Grand Valley has been recognized as a top performer in the 2021 Sustainable Campus Index, ranking second among master's institutions.
A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities, measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS).
STARS gauges the progress of colleges and universities toward sustainability in all sectors, including education and research, innovation, administration and operations.
Grand Valley holds a gold STARS rating of 74.9, up from 70.8 in 2019.
The index also highlights Grand Valley's Sustainable Agriculture Project, a 4-acre, student-operated farm site on the edge of the Allendale Campus. The farm recently partnered with New City Neighbors to expand the organization's programming targeted toward high school students.
"I am deeply appreciative of this recognition and am especially happy for the opportunity to highlight our community partnership with New City Neighbors," said Yumiko Jakobcic, director of the Office of Sustainability Practices. "They have been such a wonderful part of the Sustainable Agriculture Project this year, and we’re grateful to be able to work alongside them."
With more than 900 participants in 40 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is one of the most widely recognized frameworks in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information.
Grand Valley became the first Michigan university to receive STARS gold status in 2013, and has consistently maintained its gold status since.
The self-reporting assessment includes bronze, silver, gold and platinum statuses. You can view Grand Valley’s STARS report here.
