Central College chosen as a top green college

Central College has been chosen as one of the most “green” colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The publication, “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition,” named Central as one of only six Iowa institutions on the list

The guide is published in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools and focuses solely on colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and sustainability.

“This national recognition—which takes into account many aspects of our commitment to campus sustainability, but even more importantly, cites our national leadership in incorporating sustainability education across our curriculum as a graduation core requirement and in the form of our new interdisciplinary minor in global sustainability—is a strong vote of confidence in a key aspect of our institutional mission and goals,” said Jim Zaffiro, professor of political science.

All Central students must complete a global sustainability core curriculum requirement, and a global sustainability minor was recently added. Central is also home to Iowa’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver building, the Vermeer Science Center, and added a gold-certified residence hall. In 2009, the Roe Center received a platinum LEED rating.

“Sustainability remains a core value of the college and a signature initiative for our future,” said President Mark Putnam. “This recognition reinforces the importance of our commitments and keeping our promises for the future.”