Humboldt State University named to Princeton Review’s List of Greenest Schools

Humboldt State University has been selected as one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible schools by the Princeton Review and the U.S. Green Building Council.

The new Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges, which debuted this week, profiles campuses that excel at preparing and placing the next generation of “green” professionals. HSU was praised for its impressive sustainability initiatives, including the Humboldt Energy Independence Fund, the Schatz Energy Research Center and the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology, as well as the university’s many hands-on learning opportunities.

“‘Hands-on’ is the modus operandi for HSU’s sustainability curriculum,” the reviewers wrote “One hundred courses per semester specifically address the environment and sustainability, and there are opportunities for extensive research,
organic farming, and a number of student-taught classes on green topics like bike maintenance, permaculture, and the all-important LEED certification.”

The guide details each institution’s commitment to building certification using USGBC’s LEED green building certification program; environmental literacy programs; sustainability in the curriculum; transportation programs such as bus passes; use of renewable energy resources; recycling and conservation programs, and much more.

"It's a pleasure to be recognized for something that is so central to the essence of Humboldt State,” said HSU President Rollin Richmond. “Sustainability is a core principle here, and has been for many years. I hope this means that even more students who care about sustainability will find out about us and ultimately choose to study here."

Schools were chosen for review based on the “Green Rating” scores from summer 2009 when the Princeton Review published scores for 697 schools in its online college profiles and/or annual college guidebooks. The Princeton Review’s “Green Rating” is a numerical score from 60 – 99 that’s based on several data points (HSU received a score of 95). Of the schools that the Princeton Review gave “Green Ratings” to in 2009, the 286 schools profiled in the Guide all received scores in the 80th or higher percentile. Schools are listed alphabetically and are not ranked hierarchically.

The free guide can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/greenguide and www.usgbc.org/campus.

More information about Humboldt State’s commitment to sustainability is at www.humboldt.edu/green.