Title: Campus sustainability involvement and opinions: a survey of operational decision makers and faculty in the USA

Authors: Aurali Dade

Addresses: Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, Office of Research and Economic Development, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA

Abstract: Current understanding of attitudes and involvement with campus sustainability of key stakeholders at institutions of higher education (IHEs) is largely known through case studies and interviews. This paper conveys the findings from a cross-institutional survey of decision makers (directors of facilities management, environmental health & safety, purchasing, and research faculty) at IHEs in the USA. The survey evaluated attitudes about and involvement in campus sustainability for this important group of decision makers. Most respondents to this survey did not consider campus sustainability a core responsibility. Facilities management directors were significantly more involved and supportive than other groups. Based on the survey responses, a communication divide may exist between operational decision makers and academic faculty and traditional 'silos' may still inhibit cross-campus implementation of sustainability. This study may enable sustainability advocates to better understand the attitudes and involvement of different groups and may lead to better outreach, communication, and involvement.

Keywords: campus sustainability survey; operational decision makers; research faculty; sustainability attitudes; sustainability; higher education; USA; United States; universities; academic faculty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2013.057048

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2013 Vol.7 No.4, pp.400 - 416

Published online: 06 Oct 2013 *

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