| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 88.31 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | May 31, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Thompson Rivers University
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and Sustainability |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Does the institution conduct an assessment of sustainability culture (i.e. the assessment focuses on sustainability values, behaviors and beliefs, and may also address awareness of campus sustainability initiatives)?:
Yes
Which of the following best describes the cultural assessment? The assessment is administered to::
The entire campus community (students, staff and faculty), directly or by representative sample
Which of the following best describes the structure of the cultural assessment? The assessment is administered::
Longitudinally to measure change over time
A brief description of how and when the cultural assessment(s) were developed and/or adopted:
TRU used part of the Sustainability Literacy Assessment from 2015 to act as a sustainability cultural assessment. The cultural assessment was adapted from the STARS Technical Manual (page 92; under Criteria for Assessing Sustainability Culture):
"An institution may use a single instrument that addresses sustainability literacy, culture, and/or engagement to meet the criteria for this credit if at least ten questions or a third of the assessment focuses on sustainability values, behaviors and beliefs." There are 15 questions from the Sustainability Literacy Assessment that pertain to assessing sustainability culture at TRU.
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 from TRU’s Sustainability Literacy Assessment that focus on sustainability culture (values, behaviours and beliefs). These questions start at the top of page 17 (https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/SEMP_Final_April_201640054.pdf):
For each of the following questions, please select the frequency with which you do these actions.
Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never
1) I compost food scraps and other compostable materials.
2) I turn off lights in common area rooms when I am the last person to leave (e.g. meeting room, washroom, lab, classroom, kitchen, industrial workshop & storage/supply room).
3) I unplug chargers and other small electronic devices when not in use.
4) I turn off my monitor at the end of every.
5) I turn off my monitor when I will be away from it for an extended period, like for lunch, classes, or meetings.
6) I shut down my computer at the end of every day.
7) I print double-sided whenever I can.
8) I turn off or unplug large equipment (like printers, scanners, photocopiers, lab equipment, televisions, etc.) at the end of the day.
Please indicate to what extent you disagree or agree with the following:
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
1) Energy conservation is an important issue these days so people should try to do everything they can at home and at the University to save energy.
2) Our energy in BC is clean energy so it has no impact on the environment.
3) Environmental responsibility is a part of our university's business strategy.
4) Energy conservation is a part of this university's business strategy.
5) I feel the University truly walks the talk when it comes to environmental responsibility.
6) I feel the people here truly walk the talk and practice green behaviors.
7) The university has provided us with clear direction on how we can integrate sustainability and energy conservation in our work.
A brief description of how representative samples were reached (if applicable) and how the cultural assessment is administered:
Survey participant rates increase from 346 to 893 compared to 2013.
See page 5 of report for survey promotion.
Survey Promotion The survey was provided as a link to all students, staff and teachers through the following methods:
• 20+ Tweets on the TRU Sustainability twitter
• Posts as a news item on the TRU Sustainability website
• Email
After the last question of the survey, a subsequent page collected the participant’s name and email, and also asked if they wished to receive emails from TRU Sustainability. The prize for participating in the survey was an iPad mini, valued at ($300) and Dinner for 4 ($300). Additional prize offered during the week of March 16-20 for a popular downtown restaurant ($150).
See table 1 on page 6 of report for response rate – see summary below.
Response Rate Table 1 outlines survey responses rates for TRU in 2015. There is a notable increase in participation in 2015 compared to 2013. A response rate of greater than 5% allows for generalizations to be made of the larger population. Given the response rates of this survey, generalizations can be made for all three demographic groups: Students, Staff and Faculty.
Table 1 Survey Response Rates (see page 6 - http://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/SEMP_Final_April_201640054.pdf)
Total Staff, Student & Faculty population (2013/14) # responses % participation # responses 2013 TRU- all buildings 6,600 Students 756 11.5% 98 (0.07%) 681 Staff 38 5.6% 219 (12.9%) 620 Faculty 44 7.0% 29 (6.8%) N/A Other 55 N/A N/A 7901 Total 893 11.3% 346 (2.3%)
Survey Results
Survey responses have been grouped into the following categories: campaign recognition and participation, reported behaviours, barriers, energy awareness and attitudes, leadership in energy conservation, demographics and open ended questions. Questions can be found in Appendix A.
A brief summary of results from the cultural assessment, including a description of any measurable changes over time:
Results:
http://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/SEMP_Final_April_201640054.pdf
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.