International GOLD rating for Dawson鈥檚 leadership in sustainability
After more than a decade of work implementing a vision of sustainability and well-being for all, 成人黑料 has achieved the international gold standard for leadership in sustainability. A third-party review team in the U.S. rated Dawson with the highest points in the gold category for any diploma-granting college in the world.
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) awarded 成人黑料 the Gold-level accreditation. 成人黑料 is the first CEGEP in Quebec and the sixth college in Canada to achieve this high level of sustainability. With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE鈥檚 STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university鈥檚 sustainability performance.
Leadership demonstrated in five areas
鈥湷扇撕诹� has demonstrated a substantial commitment to sustainability by achieving a STARS Gold Rating and is to be congratulated for their efforts,鈥� said AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. 鈥淭his is recognition of Dawson鈥檚 leadership in sustainability in academics, engagement, operations, planning and administration, and innovation and leadership.鈥�
鈥淚 am very proud of the Dawson community,鈥� said Director General Richard Filion. 鈥淭his achievement represents years of work and dedication to transforming education and our world. 成人黑料 is committed to sharing our knowledge and collaborating with other CEGEPs, colleges and universities to continue promoting a sustainable future for the benefit of the youth of Quebec, Canada and our planet.鈥�
Story begins as response to tragedy
Dawson鈥檚 commitment to sustainability is part of the community鈥檚 response to the terrible events that occurred in September 2006. Since 2009, Dawson has consistently attained the C茅gep Vert Excellence Level. The College adopted a goal in its Strategic Plan for 2016-2021 to become 鈥渁 leading Canadian post-secondary institution in promoting and practising sustainability in all its endeavours.鈥�
In 2017, the College deepened its commitment by opening the Sustainability Office. The Board of Governors made a bold pledge in 2018 that 成人黑料 would be Carbon Neutral Forever. Last year, Dawson supported its students as they mobilized for their future at the historic Montreal March for Climate Action.
鈥淒awson is now mapping its implementation of the 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, which are woven into all aspects of our students鈥� educational experience,鈥� said Chris Adam, Dawson鈥檚 Sustainability Coordinator.
A Living Campus that teaches Sustainable Happiness
鈥淲e are continuing to develop real-world projects that explicitly focus on building positive relationships with each other, other institutions and our natural environment. Hope abounds at Dawson and we are watching our community flourish,鈥� Adam said. 鈥淚n addition, we are sharing our Sustainable Happiness programs and our Living Campus concept with educators across Canada.鈥�
The concept behind the unique Sustainable Happiness program is to demonstrate how engaging in sustainability projects can increase happiness, an important component of well-being for students and employees, especially during the pandemic.
What does sustainability look like on campus?
Some highlights of sustainability at Dawson include 1,500 volunteers creating gardens on rooftops and on the grounds, planting trees and helping 鈥済reen鈥� campus operations. Student-initiated projects led to composting over one ton of waste per month, recycling light fixtures and raising funds for the College鈥檚 international friends after extreme weather events or earthquakes.
Social justice issues are important sustainability elements and are incorporated into many Dawson programs. Employees have dedicated countless hours to help students with special needs, who need financial support during challenging times and fight for equity and inclusion. Dawson鈥檚 core value of well-being for all also goes beyond people.
鈥淩econnecting to Nature is psychologically restorative,鈥� said Director General Richard Filion.聽 鈥淚t has brought healing to the Dawson community and is the cornerstone of the College鈥檚 work to advance sustainability and well-being for all.
鈥淲e must teach ourselves and our students how to take care of each other and engage in restoring our relationship with the natural world. The tremendous changes and challenges of today require a community mobilization that emphasizes empathy, positive relationships and a renewed connection with each other and Nature,鈥� said Filion.
Committed to building a more sustainable world
Diane Gauvin, who will take over as Director General Jan. 1, recommitted the College to building a more sustainable world. 鈥淲e look forward to continuing to develop sustainability projects and to teach and mobilize more people so that we can contribute to a brighter future for our students and all young people,鈥� she said. 鈥淐limate change is one of the greatest threats. Working for climate justice is linked to Dawson鈥檚 tradition of promoting social justice and fostering engaged citizens who will go out and improve the world with their unique talents.鈥�
成人黑料 is continuing to advance its commitment to sustainability and well-being for all. The next project in Sustainability is the development of a Certificate in Environment & Sustainability.
To arrange an interview or for more information, please contact:
Christina Parsons
Communications Office
514 949-9183
cparsons@dawsoncollege.qc.ca
About 成人黑料:
Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, 成人黑料 offers five pre-university programs and 22 technical programs as well as a thriving Continuing Education offering.
There are also many opportunities to learn and grow outside of class. Explorers can join S.P.A.C.E. (Sciences Participating with Arts and Culture in Education), individuals seeking to connect with Nature can volunteer on the Sustainabili-Team, and would-be computer programmers can join Coffee 鈥檔 Code. Athletes play on 17 different Dawson Blues teams.
Dawson鈥檚 heritage campus has extensive gardens that have been designated an urban biodiversity zone and monarch butterfly oasis.聽A Dawson education offers the preparation required to face evolving challenges in a complex world.聽As a sign of its commitment to the well-being of its students and the planet, Dawson鈥檚 Board of Governors voted unanimously to be聽Carbon Neutral Forever.
For a complete review of Dawson鈥檚 achievements, visit the Sustainable Dawson site and click on 鈥淕et Involved鈥� should you want to support student projects.
About the AASHE accreditation:
Colleges and universities report achievements in five聽overall areas: 1)聽academics聽2)聽engagement, 3)聽operations,聽4) planning聽and聽administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.
The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) is a transparent, self-reporting framework measure sustainability performance. STARS is intended to engage and recognize the full spectrum of higher education institutions, from community colleges to research universities. The framework encompasses long-term sustainability goals for already high-achieving institutions, as well as entry points of recognition for institutions that are taking first steps toward sustainability.
For more information about AASHE, visit . For more information about the STARS program, visit .
