NC State Student Sustainability Survey

Assessing Student Attitudes Toward Sustainability Issues

Submitted by: Energy Management University Sustainability Office Facilities Operations NC State University

February 2012

Student Sustainability Attitude Survey Project Introduction Survey Project Description –Energy Management and The University Sustainability Office conducted a student survey that measures current attitudes and behaviors regarding sustainability, energy, transportation, waste reduction and recycling was in Feb 2010. This survey was a repeat of the 2010 survey, some additional questions were included, and the focus was shifted slightly towards energy. Many questions from the 2010 survey were also included to allow for comparison.

Project Leadership:

Business Case – Given the downward pressure on university budgets, a student survey was the best method to maximize limited outreach dollars by gaining a statistical understanding of student behaviors and attitudes.

Office of Energy Management Office of Sustainability Waste Reduction & Recycling Transportation Office University Planning and Analysis

Survey Methods – An on-line questionnaire was sent to 5,000 randomly selected enrolled NC State students, undergraduates and graduates, who live on and off campus, on Oct 19, 2011. The questionnaire was closed on Nov 11, 2011.

Survey Response Rate and Sampling Error – 827 students completed the questionnaire; thus, the survey had a 17% response rate.

Limitations – The survey is subject to self-selection bias (e.g., respondents with an interest in sustainability were more likely to notice the call for participation). As such, the questionnaire results may, or may not, be representative of the entire student population.

Paul McConocha, Energy Program Manager, Energy Management, Utilities and Engineering Tracy Dixon, Director, Office of Sustainability Roxanne Ryan, Energy Program Assistant, Energy Management, Utilities and Engineering NC State Survey Project Partners:

Key Survey Findings:  47% of students feel that NC State does not give enough attention to the issue of climate change.  83% of respondents think that it is important for Americans to conserve personal use of energy.  78% of the student sample think that it is important for NC to be a leader in sustainability and the environment, this is less than 2010, when 85% indicated it was important.  66% of the student sample indicated they had never heard of the Change Your State campaign.

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WHAT IS YOUR GENDER?

Who took the survey?

Total 2011 Undergrad and Grad Student Population : 34,767 Randomly generated sample frame: 5,000 Response rate: 826 students (17%) Survey Period: October 19, 2011 to November 9, 2011

409 (50%)

409 (50%)

WHAT IS YOUR STUDENT CLASSIFICATION?

134 (16%)

297 (36%)

132 (16%)

DO YOU LIVE ON- OR OFF-CAMPUS?

150 (18%) 554 (67%)

271 (33%)

112 (14%) 3

Academic College Affiliation Survey (%)

Actual* (%)

Engineering

32

26

Agricultural & Life Sciences

17

18

Humanities and Social Sciences

15

16

Management

9

10

Physical & Mathematical Sciences

7

5

Education

7

5

Natural Resources

6

5

Textiles

4

4

Design

2

3

0.2

1

College

Veterinary Medicine

*Actual percentages taken from University Planning and Analysis

College of Veterinary Medicine

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Mean Rating (1 to 7)

Very Important

Very Unimportant

Findings: • Respondents feel that the economy, the unemployment rate, and health care are more important than climate change. • This is consistent with the Feb. 2010 survey, in which economy and health care were found to be more important than climate change (unemployment rate was not included).

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Mean Rating (1 to 7)

Very Important

Very Unimportant

Finding: Respondents indicated that energy consumption is the most important environmental issue at NC State, this is a change from the Feb. 2010 survey where recycling was found to be the most important followed by energy consumption.

Finding: Respondents are evenly split on this issue, which alleviates the worry that since this is a voluntary survey people who are interested in and care about sustainability are more likely to participate.

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Perceptions of Global Climate Change as a Future Problem.

In my lifetime I think that global climate change will be:

For future generations I think that global climate change will be:

Finding: Respondents are more concerned about the effects of global climate change in future generations then in their own lifetime.

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Perceptions of Global Climate Change as a Future Problem: by Gender.

In my Lifetime 5%

For future generations 3%

12%

7%

15%

25%

45% 48%

82%

68%

50% 40%

No problem at all

A minor problem

A major problem

Finding: Female respondents are more concerned than male respondents, about global climate change. Both males and females feel global climate change will be a bigger problem for future generations.

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In your lifetime?

In future generations?

Finding: Respondents are unsure if their actions will make a difference in NC State’s impact on the global climate, outreach should focus on empowering students.

10

39%

30%

7 Very Important 6 5

26%

33%

4 3

18% 5% 5% 3% 4% Off campus

21% 2 6% 4% 3% 3% On campus

1 Very

Unimportant

Finding: Students who live off campus are more likely than those who live on to say is very important to conserve electricity. This could be because off campus students often pay their own utility bills.

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Likert Scale, 1 to 7

Very Important

Very Unimportant

Finding: 78% of respondents think that it is important for NC State to be a leader in sustainability and the environment. This is less than the 2010 survey where 85% of students indicated that being a leader was important.

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To what extent do you practice the 3-Rs’ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?

3% 1% 5%

How important to you is it to 4% 1% 4% recycle the products you use?

0%

10%

17%

9%

30%

19%

20%

30% 1

32%

13%

27%

40% 2

50% 3 4

36%

60% 5

70% 6

80% 7

Finding: 75% of respondents consistently practice the 3-Rs. 82% of respondents think that it is important to recycle the products they use. In 2010, the response was 85%.

90%

100%

Finding: As might be expected plastic bottles, cans and paper are consistently recycled on campus, outreach and education should be focused on other recyclable products.

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Look at the stickers on campus recycling bins

79%

Look for the chasing arrow symbol on the product, NC State recycles anything with the symbol.

44%

I just know what can be recycled

38%

I don't know how to tell for sure

4%

I don't recycle

2%

Call or e-mail the Waste Reduction and Recycling Department

1% 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Finding: The most common way students determine if an item is recyclable is using the stickers provided on campus bins by Waste Reduction & Recycling, indicating that the stickers are an effective means of communication.

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If yes or sometimes, please indicate what would motivate you to leave your vehicle at home , reduce the distance you drive alone, or otherwise alter your travel mode.

Improved Wolfline services, and increased frequency of park and ride pickup and drop off

44% 41%

More free park and ride facilities

37%

Gasoline prices rise and stay above $5 per gallon Improved coordination of Wolfline, CAT and Triangle Transit bus services.

36%

Wider CAT and Triangle Transit bus routes to serve commuter in more outlying communities

34%

Additional safe bike routes, lanes and easier access to storage facilities

30% 24%

Nothing, I prefer/need, to drive to campus

Preferential commuter permit parking spaces at reduced rate for carpools

20%

Substantial fee increases (10%+) for single occupancy vehicle permit parking

11% 0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Finding: 68% of students who live of campus commute alone to campus.

17

50%

Awareness of Sustainability Campaigns at NC State

Awareness of Sustainability Campaigns at NC State

Intersession Setback

89%

Green Living Guide

70%

Sustainability Strategic Plan

17%

67%

11%

17%

Shut The Sash

14%

90%

Change Your State 20%

17%

40%

Heard of it but have no Knowledge of its Purpose

2%

2%

5% 3%2%

66%

0% Never Heard of it

6% 3%2%

60%

12%

80%

Somewhat Aware of Purpose

Finding: Students have low levels of awareness of sustainability campaigns on campus.

4%

100%

Very aware of purpose

3%

5%

6%

6%

3%

15%

11%

9%

7% 19%

26%

22%

12% 21%

15%

76% 71%

54%

57%

62%

Very aware of purpose Somewhat aware of purpose Heard of it but have no knowledge of its purpose Never heard of it

Finding: The biggest opportunity for increased outreach efforts are within the freshman class, and the graduate school, as they have the highest percentages of students indicating that they have never heard of Change Your State.

4%

11%

5% 16%

Very aware of purpose

18%

Somewhat aware of purpose

16%

Heard of it but have no knowledge of its purpose

69% 61%

Never heard of it

Finding: Students who live on campus are slightly more aware of Change Your State, than those who live off campus.

This shows that there is an opportunity to increase outreach efforts for off campus students.

1% 8%

2% 13%

1%

4%

2%

23%

13%

15%

14% 16%

19%

17%

Somewhat aware of purpose

17%

69% 77% 59%

64%

Very aware of purpose

66%

Finding: Underclassmen are the least aware of the sustainability strategic plan, where juniors, seniors and graduate students are slightly more aware. Out reach efforts should focus on underclassmen.

Heard of it but have no knowledge of its purpose Never heard of it

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Should NC State establish a program implement studentfunded sustainability projects?

8%

6%

0%

10%

24%

20%

17%

40% 1

2

19%

60% 3

4

5

6

80%

n through a graduation gift 23%

A small fee included in all student's tuition 22%

100%

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“Other� Categories None of the Other 9% Individual above 10% student donations 36% Contributio

15%

Student fundraisers Volunteering of time No extra fee in tuition Voluntary monetary donations Alumni donations student funds/fees Students should not make a contribution Sustainability tax Collaboration/research by students and faculty Other

Count 26 22 9 6 5 5 4 4 3 11

Finding: 51% of students agree that a program to implement student funded sustainability projects should be implemented. It is apparent from reading through the comments, that this is a topic which students care about, and have strong opinions about. Further analysis will be required.

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18%

12% 15%

7 Very Important

16%

12%

6

16%

25%

22% 19% 16%

5

18%

4 25%

10%

Female

24%

3

24%

10% 4% 6%

17%

2

11%

8% 11% Male

25%

1 Very Unimportant

9%

8% 6% 7%

Off -campus

On-campus

6%

Finding: 56% of female respondents agree that NC should have student funded sustainability projects on campus, while only 46% of males agree, on-campus students are also slightly more supportive than students who live off campus.

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By making minor changes to my daily routine, I can have a significant positive impact on energy reduction.

When I conserve energy, my actions have an effect on the bigger picture by contributing fewer greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Finding: 74% of respondents agree that with minor changes they can have a positive impact on energy reduction. 75% of respondents agree that their actions have an effect on the bigger picture by contributing fewer greenhouses to the atmosphere. This is unchanged from the 2010 survey.

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7 Very Important 35% Finding: 77% of females agree that their actions have an affect on the bigger picture while only 71% of males do.

28% 6

19% 22%

20%

4 24% 11%

13%

5% 2% Female

2%

5

5% 7% 5%

3

2 1 Very Unimportant

Male 26

By making minor changes to my daily routine, I can have a significant positive impact on energy reduction.

7 Very Important 24%

31%

6 21%

24%

5 4

26%

3

24%

14% 13%

Female

5% 1% 2%

5% 6% 4%

Finding: 79% of females agree with this statement where as only 71% of males agree with the statement. This and the previous question seem to indicate that females feel more empowered to effect and change the bigger picture than males do.

2 1 Very Unimportant

Male 27

I have learned more about sustainability practices since enrolling at NC State

16%

16%

15%

20%

15%

9%

11%

I have learned more about energy conservation practices since enrolling at NC State

16%

17%

14%

19%

16%

8%

11%

0%

20% 1

40% 2

3

60% 4

80% 5

6

100% 7

Finding: The results of these questions are very evenly distributed so it lends little insight into how much the student body is learning about sustainability and energy conservation, while at NC State University.

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I have learned more about energy conservation practices since enrolling at NC State, by Academic Class.

7 Very Important

16% 47%

53%

46%

25%

6 5 4 3 2 1 Very Unimportant

Finding: Freshman have the lowest percentage of respondents indicating that they have learned more about energy conservation while enrolled at NC State.

29

I have learned more about energy conservation practices since enrolling at NC State, by college.

38%

45 %

28 %

37%

27%

25% 57 %

41 %

29 %

7 Very Important 6 5 4 3 2 1 Very Unimportant

Finding: The College of Natural Resources has the highest percentages of students that indicate they have learned more about energy conservation since enrolling at NC State, while PAMS, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Education and the Poole College of Management, have lower percentages.

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I have learned more about sustainability practices since enrolling at NC State, by Academic Class.

15%

24% 46%

53%

46%

7 Very Important 6 5 4 3 2 1 Very Unimportant

Finding: Freshman have the lowest percentage of respondents indicating that they have learned more about sustainability practices while enrolled at NC State. This makes sense because when the survey was conducted in Nov. 2011 they had only been at State for about 3 months.

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I have learned more about sustainability practices since enrolling at NC State, by College.

25% 41% 55%

34%

26%

28% 57%

37%

27%

7 Very Important 6 5 4 3

2 1 Very Unimportant

Finding: College of Natural Resources, and College of Design have the highest percentages of students who indicate they have learned more about sustainable practices while at NC State, College of Education, PAMS, and Poole College of Management, have the lowest percentages.

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Likert Scale, 1 to 7

Very Important

Very Unimportant

Finding: 90% of respondents think it is important for NC State to practice good energy management.

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Light Emitting Diode (LED)

Compact Fluorescent (CFL)

Finding: 69% of respondents use CFLs in their personal residence, and 40% use LEDs which is good considering how new and expensive LED technology is.

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during the summer

27%

during the winter

12%

0% Lower than 65 F

47%

10% 60 F - 65 F

23%

45%

20%

30%

65 F - 70 F

34%

40% 70 F -75 F

50%

60%

70%

Higher than 75 F

4%

5% 5%

80%

90%

100%

I cannot set my thermostat

Finding: The majority of students keep there room temperatures between 65 F and 75 F.

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Personal Residence Summer Thermostat Temperatures, by Age and Academic Class No answer I cannot set my thermostat Higher than 75 70 F – 75 F

65 F -70 F Lower than 65 F

Finding: as students get older they tend to set the thermostat temperature higher during the summer.

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Personal Residence Thermostat Temperatures, by On vs. Off Campus.

In the winter?

In the summer?

No answer I cannot set my thermostat Higher than 75 70 F – 75 F 65 F -70 F Lower than 65 F

Finding: Students who live on campus tend to set their thermostats lower in the winter and higher in the summer.

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