NEW YORK — As the nation gears up to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, The Princeton Review and the U.S. Green Building Council, has named Berry College one of 311 “Green Colleges.”

The Princeton Review, well known for its education and test-prep services, first created this one-of-a-kind resource for college-bound students in 2010 in collaboration with USGBC, which is best-known for developing the LEED green building certification program. This past fall, USGBC launched its Center for Green Schools (www.centerforgreenschools.org) to increase its efforts to drive change in how campuses and schools are designed, constructed and operated so that all educational facilities can enhance student learning experiences.

“Berry being recognized in “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Green Colleges” demonstrates that what we are doing in regards to sustainability matters, and is being noticed,” said Eddie Elsberry, director of environmental compliance and sustainability at Berry. “The work, dedication and vision of Berry College ensures that future generations will continue to live and learn on a campus that can be compared to no other.”

The Princeton Review Guide looks at: whether the students have a campus quality of life that is both healthy and sustainable; how well a school is preparing its students for employment in the green energy economy of the 21st century, as well as for citizenship in a world now defined by environmental concerns and opportunities; and how environmentally responsible a school's policies are.

This latest honor is in addition to Berry earning a grade of B+ from the 2011 College Sustainability Report Card. And Berry’s newest residence halls earned gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

"The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges: 2011 Edition" can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide



How schools were chosen for the book

The Princeton Review chose the 311 schools based on a survey it conducted in 2010 of hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada. The survey asks administrators more than 50 questions about their institution's sustainability-related policies, practices and programs.The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in this guide.