The university has been recognized for the fifth year in a row as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the United States and Canada.
Elon University was named this week as one of the nation’s most “environmentally responsible green colleges” by the Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council.
“The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 Edition” profiles colleges that demonstrate a notable commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.
The Princeton Review chose schools based on a survey of administrators at hundreds of four-year colleges to measure institutional commitment to the environment and to sustainability.
Published April 17, a few days before the April 22 celebration of Earth Day, the 216-page guide is the only free comprehensive resource of its kind. The Princeton Review created the guide in partnership with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council.
The guide features essential information for applicants – facts and stats on school demographics, admission, financial aid – plus write-ups on school sustainability initiatives. A “Green Facts” sidebar reports on a wide range of topics from the school’s use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies and career guidance for green jobs.
Highlights from the Princeton Review’s profile of Elon include:
- Interdisciplinary environmental studies courses and additional courses that address sustainability-related topics
- The university’s green building policy in which new buildings 8,000 square feet or larger are required to pursue LEED certification. Elon currently has 19 LEED-certified buildings.
- BioBus services
- Building Dashboard that allows the campus community to track energy use in different buildings on campus
- Print management system
- Eco-Rep peer educator program
- Sustainability Faculty Scholars program which assists faculty members with incorporating sustainability principles into their curricula
- In-house yard waste composting, which yielded approximately 95 tons of compost in 2012-2013
“This recognition is great news and something worth celebrating as we head into Earth Day and Earth Week activities next week,” said Jessica Bilecki, education and outreach coordinator in the university’s Office of Sustainability.
Princeton Review officials lauded the schools that made the list for their commitment to the environment.
“We are pleased to recommend Elon University to the many students seeking colleges that practice and promote environmentally responsible choices and practices,” said Rob Franek, senior vice president and publisher of The Princeton Review. “Among 10,116 college applicants who participated in our 2014 ‘College Hopes & Worries Survey,’ 61 percent said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school.”