UNC Chapel Hill is one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S.A. and Canada, according to The Princeton Review (http://www.princetonreview.com/). The well-known education services company selected UNC Chapel Hill for inclusion in the just-released second annual edition of its free downloadable book, “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 2011 Edition."
Created by The Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) (http://www.usgbc.org/), "The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges” is the only free, comprehensive guidebook profiling institutions of higher education that demonstrate a notable commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The Princeton Review chose the schools for this guide based on a survey of administrators at hundreds of colleges that the Company polled in 2010 about their school's sustainability initiatives.
Released on April 20, just two days prior to the April 22 celebration of the 41st Anniversary of Earth Day, the guide has profiles of the colleges that provide application information plus facts, stats, and write-ups reporting on the schools' environmentally related policies, practices and academic offerings. The free guide can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide
The Princeton Review first created this one-of-a-kind resource for college-bound students in 2010 with the U.S. Green Building Council, which is best known for developing the LEED standard for green building certification. This past fall, USGBC launched its Center for Green Schools (www.centerforgreenschools.org) 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-bound students are increasingly interested in sustainability issues," said Robert Franek, Senior VP, Publishing, The Princeton Review. “Among 8,200 college applicants who participated in our spring 2011 'College Hopes & Worries Survey,' nearly 7 out of 10 (69%) said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school," he added. "Together with the USGBC, we are pleased to make this free resource available to all students seeking to attend colleges that practice, teach and support environmentally-responsible choices. We highly recommend the colleges in this book."
UNC Chapel Hill joins the ranks of outstanding universities and colleges nationwide that are leading the “green” movement through their own special programs and initiatives. “By advancing a culture of sustainability, Carolina ensures that ‘going green’ is a core value campus-wide. From ground-breaking research to daily campus operations, the University strives to be a ‘living laboratory’ for sustainability in North Carolina by developing and implementing innovative sustainability solutions. As such, we have been on the forefront of the sustainability movement. Our high Green Rating is a proud recognition of our accomplishments, and a motivational reminder that sustainability is an ongoing process. Carolina’s success depends on the hard work and enthusiasm of its students, faculty, staff, and campus leadership. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities as we work together towards a greener, more sustainable future,” said Brian Cain, Research and Outreach Manager for UNC Chapel Hill’s Sustainability Office.
"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."
How Schools Were Chosen for the Book
The Princeton Review chose the 311 schools based on a survey it conducted in 2010 of hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada to tally its annual "Green Rating" scores (scaled from 60 to 99) of colleges for its school profiles in its college guidebooks and website. The survey asks administrators more than 50 questions about their institution's sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. The Company tallied Green Ratings for 703 institutions in summer 2010. The 311 schools in this guide received scores of 80 or above in that assessment. (Note: The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in this guide hierarchically (1 to 311) according to their Green Rating scores, nor does it include those scores in this book's school profiles.) Information about The Princeton Review’s Green Rating methodology and its "Green Honor Roll" list saluting schools that received Green Ratings of 99 is at http://www.princetonreview.com/green.aspx
About UNC Chapel Hill
Carolina’s vibrant people and programs attest to the University’s long-standing place among leaders in higher education since it was chartered in 1789 and opened its doors for students in 1795 as the nation’s first public university. Situated in the beautiful college town of Chapel Hill, N.C., UNC has earned a reputation as one of the best universities in the world. Carolina prides itself on a strong, diverse student body, academic opportunities not found anywhere else, and a value unmatched by any public university in the nation.
About The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review (Nasdaq: REVU) has been a pioneer and leader in helping students achieve their higher education goals for more than 28 years through college and graduate school test preparation and private tutoring. With more than 165 print and digital publications and a free website, www.PrincetonReview.com, the Company provides students and their parents with the resources to research, apply to, prepare for and learn how to pay for higher education. The Princeton Review partners with schools and guidance counselors throughout the U.S. to assist in college readiness, test preparation and career planning services, helping more students pursue postsecondary education. The Company also owns and operates Penn Foster Education Group, a global leader in online education. Penn Foster provides career-focused degree and vocational programs in the fields of allied health, business, technology, education and select trades through the Penn Foster High School and Penn Foster Career School (http://www.pennfoster.edu/). The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University and not a magazine.
About the U.S. Green Building Council
The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprised of 79 local affiliates, 16,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 155,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.
About the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is how USGBC is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From the kindergartner entering the classroom to the Ph.D. student performing research in a lab, the Center provides the resources and support to elevate dialogue, accelerate policy and institute innovation toward green schools and campuses. Thanks in part to generous support from founding sponsor United Technologies Corporation (http://www.utc.com/), the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information, please visit www.centerforgreenschools.org
###
Media Contacts:
UNC Chapel Hill: Brian Cain, 919-843-5295, brian.cain@fac.unc.edu
The Princeton Review: Jeanne Krier, 212- 539-1350, jeanne@jeannekrier.com
U.S. Green Building Council: Marisa Long, 202-552-1500, mlong@usgbc.org
