Celebrating a Decade of Excellence: OREP Hosts 10th Annual BBQ & Awards
(all photographs courtesy of Nicole Njagi, UofT Spaces & Experiences) On Tuesday, August 12, over 750 members of OREP gathered to celebrate a major milestone — the 10th Annual OREP BBQ & Awards. Marking a full decade of recognition and appreciation, this year’s event was not only the largest yet, but also a reflection of OREP’s unwavering commitment to acknowledging the extraordinary efforts of its staff. Once again, the BBQ brought together employees from across the portfolio for a lively celebration of service, collaboration, and community. Guests were treated to a feast of OREP BBQ favourites, including marinated steak and [...]
UofT News: Buildings on St. George campus connected to underground geoexchange system
The geoexchange system captures excess heat from campus buildings during the summer and stores it underground for use during the colder winter months, significantly reducing emissions Work to connect buildings to the new geoexchange system beneath the historic St. George campus is underway this summer – a key part of U of T’s efforts to become a climate-positive campus (photo by Zoe Kelsey) Read more at UofT News.
Spotted on Front Campus: Under construction and on our way to climate positive
Stroll around King’s College Circle this summer and you’ll find more than just flowers in bloom — construction crews are hard at work connecting key buildings to Canada’s largest urban geoexchange system. Paneling that will be up and on display for the summer of 2025 is now installed, and can be found surrounding the Medical Sciences Building on King’s College Circle. (Photo by Zoe Kelsey) The University of Toronto’s St. George Campus is always buzzing: new graduates posing for photos, alumni reconnecting and current students strolling the walkways. But if you’ve passed by King’s College Circle recently, you might have noticed [...]
Let there be (better) light! Upgrades in U of T’s plant facilities boost research and sustainability
Energy-saving LED lights are transforming research capacity in U of T’s growth facilities, unlocking new types of research while reducing energy consumption. Learn more about lighting upgrades taking place across campus.
Watch OREP’s Farewell to President Gertler!
With thanks to all who took part in our goodbye video, and to Nadine, Linh and the S&E creative team who put this gem together, here's the amazing video we presented to President Gertler on Friday June 20th!
U of T launches $300 million infrastructure renewal program
This major initiative, known as the RISE program, will support up to 300 deferred maintenance projects to prevent costly and disruptive infrastructure failures and improve climate resiliency and energy efficiency. Learn more here.
UofT News: On-campus housing: U of T to create thousands of new residence spaces within next decade
Scott Mabury, U of T’s vice-president of operations and real-estate partnerships, says the university is experiencing rising demand for housing options on, or near, its three campuses. Read more at UofT News.
Celebrating a beautiful day on the Circle!
Just over Just over 100 OREP staff celebrated the beautiful day with a photo at Alumni Plaza on King's College Circle, one of several gathering spaces introduced by the Landmark project.
U of T News: Indigenous hub planned for St. George campus
The new building will bring together the Centre for Indigenous Studies, First Nations House Indigenous Student Services and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives A new Indigenous hub is planned for the University of Toronto’s St. George campus – an idea that has been a longstanding vision of Indigenous community members at the university. The project, which now has a confirmed site near the intersection of St. George and Bloor Streets, will be a new home for Indigenous academic, administrative and student supports in a thoughtfully designed space that reflects Indigenous values. Read more at UofT News.
Dr. Donna Kidwell is UofT’s 3rd Chief Information Officer
I am delighted to report that the overwhelming and unanimous advice from the CIO search advisory committee was to confirm Donna Kidwell as UofT’s third Chief Information Officer, and I am so pleased to report that Donna has accepted. In August, following the announcement of Bo Wandschneider’s pending retirement, I announced that Donna Kidwell, our then newly appointed Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Deputy CIO – a hire I consider a coup, having enticed her from ASU – had agreed to serve as Acting CIO, effective October 1, 2024, until June 30, 2025 or the appointment of the permanent [...]