Campus Environment 2008: A National Report Card on Sustainability in Higher Education - Trends and New Developments in Leadership, Academics and Opera

SCUP was a sponsor of the survey research behind this new report, which examines sustainability attitudes and practices in a way that compares to the first, related research performed seven years ago:

The NWF Report Card is the Gold Standard for charting the sustainability movement in higher education. Coverage of both operational and academic programs is particularly important. Strongly recommended reading for administrators, faculty and students," said David W. Orr, professor of Environmental Studies and senior advisor to the president, Oberlin College. He is also the author of Earth in Mind, Ecological Literacy, The Last Refuge, and Design on the Edge.

This comprehensive study by National Wildlife Federation and Princeton Survey Research Associates International reviews trends and new developments in environmental performance and sustainability at 1,068 institutions. It recognizes colleges and universities for exemplary efforts and awards academic letter grades (A through D) for collective, national performance on environmental literacy, energy, water, transportation, landscaping, waste reduction and more. The report analyzes collective trends in the areas of management, operations, and academics.

With 27 percent (more than one quarter) of U.S. colleges (presidents, administrators, and facilities managers) responding, the 2008 survey is the nation's largest study to date created to gauge trends and new developments in campus sustainability. It was also the first study of its kind when conducted in 2001.