Ohio University was recognized as Ohio’s top Green School by The Princeton Review for 2025. The University is ranked among the Top 50 Green Schools nationally. Recognized for its healthy quality of life and outstanding academic programs, the school is also dedicated to sustainability practices.
The Princeton Review chose colleges based on a 2023-2024 survey. The survey asked administrators at almost 600 institutions about their sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. Students attending these colleges were also surveyed about their “green campus experiences.”
“Data from the student survey included student assessments of the influence of sustainability issues on their academic and campus experiences; administrator and student support for environmental awareness and conservation efforts; and the visibility and impact of student environmental groups on the campus,” The Princeton Review wrote in a press release.
The sustainability efforts and practices at OU are possible with the Office of Sustainability ensuring “fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being,” as well as with the help of students, organizations and clubs.
The Sierra Student Coalition is a group of passionate students who explore, enjoy and protect the planet while working with the Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club. The Coalition was founded by students as an independent organization in 2005 and in the past has hosted events such as Divest Fest and coordinated with the annual Environmental Justice Summit.
The organization involves the local community through not only volunteer work but often partners with local organizations to raise environmental awareness on OU’s campus and in the Athens community.
Catherine Galla, a senior studying environmental studies and co-president of the Sierra Student Coalition, discussed the club’s efforts to educate others with activism.
“We plug different activist group meetings at Village Bakery or different things going on,” Galla said. “Maybe the Office of Sustainability has an event that we want to make sure everyone knows about and then we've also been doing more of a hands-on approach.”
She also mentioned the Coalition has done an invasive species removal with the Athens Conservancy as well as guided hikes that follow the Leave No Trace principles.
Galla also talked about the collaboration between the university and community members, touching on bigger organizations that have “really put a lot forward for justice and environmental justice.”
“Just definitely bridging the gap between what the community is needing and what the students are able to provide, specifically with those invasive species removals and information on the plastic bag ban, like the stuff that is present in the community, increasing that accessibility so that (students) can go out there and be a part of it,” Galla said.
Maddy Lucas, a junior studying environmental and plant biology and the vice president of the Sierra Student Coalition, said she uses the Coalition for community outreach and sees a difference in the community.
“I think, honestly, I’m not surprised (about the ranking) because Athens does so much stuff to try to further sustainability,” Lucas said.
Katherine Zonner, a freshman studying outdoor recreation and education and the Secretary for the Sierra Student Coalition, spoke about the importance of students having knowledge of their surroundings.
“I think that’s definitely important, as well as just keeping people informed of what’s going on, like our natural world on campus is definitely a really big thing,” Zonner said.
She also added students in recreation classes could realize the region’s great nature trails and understand that they need upkeep.
The sustainability efforts of student organizations and clubs like the OU Sierra Student Coalition are large contributors to The Princeton Review’s ranking OU received. Students, administrators and the local community have advocated for sustainability efforts and The Princeton Review recognized OU for just that.
