The College Sustainability Report Card, an independent Web evaluator of the sustainability in campus operations and endowments, has given Notre Dame a B- on its 2009 report grade. That’s up from a C in 2008.

The grade is based on several factors, including the sustainability vision of the administration, food purchasing and recycling efforts, energy efficient buildings, investment priorities, transportation, and student involvement (view the entire report card.) Student involvement by itself received an A grade based on recycling and energy conservation as well as the student group coalition, GREEND, which works with the University’s Office of Sustainability to support student efforts with sustainability projects

Other Indiana universities had comparable scores to Notre Dame. For example, Purdue University also received a B- for 2009 while Indiana University at Bloomington received a C+.

The Report Card and its publishing agent, the Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI), are supported through grants from foundations and private donations. The SEI is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to research and education to advance sustainability in campus operations and endowment practices.