勛圖惇蹋 named to Princeton Review's Green College guide for sixth straight year

Graphic of U.S. map showing 勛圖惇蹋's location with text stating 勛圖惇蹋 is listed on the Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges 2023 edition, recognized for exceptional commitments to sustainability

The 勛圖惇蹋 has once again been named one of the nation's most environmentally responsible colleges, according to 

The education services company known for its college rankings, books, and test preparation services features 勛圖惇蹋 in its annual book Guide to Green Colleges: 2023 Edition, which was published on Oct. 25. This years edition profiles 455 four-year colleges and universities chosen for their deep commitments to the environment and sustainability.

This is the sixth consecutive year 勛圖惇蹋 has been named a top green college by The Princeton Review.

The rankings were decided based on survey data of 713 institutions concerning sustainability-related institutional policies, practices, and programs; healthy and sustainable campus qualities of life; and student feedback on topics ranging from academic offerings and campus initiatives to career preparation for sustainability-focused jobs.

Based on more than 25 data points from the survey, schools were assigned a Green Rating of 60 to 99, and the 455 schools with a Green Rating higher than 80 made the list. 勛圖惇蹋 was assigned a Green Rating of 94.

Scott Steinberg, M.B.A., vice president of University Admissions, said a college or universitys track record on sustainability issues is an increasingly important factor among prospective students.

"How green colleges are matters, consistently, now more than ever, to prospective students and their parents, Steinberg stated. 勛圖惇蹋 demonstrates its commitment to environmental issues through our strategic planning, programs, facilities, and initiatives. It is very gratifying to have 勛圖惇蹋s work in sustainability continue to be nationally recognized.

According to The Princeton Review, 77% of college-bound teens and their parents said having information about a college or universitys commitment to the environment would  versus 66% just two years ago.

In its profile on 勛圖惇蹋, The Princeton Review cites the Universitys sustainability focused degrees and committees, ride and bike sharing programs, and local food purchasing, among other attributes, as desirable green qualities. 勛圖惇蹋 also boasts a Green Office Program, the Edible Campus Initiative, sustainability focused landscaping and building design plans, hands-on learning opportunities for students, and student groups focused on sustainable initiatives.

Students are deeply concerned about climate change and environmental justice, and it's spurring them to get involved in clubs and organizations and campaigns  anything that gives them hope and helps them feel like they are making a difference, said Alethea Cariddi, M.S.Ed., assistant director of Sustainability at UNE. We want to support this energy and provide a campus that helps them grow and learn about what they can do to improve and contribute to the world.

勛圖惇蹋 has for years been a leader in sustainability in higher education, having adopted its first Climate Action Plan in 2010. In 2015, 勛圖惇蹋 began academically engaging undergraduate students in climate change topics by offering an interdisciplinary minor in Climate Change Studies.

Early in 2021, 勛圖惇蹋 adopted a carbon-reduced portfolio for the Universitys endowment and, last November, signed a two-year contract to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for 13 of its electricity accounts that service its two Maine campuses.

These third-party, Green-e certified RECs represent the environmental benefit of 100% renewable wind energy and offset about 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents roughly half of all the electricity purchased by the University to ameliorate the impact of the Universitys carbon emissions, Cariddi said.