2022
CSU featured in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges 2023
Cleveland State University has been featured in The Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges for the fifth consecutive year. The Princeton Review chose the 455 schools in the guide based on a survey conducted at 713 colleges concerning their institutions' sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. CSU earned 91 out of 99 possible points for its Green Rating score.
Rankings: The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2023 Edition
2021
CSU featured in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges 2022
Cleveland State University has been featured in The Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges for the fourth consecutive year. The Princeton Review chose the 420 schools in the guide based on a survey conducted at 835 colleges concerning their institutions' sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. CSU earned 90 out of 99 possible points for its Green Rating score.
Rankings: The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2022 Edition
Media: OUR VIKING GREEN SUSTAINS A VERY ‘GREEN’ STATUS
CSU RECOGNIZED BY SIERRA CLUB COOL SCHOOLS 2021
Cleveland State University ranked 197 out of 328 participating institutions in Sierra magazine's 15th annual Cool Schools program.
Participation is open to all four-year undergraduate colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, along with two
-year community colleges. Scores are based on Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) reports submitted to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). A significant percentage of points are awarded in the areas of energy, air and climate, and transportation because the Sierra Club believes that progress in these sectors is essential for addressing the climate crisis.
For more information, see the Cool Schools 2021 Full Ranking.
2020
2020 Green Building Challenge Awards
June 2021 - The Cleveland 2030 District, in collaboration with USGBC Ohio NE Region, has announced the winners of their annual competition to measure progress in reducing energy use, water consumption and commuter transportation emissions. CSU picked up awards in all three categories.
ENERGY
40-49% REDUCTION FROM BASELINE
- Cleveland State University Law Building
- Cleveland State University Music & Communications
30-39% REDUCTION FROM BASELINE
- Cleveland State University Science Building
WATER
Over 50% REDUCTION FROM BASELINE
- Cleveland State University Law Building
40-49% REDUCTION FROM BASELINE
- Cleveland State University Center for Innovation in Medical Professions
TRANSPORTATION EMISSIONS
40-49% REDUCTION FROM BASELINE
- Cleveland State University
Media: Cleveland 2030 District media release and CSU News
CSU recognized by Sierra Club Cool Schools 2020
For 14 years, Sierra has been ranking colleges on climate action and sustainability measures relating to energy, transportation, and campus engagement. All two and four-year undergraduate colleges and universities in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate. Scores are based on STARS reports submitted to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
In 2020, CSU ranked 246 out of 312 participating institutions.
Cool Schools 2020 Full Ranking: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/cool-schools-2020/cool-schools-2020-fu...
CSU featured in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges 2020
October 2020 - Cleveland State University has been featured in The Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges for the third consecutive year. A total of 416 schools were profiled in the guide based on a survey conducted at 695 four-year colleges about their institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability. More than 25 survey data points were analyzed by The Princeton Review editors to tally Green Rating scores for the schools on a scale of 60 to 99. Colleges that earned a Green Rating of 80 or higher made it into the guide. The Princeton Review gave CSU a Green Rating of 85 points. In its profile on CSU, The Princeton Review cites the availability of sustainability-focused degrees, a dedicated sustainability officer, a publicly available greenhouse gas emissions inventory, a car-sharing program, a carpool matching program, and reduced priced transit passes as notable sustainability initiatives.
Rankings: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/green-guide
STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Silver rating 
October 2020 - CSU achieved a Silver rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), a program of AASHE (Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education).
Report: https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/cleveland-state-university-oh/rep...
2019 Green Building Challenge Awards
July 2020 - The Cleveland 2030 District, in collaboration with USGBC Ohio NE Region, has announced the winners of their competition to measure progress in energy and water conservation. CSU picked up three awards.
A 40-49% reduction in Energy Use Intensity from baseline through 2019
- Winner: Cleveland State University, Fenn Hall
A 30-39% reduction in Energy Use Intensity from baseline through 2019
- Winner: Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Wolstein Hall
A 50% or more reduction in Water Use Intensity from baseline through 2019
- Winner: Cleveland State University, Fenn Hall
Media: Cleveland 2030 District media release and 2019 Annual Progress Report
2019
Presidents' Climate Leadership Marks of Distinction
November 2019 - Cleveland State University has received three 2019 Marks of Distinction from the Climate Leadership Network. The awards recognize efforts by universities nationwide as part of the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments. The three Marks of Distinction earned by CSU in 2019 represent the following efforts:
- Renewable Energy Purchaser: Greater than 25 Percent
- Carbon Reduction: Greater than 25 Percent
- We Are Still In Participant
View 2019 Marks of Distinction Certificate
Media: https://www.csuohio.edu/news/csu-receives-presidents-climate-leadership-recognition
CSU featured in The Princeton Review's 2019 Guide to Green Colleges
October 2019 - Cleveland State University has been featured in The Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges for the second consecutive year. The Princeton Review chose the 413 schools profiled in the guide based on a survey conducted in 2018–19 of administrators at 689 four-year colleges about their institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability. The schools on the list were chosen for their “Green Rating” score (on a scale of 60 to 99) based on a school's sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. Green Rating scores of 80 or higher made Green Colleges list. In the "Campus Life" section of its profile on CSU, The Princeton Review cites a publicly available greenhouse gas emissions inventory, a carpool matching program, and free or reduced price transit passes as factors contributing to the overall rating. CSU received 87 out of 99 possible points.
Media: https://www.csuohio.edu/news/csu-featured-in-princeton-reviews-2019-guide-green-colleges
Rankings: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/green-guide
CSU recognized by Sierra Club Cool Schools 2019
For 13 years, Sierra has been ranking colleges according to which ones offer the best sustainability-focused courses, ecofriendly cafeteria provisions, and carbon-neutral land and energy policies, as well as the most opportunities to engage with the environmental movement. All two and four-year undergraduate colleges and universities in the United States and Canada are eligible to participate. Scores are based on STARS reports submitted to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
CSU ranked 217 out of 282 participating institutions.
Cool Schools 2019 Full Ranking: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/cool-schools-2019/cool-schools-2019-full-ranking
2018
Reduction in Energy Use Intensity from year-end 2017 through year-end 2018:
- 2nd Place: Cleveland State University, Julka Hall
Reduction in Water Use Intensity from year-end 2017 through year-end 2018:
- Winner: Cleveland State University, Julka Hall
Media: http://www.2030districts.org/cleveland/news/cleveland-2030-district-green-building-challenge-winners
Second Nature Climate Leadership Marks of Distinction
November 2018 - CSU received three Marks of Distinction from the Climate Leadership Network. One for our 25% Carbon Reduction achievement, one for purchasing over 25% renewable energy, and one for being a We Are Still In Participant.
View 2018 Marks of Distinction Certificate
CSU featured in The Princeton Review's 2018 Guide to Green Colleges
October 2018 - The Princeton Review chose the schools for the ninth annual edition of its Green Guide based on data from their 2017-18 survey of 648 four-year colleges. The schools on the list were chosen for their “Green Rating” score (on a scale of 60 to 99) based on a school's sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. Green Rating scores of 80 or higher made The Princeton Review’s “Guide to 399 Green Colleges” list.
Media: https://www.csuohio.edu/news/csu-featured-in-princeton-reviews-guide-gre...
Rankings: www.princetonreview.com/green-guide
CSU recognized by Sierra Club Cool Schools 2018
September 2018 - Participation in Sierra magazine's 12th-annual Cool Schools ranking was open to all four-year undergraduate colleges and universities in the United States and Canada along with two-year community colleges. This year’s scores were based on the STARS reports submitted to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Sierra Club then processed the STARS data through a custom-built formula that ranked the schools according to their own weighting criteria, which were based on Sierra Club priorities including energy, climate and transportation.
CSU ranked 203 out of 268 participating institutions.
Cool Schools 2018 Full Ranking: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/cool-schools-2018/cool-schools-2018-fu...
College & University Green Power Challenge - Individual Confernce Champions
May 2018 - Cleveland State University has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the Horizon League Conference Champion in the 2017-18 College and University Green Power Challenge. CSU uses more than 18 million kilowatt-hours of green power per year, more than any other school in the Horizon League. This represents 30 percent of the school’s electricity use and is equivalent to the electricity needed to power 2,000 average American homes.
- Second Place: Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Wolstein Hall
- Third Place: Cleveland State University, Science Building
- Third Place: Cleveland State University, Science Building
Second Nature Climate Leadership Marks of Distinction
May 2018 - CSU received two Marks of Distinction from the Climate Leadership Network. One for our 25% Carbon Reduction achievement and one for being a We Are Still In Participant.
View 2018 Marks of Distinction Certificate
2017
Silver rating in STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) 
August 2017 - Silver rating from STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System), a program of AASHE (Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education)
Media: https://www.csuohio.edu/news/csu-receives-national-recognition-for-susta...
Report: https://stars.aashe.org/institutions/cleveland-state-university-oh/repor...
College & University Green Power Challenge - Individual Confernce Champions
April 2017 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Cleveland State University as an Individual Conference Champion of the 2016-17 College & University Green Power Challenge for using more green power than any other school in the Horizon League. CSU beat its conference rivals by using 18 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 30 percent of the school’s annual electricity usage.
Media: http://www.csuohio.edu/news/csu-recognized-top-green-power-user-in-horizon-league
Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District Recycling Container Grant $3K
February 2017 - CSU to add batteries and cellphones to recycling program with $3,000 grant
With the new funding, 24 new recycling receptacles for batteries and cellphones will be installed across campus. A portion of the grant also will be used to obtain additional recycling bins for bottles, cans and paper.
2016
EPA Green Power Partners
October 2016 - Cleveland State University has been honored with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partner designation. CSU is being recognized due to its efforts to enhance green energy use on campus. This includes utilizing nearly 18 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is 30 percent of its overall electricity use.
Media: http://www.csuohio.edu/news/csu-receives-green-power-partner-designation-from-us-epa
2011
Large Business Leader in Energy Conservation
CSU was recognized by the AEE Northern Ohio Chapter with the “Large Business Leader in Energy Conservation” award.
2009
Crain’s Emerald Award
In 2009, CSU was a recipient of Crain’s Emerald Award, which honors outstanding Northeast Ohio companies, organizations and leaders who have successfully implemented and benefited from strategic sustainable priorities that significantly trim costs and increase cash flow with innovations and products designed to reduce their environmental footprint.
Video: Brewer-Garrett & CSU: Crain's Emerald Awards