The Need for a Sustainability Plan

Universities well positioned for the future also place a high priority on sustainability. Yet, sustainability isn’t merely another problem to be tackled or solved by innovative research and study; it is an essential conviction that must be a part of all decisions made within the influence of the institution. This is why sustainability is one of the key principles in our mission, vision, and values document; why it’s a pillar of our University’s strategic plan; and why I established the first President’s Sustainability Council. 

As I enter my second term, in reviewing my own goals and progress in this area, I have realized that there is a need to bring together the many initiatives already underway on campus to see where areas of improvement may lie and then forge ahead with a cohesive strategy to better foster the growth of a culture of sustainability throughout all areas of campus life, including education, research, operations, governance and community engagement. I felt it important to make a comprehensive statement about the University of Saskatchewan’s commitment to sustainability, which is why I have appointed Dr. Irena Creed as a Special Advisor to the President on Sustainability and have tasked my Senior Strategist, Julian Demkiw, to work with the campus community to develop a comprehensive and holistic sustainability strategic plan for the University of Saskatchewan.

I encourage you to engage with them and others throughout this planning process.

 

Peter Stoicheff, President

President's Advisory Circle on Sustainability

The President’s Advisory Circle on a USask Sustainability Strategy (The Circle) is a body comprised of sustainability leaders and champions with the primary purpose to advise and counsel the President on the creation of a strategic and integrated sustainability plan for the University of Saskatchewan.

The plan will encompass the discovery, teaching, and engagement missions of the institutions as well as include the campuses own operations and facilities. 

It is expected that a plan will outline goals at five and ten-year increments and include a comprehensive list of desired outcomes.

Membership

Name Title Area/Interest Domain
Irena Creed AVP Research and Special Advisor to the President on Sustainability Chair Governance (L), Community
Julian Demkiw Senior Strategist Vice-Chair Support
Patti McDougall Vice Provost TLSE Teaching Pedagogy
Stryker Calvez Manager, Indigenous Education Initiatives Teaching/Indigenous Pedagogy
Marcia McKenzie Professor, College of Education Faculty Discovery (L), Governance
Jacqueline Ottman VP Indigenous Engagement Indigenous Community
Jason MacLean Professor, College of Law Faculty Operations (L)
Janelle Hutchinson Chief Strategic Officer Operations Operations
Laura Zink Director, Strategic Initiatives Research Community (L)
Johannes Dyring Executive Director, Innovation Enterprise Research/Engagement Operations
Chelsea Willness University Secretary Faculty/Governance Governance
Karsten Liber Interim Executive Director, SENS Faculty Pedagogy (L)
Steven Jones Vice Provost Health Faculty Discovery
Murray Fulton Director, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy Faculty Discovery
Danielle Dunbar AVP, Development and Chief Development Officer Community Community
Autumn LaRose-Smith USSU VP, Student Affairs Student Student Sustainability Coalition Liason
Erin Akins Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator, Office of Sustainability Staff Support
Matt Wolsfeld Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of Sustainability Staff Support
Kevin Hudson Energy and Emissions Officer, Office of Sustainability Staff Support

Terms of Reference

Purpose

The President’s Advisory Circle on a USask Sustainability Strategy (The Circle) is a body comprised of sustainability leaders and champions with the primary purpose to advise and counsel the President on the creation of a strategic and integrated sustainability plan for the University of Saskatchewan.

The plan will encompass the discovery, teaching, and engagement missions of the institutions as well as include the campuses own operations and facilities. 

It is expected that a plan will outline goals at five and ten-year increments and include a comprehensive list of desired outcomes.

Membership

The Circle reports directly to the President of the University of Saskatchewan and is lead by the Special Advisor to the President on Sustainability. 

It is recommended that the Circle membership be populated with individuals with a keen interest in sustainability and the ability to bring much need campus perspectives to the group. 

It is recognized that the circle may expand and contract as the project moves forward given the needs and requirements as determined by the President and Special Advisor. 

In particular, the Circle shall endeavour to include individuals who can knowledgably represent:

  1. The three mission areas of the institution (teaching, research, and engagement);
  2. Campus operations and facilities;
  3. Indigenous peoples and perspectives;
  4. USask students

Mandate

The singular mandate of the Circle will be to provide guidance to the President and Special Advisor on the creation and eventual approval of a made-in-USask Sustainability Strategy.  In pursuing this mandate the Circle may assist with, but not be limited to:

  • Identifying and organizing consultations on the plan with campus and external stakeholders;
  • Identifying other members of the Circle;
  • Recommending ideas and initiatives related to improving awareness of sustainability initiatives on campus;
  • Identifying ways to incorporate sustainability into our academic and discovery missions;
  • Recommending ideas to better manage our own campus environmental footprint;
  • Recommending ideas for how sustainability initiatives should be governed at USask.

Meetings

It is recommended that the Circle meet no less than once a month or more as needed.  It is recognized that members of the circle may be involved in activity to move the strategy forward outside of regular meetings

Contact and Participation

Open Communication

The President's Advisory Circle values openness and transparency throughout the sustainability planning process. Comments, questions, concerns, and requests for inclusion may always be directed to sustainability@usask.ca, where it will be answered by one of the members of the core working group.

 

Engagement Sessions

Stay tuned for more information on upcoming engagement sessions.