Free Guidebook Profiles 286 Green Colleges
The Princeton Review, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), has profiled the most environmentally responsible campuses in the United States in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges”. The guidebook is free and focuses on higher education institutions that have demonstrated an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.
The Princeton Review helps students achieve their higher education goals through college and graduate school test preparation and private tutoring.
From solar panel study rooms to the percentage of budget spent on local/organic food, the guidebook looks at an institution’s commitment to building certification using USGBC’s LEED program; environmental literacy programs; formal sustainability committees; use of renewable energy resources; recycling and conservation programs, and more.
Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher, The Princeton Review, said that “Sixty-four percent of the nearly 12,000 college applicants and parents who participated in our recent College Hopes & Worries Survey said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would impact their decision to apply to or attend it. We created this Guide to help them evaluate how institutions focus on environmental responsibility so they can make informed decisions as they move through the college assessment and application process.”
“Beyond the cost savings to an institution, even the simplest aspects of a green campus, such as increased use of natural light, have been found to improve student learning and quality of life,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer
and founding chair, USGBC. “Higher education is a top priority market segment for USGBC because graduates of green colleges become incredible drivers of change when they call for similar surroundings in their jobs and communities.”
The guide also provides information on schools that have dedicated environmental studies curriculums.
The Princeton Review chose the schools profiled in the guidebook using “Green Rating” scores the schools received in summer 2009 in the company's online college profiles and/or annual college guidebooks. The rating is a numerical score from 60 – 99 that’s based on several data points. Of 697 schools rated in 2009, only 286 received scores in the 80th or higher percentile.