JMU Plans Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Sustainability

From: Public Affairs

September 13, 2007

HARRISONBURG — James Madison University will launch a Sustainable Business Certificate program in the fall of 2008. This offering is the first undergraduate program in business sustainability in the United States.

Business students completing the program will earn the certificate through a collaborative effort between James Madison University's College of Business, College of Integrated Science and Technology and new School of Engineering.

"James Madison University is already a leader in business and integrated science and technology education," said Robert Reid, dean of James Madison University's College of Business. "With the launch of the new engineering school, the university is in a unique position to start preparing students at the undergraduate level to recognize the issues businesses face in establishing sustainable programs and to offer them the tools to evaluate, communicate and implement environment-friendly options. Plus, they will know how to do it using a strong business model that will attract investors."

Cross-Disciplinary Curriculum
The cross-disciplinary approach between business and the sciences is key to addressing sustainability, said A. Jerry Benson, dean of the College of Integrated Science and Technology. "This is an opportunity for us, in the sciences, to work with future business leaders to help them gain an understanding of what sustainability is and why they should care," Benson said.

Students will use interactive computer-based simulations to role-play as business leaders, making decisions that will create sustainable resources within existing business models and experimenting with ways to increase sustainability while yielding profits. Coursework in science and technology will focus on design issues, regulations and policies that affect sustainable business models.

Coursework includes environmental science and technology, economics of environment and natural resources, and life cycle assessment. James Madison University will also offer summer grants to students for internships and projects to further business sustainability research and experience.

Response to Industry Trends
According to a "Forbes" article released in August 2007, the previous year saw more than 30 initial public offerings involving clean technologies. And the numbers continue to grow. In July 2007, Lux Research released the Clean-tech Report that says more than $45 billion was spent on clean technology by government, corporations and venture capitalists in 2006. In 2005 that figure was reported to be $9.6 billion worldwide.

Dennis Tracz, founder and CEO of Barista on Demand, LLC, a gourmet coffee company committed to doing business with the environment in mind, believes that starting early in the educational process is crucial to successfully educating future decision makers.

"Teaching our undergraduates about sustainability issues in business will expand their thinking and help them make decisions that will benefit all stakeholders now and preserve and enhance the future for coming generations, no matter the size or type of business." Tracz is also a member of the College of Business Executive Advisory Board, and a supporter of the new sustainability initiative.

For more information, please contact Jamie Marsh in James Madison University's Office of Public Affairs at 540-568-4908 or by e-mail marshjs@jmu.edu.

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