ALLENDALE, Mich. — When many people think of the concept of
sustainability, the term “green” comes to mind. But Grand Valley’s
annual Campus Sustainability Week this year focus the fact that it
encompasses economical and social aspects, too.
Every October, Grand Valley’s Sustainable Community Development
Initiative partners with departments campus-wide to host Campus
Sustainability Week. The week is filled with speakers, panel
discussions, concerts and other activities. Campus Sustainability Week
runs October 19-24 with the theme “More Than Being Green.” The theme
emphasizes the idea that there is more to sustainability than simply
reducing and reusing.
There will be a different theme each day highlighting different
aspects of the social, economical and environmental best practices of
sustainability that Grand Valley faculty and staff members and
students strive to integrate into their everyday actions. A full
schedule is available at www.gvsu.edu/csw.
Grand Valley is recognized nationally for its sustainability
efforts. The university received the highest green rating in the
Michigan in an annual report by the Princeton Review. It is the only
Michigan school cited in Kaplan College Guide 2009's list of
"cutting-edge green" colleges and universities. The
university was the recipient of the U.S. Green Building Council’s 2008
Recognition Award and the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s 2008
National Sustainability Innovator Award. Select Campus Sustainability
Week events include:
• “Women Leaders Achieve Bipartisan Success”
3 p.m., Monday, October 19, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
Two Michigan legislators, Sen. Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck
Township) and Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), will discuss how they
reached across party lines to get the Great Lakes Water Compact
passed. A reception will follow, giving participants an opportunity to
meet the legislators.
• Allendale Campus LEED Bike Tour
9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, October 22, Allendale Campus
Bicycle tour of all the Allendale campus's LEED-certified
buildings and GVSU's Community Garden
• Farmer's Market
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
• Green Vendor Trade Fair
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, October 22 at Kirkhof Center, Allendale
Campus
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, October 23 at DeVos Center, Pew
Grand Rapids Campus
Showcase of a wide array of green and healthy lifestyle products
and services
• Sustainability Champions Awards Breakfast:
7:30-8:45 a.m., Friday October 23 at Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
Awards breakfast featuring Mayor George Heartwell and Grand
Valley State University Vice President Matt McLogan. It will celebrate
sustainability advocates and their on-campus successes.
• Make a Difference Day
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday October 24, DeVos Center, Pew Grand
Rapids Campus
Volunteers are bussed from Grand Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids
Campus to non-profit organizations throughout the Grand Rapids
community. Register at gvsu.edu/service.
• Sustainapalooza
9 p.m. to midnight, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
Celebration of sustainability featuring live music, food and
information tables from student organizations
