Staff Photo by Angela Lewis Kate Cummings, Stella Pfau and Carson Wright, from left, chat outside of the Green House at the University of the South. The house is home to students that are focused on sustainable living and educating the community.

SEWANEE, Tenn. -- Kate Cummings doesn't live like most college students.

As part of a Green House with nine other students on the campus of Sewanee: University of the South, she spends her spare time caring for a flock of chickens in the back yard, waiting for a fresh supply of organic eggs.

Her showers are timed to save water and she braves the fluctuations of fall weather without heat or air conditioning.

"We want to show people how to live sustainably," said Ms. Cummings.

Sewanee's green dorm, among its many eco-friendly efforts, has gained attention from outside groups eyeing consumption and waste on college campuses.

In a 2010 College Sustainability Report Card, published by the national Sustainable Endowments Institute, the school received an overall B- grade for its green initiatives, a jump from last year's overall grade of C-.

"The university has sustainability staff, as well as a Web site dedicated to informing the community about the school's environmental initiatives," the report read.

Only four other Tennessee colleges were included in the annual ranking. The University of Tennessee in Knoxville was given an overall grade of B; Vanderbilt University was given a C+, Rhodes College was given a B- and the University of Memphis was given a C, according to the report.

Of the 59 Southeastern schools rated, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill achieved the highest grade and was the only school to receive a A-.

Sewanee's sustainability officer, Marvin Pate, said the school has worked hard over the last year to improve its green efforts on campus, especially in areas where it received the lowest grades last year: buildings and transportation.

"Between now and next year's rating, maybe we will be able to penetrate that better," said Mr. Pate. "We are making a strong push in the entire area of sustainability. It involved transportation, food, renewable energy and the incorporation of academics in sustainability."

Sewanee officials have bought 16 electric vehicles for campus use and worked to create a walking culture on campus. Students may not drive to class or to events, a rule supported by the student government association, he said.

"It was like a raceway with students going to class," said Mr. Pate. "It was nonstop looking around for the best place to park."

Most faculty also live less than two miles from the center of campus, he said.

The report gave Sewanee a C for housing and facilities because many old buildings on campus have not been retrofitted for conservation.

Mr. Pate said the school is improving existing facilities and that new buildings are constructed according to U.S. Green Building Council standards.

Two buildings have recently been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, Mr. Pate said. A new science building, opened last fall, may receive a LEED Silver certification, he said. Snowden Hall, the forestry and geology building, has been renovated to LEED standards.

Many older buildings have been retrofitted with automated systems for heating and air conditioning, energy-smart lighting and low-flow shower heads and toilets, he said.

"We don't have a formal green building policy, but we have been walking the talk," he said.

The College Sustainability Report Card

SEWANEE'S REPORT CARD

Overall grade: B-

Administration: A

Climate change and energy: A

Food and recycling: B

Green building: C

Student Involvement: A

Transportation: D

Source: College Sustainability Report Card