Washington University named to list of ‘greenest’ schools

Washington University in St. Louis has been named to The Princeton Review’s list of the most environmentally responsible “green colleges” in North America.

The Princeton Review, in collaboration with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, named WUSTL to The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition, which profiles 320 schools in the U.S. and two in Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.

“We are happy to be recognized for our extraordinary efforts in the area of sustainability,” said Hank Webber, executive vice chancellor for administration. “Our new $30 million Energy Conservation Investment, along with our Less is More campaign, will serve to strengthen our already robust commitment to sustainable operations, community and teaching and research.”

For more information on WUSTL’s Commitment to Action, visit news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/25161.aspx.

The 215-page book — the only free, comprehensive, annual guide to green colleges — can be downloaded at princetonreview.com/green-guide.

Washington University is one of three Missouri schools to be included. The others are Drury and the University of Missouri-Columbia.

For more information on sustainability at Washington University, visit sustain.wustl.edu.

How schools were chosen

The Princeton Review chose the schools based on a survey it conducted of hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada in 2012 to tally its “Green Ratings” (scores from 60 to 99). The survey asked administrators more than 50 questions about their institution’s sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. The 322 schools in this guide received scores of 83 or above in that assessment. The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in this guide 1 to 322, nor does it include their Green Rating scores in the book’s school profiles. Information about The Princeton Review’s Green Rating methodology and its “Green Honor Roll” saluting 21 schools that received Green Ratings of 99 is at princetonreview.com/green.aspx.