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From left to right: Academic Associate聽Laura Wittebol, Graduate Program Coordinators Maude B茅langer, Erin Minnett, and Simone Clamann, and聽Associate Dean (Graduate Education) Jean-Benoit Charron

From May to December 2024,聽 at work by participating in the University鈥檚 Sustainable Workplace Certification program. On our campus, the Macdonald Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (MacOGS) was awarded silver certification, building on their initial bronze certification achieved in 2022.

The MacOGS team took on this challenge with the ultimate goal of implementing ecologically responsible practices and fostering emotional well-being, both for staff and graduate students.

To reach silver sustainability certification, the team started by making small changes to their daily habits, such as phasing out individual printers, centralizing office supplies, avoiding single-serve coffee pods, and using eco-certified cleaning supplies. MacOGS staff also committed to minimizing the environmental impact of their business-related travel, both for local transport (choosing the inter-campus shuttle bus and public transportation when possible), and at the intercity level (opting for rail over air travel).

On the social sustainability side, the MacOGS team enhances the daily wellbeing of staff and students by聽decorating their office with plants and seasonal decorations, opting to source second-hand decorations and reuse them each year. They also plan seasonal staff outings, such as nature walks in the Morgan Arboretum, off-campus lunches, and team-building activities.

鈥淲e at MacOGS are proud of our sustainability journey. By making small, thoughtful changes, we aim to inspire others on campus to join us in creating a more sustainable and supportive environment," says B茅langer, who spear-headed the effort to level-up the office's certification. 鈥淚t's been a rewarding experience for our team, and we hope to continue making a positive impact together.鈥�