Northern Arizona University
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Dayna
McKay Data Analyst Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution conduct an assessment of sustainability culture?:
Which of the following best describes the cultural assessment? The assessment is administered to::
Which of the following best describes the structure of the cultural assessment? The assessment is administered::
A brief description of how and when the cultural assessment(s) were developed and/or adopted:
In the summer of 2023, The Office of Sustainability's Data and Reporting Analyst recognized the need for a long-term sustainability literacy and culture assessment here at NAU. This inaugural survey is administered to a representative sample of students every fiscal year in the fall.
The questions are designed to provide insight that allows the Office of Sustainability to design effective programs, identify key next steps toward carbon neutrality, and better target our outreach efforts to the students at NAU.
Capstone Student Sustainability Survey:
In the spring of 2023, a group of capstone students conducted a sustainability literacy and culture assessment. The students designed a comprehensive survey on conceptual understanding, social responsibility, and cultural attitudes towards sustainability. They reviewed and refined the questions to minimize biases and errors.
Through their dedication to obtaining accurate data, the capstone team analyzed survey results to inform future sustainability initiatives. This Capstone became a valuable tool for understanding sustainability literacy and cultural perspectives.
The implementation of this survey demonstrated the students' commitment to social and environmental progress. Their continuous improvements and focus on increasing response rates aimed to create a meaningful survey while fostering broader student engagement.
A copy or sample of the questions related to sustainability culture:
A sample of the questions related to sustainability culture or the website URL where the assessment tool is available:
Questions 1-11 focus on sustainability culture, the second section of questions is the literacy portion.
A brief description of how representative samples were reached (if applicable) and how the cultural assessment is administered:
NAU survey committee members review and approve all survey requests before providing student emails for survey distribution. The application process includes a field where you are to indicate your desired survey population. The sustainability literacy and culture assessment was approved for representative distribution and is distributed to 6,000 students, scattered evenly across grade levels.
A brief summary of results from the cultural assessment:
In 2023, the Office of Sustainability at Northern Arizona University conducted a sustainability assessment to gauge the sustainability culture and literacy among students. The survey aimed to inform future sustainability initiatives, promote environmental responsibility, and enhance outreach efforts. Here are the key highlights:
Demographics: The surveyed students had an average expected graduation year of approximately 2025.5, providing context for their responses.
Sustainability Knowledge: A significant proportion of students demonstrated a strong understanding of sustainability topics, with 35.63% strongly agreeing and 51.25% somewhat agreeing that they possess knowledge of key sustainability concepts.
Incorporation of Sustainable Practices: A majority of students expressed a commitment to sustainability in their personal lives. 56.88% stated that they incorporate sustainable practices as much as possible, reflecting a dedication to eco-friendly choices.
Importance of Sustainability: Sustainability held great importance for the student body, as 47.50% considered it extremely important, and 41.25% viewed it as very important, underlining a strong commitment to sustainability values.
Engagement in Sustainable Practices on Campus: A substantial portion of students actively engaged in sustainable practices on campus, with 47.50% doing so as much as possible, and 44.38% participating at least sometimes.
Awareness of Sustainability Resources: The majority of students felt they had a good understanding of sustainability-related resources, programs, and initiatives offered by the institution (62.50%), suggesting effective communication and outreach efforts.
Barriers to Sustainability Actions: Several students identified barriers to sustainability actions. Common barriers included unawareness of proper recycling methods (60.00%), not knowing how to conserve energy (27.27%), doubts about the impact of energy conservation (20.20%), and time and financial constraints for both energy and water conservation.
Overall, the survey showcased a campus community that is both knowledgeable about sustainability and deeply committed to integrating sustainable practices into their lives. The university's efforts to raise awareness of sustainability resources and initiatives have been effective, indicating a strong foundation for further sustainability endeavors and engagement at NAU.
Website URL where information about the assessment of sustainability culture is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.