For the 13^th year in a row, Eastern Connecticut State University is recognized in the Princeton Review’s “Guide to Green Colleges.” More than 700 schools were reviewed for their green practices, and Eastern was selected as one of 455 schools recognized for prioritizing sustainability and environmentally conscious initiatives.

In order to be recognized by the Princeton Review, universities are examined through the following standards: whether students have a campus quality of life that is both healthy and sustainable; how well a school is preparing students for employment in the clean-energy economy of the 21st century and for citizenship in a world now defined by environmental concerns and opportunities; and how environmentally responsible a school's policies are.

Among Eastern's "green" features include its utilization of 100% renewable energy, a pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2030, five high-efficiency buildings that are LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), electric vehicle charging stations, a composting program in the dining hall and more. Eastern President Elsa Núñez is also a leader in sustainability among the entire higher education sector, serving as a board member of Second Nature and chair of the Climate Leadership Steering Committee.  

Additionally, over the last 22 years, Eastern's Institute for Sustainability has established the University as a state and regional leader in environmental sustainability and advocacy. The Institute has helped Connecticut municipalities, schools and government agencies improve energy efficiency, redesigned school curricula and advocated for carbon footprint reductions.

"Eastern's recognition as a Green College signals to prospective students and their families that we align programs, policy and practice to meet our sustainability goals," said Patty Szczys, director of the Institute for Sustainability. "Students can expect to find a sustainability thread connecting academic, student life and pre-professional opportunities at Eastern that empower the next generation of problem-solvers and change-makers."

The Institute works closely with the Environmental Earth Science Department to provide Eastern students with internship opportunities in the field of renewable energy and sustainability and partners with the University's Office of Facilities Management and Planning on a host of green campus initiatives ranging from recycling programs to lighting retrofits.

Each year, the Princeton Review assembles a panel of experts in higher education green practices to produce a survey for college and university administrators across the country. Ratings are produced based on the school’s responses to the survey.

To learn more about sustainability at Eastern, visit the Sustainability website. To learn more about Princeton Review’s 2023 Guide to Green Colleges, visit the Guide to Green Colleges.