The Princeton Review’s 2015 “Guide to 353 Green Colleges” has named Willamette University as one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges.
Created in collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council, the guide profiles colleges and universities that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.
The Review gave Willamette a “Green Rating” of 98 on a scale of 60-99, highlighting its Sustainability Committee, academic programs centered on sustainability and commitment to purchasing organic and local food.
New to the 2015 edition is a ranking list of the “Top 50 Green Colleges” — in which Willamette placed 13th. This ranking factors in student survey responses about the impact of sustainability issues on education and campus life.
At Willamette, the Sustainability Committee is focused on improving green practices within student spaces, as well as increasing awareness of and engagement with sustainability.
Through the student-financed Green Initiative Fund, the committee is implementing green systems in lab spaces and zero waste practices at McCulloch stadium. It allocated funds to increase covered and secure bike parking, and it helped students conduct a campuswide assessment of recycling bins and signs and craft a plan to standardize recycling practices next year.
View the Princeton Review guide at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide or www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide.
• Article by Emma Jonas ’15, creative writing major