Prescott College
EN-4: Sustainability Culture Assessment

The survey was developed and analyzed by the Sustainability Coordinator, drawing from similar survey questions from other universities and colleges that participate in STARS. An initial pilot was revised based on student input and feedback, and the Sustainability Council reviewed it before being sent to students. It was administered via SurveyMonkey in November 2024 to employees and students via email, with a reminder to complete the survey halfway through the month. For students, the culture assessment was 1/3 of a more comprehensive assessment that included sustainability literacy and commuting habits. For employees, the culture assessment was 2/3 of an assessment that also included commuting habits (no literacy component was assigned for employees). Both groups were offered to be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card upon completing the survey as an incentive. 

Students and employees were surveyed in November 2024 about their values, beliefs, and attitudes regarding sustainability, in addition to their awareness of sustainability communications and events. Students generally had a more holistic perspective of sustainability than employees. Students see sustainability as protecting the environment, improving well-being, and ending discrimination. In contrast, employees see sustainability as protecting the environment and providing healthy foods, healthcare, etc., but less about social justice and equity. Most students practice behaviors like recycling, being conscious consumers, and even dedicating time to work to advance sustainability goals in their free time through volunteer or other uncompensated efforts. Employees practice similar behaviors. However, it is not common for students or employees to reach out to public officials and advocate for or against policy changes in their local communities or on a national scale. Lastly, most students and employees have engaged with sustainability communications from the college, are aware of sustainability events offered, and have attended an event or co-curricular activity in the past year.

We will administer the survey every three years by the next STARS report. The survey can track individual progress performance longitudinally, so we can see how the behaviors, attitudes, and values of students or employees taking the survey in the future change over time.

The survey was developed by faculty and staff from the Green Mountain Center for Sustainability, which administered and analyzed the survey. The assessment will ideally be used to track how student and employee sustainability-related values, behaviors, and awareness evolve through their years of education and work at Prescott College. We hope the survey can be used to inspire new events, speaker series, or other co-curricular activities that reflect the values of the college.

The survey was emailed to all students in early November 2024 and was open until the first week of December, with a reminder halfway through the reporting period. In total, 124 (15%) students took the survey, but only 97 (12%) completed the sustainability culture component. Still, a representative sample was obtained, reflecting the demographics of the student body.

Detailed info about the demographic of the group and their performance on each question can be found in the supplementary documentation of this credit.

The survey was emailed to all employees in early November 2024 and was open until the first week of December, with a reminder halfway through the reporting period. In total, 61 (38%) employees took the survey, but only 57 (36%) completed the sustainability culture component. Still, a representative sample was obtained, reflecting the demographics of the employee body.