The Indiana University Student Government conducted a recent survey that gained more response than ever before.

The survey was distributed to students, faculty and staff members about sustainability on IU’s campus with the purpose of gaining student interest on environmental issues. The goal was to take the student responses and create recommendations on what actions IU can do to make the university more sustainable.

Overall, the survey received over 1,000 responses, which is over double the response number of any other survey conducted by the data collection team.

The survey ran for a four-day period and consisted of 50 different questions.

80% of students reported that sustainability was highly important to them. Less than 2% reported that sustainability wasn’t important to them at all.

About 66% of students agreed that IU was impacted by environmental and sustainability commitments.

IUSG secretary Madeline Garcia says she was surprised that 10% of students reported they aren’t educated enough on sustainability and where and how  IU’s invests in  it. Close to 20% of students also reported that they don’t know how to properly dispose of compostable dinnerware supplied at IU dining halls.

She says that this is something that needs to be discussed more and even taught in classrooms, and that it will take an effort from everyone to make it happen.

For one IU junior, being eco-friendly is second nature.

Bella Realey says that all it takes is a small change to make a difference in the environment. She says that small changes like using single-use plastics, carrying reusable water bottles, turning off the lights, and recycling are good places to start.

Realey believes that IU as a whole does an “OK” job with implementing sustainability on campus, but that there’s lots of room for improvement.

Over the last 5 years, the Bicentennial Strategic Plan has been implemented on IU’s campus. The mission is to develop economic success at IU and serves as the cornerstone of future growth and distinction.

Sustain IU’s mission is to promote sustainable solutions that reduce environmental impacts and to empower students, faculty and staff to make changes in their habits for a lasting positive impact.

The goals that they aspire to achieve this year is to implement more leadership, education and research.