Last year, Grand Valley State University celebrated its commitment to being environmentally, socially and fiscally responsible with its first Campus Sustainability Day. The day-long event was such a success that this year it has been expanded to an entire week.
This year's Campus Sustainability Week runs October 2328, 2006. The theme for the week is "People, Places and Prosperity: Will you make a difference?" The week's activities will include speakers and presentations, displays and demonstrations, awards and recognition, exhibits and community projects. The goal is to increase awareness and understanding on how sustainability can make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others.
Sustainability relates to the environmental impact of human activity, the enhancement of social systems and the improvement of economic prosperity -- a triumvirate of factors commonly known as the "triple bottom line." The recognition of the required balance among these three issues has been characterized as sustainable growth.
As an institution of higher education and leadership, as well as a public university supported by tax dollars, Grand Valley has a responsibility to practice sustainable growth. The university does this by maintaining the quality of education offered to students, keeping costs low, protecting the environment, working to improve society and helping students shape their lives.
Events are free and open to the public. Presentations and activities are scheduled at various times throughout the week on both the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses. See www.gvsu.edu/sustainability for program information. Highlights of the week include:
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Monday, October 23: The focus will be on sustainability and
the triple bottom line "People, Places and Prosperity."
Opening remarks will be made by administration and Student Senate
leaders. Speakers will discuss sustainability from heritage,
cultural diversity and business perspectives.
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Tuesday, October 24: The focus will be on people, social
equity and quality of life issues. Highlights will include Global
Health Day and Kids Against Hunger food packaging projects at
Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences. A sustainable lunch will be
provided at Fresh Food Co. Speakers will discuss sustainability from
nutritional, health, educational and social-environmental perspectives.
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Wednesday, October 25: The focus will be on the environment,
waste, pollution, water, etc. Highlights will include Sustainable
Transportation Day to and from GVSU campuses and GVSU's
participation in a national simulcast on Campus Sustainability
sponsored by the Society for College and University Planning. Other
simulcast participants include Harvard University, Arizona State
University and Pima County Community College. Speakers will discuss
sustainability from city environmental, water quality, LEED building
and design, renewable energy and GVSU campus operational perspectives.
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Thursday, October 26: The focus will be on prosperity,
economic and business development. Speakers will discuss
sustainability from local, city, regional and socio-entrepreneurial
development perspectives.
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Friday, October 27: A day of reflection. Students will
present posters on sustainable research projects. Laker Late Night
will include a sustainable fashion show, a student cook-off, and
student awards and prizes.
- Saturday, October 28: The focus will be on national "Make a Difference Day." Students will take part in community projects in Grand Rapids, and the annual Ravines clean-up project.
For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/sustainability
