Aquinas College was the first college to offer an undergraduate major in sustainable business, with a four-year curriculum that combines formal business training with environmental studies, perfect for preparing an army of students for the green-collar jobs of the future. The interest in sustainable business at Aquinas – located in Grand Rapids, Michigan – led to the creation of the school’s Center for Sustainability, a student-run and faculty-directed organization that provides a web-based source of info for anyone interested in sustainable practices.
The Center for Sustainability is, indeed, a treasure trove of information for consumers, non-profits, businesspeople, students and governmental agencies. They’ve compiled a comprehensive collection of information about resource issues, government and sustainability, sustainable community design, sustainability in education and much more. In addition to the online resources, the Center for Sustainability conducts conferences and workshops and maintains an extensive list of publications on sustainability.
But, their work on this impressive resource is far from the only way Aquinas College shows leadership in sustainability. Their efforts on campus – also orchestrated by the Center for Sustainability – show true dedication to environmental stewardship. Aquinas College President Balog signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in June 2008, promising to create a strategy to greatly reduce Aquinas College’s footprint in the coming years. A comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory is already underway to find ways the college can improve and meet this ambitious goal.
More and more eco-friendly initiatives have been put in place on campus, including the conservation of resources through a ‘Tray-Less Tuesdays’ program and controlled-use paper towel dispensers. The Grace Hauenstein Library is the first building on campus to receive LEED silver certification, with innovations like using locally-sourced, low-VOC building materials. Students are also asked to submit sustainability proposals for new green programs, and some projects currently in the works include community bikes, electronic waste recycling and non-toxic cleaning products.
The college’s sustainable business program is one that will surely be emulated by other colleges and universities as our world shifts toward sustainability in all aspects of everyday life. The degree requirements include a combination of business, physical science, environmental studies and sustainable business courses and an internship with a company or organization where students get real-life business experience. There are already dozens of companies eagerly waiting for Aquinas sustainable business graduates, and there’s a lot of promise in this booming field.
Check out the program at the Aquinas College Sustainable Business website for details, and pass it along to high school students who might be interested!
Link [Aquinas College]
