Pitzer Students Build Cob Bench & Celebrate Renovated Greenhouse

Green is not merely a buzz word or a get-on-the-bandwagon trend at Pitzer College. The College’s governing body, The College Council, adopted The Statement of Environmental Policy and Principles to integrate socially and environmentally conscious practices into college operations and the education of its students.

Pitzer College stands positioned to become the first college in the nation to have all Gold LEED certified (U.S. Green Building Council) residence halls as a result of a three-phase construction project in progress, the largest since its founding. The design and planning process was influenced by all key constituencies of the College, including students who had rendered building models and researched sustainable practices and energy conservation.

President Laura Trombley says sustainability is integral to the curriculum and history the College. The convictions of the students at Pitzer, she says, have influenced changes in college operations, both large and small. Students have set up vegetable gardens, composting areas, and a “green bikes” program, and campus xeriscaping. Pitzer students in the College's Eco Center Club presented Trombley with an electric car in 2002.

More than 400 students signed up for the Campus Climate Challenge through Pitzer’s Eco Center to bring clean energy to the campus and local community. Pitzer College is also cited by the National Wildlife Federation as one of the foremost schools in the country for Environmental Studies.

Pitzer College's New Residence Halls - An Illustrated Guide (pdf)
View the tour brochure for the new residence halls, highlighting the green and sustainable features.