Dear Colleague,
Interest in sustainability has increased exponentially alongside global concerns that we are living unsustainably on the planet. Fielding Graduate University is stepping up its commitment to sustainability by engaging in a community-wide conversation about what sustainability means at Fielding Graduate University now and into the future.
The most common definition of sustainable development comes from the Brundtland Report which states, "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (1987, p. 43). For our purposes, “sustainability” refers to social well-being (people), economic stability (prosperity) and environmental health (planet).
With its longstanding commitment to diversity, social justice and social change, Fielding Graduate University is already helping to lead sustainability transformation. The purpose of this survey is to find out from you what ACTIONS you think we can take to build awareness of sustainability and its intimate relationship with social, environmental and economic factors.
Your responses to this survey will remain anonymous unless you choose to submit your name, and this research has received approval from Fielding's Institutional Review Board. This survey will be sent to students, alumni, administration, staff, faculty, the Board of Trustees and community partners associated with all three schools.
Thank you in advance for your contributions to these efforts.
The deadline for completing this survey is December 21st, 2012.
Your input will be included in this university-wide consultation that the Sustainability Working Group will present to Fielding’s leadership team and community members.
Sincerely,
Sustainability Working Group:
Four Arrows, Jo-Anne Clarke, Kerul Kassel, Roan Kaufman, Jean Lasee,
Jeff Leinaweaver, Katrina Rogers, Julie Smendzuik-OBrien, Paul Stillman,
Nate Strongelk, Steve Upham, David Blake Willis