Bastyr University is one of the 322 most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S. and Canada, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company known for its test prep programs and college rankings, ratings and guidebooks, profiles Bastyr in the fourth annual edition of its free downloadable book, “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges.”
The Princeton Review chose the schools for this guide based on a 50-question survey it conducted in 2012 of administrators at hundreds of four-year colleges. The company analyzed data from the survey about the schools’ course offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation to measure their commitment to the environment and to sustainability.
Published April 16, a few days before the April 22 celebration of Earth Day, the 215-page guide highlights Bastyr University’s energy efficiency, LEED-Platinum certified Student Village; the fact that 90 percent of food expenditures at Bastyr go toward local, organic, and responsibly sourced products, and the University’s Dining Commons, which provides complete vegetarian options for all of its meals. “We work diligently to maintain a green environment for students, faculty and staff,” says Bastyr University Director of Facilities Gary Nevius. “To be recognized for the proactive steps we take to ensure an environmentally friendly campus, by an organization as well-renowned as The Princeton Review, is tremendously satisfying and quite an honor.”
Said Robert Franek, Senior VP/Publisher, The Princeton Review, “We are truly pleased to recommend Bastyr University along with all of the fine schools in this book to the many students seeking colleges that practice and promote environmentally-responsible choices and practices.” Franek noted his Company’s recent survey findings indicating significant interest among college applicants in attending “green” colleges. “Among 9,955 college applicants who participated in our 2013 ‘College Hopes & Worries Survey,’ 62 percent said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school,” he said. The Princeton Review created its “Guide to 322 Green Colleges” in partnership with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, with generous support from United Technologies Corp., founding sponsor of the Center for Green Schools.
How schools were chosen for the book
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) it reports in school profiles in its annual college guidebooks and website. The survey asked administrators more than 50 questions about their institution’s sustainability-related policies, practices and programs.
The Company reported Green Ratings for 806 institutions in summer 2012. The 322 schools in this guide received scores of 83 or above in that assessment. (Note: 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 www.princetonreview.com/green.aspx
