Sustainability and Changing University Culture and Curriculum: Grand Valley State University

1. Sustainability and Changing University Culture and Curriculum: Grand Valley State University Steve Glass, Ph.D. Co-authors: Elena Lioubimtseva Norman Christopher and Wendy Wenner Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USA

2. About Grand Valley.. Comprehensive University, 23,000 students Two main campus locations, 1200+ acres: Allendale (rural) Grand Rapids (urban) Also satellite campuses in 3 locations Serves West Michigan region, $600 million regional impact Liberal Arts focus, excellence in teaching, active scholarship, public service 700+ faculty, 1,000+ staff

3. Sustainability? Still an unknown to many faculty and staff Buy-in is difficult if it is not well understood Sustainability should be an integral part of our Liberal arts education. Grand Valley�s efforts begin in 2004 The approach is to : Self assess Engage a number of players Implement across the triple bottom line

4. The Players..

6. Administration Funded SI Director position President signs Talloires Declaration President Signs �President�s Climate Committment Regular meetings of SI Director and VP finance Beginning to promote sustainability efforts via News and Information Services/ Institutional Marketing Considering alternative funding mechanisms News & Information- using FSC paper and printing

7. Food services (Aramark) Sustainable clothing Recycled napkins, utensils, cups.. Local food purchasing Elimination of trays (reduce water & food waste) Composting, Farmers market.. Community Garden Elimination of Trans fats..

8. Facilities- Transportation Bus service between Allendale and GR (15 miles). Reduced parking needs, fuel savings,CO2 emissions, Hybrid electric busses Plug-in electric maintenance vehicles

9. Facilities- Energy Bulk gas & electric purchases.. Reduce cost per sqft Boiler upgrades to use heat waste Efficient mowers, reduce gas and emissions CFL replacement program Wind study to examine campus potential 2007-08 , $1 Million US spent toward energy savings projects. Goal is for payback within 3 years. Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center Constructing energy portfolio- working towards climate neutrality

10. Facilities.. More! Stormwater management Raingardens Recycling, Reusing (Project Donate) Bulk purchasing Green Cleaning products Carbon Footprint calculation

11. Buildings.. New Buildings � built over excess parking space when possible (neutral impact) LEED design, materials Reduce water use by 70% High efficient HVAC

12. Education (www.gvsu.edu/cois) Inventory of �Sustainability classes� 200+ New courses in: Green Chem, Intro to Sustainability, Sustainable Business practice Environmental studies minor, Sustainability Certificate Inventory of research and service activities Teaching circle for sustainability Sustainability listserv (30-50 faculty & staff) Website: faculty and student page

13. Students Published student sustainability Guide Student operated web page (http://main.gvsu.edu/sustainability/) Student senate resolution supporting Sustainability certificate Senate coalition of Sustainability-related organizations (in order to pool resources) Student projects, internships.. Green Home Bus study Indicator report for local hospital

14. Community Engagement Community Sustainability Partnership (www.grpartners.org) Campus Sustainability Week Energy Conferences Cafe� Scientific (involve community members in discussions) Service Learning links to Community Alternative Schools assistance Tutoring and mentorships

15. The Future Carbon Neutrality? Footprint Green space inventory (trees) Energy credits (wind electricity purchases) LEED Campus Designation? GVSU as Center of Sustainability for the region Sustainability as an integral part of the Liberal Education at Grand Valley Campus-wide stakeholders taking their own initiative

16. Questions? Community Sustainability Partnership (www.grpartners.org) Faculty Sustainability page: http://www.gvsu.edu/cois/ Student website: http://www.gvsu.edu/cois/