Southern Oregon University Featured in "The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 Edition"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 22, 2014

For more information contact:
D. Roxane Beigel-Coryell, Sustainability & Recycling Coordinator
beigelcod@sou.edu
541-552-8139

SOU is one of the 332 most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S. and Canada, according to The Princeton Review

The education services company known for its test prep programs and college rankings, ratings, and guidebooks profiles SOU in the fifth annual edition of its free downloadable book, “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges.”

The Princeton Review chose the schools for this guide based on a survey it conducted in 2013 of administrators at hundreds of four-year colleges to measure the schools’ commitment to the environment and to sustainability.  The institutional survey included questions on the schools’ course offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.

Published a few days before the April 22 celebration of Earth Day, the 216-page guide is the only free comprehensive resource of its kind: it can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide.

The Princeton Review created its “Guide to 332 Green Colleges” in partnership with the Center for Green Schools (www.usgbc.org) at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The 322 school profiles in the guide feature essential information for applicants – facts and stats on school demographics, admission, financial aid – plus write-ups on the schools’ sustainability initiatives.  A “Green Facts” sidebar reports on a wide range of topics 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.

In the guide’s profile on Southern Oregon University, The Princeton Review highlights the school’s  leadership in renewable energy, green building, academic programs, student engagement, and innovation in becoming the first university to offset 100% of its water use.

”SOU is honored to be featured in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges,” said Roxane Beigel-Coryell, SOU Sustainability & Recycling Coordinator. “Being green is an important part of our culture at SOU, both for students and the administration.”

Said Rob Franek, Senior VP/Publisher, The Princeton Review, “We are pleased to recommend SOU to the many students seeking colleges that practice and promote environmentally-responsible choices and practices.”

Franek noted his Company’s recent survey findings indicating significant interest among college applicants in attending “green” colleges. “Among 10,116 college applicants who participated in our 2014 ‘College Hopes & Worries Survey,’ 61% said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school,” he said.

Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, commented “In collaborating with The Princeton Review on this annual guide, we have seen that sustainability on campuses continues to be an important deciding factor for today’s four-year college bound students.  We are excited to once again provide prospective students and their parents with a resource to help them navigate this often daunting decision-making process.”

How Schools Were Chosen for the Book

The Princeton Review chose the schools based on a survey the Company conducted in 2013. The survey asked administrators at hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and Canada about their institution’s sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. Using survey data that covered more than 25 fields, The Princeton Review tallied its “Green Ratings” (scores from 60 to 99) for 832 schools and reported them in the school profiles on the Company’s website and in its college guides in summer 2013. The 332 schools in this guide received scores of 83 or above in that assessment. (Note: The Princeton Review does not rank the schools 1 to 332, nor does it report their Green Rating scores in this book.) Information about the Company’s Green Rating and its “Green Honor Roll” list of 22 schools that received the highest possible score, 99, is at www.princetonreview.com/green.aspx

About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.

About The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review is a leading test preparation and college admission services company. Every year it helps millions of college- and graduate school-bound students achieve their education and career goals through its test preparation, tutoring, and admissions services, its online resources, and its more than 150 print and digital books published by Random House LLC. The Company delivers its services via a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors in the U.S.A. and Canada, and through its international franchises in 14 other countries. The Company also partners directly with school districts and non-governmental organizations to provide students with college readiness services including college selection, test preparation, financial aid advice, and admissions support. The Princeton Review is headquartered in Natick, MA, and is privately held.  For more information, visit www.princetonreview.com and www.facebook.com/ThePrincetonReview.  Follow the Company’s Twitter feed @ThePrincetonRev

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

The Center for Green Schools at USGBC 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, administrators, 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 or find us on Twitter and Facebook.

About the U.S. Green Building Council

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.

For more:

The Princeton Review: Jeanne Krier, 212-539-1350, pressoffice@review.com, or Kristen O’Toole, 888-347-7737 ext. 1405, kotoole@review.com
U.S. Green Building Council: Jacob Kriss, 202-595-3992, jkriss@usgbc.org

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