Framingham State University was recently ranked 17th nationally on a new list of affordable and eco-friendly colleges compiled by the Best Choice Schools Web site.

"More than 300 environmentally-conscious schools were considered for the article, but only the most affordable colleges and universities made the final grade," said Best Choice Schools Editor Reese Brady.

The University’s overall efforts to “Go Green” are guided by its Climate Action Plan, which was written in 2010 and is updated every year.

“Framingham State has been committed to remaining accessible and affordable since our founding in 1839,” says FSU President F. Javier Cevallos. “More recently, our students, faculty and staff have made environmental stewardship a top priority. The whole community takes a lot of pride in our efforts to go green.”

Framingham State University was honored by the state with a 2013 Leading by Example (LBE) Award for its efforts to be a more environmentally responsible campus. FSU has also been recognized by the Princeton Review for its sustainability efforts.

Among the major steps the University has taken to become more eco-friendly is a comprehensive energy project that converted heating fuel from oil to natural gas, a project that has reduced emissions by 33 percent and will save the University $15 million over the 20-year life of the system. The University also installed two solar PV arrays on the campus center and athletic building, opened North Hall, a LEED Gold-certified residence hall on campus, and implemented a composting program.

Other efforts to reduce energy consumption include eliminating lunch trays in the dining hall to conserve water; installing water-saving dishwaters; altering class schedules to reduce the number of days commuter students have to drive to campus; and installing a university vegetable garden. FSU has received considerable support from food service provider Sodexo.