University Sustainability Policy

POLICY PURPOSE

The University of Victoria has a responsibility and desire to educate members of the University Community to engage effectively as global citizens, steward our natural resources in a responsible manner, and work towards a sustainable future in cooperation with organizations at the local, provincial, national and global level.

This policy is an overarching framework that serves to assist the University Community in incorporating Sustainability into decision making and provides a common understanding of what Sustainability means at the University of Victoria.

The university recognizes that one of the great challenges of our time is to make decisions that simultaneously consider and advance Ecological Balance, Economic Prosperity, and Social Development.

University Activities shall strive to embody approaches that enhance community well-being; further diversity and equity; restore or maintain the functioning of natural systems; and are fiscally responsible.

The purpose of this policy is to further the goals as set out in the University’s Strategic Plan.

POLICY STATEMENTS

• Sustainability supports the university’s overarching goals as articulated in the Strategic Plan.

• The university recognizes that Sustainability is a commitment to future generations.  It requires the collective action of the University Community through long term planning, shared learning, grassroots activities, and institutional leadership.

• Sustainability Activities will support the academic, teaching and research priorities and will draw upon the abilities and expertise of the University Community.

• Each Vice-President has responsibility for Sustainability within their respective areas.

• Sustainability Activities will require the balanced use of resources within budgetary parameters and will utilize life cycle assessments.

• The university will establish measurable Sustainability goals and monitor, evaluate and report on performance.

• The university shall comply with and exceed where practical all applicable legislation, regulation and codes of practice related to Sustainability.

• The university establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with communities, governments, corporations and other non-governmental organizations to develop and promote sustainable practices and to identify and address sustainability challenges.

• The university will create mechanisms for input and advice on the implementation of the Sustainability Policy from across the University Community.  

• The university will communicate and promote this policy to members of the University Community.

DEFINITIONS

• Sustainability is the state of achieving the ecological balance that allows social development and economic prosperity to be achieved across generations.

• Ecological Balance is the equilibrium between, and coexistence of, all organisms and their environment.

• Social Development encompasses a commitment to create social opportunities for individuals and groups to enhance overall community well-being.

• Economic Prosperity is a financially healthy state.

 

• Activities include, but are not limited to, the university’s operations, practices, teaching, research, decisions, events, strategies, actions and planning.

• University Community members include all employees and registered students of the university; post doctoral fellows; separately incorporated organizations operating on campus who voluntarily agree to submit to the processes under this Policy; organizations and individuals required by contract to comply with university policies; any person holding a university appointment whether or not that person is an employee; members of the Board of Governors; and anyone residing on campus.

SCOPE

This policy applies to the Activities of the University of Victoria and members of the University Community.