Clemson named ‘green’ college by Princeton Review

Published: April 26, 2010

CLEMSON — Clemson University is one of the country’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review. The nationally known education services company selected Clemson for inclusion in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges.”

Developed by The Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, the “Guide to 286 Green Colleges” is the first, free comprehensive guidebook focused solely on institutions of higher education that have demonstrated an above-average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.

The guide, which is based on a survey of hundreds of colleges nationwide, profiles the nation’s most environmentally responsible campuses, looking at an institution’s commitment to building certification using the Green Building Council’s LEED green building certification program; environmental literacy programs; formal sustainability committees; use of renewable energy resources; recycling and conservation programs; and more.

“Clemson is definitely moving forward in becoming more sustainable,” said Bob Bennett, associate director of admissions at Clemson. “Prospective students realize that sustainability is something that is very important for their future, and they are considering that when choosing a college. They want to go to school where being green is a priority.”

“I’m very proud for Clemson to be included in this guide,” said Ben Sill, chairman of Clemson’s President’s Commission on Sustainability. “Clemson has a lot left to do to truly become a ‘green’ campus, but it is something that we are pursuing very aggressively. It is great to be recognized for the progress we’ve made so far.”

The free guide can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/greenguide and www.usgbc.org/campus.

The Princeton Review chose the 286 schools included in the guide based on the “green rating” scores the schools received in summer 2009 when it published green rating scores for 697 schools in its online college profiles and annual college guidebooks. The Princeton Review’s green rating is a numerical score from 60 to 99 that is based on several data points. Of 697 schools that The Princeton Review gave green ratings to in 2009, the 286 schools in the “Guide to Green Colleges” received scores in the 80^th or higher percentile.

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