The Princeton Review counted Southern Oregon University as one of its selected green schools in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges.” In the fifth annual edition, The Princeton Review and its collaborator, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, present some of the most environmental friendly schools in America and Canada today.
“We are pleased to recommend SOU to the many students seeking colleges that practice and promote environmentally-responsible choices and practices,” said Rob Franek, senior vice president and publisher of the Princeton Review.
The guide highlighted SOU for its leadership and progress in green and renewable activities. Specifically, it praised the school for being the first institution to offset 100% of its water use, and for being “the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power.”
“Being green is an important part of our culture at SOU, both for students and the administration,” said Roxane Beigel-Coryell, SOU Sustainability & Recycling Coordinator. “SOU is honored to be featured in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges.”
The guide gives more than just information about the different sustainability methods and activities from schools across North America. It also provides general information about each university: majors, tuition and other basic facts. The Princeton Review and the Center for Green Schools intended it to show high school students the greenest schools they could attend.
According to Franek, 61% of students who took the “College Hopes & Worries Survey” said that knowing a school’s commitment to the environment and sustainability would affect their decision on where to apply and attend college.
The Princeton Review and the Center for Green Schools choose the schools for the guide through surveys. Administration from over 800 four-year institutions receive the survey that covers many aspects of sustainability on and around campus such as “the schools’ course offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.” Scores are calculated on a scale from 60 to 99. Schools that received a score of 83 or higher were placed in the book. Schools that scored a 99 achieved being on the Green Honor Roll.
The book itself does not rank or present the scores of the schools, but they can be found at the Princeton Review’s website.
The Princeton review is one of the leading companies in test preparation and college admission services. It helps students in the process of applying for higher education institutions through tutoring, test preparation and financial aid advice. The company also collaborates with school districts and other non-profit organizations to foster more “college readiness” among graduating students.
The U.S. Green Building Council is an organization that supports cost-efficient and green building. It is known for the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo and the Center for Green Schools. It works to support green build and communities through local chapters and affiliates across the country, and supports advocates in creating more sustainable and environmentally friendly public policy.
The Center for Green Schools is dedicated making sure every student in this generation has an opportunity to attend a green school. This does not include only secondary education institutions but primary schools as well. They work with school officials, teachers, students, elected officials and communities to help the nation’s schools become sustainable places for all students and staff.
