Vice-Principal (Operations and Finance) Andrew Simpson says lighting retrofits are a practical way to go green. (Harrison Smith)
Special Project
Queen’s green scene
Queen’s scored a less-than-impressive grade of C on the 2008 College Sustainability Report Card, which compared green initiatives at 200 North American universities. That’s something the University is trying to change. But going green isn’t as simple as installing a solar panel or turning the lights off in Stauffer Library at night, says Physical Plant Services (PPS) engineering director John Witjes. Witjes reviews designs for new buildings and installations, provides technical advice to the operations side of the University and looks after energy management initiatives on campus.
Special Project
Earth education
Dean Koyanagi, Cornell sustainability co-ordinator, said it’s natural for universities to promote sustainability. Cornell tries to focus on the broader picture of sustainability, Koyanagi said. Cornell’s lake-source cooling plant, completed in 2000, reduces the university’s energy use for chilled water by 86 per cent. The project cost between $55 and $60 million and was the first major deep-lake water cooling system in the United States.
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Racism on campus
Racism on campus is in the spotlight again after a black Queen’s faculty member was forced off an on-campus sidewalk on University Avenue and subjected to racial slurs Nov. 14 by four male students wearing engineering jackets. She reported the incident to the Human Rights Office and the University administration was made aware of it on Monday morning.
Feature
North Kingston’s food desert
In the midst of Sara Meers’ mounds of municipal paperwork for the North Kingston retail developments lies a sleek, white folder. It’s the promotional package for the forthcoming Division Street retail development. The company is Knightstone Capital Management, the project’s name is King’s Crossing and the tagline is “Kingston’s Jewel.” Meers, ArtSci ’07, is the city councillor for Cataraqui district, which includes the Rideau Heights area, home to the development.
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‘She was going to change the world’
Jessica Reaume wanted to change the world. Her mother Sarah knows she succeeded. Jessica, ArtSci ’11, died Tuesday in Kingston General Hospital from complications arising from Addison’s disease.
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Council strikes group to discuss Aberdeen
Council passed a motion Tuesday night creating a working group to discuss issues surrounding the Aberdeen Street party and the enforcement of property standards in the student Ghetto. The group will be lead by the city’s Chief Administrative Officer Glen Laubenstein and will make monthly reports to council beginning in January. The University has been invited to nominate someone to participate in discussions. Laubenstein said preliminary discussions will involve members of city staff, the University, Public Works and the Kingston police.
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News In Brief
History professor Barrington Walker begins his two-year term as the University’s first diversity advisor this week. Walker said he will address issues of race and diversity on campus from an academic point of view, but won’t deal with complaints or regulate behaviour on campus. Vice-Principal (Academics) Patrick Deane said a challenge for Walker will be to stimulate helpful discussion in the University about the role of racism on campus.
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AMS conducts survey to harmonize honoraria
The AMS is trying to harmonize the honoraria it pays its volunteers. “Our aim is to ensure honoraria are completely fair, and to ensure that everyone’s receiving an adequate amount for their responsibility,” said Gillian Wheatley, AMS media services director. Wheatley is heading the honoraria review.
Special Project
Queen’s Centre LEEDing the way
If all goes according to plan, the Queen’s Centre will contain the first buildings on campus to be certified environmentally friendly. The four buildings making up the Queen’s Centre—the Varsity Building, Arena Building, Natatorium Building that house the pool and the Student Union Building—and the School of Physical and Health Education are being constructed under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating system. LEED is a guide for large construction projects made by the Canada Green Building Council.
