The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a network-based organization that produces a comprehensive sustainability reporting framework that is widely used around the world. GRI is committed to the Framework’s continuous improvement and application worldwide. GRI’s core goals include the mainstreaming of disclosure on environmental, social and governance performance.
In 2010 a Building Better Communities Immersive Learning team of students under the mentorship of Dr. Gwen White assembled the first-ever GRI Sustainability report for the university. Moreover, the group cross-referenced the framework of the GRI reporting to that of the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) .
Since 2014, Dr. Annette Rose has mentored the student teams assembling the annual reports.
In the spring of 2020, Dr. Rose and the project received a Ball State Immersive Learning Faculty Award. Watch the video of the award announcements.
Each report details organization, report parameters and governance used to describe the University’s environmental, economic and social performance.
Read full report for 2019 (PDF).
Read full report for 2017 (PDF).
Read full report for 2016 (PDF).
Read full report for 2015 (PDF).
Read full report for 2014 (PDF).
Read full report for 2013 (PDF).
Read full report for 2012 (PDF).
Read full report for 2011 (PDF).
Read full report for 2010 (PDF).
Click here for a GRI Sustainability Report done for the City of Bloomington, Indiana in 2013.
Click here for a GRI Sustainability Report done for the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 2013.
Although the GRI and STARS frameworks share common ground, each one provides a unique perspective on an organization’s progress toward sustainability-based development. To assist other universities wanting to use both frameworks, we have developed an Integration Tool for GRI and STARS Guidelines. This is presented in two versions: One compares GRI indicators to STARS; the other compares STARS to the GRI. The tool is available here.
Click here to read an October 2013 letter from former Ball State President Jo Ann Gora to the Director of the Global Reporting Initiative Focal Point USA and Canada.
GRI is an international independent organization that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate the impact of business on critical sustainability issues such as climate change, human rights, corruption and many others.
Ball State University reports are listed as a part of the GRI's Sustainability Disclosure Database.