The University of Virginia moved into the “Environmental Eight” in an NCAA basketball-style tournament that evaluated colleges and universities on environmental degree programs and curriculum, environmental opportunities for students and campus sustainability efforts.

U.Va. had been included in the “Sustainable 16” opening round of the second annual Environmental March Madness tournament, a competition sponsored by Enviance Inc., in partnership with GreenBiz Group and Qualtrics.

U.Va. moved to the “Environmental Eight” after being evaluated on its initial survey, as well as a second round of supplementary essays, videos and photos submitted by students and faculty.

“U.Va. is being recognized as a national player in campus sustainability,” said Nina Morris, sustainability outreach coordinator for Facilities Management. “Being a part of the ‘Environmental Eight’ demonstrates that the U.Va. commitment to sustainability permeates our academic, institutional and community initiatives.”

U.Va. was recognized by the contest judges for its excellence in environmental academics and sustainability practices, as well as an exceptional level of student and faculty engagement in the tournament.

“U.Va. has woven sustainable practices and principles into all facets of our community to create a diverse and innovative approach to sustainability that is leading higher education forward,” Morris said.

The other competitors who moved into the second round were Colorado State University, George Mason University, Michigan State University, Middlebury College in Vermont, The Ohio State University, the University of California-Santa Barbara and the University of Washington.

Colorado State, George Mason, Ohio State and Washington advanced to the contest’s “Finest Four” round, and Ohio State was declared the winner Tuesday.