Cathy Eberts named new Director, Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration
MEMORANDUM To: The University Community From: Robert Cook, Chief Information Officer Date: February 9, 2016 Re: Cathy Eberts named new Director, Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Cathy Eberts to the position of Director, Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration (EASI) within the CIO portfolio effective March 1, 2016. Cathy has over twenty-five years of progressive experience in the management of enterprise level applications within the higher education and public sectors. Since joining [...]
UofT leads the way in recycling glass and plastic lab containers
By: Luke Simcoe Metro Published on Mon Feb 08 2016 The university's new glass and plastic recycling program helped divert nearly 30 metric tonnes of waste from local landfills in 2015. Back in 2011, Stan Szwagiel noticed labs at the University of Toronto were tossing an increasing amount of glass and plastic beakers into the garbage bin. So, the grounds manager at the school’s St. George campus decided to do something about it. Szwagiel, along with waste manager Reno Strano, devised a system to collect and recycle glass and plastic containers – everything from Erlenmeyer flasks to petri dishes. [...]
U of T saves $54 million in operating expenses
Scott Mabury: “The most important objective is to improve the function and experience for students and all members of the U of T community”A comprehensive plan to improve operations and maximize efficiency has shaved $54 million off operating expenses at the University of Toronto, allowing these funds to be repurposed for new academic and service initiatives. by Arthur Kaptainis (UTC) Some of the savings come from retrofitting older structures with “smart building” improvements to lighting, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning that dramatically reduce energy consumption, the report shows (image by Geoff Agnew & Elaine Stam) This number is not [...]
Centre for Civilizations and Cultures to replace McLaughlin Planetarium: New building to be built at 90 Queen’s Park Crescent
By Sheridan Cunningham McLaughlin Planetarium. Syeda Rizvi/THE VARSITY The University of Toronto recently announced plans to construct a new Centre of Civilizations and Cultures. The building will be built at 90 Queen’s Park Crescent, replacing the location’s current resident, the decommissioned McLaughlin Planetarium. Scott Mabury, U of T vice-president, university operations, emphasized the value of the project to both the university and the global community. “This is a great combination of academic faculties [and] academic superstars… Bringing them together will advance the conversation,” he said. The centre will house the departments of History and Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, along [...]
U of T to directly run all food services on downtown Toronto campus; Change means new options for students, staff, faculty
Michael Kurts with files from Krisha Ravikantharaja Located in the Gerstein Science Information Centre, the Green Beet offers exclusively vegan and vegetarian options Nothing’s more likely to generate a spirited discussion than food options at a university. For the University of Toronto’s Monica Dairo, food is simply fuel. “I make sure I have enough to sustain myself during the two-hour commute, both to and from school,” said the fourth-year environmental studies undergrad. “I eat before or during, so I am less likely to fall asleep during the commute. “When I’m at home, food is comfort and food is family. But [...]
Two of North America’s leading architects to design ‘dramatic new gateway’ between U of T and the city
by Terry Lavender (U of T Bulletin) Two of North America’s leading architectural firms will be designing the University of Toronto’s new Centre for Civilizations and Cultures, to be located at 90 Queen’s Park Crescent. Toronto’s Architects Alliance and New York-based Diller Scofidio + Renfro will collaborate on the project, which will be located just south of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), beside the U of T faculties of Law and Music, said Scott Mabury, U of T’s vice-president of university operations. “This site will act as a dramatic new gateway connecting the university and the city,” Mabury added. “These [...]
The 2016 Green Ribbon Awards nomination period is open!
The Green Ribbon Awards recognize outstanding achievements in campus sustainability. Each year, one award to an individual or group is made in each of the five categories: Student Faculty Staff External Honourary In celebration of the Sustainability Office’s 10th year, a new category was added – The Beth Savan Honourary Green Ribbon Award. Beth Savan, Senior Lecturer Emeritus, School of the Environment, has been an integral part, not only of the formation of the Sustainability Office, but of general sustainability on campus. Awards are made for the nominee’s direct contribution to the minimization of negative impacts on the environment, the conservation [...]
Ontario gives $18.3 million for development of MaRS tower: U of T, Jlabs to support biotech startups
By Devika Desai, The Varsity Published: 2:20 am, 18 January 2016 MaRS building on College Street. Yassine Elbaradie/THE VARSITY The collaboration between Johnson & Johnson Innovation incubation(Jlabs) and the University of Toronto to build biotech startups, is coming to fruition. After receiving $18.3 million out of the $19.4 million that the Ontario government agreed to invest in the project, U of T has commenced the process of fitting a floor in the MaRS west tower. Jlabs primarily focuses on supporting early-stage companies by offering resources that range from core research facilities to opportunities for venture capital funding. “Our role is [...]
U of T startup uses anti-inflammatory coating to ensure your body won’t reject medical implants
by Erin Vollick Kyle Battiston recently moved into new lab space at the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research in the MaRS building (photo by Jeff Comber) From screws and plates for broken bones to metal hips and dental implants, every day thousands of people undergo surgeries to implant medical devices in the body. But sometimes their immune systems respond by attacking these foreign objects. For some patients, this inflammatory response can be controlled by drugs. Others will experience device failure. But what if there didn’t have to be an immune response at all? That’s the thinking behind University of Toronto researcher Kyle [...]
Double Value in Being Green
Energy savings on all three campuses are good for the climate, but also leave more money for academic programs By Nicolle Wahl Reducing greenhouse gas emissions at U of T’s three campuses is good for the environment, but it’s also a boon for academic budgets, as savings on energy bills can be applied to classrooms, labs and program improvements. At the St. George campus, for example, a recent energy retrofit of the Medical Sciences Building has resulted in savings of more than $1 million annually in energy costs, according to Ron Swail, the chief operations officer of Property Services and Sustainability for Facilities and Services, which oversaw the [...]