RIT gets high grade for sustainability

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A. Sue Weisler

RIT received ‘A’ grades in the 2011 College Sustainability Report Card from the Sustainability Endowments Institute.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s comprehensive campus, research and education programs in sustainability have earned the university recognition as one of the most sustainable colleges in the United States.

RIT is featured in the 2011 College Sustainability Report Card, a list of the sustainable practices at over 300 colleges and universities across the nation. The university received ‘A’ grades for its administrative practices, green building development and investment priorities.

“We are honored that our efforts to become a more sustainable campus are being recognized and hope that we can serve as a model for other universities across the country,” says RIT President Bill Destler.

RIT also received high marks for its climate change and energy practices, food and recycling programs, student involvement and transportation practices. The report card also noted the university’s free shuttle bus service for students and its ongoing effort to install bike lanes throughout campus to reduce car traffic and air pollution.

The College Sustainability Report Card evaluates campus and endowment sustainability activities at colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, focusing on administration and investment priorities; student involvement; transportation, recycling and energy use; and endowment transparency and shareholder engagement.

“This report is particularly helpful because it provides detailed information on what we are doing right and where we need to improve,” Destler adds. “RIT is committed to implementing sustainability in all areas of operations and the Sustainability Report Card will assist us in meeting these goals.”

The report card is produced by the Sustainability Endowments Institute, a non-profit corporation dedicated to enhancing sustainable practices in campus operations and endowment practices.

To view RIT’s complete report, visit the College Sustainability Report Card: RIT website.

In recognition of its sustainability programs, RIT is listed in the Princeton Review’s Guide to 286 Green Colleges and the Sierra Club’s Top 100 Green Schools list. For more information about RIT’s sustainability initiatives visit the RIT: Sustainability website.