Sierra magazine has named the University of San Francisco one of the nation’s “Coolest Schools”for its campus greening efforts and for its student and faculty
programs aimed at raising awareness about environmental responsibility.
USF ranked 56 out of 118
schools for increasing composting and recycling on campus; purchasing locally
grown food and free-range and grass-fed meat for cafeteria consumption; and reducing
campus plastic water bottle sales by adding water bottle refill spouts on water
fountains. USF also uses post-consumer recycled paper for much of its copying
and printing needs. About 60 percent of the university’s vehicle fleet is composed
of hybrids.
“We’re thrilled to
highlight these forward-thinking schools for emphasizing environmental
responsibility, and for teaching, inspiring, and empowering students to affect real
change,” said Bob Sipchen, Sierra’s editor-in-chief.
USF earns an A- on the 2010 Sustainability Report Card.
On the curricular side, USF
students can study sustainability and organic gardening as members of the Garden
Project, a cohort of students who live and study together, work on the
university’s quarter-acre organic garden, and learn about climate change, water
rights, food security, and social and economic justice as it relates to food
production.
The university offers
four-year degrees in environmental studies and environmental science, and a
graduate degree in environmental management.
Sierra’s rankings are
based on ten categories that analyzed the university’s energy supply sources,
waste management, food sources, and sustainable academic programs. Each
category was worth a maximum 10 points for a total of 100 points. USF earned
58.8 compared with the No. 1 ranked school earning 81.2.
