The University of Washington is the nation’s coolest school, according to the fifth annual list compiled by Sierra Magazine. More than 118 schools completed the survey, according to the Sierra Club website.

Each school was measured by its green initiatives and sustainability efforts on campus, according to the magazine questionnaire. UW was graded on 10 factors, including energy efficiency, waste management and transportation, according to a UW news release.

The school was ranked fourth last year and has been in the top 10 for the past four years, according to the release.

In 2004, UW committed itself to a strict environmental conservation approach, with the development of its environmental stewardship and sustainability policy statement.

‘As the … Evergreen State … the University of Washington embraces its important leadership role regionally and nationally to be an environmentally, economically and socially responsible institution,’ according to the policy.

The university aims to provide educational opportunities on environmental practices, according to the policy.

There are six sustainability-related majors and more than 400 environmental courses offered, according to the magazine questionnaire.

Molly Lazor, a sophomore environmental studies major at UW, said she believes the university has grasped the green concept and applied it to every aspect on campus.

She said that every room has a trash can, recycling and compost bin, with posters above each bin illustrating which items can go where.

‘Being green is such a natural part of campus that I take for granted all the effort we put in as a school,’ Lazor said in a Facebook message. ‘Student clubs and organizations work towards spreading awareness to the student body to make the effort to go green school-wide.’

Housing and food services promote their motto ‘Sustainable is Obtainable’ by offering an abundance of natural and organic foods.

Ten percent of the food served is certified organic, according to the application UW submitted to the magazine. The university partners with local artisans and family-owned businesses that utilize sustainable techniques for growing wheat and producing flour to make organic breads, bagels and vegan donuts.

Even the potato chips have a sustainable process to them. The chips are fried in trans fat-free cooking oil that is processed into biodiesel fuel and then sold in a compostable bag, according to the website.

Most of the buildings on campus are eco-friendly, too.

‘Just a few reasons why UW leads the pack: Every building completed since 2006 has earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design),’ said Wendy Becktold, a reporter for Sierra magazine in an article. ‘All appliances bought are Energy Star rated.’

LEED is a benchmark system used internationally to certify green buildings, according to the U.S. Green Building Council website. LEED buildings are strategically designed to improve water efficiency and energy savings and reduce carbon dioxide exhalation.

All buildings since 2009 on the UW campus have received a gold rating, according to the questionnaire. To achieve gold-level LEED classification, the building must earn 60-79 points from a 100-point base.

Everyday appliances boast an Energy Star rating. Energy Star products use less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to the company’s website.

Approximately 125 washing machines, 41 computers and printers, and 38 library copiers are Energy Star rated, according to the university’s submitted survey.

Students and staff were pleased and excited about the ranking from Sierra magazine.

‘We have the ability to start a trend,’ said Lazor, the UW sophomore. ‘Universities are the final steps in education, it’s important that we all work towards a common goal that will positively affect our future.’

Last year, student activists created a campus sustainability fund to allot a portion of the student activities fee toward projects and educational environmental conservation outreach programs.

‘Many students, faculty and staff have worked tremendously hard over the years to accomplish these goals,’ said Michael Young, UW president, in a news release. ‘It’s a great No. 1 position to hold.’

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Published on September 13, 2011 at 12:00 pm