Mount Allison University’s mission is to provide a rigorous liberal education of high quality primarily to undergraduate students.

Because the University is a perpetual and endowed institution, it must be even-handed between the current and future generations. Therefore it must protect the interests of the current generation by operating as efficiently as it reasonably can and by providing a healthy environment for its students, faculty and staff, and it must protect the interests of future generations by operating in a sustainable manner.

Because the University operates in a local and global context, it must also consider the impact it has on others, including its impact on future generations.

For these reasons, Mount Allison seeks to improve its efficiency and to minimise its negative impact on the environment through a program of continual improvement in environmental performance. This will be achieved by implementing a feasible and comprehensive environmental policy with measurable and achievable metrics as set out in its sub policies. Compliance with, and progress towards metrics set out in, the sub-policies is the responsibility of the applicable University departments who are accountable to their respective vice-presidents.

This policy is structured into eight areas: Emission Reduction, Transportation, Water, Waste, Food, Paper, Grounds and Buildings.

The performance indicators and metrics associated with each area will serve as standards, and progress in meeting these standards will be measured through an independent audit process.

2.1 Emission Reduction

The University will endeavour to minimize energy consumption and emissions emanating from heating, electrical consumption and University approved travel and vehicle use as set out in its Emission Reduction Policy.

2.2 Transportation

The University will endeavour to minimise energy consumption and encourage less carbon intensive means of transportation as set out in its Transportation Policy.

2.3 Water

The University will endeavour to use water responsibly as set out in its Water Policy.

2.4 Waste

The University will endeavour to minimize solid waste production and to recycle and divert as much waste as possible as set out in its Waste Policy.

In accordance with that Policy the University will also monitor the use and disposal of hazardous materials.

2.5 Food

The University will endeavour to minimize the ecological impact of food consumption and food waste on campus as set out in its Food Policy.

2.6 Paper

The University will endeavour to minimize the use of paper and paper products as outlined in the Paper Policy and encourage responsible, environmentally-aware paper procurement consistent with the University’s Procurement Policy.

2.7 Grounds

The University will endeavour minimize the ecological impact of its grounds maintenance program as set out in its Grounds Policy.

2.8 Buildings

The University will endeavour to minimize the ecological impact of the construction, maintenance and operation of its buildings as set out in its Buildings Policy.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

• Three administrative members appointed by the Vice President, Administration;
• Three faculty members appointed by the Provost and Vice President, Academic & Research;
• One community member appointed by the Vice President, Advancement;
• Five students appointed by the Students’ Administrative Council; and
• A chair appointed by the President.

1. to educate members of the University community on environmental issues and initiatives;
2. to foster co-operation and facilitate communication between the University and the broader community concerning environmental matters of mutual interest;
3. to foster co-operation and facilitate communication with other universities concerning environmental initiatives so that all institutions will benefit from environmental progress made at any one institution;
4. to highlight to the community those courses and other educational opportunities that focus on environmental matters;
5. at least once every three years to review and to either recommend to the President amendments to the Environmental Policy and its sub policies or recommend that they be confirmed;
6. to review and to report to the President on the results of the annual audit completed under this policy; and
7. to report to the President on any other matter on which it considers it appropriate to report.

Each summer the University will complete an audit of its compliance with, and the progress made towards goals set out in, at least two of the sub-policies under this Policy, which audit may include criteria from external bodies such as Stars, ISO14000 or others. It is expected the audit will usually be completed by a student.

This Policy and related sub-Policies will be included in the University’s annual legal, regulatory and policy compliance report to the University’s Audit Committee.