| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 79.55 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Kalkbrenner |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2020 |
Santa Clara University
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 1.00 |
Cara
Uy Sustainability Coordinator Center for 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:
The cultural assessment was developed in 2016 by Cara Uy-Segal, Sustainability Manager at SCU's Center for Sustainability, in cooperation with faculty on campus. The assessment covers multiple sustainability topics through questions that address awareness of campus operations (e.g. recycled water) and initiatives (e.g. food systems education through urban garden), inquiries of energy-conserving behaviors, and a Likert scale for the degree of importance of waste minimization and diversion practices.
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:
Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements:
- I make an effort to be knowledgeable about environmental issues.
- I make an effort to be knowledgeable about sustainability issues.
- My daily behavior reflects a concern about sustainability.
- I value knowing if my food is grown locally.
- I think about how and where my clothes/accessories are made.
Please indicate the degree of importance you place on the following personal sustainability issues:
- Minimization of waste being sent to the landfill
- Choosing food based on its environmental impact
- Water conservation
- Energy reduction
A brief description of how representative samples were reached (if applicable) and how the cultural assessment is administered:
Each first-year student received an email with the survey, along with reminders after 2 weeks. The survey was compiled and distributed using Qualtrics at the end of January consecutively for the past three years.
A brief summary of results from the cultural assessment:
The survey results from first-year students have indicated that students are mindful of living sustainably and have a desire to continue learning how to become more sustainable while at SCU. Students were less mindful of specific actions that may be taken to live more sustainably, but generally demonstrated that sustainability is reflected in their daily behavior.
This is the fourth year Santa Clara University has conducted a Sustainability Literacy Assessment on first-year students and the first year that we have conducted the same survey to reassess the fourth-year, graduating students. Since this survey will be carried out in the spring, we do not have any measurable outcomes at this time. All incoming first-year students will be asked to complete the survey, with these sample group being re-assessed during their fourth year at the University.
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.