Duquesne University: A Top Green College, Says Princeton Guide

Duquesne University has again been named one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S. and Canada, according to The Princeton Review.

The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2012 Edition, created in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, is a free guidebook profiling universities that demonstrate a notable commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The free guide can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.

“College-bound students are increasingly interested in sustainability issues,” said Robert Franek, senior vice president/publisher of The Princeton Review. “Among 7,445 college applicants who participated in our 2012 College Hopes & Worries Survey, nearly seven out of 10 told us that having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school.”

The guide recognizes that Duquesne “has forged a solid-as-steel commitment to going green.”

It also draws attention to the fact that, for more than 13 years, Duquesne has produced most of its electricity from an on-campus cogeneration plant—the first in the state approved for creating alternative energy credits. Because of its energy generation as well as the purchase of wind power credits, Duquesne relies 100 percent on clean energy.

Additionally, the University recycles 100 percent of its fryer grease, converting it to biodiesel fuel, and 100 percent of its buildings have designated recycling areas. Greener practices in facilities maintenance and the use of VOC-free products have improved.

Sustainability is always a priority during construction; campus buildings have achieved LEED certification, and the new Des Places residence hall, scheduled to open this fall, is being built to LEED standards.

On the academic side, Duquesne’s 12-month, award-winning MBA in sustainability is noted as “one of the only MBA programs in the world that fundamentally and thoroughly incorporates sustainability into its curriculum.” The Center for Environmental Research and Education has long provided educational opportunities for students and professionals and “conducts applied research on critical environmental problems of the region.”