Grand Valley State University is one of the top environmentally responsible universities in the country, ranking #27 in The Princeton Review’s list of Top 50 Green Colleges.
The list was compiled through school-reported data and student opinion, showcasing schools with exceptional sustainable practices from academic curriculum and career prep to campus clubs and initiatives.
GVSU’s Director of Sustainability Practices Yumiko Jakobcic says it's about building a culture of sustainable practices that have become ingrained at Grand Valley.
“There are all aspects of sustainability woven in. This has become so much of the Laker way, that I don’t think we even notice it anymore and I really love that.”
It’s partly about what’s taught in classrooms across campus, and not just in environmental fields but in business classes and the arts too.
“As part of a report we do, we look at how many classes talk about sustainability and its over 400 here so that’s a pretty significant number.”
Student-led efforts include the promotion of zero-waste football games with the goal of decreasing the amount of landfill waste created at Lubbers Stadium.
“So we’re trying to get to 90% of our waste diverted from football games and that takes a whole host of student volunteers to help out.”
Jakobcic says being recognized as a green college helps showcase the larger culture of sustainability that isn’t always immediately obvious.
“When we see all those little ways add up, we can think, oh my goodness, our collective impact is big! And something really special about Grand Valley.”
