Windows To The Future
Grebel’s original 60-year-old residence building has been a beloved home to decades of students, but it now requires urgent improvements to the air handling systems, washrooms, and plumbing infrastructure. These essential upgrades, as well as new windows, will enhance the building's overall functionality and efficiency, and contribute significantly to our environmental goals, as well as student satisfaction and comfort.
Dear Grebelite,
I wonder if you remember what it felt like to enter Grebel for the first time. The energy of new friends, the weight of new textbooks, the familiar aroma of popcorn, the sound of music in the stairwell and practice rooms, and the view from the big, bright residence windows.
For 60 years, Conrad Grebel University College has been home to a warm and welcoming student community. You are an important part of this history.
We're beginning our seventh decade with a campaign to renew Grebel's aging residence – replacing windows, heating systems, and washrooms.
Addressing climate change is a priority for both administrators and students at Grebel. Our goal is to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions 35% by the year 2030. New windows, coupled with new heating and cooling equipment, will also make the residence more comfortable and appealing to students – especially during the summer term. These improvements will be expensive.
We invite you to join with other alumni to make a difference for our current and future students. An alumni group is spearheading the “Windows to the Future” fundraising campaign to renew our residence facilities.
We are looking for a broad base of support from alumni to illustrate our Grebel spirit! A tax-deductible donation of any size for the Windows to the Future campaign will help us raise $10,000 per residence room.
Would you join our alumni community in making a gift for our students and the environment?
We are part of an extraordinary alumni community! I look forward to hearing from you so that many more generations of students can benefit from the Grebel experience.
Sincerely,
Marcus Shantz (BA '95)
President, Conrad Grebel University College
“As a residence that houses students year-round and conference guests during the summer, a comfortable and inviting atmosphere is a must! By updating the HVAC systems and adding AC, not only can Grebel become more environmentally sustainable, but we can also become a more comfortable place for students to study, collaborate, and live in community together.
A Plan For Our Planet and Our Students
In 2023, the Grebel Board and Administration committed to joining the University of Waterloo's Shift:Neutral climate action plan and pledged to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, compared to our 2019 emission levels. Grebel's Green Team is spearheading initiatives to help us reach this goal. 16.7% of this goal will be achieved with this residence renewal project.
Maya Morton Ninomiya
4th Year Health Studies
“This is a critical time at which we get to decide how much we want to reduce the harm that is currently befalling our planet. As a student, I am surrounded by people who either are, or who have the ability to influence the next generation. Educating on climate change and instilling passion in students is an extremely potent and necessary opportunity that must be taken advantage of.”
Consistent heating and cooling, as well as effective windows, are vital for creating a comfortable space for students and conference groups. Improving indoor air quality and reducing pollutants is increasingly important as the climate changes. Renovated washrooms will provide functional, gender-neutral spaces to make the residence more welcoming and inclusive.
Electrifying the domestic hot water system and using high-efficiency air source heat pumps will lower Grebel’s overall energy consumption and reduce GHG emissions. Donors and students expect Grebel to make sustainable choices and be a leader in reducing the College's carbon footprint by 35%.
By investing in ongoing improvements, Grebel’s updated, inclusive facilities will attract more students and conference groups in the summer, increasing both occupancy and revenue. Additional residence revenue can lead to better services, facilities, and programs that directly benefit the student body and add to the overall student experience.
By addressing aging infrastructure now, we will prevent costly repairs and keep the building up to date. New HVAC systems will provide operating efficiencies. Investing in our student residence ensures long-term financial health and stability, benefiting current and future generations of students.
What We Need To Raise
We estimate at least $5,500,000 will be needed to complete all of the projects.
At least $4,000,000 must be raised from private donors. Grebel does not receive capital funding from governments. Moreover, the entire Ontario university sector, including Grebel, is currently challenged by a multi-year freeze on operating revenues. This means that there is no operating surplus from which capital projects could be financed.
As of June 27 we have raised over $2.8 million!
Would you consider making a lead gift to this critical campaign?
Contact:
Marcus Shantz, President
Fred W. Martin, Director of Advancement
Campaign Advisory Committee
Kirk Schmidt
BMATH 2004
Advisory Committee Member
"The Grebel residence program grounded an exceptional education in a community of shared values from across the campus. I want students to continue to have that experience, in a climate that allows them to prosper. This project creates that climate in the building, and allows Grebel to respond to the climate crisis."
Jim Tiessen
BASC 1987
Advisory Committee Member
"I lived at Grebel for eight semesters while completing my engineering degree. The Grebel residence program provided me with more than just a place to sleep and eat but a home and a community to help me navigate the rigours of a demanding university program. The Grebel residence experience helped me transition from living with my parents to becoming a productive member of society. I am supporting the residence upgrades to ensure future generations of residents have a secure and comfortable place to call home as they grow into productive members of society at UW."
Caleb Gingrich Regehr
BASC 2012
Advisory Committee Member
"The Grebel residence program grounded an exceptional education in a community of shared values from across the campus. I want students to continue to have that experience, in a climate that allows them to prosper. This project creates that climate in the building, and allows Grebel to respond to the climate crisis."
Leanne (BES 2001) and Dave (BA 2001) Lobe
Advisory Committee Members
"Grebel was such an important place for us. The relationships we made were foundational and continue to nurture us to this day. The sense of family and community were vital in helping us succeed and thrive moving forward. We are excited to be able to give back in small ways to ensure that the same experience is accessible to others."
Anita Tiessen
BA 1981
Advisory Committee Member
“Grebel stands out at the University of Waterloo for both the residence component and for academic offerings. The main part of the residence building is 60 years old. Any building that age is starting to need major improvements. In order to continue to attract students to the residence program, the facilities need to be upgraded. While infrastructure isn't the most exciting thing to talk about, it is vital to Grebel's ability to continue to attract students. It is also an opportunity to make the facilities more "green" - an initiative that the Board strongly supports. As a Grebel alum and current board member, I am happy to support this capital project to update the residence and move Grebel toward more "green" operations.”
Alumni Residence Room upgrade campaign
Make a direct contribution to Grebel's greenhouse gas reduction goals by pledging to upgrade the HVAC in a residence room. A gift of $10,000 will help to cover the cost of replacing HVAC in a residence room, perhaps in the very room you lived in. You may want to consider splitting the cost with your past roommate. Pledges can be made over 5 years.
$10,000 will help upgrade the HVAC in one residence room
With 70 rooms to choose from, help us reach our goal of $700,000 to upgrade our HVAC system and improve air quality in the residence.
Pledge on your own or gather your former roommate, and pledge together!
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$10k per window/Room ($167/month x 60)
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$5k with your roommate ($84/month x 60)
Donation Tracker
