Inclusion Archives - News@91��ɫ

91��ɫ leads as one of Canada’s greenest and most diverse employers

sandramc — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Living its values. For the first time, 91��ɫ achieves two top designations as Canada’s greenest and most diverse employer for 2024.

This is the 12th consecutive year 91��ɫ has made the cut for and selected by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers of the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.

The honour recognizes employers who lead the nation in creating a culture of awareness for the environment and whose sustainability practices have become part of their public identity. It include developing unique initiatives and programs, and successfully reducing their footprint with the help of employees.

Laina Bay-Cheng, interim vice-president of Equity People and Culture

In addition, 91��ɫ also received award announced March 4, a first for the University, which recognizes exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs across the country. Not only has 91��ɫ launched a Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Strategy, but its DEDI values are infused into its Framework and Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the .

“Being recognized as Canada’s Best Diversity and Canada’s Greenest Employers is possible because of the values and dedication of 91��ɫ employees, staff and faculty alike,” says Laina Bay-Cheng, interim vice-president of Equity People and Culture. “I hope 91��ɫ and all our colleagues can take pride in how hard we work to be a place where so many different people, all taking so many different paths in their careers and lives, can thrive and feel like they belong.”

91��ɫ continues to be a champion of sustainability. A year ago, the University hired its first chief sustainability office in its Office of Sustainability to focus more attention on its sustainability goals and actions. Since then, it has shortened its initial goal to reach net-zero emissions by a decade, now 2040. It also started a $1 million Sustainability Innovation Fund to provide funding to faculty, staff and students to pursue projects to advance climate action – which supports the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 13) on 91��ɫ’s three campuses toward positive change.

“91��ɫ’s collaborative and holistic approach to sustainability has played a large part in why we continue to excel in sustainability leadership. This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of students, faculty, instructors and staff,” says Mike Layton, 91��ɫ’s chief sustainability officer.

Mike Layton, 91��ɫ’s inaugural chief sustainability officer, in front of two types of electric vehicles used at the University, including SARIT (left)

A University-wide challenge to elevate 91��ɫ’s contributions to the UN’s SDGs 17 (global partnerships for sustainable development) was also included in its University Academic Plan 2020-2025. With two TTC stops on its Keele Campus and an investment in using electric golf carts, bikes, and hybrid and electric vehicles, 91��ɫ has helped its community move away from single-occupant trips to more sustainable options. Its ZeroWaste program has increasingly diverted waste from landfill sites for more than three decades, reaching 70 per cent of waste diversion.

91��ɫ also has an Eco-Campus dedicated to teaching and researching neotropical conservation, eco-health, community well-being and sustainable livelihoods through it's 400-acres Las Nubes Forest Reserve in Costa Rica.

91��ɫ’s continued commitment to sustainability and diversity, is reflected in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, where it ranked among the world’s top 40 universities out of more than 1,500 for advancing the SDGs. That includes being ranked 21st in the world for SDG 1 – No Poverty, 25th in the world for SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, and 12th in the world for SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.

As Layton says, “Community adoption of green initiatives and a continued desire to support the University in expanding its impact to create a more sustainable future is integral. This recognition is a reflection of community efforts.”

It’s a commitment that will help foster a greener, more diverse future.

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Alectra and 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change establish the Alectra Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Undergraduate Awards

sandramc — Wed, 18 May 2022 15:16:20 +0000

MISSISSAUGA, May 18, 2022 – Alectra Inc. and 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) announce the establishment of the ‘Alectra Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Undergraduate Awards’ to provide scholarship opportunities for Black and Indigenous students accepted into an EUC undergraduate program.

“We are proud to have Alectra as one of our partners and are very grateful for their sustained and active involvement with the 91��ɫ community, especially in support of students, research and transformational initiatives,” said Alice Hovorka, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at 91��ɫ. “The Alectra EDI Undergraduate Awards will empower students to become champions of justice and sustainability – and will increase equitable access to post-secondary education. In EUC, we are committed to providing accessible education, embracing diversity and empowering all students as changemakers in their own lives and in the lives of others. The Alectra EDI Undergraduate Awards will ensure sustainable pathways and financial support to historically underrepresented students.”

"At Alectra, we believe that making positive change requires dynamic and diverse thinking,” said Brian Bentz, President and CEO, Alectra Inc. “We’re excited to support the efforts of 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change to expand opportunities for under-represented students to thrive in a program devoted to addressing the serious urban and environmental challenges that are facing us today.”

Alectra will contribute $84,000 (over four years) to support two domestic undergraduate Black and/or Indigenous students with full tuition, a flex fund, textbooks and supplies for their full-time degree at 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change.

The Alectra EDI Undergraduate Awards will create opportunities for Black and Indigenous students and create positive change in our communities and the world around us.
In 2020, Alectra began to launch a series of broad-based ED&I initiatives and has supported local anti-racism programs delivered through activism, community building and education. The partnership with 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change is the first undergraduate scholarship program for racialized students that Alectra has sponsored.

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About Alectra Inc.
Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions.
Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow’s energy future.

About the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change
91��ɫ’s new Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) has been created as a call to action to respond to the most pressing challenges facing people and the planet. We bring together world class scientists and scholars, who are producing research on the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, intensive urbanization and how these dynamics impact the most vulnerable among us. We offer academic programs empowering our students as changemakers through interdisciplinary thinking, experiential learning, and global perspectives. As a community, we believe that making positive change requires bold and diverse thinking, ambitious action, and community engagement. In EUC, we are mobilizing knowledge for a just and sustainable future.

Media Contacts:
Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson, Alectra
ashley.trgachef@alectrautilities.com | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1.833.MEDIALN

Sandra McLean (she/her)
Senior Media Relations Officer, Media Relations and External Communications
C 416-272-6317
sandramc@yorku.ca | www.news.yorku.ca
Communications & Public Affairs Division | YORK UNIVERSITY

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