AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University faculty and staff have a strong commitment to on-campus sustainability efforts, according to a survey conducted by Iowa State researchers.
The study, "Sustainability at Iowa State University: Faculty and Staff Perspectives," was prepared by graduate students Kristine Micheletti and Sydney Etten and J. Arbuckle, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. The findings highlight concern for environmental stewardship among faculty and staff and indicate their support for the university taking a more prominent role in sustainability leadership.
The online survey, which aimed to measure awareness and attitudes toward campus sustainability efforts and related participation, was sent to 1,757 faculty and 5,147 staff in spring 2023. Response rates were similar for the groups (14-17%) with final responses from 1,159.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated they were aware of the Iowa State Office of Sustainability and its Live Green! initiative. However, awareness of other sustainability-related resources and events was lower, and participation rates in sustainability-related activities and initiatives were reported at generally below 25%.
Despite low participation, the survey found that both faculty and staff expressed high levels of concern for the environment and strong support for campus sustainability initiatives. Nearly 85% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that Iowa State should be a leader in sustainability. This sentiment was echoed in respondents’ numerous write-in suggestions for improving ISU's sustainability efforts. These included enhancing transportation options, increasing recycling and waste management, promoting energy conservation and offering more sustainable dining options.
"The survey results clearly show that Iowa State faculty and staff are deeply committed to sustainability. They have a wealth of creative ideas for how the university can improve its sustainability outcomes and are eager to see the university take a more active leadership role in this area," said Micheletti, a doctoral candidate in agricultural education and lead author of the report.
"It's encouraging to see such strong support for sustainability among the university’s faculty and staff,” added Etten, a master’s student in sustainable agriculture. “The high levels of environmental concern and the desire for ISU to lead in sustainability efforts indicate significant potential for growth in these areas."
The full report, along with a previous report on student perspectives on sustainability, are available at https://cchange.research.iastate.edu/faculty-staff-and-student-perspectives-sustainability.
Contact:
J. G. Arbuckle, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, arbuckle@iastate.edu