Landmark / en In photos: 91³Ō¹Ļ marks opening of Indigenous landscape project at Hart House Green /news/photos-u-t-marks-opening-indigenous-landscape-project-hart-house-green <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">In photos: 91³Ō¹Ļ marks opening of Indigenous landscape project at Hart House Green</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=s9Cv19sw 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=7aVEI_um 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=rDz-AIaG 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-38-crop.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=s9Cv19sw" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-27T09:34:50-04:00" title="Friday, September 27, 2024 - 09:34" class="datetime">Fri, 09/27/2024 - 09:34</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><i>The pathway that extends along the east side of Ziibiing follows the trail of Taddle Creek, a buried stream running under the St. George campus that once served as a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples (photo by Polina Teif)</i></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ziibiing" hreflang="en">Ziibiing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous-initiatives" hreflang="en">Indigenous Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/kelly-hannah-moffat" hreflang="en">Kelly Hannah-Moffat</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/scott-mabury" hreflang="en">Scott Mabury</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/first-nations-house" hreflang="en">First Nations House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/hart-house" hreflang="en">Hart House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/john-h-daniels-faculty-architecture" hreflang="en">John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/truth-and-reconciliation" hreflang="en">Truth and Reconciliation</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">The Ziibiing space includes a central pavilion, amphitheatre and plantings of medicinal trees and shrubs</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The 91³Ō¹Ļ commemorated the official opening of&nbsp;<a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/ziibiing/">Ziibiing</a>, an Indigenous landscape project that uses architecture, horticulture and storytelling to honour Indigenous cultures and provide a space for community members to gather, learn and host ceremonies on the St. George campus.</p> <p>The opening celebration for Ziibiing, held Monday Sept. 23, included a traditional Elderā€™s opening, a welcome song and the burning of a sacred fire ā€“ the first fire to be lit in Ziibiingā€™s pavilion and <a href="http://people.utoronto.ca/culture/indigenous-community/indigenous-ceremonial-practices/">one of&nbsp;several Indigenous ceremonial practices that are welcome on all three 91³Ō¹Ļ campuses</a>.</p> <p>Hereā€™s how the event unfolded through the lens of 91³Ō¹Ļ photographers:</p> <hr> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-5-crop.jpg?itok=SgdMaqqf" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Michael White</strong>, director of&nbsp;<a href="https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/first-nations-house/">First Nations House</a>, tends to the sacred fire in the Ziibiing pavilion as&nbsp;<strong>Jenny Blackbird</strong>, resource centre and programs co-ordinator at First Nations House, looks on.&nbsp;</p> <p>Ceremonial fires, smudging and pipe ceremonies are among the important Indigenous practices that take place on 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s three campuses.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-9-crop.jpg?itok=hE-G6Hrw" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Blackbird&nbsp;performs a traditional song to welcome 91³Ō¹Ļ community members to the celebration.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-30-crop.jpg?itok=hhBMbXan" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The vision for Ziibiing was developed by an Indigenous Advisory Committee in collaboration with the&nbsp;<a href="https://brookmcilroy.com/projects/service/indigenous-design-studio/">Indigenous Design Studio</a>&nbsp;at Brook McIlroy, who in turn consulted with Indigenous students, faculty, staff, the&nbsp;<a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/about/knowledge-keepers-faculty/#:~:text=Council%20of%20Indigenous%20Initiatives%20Elders%E2%80%99%20Circle">Council of Indigenous Initiatives Elders' Circle</a>&nbsp;and representatives of local First Nations.</p> <p>The project was born out of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/05/Final-Report-TRC.pdf">Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin</a>, the final report of the Steering Committee for the 91³Ō¹Ļ Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which outlined the need for dedicated Indigenous spaces on campus.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/bird-simpson.jpg?itok=gglKRR4o" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>From left: James Bird and Shannon Simpson (photos by Polina Teif)(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Several members of the 91³Ō¹Ļ community spoke at the event.</p> <p>ā€œOur voices, traditions and histories are woven into the fabric of this new landscape, sending a clear signal that we are seen, that we matter and that we belong,ā€ said&nbsp;<strong>Shannon Simpson</strong>, senior director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/">Office of Indigenous Initiatives</a>&nbsp;and a member of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation, in her remarks at the ceremony.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-22-crop.jpg?itok=tZF6lUh7" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Ziibiing is named for the Anishinaabemowin word for ā€œriver,ā€ a reference to the Taddle Creek waterway that once flowed through the area and served as a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples.&nbsp;</p> <p>Itā€™s an example of how Indigenous design and Western architectural disciplines can come together to assist in placemaking, according to<strong>&nbsp;James Bird</strong>, a Knowledge Keeper from the Nehiyawak and Dene Nation and PhD candidate in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.</p> <p>ā€œIn the practice of architecture, there are ways one can approach the creation of space and its activation through design," said Bird. ā€œThis alternative viewpoint assigns agency to the metaphysical aspects that exist within Indigenous cultures and in turn allows metaphysical relationships to be made into physical form.ā€</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-6-crop.jpg?itok=GES4Ryl_" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>In her remarks to the eventā€™s attendees,&nbsp;<strong>Kelly Hannah-Moffa</strong>t,&nbsp;91³Ō¹Ļā€™s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, said that, in addition to serving a vital role as a teaching and ceremonial space for Indigenous students, employees and Elders, Ziibiing will encourage the entire 91³Ō¹Ļ community to ā€œfind innovative ways to Indigenize this institution.ā€&nbsp;</p> <p>She noted the space has already&nbsp;hosted a recent <a href="https://people.utoronto.ca/news/using-land-based-learning-to-explore-indigenous-histories-and-world-views-at-ziibiing/">land-based learning workshop</a>&nbsp;that invited members of the 91³Ō¹Ļ community to deepen their understanding of Indigenous world views, teachings and connections to the land. The workshop was organized by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, with future sessions scheduled for&nbsp;<a href="https://folio.utoronto.ca/students/events/detail/4623222">Oct. 22</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://folio.utoronto.ca/students/events/detail/4623226">Nov. 19</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/2024-09-23-Ziibiing-Opening-Celebration_Polina-Teif-2-crop.jpg?itok=rcXy253u" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The Ziibiing pavilion is supported by 13 columns that symbolize the 13 moons of the year. They circle a fire pit where ceremonial fires may be lit and maintained by Indigenous firekeepers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/DJI_20240920084244_0046_D.jpg?itok=R77oZFMx" width="750" height="422" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by David Lee)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The creation of Ziibiing took place alongside the&nbsp;<a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/">Landmark Project</a>, which aimed to revitalize the historic core of the St. George campus.</p> <p><strong>Scott Mabury</strong>, 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships, said 91³Ō¹Ļ community members have already embraced Ziibiing, as well as the other new spaces, as evidenced by their increased use of the reimagined landscapes.</p> <p>ā€œWe didnā€™t know what we didnā€™t have before,ā€ he said.&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:34:50 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 309571 at Battery-powered EV chargers ā€“ co-developed at 91³Ō¹Ļ ā€“ installed on St. George campus /news/battery-powered-ev-chargers-co-developed-u-t-installed-st-george-campus <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Battery-powered EV chargers ā€“ co-developed at 91³Ō¹Ļ ā€“ installed on St. George campus</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/Jule-charger-Skule-logo-updated-crop_1.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=F7isGI9F 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2024-09/Jule-charger-Skule-logo-updated-crop_1.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=ldP6gqw0 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2024-09/Jule-charger-Skule-logo-updated-crop_1.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=793hWnZE 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2024-09/Jule-charger-Skule-logo-updated-crop_1.jpg?h=81d682ee&amp;itok=F7isGI9F" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-20T10:34:25-04:00" title="Friday, September 20, 2024 - 10:34" class="datetime">Fri, 09/20/2024 - 10:34</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>The Level 3+ battery-powered EV charging stations are available in 91³Ō¹Ļ's Landmark Garage, located beneath King's College Circle on the St. George campus (photo by Safa Jinje)&nbsp;</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6738" hreflang="en">Safa Jinje</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/breaking-research" hreflang="en">Breaking Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/department-mechanical-and-industrial-engineering" hreflang="en">department of mechanical and industrial engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/facilities-and-services" hreflang="en">Facilities and Services</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">The rapid-charging stations were developed by Canadian EV tech company Jule in collaboration with experts at the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The historic core of the 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s St. George campus is now home to a pair of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that utilize technology co-developed at the university.</p> <p>The two new stations use direct current (DC)-sourced EV chargers boasting integrated battery energy storage systems ā€“ novel technology that minimizes strain on the electrical grid.</p> <p>Located in the&nbsp;<a href="http://transportation.utoronto.ca/landmark-hart-house-circle/">Landmark Garage</a>&nbsp;beneath Kingā€™s College Circle, the chargers are rated Level 3+, meaning they can charge EVs in under&nbsp;30 minutes, and bring the total number of EV charging stations in the garage to 50.</p> <p>The technology underpinning the new charges was&nbsp;developed by Jule, an <a href="https://www.julepower.com/">energy storage and EV solutions company</a> co-founded by Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering alumnus <strong>Carmine Pizzurro</strong>, in collaboration with 91³Ō¹Ļ faculty members.</p> <p>Jule embarked on its first research collaboration with 91³Ō¹Ļ shortly after its founding in 2009, teaming up with the <a href="https://www.ece.utoronto.ca/research/centres/centre-applied-power-electronics-cape/">Centre for Applied Power Electronics</a> led by Professor <strong>Reza Iravani</strong> at the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering.</p> <p>It also worked closely with the city's electric utility.</p> <p>ā€œOne of our first collaborations was with Toronto Hydro, which led to us being the first company in the world to put lithium-ion batteries on the distribution grid to provide backup power during outages and reduce stress on the grid during peak periods,ā€ says Pizzurro, who earned his bachelorā€™s and masterā€™s degrees in mechanical engineering at 91³Ō¹Ļ.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/tmslab-1-crop.jpg?itok=B97NXlUc" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Cristina Amon and Carlos Da Silva (fourth and fifth from left, respectively, in the front row) pose with students and staff in the Thermal Management Systems lab (photo by&nbsp;Aaron Demeter)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Pizzurro went on to install Juleā€™s first battery-powered fast chargers in northern Canada as part of a collaboration with Natural Resources Canada.</p> <p>But the company needed to address a longstanding challenge with lithium-ion batteries: theyā€™re temperature-sensitive and must be able to operate reliably in both hot and cold environments if they are to help power a net-zero future.</p> <p>To tackle this issue, Jule in 2018 expanded its partnership with the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering to include <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/university-professors/complete-list-university-professors/">University Professor</a> <strong>Cristina Amon</strong> and senior research associate <strong>Carlos Da Silva</strong> of the <a href="https://atoms.mie.utoronto.ca/">Advanced Thermofluids Optimization, Modelling and Simulation (ATOMS) laboratory</a> in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering.</p> <p>The ATOMS experts have been developing computational models and experimental characterization to optimize Juleā€™s battery thermal management systems ā€“ work that is being carried out in a state-of-the-art battery testing facility that received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Ontario Research Fund.</p> <p>ā€œThermal managementā€Æis an issue that impacts both aspects of Juleā€™s EV fast charging technology: the power electronics to enable the charging, as well as their unique integrated battery storage system,ā€ says Da Silva, who is also executive director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://electrification.utoronto.ca/">91³Ō¹Ļ Electrification Hub</a>.&nbsp;ā€œThermal management is critical for mitigating battery degradation. It requires regulating the temperature in such a way that you keep the battery within an optimal range that will extend its life span.ā€&nbsp;</p> <p>Juleā€™s fast chargers use energy stored in batteries, rather than drawing it directly from the electrical grid in the manner of traditional fast chargers. That means they donā€™t cause grid overloading during peak usage times and can be charged during off-peak hours when electricity is less costly; they also donā€™t require significant investments in electricity upgrades.</p> <p>ā€œThe battery storage system is charged using current from the electrical grid, which is alternating current (AC); and then this larger battery, which uses direct current (DC), charges the smaller battery in the electric vehicle,ā€ says Amon. ā€œIt is more efficient to fast-charge from a&nbsp;stationary battery to an EV ā€“ DC to DC ā€“ than it is to fast-charge an EV from the electrical grid, which requires converting AC to DC power.ā€&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Juleā€™s Level 3+ charging station can provide up to 200 kilowatts of power output, yet only needs 45 kilowatts of input power. Amon says this rapid charging speed can help alleviate range anxiety among EV users: ā€œSome drivers fear that EV batteries may not have enough energy to reach a desired destination. But if charging time is much closer to the time required to fill up a tank of a gas-powered car, that can reduce this worry.ā€&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2024-09/EV-fast-charging-station-ribbon-cutting-12-crop_0.jpg?itok=b3v1Rb5R" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>L-R: Professor Reza Iravani, Jule co-founder Carmine Pizzurro, 91³Ō¹Ļ Electrification Hub Executive Director Carlos Da Silva, University Professor Cristina Amon and 91³Ō¹Ļ Engineering Dean Christopher Yip (photo by Safa Jinje)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The Level 3+ stations are joining&nbsp;48 Level 2 chargers that are already available for public use&nbsp;at the Landmark Garage.</p> <p>This increases the campusā€™s charging capacity to over 25,000 charges per year, which can eliminate over 700 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, according to 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s Sustainability Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œHosting these first-of-their-kind EV chargers right here on campus extends beyond providing a new and exciting sustainability service to our community,ā€ says <strong>Ron Saporta</strong>, 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s chief operating officer, property services and sustainability.&nbsp;ā€œIt represents just one example of how we are supporting the intersection of research, learning and commercialization of sustainable innovations developed by members of our very own 91³Ō¹Ļ community.ā€&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The charging stations will also serve as a living lab to test future thermal innovations jointly developed by 91³Ō¹Ļ Engineering researchers and Jule.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œHaving these chargers on campus enables us to have a greater capacity to test the system in ways we are limited by doing in a lab setting,ā€ says Da Silva.&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:34:25 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 309506 at The year in pictures: 91³Ō¹Ļ News looks back at 2023 /news/year-pictures-u-t-news-looks-back-2023 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">The year in pictures: 91³Ō¹Ļ News looks back at 2023</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-12/UofT92427_0326UTMPowwow056-crop.jpg?h=403be4c1&amp;itok=DTo5tVnT 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2023-12/UofT92427_0326UTMPowwow056-crop.jpg?h=403be4c1&amp;itok=WdchFcVv 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2023-12/UofT92427_0326UTMPowwow056-crop.jpg?h=403be4c1&amp;itok=z8JE0h8K 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-12/UofT92427_0326UTMPowwow056-crop.jpg?h=403be4c1&amp;itok=DTo5tVnT" alt="Indigenous dancer at the UTM All-Nations Powwow"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-12-19T09:58:42-05:00" title="Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - 09:58" class="datetime">Tue, 12/19/2023 - 09:58</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>Dancer Deanne Hupfield at the inaugural All-Nations Powwow co-hosted by 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississaugaā€™s Indigenous Centre and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/acceleration-consortium" hreflang="en">Acceleration Consortium</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/geoexchange" hreflang="en">Geoexchange</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/institutional-strategic-initiatives" hreflang="en">Institutional Strategic Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6848" hreflang="en">Joe's Basketball Diaries</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utogether" hreflang="en">UTogether</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/artificial-intelligence" hreflang="en">Artificial Intelligence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/first-nations-house" hreflang="en">First Nations House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/geoffrey-hinton" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Hinton</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/humanities" hreflang="en">Humanities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/university-health-network" hreflang="en">University Health Network</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The 91³Ō¹Ļ marked many memorable milestones across the three campuses in 2023.</p> <p>From co-hosting <a href="/news/photos-inaugural-all-nations-powwow-draws-crowd-u-t-mississauga">an inaugural All-Nations Powwow</a> to <a href="/news/godfather-conversation-why-geoffrey-hinton-worried-about-future-ai">guiding the future of artificial intelligence</a> and <a href="/news/activist-and-phd-student-niloofar-ganji-making-her-mark-lab-and-streets">advocating for social justice around the world</a>, members of the 91³Ō¹Ļ community and their partners made an impact well beyond the classroom in 2023.</p> <p>And photographers at&nbsp;<em>91³Ō¹Ļ News</em>&nbsp;and elsewhere at the university were often on hand to capture the action.</p> <p>Here are just a few of the special moments that shaped 91³Ō¹Ļ this year:</p> <hr> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93551_DJI_0406-crop.png?itok=xDtmc-x2" width="750" height="500" alt="aerial view of front campus showing the completed lawn surface in fall 2023" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by David Lee)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The Landmark Project has <a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/">transformed the historic core</a> of 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s St. George campus around Kingā€™s College Circle into a greener, more accessible and pedestrian-friendly space.</p> <p>Front Campus is also now home to <a href="https://defygravitycampaign.utoronto.ca/news-and-stories/university-of-toronto-landmark-geo-exchange/">Canadaā€™s largest urban geoexchange system</a>, which will generate renewable energy and store surplus heat in the summer for use in the cold winter months. The system will save the university an estimated 15,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually ā€“ a key part of 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s <a href="/news/u-t-s-plan-become-climate-positive-expanded-all-three-campuses">climate-positive plans</a> and among the reasons it was recently named&nbsp;the <a href="/news/u-t-named-most-sustainable-university-world">most sustainable university in the world</a>.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/Geoffrey%20Hinton%20Portrain%20screengrab%20%281%29.png?itok=cttz-nps" width="750" height="396" alt="portrait of Geoffrey Hinton at his home in England taken in 2023" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Following&nbsp;<strong>Geoffrey Hinton</strong>ā€™s<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/01/technology/ai-google-chatbot-engineer-quits-hinton.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;departure from Google</a>, <em>91³Ō¹Ļ News</em> travelled to his home in London, England, <a href="/news/godfather-conversation-why-geoffrey-hinton-worried-about-future-ai">for an in-depth conversation</a> with the 91³Ō¹Ļ <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/university-professors/">University Professor</a> Emeritus of computer science about the dangers posed by unchecked advances in AI, the role he and others played in creating the technology and the importance of responsible development.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/SEEUTM_AbbyDance.jpg?itok=ccYLqvhH" width="750" height="500" alt="Abby-Gayle Isadora Allen dances beside Juno Award-winning singer Liberty Silver during the SEE UTM celebration and graduation" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Abby-Gayle Isadora Allen</strong> <a href="/news/dismantling-barriers-high-school-students-experience-u-t-mississauga-program-black-youth">celebrated completing</a> the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/future-students/seeutm">Support, Engage, Experience 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga</a>&nbsp;program&nbsp;this year by dancing beside Juno Award-winning singer Liberty Silver during the graduation ceremony. &nbsp;</p> <p>The innovative program aims to make university education more accessible to Black youth&nbsp;who are underrepresented at Canadaā€™s post-secondary schools. Students in Grade 11 and 12 earn a university half-credit and two Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits, have a co-op experience and are mentored by a senior 91³Ō¹Ļ&nbsp;undergraduate student while simultaneously completing their high school semester.</p> <p>Similar programs operate at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough and the St. George campus,&nbsp;<a href="/news/new-collaboration-between-u-t-and-toronto-district-school-board-bring-more-under-represented">which introduced SEE 91³Ō¹Ļ</a>, the inaugural version of this access program, four years ago in collaboration with the Toronto District School Board.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/_27A7836_Final-crop.jpg?itok=UvLUL4K9" width="750" height="500" alt="Portrait of Jaivet Ealom taken at the lake ontario shore in 2023" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Luis Mora)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Jaivet Ealom</strong>, a 91³Ō¹Ļ student, author, a member of the persecuted Rohingya minority and refugee advocate, shared his harrowing escape to Canada in <em><a href="/news/u-t-student-author-and-activist-reflects-his-incredible-journey-rohingya-refugee-0">91³Ō¹Ļ News</a></em> and <em><a href="https://magazine.utoronto.ca/people/students/journey-to-freedom-refugee-jaivet-ealom/">91³Ō¹Ļ Magazine</a></em>.</p> <p>Ealom fled his home country of Myanmar in 2013. Before arriving at 91³Ō¹Ļ, he had travelled through six countries and three continents seeking asylum ā€“ surviving a near-drowning and multiple detentions along the way.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/2023-05-11-NAISA-Event-%283%29-crop.png?itok=QpDoj0ln" width="750" height="500" alt="Indigenous people conduct a ceremony to open the 2023 NAISA conference at 91³Ō¹Ļ" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>91³Ō¹Ļ hosted <a href="/news/u-t-hosts-global-scholars-naisa-conference-indigenous-studies">the 14<sup>th</sup> annual Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) conference</a> in May, which<a href="/news/u-t-hosts-global-scholars-naisa-conference-indigenous-studies">&nbsp;</a>brought together global scholars, artists, Elders and independent professionals working in the field of Indigenous Studies.&nbsp;The event covered themes from food sovereignty to contemporary Indigenous cinema and language revitalization.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/2023-05-05-Brokoslaw-Laschowski_Polina-Teif-13-crop_0.png?itok=gVRN2Yta" width="750" height="500" alt="Brokoslaw Laschowski wearing his assisted suit invention" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Brokoslaw Laschowski</strong>, a research scientist at the&nbsp;KITE Research Institute, University Health Network, and assistant professor in the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering, and his team <a href="/news/bionic-professor-aims-transform-field-wearable-robotics">are developing AI-powered wearable technology for medical applications</a>.</p> <p>Known as the ā€œbionic professor,ā€ Laschowski is passionate about developing assistive technology such as bionic prosthetic legs and exoskeletons to help individuals with physical disabilities.</p> <p>In his spare time, <a href="/news/students-ukraine-take-part-u-t-s-computer-science-summer-research-program">heā€™s helping students</a> from Ukraine flee the Russian invasion and war to come to 91³Ō¹Ļ to continue their studies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/DSC_8207-crop.jpg?itok=f-8y5z7B" width="750" height="500" alt="Charlotte Wargniez" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Chai Chen)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Charlotte Wargniez</strong> <a href="/news/u-of-t-science-student-graduating-at-17">graduated from 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough at the age of 17</a> with a&nbsp;major in environmental geoscience and a minor in applied climatology.</p> <p>She wrapped up her degree with many impressive accolades ā€“ including the Rose Sheinin Award, given to the highest-performing woman student in science across 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s three campuses and an excellence and leadership award from 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough's department of physical and environmental sciences.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT87591_2020-12-10-Isynth-Catscreen-96_25-crop.jpg?itok=QuEWACdE" width="750" height="500" alt="Aspuru-Guzik Lab Manager Emily Hopkins operating the materials acceleration platform (MAP)" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The <a href="https://acceleration.utoronto.ca/">Acceleration Consortium</a> at 91³Ō¹Ļ, an institutional strategic initiative, <a href="/news/u-t-receives-200-million-grant-support-acceleration-consortium-s-self-driving-labs-research">was awarded a $200-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund</a> to revolutionize the speed and impact of materials discovery ā€“ all with a focus on building a sustainable future.</p> <p>The funding ā€“ the largest federal research grant ever awarded to a Canadian university ā€“ supports the consortiumā€™s work on ā€œself-driving labsā€ that combine AI, robotics and advanced computing to discover new materials and molecules at a fraction of the usual time and cost.</p> <p>With a strong plan of equity, diversity and inclusion guiding project implementation and research design, the initiative will commercialize ethically designed technologies and materials to benefit society and train todayā€™s scientists with the skills they need to advance the emerging field of accelerated materials discovery. It will also allow the consortium to examine critical issues regarding the application of the technology, including from environmental and Indigenous perspectives.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT90723_2023-01-09-Niloofar-Ganji_Polina-Teif--8-crop.jpg?itok=FauST659" width="750" height="500" alt="Niloofar Ganji" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Niloofar Ganji</strong>, a PhD student in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, <a href="/news/activist-and-phd-student-niloofar-ganji-making-her-mark-lab-and-streets">is changing the world in more ways than one</a>.</p> <p>Ganji not only conducts groundbreaking research on a critical condition affecting premature infants ā€“ she is deeply committed to activism for social change in her home country of Iran.</p> <p>As an executive member of&nbsp;91³Ō¹Ļ Students for a Free Iran&nbsp;(UTSFI), she has organized many events at the university in support of the anti-regime movement in Iran. She hopes to use her knowledge and expertise in pediatrics and healthcare to work for the Iranian people one day.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/TSA-UTSC-crop.jpg?itok=XjfJ_YG-" width="750" height="500" alt="Turkish Students Association members Lilaf Salman, Irem Demirel, Selcuk Maslak, Elif Baran, Yasmin Din and Sedika Salman at their donation table at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo supplied)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>When a catastrophic&nbsp;series of earthquakes hit TĆ¼rkiye&nbsp;and Syria earlier this year, students from the Turkish Students Association (pictured) at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough rallied together to collect funds and in-kind donations on campus.</p> <p>They were among the many <a href="/news/u-t-community-members-mobilize-aid-syria-and-t-rkiye-earthquake-survivors">91³Ō¹Ļ community members across the three campuses</a> who pitched in to help raise awareness and funds in the wake of the disaster.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/IMG_6870.png?itok=_XieEQjF" width="750" height="500" alt="a muslim student from utm blows a kiss before entering convocation hall" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Nithya Thayaal)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>91³Ō¹Ļ celebrated the graduation of more than 21,000 students from the universityā€™s three campuses in 2023 ā€“ including the 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough student pictured above.</p> <p>Friends and family looked on as many of those graduates crossed the stage inside Convocation Hall during convocation ceremonies held in <a href="/news/photos-u-t-celebrates-class-2023-spring-convocation">spring</a> and <a href="/news/photos-u-t-grads-celebrated-2023-fall-convocation">fall</a>.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT93203_2023-04-11-Peter-Ma-%285%29-crop.png?itok=gN_MqQvp" width="750" height="500" alt="Peter Ma" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Peter Ma</strong>, an undergraduate math and physics student in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, is dedicated to searching for life beyond our planet by drawing on his passion for science ā€“ <a href="/news/something-out-there-how-u-t-undergrad-uses-ai-search-aliens">and artificial intelligence in particular</a>.</p> <p>He became the youngest member of a team of international researchers at the University of California, Berkeley who are searching the stars for extraterrestrial intelligence and was lead author on <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-022-01872-z.epdf?sharing_token=t6jjoqbFXFLJH8B5_RNzEtRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Mkq1U55F4UpwCyo9pvCV4lj--uzspzi_o3Nto3GrgPPPK7bN8GhKil2WvNSdFgUJmpmWo-kBOlWGQDS8nBDmrm5jSNwB_Db9767cFT2RRBBvupuVMql4JeV3b9Nn2FjQw=&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=commission_junction&amp;utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&amp;utm_content=textlink&amp;utm_term=PID100069413&amp;CJEVENT=a477dc40dd0011ed83be020b0a82b82c" target="_blank">a&nbsp;paper published earlier this year</a>&nbsp;in the journal&nbsp;<em>Nature Astronomy</em>.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/820A2660.jpg?itok=jYH98ysA" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>From left to right: William Lou, Joseph Wong, Sam Ibrahim and Aleer Aleer-Leek (photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>In the <a href="/news/joe-s-basketball-diaries-season-2-launches-episode-community">first episode of the second season</a> of the award-winning series <em>Joeā€™s Basketball Diaries</em>, host<strong> Joseph Wong</strong> sits down with Will Lou, writer and co-host of&nbsp;<em>the Raptors Show</em>&nbsp;podcast, <strong>Sam Ibrahim</strong>, a business leader, philanthropist and <a href="https://defygravitycampaign.utoronto.ca/news-and-stories/partnership-will-boost-inclusive-entrepreneurship-and-innovation/">major supporter of 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough</a>, and<strong> Aleer Aleer-Leek</strong>, a 91³Ō¹Ļ student and Varsity Blues basketball player, to talk about community and sports.</p> <p>In <a href="/news/joe-s-basketball-diaries-season-2-ep-2-sport-and-reconciliation">future episodes</a>, Wong, 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s vice-president, international, and a professor in the department of political science and the Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, and guests take the conversation beyond the court as they discuss topics ranging from sustainability to inclusion.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/UofT92984_2023-05-19-Alicia-Corbierre-%287%29-crop.png?itok=c8ff5-wx" width="750" height="500" alt="Alicia Corbiere" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Studying at 91³Ō¹Ļ gave&nbsp;<strong>Alicia Corbiere</strong>&nbsp;an opportunity to re-engage with her culture when she began learning from Indigenous professors and studying Anishinaabemowin. She also connected with her community by joining First Nations House and the Indigenous Studentsā€™ Association.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="/news/degree-indigenous-studies-u-t-grad-alicia-corbiere-aims-build-her-family-s-legal-legacy">After graduating with a degree in criminology and Indigenous studies</a> from the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science in the spring, Corbiere went on to study Indigenous law at 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s Faculty of Law.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-12/Lettce-_Polina-Teif-1-crop.jpg?itok=cLlL31Lf" width="750" height="422" alt="a employee at Lyrata checks on the growth of lettuce" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Polina Teif)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The leafy, green lettuce that many members of the 91³Ō¹Ļ community are eating in their salads, sandwiches and hamburgers is not just locally grown ā€“ but grown on the St. George campus by <a href="http://www.instagram.com/reel/C0wqCIRgFWb/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D">a student-led startup</a> in partnership with 91³Ō¹Ļ Food Services.</p> <p>Lyrata co-founders&nbsp;<strong>Leo Hua</strong> (pictured),&nbsp;<strong>Carol Lin</strong>&nbsp;and <strong>Adnan Sharif</strong>&nbsp;say they are bringing innovations to the field of sustainability ā€“ including 3D-printed soil.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:58:42 +0000 mattimar 304923 at Whatā€™s new at 91³Ō¹Ļ: Landmark transformation, new dining options and more /news/what-s-new-u-t-landmark-transformation-new-dining-options-and-more <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Whatā€™s new at 91³Ō¹Ļ: Landmark transformation, new dining options and more</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-09/UofT93551_DJI_0406-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=MR0Q74h2 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2023-09/UofT93551_DJI_0406-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=gBwuEJv5 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2023-09/UofT93551_DJI_0406-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=HsPfXTVU 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2023-09/UofT93551_DJI_0406-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=MR0Q74h2" alt="aerial view of front campus at the 91³Ō¹Ļ taken in late September 2023"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2023-10-02T16:16:05-04:00" title="Monday, October 2, 2023 - 16:16" class="datetime">Mon, 10/02/2023 - 16:16</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"><p><em>The Landmark project has transformed the historic core of 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s St. George campus into a greener, more accessible and pedestrian-friendly space (photo by David Lee)</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Students, faculty, staff and librarians may have noticed some dramatic changes across the 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s three campuses this fall.</p> <p>From new academic pathways to more food options and greener spaces, here are four new things that 91³Ō¹Ļ students need to know as they immerse themselves in university life.</p> <hr> <h3>New buildings and spaces</h3> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-09/0U1A7245%282-crop%29.jpg?itok=-WF3CqMg" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Students moved into Harmony Commons, a new 746-bed residence at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough (photo by Don Campbell)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Students at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough moved into a new, <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/home/new-residence" target="_blank">746-bed Harmony Commons residence</a> and enjoyed revamped outdoor spaces. At U of Mississauga, a multi-year, $8.5-million renovation project upgraded the Leacock Lane townhome residences, while a new science building that will provide additional wet-laboratory space is scheduled to open this fall.</p> <p>On the St. George campus, meanwhile, <a href="/news/construction-begins-historic-u-t-campus-revitalization-project" target="_blank">the Landmark project</a> has transformed the historic core around Kingā€™s College Circle into a greener, more accessible and pedestrian-friendly space, and has allowed for the installation of Canadaā€™s largest&nbsp;urban geoexchange system. The system stores surplus heat in the summer for use in the cold winter months, saving the university an estimated 15,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually ā€“ a key part of 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s plan to make the&nbsp;<a href="https://climatepositive.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">campus climate positive by 2050</a>.</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-09/UTM-Leacock-Lane.jpg?itok=TTk8IfMM" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>The Leacock Lane townhome residences at 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga were upgraded (photos by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>Scott Mabury</strong>, 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s vice-president of operations and real estate partnerships, said the goal of Landmark ā€“ with its car-free plazas and green spaces, including <em>Ziibiing</em>, <a href="https://indigenouslandscape.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">an Indigenous landscape near Hart House</a> ā€“ was to create a campus space that would engage the 91³Ō¹Ļ community now and into the future. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œWe really wanted to reconnect the university community with its heritage,ā€ said Mabury, who added that workers would be busy planting throughout the fall.</p> <p>ā€œThese public plazas are places where 91³Ō¹Ļ community members can enjoy themselves, engage with the university, connect with ideas and, when needed, sit in quiet contemplation and rumination.ā€</p> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-09/2J6A0823-Edit-crop.jpg?itok=kS-CyXUO" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption>The Landmark project includes an Indigenous landscape near Hart House&nbsp;<em>(photo by David Lee)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>The area outside Convocation Hall, meanwhile, is now known as Alumni Plaza, named in honour of 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s alumni community. It features over 2,000 granite paving stones, each inscribed with the names of donors who supported the project. &nbsp;</p> <p>Mabury said the plaza will soon become a key part of the university experience for graduating students from all three campuses.</p> <p>ā€œThis was for the whole 91³Ō¹Ļ ā€“ including 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga and 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough ā€“ because every student will graduate in that landscape and in that environment,ā€ he said.</p> <h3>Mobile ordering and new places to eat</h3> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-10/0U1A8137-crop.jpg?itok=zHIRw9PF" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>Bottega at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough (photo by Don Campbell)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>It is now easier than ever for 91³Ō¹Ļ students to grab something tasty to eat ā€“ with a host of new dining options that have emerged across the three campuses.</p> <p>At 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga, Dana Hospitality is putting the focus on local food made from scratch ā€“sandwiches and salads to go, soups made from local ingredients and house-made stocks, locally sourced meats and poultry and in-house pizza.</p> <p>91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough, meanwhile, has a new cafĆ© open in the Humanities Wing. Bottega features grab-and-go sandwiches and pastries, as well as bubble tea and more.</p> <p>At St. George, new food stops include <a href="https://fso.ueat.utoronto.ca/FSO/ServiceMenuReport/ShowReport/008" target="_blank">Kung Pow</a> at Robarts and <a href="https://fso.ueat.utoronto.ca/FSO/ServiceMenuReport/ShowReport/010" target="_blank">Fresco Fresca</a> at the Medical Sciences Building, the latter of which features Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired salads influenced by Israeli-born British chef and food writer Yotam Ottolenghi.</p> <p>ā€œItā€™s a healthier mindset of how food should be prepared,ā€ said <strong>Jaco Lokker</strong>, 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s director of culinary operations and executive chef. ā€œMost of the foods are either roasted or grilled. Weā€™re poaching the fish instead of pan frying it.ā€</p> <p>He added that sustainability remains a top priority for 91³Ō¹Ļ when developing new culinary concepts and sourcing ingredients, which is why he is continuing to work on expanding menus to <a href="/news/u-t-chefs-bring-more-sustainable-plant-based-food-campus-menus" target="_blank">feature more plant-based foods</a>. To that end, food services began working this summer with a student startup called Lyrata Inc. to grow a variety of lettuce on campus.</p> <p>ā€œTheyā€™re growing Boston and romaine lettuce and weā€™ve started growing some red leaf and Greenleaf lettuce,ā€ Lokker said, adding that he expects as much as 50 per cent of the St. George campusā€™s lettuce will be grown in its own backyard.</p> <p>ā€œWe pick up the lettuce at Earth Sciences Center Greenhouse, bring it across the street to New College clean it and use it.ā€</p> <p>Also on the St. George campus, retail and dining locations in the Medical Sciences Building, Sidney Smith Hall, Chestnut Residence, New College and Campus One have transitioned to a cashless payment system ā€“ credit or debit cards, TBucks, meal plan dollars ā€“ or students can order in advance using the Transact Mobile Ordering app.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œItā€™s almost like UberEats in your building,ā€ Lokker said.</p> <h3>Expansion of 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s Navi</h3> <figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center"> <div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/scale_image_750_width_/public/2023-09/UofT86124_2020-09-22-Virtual-Agent_5-new-crop.jpg?itok=PFZkNT8O" width="750" height="500" alt="&quot;&quot;" class="image-style-scale-image-750-width-"> </div> </div> <figcaption><em>(photo by Johnny Guatto)</em></figcaption> </figure> <p>Navi, <a href="https://prod.virtualagent.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank">91³Ō¹Ļā€™s chat-based virtual assistant</a>, has expanded its scope beyond mental health resources to offer general assistance to students, staff, faculty and librarians across the three campuses.</p> <p>Short for navigator, Navi now provides information on admissions, housing, financial aid, careers, and more through the same easy-to-use chat interface. For example, users can ask Navi about resources such as study supports, finding community and how to connect with a register.</p> <p>The information shared with Navi is completely anonymous and users are reminded that the resources and supports provided do not replace workshops or one-to-one conversations with experts.</p> <p>Another change to note: 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s My SPP has been renamed <a href="https://myssp.app/ca/home" target="_blank">91³Ō¹Ļ Telus Health Student Support</a>. The service provides students with 24-7 immediate counselling support over the phone in English, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, and aims to match students with a counsellor who can support their preferred language.</p> <h3>Global leadership opportunities at 91³Ō¹Ļ</h3> <div class="align-center"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-oembed-video field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"><iframe src="/media/oembed?url=https%3A//youtu.be/szI6s7RAQLw%3Fsi%3D1Mj6nbG-IdO8RwJA&amp;max_width=0&amp;max_height=0&amp;hash=JtzPcb52NAP-v-lC8sPhxj9-rIoTQmMlBiatqTUQ7zo" width="200" height="113" class="media-oembed-content" loading="eager" title="91³Ō¹Ļ Minor in Global Leadership"></iframe> </div> </div> <h4>&nbsp;</h4> <p>A new tri-campus <a href="https://internationalexperience.utoronto.ca/global-experiences/global-programs/minor-in-global-leadership" target="_blank">Minor in Global Leadership</a> program kicks off this fall.</p> <p><a href="/news/u-t-launches-new-tri-campus-minor-global-leadership" target="_blank">The new program</a> ā€“ the first global-focused program at 91³Ō¹Ļ that intentionally brings students together from across all three campuses ā€“ prepares students to become globally confident future leaders who recognize and embrace diversity, face challenges with empathy and champion respectful collaboration in a globalized world. It includes a core series of three global leadership courses to be taken in studentsā€™ second, third and fourth years.</p> <p>The global leadership minor will equip students with practical skills and global fluencies through group work, experiential learning and a capstone project. There will be opportunities to become part of a diverse interdisciplinary community of students interested in leadership and global change, learn dynamic and collaborative approaches to problem solving and more.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> Mon, 02 Oct 2023 20:16:05 +0000 mattimar 303261 at 91³Ō¹Ļ ranked 2nd in the world in first-ever QS sustainability ranking /news/u-t-ranked-2nd-world-first-ever-qs-sustainability-ranking <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">91³Ō¹Ļ ranked 2nd in the world in first-ever QS sustainability ranking</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Group_Wide-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=JYitNEH8 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/Group_Wide-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=5FlN2ELu 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/Group_Wide-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=DZYi-J_I 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Group_Wide-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=JYitNEH8" alt="a group of students works on the Lassonde building rooftop vegetable garden"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>rahul.kalvapalle</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-10-26T10:40:25-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 26, 2022 - 10:40" class="datetime">Wed, 10/26/2022 - 10:40</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(Photo by Matthew Volpe)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/geoexchange" hreflang="en">Geoexchange</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/munk-school-global-affairs-public-policy-0" hreflang="en">Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate Change</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/meric-gertler" hreflang="en">Meric Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rankings" hreflang="en">Rankings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/school-environment" hreflang="en">School of the Environment</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainabilty" hreflang="en">Sustainabilty</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The 91³Ō¹Ļ has been ranked second in the world and first in Canada in the inaugural <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/sustainability-rankings/2023">QS World University Rankings: Sustainability</a>, which assesses universities for their environmental and social impact.</p> <p>The new ranking, released this week by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds, placed 91³Ō¹Ļ second out of 700 post-secondary institutions around the world. Only the University of California, Berkeley ranked higher.</p> <p>In the two broad areas comprising the ranking ā€“ which tracks how post-secondary institutions are taking action to tackle the worldā€™s greatest environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges ā€“ 91³Ō¹Ļ was ranked third in the world for environmental impact and seventh for social impact.</p> <p>ā€œThe 91³Ō¹Ļ community is delighted to be ranked second in the world by QS for our leadership in sustainability,ā€ said 91³Ō¹Ļ President <b>Meric Gertler</b>. ā€œOur faculty members make a massive contribution to global scholarship pertaining to the United Nationsā€™ Sustainable Development Goals. Our students are deeply committed to long-term leadership in the field, as reflected in their extensive engagement in the huge range of sustainability-related learning opportunities we offer.</p> <p>ā€œAnd as an institution, 91³Ō¹Ļ has made it a top priority to ensure that sustainability permeates our entire mission of research and teaching, while setting an example in our own operations.ā€</p> <p>The QS sustainability ranking evaluates all universities eligible for the QS World University Rankings and takes into account data on reputation, research publications, third-party data concerning alumni impact and publicly available national-level data.</p> <p>The ranking is based on 37 indicators grouped into eight lenses that each fall under the two broad categories of environmental impact and social impact. The environmental impact category comprises the lenses of sustainable education, sustainable institutions and sustainable research, while the social impact category includes employment and opportunities, equality, life quality, impact of education and knowledge exchange.</p> <p>Canada had a particularly strong showing in the ranking, with two universities in the top 10 (the University of British Columbia placed third) and five in the top 50.</p> <p><a href="https://support.qs.com/hc/en-gb/articles/6107352412828">In a blog post</a>, Quacquarelli Symonds noted the ranking goes beyond looking at universitiesā€™ commitment to sustainability and focuses on evidence of progress ā€œfrom the impact that alumni are making in science and technology to solve climate issues, to the impact of research being done across the UNā€™s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.ā€</p> <p>It also noted that the ranking ā€œevaluates the social and environmental impact of universities as [centres] of education and research, as well as major employers with the operational sustainability challenges of any large and complex organisation.ā€</p> <p>As an institution, 91³Ō¹Ļ has undertaken several high-profile sustainability initiatives in recent years, including a <a href="/news/u-t-divest-fossil-fuel-investments-create-climate-positive-campus">commitment to divest from fossil fuel investments and a pledge to achieve a climate-positive St. George campus by 2050</a>. The latter includes the construction of <a href="/news/u-t-s-proposed-geoexchange-project-front-campus-one-urban-canada-s-largest">Canadaā€™s largest urban geoexchange field</a> ā€“ in connection with the <a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/">Landmark Project</a> ā€“ that will enable 91³Ō¹Ļ to curb emissions by 15,000 tonnes per year.</p> <p>91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga is embedding sustainability into every facet of campus life, as outlined in its <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/green/home/sustainability-strategic-plan">Sustainability Strategic Plan</a>&nbsp;featuring 102 targets and more than two dozen goals. Its New Science Building, for example, will feature a geothermal system that will cover 90 per cent of the buildingā€™s energy load.</p> <p>In fall of 2023, 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough is opening the countryā€™s largest <a href="/news/u-t-scarborough-breaks-ground-new-750-bed-residence">passive house student residence</a>, continuing its commitment to developing low carbon infrastructure and embedding social procurement in its campus operations. The campusā€™s accessible and sustainable open spaces are also being reimagined through the award-winning Valley Land Trail, research and teaching farm, and other green spaces.</p> <p>91³Ō¹Ļā€™s longstanding commitment to sustainability also pervades its research and teaching. The university offers <a href="https://sustainability.utoronto.ca/resources/inventories/sustainability-course-inventory/?page_id=651">more than 3,000 sustainability-oriented undergraduate courses</a> and more than 100 <a href="https://sustainability.utoronto.ca/resources/inventories/sustainability-graduate-program-inventory/?page_id=2154">graduate and PhD programs with sustainability-related content</a>. Undergraduate students in all degree programs can also take part in the <a href="https://sustainability.utoronto.ca/ceccs-subcommittees/teaching-and-learning/sustainability-pathways-program/#:~:text=U%20of%20T%20Sustainability%20Pathways,%2C%20methodological%2C%20and%20practical%20perspectives.">Sustainability Pathways program</a>, which lets them take clusters of courses and pursue co-curricular activities that help them incorporate sustainability learning into their respective disciplines.</p> <p>Both undergraduate and graduate students can also enroll in <a href="https://sustainability.utoronto.ca/ceccs-subcommittees/operations/campus-as-a-living-lab/">ā€œCampus as a Living Labā€</a> and <a href="https://sustainability.utoronto.ca/resources/inventories/sustainability-cel-course-inventory/">ā€œCommunity-Engaged Learningā€</a> courses that allow them to contribute to real-world sustainability initiatives at 91³Ō¹Ļ or with private and public sector partners.</p> <p>ā€œWe are very pleased to be recognized for our ambitious sustainability programs and activities,ā€ said<b> John Robinson</b>, co-chair of the Presidentā€™s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS) and a professor in the School of the Environment and Munk School of Global Affairs &amp; Public Policy. ā€œIt is important for the higher education sector to step up its efforts to contribute to the sustainability transition and our goal is to make sustainability part of the core identity of 91³Ō¹Ļ in research, teaching, operations and external partnerships.</p> <p>ā€œTwo of our flagship sustainability initiatives ā€“ committing to become climate-positive in our operations on the St George campus by 2050 and making sustainability curricular and co-curricular opportunities available to all undergraduate students ā€“ reflect this commitment and are part of a suite of activities across our three campuses.</p> <p>ā€œMuch more remains to be done, and we are dedicated to further expansion of our sustainability ambitions.ā€</p> <p>Overall, 91³Ō¹Ļ continues to be one of the worldā€™s top-ranked public universities in the five most closely watched international rankings: U.S. News &amp; World Reportā€™s Best Global Universities, Times Higher Educationā€™s World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, ShanghaiRanking Consultancyā€™s Academic Ranking of World Universities, and National Taiwan University World University Rankings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:40:25 +0000 rahul.kalvapalle 177704 at Good for you, better for the planet: 91³Ō¹Ļ cyclists pedal toward a more sustainable future /news/good-you-better-planet-u-t-cyclists-pedal-toward-more-sustainable-future <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Good for you, better for the planet: 91³Ō¹Ļ cyclists pedal toward a more sustainable future </span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Beth-Austerberry-and-Walid-Maraqa-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=NA9ZTkfe 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/Beth-Austerberry-and-Walid-Maraqa-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=UUBl9Lme 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/Beth-Austerberry-and-Walid-Maraqa-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=n1a_Agj1 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Beth-Austerberry-and-Walid-Maraqa-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=NA9ZTkfe" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-10-20T16:13:42-04:00" title="Thursday, October 20, 2022 - 16:13" class="datetime">Thu, 10/20/2022 - 16:13</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Beth Austerberry, executive director of Bikechain, helps Walid Maraqa, a grad student in biostatistics, perform basic maintenance on his bike (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/climate-positive-energy" hreflang="en">Climate Positive Energy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cycling" hreflang="en">Cycling</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/institutional-strategic-initiatives" hreflang="en">Institutional Strategic Initiatives</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cell-and-systems-biology" hreflang="en">Cell and Systems Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-art-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Art &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/transportation" hreflang="en">Transportation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>One of<b> Ayush Sharma</b>ā€™s first stops upon moving to Canada to attend the 91³Ō¹Ļ was <a href="https://bikechain.ca/">Bikechain</a> on the George campus.</p> <p>An international student from Delhi, Sharma says he had barely been in Toronto a week before visiting the educational bike repair space for students.</p> <p>ā€œI enjoyed cycling back home in India and I wasnā€™t sure how to go about doing it in Toronto,ā€ says Sharma, who is completing a major in biodiversity and conservation biology and a minor in geographic information systems. ā€œItā€™s a big city and it seems a little intimidating ā€“ and bikes are expensive.</p> <p>ā€œI wasnā€™t really sure where to start.ā€</p> <p>Bikechain proved to be a great landing pad. The non-profit organization, which has been around since 2005, not only offers free workshops on how to fix a flat tire, do-it-yourself bike repairs and free bike rentals to students ā€“ itā€™s part of a supportive and growing local cycling community in and around campus.</p> <p>ā€œPeople come here on a basic level to fix their bike,ā€ says <b>Beth Austerberry</b>,<b> </b>executive<b> </b>director of Bikechain. ā€œA lot of people also come here because they want to learn.ā€</p> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/Bike-Chain-wid-crope.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;"></p> <p><em>Bikechain is a non-profit on the St. George campus that offers free workshops on how to fix a flat tire, do-it-yourself bike repairs and free bike rentals to students (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)</em></p> <p>While Toronto is often criticized for its car-focused infrastructure, thereā€™s no denying the rapidly growing popularity of cycling as a healthy, sustainable mode of transportation ā€“ a future that 91³Ō¹Ļ is actively supporting through research, infrastructure and community building efforts.</p> <p>On the St. George campus alone, there are 36 Bike Share Toronto stations ā€“ <a href="https://bikesharetoronto.com/">part of a larger, city-wide network of 680 stations and 7,185 rental bikes</a> (91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough also has a Bike Share station near the bus loop on Military Trail). There are also bike lanes that run through the campus along University Avenue, College Street, St. George Street, Wellesley Street, Bloor Street, Hoskin Avenue and Harbord Street, among others.</p> <p>91³Ō¹Ļ is also adding hundreds of new above-ground and below-ground spaces to park your bike as part of as part of the <a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/">Landmark Project</a>, which will transform the historic heart of the St. George campus into a greener, more pedestrian friendly space on top of a massive underground geoexchange system that will significantly reduce campus emissions.</p> <div class="media_embed" height="422px" width="750px"><iframe height="422px" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1v6FHIX4ccsbJOApmA9Rtn0bqdcw&amp;ehbc=2E312F" width="750px"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough, cycling admittedly requires a bit more planning than it does on the St. George campus ā€“ but there are enviable upsides, too.</p> <p><b>Hanno Rein</b>, an associate professor in the department of physical and environmental sciences at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough, says he discovered a particularly scenic cycling route to campus that he felt compelled to share via a <a href="http://hanno-rein.de/bike.html">blog post</a>.</p> <p>ā€œThe nice thing about it is that there are no cars around, so the entire trip is all trails,ā€ he says. ā€œI wanted to encourage others to commute by bike, even if it is in Scarborough.ā€</p> <div class="media_embed" height="422px" width="750px"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="422px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VapVO9CAtWA" title="YouTube video player" width="750px"></iframe></div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rein, who also teaches in the David A. Dunlap department of astronomy and astrophysics and the department of physics on the St. George campus, says he loves cycling because of the environmental and health factors.</p> <p>ā€œItā€™s very enjoyable,ā€ he said. ā€œItā€™s the nicest commute I can think of.ā€</p> <p>However, heā€™s also quick to point out that infrastructure for cyclists could be better and safer.</p> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/UofT88614_u-of-t-engineering_51682339783_o-lpr.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;"></p> <p><em>Many 91³Ō¹Ļ students, staff, faculty and librarians treat cycling as a year-round activity&nbsp;in Toronto (photo by&nbsp;Daria Perevezentsev)</em></p> <p>At 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga, <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/green/bikeshare/rentals">BikeShare</a> offers 48-hour bicycle, helmet and lock rentals to 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga students free of charge. Located in the Student Centre extension, BikeShare has commuter-style bikes and mountain bikes for rent and is open until the end of October. The program also offers educational repairs similar to Bikechain, providing tools for basic fixups.&nbsp;</p> <p>Cyclists at 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga also have access to the 3.4-kilometre <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/canada/ontario/utm-nature-trail-loop">Nature Trail Loop</a> along Credit River and nearby Erindale Park offers a scenic route for cyclists and mountain bikers in the area. Meanwhile, the City of Mississauga is considering the implementing a system similar to Bike Share Toronto to expand transportation options. The system would include stations with bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.</p> <p>Southern Ontarioā€™s snowy winters can pose a challenge to bicycle commuters on all three campuses ā€“ though many are increasingly treating it as a year-round activity.</p> <div class="image-with-caption right"> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/Tony-Harris-600x600-1.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 250px;"><em>Tony Harris</em></p> </div> <p><b>Tony Harris</b>, a professor in the department of cell and systems biology in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, says he appreciates being available to avoid traffic on his commute and likes that heā€™s reducing his environmental footprint by not driving.</p> <p>His approach to slush and snow?</p> <p>ā€œI think itā€™s really important to find good routes that are safe,ā€ he says, adding that it takes him about 30 minutes to bike to the St. George campus from his home. ā€œIn the winter, you have to be more cautious about slippery conditions.ā€</p> <p>A long-time cycling commuter, Harris adds that heā€™s perfected the art of cycling during a Toronto winter.</p> <p>ā€œI wear my normal clothes and then my fleece and I have a yellow cycling jacket on top,ā€ he described. ā€œI wear two pairs of gloves and that really helps my hands. I have an inner glove thatā€™s a running-type glove and then I wear a fleece glove over top. I also wear a toque underneath my helmet. ā€œOne other thing is long underwear.</p> <p>ā€œHaving two layers everywhere seems to be the key.ā€</p> <p>His advice to students who are new to cycling? Map out your routes.</p> <p>ā€œBefore you head out, find where the dedicated cycling lanes are. If there arenā€™t dedicated cycling lanes, find one-way side streets that allow you to avoid the busier streets and cars,ā€ he says.</p> <p>91³Ō¹Ļ researchers are also playing a key role in helping to map out the universityā€™s transportation future with sustainability ā€“ and cycling ā€“ in mind.</p> <div class="image-with-caption left"> <p><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/UofT88443_2021-11-03-Marianne-Hatzopoulou-and-%C3%89lyse-Caron-Beaudoin-%288%29-crop.jpg" alt><em>Marianne Hatzopoulou</em></p> </div> <p><b>Marianne Hatzopoulou, </b>a professor in the department of civil and mineral engineering in the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, belongs to a research team thatā€™s trying to understand how 91³Ō¹Ļ commutersā€™ habits and other personal choices contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.</p> <p>The project, funded by the <a href="https://cpe.utoronto.ca/news/">Climate Positive Energy</a> research initiative, will launch a travel survey in January to collect data from students, staff, faculty, and librarians to understand how they commute to campus every day.</p> <p>ā€œThe second part of the project is to quantify the carbon footprint of commuting and the greenhouse gasses associated with commuting to 91³Ō¹Ļ to measure what our footprint is from transportation,ā€ explained Hatzopoulou.</p> <p>ā€œThe third element is to run some experiments to understand what would make people switch their mode of transportation, especially those who are driving.ā€</p> <p>Hatzopoulouā€™s team wants to understand where there are opportunities to promote more sustainable and active modes of transportation and where the challenges lie.</p> <p>ā€œThereā€™s a lot of research out there that actually quantifies the benefits of cycling as a mode of transportation,ā€ she says.</p> <p>As for Sharma, riding his bike around campus not only introduced him to the city, it saved him precious time traveling between classes on the St. George campus ā€“ not to mention lowering his carbon footprint.</p> <p>Most importantly, he says, it has helped him find a community through Bikechain, where he is now a co-president and runs workshops.</p> <p>ā€œThere is a mix of undergraduate, graduate, PhD students as well as faculty and non-91³Ō¹Ļ students,ā€ he says of the group. ā€œBike shops in general can be dominated by cis males and it can be an unwelcoming space for other people, but Bikchain has always been an inclusive and open space for everyone.</p> <p>ā€œThatā€™s one of the main reasons Iā€™ve stuck with the community for so long.ā€</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>&nbsp;</b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 20 Oct 2022 20:13:42 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 177448 at Whatā€™s new in construction and renovations across 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s three campuses /news/what-s-new-construction-and-renovations-across-u-t-s-three-campuses <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Whatā€™s new in construction and renovations across 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s three campuses</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/tricampus-construction.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=2Ir8OFjN 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/tricampus-construction.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=N6AyvA3G 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/tricampus-construction.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=0MrkXv96 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/tricampus-construction.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=2Ir8OFjN" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-09-22T16:26:28-04:00" title="Thursday, September 22, 2022 - 16:26" class="datetime">Thu, 09/22/2022 - 16:26</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Students will notice construction activity and new spaces across 91³Ō¹Ļ's three campuses as the university builds for the future (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn, renderings by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., Handel Architects and Core Architects)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/alexa-battler" hreflang="en">Alexa Battler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/kate-martin" hreflang="en">Kate Martin</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/mariam-matti" hreflang="en">Mariam Matti</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/geoexchange" hreflang="en">Geoexchange</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/indigenous" hreflang="en">Indigenous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p style="margin-bottom:11px">As students, faculty, staff and librarians make their way across the 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s three campuses this fall, theyā€™ll see major changes underway to enhance their experience and boost sustainability.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">They include the ongoing <a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/">Landmark Project</a> to revitalize the historic core of the St. George campus, construction of a new residence building at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough and construction of an interdisciplinary centre at 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Here are a few important updates on key construction and renovation projects that are currently underway across the three campuses.</p> <hr> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">St. George</h3> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/von%20hsll.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 563px;"></p> <p><em>(Rendering courtesy of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc.)</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The St. George campus is being transformed.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/about-us/">The Landmark Project</a> will make the historic core of the St. George campus more pedestrian-friendly, adding new walkways, gardens, landscaping, public seating and improving accessibility. When itā€™s all done, an underground garage below Kingā€™s College Circle will also house 60 electric vehicle parking spaces and new storage capacity for more than 125 bikes.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">At the same time, 91³Ō¹Ļ is building Canadaā€™s largest <a href="/news/he-d-be-thrilled-see-u-t-s-massive-geoexchange-project-built-pioneering-work-late-prof">urban geoexchange system</a> beneath Kingā€™s College Circle. It will store surplus heat in the summer for use in the cold winter months, saving the university an estimated 15,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually ā€“ a key part of 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s plan to make the <a href="https://climatepositive.utoronto.ca/">campus climate positive by 2050</a>.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">As a result of the ongoing work, access to certain buildings will be affected during the fall term. For example, the north plaza entrance of the Medical Sciences Building is closed. Students are encouraged to use the access doors on Kingā€™s College Road or Queenā€™s Park.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The University College entrance on Kingā€™s College Circle will also be affected. But students can enter through the doors on the east side of the building on Hart House Circle or through the newly renovated University College Quadrangle, which can be accessed through the north and west sides of the building.</p> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough</h3> <p><img alt src="/sites/default/files/ImagesResized_0007_Entrance_CU.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;"></p> <p><em>(Illustration by Handel Architects and Core Architects)</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Three major construction projects are in progress on the 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough campus.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Work on a <a href="/news/u-t-scarborough-breaks-ground-new-750-bed-residence">new residence building</a> that overlooks Military Trail and Ellesmere Road is ongoing. The new space will feature 750 beds, along with a dining facility and food services, a rooftop garden and terrace, and spaces for lounging and studying.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><img alt src="/sites/default/files/Indigenous%20House%20-%20Southwest%20Exterior%20View-crop_0.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;"></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><em>(Image&nbsp;courtesy Formline Architecture and LGA Architecture Partners)</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><a href="/news/inclusive-space-u-t-scarborough-breaks-ground-indigenous-house">Indigenous House</a>, which has recently started construction, will provide a space for Indigenous community members to meet and pursue research. It features a large gathering room to host indoor ceremonies, additional office space, a student lounge, library and outdoor learning garden.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">The campus library is getting a complete makeover. Rolled out in three phases that will end in 2025, the first phase will see the addition of a lounge with pivoting glass doors, allowing the area to easily convert into an event space.</p> <h3 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga</h3> <p><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/UofT89567_0519Mural001-crop.jpg" alt></p> <p><em>ā€œKiinwin Dabaadjmowinā€ by Indigenous artists Philip Cote and Tracey Anthony&nbsp;(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">On the west side of the 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga campus, construction of the <a href="https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/main-news/innovation-meets-sustainability-new-reimagined-building-planned-utm">New Science Building</a> is underway. When it opens in June 2023, it will expand 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississaugaā€™s wet research capacity while adding faculty, administration and graduate student space.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">In the William G. Davis building, the Student Services Hub is taking shape in the former library space. Also slated for opening in summer 2023, the space brings together student affairs groups, the International Education Centre, Career Centre, Accessibility Services and Centre for Student Engagement.<b>&nbsp;</b></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">In the<b> </b><a href="/news/maanjiwe-nendamowinan-u-t-mississauga-s-newest-building-honours-past-looks-future">Maanjiwe nendamowinan</a> building, 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga is deepening its commitment to the Indigenous community and 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s <a href="https://indigenous.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/UofT-TRC-34Calls2ActionBook-AODA-v1.pdf">Calls to Action</a> with a new <a href="/news/mississaugas-credit-first-nation-opens-office-u-t-campus">Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Office</a>, featuring a showpiece window treatment by a local indigenous artist.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">Nearby on the campus green, the Indigenous Centre has erected another new point of interest ā€“ a tipi&nbsp;for use in ceremonies, learning opportunities and events. It will remain in front of the Maanjiwe nendamowinan building until April 2023.</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 22 Sep 2022 20:26:28 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 176779 at 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s geoexchange project to reduce carbon footprint of heritage buildings: The Globe and Mail /news/u-t-s-geoexchange-project-reduce-carbon-footprint-heritage-buildings-globe-and-mail <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">91³Ō¹Ļā€™s geoexchange project to reduce carbon footprint of heritage buildings: The Globe and Mail</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT86846_0J5A0112-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=JSqqRwv0 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT86846_0J5A0112-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=NuNLAkOl 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT86846_0J5A0112-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=VRQL1r9R 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT86846_0J5A0112-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=JSqqRwv0" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>mattimar</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-02-22T10:52:58-05:00" title="Tuesday, February 22, 2022 - 10:52" class="datetime">Tue, 02/22/2022 - 10:52</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(Photo by David Lee)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/geoexchange" hreflang="en">Geoexchange</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/scott-mabury" hreflang="en">Scott Mabury</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s geoexchange project demonstrates itā€™s possible to reduce the environmental footprint of heritage&nbsp;buildings&nbsp;in the cityā€™s downtown core, according to&nbsp;<b>Scott Mabury</b>, 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships.</p> <p>ā€œThe goal is making heritage buildings more efficient than they were ever imagined to be,ā€ Mabury <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-donors-line-up-to-fund-canadas-largest-geothermal-system-at-university/">told <i>The Globe and Mail</i></a>, adding that&nbsp;that he ā€œhopes builders across the country eventually see the project as proof that the carbon footprint of old structures can be manipulated.ā€</p> <p>The geoexchange system ā€“ installed alongside 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s <a href="https://landmark.utoronto.ca/">Landmark Project</a>, which aims to make the St. George campus greener, more walkable and more accessible ā€“ involves drilling boreholes deep into the ground to store of surplus heat generated by nearby mechanical systems in the summer for use in the winter.</p> <p><b>Ron Saporta</b>, chief operating officer, property services and sustainability, told the Globe that ā€œadapting the old St. George campus buildings to new heat pumps can take a lot of work, as it involves updating electrical panels and mechanical systems.ā€</p> <p>Itā€™s estimated that the system will reduce the universityā€™s greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 metric tons per year. ā€œThis geo-exchange system will help us have a much lighter touch on the world, and if we can do it here, we can do it anywhere,ā€ Mabury said.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-donors-line-up-to-fund-canadas-largest-geothermal-system-at-university/">Read more at <i>the Globe and Mail</i></a></h3> <p><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-donors-line-up-to-fund-canadas-largest-geothermal-system-at-university/"><i></i></a></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 22 Feb 2022 15:52:58 +0000 mattimar 172977 at 91³Ō¹Ļ's geoexchange project to cut emissions by 15,000 tonnes per year: blogTO, CBC /news/u-t-s-geoexchange-project-cut-emissions-15000-tonnes-year-blogto-cbc <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">91³Ō¹Ļ's geoexchange project to cut emissions by 15,000 tonnes per year: blogTO, CBC </span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/DJI_0025-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iDqMOiwZ 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/DJI_0025-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=3xr-L-Dc 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/DJI_0025-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Y4zbj_So 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/DJI_0025-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=iDqMOiwZ" alt="aerial view of the construction at front campus"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-02-03T14:08:11-05:00" title="Thursday, February 3, 2022 - 14:08" class="datetime">Thu, 02/03/2022 - 14:08</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">The St. George campus, currently undergoing construction in connection with the Landmark Project, is the site of a giant geoexchange system that will store surplus heat in the summer for use in the cold winter months (photo by David Lee)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate Change</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The geoexchange project being installed deep under the 91³Ō¹Ļ's Front Campus is drawing attention locally and beyond Ontario.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œIt may not get the same level of attention as the massive skyline-transforming towers popping up around Toronto, but a project of astounding scale is taking shape deep below the 91³Ō¹Ļ's St. George Campus,ā€ <a href="https://www.blogto.com/tech/2022/01/u-of-t-geoexchange-system-toronto/"><em>blogTO</em> recently reported.</a></p> <p>As <em>blogTO</em> notes, the project&nbsp;ā€“ which uses the Earth&nbsp;to store surplus heat in the summer for use in the cold winter months ā€“ doubles as a learning opportunity for students. ā€œWe've designed the mechanical room in such a way that we can actually host lectures in there,ā€ <strong>Ron Saporta</strong>, 91³Ō¹Ļ's&nbsp;chief operating officer, property services and sustainability,&nbsp;<a href="/news/he-d-be-thrilled-see-u-t-s-massive-geoexchange-project-built-pioneering-work-late-prof">told </a><em><a href="/news/he-d-be-thrilled-see-u-t-s-massive-geoexchange-project-built-pioneering-work-late-prof">91³Ō¹Ļ News</a>.&nbsp;ā€œ</em>In the future, engineering students wonā€™t just read about geoexchange in textbooks, theyā€™ll be able to physically see how it works.ā€</p> <p><strong>Marc Couture</strong>, director, sustainability and energy management, spoke to Radio-Canada, CBC's francophone&nbsp;counterpart,&nbsp;about the project.&nbsp;</p> <p>It requires digging 250 metres under the surface, he said.&nbsp;ā€œThat's half the height of the CN Tower,ā€ he said.&nbsp;</p> <p>ā€œThis installation will allow us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by about 15,000 tonnes per year. So, for us, that's about 20 per cent of the total for the 91³Ō¹Ļ St. George campus.ā€</p> <h3><a href="http://www.blogto.com/tech/2022/01/u-of-t-geoexchange-system-toronto/">Read more at <em>blogTO</em></a></h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:08:11 +0000 geoff.vendeville 172547 at 'Heā€™d be thrilled to see this': 91³Ō¹Ļ's massive geoexchange project built on pioneering work of late prof /news/he-d-be-thrilled-see-u-t-s-massive-geoexchange-project-built-pioneering-work-late-prof <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'Heā€™d be thrilled to see this': 91³Ō¹Ļ's massive geoexchange project built on pioneering work of late prof</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/img-campus-new-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=1Sk6hbqe 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/img-campus-new-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=3mb7swug 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/img-campus-new-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=UlTUzPdW 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/img-campus-new-crop.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=1Sk6hbqe" alt="&quot;&quot;"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2022-01-27T17:41:28-05:00" title="Thursday, January 27, 2022 - 17:41" class="datetime">Thu, 01/27/2022 - 17:41</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">91³Ō¹Ļ is constructing Canada's largest urban geoexchange field under King's College Circle ā€“ a technology built in part on the pioneering work of Engineering's Frank Hooper (illustration by Nicolas Demers)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/tyler-irving" hreflang="en">Tyler Irving</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/climate-change" hreflang="en">Climate Change</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-applied-science-engineering" hreflang="en">Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george" hreflang="en">St. George</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/sustainability" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>When&nbsp;<strong>Jim Wallace</strong>&nbsp;joined the 91³Ō¹Ļ back in 1978, one of the first people he met was <strong>Frank Hooper</strong>.</p> <p>ā€œI took over a course that Frank had been teaching a while, and he was gracious enough to give me a copy of his notes,ā€ says Wallace, a professor emeritus of mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering.&nbsp;ā€œNot long after that, he and his wife had me over for dinner. He was so supportive and helpful to the new guy.ā€</p> <p>Hooper, who was also a professor emeritus of&nbsp;mechanical and industrial engineering, died in May 2021. He was an accomplished researcher in energy systems&nbsp;ā€“ and <a href="https://groundheat.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/201120Hooper_E.pdf">his legacy includes seminal work on ground-source heat pumps</a>.</p> <p>Today that technology is being demonstrated on an unprecedented scale as 91³Ō¹Ļ constructs <a href="/news/u-t-s-proposed-geoexchange-project-front-campus-one-urban-canada-s-largest">Canadaā€™s largest urban geoexchange system</a>&nbsp;at the heart of its St. George campus, which is being built in connection <a href="/news/construction-begins-historic-u-t-campus-revitalization-project">with the ongoing&nbsp;Landmark Project</a>.</p> <p>ā€œHeā€™d be thrilled to see this coming to fruition,ā€ says Wallace. ā€œTheyā€™ve done an amazing job.ā€</p> <div> <div class="image-with-caption left"><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/Hooper-crop.jpg" alt><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Professor Emeritus Frank Hooper&nbsp;receives an award from the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition at the 91³Ō¹Ļ Faculty Club in 2011&nbsp;(photo courtesy 91³Ō¹Ļ department of mechanical and industrial engineering)</em></span></div> </div> <p>Heat pumps are based on the same general principles as refrigerators and air conditioners. In all of these systems, a working fluid circulating in a closed loop transfers heat from one source to another with the help of a compressor.</p> <p>While refrigerators and air conditioners work in only one direction, heat pumps are reversible: in the summer, they extract heat from inside buildings and push it outside, while in the winter they do the opposite.</p> <p>ā€œThe challenge is that the bigger the temperature difference between the inside and outside air, the less efficiently the heat pump works,ā€ says Wallace, whose areas of expertise also include energy systems.</p> <p>ā€œAnd once the outside air goes below 0 C, you start to have problems with frosting. At a certain point, air-to-air heat pumps basically become useless, and thatā€™s the case a lot of the time in Canada.ā€</p> <p>Luckily, the atmosphere is not the only medium that can be used to exchange heat with the air inside buildings: the Earth works as well. At sufficient depth ā€“ one or two hundred metres underground ā€“ the temperature remains constant year-round at about 10 to 12 C. This is an ideal level at which to reject waste heat in the summer, but also to recover it again in winter.</p> <p>ā€œEssentially, youā€™re using the earth as a storage battery, but not for electricity&nbsp;ā€“ for heat,ā€ says Wallace.</p> <p>Such systems are known as ground-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps or geoexchange systems, and Hooper was among the first to prove that they would be feasible in the Canadian context.</p> <p>In the late 1940s, Hooper collaborated with what was then called Ontario Hydro on a demonstration project. The team designed and installed a ground-source heat pump for a newly built home in Port Credit, Ont., west of Toronto. The results were reported in a 1952 paper titled ā€œAn experimental residential heat pumpā€ in the&nbsp;<em>Canadian Journal of Technology</em>.</p> <p>ā€œHooperā€™s study was the first to show with actual data that ā€˜ground coils in suitable soils offer a satisfactory heat source in Ontario,ā€™ā€ says Wallace.</p> <p>The work was later continued by organizations such as the National Research Council of Canada.&nbsp;Ontario Hydro led the creation of a Canadian Standards Association committee that developed technical standards for the design and installation of ground source heat pumps.</p> <p>ā€œOne of the key things they were looking at was how to ensure that you get nice even contact between the pipe and the ground around it,ā€ says Wallace.</p> <p>ā€œIf you have voids, such as pockets of air, it makes the heat transfer less efficient, so you need to fill them with sand or other materials. Today, there are established standards for how to do that, but back then it was pretty new.ā€</p> <p>In modern buildings, both ground source heat pumps and the air-to-air variety are common. But a lot of historic buildings still in current use predate this technology ā€“ including many of those that make up the 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s St. George campus. Retrofitting them with efficient ground source heat pumps could make a big difference to their energy use.</p> <p><strong>Ron Saporta</strong> knows this well. As 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s chief operating officer, property services and sustainability, he is overseeing the construction of the largest urban geoexchange system in Canada.</p> <p>ā€œThis project represents the beginning of our transition to <a href="https://climatepositive.utoronto.ca/">a climate-positive future</a>,ā€ says Saporta. ā€œIt serves as a demonstration project for our city to show how you can start to decarbonize not only new buildings, but even the most historic ones.ā€</p> <p>Over the past two years, construction teams have drilled more than 370 wells underneath Front Campus, in the middle of Kingā€™s College Circle. Each one of them contains a U-shaped pipe that reaches a depth of 250 metres, about half the height of the CN Tower. The total length of piping works out to 185 kilometres, more than enough to stretch from Toronto to Buffalo, N.Y.</p> <p>Eventually, this closed-loop piping system will be filled with a mixture of glycol and water, and connected through a new set of heat pumps to 91³Ō¹Ļā€™s existing building heating and cooling systems. By reducing the load on these systems, it is estimated that the new geoexchange system will prevent the equivalent of 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year from reaching the atmosphere.</p> <p>The installation also offers a tremendous learning opportunity for engineering students&nbsp;in the form of a new subterranean classroom.</p> <p>ā€œWeā€™ve designed the mechanical room in such a way that we can actually host lectures in there,ā€ says Saporta. ā€œWeā€™re also planning to colour-code the pipes so it will be easier to understand which one does what. In the future, engineering students wonā€™t just read about geoexchange in textbooks, theyā€™ll be able to physically see how it works.ā€</p> <p>Saporta adds that although it is the largest of its type, the new geoexchange system is by no means the only one at 91³Ō¹Ļ. Similar systems are already in place under the Environmental Science and Chemistry Building at 91³Ō¹Ļ Scarborough and the Instructional Centre at 91³Ō¹Ļ Mississauga. Another one is under construction beneath what will be a new field at Roberts Street.</p> <p>Wallace knows that Hooper would approve of both the large-scale application of heat pumps and the chance to train a new generation of engineers in the technology.</p> <p>ā€œHe was a wonderfully gracious man,ā€ says Wallace. ā€œJust so welcoming, so helpful and eternally optimistic. Heā€™d be really pleased about what all this represents for the future.ā€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 27 Jan 2022 22:41:28 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 172329 at