Programs
Current Programs of the C4S
Michigan Green Chemistry Clearinghouse
Alongside Blue Sphere, Inc., GVSU, Sustainable Research Group, and the Ecology Center, the Center for Sustainability is a team member on the Michigan Green Chemistry Clearinghouse project.
The overall goal of the Michigan Green Chemistry Clearinghouse, funded by a three-year grant from the State of Michigan and hosted by the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College, is to accelerate green chemistry awareness, innovation and investment in the State of Michigan by creating and enabling a community of green chemistry advocates that are connected and informed. The Clearinghouse aims to be a dynamic and interactive on-line source of information, resources, databases, learning opportunities and interactive tools for citizens, business and industry professionals, educators, policy makers, entrepreneurs and others.
The Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College provides project leadership in managing the grant and assuring effective team contributions for project success.
migreenchemistry.org
Sustainability Landscape Project (Asset Mapping)
The Sustainability Landscape Project is an on-going effort to develop an interactive compilation of activities and organizations involved in sustainability in the region. The West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and Aquinas College join a collection of other organizations and individuals on the asset mapping project.
Addressing Climate Change at Aquinas College
Aquinas College President C. Edward Balog formally signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in September 2008, committing to the development of a strategy to greatly reduce the college's carbon footprint. "The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate. Building on the growing momentum for leadership and action on climate change, the ACUPCC provides a framework and support for America’s colleges and universities to go climate neutral."
Aquinas has already met the first few requirements of the ACUPCC. In September 2009, the Center for Sustainability at AQ completed and submitted the college's greenhouse gas report. The report revealed that 7,414 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) are emitted into the air each year from the operation of Aquinas College. A year later, the Climate Action Plan was completed and submitted to the ACUPCC. This is an institutional action plan for Aquinas to become climate neutral by 2040. During the summer of 2011, the Center for Sustainability will be working on the update to AQ's carbon footprint report.
www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org
dmStrategist Partnership
The Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College, Cascade Engineering/Quest Sustainable Solutions, and Florida-based NextLife are working with dmStrategists to develop an innovative suite of resources for helping companies of all sizes move toward sustainability. The Web-based assessment tools, business applications (BizApps), training and on-site support services are designed to help companies find ways to drive cost savings, performance gains, and market traction opportunities through the deployment of sustainable business practices. Aquinas College and its Center for Sustainability contributes its expertise and innovation in sustainable business education as an Alliance Partner.
Professional Development Certificate Program
The non-credit Sustainable Business Professional Certificate offered by the Center for Sustainability provides an opportunity for managers and executives at all career stages who wish to deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of sustainable business. In addition to foundational courses, active learning modules focus on topics that will enhance the ability of workplace professionals to deploy new tools, frameworks and organizational strategies, as well as help them serve as change agents to move their organizations to the forefront of sustainability efforts.
To learn more about the certificate program, please visit our homepage. This program is approved for the No Worker Left Behind Program of Michigan Works! and may be eligible for other worker retraining programs.
Community Outreach
The C4S regularly assists individuals and organizations looking for insights and resources related to their sustainability journey. For example, a group of Aquinas' Sustainable Business students are helping City High/Middle plan the school's Earth Day festivities, and will lead two separate activities. C4S staff recently met with a group of students from Davenport University to provide information on green jobs and Aquinas' journey into sustainability.
Program Director Jessica Eimer is currently a board member of the West Michigan Sustainable Purchasing Consortium (WMSPC). The WMSPC is a partnership committed to developing and providing access to professional procurement contracts that support sustainable purchasing in the West Michigan community. The WMSPC has the ability to contract with vendors for environmentally preferable goods and services at lower prices because of the collective purchasing ability of its members.
Learning Partnerships
C4S has partnered with a number of organizations to help sponsor events that provide insight and enthusiasm for sustainable business practices. Most recently, C4S helped sponsor the 2009 and 2010 conference's organized through Local First. The conference brought together local business owners and community leaders to discuss the successes and challenges they’ve faced in the pursuit of sustainability and provide practical tips for getting involved.
C4S has also sponsored the Western Michigan Business Review's annual conference over the past few years. The conferences have worked in a roundtable format to answer compelling questions about developing a strategy for sustainability to guide us to a greener world.
Social Responsibility Committee of the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
C4S is assisting the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum through its service on this group’s Social Responsibility Committee. C4S Executive Director Dr. Deb Steketee is working with student interns and the committee to develop a guide to best practices in social responsibility being utilized by area businesses. Working with the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, Aquinas hosted and helped design the program for "Discovering Sustainability: A West Michigan Conversation" in 2009 and again in 2010.
The events involved inquiry, discovery, dialog and development of knowledge within the groups working and promoting sustainable business practices, with the intent of creating an asset mapping tool, sharing knowledge and creating a long-term strategy for a Sustainable West Michigan.
Sustainable Business for Non-Profits
As a part of our outreach activities, C4S aims to help guide businesses and non-profit organizations along their journey toward sustainability. As our Sustainable Business for Non-profits Intern, sustainable business student Liz Ivkovich developed an Environmental Management System for Pilgrim Manor, a Grand Rapids retirement community. Using information gathered during this trial period, we expect to expand our "Sustainable Business for Non-Profits" Program by offering teams of faculty-directed Aquinas students as a "mini-consulting firm" to tackle specific sustainability challenges within organizations.
Aquinas Baseline Inventory
As part of the Aquinas Sustainability initiative, the Center for Sustainability completed a full inventory of Aquinas processes, practices, and curricula in the areas of social, environmental, and financial capital for 2005/06 (FY), and an update for 2007/08 (FY). The inventory tasks have also been built into class assignments and student internships. The inventory is a multi-functional activity we expect to identify areas of opportunity and "low hanging fruit," and provide insight and measurement to guide the success of future sustainability programs. Sustainable Business students have contributed to the inventory’s development and completion through course-work as well as the efforts of Sustainability Initiative interns.
Program Director Jessica Eimer is working hard to develop a concise version of the report for release into the community. The Campus Sustainability Report should be available in print and electronic formats by fall 2011.
Aquinas College Sustainability Initiative
The Center serves as a central node for the networked activities of the Aquinas Campus Sustainability Initiative. Three standing sustainability committees, as well as a joint committee, were created in fall 2006 by the three college governing bodies. The result is a collaborative sustainability effort by staff, faculty, and students. All Aquinas members are encouraged to submit campus redesign ideas to make the college an even better place to work and learn.
Program Director Jessica Eimer provides support to develop these sustainability initiative proposals. Upon submission of a proposal, ideas are further developed with help from the corresponding sustainability committee and other interested parties, including teams of Sustainable Business students. The sustainability suggestion is then sent to AQ’s Provost for assessment and potential implementation. Upon approval, the Center for Sustainability is tasked with assisting in the implementation of the proposal.
For a list of successes of Aquinas' Sustainability Initiative, click here.
Students Striving for Sustainability Club
Along with Sustainable Business professor Dr. Matthew Tueth, Jessica Eimer (Program Director for the Center) serves as a co-advisor for Aquinas’ Student Striving for Sustainability Club which has joined C4S in hosting several sustainability-related events. The 30-member student organization represents an avenue for Sustainable Business students to take a proactive role in the business, social and environmental progress of the Aquinas College campus. The club also furthers students’ understanding and application of sustainability theory through discussions, conferences, fieldtrips, projects, and other activities.
Community Sustainability Partnership
Aquinas College is a founding partner of the Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP), a network of businesses, community members, and city administrators to facilitate the sharing of information, combination of strengths, and to take advantage of opportunities. The Center for Sustainability’s web site provides hosting services for the CSP web site and maintains a community calendar of sustainability-related events made available to CSP partners and endorsers. Center for Sustainability Program Director Jessica Eimer serves as AQ’s representative on the CSP Leadership Team.
www.grpartners.org
Virtual Communications
The C4S has developed its website as a community resource for individuals and organizations. Covering topics such as sustainable business, green buildings, energy use, government, and sustainability education, the site provides valuable information for a variety of audiences. Content continues to be refined and updated, and we are always open to suggestions or ideas to better serve you.
To educate the internal community and promote active participation in campus greening, the C4S developed the Aquinas (AQ) Sustainability Initiative web site in late 2006. In addition to a public track summarizing sustainability at the college, the initiative site provides AQ staff, faculty, and students with a virtual trading post for office supplies and furniture, and opportunity to comment on and submit sustainability proposals, and other pertinent resources.
Past Programs of the C4S
Participation in RecycleMania Competition
RecycleMania is a 10-week national recycling and waste minimization competition among over 600 institutions of higher education, aimed at promoting waste reduction activities. During the 2011 competition, AQ recycled over 3.5 tons of material (a 51% recycling rate) and finished 36th nationally in the Grand Champion category. The Center for Sustainability is largely tasked with promoting, tracking campus waste flows, and submitting the information to RecycleMania coordinators. Aquinas College began participating in RecycleMania during the spring 2009 competition.
www.recyclemania.org
Focus the Nation 2008
All across the U.S., schools, churches, civic organizations, and businesses organized a national teach-in on global climate change solutions called Focus the Nation. A variety of events for Focus the Nation were planned, including a green fair, a local lunch, showing of the 2% solution web cast, and lots of informal education. The week of activities culminated on January 31st, 2008 with a political roundtable discussion at Calvin College.
www.focusthenation.org
Community Recycling Day
In association with Comprenew Environmental, the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College hosted a free Community Recycling Day on October 17th, 2007. All Aquinas employees, students, and neighbors were encouraged to drop-off unwanted electronics- anything with a battery or cord. Office paper, junk mail, phone books, news paper, and cardboard were also accepted. We receive a great response for this event, collecting a total of 5,221 pounds of waste in a 4 hour period! Information about Comprenew: Comprenew, a not-for-profit, is an electronics recycling company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. All electronics that can be fixed, are repaired and sold in their store. Other materials are stripped into component parts and sold/given to local suppliers for reuse. Comprenew also operates an on-site Enviro-Academy for inner-city students.
Emerging Green Builders Competition
Sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Emerging Green Builders (EGB) Competition is an annual design competition for students and young professionals. Specifically, competition winners from local USGBC Chapters continue to the National competition each Fall. Jessica Eimer, Program Director at the Center for Sustainability, served on the EGB Committee for the West Michigan Chapter competition (2007/08). The competition featured Brookside Elementary, part of the Grand Rapids Public School district. For more information on the Emerging Green Builders Competition, please visit the web site below.
www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=116
Live Sustainably…the Choice is Yours
In celebration of Earth Day 2007, the Center for Sustainability organized a 100% Organic, Local dinner at Aquinas College. The April 23rd celebration featured the meal, the local band ‘Kinsfolk,’ and booths with information on sustainable agriculture from local organizations. The Earth Day celebration was held in the Wege Student Center’s cafeteria for Aquinas students and community members.
Sustainable Business Sherpa Series
C4S offers a Sustainable Business Sherpa Series, a three-part series providing an introduction to sustainable business, insights into social capital and practical approaches toward incorporating value-producing sustainability practices into organizations. The series, which is planned to be offered on a continuing basis, will feature faculty experts such as Dr. Matt Tueth, Chairperson of the Sustainable Business Department at Aquinas, Dr. Deb Steketee, Executive Director of the Center for Sustainability, as well as sustainability advocates such as Bill Stough, CEO of Sustainable Research Group. The intended audience of the Sherpa Series is regional business professionals from small- and medium-sized organizations seeking knowledge on the fundamentals of sustainable business.
“You are what you eat”
Aquinas College, in partnership with food service provider Chartwells, carefully examined the sustainable integrity and source of the food served on campus during the 2006/07 academic year. The college’s head chef was a member of the Farmer-Chef Collaborative, a group of West Michigan-area farmers and chefs working to increase local, organic food purchasing. Aquinas' began using Van Eerden Foodservice Company, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan for food distribution and local, organic mixed greens were served daily in the cafeteria's salad bar. Aquinas recently switched foodservice providers to Creative Dining Services ending the involvement of Aquinas with the Collaborative. However, the new company has a series of their own sustainability initiatives, such as a local turkey program. Creative Dining Services also uses Van Eerden for obtaining local produce.
Urban Organic Waste Management System
Aquinas College participated in a small-scale pilot project aimed at testing the feasibility of an urban organic waste management system in the City of Grand Rapids. The project brought together 10 area businesses, NGOs, and governmental organizations. Aquinas College performed an extensive food waste audit in 2006 to better understand the College’s waste stream. This data, in addition to information from other organizations, was used to evaluate the feasibility of a full-scale urban organic waste composting facility in an eco-industrial park located within Grand Rapids. The project was abandoned in 2007 because no party was able to take on the business venture. C4S Program Director Jessica Eimer served on the project’s steering committee.
Funded by the Steelcase Foundation of Grand Rapids, Michigan
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courtesy of Bigfoto
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