Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 70.01
Liaison Rebecca Walker
Submission Date April 13, 2022

STARS v2.2

Southern Oregon University
EN-6: Assessing Sustainability Culture

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 1.00 Rebecca Walker
Sustainability Manager
Facilities, Management, Sustainability and Planning
"---" 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::
Without a follow-up assessment of the same cohort or representative samples of the same population

A brief description of how and when the cultural assessment(s) were developed and/or adopted:
The literacy assessment was developed as a collaborative project with Students, Student Sustainability Center, and SOU's Sustainability Office to understand the level of understanding around sustainability to inform outreach and communications. The faculty also supported the development of the survey. The results will be evaluated and shared with those involved in sustainability at SOU and used to inform communications and outreach. The survey on literacy was part of a larger survey combined with sustainability and transport. The survey was developed on quadratics.

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:
Level of interest in sustainability:
Concerns around Climate change, Access to food and water, Access to space for identity expression, Use of nonrenewable resources, Overcrowded urban areas
Recycling/Reducing Consumption, Waste production, Habitat Degradation
Social Justice/ Human Rights Issues

How much sustainable food SOU community buys and views sustainable food?

How often do they take sustainable actions around energy, waste, and water and connect to nature?

A brief description of how representative samples were reached (if applicable) and how the cultural assessment is administered:
The survey was released to all staff, faculty, and student to participate. It was open for three weeks with two weeks of tabling at the Student Union and the Hawk dining, as well as social media, newsletter release, and an all-student and all-employees email from the Vice President of Finance and Administration. The survey was structured to give us a snapshot of understanding from staff, students, and faculty.

A brief summary of results from the cultural assessment:
There is a strong interest and passion for sustainability and participating in sustainability events at SOU.

There is, on the whole, a high level of concern around all sustainability issues such as climate change, access to food and water, use of non-renewable resources, overcrowded urban areas, recycling/reducing consumption, waste production, habitat degradation, and social justice/human rights issues.
There is interest in more sustainable food options and knowledge around this at SOU.
Some action is being taken to be more sustainable around reuse and energy. An increase in action could be taken.

Optional Fields 

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