Universities that Count

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Spring 2009 Update


Universities that Count (UTC), the HE Sector Corporate Responsibility benchmarking programme, has got off to a flying start with 60 universities and colleges taking part. Based on Business in the Community’s Corporate Responsibility Index survey, the programme is a partnership between EAUC, BITC, CSR Consultancy and the University of Gloucestershire.

The deadline for year 1 surveys to be completed and submitted was March 31st, and headline results will be announced as part of the Green Gown Awards Ceremony in London on 23 June. HEIs wishing to add their name to the UTC programme can join for Year 2 now

History

Universities that Count was confirmed for a 3-year UK-wide tapered funding scheme, leading to self-sufficiency in 2011/12 after the success of the pilot project in 07/08. The HEFCE-funded Higher Education Index pilot project covered 25 HEIs, 11 more completed a regional Index in the South West of England and a further 9 in the English East Midlands submitted environmental data. The use of a common set of Index questions between business and HE respondents was found to enable cross-sector benchmarking and best practice comparison – ‘improving ourselves by learning from others’.

Recruitment and ‘Getting Started’ Workshops

To a launch deadline of December 1st 2008, the target was to recruit 40 HEIs, and organisers were delighted that 60 signed up. Comprehensive “Getting Started” workshops were conducted in England, Wales and Scotland during November 2008, with an introductory meeting held in NI.

Survey and Guidance Note Development

It was necessary to completely re-write the BITC Corporate Index Survey and Guidance to take into account the HE context. Consultation was undertaken with a number of select groups. Academics for advice on Education for Sustainable Development questions, previous Index participants gave their views on rewritten Guidance Notes and Index questions and Individual stakeholders were also consulted, including People and Planet on correlations between their Green League and UTC’s benchmarking.

Index Reviews and Feedback

Now that the online surveys are completed, CSR Consultancy will be reviewing all the data during April and May. Reviewers will visit a number of HEIs, but will conduct many of the reviews by email and telephone. Detailed feedback reports will be provided for each HEI to drive improvement programmes. This will be in time for improvements to feed into the 2009/10 programme.

Recruitment for 2009/10

HEIs will be invited to confirm their participation in the second year of UTC from April 2009, with a focus on overall results and recruitment at the Green Gown Awards in June 2009. If you would like to get your university or college into UTC 2009/10, simply email liesl@csrconsultancy.com.

 

Click here to view our Frequently Asked Questions