has received gold accreditation from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE’s) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) for its contribution to sustainability on campus and in the classroom. The recognition – a step up from York’s silver medal in 2016 – comes as the University prepares to launch a series of events for Campus Sustainability Month.
In addition to its gold medal – which places York among an elite group of schools that have demonstrated action on advancing sustainability – the University has also been designated a Centre for Sustainability Across the Curriculum from AASHE for its development and implementation of the SDGs-in-the-Classroom Toolkit, a resource to help instructors from all disciplines to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a core component of York’s University Academic Plan – into their teaching.
On the heels of this new recognition, the York community is invited to come together to recognize Campus Sustainability Month throughout October. The Office of Sustainability has partnered with Faculties and divisions to offer a variety of engaging and informative free events, including:
- all month: Sustainability Scavenger Hunt
- all month: Campus-wide BioBlitz
- Oct. 8: Plastic People Documentary Free Screening
- Oct. 21 to 25: Well-being Week
- Oct. 24: Fair Trade Fair at Vari Hall
- Oct. 29: Garlic Planting at Maloca Garden
- Oct. 28: Tree Planting on Keele Campus
- Oct. 29: Tree Planting on Glendon Campus
The community is also encouraged to to consider how to support sustainability on campus and in other communities. Some recommendations are:
- Join a club or attend an event to expand sustainability knowledge.
- Make a personal decision that has a collective impact. Walk, bike or take transit if possible, choose plant-based protein options, use a reusable mug and water bottle.
- Speak up! Become a sustainability ambassador and engage your peers, friends, family and decision makers.
- Take the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living.
- Take the Employee Training Module on Sustainability.
- Check out the SDGs-in-the-Classroom Toolkit to learn how to infuse the SDGs into courses.