Abstract
Achieving sustainability goals for an online institution were evaluated through a qualitative case study including observation techniques, document reviews, and subcommittee narratives highlighting the practices and achievements from American College of Education's 2020-2021 Benefit Corporation (B Corp) subcommittee implementation. The purpose of this study was to explore how the subcommittees impacted goals of sustainability within the college. Full-time employees volunteered, and three subcommittees were formed, which include community, environment, and workers. The result was that each of the three subcommittees were able to make an impact and increase the overall score on the B Impact Assessment Scorecard, which is an evaluation used to certify or recertify a B Corp. Lessons learned in 2020 included but were not limited to faculty and staff members being more engaged, motivated, and taking ownership of meeting sustainability goals for the organization.
TopBackground
In 2015, the United Nations developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals for member states to adopt for a more sustainable future by 2030. The Sustainability Development Goals are used as a common indicator to measure sustainability, as well as promote social responsibility (Desilva et al, 2020). Delaney and Horan (2020) stated colleges should implement these goals into course delivery, as well as communities of practice. Scholarship must continually be encouraged as a form of knowledge management. Purposeful engagement should also include various stakeholders (Delaney & Horan, 2020), such as students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The activities need to be noted to help track achievement of those goals.
Rowe (2007) stated that sustainability is becoming more of a focus in colleges and universities through the integration of sustainable practices in the mission, curriculum, and operations. Some colleges and universities create sustainability or agricultural programs to help prepare graduates to become leaders, driving ecologically and socially responsible business objectives. Universities might also focus on awareness, which may be student driven through clubs or initiatives that are not directly connected to the university or its mission. Other higher education institutions abroad, such as in Europe and Brazil, focus on sustainable mobility. Sustainable mobility is a focus on transportation and maintaining green spaces on campus (Cadena et al, 2020; Papantoniou et al, 2020). These practices are becoming more common in the United States institution but are not required.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Benefit Corporation: Benefit Corporations (B Corp) are companies that are committed to considering the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Committee: A group of people committed to accomplishing goals.
Sustainability: Areas concerning corporate social responsibility, environment, and social or human rights.
Sustainable Development Goals: Goals developed by the United Nations developed for member states to adopt for a more sustainable future by 2030.
B Impact Assessment Scorecard: Measures used to certify or recertify a Benefit Corporation.
Subcommittee: A group of people who are part of and report to the full committee, committed to completing specific tasks.