Strategic Plan for Campus Sustainability
Context For Planning
The GVSU Campus Sustainability Advisory Council (CSAC) was formed in
2014, and is made up of 25 faculty and staff members including
representatives from all eight colleges and a wide variety of units
and divisions. The CSAC focuses on planning and advancing
sustainability as a campus-wide goal and value at GVSU.
The preliminary charter of the CSAC is to provide support and
direction for:
Developing a vision for the Office of Sustainability Practices
that is more student focused where GVSU campuses are seen as
learning laboratories for GVSU students and community members
Establishing a sustainable lifestyle on campus that is embraced in
the everyday work of faculty, staff, and students
Promoting university-wide communications, coordination, and
planning of sustainability related programs and activities
Integrating sustainability programs and activities into the new
University 2016-2021 Strategic Plan
The CSAC is made up of 10 specific workgroup areas, which meet
throughout the year. The full Council meets on a quarterly basis for
updates and reports. The workgroup areas include
building/landscaping, community engagement, energy/water management,
education for sustainable development, finance/purchasing, food
systems, health/wellness, student affairs, transportation, and waste management.
Mission
To provide GVSU administration, faculty, staff, 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.
Vision
Sustainability is accepted and valued as having an integral role in
fulfilling the mission of the university. This system integration of
sustainability builds the capacity to positively impact sustainability
issues across complex and interrelated economic, environmental, and
social frameworks.
Value Statement
"Grand Valley State University values the guiding principles of
sustainability in helping to meet the current needs of our faculty,
staff, and students without compromising the needs and resources of
future generations. We are committed to working with our community
partners to create a sustainable future for our university, our
community, and our region. We will model applied sustainability best
practices in our campus operations and administration, education for
sustainable development, student involvement, and community engagement
by promoting social responsibility, encouraging environmental
stewardship, and creating efficiencies and value for the work we
perform. We will provide our students with excellence in education for
sustainable development by imbedding theory, systems- oriented thinking,
and service learning into our curricular and extracurricular programs."
Strategic Priorities, outcomes, and key objectives
Strategic Priority Area 1: Actively engage learners at all levels.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 1.A.1
Provide high impact experiential learning through the Sustainable
Agriculture Project by hosting 15+ classes at the farm each year.
Baseline
As of April 2016, we have hosted 10 classes at the farm with several
already scheduled for next year.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
As of June 2018, approximately 350 students have visited the Sustainable Agriculture Project as part of 14 classes including courses in biology, environmental studies, Chinese studies, geology, honors, hospitality & tourism management, interdisciplinary studies, liberal studies, natural resource management, and women, gender & sexuality studies.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
As of February 2017, over 300 students visited the Sustainable Agriculture Project as part of 16 classes, 20 students from 11 majors participated in internships, and over 700 volunteer hours were served during the summer and fall semesters.
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 1.B.1
Annually increase the number of faculty, staff, students, and community
stakeholders engaged with the Seeds of Promise (www.seedsofpromise.net)
sustainable neighborhood initiative by greater than or equal to 5%, as
well as the amount of shared resources.
Baseline
32 GVSU senior nursing students participated in various community
activities including the Health Care Fair, Feeding America food truck,
and the after school Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)
program at Dickinson Academy. Each student worked ~40 hours per
semester. 4 GVSU faculty/staff are involved in planning efforts to
create a community garden in the Seeds Community 1 GVSU faculty member
is on the Educational Impact Team 2 GVSU students helped to produce a
video of background information on the Seeds Community 1 GVSU faculty
led a class to help plan community dialog
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
The Office of Sustainability Practices partners with Seeds of Promise as an opportunity for student experiential learning; the College of Nursing has 8 students each semester at the Browning Clayton Clinic for community based healthcare. Over the recent years ~20 faculty and staff and ~ 100 GVSU students have with engaged with Seeds of Promise in various experiential learning project and program activities. Current FY2017-2018 initiatives include Professor Terry Stockton’s College of Education class at the Dickinson School; Dr. Kin Ma and a continuation of his GIS mapping and sustainability planning class for 1st semester summer school; and Professor David Cannon’s Seidman College of Business accounting class.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
The Office of Sustainability Practices partners with Seeds of Promise as an opportunity for student experiential learning; the College of Nursing has 8 students each semester at the Browning Clayton Clinic for community based healthcare. Over the recent years ~20 faculty and staff and ~ 100 GVSU students have with engaged with Seeds of Promise in various experiential learning project and program activities. Current FY2017-2018 initiatives include Professor Terry Stockton’s College of Education class at the Dickinson School; Dr. Kin Ma and a continuation of his GIS mapping and sustainability planning class for 1st semester summer school; and Professor David Cannon’s Seidman College of Business accounting class.
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 1.D.2
Identify at least 3 classes (new or existing) that use the Consumers
Energy Solar Garden as a teaching tool.
Baseline
The Solar Garden began operation on April 15, 2016, so no classes have
had an opportunity to integrate it as a case study yet.
Progress
2017 Status
Achieved
Classes using the Solar Garden as a teaching tool include:
NRM 451 Natural Resource Policy
ECO 345 Environmental and Resource Economics
NRM 380 Special Topics: Renewable Energy Management and Modeling
CHM 421 Green Chemistry
EGR 463 Alternative Energy Systems and Applications
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 1.E.1
Develop a more robust e-Waste and scrap metal recycling program.
Baseline
Measure against previous FY reporting.
Strategic Priority Area 2: Further develop exceptional personnel.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 2.A.1
Follow and maintain Healthy Campus 2020 guidelines for faculty, staff,
and students.
Baseline
Faculty and Staff annual Health Assessment and medical claims data
(2014,2015) and the American Health Association Student National College
Health Assessment survey (2014).
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 2.C.1
Maintain gold status of American Heart Association Fit Friendly Worksite.
Baseline
Currently have platinum status. Cannot continue to obtain platinum
status unless GVSU is a smoke free campus. Aiming to maintain gold status
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 2.D.1
Increase the number of faculty engaging in sustainability research to 100
Baseline
AASHE STARS 2015 report - 86 sustainability researchers
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 2.E.1
Increase awareness throughout the campus of the GVSU Surplus Store.
Baseline
Measure department participation against previous years
Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 3.C.1
Recognized as a partner with Partnership for a Healthier America-Healthy
Campus Initiative.
Baseline
GVSU is not a partner with the Partnership for a Healthier
America-Campus Initiative.
Objective 3.C.2
Get registered for Exercise is Medicine initiative and earn recognition
for gold status
Baseline
Obtained silver level status, March 2016
Objective 3.C.3
3. Identify, pursue and beta test new clean technologies for energy
conservation and efficiency applications. This includes looking for long
term energy contracts in the way of fixed pricing and renewables.
Baseline
For all practical purposes we have zero renewables representing clean energy.
Objective 3.C.4
Increase local food purchases through food supplier over last year
Baseline
Previous year's numbers
Objective 3.C.5
Reduce food waste at dining venues
Baseline
previous year's results
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 3.E.1
Identify and implement campus energy projects with less than eight year
paybacks based on energy alone and not taking credit for maintenance or
operational savings. Utility rebates are also not included in the
payback calculation either.
Baseline
Previous Fiscal Years
Progress
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
• Various Exterior LED Lighting replacements done. Meijer Campus Parking Lot in Holland. In Allendale North Campus Housing near MAK, between GVA and South Apartments, and decorative Lighting in the MAK court yard & surrounding Padnos. Still slated for this year is Laker Drive, the Children’s Center, Calder Arts, Irwin Parking the KFSC walkway, and the Kirkhof Center parking lot.
• Muskegon Campus is complete. GVSU has a patent pending on a new design method for DCV.
• A Combined Heat and Power study was completed. Due to our favorable gas & electric pricing the payback is longer than we would want to partake at this time.
• Heat Recovery project at Kindschi Lab is currently underway.
• Manitou interior lighting is complete.
Objective 3.E.3
Pursue long term energy contracts and look for renewable energy options.
Baseline
NA
Progress
2017 Status
Achieved
Current long term contracts are still standing.
Objective 3.E.4
Reduce water consumption.
Baseline
Previous fiscal years
Progress
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
Comparing FY17 to FY03 we have dropped 48% on water use on a square foot basis.
Objective 3.E.5
Develop/expand walking and biking specific routes around campus by at
least 50% to promote safety, sustainability and health & wellness.
Baseline
There is approximately 1/2 mile of designated walking/biking routes on
campus running along the south end of campus drive.
Objective 3.E.6
Reduce overall paper consumption and increase use of recycled products
such as paper and ink print cartridges.
Baseline
Measure against previous FY usage.
Strategic Priority Area 4: Enhance the institution's image and reputation.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 4.A.1
Maintain or improve upon GVSU's "gold" rating in the AASHE
STARS sustainability reporting system.
Baseline
Total score = 66.05 Curriculum subscore = 21.46/40.00
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
We received a gold rating with a score of 69.45 after revisions.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
As of April 2017, we have a gold rating pending final review.
Objective 4.A.2
Maintain or improve upon GVSU's AASHE STARS curriculum subscore.
Baseline
2015 Curriculum subscore = 21.46/40.00
Progress
2017 Status
Achieved
The 2017 AASHE STARS Curriculum Subscore was 23.28. This is an improvement over the previous reporting period.
The Education for Sustainable Development Working Group has engaged with faculty, unit heads, and college deans to identify sustainability curricula at various levels (course, department, college). The ESD Working Group has also encouraged faculty to incorporate sustainability into their curricula.
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 4.C.1
Achieve the Bicycle Friendly University recognition from League of
American Bicyclists
Baseline
As of 2015, GVSU is not recognized as a bicycle friendly university.
Progress
2016 Status
Achieved
Grand Valley State University has been named a Bicycle Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists, a national organization that encourages the use of bicycles for health and well-being. The University received a silver award and joined 164 colleges and universities across the country that are designated as Bicycle Friendly Universities.
Objective 4.C.2
Achieve capacity improvements on Route 50
Baseline
As of 12/1/2015, there were 12 40 passenger GILLIG busses during peak
times on Route 50.
Progress
2017 Status
Minimal Progress
Laker Line funding has been approved. The Rapid, CDM Smith, and GVSU have been working on a construction timeline. Operational by May of 2020
2016 Status
Minimal Progress
The Laker Line is still waiting on the Federal budget to be approved for funding. This is hoped to be achieved once the new administration takes office. This will take our current system of 14 40 passenger busses and increase it to 14 90 passenger busses up from 13 40 passenger busses last year.
Objective 4.C.3
Reduce Scope 3 emissions to help meet the goals of the Climate Action
Plan
Baseline
35,000 MT eCO2
Progress
2017 Status
Substantive Progress
We continue to promote and encourage the use of the bus system. Ridership has continued to decline. As of the end of December, we had just over 1,171,475 rides, 526,156 of them on route 50. Last year at this time we had 1,347,289 rides, 605,524 of them on route 50. The Laker Line has been approved, so we hope the improved capacity with route 50 on the 6-8 minute interval will encourage students, faculty, and staff to ride and not drive to campus. We have also been promoting active commute week to encourage the use of alternate modes of transportation besides single occupant cars.
2016 Status
Substantive Progress
We are continuing to promote and encourage the use of the bus system. However, our ridership this fall is down. As of the end of December, we had just over 1,347,289 rides, 605,524 of them on route 50. Last year at this time we had 1,386,543 of which 647,913 were on route 50. Once the Laker Line is approved, we hope the improved capacity with route 50 on the 6-8 minute interval will encourage students, faculty, and staff to ride and not drive to campus.
Objective 4.C.4
Ensure the ongoing execution of a successful "Sustainable
Development Best Practices" service agreement annually between GVSU
and the City of Grand Rapids, including the City Executive Office, the
Office of Energy and Sustainability, and the Grand Rapids Information
Network, and accommodate new requests from the City.
Baseline
As of April 2016, we have completed 6 months of the service agreement.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
An agreement was negotiated and and successfully implemented. The agreement was scheduled to end in June 2018 and will not be renewed.
2017 Status
Substantive Progress
The City of Grand Rapids and GVSU have had a services agreement since 2005 through the Office of Sustainability Practices whereby GVSU provides student interns to support sustainability best practices at the City in various departmental areas. At any point in time there are ~12 student interns working at the City of Grand Rapids. In the current 3 year agreement that ends June 30th 2018, 43 students have received paid internships and 6 have been hired by the City upon graduation to date. A new 3 year agreement is currently being negotiated.
Objective 4.C.5
Assist with the development and inventory of "Education for
Sustainable Development" curriculum, programs, and activities in
support of the United Nations University Regional Center of Expertise
designation for Grand Rapids.
Baseline
The first report has been submitted as of January 25, 2016.
Objective 4.C.6
Increase number of Healthier options available
Baseline
Previous year
Objective 4.C.7
Reduce amount of non-recyclable and non-compostable materials in dining program
Baseline
Unknown
Objective 4.C.8
Resource and reward university/community engagement initiatives through
awards for outstanding initiatives.
Baseline
No internal engagement awards were given in 2015.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 4.E.1
Increase AASHE STARS transportation score by 25%
Baseline
3.4/7 in 2015
Progress
2017 Status
Substantive Progress
The next reporting for AASHE STARS will be in 2019. Calculating our current progress, we have made some improvement and if submitted today, we'd have a score of 3.88 up from 3.4.
2016 Status
Substantive Progress
Information is being inputted into the AASHE STARS system. There are several factors which could impact our score in either direction. Factors that may increase our score are the addition of Electric vehicles and the Bicycle Friendly Certification. Route 50/51 being combined and the sale of the B20 biodiesel vehicles may lower our score.
Objective 4.E.2
Continue to increase avoided costs in utility energy application which
has totaled $33 million in accumulation since FY03.
Baseline
FY03
Progress
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
In comparison FY17-FY03 (15 Years) we cost avoided $3.5M in utilities.
Objective 4.E.4
Successfully implement zero waste events such as home football games
Create awareness and understanding of waste minimization and composting
best practices through resources such as GVL, banners in Kirkhof Center,
student affairs, student senate and web ads. Obtain volunteers to help
make the challenge a success and use this as a teaching tool to show
student volunteers first hand the struggles we have with waste
minimization. Goal - reduce waste by 1-2% per year, reach 82% waste
diversion rate within the next 5 years.
Baseline
Currently working on securing volunteers/groups to monitor 2016 Game Day
Challenge Zero Waste football games. 2015 results - 76% waste
diversion, GVSU was #6 in conference diversion rate, #3 in composting
and #8 in recycling
Objective 4.E.5
Maintain or improve annual Recyclemania national competition among
colleges and universities 2016 Recyclemania results - Grand champion
category - rank 47; waste minimization - rank 55; composting - rank 15
Baseline
2016 Recyclemania results - Grand champion category - rank 47; waste
minimization - rank 55; composting - rank 15
Objective 4.E.6
Successfully implement new cigarette butt recycling program
Baseline
Since no cigarette butt recycling program exists currently, we will need
to generate student and staff awareness about the program, what benefits
will come from recycling cigarette butts and how it will be done. Use
custodial and grounds department staff to help monitor and gather butts,
use Lanthorn, Housing, flyers, tabling to get information out to
students about this new program. Each cigarette waste container will be
labeled with recycle stickers. Also since this is new, would like to
start, as a goal, 100 lbs of butts collected the first year and keep
increasing each year
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