Student Knowledge and Perceptions of a Green Campus

Abstract

Allegheny College (Meadville, PA, USA) was the eighth college within the United States to reach climate neutrality. The institution employed a suite of strategies including building retrofits, waste reduction, efforts to modify student, faculty and staff behaviors, and purchasing renewable energy to reach this goal. In the fall of 2019, the student body was surveyed to assess their awareness of campus sustainability initiatives and understanding of the environmental benefits. An online survey was taken by 23.3% of the student body. Demographics of survey participants reflect the student body at the time of survey distribution. Our research demonstrates that students have a basic awareness of the campus’ sustainability efforts, and a majority can identify efforts that they encounter on a daily basis, such as reusable take out containers in dining halls, water bottle refill stations, and the compost/recycling program. Students majoring in environmental science and sustainability ranked Allegheny’s overall sustainability higher than other majors, and were more likely to highlight less visible sustainability efforts such as purchasing green energy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The author’s seek to understand how sustainable campuses can be used as an educational tool to create sustainable citizens.