The Princeton Review has once again named University of the Pacific to its Guide to Green Colleges in recognition of the university’s commitment to fostering a sustainable environment and campus culture for current and future generations.

This is the 15th time Pacific had been named to the annual list, which rates universities around the world based on surveys from colleges and students.

Sustainability—one of President Christopher Callahan’s core focus areas—is woven into campus life at Pacific, from solar panels to composting to rentable e-bikes.

A sustainability action plan was recently developed to help guide Pacific as it strives to achieve an ambitious goal of earning a platinum STARS rating by 2030. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures universities’ sustainability efforts. 

“Pacific is deeply committed to integrating sustainable practices into campus life,” said Sustainability Director Jessica Bilecki. “From what’s being taught in the classroom to how we manage the campus, we want Pacific to serve as a model for our students.”

See some of the ways Pacific is finding sustainable solutions and educating future changemakers.

Starting fall 2025, Pacific will offer a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability degree. The interdisciplinary program will prepare students to address pressing environmental and social challenges, filling the growing demand for graduates with a sustainability background in a wide array of fields.

Pacific has set a goal of obtaining LEED gold certification for the future Southwest Hall, which is expected to break ground in 2025. The designation recognizes a building’s sustainable design and operation.

An energy audit was also recently completed to identify ways to reduce energy that will make the most impact.

Students and staff served up a ‘Taste of the Garden’ at the Ted and Chris Robb Garden on campus Nov. 14, using garden-grown produce to create a sampling of appetizers, desserts and teas.

The garden is a living laboratory that educates students and the community. It grows more than 1,300 pounds of produce annually, which is made available to students facing food insecurity.

Solar panels installed in 2022 over parking lots on the Stockton Campus generate about 30% of the campus’s energy needs. The solar panels have generated approximately $1.8 million kWh worth of savings so far.

Electric vehicle charging stations also are available.

Students can rent electric bikes on campus through the Bike Stockton program. For longer trips, electric vehicles are available to rent, and a shuttle takes students to popular shopping destinations near campus on Fridays and Saturdays during the school year.

A $10 discounted monthly bus pass also is available for students to travel throughout Stockton. See all the options through Tiger Transportation.

Pacific's long-time food vendor Bon Appetit has farm-to-fork initiatives and other efforts to reduce food waste. Pacific has previously been named one of the Top 10 sustainable food and dining programs among hundreds of public and private universities worldwide.

Pacific keeps its grounds beautiful while reducing resource usage by using 100% non-potable water for irrigation which is closely monitored with a computerized irrigation control system. Low-flow fixtures also cut down on water usage.

Learn more about sustainability at Pacific.