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

CSUN's literacy and culture assessments were combined into one survey. The literacy questions originated from the Sustainability Literacy Test (Sulitest), the Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge (ASK), and prior editions of CSUN's survey for STARS. Initial questions were established and given to a small sample of CSUN students, faculty, and staff. The questions were revised based on feedback to include CSUN-specific sustainability efforts and programs. The final assessment includes questions created and vetted by the CSUN Institute for Sustainability and CSUN's Institutional Research office to reflect current program goals and efforts.

See attached.

In September 2024, the survey was administered to the campus community via email and social media through the Institute for Sustainability and affiliated department contacts. The survey included five demographic, five culture, and six literacy questions. This combined literacy and culture survey is given every three years and the data is compared to show trends and changes among the CSUN population over time.

The survey garnered a total of 211 responses, evenly divided between students and faculty/staff. Among the student participants, approximately 20% identified as freshmen, 25% as juniors, and 50% as seniors or graduate students.

The demographic analysis of respondents indicates a diverse participant pool, with White individuals constituting the largest group at roughly 50%. This is closely followed by Hispanic respondents at 38%. Asian participants accounted for 16%, while Black respondents comprised a smaller segment at 6%. Representation from Native Hawaiian and American Indian or Alaska Native individuals was minimal, and a small fraction identified as 'Other.'

Respondents also exhibited a wide age range, with the largest cohort being individuals aged 41 and older, succeeded by those in their 30s and late teens. Smaller proportions of participants were in their early, mid, and late 20s, reflecting a broad age diversity within the survey sample.

Preliminary findings suggest that the campus community expresses significant concern regarding both environmental (e.g., pollution, climate change) and social issues (e.g., social justice, public health). Notably, respondents demonstrated a higher level of concern for environmental issues compared to social and financial matters related to sustainability.

A substantial majority of participants (75%) agreed that environmental issues directly affect their lives, with only 25% either disagreeing or remaining neutral. Furthermore, a significant portion of respondents, approximately 80%, indicated that it is essential for California State University, Northridge (CSUN) to integrate sustainability into its planning and activities.

Nearly 90% of respondents conveyed a strong interest in environmental and sustainability issues, underscoring a collective commitment to these critical areas.

The majority of respondents expressed a desire to engage with the Sustainability Center, particularly on topics such as sustainable food and dining practices, justice, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as energy conservation.

Conversely, a smaller subset of respondents disagreed, indicating that environmental concerns do not significantly influence their dietary choices. Additionally, a notable group expressed neutrality, which may reflect indecision or a lack of strong opinions on the subject. This neutral demographic could be receptive to further educational initiatives concerning the relationship between food choices and environmental impact.

However, the predominant portion of respondents acknowledged that environmental issues do affect their food consumption. This indicates a growing awareness and willingness to adopt environmentally conscious dietary practices, including a preference for plant-based foods.