Journal of Education & Social Policy

Adoption and Non-Adoption of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Integration by Administrators at Private and Public Historically Black Colleges & Universities
Jimmy Jones, Felix Okojie

Abstract
This qualitative study analyzed finance and facilities administrators' perceptions of sustainable and renewable energy integration at public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Interviews were performed with 16 participants from two HBCUs, who answered questions about the adoption and non-adoption of sustainable and renewable energy integration. The data analysis results demonstrated the importance of proactively involving administrators in the decision to adopt renewable energy at HBCUs. The findings of this study confirmed that finance and facility administrators were more likely to adopt sustainable and renewable energy integration at their institutions when they were aware, exposed, and provided with information on renewable energy alternatives. Additionally, findings of this study confirmed that personal experiences and characteristics of administrators attribute to the non-adoption of sustainable and renewable energy integration at HBCUs. Leveraging renewable energy potential effectively is becoming a requirement of the 21st century, as it can provide sustainable outcomes while also mitigating the negative environmental impact of carbon fuels that exist at higher education institutions. Contrarily, assessing the institutional factors which impede renewable energy alternatives is equally crucial.

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