Claremont, Calif. (March 26, 2014) — Pitzer College has been named the greenest campus in the US by Niche. Pitzer was number one out of 1,366 schools on Niche’s March 23 list. Rounding out the top five colleges were University of California, Santa Cruz; American University; University of Colorado, Boulder; and Florida Gulf Coast University.
Solar panels on West Hall
One of the first colleges in the country to launch an environmental studies program, Pitzer has promoted environmental awareness for nearly 50 years. In 2012, the College launched the Robert Redford Conservancy of Southern California Sustainability and opened four mixed-use residential buildings that earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest rating. Forty-eight percent of buildings on Pitzer’s campus are now LEED Platinum or Gold certified. Drought-tolerant landscaping has helped Pitzer cut its water use in half since 2002 and its farm-to-fork dining hall routinely ranks among the healthiest places to eat on any American college campus. The College researches, teaches and lives its commitment to sustainability.
Founded in 2002 by Carnegie Mellon University students, Niche provides in-depth reviews and analysis of colleges and K-12 schools in the US.
