California State University, Fresno
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture

As part of Fresno State's CUPR project, the Human Behavior Energy Audit was conducted in 2021 by NORESCO's Green Operations team to better understand sustainability behaviors and attitudes among students and staff/faculty. The HBEA consisted of two parts: focus groups discussions and web-surveys.

Sample questions--

Please indicate your level of agreement for the statements below:
□ Strongly disagree □ Disagree □ Neutral □ Agree □ Strongly agree
1. Energy conservation is important here at Fresno State
2. Fresno State should conserve energy
3. I should help Fresno State conserve energy
4. It is my right to use as much energy as I want
5. Recycling is important here at Fresno State

Tell us about these behaviors while at school:
□ Never □ Seldom □ Half the time □ Often □ Always
1. When I leave unoccupied areas, I turn off the light(s)
2. When I am finished using my computer, I turn it off
3. When I am finished using my computer, I turn my monitor/display off
4. I turn off the water faucet when I am finished

Did you know that water is required to clean and keep equipment and machinery functioning properly?
□ Yes
□ No

Did you know that golf cart chargers stop charging (or shut down) when the battery is fully charged, even though it is still plugged in?
□ Yes
□ No

Tell us about your commute to campus
□ Never □ Seldom □ Half the time □ Often □ Always
1. I walk to campus
2. I ride my bicycle to campus
3. I ride public transit to campus
4. I drive an alternative-fueled/hybrid vehicle to campus
5. I drive my gas-powered vehicle to campus
6. I carpool/ride-share to campus

In an ideal world, how would you like to commute to campus?
□ Walk
□ Gas-powered vehicle
□ Alternative fuel/hybrid vehicle
□ Bike
□ Public transit
□ Carpool/ride-share
□ Other

Please check three future sustainability priorities for Fresno State
□ More solar power generation
□ Reclaim water for reuse on campus
□ Low water-intensity landscaping options
□ More efficient irrigation system
□ Low-flow water fixtures (toilets and sinks)
□ Electric equipment for custodial, facilities, and maintenance staff
□ More electric vehicle charging stations
□ Electrify the Fresno State vehicle fleet

The HBEA is an exploratory survey intended to get a general idea of campus conservation and sustainability culture. Representative sampling was not used in this project. A web survey was sent out via email to students and staff/faculty; some survey questions varied depending in whether the participant was student or staff. Focus group participants were selected by department in groups of 10, with a total of 22 focus groups.

There is a significant interest in supporting sustainability at Fresno State and/or implementing sustainable practices in their personal lives, but there is some lack of awareness relating to the university's current sustainability efforts.