Campus Sustainability Survey: Assessing Awareness and Habits

Sustainability Survey Assessing Campus Awareness, Literacy, and Habits Regarding Sustainability Issues October 2014

Sustainability Survey Introduction

Who Completed the Survey? CSB/SJU First Year Students 13% 8% CSB Student Responders SJU Students Responders CSB/SJU Student Freshmen Response Population At Which Campus Do You Spend Your Time Female Male CSB SJU 38% 40% 62% 60%

CSB/SJU Students understand that their choices have an impact on the environment, the economy, and society. Q: It is important to understand the overall effects of my choices on 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree The environment The economoy Myself, and other people

97.1% of respondents believe that sustainability means more than merely being environmentally sound. First Year Students 3% True 1 Q: Sustainability means being economically viable and socially just as well as environmentally sound. False 0 97% CSB First Year Student SJU First Year Student 4% 2% 1 True False 0 96% 98%

Q: I learned more about sustainability during my time at CSB/SJU 1% 9% 15% Over 57%of first-years say they learned more about sustainability at CSB/SJU Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral 32% Agree Strongly Agree 43%

Q: How important is it to you that CSB/SJU be a leader in Sustainability and the Environment? 76% of our first-years believe CSB/SJU should be a leader in sustainability. Unimportant 3% Neutral 20% Very Important 34% Not at all important 1% Important 42%

Over 85% of respondents find it important that CSB/SJU consider using renewable energy CSB First Years SJU First Years First Years Students 1% 3% 0% 2% 0% 2% 9% 16% 16% 33% 42% 48% 32% 47% 49% Not at all important Unimportant Neutral Important Very Important Q: How important is it to you that CSB/SJU consider renewable energy sources for its energy needs?

73% of first year students believe practicing sustainability will improve their life. Inconvenience my life 4% Not affect my life 23% Q: Practicing sustainability will... Improve my life 73%

First Years act sustainably because it: (1)is the right thing to do (2)saves money (3)protects human health Not going to make sustainable choices 2% Friend/peer influence 6% Protecting human health 9% Saving money 11% It's the right thing to do to make the world a better place 72% Q:Which best explains any personal motivation on your part for becoming involved in making sustainable choices?

The Sustainability Office best reaches out to students by 45% of respondents were aware of the Sustainability Office because of posters 50% 44.90% 45% 40% Newspaper Articles 35% Website 28.50% 30% 24.10% 25% Attended a meeting or event Sustainability Newsletter 21.50% 20.30% 20% 15.20% 14.60% 15% 11.40% Posters 10% 5% Seen Bumper Sticker 0% Didn't know it existed Other Q: If you know of the Sustainability Office, how did you become aware of it? (Check all that apply)

First years think the most important environmental related issues at CSB/SJU are: (1) recycling (2) waste reduction Reducing the amount of waste generated Recycling 87% important 92% important Q: How important to you are the following environmental- related issues at CSB/SJU?

Followed by: (3) Environmental effects on health (4) Reduce energy consumption Health Effects Reduce Energy Consumption 87% Important 82% Important Q: How important to you are the following environmental- related issues at CSB/SJU?

Followed by: (5)Water Conservation (6) Alternative Transportation Alternative Transportation Water Conservation 68% Important 79% Important Q: How important to you are the following environmental- related issues at CSB/SJU?

Followed by: (7)Use of fertilizers and pesticides Use of fertilizers and pesticides 49% important Q: How important to you are the following environmental- related issues at CSB/SJU?

About 80% of First-Years define Sustainabilityas Being Green, Conserving/Recycling , and Environment/Natural Resources 90% 80% How Long Something Lasts Balance of Environmental, Societal and Economic Considerations 70% Ability to Sustain Life on Earth 60% Conservation/Recycling 50% Environment/Natural Resources 40% Being Green 30% Not Harming Future Generations 20% Don't Know 10% 0% 1 Q: What comes to mind when you hear the term sustainability? (Check all that apply)

65% of first years would be willing to pay a fee to make campus more sustainable. $50+ 5% $25 24% $0 35% $10 36% Q I would be willing to pay a fee of to make campus more sustainable.

I recycle plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard when possible. First years most often: (1)recycle (2)turn off lights (3)Make healthy food choices 3% 0% 9% Always 87% Usually 49% Always/usually Sometimes 39% Rarely I turn off lights and electronics when not in use. Never 2% 1% Always 11% Imake healthy food choices when possible. Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never Usually 38% 86% Sometimes Always/usually 4% 1% 21% Rarely 48% 30% 87% Never Always/usually Q: How often do you do the following things? 44%

Less Often First Years: (4) Bring a reusable Bag (5) Buy local/second-hand goods I buy locally-produced or second-hand goods. I bring a reusable bag when shopping. 2% 6% 17% Always 8% 22% 16% Usually 29% Always Always/Usually Sometimes 19% Usually 27% Rarely Always/Usually Never Sometimes 24% Rarely 53% Never 33% Q: How often do you do the following things?

74% of first year student respondents said that global climate change will be a problem for future generations 80% Additionally, 93.7% of the first years who answered the survey said that when energy is conserved, fewer greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere. 70% 60% 50% 40% in your lifetime 30% for future generations 20% Q: When I conserve energy, I contribute fewer greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. 10% 0% No Minor Problem Major Problem Problem Q: How much of a problem will global climate change be...

First years think CSB/SJU should become more sustainable by: (1) Expanding the recycling program, (2) Changing behavior and habits (3) Decreasing our waste stream First Year CSB/SJU Student Response (%) investing in green building 49.30% investing in efficiency 61.10% expanding the recycling program 71.90% decreasing our waste stream 61.10% investing in low carbon transporation 55.70% changing behaviors and habits 63.10% investing in alternative energy 60.60% Q: CSB/SJU should become more sustainable by: (Check all that apply)