How Green Is Dartmouth?

Twenty years ago Dartmouth was an environmental leader. Some would say that, among colleges and universities, it was the leader. Even the Colleges critics readily admitted that we had an outstanding environmental studies program.

Fast-forward 10 years and prepare for a shock. The College looked less like a leader in 1993 than it had in 1983. It hadn't actually lost ground, but neither had it gained any. Other colleges were catching up, and in some cases, passing us.

But look at the College today. Something wonderful has happened, and I am betting that it will last. Call it environmental awareness, which is now more widespread on campus. Two quick examples: 1. The Dartmouth Organic Farm came into existence six years ago. Among the classes held there is one called "Ecological Agriculture." Typically about 25 students sign up for it. This summer 82 students clamored to get in.

2. The College maintains a small fleet of cars and vans. The two newest vehicles are a Honda gas-electric and a Toyota gaselectric. The Honda Civic Hybrid gets 70 miles to the gallon. The Toyota Prius Hybrid gets only 50 miles a gallon, but is a strikingly low-pollution car John Gratiot, head of facilities operation at Dartmouth, is already thinking about buying a third hybrid.

What else is new at the College some call the Big Green? Stay tuned.

GREEN U. There are about 100 green colleges in America, and the number is growing, according to Noel the College'slong-time adjunct professor of environmental studies. These universities make thegreatest effort to behave sustainably—thatis, they manage their campuses and activities in ways that demonstrate highenvironmental awareness and promote thelong-term health of the planet. Here isa partial and tentative list of the best,according to an informal survey by Perrin.

Brown Hampshire College University of University of California, Davis Michigan Carleton Middlebury Cornell Oberlin Dartmouth Northland Duke Princeton Emory Tulane