Abstract:
This thesis adds to the body of knowledge available to decision makers in higher
education by presenting a framework for why valuable sustainability projects are often
not pursued on university campuses, and offers one approach to overcoming the
perceived financial obstacles for making investments in sustainability projects. The
framework is tested and verified through the evaluation of the benefits and costs of a
green roof case study at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. It is concluded
that the traditional approach to cost-benefit analysis is woefully insufficient at assessing
the true value of sustainability projects in higher education. However, with the inclusion
of valuing the environmental and social benefits of these projects, cost-benefit analysis
not only becomes more accurate, but the process itself can catalyze latent interest in the
use of sustainability projects to enhance teaching and research. Therefore, establishing
standardized processes and communication methods to support the conduct of a costbenefit
analysis of any sustainability project in higher education are critical components
to ensuring the success of the exercise.
