ECU earns national recognition for its sustainability efforts

Left to right, Sustainability Manager Chad Carwein, Recycling Coordinator Terry Little and Dr. Mark Stacy, dean of the Brody School of Medicine, listen as Biological Safety Officer Eddie Johnson talks in 2018 about solar tables installed on ECU’s health sciences campus. (Photos taken pre-COVID-19 by Rhett Butler)

East Carolina University is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges for 2021.

ECU is one of 416 colleges that has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and is profiled in the new guide.

The Princeton Review chose the schools based on a survey of administrators at 695 colleges about their institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability. The company’s editors analyzed more than 25 survey data points in the process of choosing schools for the guide.

Creating a culture of sustainability on campus has been a focus for Chad Carwein, ECU’s sustainability manager. He has worked with hundreds of students, staff, faculty and community members over the past four years in developing ECU’s first sustainability plan, which outlines goals in the areas of climate change mitigation, academics and research, campus grounds, and materials management.

While long-term efforts such as recycling, and water and energy reduction have been successful, Carwein said the work to create a more sustainable campus continues.

PeeDee reminds everyone to recycle.

“Two of the most commonly asked questions I get are ‘Why doesn’t ECU have solar power?’ and ‘Why don’t we compost in the dining halls?’” Carwein said. “Both are excellent questions in my opinion and perfect examples of the progress yet to be made.”

In addition to being named a Green College by Princeton Review in consecutive years, ECU has been designated a Bicycle Friendly University, Tree Campus USA and Bee Campus USA. ECU also has a silver rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS), which is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

“All of these designations put the university on the map and are powerful recruiting tools for prospective students and their families,” Carwein said.

The Princeton Review has seen a high level of interest among college applicants and their parents in colleges with green practices, programs and offerings, said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief.

“Each and every one of the outstanding colleges in this edition of our guide offers both excellent academics and exemplary evidence of environmental commitment,” Franek said.

This year’s guide — published annually since 2010 — includes “Green Facts” sections detailing efforts ranging from the availability of transportation alternatives on campus to the percentage of the budget spent on local/organic food. The profiles also provide information about the schools’ admission requirements, cost, financial aid and student body demographics.

Related story: Commitment to Sustainability