Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.79
Liaison Yumiko Jakobcic
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Grand Valley State University
EN-4: Outreach Materials and Publications

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Yumiko Jakobcic
Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability Practices
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Central Sustainability Website 

Does the institution have a central sustainability website that consolidates information about the institution's sustainability efforts?:
Yes

A brief description of the central sustainability website (optional):
The Office of Sustainability Practice's website consolidates sustainability information about campus operations, education and curriculum, student involvement, and community engagement.

The website URL for the central sustainability website:
http://www.gvsu.edu/sustainability/

Sustainability Newsletter 

Does the institution have a sustainability newsletter?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability newsletter:
The Office of Sustainability Practices submits a variety of sustainability-themed articles to the monthly Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies newsletter. The Annis Water Research Institute creates a monthly and annual newsletter as well. The office also creates a standalone newsletter specifically addressing sustainability on campus.

None
The website URL for the sustainability newsletter:
http://www.gvsu.edu/brooks/newsletter-archive-21.htm

Social Media Platforms 

Does the institution have social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, interactive blogs) that focus specifically on campus sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the social media platforms that focus on sustainability:
The Office of Sustainability Practices maintains active Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to share sustainability-related student jobs and internships, conferences, events, policies, programs, and community-wide information.

The website URL of the primary social media platform focused on sustainability:
https://twitter.com/gvsusustains

Student Newspaper Coverage 

Does the institution have regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper, either through a regular column or a reporter assigned to the sustainability beat?:
Yes

A brief description of the regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
The student newspaper, The Lanthorn, has a student reporter assigned to the sustainability beat.

The website URL for regular coverage of sustainability in the main student newspaper:
http://www.lanthorn.com/

Student Research Publication 

Does the institution produce a vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability?:
Yes

A brief description of the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
A sustainable research database has been developed for faculty and students. The database is housed as a separate category in the library.

None
The website URL for the vehicle to publish and disseminate student research on sustainability:
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/sustainability/

Green Building Signage 

Does the institution have building signage that highlights green building features?:
Yes

None
A brief description of building signage that highlights green building features :
Each LEED Building has signage for LEED recognition and flyers with the buildings green characteristics.

None
The website URL for building signage that highlights green building features :
http://www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesplanning/signage-standards-1.htm

Sustainable Food Systems Information 

Does the institution have signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
Campus Dining is continually increasing its sustainable practices while serving the campus community high quality foods and top-notch customer service. Signage and brochures include information about providing local suppliers, waste management and recycling, and sustainable products. Compostable items in Campus Dining restaurants feature a sticker, alerting guests. All waste bins also include detailed signage as to how to sort trash. Menus are also digital in all restaurants to eliminate the need to print updated menus.

None
The website URL for food service area signage and/or brochures that include information about sustainable food systems:
http://www.gvsu.edu/campusdine/sustainability-68.htm

Sustainable Grounds Signage 

Does the institution have signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed?:
Yes

A brief description of the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
There are two types of these signs on the GVSU campus grounds. The first sign references storm water management areas, and the second sign references "Natural Meadow Areas" where the grass used for lawns in certain areas on campus, is allowed to grow taller than the traditional mowing height, to eliminate the need for additional watering and traditional turf management practices. These signs are in various spots across campus.

The website URL for the signage on the grounds about sustainable groundskeeping and/or landscaping strategies employed:
https://www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesservices/allendale/custodial-grounds-arborist-33.htm

Sustainable Walking Map or Tour 

Does the institution produce a sustainability walking map or tour?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the sustainability walking map or tour:
GVSU offers numerous digital tours of LEED certified facilities, physical maps for personal buildings tours, and an all-inclusive Digital Sustainability Map that features more than 30 locations on campus.

None
The website URL of the sustainability walking map or tour:
http://www.gvsu.edu/sustainability/digital-tour-310.htm

Guide for Commuters 

Does the institution produce a guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
GVSU's transportation guide explains students' alternative transportation options, including details about bike riding and carpooling.

The website URL for the guide for commuters about how to use more sustainable methods of transportation:
http://www.gvsu.edu/bus/

Materials for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

Does the institution produce navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians (e.g. covering routes, inter-modal connections, policies, services, and safety)? :
Yes

None
A brief description of the navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
GVSU offers extensive resources on non-motorized transportation, including path and trail maps, bike safety tips, repair information, and the ability to register a bike with GVSU public safety.

None
The website URL for navigation and educational tools for bicyclists and pedestrians:
https://www.gvsu.edu/bus/ride-a-bike-57.htm

Green Living Guide 

Does the institution produce a guide for green living and/or incorporating sustainability into the residential experience?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
The Office of Housing and Residence Life is committed to being sustainable. LEED Certified Buildings, energy efficient appliances, campus recycling, residential energy savings competitions, community garden, and the campus connector transportation systems are all initiatives that are becoming a way of life in our on-campus residential areas as well as the campus community at large. Sustainable living is included in our residential services guide.

None
The website URL for the guide for green living and incorporating sustainability into the residential experience:
https://www.gvsu.edu/housing/students/sustainability-23.htm

Other Outreach Materials 

Does the institution produce other sustainability outreach materials or publications not covered above?:
Yes

A brief description of these materials or publications:
Staff and students at GVSU's Annis Water Research Institute work together to publish academic papers on a variety of research topics relating to plant life, water resources and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The website URL for these materials or publications:
http://www.gvsu.edu/wri/recent-awri-peer-reviewed-publications-66.htm

Optional Fields 

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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