Pitzer in the News 2008-2009 Academic Year
“Pitzer Dorms Benefit from ‘Green’ Distinction”
September 1, 2008
Reprinted from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
CLAREMONT - Grimaces, smiles and some nervousness were all on display as Pitzer College
students arrived for the start of the fall semester, which begins today.
Parents and students grimaced, dragging large luggage up the steps of Pitzer Hall last week,
but smiled after they were able to put them away in the eco-friendly residence halls.
Atherton, Sanborn and Pitzer halls at Pitzer were named runner-up “Dorms of Distinction”
for small private institutions by University Business Magazine in August.
Freshman James Rodriguez of Chino said he was “a little bit” nervous but excited to start school.
The east Sanborn residence hall resident, whose parents Martha and Alex Rodriguez estimated they pay about $50,000
for the digs and tuition, added his new home “looks great.”
Jim Marchant, Pitzer College's dean of students and vice president for student affairs, described his college
as being fortunate for receiving the award from the magazine.
The article cited the residence halls' drought-tolerant landscaping, a Green Bike Program facility and the garden roofs.
Marchant said this is the first class of freshmen able to enjoy the eco-friendly residence halls, for which the U.S. Green Building
Council awarded a Gold LEED certification in May.
The dorms took about two years to build and cost roughly $30 million. There are accommodations for 318 students with 27 common rooms
which include furniture, equipment, and Internet connections, Marchant said.
“It shows the college's commitment to the environment, and a lot of students are interested in environmental issues,”
Marchant said.
Most incoming freshmen “knew what the residence halls were like,” Marchant said. “They're not only beautiful and
energy-efficient, they're also comfortable.”
Julia Pashall, 19, said the eco-friendly rooms are not why she travelled from Newton, Mass., near Boston, to attend Pitzer,
but she enjoys them.
“Since I'm paying so much money, I better learn a lot,” said Pashall, who added that the amount to attend the college
is about $48,000, but she pays $20,000 to $25,000 because of financial aid.
“I'm not taking classes that don't challenge me,” said Pashall, who noted she is creating her own major of activism
through performance and other forms of art.
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