Furman University
EN-4: Sustainability Culture Assessment
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Laura
Bain Associate Director of Sustainability Assessment David E. Shi Center for Sustainability |
4.1 Sustainability culture assessment design and administration
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of of the instruments/tools used to assess sustainability culture:
The assessment was developed by conducting a review of other school’s sustainability literacy and culture surveys, identifying similarities, compiling and tailoring questions specific to Furman, and obtaining feedback from students to ensure relevancy. These questions were included in a survey also designed to assess sustainability literacy and transportation habits. A staff member from the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities collaborated with the university’s Assistant Director of Institutional Assessment and Research and a highly-qualified research staff member to develop the survey instrument and sampling methodology. The current version of the survey was adopted in 2017 and modified slightly in 2021 and 2024.
The assessment was distributed through the Qualtrics survey platform. Questions were tailored slightly to increase relevancy for students versus faculty and staff.
Sample of assessment questions:
The next section asks about your typical behaviors, interests, and opinions related to sustainability.
Please indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with the following statements:
- Sustainability is important to how I live my life.
- I am interested in integrating sustainability into my current or future professional career.
- Furman is committed to sustainability efforts.
- Furman's sustainability commitment positively influenced my decision to work or enroll here.
Climate change refers to a long-term increase in the Earth's average temperature, attributed largely to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. How much of a problem do you think climate change will be in your lifetime?
How much of a problem do you think climate change will be for future generations?
Please indicate the frequency with which you do the following things:
- Wash clothes in cold water
- Unplug appliances to eliminate “ghost” power use
- Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms
- Intentionally minimize the waste you generate (for example, using reusable shopping bags or water bottles)
- Ride a bike or walk instead of using a car
- Repurpose or donate an item instead of throwing it away
- Recycle
- Choose to purchase goods or services from more sustainable companies
In your opinion, how important is it that Furman continue to engage in the following initiatives:
- Teaching about sustainability
- Operating sustainably (e.g. using solar energy, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, etc.)
- Conducting sustainability research
- Implementing a strong climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Description of the institution’s recent sustainability culture assessment findings and any notable trends:
STUDENT TRENDS:
73% of students say that they "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: Sustainability is important to how I live my life.
65% of students say that they "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: I am interested in integrating sustainability into my current or future professional career.
31% of students say that they "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: Furman's sustainability commitment positively influenced my decision to work or enroll here.
67% of students think that climate change will be a "major problem" in their lifetime and 91% think that climate change will be a "major problem' for future generations.
88% of students say that it is "very important" that Furman continue to operate sustainably (e.g. using solar energy, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, etc.)
95% of students say that it is "very important" (76%) or "somewhat important" (19%) that Furman implements a strong climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
80% of students "often" or "always" intentionally minimize the waste they generate (for example, using reusable shopping bags or water bottles)
EMPLOYEE TRENDS:
84% of employees say that they "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: Sustainability is important to how I live my life.
66% of employees say that they "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: I am interested in integrating sustainability into my current or future professional career.
25% of employees say that they "agree" or "strongly agree" with the statement: Furman's sustainability commitment positively influenced my decision to work or enroll here.
56% of employees think that climate change will be a "major problem" in their lifetime and 83% think that climate change will be a "major problem' for future generations.
85% of employees say that it is "very important" that Furman continue to operate sustainably (e.g. using solar energy, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, etc.)
95% of employees say that it is "very important" (70%) or "somewhat important" (25%) that Furman implements a strong climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
84% of employees "often" or "always" intentionally minimize the waste they generate (for example, using reusable shopping bags or water bottles)
We can also use this data to understand how certain demographics (class year, employment length, gender, race, or major) respond. Or, compare behavior/beliefs of those that have engaged with the Shi Institute and those that have not to give us a sense of our effectiveness in affecting behavior change/culture through our programming. 89% of people who have visited or engaged with the Shi Institute also say that they recycle "often" or "always" whereas only 77% of people who have never visited or engaged with the Shi Institute say that they recycle "often" or "always."
Is the culture assessment designed and administered in such a way that the results can be used to measure change over time?:
Description of how the design and administration of the sustainability culture assessments supports the measurement of change over time:
Consistency in survey questions and a stratified random sample allowed for longitudinal assessment. We also know demographics such as class year and length of employment to assess changes in the same population over time.
For example, 64% of Freshmen in 2020 agree or strongly agree with the statement: "Sustainability is important to how I live my life." That sentiment increases to 71% in Seniors in 2024 (representing the same group of students).
69% of Freshmen in 2020 agree or strongly agree with the statement: "Furman is committed to sustainability efforts." That sentiment decreases to 63% in Seniors in 2024 (representing the same group of students).
89% of students in 2017 respond that it is "somewhat important" or "very important" that Furman continue to operate sustainably. That response increases to 98% in 2020 and stays high (97%) in 2024.
92% of Employees with 0-5 years of service in 2017 agree or strongly agree with the statement: "Sustainability is important to how I live my life." That sentiment decreases to 75% in employees with 6-10 years of service in 2024 (representing approximately the same group of employees).
94% of Employees with 0-5 years of service in 2017 agree or strongly agree with the statement: "Furman is committed to sustainability efforts." That sentiment decreases to 75% in employees with 6-10 years of service in 2024 (representing approximately the same group of employees).
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
4.2 Percentage of students assessed for sustainability culture
Description of the process used to measure or estimate the percentage of students assessed for sustainability culture:
The Shi Institute worked with the Office of Institutional Assessment to distribute the survey to a stratified random sample representing all students, faculty, and staff. The 2024 survey was sent to 1207 people.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
4.3 Percentage of employees assessed for sustainability culture
Description of the process used to measure or estimate the percentage of employees assessed for sustainability culture:
The Shi Institute worked with the Office of Institutional Assessment to distribute the survey to a stratified random sample representing all students, faculty, and staff. The 2024 survey was sent to 1207 people.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.