Shippensburg University was named to The Princeton Review® Guide to Green Colleges which recognizes the most environmentally responsible colleges . Only 455 schools across the nation were selected for this prestigious honor, based on a survey of institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability.
“Each year, our campus community takes additional steps to improve our sustainability efforts, and this recognition honors that great work. We will continue to prioritize sustainability at Ship and do our part as responsible stewards of the environment,” said Dr. Charles E. Patterson, president of Shippensburg University.
In 2015, the university decommissioned its Steam Plant and transitioned to natural gas, reducing its overall greenhouse gas footprint by 29 percent. In 2017, the university announced the creation of a sustainability major, combining a focus of sustainability with geotechnology and geographic information systems. The university is also home to an organic campus farm that provides a learning environment for students and fresh produce to food insecure families in the community.
In 2018, SU was named a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. A week each year is dedicated to the environment with the annual StewardShip celebration and in 2021 Ship launched a grant funded composting project aimed at reducing food waste and carbon emissions on campus.
Ship’s commitment to the environment extends far beyond the borders of campus with the Center for Land Use and Sustainability (CLUS). For nearly two decades, CLUS has worked to foster healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities through applied research, experiential learning opportunities for students and interdisciplinary, cross-sector partnerships.
“We are so pleased to have Princeton Review include us in their List of Green Schools! This recognition, together with other accomplishments are appreciated, but we are especially proud of the fact that we are working together and taking actions today that will put Shippensburg University on a path to carbon neutrality. At Shippensburg University we aren’t just talking about sustainability, we are working to realize that goal. We hope that being listed as a Green School with Princeton Review will attract students who want to be action-driven leaders and who will help further this mission,” said Dr. Sean Cornell, associate professor of Geography-Earth Science.
