ȺpÎÞÂë honored as “green” college
Published: May 12, 2015.
ȺpÎÞÂë has been recognized as an environmentally responsible “green” college by The Princeton Review in the 2015 edition of its free book, “The Princeton Review guide to 353 Green Colleges.”
“We are honored to receive recognition for our sustainable practices,” stated Brother James Gaffney, FSC, President of ȺpÎÞÂë. “Our commitment remains steadfast to incorporate environmentally friendly initiatives into the university’s systems, new construction and renovations, and academic programming,” he commented.
"We strongly recommend ȺpÎÞÂë 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, Senior VP-Publisher.
The guide highlights ȺpÎÞÂë’s Silver level recognition by the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact. In its profile of the university, the guide states: “ȺpÎÞÂë deepens its commitment to sustainability with every passing year.” It continues to list various sustainability initiatives in place at ȺpÎÞÂë, including:
- An Environmental Studies program for students that “benefits from local internship, volunteer, and curricular opportunities at institutions like the Morton Arboretum and the Shedd Aquarium.
- The annual “Come Clean, Go Green” Sustainability Contest, held annually at Lewis, which awards students for practical sustainability ideas that can be adopted by the university.
- The annual Earth Week celebration, which includes tree plantings and sustainability awareness.
- Sustainable practices in place on the Romeoville campus, such as repurposing rainwater via collection sites, permeable pavers, bioswales and The Glen filtration site and reservoir.
- The food composting program with the dining services.
- Electric-vehicle charging stations on campus.
based its selection of the colleges and universities included in this sixth annual edition of its “green guide” data from the company's 2014 survey of hundreds of four-year colleges concerning the institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability. The guide can be downloaded at .
Regarding energy conservation, the guide notes that ȺpÎÞÂë uses occupancy sensors, LED lights, Energy Star rated appliances, and roofs that reduce energy consumption.
The Princeton Review developed the ranking list using data from its institutional survey for its Green Rating and its surveys of students attending the colleges. Ten data points from the institutional survey were factored into the assessment. Data from the student survey included student ratings of how sustainability issues influenced their education and life on campus; administration and student support for environmental awareness and conservation efforts; and the visibility and impact of student environmental groups.
The Princeton Review is a leading test preparation, tutoring, and college admission services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school-bound students achieve their education and career goals through online and in person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors and its more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House. The Princeton Review is headquartered in Natick, MA, and is an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI).
ȺpÎÞÂë is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,700 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit for further information.