I am writing in regards to the recent naming of Gustavus as a “Green College” by the Princeton Review.  I think this is really interesting, for lack of a better word, because I have realized after being here for three years now that the majority of Gustavus students don’t actually give a shit about “being Green” or not. The “Guide to 286 Green Colleges” is the first free comprehensive guidebook focused solely on institutions of higher education who have demonstrated an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives. I find this is extremely discouraging being at a school that the Princeton Review considers a “Green College.” If we are considered “green” than what does that make other schools? Extremely detrimental to our environment?  Even most of my closest friends could not care less about protecting the place we share and live on, which makes me extremely concerned for the welfare of our earth in the future.
The makers of the Princeton Review must have been pretty desperate to find schools to put on their list if they chose Gustavus.  I mean, we aren’t very eco-friendly compared to a few of other schools.  I will make the assumption that we have been given this name because of a select few determined and compassionate souls at this college that are not adequately recognized for their commitment to sustainability at Gustavus. Kudos to them! It is a little pathetic that we all get to live under this title the Princeton Review has given us because of the hard work of select individuals. Not to sound terribly rude, but the rest of us should feel honestly ashamed to not live up to their standards of (helping the world).  So let’s live up to the title we have been given!

Katie Winkelman ‘11