Three Cheers for Collegiate Green
I was thrilled – but not surprised – that my alma mater, the University of Colorado at Boulder, won the #1 spot on the Sierra Club’s ranking of green colleges!
Sierra Club ranked schools by eight categories: efficiency, energy, food, academics, purchasing, transportation, waste management, and administration. The U of C was the only college to get two perfect ratings (a 10 on a scale from1-10), earning them in transportation and waste management
The College Sustainability Report Card also gave the University of Colorado high marks…an overall grade of A-. Their scorecard highlighted new buildings and major renovations that meet LEED Gold standards – there are currently four LEED-certified buildings on campus, and three new buildings are LEED Gold-certified. They also cited something close to my heart – and tummy – local food! The U of C buys food from five to eight local producers, including a ground beef supplier and a dairy, and offers students natural, organic, and local food options on campus.
Painting Animal House Green
According to a recent survey by the Princeton Review, nearly two-thirds of college applicants say they’d value having information about a college’s commitment to the environment. Of these respondents, 24% said the information would impact their decision to apply or to attend the school.
This is great news for the future of the planet – not to mention cynics who think that keg parties and Greek life are the only decision-making drivers for impressionable high schoolers as the canvas their college options.
If you’re campus bound, check out our top tips for healthy college living – or share them with your favorite student! And as always, let us know what you think about the greening of America’s colleges and universities. We love hearing from you!
