Colleges and universities across the nation are embracing the need to be environmentally conscious, and adopting practices that reflect a culture of sustainability. What started as a small groundswell of eco-friendly colleges in the 1990s has grown by tsunami-like proportions. Quite simply, college students today will undoubtedly meet with some level of environmentalism at whatever institution they choose. Now it is the rule, rather than the exception, that concern for our fragile eco-system is part of the college experience.

The Princeton Review recently surveyed prospective students about what influenced their college selection process. Two-thirds stated that a commitment to the environment was valuable, and nearly 25% said that would strongly affect their choice. This reflects the growing awareness and intense concern that young people are feeling about their world and its future. Even on campuses where environmental majors are not specifically offered, students form or join clubs and initiate projects. Their efforts are usually aimed at combating global warming, reducing the campus carbon footprint, and using sustainable practices in every possible area of operations.

For those who consider the environment to be a high priority in their lives, higher education is more than recycling and reducing the campus carbon footprint. Some students may also want to integrate sustainability and regenerative living into their academic programs. This is somewhat difficult for colleges to achieve, since the environment tends to cross multiple disciplines. Students interested in an environmentally focused learning experience should investigate one of the schools that offer a major in Environmental Studies or related programs. Some schools that offer environmental liberal arts curricula include Green Mountain College, College of the Atlantic, Prescott, Northland, and Alaska Pacific University. These schools are part of the Eco League, and students enrolled at one may seamlessly take a semester or more at any other League school. For the environmentally-minded student, this is worth exploring.

Sandra Bartholomew, Ph.D.
Dean of Enrollment Management
Green Mountain College
Poultney, VT 05764

802-287-8220
bartholomews@greenmtn.edu

http://admissions.greenmtn.edu

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