President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability

OVERVIEW  |   MEMBERSHIP  |  RECRUITMENT  |  TERMS OF REFERENCE  |  WORKING GROUPS

Overview

As the University of Waterloo continues to advance campus sustainability, the President’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (PACES) will represent a cross-section of Waterloo stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and administration, to provide advice to the president on campus sustainability programs and policies.

RECRUITMENT

PACES regularly renews membership as committee terms expire. Please monitor the Sustainability Office's social media channels, Daily Bulletin announcements, and this page for upcoming opportunities to join PACES or its working groups.

Membership

Terms of Reference

1. Purpose

The President’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (the “Committee”) is established to provide advice to the President (and to others on the direction of the President) on campus sustainability programs and policies, and to coordinate implementation of the commitments outlined in relevant University plans and documents.

2. Objectives

The core objectives of the Committee are:

(i) Monitor compliance of and maintain Policy 53: Environmental Sustainability
(ii) Coordinate implementation of and ongoing updates to the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy and climate action plan
(iii) Coordinate the preparation and distribution of the University’s annual sustainability report
(iv) Monitor the implementation of the Council of Ontario Universities sustainability pledge and any other future commitments
(v) Form working groups to develop, exchange information on, and coordinate implementation of specific plans, including communication and education plans for the university community, and monitor the progress of such working groups
(vi) Provide advice to the President, or to such other persons or bodies as the President may direct, related to sustainability opportunities and initiatives at the University.
(vii) Identify key stakeholders and resources to support objectives and commitments
(Viii) Take part in new external collaborations, initiatives, surveys and other projects as the President may approve
(ix) Select projects to be funded through the Sustainability Action Fund and review completion of selected projects.

3. Membership

Membership in the Committee shall be comprised of:

(i) The President, who shall act as Chair
(ii) The Vice-President, Administration & Finance
(iii) The Dean of the Faculty of Environment
(iv) One additional dean, to be chosen by the chair
(v) The Executive Director, Facilities
(vi) The Director of Sustainability
(vii) The Energy Manager
(viii) One representative from Campus Housing, selected by the Director of Campus Housing
(ix) One representative from Food Services, selected by the Director of Food Services
(x) One undergraduate student representative selected by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association
(xi) Two additional undergraduate students from alternating cooperative education streams, to be chosen by the chair
(xii) One graduate student, selected by the Graduate Student Association
(xiii) Two faculty members from varying faculties or disciplines, to be chosen by the chair
(xiv) Two staff members from varying academic support units (with a preference from units not already represented), to be chosen by the chair
(xv) One non-voting member from the Federated University and Affiliated Colleges, to be chosen by the chair

The individuals to be chosen by the chair pursuant to paragraphs 3(ix), (xi), (xiii), (xiv) and (xv) above shall be identified by the chair based on an open call for expressions of interest.  Committee members will serve a term of two years. To ensure succession on the Committee, half of non-ex-officio member appointments will be renewed each year. There can be a one-year extension of terms if needed. Student representatives will serve for a term of one year to accommodate academic commitments, but may choose to continue for a second year if their schedule permits.

It is expected that additional stakeholders with relevant expertise and/or accountabilities will work closely with the Committee, and may join occasional meetings to provide input or present information, and may serve on working groups.

4. Roles of the Chair

The Chair shall preside over Committee meetings, and have the authority to:

(i) Appoint members to the Committee from applicants based on paragraphs 3(iv), (xi), (xiii), (xiv), and (xv).
(ii) Call additional meetings as necessary.
(iii) Strike working groups as necessary, as determined by the Committee.

5. Committee Member Roles

Committee members are expected to:

• Attend regular meetings and participate in the fulfilment of Committee mandate;
• Join working groups of the Committee as appropriate to support specific objectives;
• Liaise with other stakeholder groups on campus to advance implementation of sustainability objectives;
• Review and provide comment on draft documents in person and over email;
• Vote on decisions which fulfil the Committee’s mandate, including recommendations, reports, and proposed plans;

In addition to the above, the Sustainability Director will participate in Committee meetings and facilitate the collection and analysis of information regarding sustainability practices and curriculum, as well as developing many inputs for Committee deliberation. The Director will provide administrative support through the Sustainability Office for Committee activity.

6. Decision-Making

From time to time, it is expected that the committee will make recommendations to bring forward to the President. When forming these recommendations:

(i) The committee will make every effort to operate on a consensus model.
(ii) When consensus is not attainable, the committee will follow a democratic process.
(iii) It is understood that recommendations of the committee remain subject to normal University of Waterloo policies and approvals processes.

7. Meetings

The Committee shall normally meet twice per term, but may meet more often at the call of the chair. 

Committee quorum shall be determined as fifty percent of voting Committee membership, plus one. Ex-officio members on the committee may appoint a designate if they are unable to attend a meeting, provided they give notice to the char or the Director of Sustainability.

Meeting agendas and any associated information for review will be circulated by the Sustainability Director, after review from the chair, at least five business days in advance of scheduled meeting times. The Sustainability Office will record minutes and circulate to the Committee within ten business days of the meeting, for approval at subsequent meetings.

8. Working Groups

The Committee may form working groups to provide focused support for development or implementation of specific projects and actively engage stakeholders beyond the Committee members. Working groups shall each develop a terms of reference, meet as frequently as needed to fulfil their objectives, and report back to the Committee at least once per term. All working groups shall have at least one member of the Committee.

To recognize the intersectional nature of many sustainability initiatives and to avoid duplication of effort, certain working groups may jointly report to other University advisory committees and bodies. This collaborative approach should be articulated in each working group’s terms of reference as appropriate to the objectives from each advisory committee.

Working groups shall meet as often as required to meet their mandates as set by the Committee.

9. Confidentiality

The Committee’s proceedings are generally to be considered open and transparent. However, members may state that certain information or opinion should be kept confidential to the Committee in the interest of ensuring the free flow of ideas and depth of discussion.

Issued by the President & Vice-Chancellor on February 5, 2015.

Feridun Hamdullahpur

Presented to and endorsed by Executive Council on March 5, 2015. 

Updated on September 1, 2022

Vivek Goel

Working Groups

Working Groups are diving into detailed action on specific objectives or areas of focus. They report back to the committee on projects and progress. Currently active Working Groups include: