July 20, 2016

Slippery Rock University awarded ‘Green Ribbon’ status by U.S. Department of Education

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

Harrisburg – Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania was recognized today by the U.S. Department of Education as a “Green Ribbon School” for its “exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education.” SRU was one of only 11 colleges and universities in the nation to receive the award.

Education Secretary John B. King congratulated the recipients of the annual award during a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Forty-seven K-12 schools and 15 school districts also received the award. Park Forest Elementary School in State College and the School District of Jenkintown were the only other recipients from Pennsylvania.
“Slippery Rock is an outstanding example of best-practices in creating a healthy, sustainable environment for students, employees and everyone who comes onto the campus.” said Frank T. Brogan, chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. “The students, faculty, staff, and administration—everyone who played a role attaining this honor—are to be congratulated.”
The recognition by the Department of Education is only the latest in a series of recognitions Slippery Rock has received in recent years for its efforts to maintain a safe, healthy campus environment. The university also was included in the Princeton Review’s “Guide to 332 Green Colleges” and was listed among Healthiest Employers Inc.’s “Top 100 Healthiest Workplaces in America.” The Sierra Club also included Slippery Rock on its “Cool Schools” list.

Slippery Rock University is a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth, with more than 100,000 degree-seeking students and thousands more who are enrolled in certificate and other career-development programs. Collectively, the 14 universities that comprise the State System offer more than 2,300 degree and certificate programs in more than 530 academic areas. Nearly 520,000 State System university alumni live in Pennsylvania.
The State System universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The universities also operate branch campuses in Oil City (Clarion), Freeport and Punxsutawney (IUP), and Clearfield (Lock Haven), and offer classes and programs at several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and in Center City in Philadelphia.