GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Silver Line has been running through metro Grand Rapids for more than a month, and Rapid officials said things are going well so far.
…She said the Rapid is seeing a lot of Grand Rapids Community College students and Spectrum Health employees riding the Silver Line.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College expects to save more than $850,000 over a 15-year period by mothballing its boilers and purchasing steam from a local provider.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is looking to make $315,000 worth of upgrades to two baseball fields at Belknap Park, a city-owned facility that GRCC athletic teams use for practice and games.
On December 8,, the Armen Awards, given at GRCC’s annual innovation contest, were presented to three of the eight finalist teams for their proposals on how to reduce on-campus parking by 50% by the year 2015.
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The winners were Pam Scott, Leah vanHartesveldt and Doug vanHartesveldt for their idea, “Raiders Ride the Rapid!,” a ride-pass partnership that would allow students to take the bus and also allow GRCC and The Rapid to compile useful information on route usage. For getting first place, the team received a $3,000 cash prize.
Second place, and a $1500 prize, went to Nathaniel Shapiro, Addie Duy Dong and David Friday for “Using Hybrid Classes.” A hybrid class is a combination of online tools and regular class sessions, which require fewer class sessions – so less parking is needed – but doesn’t entirely eliminate the face-to-face meetings most students prefer.
Third place went to Cadence Mercer-Curtis, Laura K. Byers and Mary Beth Beighley for their idea, “Community Involvement,” which seeks alternative parking places and better partnership with The Rapid. The team received $750.
The contest, now in its second year, has been presented by GRCC’s Innovation Team, a subgroup of its Keller Future Center. The contest has been funded by a long-time donor and college supporter Armen Oumedian.
Out of the more than 20 ideas submitted for this years competition, 8 of the Top 10 teams remain in the competition for the $3,000 grand prize. Come watch innovation in action in the Calkins Science Center Auditorium Thursday from 6 – 8 PM. This year’s teams have been competing to come up with the most innovative ideas for reducing the need for and use of on-campus parking by 50% by 2015. The first place team will receive $3000; second, $1500; and third, $750. The Armen Awards are named for Armen Oumedian, long-time GRCC donor and innovation enthusiast.
As we approach the Holiday season here are some guidelines when considering Holiday lights for your office or department:
If possible, purchase energy efficient Holiday lights and light bulbs such as LED lights (The LED lights use about 99 percent less energy than larger, traditional bulbs and last up to 100,000 hours when used indoors)
Cut down on the number of strings you use – Moderation is the key to saving energy while still allowing everyone to participate in the festive atmosphere
Try to keep your lights on for only two to five hours a day
Make sure to turn off your lights whenever you leave your office area, and when you leave for the day.
Save your lighting for the days closer to Holiday break
Americans use over 67,000,000 tons of paper each year or 600 pounds per person. (Source: Headwaters Cooperative Recycling, Inc.)
Do you event wonder what items go into the blue recycle bins you see around campus or in your work area? Look by a copy machine, under a desk, in a hall area…do you see a blue recycle bin? Some items to drop in those containers:
Cardboard
Mixed Office Paper (white or color)
Manila File Folders
Junk Mail, Newspaper & Inserts
Maps/Brochures
Magazines/Catalogs/Phone Books
Class Schedules
Did you know? In the manufacturing process of recycled paper
Do you own more than two non-functioning computers?
Could you build your own Transformers out of all the old appliances in the basement?
Do you have a new flat screen TV sitting on top of a 1980 console TV?
Are you saving a now-departed Brave Little Toaster on your back porch shelf?
Well, now’s your time to take control of your old, dusty, closet-killing electronics. Fill your car, van or truck and bring the whole embarrassing mess of outdated electronics over to a GRCC recycling station Wednesday, Thursday or Friday this week.
GRCC is stationing Comprenew’s e-Drop Trailers at three locations, all three days, all for free.
Bostwick Commons (Bostwick Ave., between Lyon and Fountain streets.) on GRCC’s Main Campus
Cook Administration Building (Corner of Prospect Ave. and Fulton St., NE Corner of parking lot) on GRCC’s DeVos Campus
Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center Loading Dock on Ransom St. (between Lyon and Fountain Streets) on GRCC’s Main Campus
The times for the collection are October 5 and 6 between 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; and October 7 from 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For a complete list of items that can be recycled visit grcc.edu/recycle
GRCC has teamed up with Comprenew to collect those unwanted electronics you’ve been wanting to get rid of around the house (or office). You know what these items are…old computers/monitors, keyboards, antique cell phones, televisions, power cords, speakers, printers, answering machines (what are those?), etc. You get the picture. The Comprenew e-Trailer will be available at these times and locations:
Date: October 5 – 7
Locations:
Bostwick Commons by the Student Center Loading Dock
DeVos Campus(Administration Building) Parking Lot-NE Corner. We will use the first two parking spots located by the concrete barriers.
ATC Small Loading Dock. This will be mostly for staff as the loading dock doors cannot stay open all day.
Trailers will open at 6:30am and lock at 7:00pm daily. For the complete list, click here. A big thanks to our friends at Comprenew for doing their part to reduce, reuse and recycle by offering this service to GRCC and the community at no cost.
GRCC was honored with the “Customer of the Year Award” From Consumers Energy’s Green Generation Program. Dr. Ender and Board Chair Margo Anderson accepted the award on behalf of the college. Read the full release here.
They’ve done it again. GRCC construction trades students have built another home for a Habitat for Humanity of Kent County family. But this one is different! It is Kent County’s first “net-zero” home. “Net-zero” means the home should create or save enough power to create zero utility expenses. You can see the large solar panels on the roof – and the sign out front that lists all the agencies that worked together to make this house happen.
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At Tuesday’s Open House the new homeowner Karen Libette (looking down from loft) was on hand to meet visitors and the building crew, led by GRCC Instructor Duane McIntyre, was there to answer questions. Karen, her five children and her mother, will move in on October 22 after the net-zero house is on the Spring and Fall Parade of Homes to show off its special sustainable qualities.
Notice the difference between the photo of the foundation, taken last February, which looks pretty small and the photo of the 5-bedroom house as it looks today.
Last week, the first ever “Armen Award” for innovation at GRCC was bestowed on teams comprised of students, faculty and staff for their ideas to make the college more sustainable and help reduce costs that the college faces. Watch the pitches, question and answer sessions, and the awards ceremony in its entirety here:
Tomorrow is Earth Day and the Sustainability Council is sponsoring WMEAC’s (West Michigan Environmental Action Council) concert at the Fountain Street Church tomorrow night! The Earth Day Celebration begins at 6pm with exhibits, food, and cash bar. The concert will feature Seth & May, Rachael & Dominic, plus Hawks & Owls starting at 7 p.m.
Final judging for GRCC’s innovation competition will take place Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Calkins Science Building Auditorium
Dr. Ender and GRCC Alumnus and Philanthropist, Armen Oumedian, who generously provided the prize money for the competition, will announce the winners for the first GRCC Innovation Competition. The 2010-11 competition topic was Sustainability. The question posed to teams was “How can we reduce our energy costs so that we can use these savings to benefit programs that support student success?”
Seven teams are in the final running. Each team has at least one faculty, one staff and one student. Prizes will be awarded for 1st place – $3,000; 2nd place – $1,500; and 3rd place – $750. Please come support your colleagues and students who entered this first time competition. Refreshments will be served.
The daily employee newsletter of Grand Rapids Community College 