Students asked for feedback on sustainability fee allocation

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Office for Sustainability at Western Michigan University is conducting its fifth annual Student Sustainability Survey through March 8. 

In 2010, after receiving the approval of students and the Board of Trustees, the university began charging students $8 per semester to fund campus sustainability projects. The annually distributed Student Sustainability Survey is an anonymous survey that measures student opinions on campus sustainability projects. By taking the survey, students can directly influence how the sustainability fee funds are spent. This survey serves to align the sustainability fee directly with students' priorities while promoting a culture of campus sustainability that has the potential to benefit all WMU students.

The survey asks students to rank sustainability related projects by their importance and perceived benefits. 2014 survey results signaled increased interest in healthy and affordable food options on campus as well as the desire for on-campus sustainable residential living options. Students also indicated their desire for increasing WMU's renewable energy infrastructure and the implementation of an introductory sustainability course to fulfill general education credits. 

Each survey participant will be entered in a drawing for prizes including an iPad mini, a gift card to the Bronco Bookstore, and more. Survey results will be presented at a town hall meeting to be held Thursday, April 16, at the Office for Sustainability during the WeSustain community event.

The survey can be found through March 8 at survey.wmich.edu/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=n43K9p8.

For more information, visit wmich.edu/sustainability or contact the Office for Sustainability at (269) 387-0943. 

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