Friday, January 24, 2025

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• It's a gold star for Waterloo on sustainability

• Changes to accessing books from the TUG Annex, Laurier and Guelph
• Remembering Krystyna Luka

It's a gold star for Waterloo on sustainability

A message from Mat Thijssen, Director of Sustainability.

Waterloo is proud to have achieved a “Gold” rating through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS), a comprehensive sustainability evaluation program specifically for higher education institutions.

The STARS program, which is developed and administered through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, measures various ways that colleges and universities are supporting sustainability. The framework includes over 60 indicators that cover Academics, Engagement, Operations, Planning and Administration, and Innovation and Leadership.

“I am thrilled that Waterloo has achieved the STARS Gold rating,” says Jacinda Reitsma, Vice President Administration and Finance. “Sustainability is an integral part of the long-term vision for Waterloo at 100, as well as our near-term priorities. The STARS system is helpful to bring a holistic framework for what sustainability can mean in a university campus.”

Over 370 institutions, primarily across North America, are currently rated through STARS, with many Canadian peers also participating. Across U15 research-intensive campuses, nine others are rated Gold, two Platinum, and one Silver.

“Reaching STARS Gold was an overarching objective for Waterloo’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy,” says Mat Thijssen, Director of Sustainability. “It is exciting to see Waterloo’s longstanding strengths in teaching and research and investments in campus infrastructure and practices leading to this rating.”

This is Waterloo’s third submission through the STARS program, and the first time the University has achieved the Gold rating. Institutions are required to resubmit every three years to maintain their rating. Many thanks to the hundreds of individuals across campus who continue to support sustainability actions that are reflected in this rating, as well as those who contributed to data collection for the submission, particularly Patricia Huynh from the Sustainability Office.

For more information about Waterloo’s sustainability performance, including through STARS, visit the progress page on the sustainability website.

Changes to accessing books from the TUG Annex, Laurier and Guelph

A message from the Library.

Since introducing Omni in 2019, an increasing number of borrowing requests have been fulfilled through Omni, facilitating access to materials from 18 libraries across Ontario in a timely and efficient manner. While most Omni borrowing is facilitated by the provincial courier to ship books between institutions, University of Guelph Library, Wilfrid Laurier University Library, University of Waterloo Libraries and the Tri-University Group (TUG) Annex storage facility have continued to move materials between locations via a dedicated delivery van. 

Over time there has been a decrease in demand for shipping between the local schools as more requests have been filled by the other schools through Omni. Given this drop in demand, we are adjusting the frequency of local van service from every weekday to twice weekly. We anticipate minimal disruption from this change. 

Questions about these changes in services can be directed to Ask Us. 

Remembering Krystyna Luka

Flags have been lowered on campus today to mark the funeral of Food Services employee Krystyna Luka, who passed away on January 15.

Krystyna joined the University in September 1992 and worked at Brubakers Food Court in the Student Life Centre.

"It is with deep sadness that we remember Krystyna Luka," says a statement from Food Services. "During their 20+ years with Food Services, Krystyna demonstrated commitment and hard work and left a lasting impression on everyone they worked with. Their contributions were invaluable, and their presence brightened our workplace with kindness. She worked for many years at Bon Appetit in the Davis Centre before transferring to Brubaker’s Food Court in the SLC. Their impact during their tenure has not been forgotten. Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Krystyna's funeral service will take place today at 10:30 a.m. at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration located at 131 Victoria St. in Kitchener. Those unable to attend can watch the livestream.