National environment group names Grand Valley a green school

Grand Valley State University has been named one of the country’s greenest universities for the fourth year in a row by Sierra Club, the largest national grassroots environmental organization in the U.S. The university is the highest-ranking Michigan institution on the list, ahead of universities such as Penn State, Oregon State and Harvard.

Grand Valley is included in the Sierra’s Club’s annual list of “Coolest Schools,” a list that ranks schools that have a strong commitment to environmental improvement and are making significant efforts to operate sustainably. View the full list here. 

Grand Valley placed 37th out of 153 institutions, and ranked highest in the energy and waste categories. The ranking was based on scores given to universities that completed a questionnaire on measurable environmental goals and achievements, presented by the Sierra Club, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI) and Princeton Review. The self-reporting assessment included more than 900 questions.

Norman Christopher, executive director of the Office of Sustainable Practices, said the recognition is a reflection of the collective efforts of the entire campus community. 

“Empowered students, faculty and staff members make sustainable choices daily," said Christopher. "It can be seen everywhere — in the classroom, in the living centers, and on and off campus. The importance they place on sustainability is why we are listed among the top greenest schools in the nation." 

For more information, contact the Office of Sustainable Practices at www.gvsu.edu/sustainability or (616) 331-7366.