With increased focus on energy conservation and environmental planning, Hope College in Holland, Michigan, recently announced it has earned a B-minus on its annual College Sustainability Report Card.
Compiled by the Sustainable Endowments Institute, the report card program profiles hundreds of colleges and universities across the country, evaluating institutions sustainability efforts in administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities and shareholder engagement.
Last year, Hope College received a C-plus on its report card, and a meager D-minus two years ago. The college said improvements made to its indoor and outdoor lighting systems, heating and cooling systems and investment priorities have helped it earn higher scores in the last two years.
College and universities around the country are increasing their efforts to promote sustainability on their campuses. Improvements to lighting and air conditioning systems, as well as new technology, such as an energy-saving computing or a mercury-free HDMI projector, can help an institution reduce its carbon footprint and save on long-term energy costs.
In a statement, Hope College said sustainability is an ongoing process that includes individuals and departmental efforts, as well as the coordinated work of a Sustainable Advisory Committee comprises of faculty, administrators and students.
