The Princeton Review Releases 4th Annual Free "Guide to Green Colleges" in Partnership With the Center for Green Schools at USGBC

NEW YORK, April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation gears up to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com), in collaboration with the Center for Green Schools (www.centerforgreenschools.org) at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), today released the fourth annual edition of its free guidebook saluting the most environmentally responsible "green colleges."

"The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition" profiles 320 schools in the U.S. and two in Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The 215-page book—the only free, comprehensive, annual guide to green colleges—can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide and at www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide. The guide was developed with generous support from United Technologies Corp. (www.utc.com), founding sponsor of the Center for Green Schools.

The Princeton Review, one of the nation's best known education services companies, first published this one-of-a-kind resource in 2010 in collaboration with USGBC. That year, USGBC, widely known for developing the LEED green building rating system, launched the Center for Green Schools at USGBC to increase efforts to drive change in how campuses and schools are designed, constructed, maintained and operated so that all educational facilities can enhance student learning experiences.

"The Guide to 322 Green Colleges" features:

• School profiles with information on application, admission, financial aid and sustainability initiatives, plus "Green Facts" sidebars reporting on everything from the school's use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies and career guidance for green jobs.
• A glossary of 40+ green terms and acronyms from AASHE to "zero waste."
• Lists of schools in the guide with LEED-certified buildings and of those that are signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
• Advice for living green on campus.

Robert Franek, Senior VP/Publisher, The Princeton Review, noted the significant interest today's college-bound students have about green issues. "Among 9,955 college applicants who participated in our 2013 'College Hopes & Worries Survey,' 62 percent said having information about a school's commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school," he said.  "We recommend these schools to all students seeking colleges that practice and promote environmentally-responsible choices, and we commend USGBC and United Technologies Corp. for their continuing support to make this unique resource available for students."

"Selecting a four-year college is a big choice. When we learned that the majority of prospective college students factor a school's commitment to sustainability into their selection criteria, we wanted to ensure we were providing the best information," said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. "We're thrilled to team up with The Princeton Review for the fourth year to offer a guide to help make our future college students' choices a little easier." 

How Schools Were Chosen for the Book

The Princeton Review chose the schools based on a survey it conducted of hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada in 2012 to tally its "Green Ratings" (scores from 60 to 99) it reports in school profiles in its annual college guidebooks and website. The survey asked administrators more than 50 questions about their institution's sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. The Company reported Green Ratings for 806 institutions in summer 2012. The 322 schools in this guide received scores of 83 or above in that assessment. (Note: The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in this guide 1 to 322, nor does it include their Green Rating scores in the book's school profiles.) Information about The Princeton Review's Green Rating methodology and its "Green Honor Roll" saluting 21 schools that received Green Ratings of 99 is at www.princetonreview.com/green.aspx

About The Princeton Review

Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com) is a privately held education services company headquartered in Framingham, MA. The Company has long been a leader in helping students achieve their education and career goals through its test preparation services, tutoring and admissions resources, online courses, and more than 150 print and digital books published by Random House, Inc. The Princeton Review delivers its programs via a network of more than 5,000 teachers and tutors in the U.S.A., Canada, and international franchises. The Company also partners with schools and guidance counselors worldwide to provide students with college readiness, test preparation and career planning services.  

About the U.S. Green Building Council

USGBC is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org, explore the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From kindergarten to college and beyond, the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, ambassadors, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information, visit centerforgreenschools.org, follow us on Twitter at @mygreenschools, and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/centerforgreenschools.

About United Technologies Corp.

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries. The company's commercial businesses are Otis elevators and escalators and UTC Climate, Controls & Security, which includes Carrier, and its aerospace businesses are Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and UTC Aerospace Systems.

WEBSITES

www.princetonreview.com/green-guide

www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide

SOURCE The Princeton Review