The Princeton Review has named Temple University one of the 332 most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S. and Canada. 

Environmental issues are increasingly important to those applying to college. A 2013 Princeton Review survey found that 62 percent of 9,955 college applicants said their decision to apply to or attend a school would be impacted by information about that college’s commitment to the environment.

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“We know that students are now weighing a school’s climate commitment when they are deciding where to attend,” said Kathleen Grady, director of the Office of Sustainability at Temple. “Temple’s inclusion in Guide to 332 Green Colleges showcases the university’s sustainability initiatives and makes the university more competitive when recruiting new students.”

The report praises Temple for creating its Office of Sustainability only three months after signing the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment—a pledge created to address global climate disruptions made by colleges and universities through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of research and educational efforts focused on re-stabilizing Earth’s climate.

The Office of Sustainability also is highlighted for its creation of an “Eco Village”—a pop-up exhibit that features displays, demonstrations and performances about sustainability at the Bell Tower on Main Campus—and the completion of a Climate Action Plan, which details the university’s efforts toward carbon neutrality.

Among Temple’s many eco-friendly initiatives are three solar-charging stations, which allow students to plug in and recharge their electronic devices in an environmentally friendly way; a solar array installed on the south-facing roof of Edberg-Olson Hall; and a green roof atop the new Architecture Building.

Selections for The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 Edition are made based on a survey of administrators at hundreds of four-year colleges that measures their schools’ commitment to sustainability. The survey includes questions about course offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation.

To view a complete list of colleges included in the guide, visit the Princeton Review.

—Lindsey Murray