UCI recognized as top green university in U.S.

To the Anteater community:

I am delighted to announce that UCI has once again been named the nation’s No. 1 “Coolest School” by Sierra, the official magazine of the Sierra Club. This marks the third time UCI has earned the highest spot in the rankings – we’re the only college or university ever to accomplish this – and the ninth consecutive year UCI has been in the top 10 (also a record).

The magazine cited UCI’s curriculum, research, campus and public engagement, air and climate initiatives, and building and energy programs in awarding the campus first place alongside Vermont’s Green Mountain College.

And last week, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education released its annual Sustainable Campus Index, recognizing the best-performing institutions in areas impacting sustainability. UCI was awarded the No. 1 overall ranking for doctoral-granting universities, receiving the highest merit score among all North American colleges and universities, and was one of only four institutions to earn platinum status. UCI was also the top performer in green buildings and tied with our San Diego sister campus in research.

UCI has a long history of environmental and sustainability leadership dating back to the Nobel Prize-winning research of F. Sherwood Rowland into the depletion of the ozone layer almost five decades ago. His work led to the development and growth of our campus culture of sustainable practices, groundbreaking research and extraordinary accomplishments that have placed us at the very forefront of American higher education. These two latest honors serve to confirm the great success of all our efforts in the classroom, in the laboratory and in the community.

A few years ago, then-President Barack Obama said that UCI was “ahead of the curve” in this vital area. As we move forward, I have every confidence that our campus will continue to build momentum, provide leadership and do even more great work that will impact the lives of generations to come.

Fiat Lux,

Chancellor Howard Gillman