Jersey City, N.J. – April 29, 2014 – Saint Peter’s University today announced that for the first time it has been included in “The Princeton Review’s Annual Guide to 332 Green Colleges,” now in its fifth edition. A presence on this list means Saint Peter’s is one of the 332 most environmentally responsible colleges in the United States and Canada, according to The Princeton Review, an education services company known for its test prep programs and college rankings, ratings and guidebook profiles. The guide is published in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools and salutes colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and sustainability.
Colleges and universities are ranked with a “Green Rating” score ranging from 60 to 99. The score is based on the institution’s environmental and sustainability-related policies, practices and academic offerings. All schools that earn a score of 83 or higher are included in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges”, which is available to be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide.
“We are very pleased to be recognized for our efforts in sustainability, particularly by leading organizations like The Princeton Review and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “As a Jesuit institution, we believe caring for the earth is our ethical responsibility. Our ongoing commitment to sustainability demonstrates our dedication and it is becoming increasingly more important to our current and prospective students.”
In the guide’s profile on Saint Peter’s University, The Princeton Review highlights the University’s new undergraduate major in environmental science and major in biology with a concentration in environmental science. The profile also features the sustainability-oriented student groups such as Students Against Violating the Earth (SAVE) and the Junkyard Dogs. The Mac Mahon Student Center, which is a LEED-Silver building, is also highlighted along with previous green projects at Saint Peter’s including the implementation of 100 percent renewable energy generated by wind power as the sole source of purchased electricity and the University’s Climate Action Plan.
“We are pleased to recommend Saint Peter’s University 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. “Among 10,116 college applicants who participated in our 2014 ‘College Hopes & Worries Survey,’ 61 percent said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school.”
“In collaborating with The Princeton Review on this annual guide, we have seen that sustainability on campuses continues to be an important deciding factor for today’s four-year college bound students,” said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. “We are excited to once again provide prospective students and their parents with a resource to help them navigate this often daunting decision-making process.”
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Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit www.saintpeters.edu.
The Princeton Review is a leading test preparation and college admission services company. Every year it helps millions of college- and graduate school-bound students achieve their education and career goals through its test preparation, tutoring, and admissions services, its online resources, and its more than 150 print and digital books published by Random House LLC. The Company delivers its services via a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors in the U.S.A. and Canada, and through its international franchises in 14 other countries. The Company also partners directly with school districts and non-governmental organizations to provide students with college readiness services including college selection, test preparation, financial aid advice, and admissions support. The Princeton Review is headquartered in Natick, MA, and is privately held. For more information, visit www.princetonreview.com and www.facebook.com/ThePrincetonReview. Follow the Company’s Twitter feed @ThePrincetonRev
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From kindergarten to college and beyond, the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information, visit centerforgreenschools.org or find us on Twitter and Facebook.
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Angeline Boyer
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