Pitt-Bradford named to The Princeton Review's list of green colleges

Pitt-Bradford is one of the 361 most environmentally responsible colleges according to The Princeton Review.

The education services company known for its test prep and tutoring services, books, and college rankings features Pitt-Bradford in the 2016 edition of its free book, “The Princeton Review Guide to 361 Green Colleges.”

The Princeton Review chose the schools for this seventh annual edition of its “green guide” based on data from the company's 2015-16 survey of hundreds of four-year colleges concerning the schools' commitments to the environment and sustainability.

The Princeton Review cited Pitt-Bradford's cooperative agreement with the Area Transportation Authority for free public bus transit and the fact that 51 percent of Pitt-Bradford's food budget is spent on local or organic food.

Additionally, Pitt-Bradford has a formal sustainability committee and employs a sustainability officer. The Princeton Review also cited the campus's rate of diverting 54 percent of its waste from landfills.

Part of that landfill waste reduction, said Dr. Matt Kropf, director of the Energy Institute and campus sustainability officer, was made possible by the installation of a compactor to reduce the number of trucks picking up recycling.

Finally, Pitt-Bradford offers two degrees focused on sustainability: Energy Science and Technology and Environmental Studies.

“Being recognized as a green campus is an important distinction for our campus,” Kropf said. “Not only does it highlight our academic programs, but it bolsters the efforts of the sustainability committee.

Those efforts include installing solar panels and leading the campus through the process to be designated as a Tree Campus USA.

The Princeton Review developed the ranking list using data from its institutional survey for its Green Rating and its surveys of students attending the colleges. Ten data points from the institutional survey were factored into the assessment. Data from the student survey included student ratings of how sustainability issues influenced their education and life on campus; administration and student support for environmental awareness and conservation efforts; and the visibility and impact of student environmental groups.

The Bradford campus, along with the Pittsburgh campus, were the only two University of Pittsburgh campuses named to the list. It was the first time Pitt-Bradford has been named to the list.

Earlier this year, The Princeton Review named Pitt-Bradford as one of its 228 “Best in the Northeast” institutions.