News

UI listed in Princeton Review's 'Green College' Guide

April 22, 2010

The University of Iowa is listed in "The Princeton Review's Guide to 286 Green Colleges," developed by The Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The guidebook focuses on institutions that have demonstrated an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.

The publication looks at an institution's commitment to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building certification program; environmental literacy programs; formal sustainability committees; use of renewable energy resources; recycling and conservation programs, and more.

Liz Christiansen, director of the UI Office of Sustainability, said she is pleased that the UI's sustainability efforts were recognized, and added that the progress reflects the hard work and dedication of faculty, staff and students to meet the challenges in President Sally Mason's commitment to strengthening the university's focus on sustainability.

In the section about the UI, the Princeton Review writes: "With Big 10 athletics, a world-renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop, and a reputation as a public Ivy already to its credit, now the University of Iowa can add green campus trailblazer to its list of accomplishments." The section also notes that the UI was one of the first universities to join the Chicago Climate Exchange, which requires the UI to achieve a 6 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010. The UI has an Energy Conservation and Management Plan has a target of 10 percent energy reduction and 15 percent energy from renewable sources by 2013.

Christiansen said the UI has several successful sustainability programs, including a student garden, an undergraduate certificate in sustainability studies, and several energy conservation and renewal projects.

The guide is available at http://www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx.