ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ

ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State Named One of 361 Green Colleges by The Princeton Review

The new 2016 edition of The Princeton Review’s β€œGuide to 361 Green Colleges” features ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ as one of the most environmentally responsible β€œgreen” colleges.

β€œIt is a recognition of the advancement we have made with regard to sustainability; we have been working toward sustainability for years,” said Melanie Knowles, sustainability manager for ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State. β€œWe have made progress in so many areas, and that has gotten us on the list.”

ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State is recognized for its focus on environmentally friendly transportation. The ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Campus has a free bus system, Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority (PARTA), and the Flashfleet bike sharing system. ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State is working to be a bicycle-friendly campus while trying to make alternative transportation options available to everyone on campus.

Knowles has submitted data to The Princeton Review since the green college list started in 2010, but this is the first year ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State’s score has met the threshold to make the list.

Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher of The Princeton Review, said in a statement that colleges on this list are strongly recommended for environmentally minded students seeking to live at green colleges. He noted there is a growing interest among college-bound students to attend green colleges.

β€œThe Princeton Review has a variety of criteria and works with the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS) created by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in higher education,” Knowles said. β€œThe Princeton Review takes certain credits from STARS and asks schools to submit data.”

The schools on the list were chosen based on the β€œGreen Rating” scores (60-99). A total of 640 college administrators were surveyed in summer 2016 to report on the schools’ sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. Green Rating scores of 80 or higher made The Princeton Review’s β€œGuide to 361 Green Colleges” list.

β€œWe continue to move forward in being environmentally responsible,” Knowles said. β€œFor example, we have another phase of our energy efficiency retrofits that is just getting underway; when the retrofit is complete, ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State will have reduced energy use by over 20 percent.”

Knowles takes pride in ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State being on the Green College list. It is an accomplishment showing ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State demonstrates sustainability to students from all areas of the university.

β€œI chose this career path because it is something I am passionate about,” Knowles said. β€œThe opportunity to incorporate sustainability in higher education is really unique and powerful.”

Guide readers can find highlights on each school, including use of renewable energy, recycling or conservation programs. The list can be accessed from the free, 160-page guide, downloadable at .

For more information about ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ State’s sustainability program, visit www.kent.edu/sustainability.

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Media Contacts:
Melanie Knowles, mknowle1@kent.edu, 330-672-3880
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595

POSTED: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 10:28 AM
Updated: Thursday, December 8, 2022 08:11 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Holly Disch