Campus Greening: Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Founded in 1886, Aquinas College is continuing its strong tradition of leadership by becoming the only collegiate-level institution to offer an undergraduate major in Sustainable Business. The four-year curriculum includes training in traditional business and science courses combined with classes focused in environmental studies, sustainable energy systems, social capital, and sustainable business management. There are currently over 45 declared majors and enrollment continues to increase as the program grows. Aquinas College also offers a minor and a certificate program in Sustainable Business for undergraduates and a Sustainable Business concentration in its Master of Management Program. The program’s curriculum is rooted in the theories of Janine Benyus and William McDonough, both of whom our students have visited with.

To facilitate the ever-growing interest in Sustainable Business, the Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College (C4S) was developed in 2005. The Center is a web-based hub of information for consumers, business people, students, and governmental agencies interested in sustainable practices. The Center’s mission includes developing and advancing organizations and communities that promote economic vitality, natural world kinship, and social responsibility. Its initial programming focus is to undertake efforts to embed the sustainability paradigm into businesses. Students are actively involved in C4S projects through internships, employment, and a club named Students Striving for Sustainability.

Another aspect of the sustainability thread weaving throughout the culture of Aquinas is the Campus Sustainability Initiative. Three standing sustainability committees, as well as a joint committee, were created in Fall 2006 by the three college governing bodies to coordinate the sustainability efforts of staff, faculty, and students. All Aquinas members are encouraged to submit a campus redesign idea to make the college an even better place to work and learn. Upon submission, the idea is 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 the Provost for assessment and potential implementation. To further augment the effectiveness of the initiative, C4S is currently performing a full inventory of current Aquinas processes, practices, and curricula in the areas of social, environmental, and financial capital. The inventory tasks have been built into class assignments as well.

While the Sustainability Initiative structure is one avenue for organizational change, Aquinas also has a variety of campus greening programs already under way. The college is participating in a small-scale pilot project aimed at testing the feasibility of an urban organic waste management system in the City of Grand Rapids with 10 area businesses, nongovernmental groups, and governmental organizations. If the pilot project is successful, the partnership will help develop a full-scale urban organic waste composting facility in an eco-industrial park located within Grand Rapids.

Aquinas is also carefully examining the sustainable integrity and source of the food served on campus. The school’s head chef is a member of the Farmer-Chef Collaborative, a group of local farmers and chefs working to increase local, organic food purchasing. Using a “triple top line” standard, Aquinas community members are working with the campus food service company to examine the sources and practices used at farms growing food served at the college.

—Submitted by Jessica Eimer and Megan Cramer, The Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College