Sierra Magazine Announces 2021 Cool Schools
Sierra's 15th annual Cool Schools ranking highlights 328 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada, and classifies the top 20 as the Coolest Schools. To assess colleges' environmental practices, the annual ranking uses data from AASHE STARS and an additional questionnaire about fossil fuel divestment.
Princeton Review Releases 2022 Green Honor Roll
The recently released the 2022 Green Honor Roll by The Princeton Review ranks 27 colleges and universities that received the highest possible Green Rating score (99), out of the 835 higher education institutions evaluated. The ranking takes into account metrics related to student campus quality of life, career preparation for employment in the clean energy economy, citizenship in a world defined by environmental concerns and opportunities, and the degree to which the institution's policies are environmentally responsible.
NWF Campus Race to Zero Waste Announces Winners
Across more than 200 college campuses in 43 states, 2.4 million students and more than 500,000 faculty and staff participated in the 2021 Campus Race to Zero Waste competition. This year there were 18 winners across seven categories.
Oberlin College Secures $80M in Certified Climate Bonds for Geothermal Project
Investors poured $80 million into a Certified Climate Bond offering for a geothermal infrastructure project on Oberlin's campus. The four-year sustainable infrastructure project will convert buildings throughout Oberlin’s campus to geothermal heating and cooling, drawing on 1,100 wells that harness the earth’s natural underground temperatures to replace Oberlin’s current heat source, natural gas.
Colorado State U Pueblo Goes 100% Solar-Electric
In mid-August, the university announced that all university buildings were being powered by energy from the sun. This was made possible through a power purchase agreement that included the installation of a 23-acre solar array on the north side of campus and a rechargeable battery system.
Ryerson U to Change Name
The university's board of governors recently accepted 22 recommendations, which include renaming the institution, sharing materials to recognize the legacy of Egerton Ryerson, and providing more opportunities to learn about Indigenous history and Indigenous and colonial relations. The recommendations come from a task force who conducted research into the university's namesake's life and legacy, and the role of commemoration in the community.
Princeton U to Dissociate From Fossil Fuel Companies
The university recently established an administrative process for dissociating from companies engaged in climate disinformation campaigns or that are involved in the thermal coal and tar sands segments of the fossil fuel industry. The university also has committed to reducing the aggregate harmful climate impact of the entirety of the university’s direct and indirect endowment holdings.
Tulane U Increases Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour
In an effort to support income growth and greater equity and economic well-being in the community, the university recently announced an increase in minimum wage for all staff from $10.82 per hour to $15 per hour, effective Oct. 1. The university will also standardize student wages by raising the minimum hourly rate to $10, and is giving special consideration to outside contractors who pay a $15 per hour minimum wage or who have a documented plan within a reasonable timeframe to achieve that rate.
U Virginia to Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Following a state executive order requiring state agencies to stop buying, selling and distributing certain plastics, the university stopped purchasing single-use plastic bags, plastic cutlery, plastic food containers and plastic straws as of July 21. The university will also phase out plastic water bottles and plastic bag liners over the coming year to the extent possible.
Texas A&M U Launches Social Justice Leadership Certificate
The new certificate is designed for nonprofit leaders committed to accelerating racial equity within nonprofit organizations. The online, asynchronous program is a non-credit-bearing professional education opportunity for nonprofit practitioners. It consists of five three-week courses that can be completed in approximately four months.
