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Niagara University again makes Princeton Review's 'Green Colleges' list

by jmaloni
Mon, May 16th 2011 03:15 pm

For the second consecutive year, students headed to college can select where to go to school based on the question: How green is it?

And for the second straight year, Niagara University is ranked among the country's most environmentally responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com). The well-known education and test-prep service company has partnered with the U.S. Green Building Council to release the second annual edition of a free guidebook that recognizes the nation's "greenest" colleges.

"The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 2011 Edition" profiles 308 higher-education institutions in the U.S. and three in Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.

"We are extremely proud to be featured in this high-profile publication once again as it speaks to Niagara University's ongoing campus-wide commitment to sustainability," stated David Ederer, chair of Niagara's Sustainability Task Force. "This honor is really a manifestation of the incredible efforts that so many students, faculty and staff have put forth to create a more sustainable campus and I'm very pleased to see these efforts recognized."

NU maintained its ranking as one of the outstanding universities and colleges nationwide that are leading the "green" movement through their own special programs and initiatives.

Within the past three months, NU has won a contest sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo that will furnish it with a $3,000 grant to construct a community vegetable garden and initiated a series of online videos focused on highlighting university sustainability efforts. This week, solar panels are being installed on the roof of Dwyer Arena to offset the unique electrical requirements of the ice hockey arena, especially during the summer months.

The "Guide to 311 Green Colleges" features school profiles with application, admission, financial aid and student enrollment information. Green highlights show the school's environmental and sustainability initiatives and sidebars report statistics and facts on the school's use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs, and the availability of environmental studies programs and green jobs career guidance.

"College-bound students are increasingly interested in sustainability issues," said Robert Franek, senior vice president of publishing at The Princeton Review. "Among 8,200 college applicants who participated in our spring 2011 'College Hopes & Worries Survey,' nearly seven out of 10 told us that having information about a school's commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school."

The Princeton Review chose the 311 schools based on a survey it conducted in 2010 of hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada to tally its annual "Green Rating" scores. The survey asked administrators more than 50 questions about their institution's sustainability-related policies, practices and programs.

The free guidebook can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx.

For more information on Niagara University's commitment to sustainability, visit http://www.niagara.edu/green.

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