UTM Campus Affairs committee discuss energy, transit, and student support updates
Administrators outline emission targets, extended bus services, and student support plans, as members sought details on savings and output.
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UTM administrators outlined energy upgrades, expanded transit service at campus and plans to improve support for students at the Governing Council’s Campus Affairs Committee meeting on September 15, where members questioned how progress and outcomes would be measured.
Energy and emissions target
Ahmed Azhari, managing director of Operations, Sustainability and Asset Management, presented the Utilities Master Plan. The plan supports UTM’s targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 39 per cent by 2030, reaching carbon neutrality by 2043, and becoming climate positive by 2050, which is part of a tri-campus initiative.
Azhari said the emissions target used a 1990 baseline of approximately 16,000 tonnes. Campus emissions had already fallen by 28.5 per cent through efficiency improvements and changes to Ontario’s electricity grid.
The planned upgrades included switching heating equipment to electricity and improving Central Utilities Plant 1. UTM is expected to choose a company to design and build Central Utilities Plant 2 by the end of October.
When asked how much energy the projects had saved, Azhari said updated figures would be available once the work was finished and the savings were confirmed.
Another member inquired whether long-term savings would cover the initial costs. Azhari responded that efficient equipment would reduce utility costs and help repay investments. He also pointed to provincial incentive programs and the campus’s green revolving fund.
Expanded bus services and student support
Luke Barber, Executive Director of Digital and Physical Infrastructure, stated UTM would see approximately 80 additional bus arrivals on weekdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Changes include doubled frequency on MiWay route 1 East and West, tripled frequency on route 101, and extensions of routes 48 and 126 to campus.
Discussions on student services focused on plans to improve understanding of who uses campus support, and who may be missing out.
Expanded student opportunities
William Gough, Vice-Principal Academic and Dean at UTM reported that the Lawrence Bloomberg Nursing Program had launched this fall at UTM with 30 students. He also outlined plans for nine new undergraduate co-op internship streams, expanding opportunities for students to secure professional experience.
In the orientation update, Chad Nuttall, Assistant Dean of Students and International Initiatives reported that 3,441 new students had registered and built schedules.
Orientation included more than 130 events and activities over seven days. Student groups received $45,000 in support, while 1,147 first-year students moved into residence over two days. The New Residence Building opened up for an additional 400 students on campus, adding to the on-campus residence capacity.
The committee approved its consent agenda. Its next meeting is scheduled for October 14, when it will consider the Central Utilities Plant 2 capital project.
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