Cleveland State University is one of the nation¡¯s most environmentally responsible colleges according to The Princeton Review. The education services company included CSU in the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review¡¯s Guide to 399 Green Colleges.

Published October 16, the ranking can be accessed at princetonreview.com/green-guide.

The Princeton Review chose the schools for the ninth annual edition of its "green guide" based on data from the company's 2017-18 survey of 648 four-year colleges. The schools on the list were chosen for their ¡°Green Rating¡± score (on a scale of 60 to 99) based on a school's sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. Green Rating scores of 80 or higher made The Princeton Review¡¯s ¡°Guide to 399 Green Colleges¡± list.

¡°It is an honor to be included in the Princeton Review¡¯s Guide to Green Colleges for the first time, says Jennifer McMillin, director of sustainability at CSU. ¡°This recognition of our efforts over the years will inspire us to reach for even more ambitious goals in the next stage of our journey toward a more sustainable campus.¡± 

"We strongly recommend Cleveland State University and the other fine colleges in this guide to the many environmentally-minded students who seek to study and live at green colleges," said The Princeton Review's Robert Franek, Editor-in-Chief.

Franek noted that college applicants and their parents are increasingly concerned about the environment and sustainability issues.  Among nearly 11,000 teens and parents The Princeton Review surveyed earlier this year for its 2018 "College Hopes & Worries Survey," 63 percent said having information about a college's commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school.

The Princeton Review cites the availability of sustainability focused degrees, employment of a university sustainability officer, a publicly available greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and availability of alternative transportation options including car sharing, a carpooling program and free/reduced price transit passes for students as major factors contributing to CSU¡¯s score. 

¡°We will continue to pursue new and innovative strategies for sustainable campus operations,¡± McMillin said. ¡°Efforts to develop a new Sustainability Plan are just beginning and we intend to set targets that will help us to conserve energy and water, minimize waste, and reduce emissions and utility costs.¡±

The Princeton Review first published its green guide in 2010. It remains the only free, annually updated downloadable guide to green colleges.

For more information about Cleveland State University¡¯s sustainability program, visit csuohio.edu/sustainability.