Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 61.15
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date April 8, 2022

STARS v2.2

Western Colorado University
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Ashley Woolman
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution conduct an assessment of sustainability culture?:
Yes

Which of the following best describes the cultural assessment? The assessment is administered to::
The entire campus community (students and employees) 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:

In the spring 2021 a recycling assessment was administered to all students, faculty and staff. The intent was to gather feedback on how the recycling program could be improved, gather data on how many individuals recycle, and assess individual knowledge on proper recycling guidelines and sustainability values. The survey received nearly 300 responses. Less than a year later, in conjunction with the Race to 0 Waste campaign, a Mountaineer Recycling Pledge was administered to all students, faculty and staff. The pledge asked individuals to read proper recycling guidelines and pledge to recycle properly and create more awareness for recycling.


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:

How do you currently recycle?


A brief description of how representative samples were reached (if applicable) and how the cultural assessment is administered:

The assessment was first administered through email to all Western faculty, staff, and students. Fliers were hung across campus academic buildings and residence halls with a QR code link to the assessment. The campus Sustainability Specialist and EcoLeader were present at the campus Wellness Fest to also administer the assessment in person to anyone present. Limited edition water bottles were given away to 10 random individuals to signed the pledge.


A brief summary of results from the cultural assessment:

Better education, more recyclables in dorms, and more outdoor recycling bins were the top 3 items individuals reported on ways to improve campus recycling in the initial assessment. In the spring 2022 pledge, 112 individuals pledged of which 35% of responses were faculty and staff and 65% were students. 36% of responses said they live off campus and take recyclable items to the free County Center. 16% live off campus and pay for curb side pick up. Less than 3% said they live off campus and do not recycle. The remaining live on campus and utilize the various recycle stations around campus.


Website URL where information about the assessment of sustainability culture is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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