Date: Aug 01, 2011

Hofstra Gets 'Green' Ranking

Princeton Review recognizes Hofstra for 2nd year in Guide to Green Colleges

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University has been included in The Princeton Review's Guide to 311 Green Colleges; a 220-page free guide that profiles 308 colleges/universities in the U.S. and Canada that are committed to sustainability, both inside and outside of the classroom. Hofstra was recognized last year in the first edition of this guide. Download the new edition for free at http://www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx.

Hofstra’s 240 acres provide a beautiful campus setting that inspires and motivates its students. The Hofstra campus is a member in good standing of the American Public Gardens Association, one of only 430 arboreta in the United States. Today, more than 12,000 evergreen and deciduous trees represent 625 species and varieties, and the number is increasing every year.

Hofstra began instituting green measures, originally called energy conservation measures, as far back as 1985. The most notable initiative was the construction of the cogeneration facility in 1990. Hofstra produces approximately 25% of the electricity used on campus. More recent initiatives include campus-wide mixed paper recycling, active recycling in the large dining facilities, purchase of electric vans, installation of solar arrays on Rensselaer House, the installation of LED lighting and bottle fill stations in the dining facilities and dormitories.

Sustainability Studies
Hofstra has shown its commitment and is now going one step further with the recent hiring of a director for sustainability studies, Dr. Robert Brinkmann. “Our students need to be ready to go out into the job market with knowledge of sustainability, said Teresa A. Greis, campus sustainability officer. “They need to have hands on experiences that they can get by joining campus organizations such as ‘Student for a Greener Hofstra,’ or by working with the Department of Sustainability or by choosing to live in the ‘Living Green’ residence hall. Students can make a difference both locally and globally when given the knowledge and opportunities. Hofstra provides that by leading by example.”

Freecycle
As the spring 2011 semester concluded, Hofstra University launched a new environmental initiative called “Freecycle” – an exchange program in which students can donate unwanted items from their rooms that can be claimed by their classmates at the start of the fall semester. The new program is aimed at reducing Hofstra’s trash stream while saving students money furnishing their dorm rooms.
“We’re really proud of this new initiative,” said Ms. Greis. “This is a positive service for students that has been very successful on other campuses and is a continuation of our commitment to reduce Hofstra’s carbon footprint while raising awareness about the environment.”

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution of higher education where more than 12,000 full and part-time students choose from undergraduate and graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, education, health and human services, honors studies, a School of Law and the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. With a small average class size (21 students) and low student-teacher ratio (14 to 1), the University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future. Located in Nassau County, New York, on over 240 acres, the University is less than an hour from midtown Manhattan.