Institutional Research Study 99-02:
Spring 1999 Environmental Attitude Survey
Administered to Students, Faculty, and Staff

Executive Summary

In order for the University of Delaware and the Environmental Concerns Committee to recommend programs, policies, and practices to improve the environment and quality of life at the University, the Environmental Attitudes Survey was administered on-line to students, faculty, and staff. Respondents were randomly selected to ensure a representative sample. The student survey concentrated on general environmental attitudes, current environmental practices, and calls for change. The faculty and staff survey, on the other hand, concentrated on current environmental practices and calls for change. The goal of this study was to establish a benchmark of current environmental practices and to better understand the current attitudes toward environmental issues on campus.

Overall findings from the student Environmental Attitude Survey indicated that nearly half of the student respondents are "very" concerned about the environment. In addition, nearly all of the student respondents believe that recycling really helps the environment. Findings indicated that on-campus student respondents recycle significantly more aluminum cans and plastic products than their off-campus peers. Almost three-quarters of the student respondents believe that it is "somewhat" easy to be environmentally friendly at the University.

Overall findings from the faculty and staff Environmental Attitude Survey indicated that nearly all of the faculty and staff respondents believe that recycling really helps the environment. For those faculty and staff respondents that do not recycle, the top three (3) reasons include the fact that recycling receptacles are inconveniently located, they are unsure about what can be recycled, and that there is not enough space for recycling receptacles in their office. Approximately 60% of the faculty and staff respondents recycle their printer toner cartridges. Nearly half of the faculty and staff respondents that do not purchase paper products with post-consumer content are not aware of the availability of such products.

The Environmental Attitude Survey provides evidence that students, faculty, and staff at the University are concerned about the environment. The general attitude towards the environment and current environmental practices of UD students, faculty, and staff are positive. Overall, it is believed that recycling really helps the environment. In order to increase recycling efforts on campus, it has been suggested that the number of recycling receptacles needs to increase and these receptacles need to be made more convenient and visible. Students, faculty, and staff share a concern about the management of University resources and the air quality in University buildings. There is a call from the students, faculty, and staff to demonstrate that recycling efforts are worthwhile. In the end, students, faculty, and staff believe that awareness and education will be necessary to increase participation in recycling and resource conservation on UD’s campus.

The complete findings of this study may be found in the Institutional Research Study 99-02: Summary Report for the Environmental Attitude Survey Administered to Students, Faculty, and Staff.