This image was taken from the cover of Grand Rapids Magazine, wherein a feature story details how West Michigan, and particularly Grand Rapids has displayed an extraordinary commitment to environmental sustainability. From Mayor George Heartwell's efforts to purchase 100% renewable energy for all government buildings in Grand Rapids to Guy Bazzani of Bazzani Associates designing some of the most innovative environmentally sustainable buildings in the country to the new Metropolitan Health Hospital integrating key environmentally sound technologies into its operations and building to the outstanding example of local companies like Herman Miller that are working to eliminate all waste from their operations by 2020; Grand Rapids, and Western Michigan, generally, is doing some amazing work to improve our impact on this world and manage natural and limited resources more effectively.But while the Grand Rapids community continues to display forward thinking and progress with regards to an improved commitment to environmental sustainability, I do not see the same commitment being displayed here at Calvin College in Grand Rapids. It is true that in 2004 the college completed the Vincent and Helen Bunker Interpretive Center that makes use of cutting edge technologies to showcase environmentally sustainable practice. Indeed, the college should be applauded for construction of this building. However, since the completion of this building, Calvin College's commitment to the environment has been less clear, in fact, there are signs of regression in its commitment to the environment.
Take a quick walking tour of the campus, and you will be astonished by the amount of new construction taking place. In the past year the foundations and framework for the new Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex have been completed, as well as a completely new extension to the existing dorm of Kalsbeek-Huizenga. Additionally, plans are in place to completely renovate the interior of the Fine Arts Center as well as construct an entirely new building that will serve as Student Commons. In short, Calvin College is undergoing massive building projects as it continues to grow and change. But does Calvin display the same commitment in these building projects as it did in the construction of the Bunker Interpretive Center?
The answer to that question is not nearly so clear. While the Bunker Interpretive center is a LEED certified building, exemplifying some of the highest standards in the building industry for environmental sustainability, the new buildings are not forecasted to be LEED certified. Surveying the web pages revealing news, progress, pictures, and statements about the new buildings, there is little hint of any substantial commitment to environmental sustainability (http://www.calvin.edu/campaign/priorities/fieldhouse/). Certainly one hopeful sign is that one floor within the new dorm wing will be reserved for students passionate about environmental stewardship. My growing fear, though, is that Calvin College does not exercise a consistent ethic of environmental care. Instead, administration adopts a utilitarian analysis wherein an emphasis on environmental care is only warranted when it will help the bottom line, which more often than not seems to be about the economics. Undoubtedly, the new buildings will be great for glossy publications that the college sends out to attract prospective students, but in the meantime, are we taking care of the natural environment that our campus exists within and affects?
If the administration fails to exhibit as equally strong of an environmental commitment to new buildings and building renovations as they did with the Bunker Interpretive center, they threaten to reduce the Bunker Interpretive Center to a mere token effort instead of a monument representing the beginning of something truly transformational and powerful happening here on Calvin College's campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. So while, as the Grand Rapids Magazine article highlights, West Michigan, and especially Grand Rapids, is showing strong signs of "going green," Calvin has yet to prove itself in such respect. Moreover, for Calvin College, in particular, the stakes are not merely whether they will join a national awakening to environmental stewardship or not, but rather, will they live up to their asserted claims of a Christian commitment to stewardship of creation and daily efforts to bring about Shalom, that future day when all of humanity, God, and nature will exist in right relationship with one another.
