Sustainable Operations

UC Merced Earns Perfect Score, Ranks 7th in Nation on Princeton Review’s ‘Top 50 Green Colleges’ List

November 9, 2025

UC Merced was recognized again as a national leader in sustainability, earning a perfect Green Rating score and ranking No. 7 in the nation on The Princeton Review’s 2025 list of Top 50 Green Colleges. The ranking highlights universities that set the standard for environmental stewardship...

New Project Works to Ensure No Food is Left Behind

As UC Merced’s mission of food rescue continues to expand in the community, a new program will make sure food isn’t wasted on campus as well. The No Food Left Behind initiative aims to...

Outgoing Chancellor Dorothy Leland cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the second phase of the Merced 2020 Project.

UC Merced Unveils Second Phase of Merced 2020 Project, Says Thank You to Leland

Two simple words, “Leland Legacy,” captured the significance of Wednesday’s opening event for the second phase of the Merced 2020 Project, an event that doubled as a goodbye and...

Grant Helps University Ramp Up Food Rescue Efforts

UC Merced’s desire to fight food insecurity in Merced County and on campus got a big boost recently after being awarded a $492,000 grant from CalRecycle. The university — along with...

Campus Wins Four Awards at Annual Sustainability Conference

UC Merced continues to earn recognition and awards for its sustainability efforts. Last week, the university won four awards at the 16th annual Higher Education Energy Efficiency and...

University Receives STARS Gold for Sustainability Achievements

UC Merced has proven to be the gold standard of sustainability in higher education and once again, has received a gold star. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher...

UC Merced Shows Sustainability Matters in Cool Campus Challenge

The Cool Campus Challenge called for UC campuses to spend the month of April pledging to reduce their carbon footprints, and UC Merced didn’t disappoint. The university finished fourth overall...

UC Merced will compete in a UC systemwide competition called the Cool Campus Challenge.

UC Merced Aims to Become the Coolest UC Campus

As the only institution in the country with all LEED certified buildings, being sustainable is ingrained in UC Merced’s DNA. Now, a new competition is challenging the university to strive for...

Sustainability Director Colleen McCormick and the UC Merced solar array

McCormick Leaves Sustaining Legacy at UC Merced

When Colleen McCormick joined UC Merced as its sustainability director in 2014, the university had lofty aspirations but no specific action plan to get from Point A to Point B. Today, the campus...

This Saturday, mechanical engineering major Vanessa Andrade will participate in the university’s second fall commencement ceremony.

Passion for Cars Steers Graduating Senior into Mechanical Engineering

Growing up in San Juan Bautista, Vanessa Andrade loved hanging out with her father and his collection of cars and tractors. She spent hours in the “barn” or shop, helping change the...