North Central College ranks among the top green colleges in North America

For the third straight year, North Central College joins The Princeton Review’s list of “greenest” colleges in North America for its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The Princeton Review, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, released its fourth annual “Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition.” The book includes a list of standards for judging some 806 colleges, as well as descriptions of each college’s environmentally conscious features.
 
North Central College submitted a rigorous, 50-question survey to The Review, detailing its environmentally responsible practices. The College supports its green initiative with composting, an expanded “Recycle Right” program, campus dining sustainability practices, a community garden, and a robust alternative transportation program that includes a bicycle and car-sharing program, free shuttle service, electric vehicle charging station and two all-electric cars for Campus Safety patrols.

The Princeton Review also cited North Central’s 201,439-square-foot Residence Hall/Recreation Center, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver-certified building, for its efficient use of space and energy-friendly design. In addition to an active Sustainability Committee, the College employs a full-time sustainability coordinator and was among the first institutions of higher education in Illinois to seek gold status in 2011 and pledge to achieve the state’s highest recognition for energy-saving and environmentally friendly initiatives.

A significant section of The Princeton Review’s survey examines a college’s ability to prepare students for “green” jobs after graduation. The survey highlights North Central’s environmental studies minor with internship opportunities at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill., Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and other environmentally focused businesses. The survey also highlights the College’s Career Development Center’s focus on placing students in “green” jobs. The book is available for download at princetonreview.com/green-guide.

At North Central College, sustainability is the collective effort of students, faculty, staff and visitors working toward the development of a socially just, environmentally responsible and economically functional campus community.

By Troy Kelleher ’16