As the nation gears up to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, The Princeton Review, in collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), released the second annual edition of its unique, free guidebook saluting the nation's most environmentally responsible "green colleges."
The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 2011 Edition profiles 308 institutions of higher education in the United States and three in Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The 220-page book - the only free, comprehensive, annually updated guide to green colleges - can be downloaded at www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide.
The Princeton Review, well known for its education and test-prep services, first created this one-of-a-kind resource for college-bound students in 2010 in collaboration with USGBC, which is best-known for developing the LEED green building certification program. This past fall, USGBC launched its Center for Green Schools to increase its efforts to drive change in how campuses and schools are designed, constructed and operated so that all educational facilities can enhance student learning experiences.
College applicants using the guide will find in it:
- School profiles with application, admission, financial aid and student enrollment information
- "Green Highlights" write-ups detailing each school's most impressive environmental and sustainability initiatives - "Green Facts" sidebars reporting statistics and facts on everything from the school's use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies programs, and green jobs career guidance
- A glossary of 40+ green terms and acronyms from AASHE to "zero waste"
- Lists identifying schools in the book with various green distinctions - among them: those with LEED-certified buildings and those that are signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
The guidebook also has an introductory section discussing sustainability issues and advice on living green on campus. A final section "Stories from Campus," reports on ways 10 schools in the book chosen by USGBC are creatively addressing sustainability issues on their campuses in curriculum, transportation, student involvement and other areas.
"A green campus can transform the college experience for students through enhanced sustainability education and by creating healthy living and learning environments all while saving energy, water and money as part of an institution's bottom line," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO and Founding Chair, USGBC. "We launched the Center for Green Schools at USGBC with a vision of green schools for all within this generation. Partnering with The Princeton Review to provide this invaluable resource to college-bound students was a no-brainer for helping to create transformational change on these campuses."