<p>We have a query from a Christian Science Monitor reporter:</p>
<p>
[quote] How important is it to you that your college be "green"? When comparing schools, do you try to find out what kind of environmentally friendly policies they have? Could one school doing a lot more than another sway your decision?
<p>I think it's very important. "Being green" can be very cost efficient. Also, as places of higher learning colleges have a responsibility to educate and set an example.</p>
<p>I honestly don't care. I do consider myself to be environmentally conscious; I make an effort not to litter or waste anything in my possession; I realize that some form of climate change (global warming) is a pretty serious, pressing issue and would avoid using a gas-guzzler. Anything further and I could care less. I'm not a tree hugger at all, and I'm certainly not an activist</p>
<p>It never even crossed my mind in the fall. I now realize my future school is one of the greenest schools around, and it's pretty nice. But it had no influence in my applications. I think the majority of students rely more on a school's academic/social reputation than its environmental-consciousness.</p>
<p>It is important for me since schools who are making the effort to be "green" usually have excellent opportunities for students to join in on the effort (eco-friendly housing, internships, volunteer projects, etc). Another advantage is that these campuses are usually bike friendly and it should say about the student body that they care about the issues of our time and are willing to work towards goals of sustainability, which is a huge plus.</p>
<p>Also, i've always found solar panels as warm and inviting.</p>
<p>While looking at schools in high school I would notice, but it didn't necessarily play a huge part in my ultimate decision. However, when I started looking at schools to transfer to it was one of the first things I would look for. I would look at the rankings and then look for how environmentally friendly the campus was and if the school is making strides to become more sustainable. I'm considering a major in Environmental Analysis so I wanted to make sure I was at a school that cared about the environment.</p>
<p>well, it was important to me somewhat since environmental related issues may be a route i want to take, but it didn't really decide where i applied and where I didn't. still, the ones that tended to be more "green" were better fits for me. so it was a definitely a plus if it was a big facet of the college, and it was certainly a plus to have it to write about in the essay! ;)</p>
<p>A school being environmentally conscious is definitely at the top of my list of things I want in a school. Mainly because I really want to study environmental science or analysis or something of that sort. Fortunatly, I would say about 85% of the colleges or universities I have taken an interest in have taken major strides in becoming environmentally aware and the environmental clubs are hoppin'!</p>
<p>no. That being said, I did consider how easily I could get around on a bike at school, and made note of the prevalence of bike racks. But that's more because I see bikes as convenient than I do green.</p>
<p>I know the Georgetown tour guides always make a note of the solar panels on the roof of the Intercultural Center. And I remember my first time visiting there, I saw a sign advertising "recyclemania!" in Red Square. It took up twelve pieces of paper, which I remembered more for the irony than the advocacy.</p>
<p>Couldn't care less. I do not search out any green policies that the school might have. Yes, a school "doing a lot more" would probably drive me away from it with its rampant environmental zealotry.</p>
<p>It's really not an important consideration since I assume that centers of learning would be more in tune with being environmentally conscious, therefore going into any one of them would be a step in the right direction.</p>
<p>I definitely care, but this would not have been a deciding factor in selecting colleges. However, if you're currently a college student, I think it's important to support your school becoming greener. My alma mater is currently putting up a building that may be LEED Platinum, the highest rung of a green buildings rating system put forth by the US Green Building Council. My other alma mater (grad school) recently established a student chapter of the USGBC, so there are definitely many students out there who do care.</p>
<p>It's important, but it would not necessarily be the main factor. That being said, if I was looking at two school that I was accepted to, and both are extremely similar academically and financially, if one was much more "green" than the other it would definitely make an impact on my decision.</p>
<p>It makes me want to vomit when schools feel the need to bring up how green they are in every piece of literature.
Otherwise it's a plus. I like using waterfree urinals, but only as long as everyone isn't forced to know that I'm using a waterfree urinal.</p>
<p>It's really not limited to schools. Pretty much everybody involved in the building, development and construction industry wants to be green nowadays. It's pretty big.</p>
<p>Couldn't care. At my last college, they had just completed a new study space on campus. It was LEED certified and profiled by many magazines and organizations. Tours of the building were given daily. The building was quite impressive. It got the school's name out there. I was even questioned about the building in an interview for an internship. But at the end of the day, the building failed its purpose as a study space by including limited desk space and poor acoustics. It looks absolutely silly tucked between a turn of the century library and chapel.</p>
<p>I should note it was a prominent stop on the campus tour. Parents and students seemed impress, but mainly by its size and endless rows of computers inside.</p>