After taking a careful look at 1,000 of the country’s colleges and universities, the National Wildlife Federation released a report that shows Michigan State University is (MSU) a leader in campus sustainability.
The NWF’s Campus Environment 2008 Report Card does not rank colleges, but lists those that have outstanding “green” programs based on 18 different categories. MSU was recognized as having one of the top five green programs in the country.
“I think it’s safe to say that MSU is truly trying to be a ‘green’ campus,” says Terry Link, director of the university’s Office of Campus Sustainability. “Across campus, students, staff and faculty are taking steps to reduce our ecological footprint. Housing and Food Services, Physical Plant, research teams, faculty in the classroom and student leaders are making a difference.”
MSU was recognized for environmental or sustainability goal-setting; environmental and sustainability personnel, orientations; interdisciplinary degrees; plans to do more with efficiency, conservation and renewable; plans to do more with transportation programs; plans to do more with recycling, solid waste and materials.
MSU was specifically recognized for its new $13.3 million recycling center, which is expected to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements. It was also recognized for having the lowest electrical consumption per square foot among Big Ten universities and having a variety of academic programs and research initiative related to sustainability
Source: Terry Link, Office of Campus Sustainability
Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here.
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