University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
Attitudes and Behaviors of the Eastern Kentucky University Community Towards Environmental Sustainability and Concerns.
Presenter Hometown
Richmond
Major
Biology
Department
Biological Sciences
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Dr. Stephen Sumithran
Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Recommended Citation
Hess, Connor B.; Sumithran, Stephen; and Knoll, Rachelanne, "Attitudes and Behaviors of the Eastern Kentucky University Community Towards Environmental Sustainability and Concerns." (2023). University Presentation Showcase Event. 9.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2023/undergraduate/9
Abstract
Attitudes and Behaviors of the Eastern Kentucky University Community Towards Environmental Sustainability and Concerns.
Hess, Connor1, Rachelanne Knoll2, and Dr. Stephen Sumithran1. 1 Department of Biological Sciences and 2 Office of Sustainability, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475.
This study investigated the attitude-behavior split on environmental concerns among college students, staff, and faculty on Eastern Kentucky University's Richmond campus. The study was conducted in the Fall of 2022. A questionnaire consisting of 28 questions was administered using an online Google forms survey. The survey received EKU’s Institutional Review Board’s approval. A total of 732 individuals from EKU participated in the survey. A majority of the respondents were undergraduate students (91%), followed by staff (3.8%), faculty (2.6%), and graduate students (2.2%). When asked if they turn off lights when not in use, and a majority (86%) agreed with the statement (p< 0.0001). When asked, “Used a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, travel mug, etc. instead of single-use plastic options”, a majority (71%) agreed with the statement, while (2%) strongly disagreed with the statement. When asked about their use of sustainable options in transport, such as Big E Transit Bus, bicycling, walking, carpooling, and other public transportation services, 59% of the respondents agreed with the statement, while (22%) disagreed. During their time at EKU as a student, 21% had taken at least one course related to sustainability and the environment. Also, when asked about their level of agreement with the statement “There are many serious environmental problems that exist in today's world”, an overwhelming (90%, p<0.0001) agreed with the statement. Finally, 68% agreed with the statement, “it is very easy to recycle on campus”.
Presentation format
Poster
Attitudes and Behaviors of the Eastern Kentucky University Community Towards Environmental Sustainability and Concerns.
Attitudes and Behaviors of the Eastern Kentucky University Community Towards Environmental Sustainability and Concerns.
Hess, Connor1, Rachelanne Knoll2, and Dr. Stephen Sumithran1. 1 Department of Biological Sciences and 2 Office of Sustainability, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475.
This study investigated the attitude-behavior split on environmental concerns among college students, staff, and faculty on Eastern Kentucky University's Richmond campus. The study was conducted in the Fall of 2022. A questionnaire consisting of 28 questions was administered using an online Google forms survey. The survey received EKU’s Institutional Review Board’s approval. A total of 732 individuals from EKU participated in the survey. A majority of the respondents were undergraduate students (91%), followed by staff (3.8%), faculty (2.6%), and graduate students (2.2%). When asked if they turn off lights when not in use, and a majority (86%) agreed with the statement (p< 0.0001). When asked, “Used a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, travel mug, etc. instead of single-use plastic options”, a majority (71%) agreed with the statement, while (2%) strongly disagreed with the statement. When asked about their use of sustainable options in transport, such as Big E Transit Bus, bicycling, walking, carpooling, and other public transportation services, 59% of the respondents agreed with the statement, while (22%) disagreed. During their time at EKU as a student, 21% had taken at least one course related to sustainability and the environment. Also, when asked about their level of agreement with the statement “There are many serious environmental problems that exist in today's world”, an overwhelming (90%, p<0.0001) agreed with the statement. Finally, 68% agreed with the statement, “it is very easy to recycle on campus”.
