Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.05
Liaison Yumiko Jakobcic
Submission Date Feb. 27, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Grand Valley State University
EN-6: Employee Educators Program

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.20 / 3.00 Yumiko Jakobcic
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability Practices
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution administer or oversee an ongoing faculty/staff peer-to-peer sustainability outreach and education program that meets the criteria for this credit?:
Yes

Total number of employees:
3,306

Name of the employee educators program (1st program) :
Sustainable Department Ambassadors

Number of employees served by the program (1st program):
1,000

A brief description of how the employee educators are selected (1st program):

The Sustainable Department Ambassadors are selected on a volunteer basis. After the faculty/staff in each department volunteers to become the Sustainable Department Ambassador(s), The Office of Sustainability Practices (OSP) offers to meet with the sustainability leaders to talk about their thoughts on how their individual department could become more sustainable.


A brief description of the formal training that the employee educators receive (1st program):

OSP staff give a formal presentation to the Sustainable Department Ambassadors on sustainable practices and available resources.


A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program (1st program):

There are financial options open to the Sustainable Department Ambassador(s) within each department. First, Sustainable Department Ambassador(s) are able to work within their own department budgets. Second, the Sustainability Reinvestment Fund is offered as financial support for a project/initiative that the Sustainable Department Ambassador(s) would like to start in their own department. Third, Facilities Services & Planning may fund any physical or structural additions, such as a waste sorting station.


The website URL where information about the program is available (1st program):
Name of the employee educators program (2nd program):
Health and Wellness Programs (including the pedometer challenge and the healthy choices program)

Number of employees served by the program (2nd program):
1,322

A brief description of how the employee educators are selected (2nd program):

The Pedometer Challenge participants are selected on a volunteer basis. Employees are encouraged to form teams and set goals. The Healthy Choices Program participants are also selected on a volunteer basis.


A brief description of the formal training that the employee educators receive (2nd program):

Participants receive instruction on how to enter their steps, convert non-walking activities, and calculate their team goals.


A brief description of the financial or other support the institution provides to the program (2nd program):

The institution provides pedometers for all participants and also provides prizes to the top three teams.


The website URL where information about the program is available (2nd program):
Name(s) of the employee educator program(s) (all other programs):
Sustainability Spotlight

Number of employees served by all other programs:
102

A brief description of how the employee educators are selected (all other programs):

Employees are asked to submit a short application. Applications are reviewed by the Office of Sustainability Practices. The office makes an effort to be as inclusive as possible and to expand the program as interest increases.


A brief description of the formal training that the employee educators receive (all other programs):

Employees are given time to give a brief introduction to their work, and then all participants are given the opportunity to mingle and discuss their interests in further detail. This program has resulted in increased collaboration on sustainability issues, and has led to interdisciplinary grant applications/projects.


A brief description of the staff and/or other financial support the institution provides to the program(s) (all other programs):

The institution provides the location, food, and compensation for staff time.


The website URL where information about the program(s) is available (all other programs):
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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