Proposal for Improving Sustainable Standards at UBC Geography Building

Formal Proposal 

Memorandum 

To: Dr. Erika Paterson, ENGL 301 Instructor 

From: Thansy Mahendran, UBC Student

Date: March 8th, 2022

Subject: Improving Sustainable Standards at UBC Geography Building 

Audience Description: 

The target audience for this report is UBC Building Operations and regular occupiers of the UBC Geography Building. The UBC building operations manage the daily maintenance and operations of all buildings on the UBC Vancouver campus.  

Introduction 

UBC Geography Building is at 1984 West Mall in Vancouver. It is across from the Fraser River Parkade and the Math building. The geography building was given its location in 1925 and rebuilt in the late 1970s. Currently, the building is occupied by 4,000 to 4,500 undergraduate students with about 80 faculty members. Over the years, the building has come up with several action items to continue sustainable building and department practices, such as covered bike storage, reducing excessive water use, programmable thermostats, and supporting low-carbon research. 

Statement of Problem

Firstly, the climate action plan created by the Department of Geography is not well-publicized. Their climate action plan is only posted on their website and not posted in noticeable locations in the geography building. Secondly, many of the action items on their list are not complete within their proposed timeline. However, COVID-19 over the last couple of years has played a role in some of the delays. Lastly, it is unclear how the student body can help the department of Geography in its action items. 

Proposed Solution 

There are a few solutions to improve the sustainable practices at the UBC geography building. One of them is displaying their Climate Action Plan in a high foot traffic area of the building. Results in students taking a look at the action items on their way to classes and getting a sense of the policies. Furthermore, staff and faculty should try to incorporate the action items in their classes to get more student involvement. The participation of students could quicken the process of implementing the policies. In addition, UBC should create similar climate action plans throughout their buildings to have cohesion between all buildings on the Vancouver campus. 

Scope

1. How can UBC integrate sustainability workshops into geography course curriculums? 
2. What initiatives can students take in actively involving themselves in the geography building’s climate action plan? 
3. How can the Geography building’s sustainable practices enhance the measures taken by other UBC buildings? 
4. What are the requirements necessary to be able to carry out proposed policies?

Methods 

My primary data includes data collection by surveying and identifying sustainable methods used in the building. Also, I will engage with other students to find out how much they know about the building’s action plan and collect their opinions on more student engagement in the environmental policies of the building. 

Secondary sources will include studies on policy writing and student engagement strategies. 

My Qualifications 

I am a regular occupier of the UBC geography building for the past five years and am completing my undergraduate degree in Geography. I have a good sense of where everything is in the building and what sustainable methods are in use. Furthermore, my profession as a building analyst comes with the knowledge of current sustainable policies in Greater Vancouver. 

Conclusion 

The continued research into my proposal will raise awareness in the student body of the efforts needed to live on a sustainable campus. The four areas of inquiry are essential in providing better quality and improving sustainable practices in the UBC geography building. With the approval of my proposal, I can begin my research. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.