University of Michigan
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture

The Sustainability Cultural Indicators Program (SCIP) is designed to inform educational programs and campus operations at U-M and is an outgrowth of the Community Awareness goal area of the U-M Campus Sustainability Integrated Assessment.

Building on information gleaned from focus groups, two questionnaires were designed and have been administered to samples of university students, faculty, and staff in Fall 2012, Fall 2013, Fall 2014 and Fall 2015 and Winter 2018. The web surveys yield responses from more than 3,500 students and 1,500 faculty and staff members each cycle. Questions cover travel and transportation, waste prevention and conservation, the natural environment, climate change, food, and engagement, awareness, and ratings of campus sustainability initiatives. Survey data are supplemented with geographic data covering campus buildings where respondents live, work and study.

Copies of the questionnaires, reports and other materials can be found at: http://graham.umich.edu/campus/scip

Based on guidelines provided by the Survey Research Operations unit of the U-M Institute for Social Research, the selection of the sample of students is made by the U-M Office of the Registrar. In order to be eligible for selection, two key sample parameters were identified and defined the sampling frame --- 1) full-time undergraduate, graduate and professional students, and 2) students who were registered for the fall semester on the Ann Arbor campus. In order to reach the targeted number of students from each undergraduate cohort and from graduate students, names are selected from each group (strata) who are contacted and invited to participate in the survey. The faculty and staff sample is drawn by the U-M Human Resources Records and Information Services. To be eligible employees have to meet two criteria: 1) be benefits eligible, and 2) employed on September 1, of the year of the survey. In Winter 2018 a total of 20,583 students, faculty, and staff were contacted with a 26.7% overall response rate. Additional information can be found in the SCIP Methodology report found at: http://graham.umich.edu/media/files/SCIP_MethodologyReportJanuary%202017.pdf

The sample design also includes a panel of individual undergraduate students who responded to the initial survey in 2012. That is, the panel in 2013 was designated as the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who completed the 2012 survey. In order to retain the panel each year, graduating seniors are replaced with the freshmen from the prior year. The 2014 panel includes 2012 freshmen and sophomores who responded in previous years and 2013 freshmen. The 2015 panel includes 2012 and 2013 freshmen, and the 2014 freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The panel was included in the research design so as to determine if and how the behaviors and views of individual students change during their period of undergraduate study at the University. In 2017 plans for the panel were modified to reflect every other year data collection plan.

In order to examine change over time and to summarize results, a set of indicators aligned with U-M sustainability goals were developed. Results from the surveys indicate U-M is making the most progress in sustainability knowledge, particularly in the areas of waste prevention, promoting sustainable foods, and engaging the campus community. Engagement occurs through the Planet Blue Ambassadors program, the Campus Farm, and other efforts. It is notable, too, that faculty, staff, and student groups show different levels of awareness and sustainable behavior in different categories. For instance, students are more likely to use low or zero-carbon transportation options, like walking, biking, and public transit, whereas faculty are more engaged in off-campus pro-environmental behaviors, and staff display the most knowledge about U-M’s sustainability initiatives. However, increased awareness has not led to significant behavior change in any group. A concise summary of results and changes over time can be found in the SCIP infographic at: http://graham.umich.edu/media/files/scip-2pager.pdf

Following each cycle of data collection and analysis, the SCIP research team hosts an update and key findings session for representatives from multiple campus offices which lead sustainability efforts (for example; student life, parking and transportation services, campus dining, campus sustainability). These meetings are important for starting conversations about how to best use SCIP results to inform efforts. For example, SCIP results are currently being used in new campus sustainability promotional materials, to assess a composting initiative, and for multiple course and student research projects. Research teams also using SCIP as a survey platform to support other sustainability research questions such as campus mobility.