Nine highlights that shaped 2023
This year was marked by a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and a strong sense of community. Let’s look back at some 2023 highlights across Facilities & Services!
Let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the milestones that made this year truly extraordinary—from groundbreaking initiatives that aimed to combat climate change to events that united the campus community:
Raising $50,000 with an epic performance
Sustainable Beats—a band of F&S and University Planning, Design & Construction musicians—performed at Eco Jam, an annual benefit rock concert, where they joined sustainability industry leaders from the Greater Toronto Area to raise money for reforestation.
Optimizing project delivery with a dedicated team
The Infrastructure Planning and Implementation team was formed in April to manage all accessibility, deferred maintenance, energy, and utilities projects.
Dedicated to advancing major University projects from inception to completion in a consistent way, this team represents a strategic shift that also enables our property managers to focus on client projects and daily client needs.
Planting 2,300 seedlings towards a climate positive future
The Sustainability Office completed the first carbon offset project funded by U of T’s air travel emissions mitigation initiative, planting 2,300 white pine, white spruce, and red oak seedlings at the Koffler Scientific Reserve. This venture created research opportunities in addition to advancing the University’s decarbonization mission.
Collaborating with students to cultivate growth
This year, F&S recruited over 20 students from the Work Study program into varied roles, along with three co-op students from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’s Professional Experience Year program.
Through these initiatives, students are gaining valuable, hands-on experience in fields like communications, data analysis, and engineering—while also bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to F&S
Hosting the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Ahead of his announcement of a national clean energy grid, Steven Guilbeault visited the solar panel installation on the roof of the Exam Centre, showcasing some of the University’s active contributions towards addressing climate change.
Raising the bar with updated and new design standards
With an eye to improving the consistency and quality of our campus infrastructure, the Infrastructure Planning & Implementation team updated two design standards in 2023—Door Hardware and Roofing Design—and introduced two new ones: the Deliverable Standard and, most notably, the Facility Accessibility Design Standard, aimed at better addressing the needs of persons with disabilities and mobility challenges.
Welcoming President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
Our Campus Safety special constables had the honour of ensuring a safe and secure visit for Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who was on campus to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Spanish and Portuguese language program.
Bringing the community together for Fire Prevention Week
Our fire prevention team took proactive steps during Fire Prevention Week to raise awareness about the causes of fires and ways to prevent them, with a specific focus on this year’s theme—kitchen safety.
The group organized a pop-up information booth, engaging the community and sharing essential information on fire safety practices.
Being recognized as the most sustainable university in the world
In December, our dedicated efforts to foster sustainability across campus reached an exhilarating milestone! We proudly clinched the title of the world’s most sustainable university in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024.
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As we bid farewell to the remarkable year that was 2023, filled with achievements that underscored our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community, we eagerly anticipate the opportunities and challenges that will shape our journey in 2024.