The Cyberspace Race: Pac-10 Edition

If the technology age has taught me anything, it’s that talking isn’t done in person or even over the phone; it’s done over the good old vast stretch of the cyberspace super highway.

While some may subscribe to the idea that universities should walk the green walk now and self-promote later, Pacific-10 schools are all jockeying for the most sustainable online visibility.

Let’s see which schools rated highest—not on their individual green efforts, but rather on how they present themselves via their Web sites. For fun’s sake, we’ll split them up by natural rivalries.

Criteria for the rankings included ease of use, layout, encouragement of student involvement and gimmickry (or lack thereof).

The Apple Cup: Washington State vs. Washington

We’ll start in the Pacific Northwest, with two schools who wish they were as good at football as they are at being green. Washington State’s Web site is simple enough, with a few links and some news, but it’s the slogan that steals the show: “Be Crimson. Go Green.” It’s so corny, it just may work, especially against rival Washington, who is the only Pac 10 school without a sustainability Web site. For shame, Washington! For shame! Of course, you can always join UW’s hastily put-together listserv, if you can ever figure out how to make it work.

Advantage: Washington State University

The Feud in the Forest: Oregon vs. Oregon State

The Oregon’s Web site is impressive not only in its presentation, but also its variance in content. The site is a bit disorganized, but the information is there. The school also hosts a lucky 13 different sustainability/green committees and groups. However, I must dock points from the Ducks for not somehow making a bigger deal about the fact that Oregon is the only Pac 10 university whose main school color is green—countless (shameless) slogan/logo ideas there. For example, they could do something like, “Green for life,” “Ducks love it green,” “We bleed green and green.” They must have been too busy actually making a difference through their numerous events and committees.

Oregon State gets style points for the effort put into their sustainability blog. The Web site itself is impressive in its simplified focus, but OSU is put to shame by their in-state rival’s vast array of web options.

 

I never thought I’d see the day where a beaver would lose a fight to a duck.

Advantage: Oregon

The Bay Area Brawl: University of California-Berkeley vs. Stanford University

Just in case we were wondering what the heck we’re talking about when we say sustainability, UC-Berkeley has spelled it out loud and clear on the very front of their Web site. Kudos, as it seems like sustainability is kind of like ginseng — everyone has an idea of what it is, but few can really explain it. As for their content, it goes far beyond tips and events — summits, awards and internships. They even have a link to the Office of Sustainability.

As for Stanford, when your mascot is a tree, you have to step it up, right? For Stanford University, no bells and whistles — just honest and straightforward navigation to where you want to go. The Web site shows a focus of education (and funding toward environmental education), as well as what the everyday Joe Schmo can do, instead of pulling a Berkeley and tooting their own horn. Awards? This one goes to the tree, actually that’s a fight I would pay to see. It’s an upset, all right. Call it a buzzer beater, a last second touchdown or a walk-off home run. Whatever sports metaphor, don’t mess with a tree!

Advantage: Stanford (in an upset)

Battle in La La Land: UCLA vs. University of Southern California

UCLA’s Web site seems pretty “cookie cutter” at first — events, fast facts, definitions, etc. What takes the cake, though, are two things: They have utilized their own podcast and their events have actual significance. This is where green bake sales are trumped by panel discussions on climate change and green job fairs.

USC is a bland site full of arbitrary “Recycle, it’s good for the environment!” type tips, nothing of actual urgency — no classes or workshops. And their most recent news is from October. Ah, Trojans—decendents of Zeus and recipients of a beatdown from the Bruins of UCLA. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times — in a fight over sustainability, never mess with a bear, unless you’re Stanford.

Advantage: UCLA

Duel in the place where it is not natural for people to live — the desert: Arizona vs. Arizona State

The University of Arizona’s sustainability site is not terribly flashy, but effective nonetheless, with (updated!) current events and recent news, as well as several links concerning student involvement, community outreach and campus sustainability. Oh, and also, points for having a link to the one and only The Cat Scan.

On the other hand, it’s hard to compete when you (the UA) are going up against a school (ASU) who has their own Institute of Sustainability and School of Sustainability, complete with all the stuff you have on your site, just more of it, and better. ASU takes the cake via quantity and quality. The UA must have been busy being the only Pac-10 team to make it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. What’s your excuse, Washington?

Advantage: Arizona State

Advertisement