Grand Valley State University 2008 Campus Sustainability Leadership Award Application

Category

Four-year and Graduate Institutions over 7,500 FTE

Contact

Norman Christopher
Executive Director Sustainability Initiative
College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
(616) 331-7366
chrisfn@gvsu.edu

Governance & Administration

The guiding principles of sustainability were first introduced to Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Administration in 2004.  Sustainable development activities first focused on the collection of campus operational and administrative data relating to the triple bottom line (TBL) of environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and social equity.  GVSU's initial TBL Campus Sustainability Report was issued in October 2005.  In the spring of 2006 the Sustainability Initiative was formally established within the College of Interdisciplinary Studies (CoIS). 

Currently, Grand Valley is embedding and institutionalizing sustainability guiding principles on campus using a fully integrated systems approach involving administration, facilities services, and campus dining; faculty and curriculum development; student involvement; and community engagement (www.gvsu.edu/sustainability).  Our mission is to provide our students with the required skills and capabilities to become better stewards and responsible global citizens as they enter the workforce, communities, and family life.

Grand Valley has ongoing implementation of sustainability guiding principles, procedures, and "best practices" within finance, administration, and other service support areas.  For example our environmentally preferred purchasing policies are being developed to reduce costs and purchase low environmental impact materials.  Information Technology purchases only Energy Star rated equipment, and now has a policy in place to rotate out older, low efficiency computers.  Electronic waste is now recycled through an e-recycling vendor.

Governance groups related to sustainability have been established by the University.  A Climate Action Committee, consisting of key faculty and staff has been established, as the University moves forward to meet the carbon neutrality goals of the President's Climate Commitment.  Other committee groups have been established across the University representing a cross campus array of members to move initiatives forward:

  • Annual Campus Sustainability Week Planning Committee composed of faculty, staff, and students
  • Campus Sustainability Report Steering Committee
  • Student Senate Sustainability Sub-Committee
  • Student Sustainability Roundtable held quarterly with student organization leadership
  • Student Initiative Advisory Committee
  • Administration and Finance Sub-Committees

Administration of sustainability on campus has been enhanced by establishing a baseline budget for sustainability, allowing a director, office coordinator as well as paid graduate and undergraduate students to work on campus sustainability programs and to serve as seed money for projects and applied sustainability research across campus.  The sustainability director has worked with campus leaders to integrate sustainable practice into campus policy, and Grand Valley has placed sustainability into its strategic planning documents. All incoming students now receive information regarding sustainability.  Grand Valley has also developed a campus sustainability report and is currently serving as a pilot institution for the AASHE STARS project.  As a founding member of the Community Sustainability Partnership, with over 150 members [www.grpartners.org], Grand Valley is a key player in regional sustainable practice.  Grand Valley is also the recipient of 2008 USGBC Recognition Award for integrating comprehensive sustainability strategy on campus and the 2008 National Sustainability Innovator Award on behalf of the Sustainable Endowment Institute.

Operations

Facilities, Campus Dining, and Housing have benchmarked and implemented applied sustainability best practices with creative and innovative programs as well as policies and procedures in a number of areas.

Facilities Operations and Facilities Maintenance have implemented LEED design principles mandated for all new construction.  A LEED certified architect/engineer is involved in the design, reviewing and construction of all new projects.  LEED certified employees are engaged in various projects at the University.  As a result, and with the completion of the current projects in December 2008; the University will have constructed or occupied 9 projects that meet LEED requirements.  In addition, LEED based processes with respect to waste handling, commissioning, product selection, and recycling are integrated into all construction activities.  Rain gardens, green roofs, improved storm water and irrigation management, etc. are now available with our new LEED buildings.  Grand Valley has three certified buildings with 6 additional facilities under construction to be LEED certified totaling 300,000 sq. ft. in 2008.

Additionally, campus operations has been able to develop:

  • A University Master Plan covering 1250 acres that includes set asides for preserved meadows, wood lots, and ravines
  • Recycling rates that have increased from 24-29% during the 2007-2008 Recyclemania competitions
  • Resident hall energy competitions that have saved ~15% energy consumption on average
  • Energy savings projects totaling $1MM in the last 2 years have resulted in ~$350K annual savings
  • A "transit" culture with ~2MM bus riders in 2008 resulting in ~$10MM of avoided costs
  • Project Donation, in which surplus items left by students resulted in approximately 50,000 lbs. of hard goods provided to the inner city Grand Rapids as well as 2880 lbs. of e-waste being recycled. Operations also partners with students working to remove trash from deep wooded ravines located near campus.

Food service has implemented sustainability practices that include hemp material clothing for employees, recycled and compostable serviceware for utensils, napkins and food containers.  They also went "trayless" in one cafeteria, which resulted in weekly savings of 1040 gallons of hot water, 15 pounds of detergent, 15 gallons of sanitizer, and 940 lbs. of food waste.  Food service has increased local food purchases, and currently obtains ~25% locally.  In addition, Fair Trade coffee is served at all campus locations and commitment has been made towards Monterey Bay sustainable seafood guidelines.  Food service donates cooking oil to a local producer of biodiesel.  In 2008 campus operations, students and administration worked together to set aside one acre of land for the creation of a community garden.  In addition Grand Valley hosts a farmers market each week during the summer, with 10-20 local vendors.

Grand Valley has received the Energy Star designation for the Mark A. Murray Living Center by the U.S. EPA, the first university student housing unit in Michigan to receive such a designation.  We have also received the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE Energy Star award for efficient use of energy.  Grand Valley was also highlighted by ARAMARK nationally for their food service practices.

Curriculum & Research

GVSU has continued to develop a growing body of knowledge in applied sustainability areas of interest within our colleges that focus on: Liberal Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Business, Engineering and Computing, Public Policy and Administration, Nursing, Health Professions and Education.  Grand Valley has inventoried courses across campus to identify curriculum that covers aspects of sustainability (200+ courses) as well as courses that extensively cover aspects of the triple bottom line (60+ courses). New curriculum development is being driven by Vice Presidents and Deans to create a portfolio of curriculum options for sustainability.

New course and curriculum development includes:

  • Establishment of a sustainability emphasis within Liberal Studies major. Three foundational "triple bottom line" categories include: environmental health, social equality and prosperity, and economic feasibility. Over 40 key courses are offered within these categories and were taken by approximately 6000 students in the fall semester 2007
  • The development of an environmental studies minor. Several new courses include: ENS 201 Introduction to Sustainability and Environmental Studies and ENS 401 Environmental Problem Solving
  • Creating additional new courses and curriculum in sustainable development such as green chemistry, renewable and sustainable energy, sustainable urban environments, and sustainable product design
  • Development of several new sustainability certificates through the Liberal Studies major and Environmental Studies minor including: sustainability; green science; sustainable business; renewable energy; and urban sustainability
  • Engineering capstone course, Affiliations with Local Business Community, that has received awards from the MDEQ and been made available to over 1000 universities worldwide

Current options for students include General Education themes in Earth and the Environment, and students can also choose to major in sustainability by crafting their major within our Liberal Studies program. A growing number of students are choosing this option.

Applied research in sustainability is conducted in a variety of departments across campus. Research covers areas across the triple bottom line emphasis. The Annis Water Research Institute (http://www.awri.org/) located in Muskegon Michigan has about 10 principal investigators focusing on applied research projects to protect the quality of the Great Lakes from invasive species as well as overall conservation of water use.  In addition, the Michigan Alternative Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) in Muskegon Michigan focuses on various renewable energy demonstration technologies such as:  wind; solar photovoltaic; battery storage; microturbine; biomass and is also home to several new business startups. The College of Community and Public service is active in social justice research and many colleges have students participating in practica, service learning and internships within sustainability.  Additionally, Grand Valley has participated, supported, and helped form the Michigan Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (MIHEPS).  MIHEPS first conference was held at GVSU with ~20 colleges and ~150 members in attendance. 

Campus Culture

GVSU's campus sustainability culture has grown from awareness to application and understanding during the last few years.  Activities include:

  • Ongoing refinement to the student led Sustainability Initiative (SI) website www.gvsu.edu/sustainability that attracts hundreds of daily visitors
  • Development of a student sustainability guide that discusses how to live a more sustainable campus lifestyle and is handed out annually to 4000 freshman
  • Development of a new student sustainability pledge that will be handed out to all 2008 incoming freshman and be housed on the SI website. Over 125 Greek members have already signed the pledge
  • Student Senate leadership on sustainability including an ongoing senate sustainability subcommittee and support for ongoing student leader sustainability roundtable discussions

Faculty are forming colleague groups connected via a listserv, which is helping to connect a diverse faculty body.  Faculty also participate by assisting and mentoring students with about 20 student, faculty, and community stakeholder sustainability platform projects that have developed cost savings and efficiencies as well as overall value creation and effectiveness.  The faculty from the College of Engineering has also begun the development of a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Laboratory. 

Our annual October Campus Sustainability Week has grown from a Campus Sustainability Day to thousands of contributors, vendors, departments, student clubs, student senate and other organizations that now participate. Daily programs highlight topics within each of the triple bottom line areas, including environmental stewardship, economic prosperity; and social responsibility.

Students are helping to drive the culture of sustainability across the entire campus.

  • Student support for climate change such as with Focus the Nation activities, panel discussion, and conferences. Additional programs are planned for 2009
  • Having well known "sustainability" authors and presenters visit campus during speaker series such as Juliet Schor "Getting to Sustainability: "Work, Consumption, and Everyday Life"
  • Various student organizations, such as the Student Environmental Coalition; Biking Club; Habitat for Humanity; Hunger and Homelessness; Renewable and Sustainable Energy Club focus on key sustainability issues.
  • Annual "Make a Difference" Day in October attracts over 500 students that serve non-profit agencies within the city of Grand Rapids. Total student community service now totals ~30,000 hours annually
  • Entering national Recyclemania competitions annually
  • Holding annual Environmental Stewardship Week activities in April

Community Service and Outreach

GVSU, with its liberal arts background and multi campus locations, is a gateway to many communities.  Administration is committed to implementing sustainability with relevance, service, and excellence, which covers all aspects of the triple bottom line.  Various colleges, in partnerships with other stakeholders, support and provide leadership to various community outreach projects for students including:  Science Olympiad; First Robotics competition; Math Counts program; Padnos Design competition for environmentally responsible projects from around the world; DREAMMS kids projects; Absolutely Incredible Kid Day and many more. Nursing majors within the GVSU Nursing program perform community service by holding free clinics for youth in economically disadvantaged areas, as well as visiting various public schools to provide free services.

Grand Valley is a key player in the economic development of the region.  The Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center works with local startups to provide resources and expertise for businesses seeking to grow within the region.  They help to create hundreds of new jobs and ~$10MM of capital formation annually.  The Grand Valley Business Alliance delivers services to 50 counties and training to over 5000 individuals annually.  Grand Valley is a charter member of the Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP) whose stakeholder partners embrace sustainability guiding principles on a best efforts basis.  Its mission is to build sustainable neighborhoods and communities, with GVSU providing administrative support and facilities to host quarterly summits where members present and discuss triple bottom line topics relevant to West Michigan to form sustainability partnerships including Muskegon, Holland, Zeeland, Spring Lake, Ottawa, and Kalamazoo.

Grand Valley has also partnered with cities within the region. With regional campuses in Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon and Traverse City, Grand Valley has nurtured the development of sustainability groups within these cities and assisted with indicator reports, web pages and knowledge expertise.

  • The city of Grand Rapids and GVSU have both exhibited community climate change leadership by respectively signing the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement and ACU President's Climate Commitment
  • Grand Valley is exhibiting state leadership through its representation on the Governor appointed Michigan Climate Action Council
  • Our Annis Water Resources Institute has partnered with many local communities to provide mapping and information regarding ground water, waste runoff, watershed protection and water quality for the Great Lakes
  • Grand Valley's Michigan Alternative Renewable Energy Center has patented new technology in renewable energy and is working with local business to develop innovative products and services
  • Community Research Institute provides sustainability performance measurements and data collection for local neighborhoods

Student outreach from Grand Valley is extensive, with over 30,000 hours annually attributed to service learning, practica and internships in areas covering the gamete of triple bottom line areas.  88% of Grand Valley graduates remain within our region, so the background, outreach and work in community sustainability has far reaching implications for the future of our region.  With this community outreach Grand Valley provides over $500MM+ of annual economic impact to our regional community.