Auburn University is the first university to receive the 2015 Alabama Green Ribbon Schools Award. The State Department of Education announced a total of four winners, including K-12 schools in Hoover and in Lincoln, for their efforts to improve the environment and promote environmental and outdoor education. The university submitted a narrative-based report discussing its accomplishments in the following areas: reduction in environmental impact and costs; improvement of the health and wellness of students, faculty and staff; and effective environmental and sustainability efforts, to be considered for the nomination
The award was given in collaboration with the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and also makes Auburn a university nominee for the national Green Ribbon Awards, given out by the U.S. Department of Education. “Being chosen as the first university in Alabama to receive the Green Ribbon School Award is an important acknowledgement of all that Auburn is doing,” said Mike Kensler, director of the Office of Sustainability. “All of the criteria measured by this award, including sustainability-related classes for students, protection of the natural environment, and nurturing the health and wellness of students, staff and faculty, are priorities at Auburn University and it is gratifying to receive recognition for our efforts.”
In 2011, Auburn adopted a sustainability policy that affirms the university’s commitment to sustainability as a core value and guiding principal for operations, instruction, research and outreach. The policy outlines sustainability goals and commits to measuring progress on those goals. The university also has established an Office of Sustainability in the president’s office and conducts Academic Sustainability Programs through the provost’s office. Together, these two efforts help encourage, support and advance sustainability through all functional areas of the university. Each of Alabama’s winners will be considered for national Green Ribbon School status. National winners are scheduled to be announced on Earth Day, April 22. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education will recognize Auburn University as the Alabama Green Ribbon School higher education awardee at its meeting in March.