Nov 27 2013
The state of Illinois has named Northwestern University a gold Campus Sustainability Compact award winner.
In coordination with the governor’s Green Governments Coordinating Council, chaired by Gov. Pat Quinn, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center presented Northwestern with a plaque last month in recognition of Northwestern’s “established and comprehensive sustainability program that enhances the Evanston and Chicago campuses and surrounding communities.”
Seven schools were recognized for their sustainability efforts this year. Northwestern is one of two universities and colleges to receive the gold honor. Receiving the gold award grants Northwestern gold status permanently. This is the second year Northwestern has been recognized as a sustainability leader. The University received a bronze honor in 2012.
Quinn created the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact program in 2006.
The program awards universities and colleges in three levels of participation: gold institutions integrate sustainability throughout their campus and work towards measured improvement; silver institutions are ready to make targeted commitments to “greening” their operations and monitoring performance; and bronze institutions make a commitment to creating a sustainability program and engaging the campus community.
Northwestern is being recognized for its participation in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) and for its sustainability website redesign, which includes interactive and educational components for putting Northwestern’s sustainability strategic plan into action.