Simmons College

What's making Simmons "Green"? Plenty.

Here's a look at some recent sustainable actions:

• Simmons was recognized with Gold LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for its new School of Management and Academic Building, which opened in 2009.
• Other recent college construction projects, including Beatley Library, the Fens cafeteria, and Mesick Hall incorporated energy efficient kitchen equipment, cork flooring, and special bathroom fixtures that use less water.
• For the second year in a row, Simmons was recognized in the Princeton Review's Guide to Green Colleges, a recently published guidebook that features a select group of universities that have demonstrated a significant commitment to sustainability.
• The College offers a major and minor in environmental science through the departments of biology and chemistry, with course content focusing on environmental protection. More than 12 academic departments at Simmons offer at least one course related to sustainability.
• In winter 2010, the College established a minor in sustainability. The minor enables students from any discipline to explore the connections of their career-directed studies to the interrelated issues of the natural world and its finite resources, and social justice.
• In 2011, Simmons received an Excellence in Commuter Options Award from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The College provides a 70 percent subsidy, up to $110 per month, to full time employees who purchase transit passes. On average, nearly 200 employees receive the subsidy each month. Students also receive a subsidy as part of the College's participation in the MBTA Semester Pass Program. For more information, visit the Commuting Alternatives page.
• Paper towel and toilet tissue dispensers in all restrooms were recently upgraded to larger dispensers as both a cost-saving and waste-reducing measure. The new products have 100 percent recycled fiber content with a minimum of 40 percent post consumer fibers, and are EPA compliant with EcoLogo and Green Seal environmental certification.
• The College established energy efficiency standards in all classrooms and meeting spaces. The standards support the management of classroom temperature based on room occupancy and control of interior lights through room sensors, as well as exterior lights by photo cell—a device that detects and measures light.
• Nearly all buildings on the academic campus have converted to compact fluorescent lighting. Each energy-efficient bulb can last up to five years, and over its lifetime prevents the release of 1,000-2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.