SUNY Potsdam Named One of the Greenest Colleges in U.S. & Canada

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SUNY Potsdam has been named to the Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges.

POTSDAM, NY (04/26/2012)(readMedia)-- The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S.A. and Canada, according to the Princeton Review. The well-known education services company selected SUNY Potsdam for inclusion in the just-released second annual edition of its free downloadable book, "The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2012 Edition."

"The State University of New York takes great pride in the increasing sustainability efforts on our campuses, and contributing to an energy-smart New York is one of six primary focuses of our strategic plan, The Power of SUNY," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "We could not be more pleased that 10 of our campuses have been recognized on the Princeton Review's List of Green Colleges. Congratulations to each campus on this much-deserved national distinction."

SUNY campuses to make the list include the University at Albany, Binghamton University, SUNY Brockport, SUNY ESF, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Potsdam, Purchase College and Stony Brook University.

"This is an encouraging affirmation that SUNY Potsdam is on the right track," said Sustainability and Operations Coordinator R.J. Mattimore. "The College has been working hard on a long list of initiatives in order to reduce our impact on the environment, and to spread awareness about sustainability to our students, faculty, staff and community."

On the list of initiatives already being implemented is the purchase of $300,000 in local produce and goods each year by PACES, the dining services for SUNY Potsdam. In addition, the College Store and Union Market are offering completely biodegradable caps and gowns for Commencement, on top of their numerous recycled and local products.

SUNY Potsdam has also gone to Zero Sort recycling, allowing plastics, paper and metal to be mixed.

This year, Mattimore created the first Sustainability Advisors program, which is modeled on the College's successful Residence Advisor and Wellness Advocates programs. This course teaches students to become role models and resources for going green on campus.

Residence Life has also established a sustainability-themed floor for those students that want to immerse themselves in a green lifestyle. Students can also get involved through the SGA-recognized environmental group, the Middle Ground.

Created by the Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, "The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges" is the only free, comprehensive guidebook profiling institutions of higher education that demonstrate a notable commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The Princeton Review chose the schools for this guide based on a survey of administrators at hundreds of colleges that the company polled in 2011 about their school's sustainability initiatives.

The free guide can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide.

The Princeton Review first created this one-of-a-kind resource for college-bound students in 2010 with the U.S. Green Building Council, which is best known for developing the LEED standard for green building certification. In the fall of 2010, USGBC launched its Center for Green Schools to increase its efforts to drive change in how campuses and schools are designed, constructed and operated so that all educational facilities can enhance student learning experiences.

SUNY Potsdam is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, and is dedicated to creating a sustainable future by taking steps to reduce negative environment impacts.

For more information on SUNY Potsdam's sustainability efforts, visit www.potsdam.edu/about/sustainability.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

-www.potsdam.edu-