U of T named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2017
Recognized for the fourth year! The Canada’s Greenest Employers award recognizes the employers who are leaders in creating a culture of environmental awareness in their organizations. “Being named as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the fourth year is fabulous news,” says Ron Swail, chief operations officer of Property Services & Sustainability at the University of Toronto (U of T). “It once again confirms the University’s commitment and deeply embedded culture of sustainability. “Our community of passionate and actively engaged students, world-class academics and researchers, innovative incubators, supportive network of alumni, and talented employees across all three campuses work collaboratively and creatively together to [...]
Bo Wandschneider named CIO
The Information Technology Services (ITS) portfolio within University Operations currently has eight directors in place, with a mandate to continue to enhance the alignment of information technology to the university’s mission. The University’s inaugural CIO, Robert Cook, took the helm in 2008. Since that time, the ITS team has collaborated with academic and administrative stakeholders to renew the central administrative data centre and the tri-campus wireless network; strengthened the profile of information security through Policy and services; expanded the Academic Toolbox and Online Learning professional services; initiated the Next Generation Student Information Services program; and introduced the university to [...]
U of T planning laneway homes pilot project by next year
Christine Burke, director of campus and facilities planning at U of T, said the university aims to build the homes, across the street from Robarts Library, as housing for grad students or visiting faculty. Depending on the results of the pilot project, the next phase is 40 to 50 more in the same area,where the university owns most of the land. (EDUARDO LIMA / METRONEWS) Read more here.
U of T experts’ creative solution to Toronto’s housing problems: laneway homes
Award-winning architect and U of T Professor Brigitte Shim lives in a laneway house in Leslieville (photo by Romi Levine) “What happens in architecture schools should not be seen as a project... but as a way of projecting a different future for our cities” Twenty-five years ago, award-winning architect Brigitte Shim was scoping out a location to build her home. “It was a derelict lot with six abandoned cars, and weeds that were shoulder height,” she says. Shim, a professor at University of Toronto at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, decided the laneway in [...]
Congratulations to Anne Macdonald, Influential Leader and 2017 Chancellor’s Award winner
Anne Macdonald, Director, Ancillary Services, has been awarded this year's Chancellor’s Award: Influential Leader category. Described as “visionary” by Yves Roberge, Principal, and Ron Vander Kraats, CAO, New College, Anne has, since taking the helm of Ancillary Services in 2002, quietly and determinedly led a team which has been responsible for several transformative accomplishments. Acquisition of the Toronto Colony Hotel and its transition to a university residence (89 Chestnut) Implementation of responsible procurement initiatives: bottled water ban, Bangladesh Accord requirement for merchandise manufacturing, local sustainable food partnerships Financial and relationship turn-around of university’s program in the Huron-Sussex neighbourhood, which set [...]
Join us at the 4th annual Green gala on March 9th
Join us as we celebrate the collective hard work and accomplishments of the staff., students and faculty who make up the enviro community on St. George campus. DESCRIPTION Building on the success of the last three Green Galas, which welcomed a total of 375+ staff, students, faculty and community members, this year's celebration will include: A keynote address by Food Systems Planner, Tammara Soma Presentation of the Green Ribbon Awards (now in their 9th year) Opportunity to engage with a graphic recorder about sustainability And much more! There will be lots of opportunity for conversation and time to enjoy complimentary [...]
Iron Chef 2017
Iron Chef 2017 is an intercollegiate culinary showdown between U of T, uOttawa, McGill and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. The competition takes place Feb. 25 at New College Dining Hall. See the video and learn more here. Remember to tune in to watch the event live on February 25th ! Ailin Xi, a biochemistry and nutritional sciences major, tastes the salmon appetizer she prepared with Jordan Su, a human geography student (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)
Extreme Measures to protect Some of the World’s Rarest Books
CityNews reports on the preventative measures being taken by U of T to protect the 800,000 volumes in the Fisher Library, some of which are 1000+ years old! See more here.
Public consultations for U of T Secondary Plan to begin
From: The Varsity: By Tamim Mansour Published: 11:55 pm, 22 January 2017 under News Proposed UTSG Secondary Plan divides campus into distinct ‘Character Areas’ The Toronto and East York Community Council adopted a motion to begin public consultation on the University of Toronto’s proposed amendments to the City of Toronto’s Official Plan to establish a new Secondary Plan for UTSG. The Secondary Plan provides a municipal planning framework to manage developments on campus; it outlines policies on how land in the area can be used and provides municipal expectations regarding where and how future projects are carried out. These policies include [...]
Acting CIO Announcement
December 15, 2016 Further to PDAD&C Memo #52 of April 13, 2016 announcing the pending retirement of Robert Cook, the University’s inaugural Chief Information Officer, I am pleased to report that efforts to identify both the new Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Digital Strategies, and our new Chief Information Officer are well underway, informed by broad-based, tri-campus advisory committees. Recommendations regarding both positions are anticipated in the new year. Consistent with Robert Cook’s wishes, I have agreed that he can ease into retirement by stepping away from his assignment as Chief Information Officer effective 31 December 2016. Bob will continue reporting [...]