Oakland, CA–February 25, 2008.   In honor of the Mills College Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building's highest certified rating in environment design and construction, Mayor Ron Dellums has proclaimed February 25 through 29 "Mills College Week."

 "We are proud to have Mills College as an institution of higher learning and a leader in green building in our community," said the mayor's proclamation. "This accomplishment is a remarkable example of what can be achieved through pioneering collaboration and genuine commitment to high architectural and environmental standards. Mills deserves recognition for being a leader in Oakland."

The new 26,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility received a "platinum" distinction, becoming the first building in Oakland to earn the highest rating by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). It is also the first science building in the country to hold this distinction among members of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

The building has photovoltaic (or PV) panels on the roof, a rainwater collection system that recycles water for flushing toilets, energy efficient mechanical equipment, radiant heated floors, recycled materials in construction, and drought tolerant native plant species in three courtyards.

In addition to the proclamation, the mayor also included the Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building among the list of 2007 notable achievements in Oakland in his State of the City year in review statement.

Sustainability is a campus-wide commitment at Mills. The new Graduate School of Business is slated to be gold LEED certified. Mills endows 10 percent of the construction costs on every large renovation or new construction project for future building maintenance. The College is a signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Mills College also received a 2007 Business Recognition Award for outstanding leadership and achievement in environmentally sustainable practices from StopWaste.Org, an Alameda county-wide agency. The College diverts more than over 60 percent of its waste away from landfills through an aggressive composting and recycling program, the use of biodegradable utensils and dishware, and the purchase and use of recycled materials when possible.

Nestled in the foothills of Oakland, California, Mills College is a nationally renowned, independent liberal arts college offering a dynamic progressive education that fosters leadership, social responsibility, and creativity to approximately 900 undergraduate women and 500 graduate women and men. Since 2000, applications to Mills College have more than doubled. The college ranks as one of the top colleges in the West by U.S. News & World Report and one of the Best 366 Colleges by the Princeton Review.

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