Undergraduate Abstract
Melissa A. Mezger
2007
Student Attitudes about Alternative Energy Use At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction
of the requirement for the degree of
Bachelor of Arts
In
Department of Environmental Studies
University of Nevada Las Vegas
By
Melissa A. Mezger
2007
Content Advisor:
David Hassenzahl, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, UNLV
david.hassenzahl@unlv.edu
Class Advisor:
Timothy Farnham, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, UNLV
Timothy.Farnham@UNLV.edu
ENV 499 A& B
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to learn more about students’ attitudes toward renewable energy use at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and their willingness to vote for a student-imposed fee that would fund energy conservation initiatives and renewable energy purchasing at UNLV. In the spring of 2007, two researchers conducted verbal surveys of 200 undergraduate and graduate students on the main campus of UNLV. The results were compiled and analyzed using basic statistics. Some of the key results are as follows: this research found that 75% of the students at UNLV self-report that they have a general, or at least basic, knowledge of renewable energy. Of the study participants who answered one question, 84% rated the importance of renewable energy use in general either 4 or 5 on a scale from 1 (low) to 5 (high). Of all survey subjects, nearly 90% believe that it is important for UNLV to use renewable energy. When asked if they would vote for a $5 per semester student-imposed sustainability fee to be used specifically for energy conservation measures and renewable energy purchasing on campus, 77% said they would, with another 13% unsure. These findings have been provided to university departments, environmental student groups, and university administrators so that each group may consider these findings when making decisions about energy use on campus or considering program proposals.