GVSU earns gold ranking for sustainability
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Grand Valley State University achieved a Gold ranking with its latest submission to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (AASHE STARS).
“This is a ranking that only 44 other universities throughout the nation (have received), which is definitely reason to celebrate,” said Jenny Jordan, graduate assistant with the GVSU Sustainable Community Development Initiative.
The university submitted an approximately 1,000-question report with three distinct categories: education and research, operations and planning, and administration and engagement.
“In order to effectively and efficiently answer all of these questions, we work with numerous faculty and staff from various academic and non-academic departments to collaboratively answer these questions,” Jordan said. “This is a huge achievement for the university.”
It is possible to receive a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating, though no institution has yet received a Platinum rating.
“The ratings have been established as a way for institutions to assess how sustainable they are,” said Bart Bartels, campus sustainability manager. “It is not meant to be a competition but rather a way to monitor improvement. STARS also creates an awareness about project ideas that some institutions may not have thought about. As more sustainable activities are taken on, improvement is made, environmental impact is reduced, and institutions move up in the rating system.”
GVSU has been involved in the program since its pilot year of 2009. It was one of 41 participants that year and was a Charter Participant when the program was formally instituted in 2010. GVSU earned a Silver rating in 2010 and 2011, and the 2012 data has brought GVSU into the Gold rating along with 44 other institutions.
GVSU currently reports on many categories in the assessment, but there are a few currently unreported.
“At this time we have not reported having any existing buildings that are LEED certified,” Bartels said. “Our LEED certifications are all from new construction or major remodeling projects.”
However, some of the areas GVSU does not currently report on are planned to be incorporated in the future.
“We did not report having a student run sustainable enterprise on campus, an ‘educate the educator’ program, or a sustainable themed housing unit,” Bartels said. “There are efforts in place to address all three of these categories before our next submission.”
A luncheon celebrating this achievement is scheduled to be held March 21.
To view the AASHE STARS submission, visit www.stars.aashe.org/institutions/grand-valley-state-university-mi/report/2013-02-13/.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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