Advancing a Culture of Sustainability at the University of Michigan

Abstract

Throughout 2010 and the first half of 2011, the University of Michigan (U-M) coordinated an Integrated Assessment (IA) to analyze the U-M's sustainability efforts to date, benchmark against other institutions, and chart a course for the future. Informed by an extensive stakeholder engagement process, the U-M CSIA represents one of the most comprehensive campus sustainability analyses completed at a US institution of higher education. Community Awareness was one of four themes that emerged from the CSIA, along with Climate Action, Waste Prevention, and Healthy Environments. The key actions within the Community Awareness theme were designed to work synergistically in fostering awareness and responsible behavior across the U-M campus. This focus on behavior change and culture is critically important for driving progress toward the quantifiable goals established by the CSIA within the other three themes. Key investment areas within the Community Awareness theme are awareness and education programs, reporting and communication, and longitudinal surveys designed to measure and track the culture of sustainability. This chapter provides an overview of the CSIA process and outcomes, with a focus on cultural change and the groundbreaking effort to develop and administer a comprehensive longitudinal study. This study-the Sustainability Cultural Indicators Program (SCIP)-used focus groups and then a comprehensive survey to measure and track sustainability knowledge, behavior, and attitudes. Starting in October 2012, more than 4,000 students and 2,000 faculty and staff members responded to the survey which included questions on transportation, waste prevention and conservation, the natural environment, climate change, and various campus sustainability initiatives. Using data collected in fall 2012, selected findings from the initial data collection are presented. Finally, plans for ongoing analyses, the use of the results by the University, possible coordination with other institutions, and subsequent data collections are outlined.