The Office of Sustainability Practices was established at Grand Valley in 2006 and is part of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Our mission is to provide Grand Valley administration, faculty and staff members, students, and community stakeholders with the required skills and capabilities to become better stewards and responsible global citizens in the workforce, communities, and family life. We accomplish this through the following areas.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Grand Valley offers education for sustainable development through curriculum, certificates, emphases, internships, and study abroad programs.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

We seek to make Grand Valley a desirable and affordable destination for those looking to further their education by being responsible stewards of resources and creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.

FACILITIES OPERATIONS

We strive to make all systems operate as efficiently as possible and provide various services including recycling, composting, and free public transportation.

BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Our campuses feature sustainable design and all new building projects are constructed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver certification or better. Grand Valley currently has 20 completed or under construction LEED-certified building projects. 

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

We engage students on campus through internships, clubs, activities, and events to increase awareness and understanding of sustainability and provide students the skill sets they need.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We partner with the local, regional, and global community through service-learning opportunities, professional networking, and by sharing sustainable best practices.

gvsu.edu/sustainability