September 30, 2012
The Dahl School of Business of Viterbo University is committed to
promoting and preserving the six principles of PRME. Built upon the
university’s core Franciscan values of stewardship, service, integrity,
hospitality, and contemplation, the Dahl School of Business has been
and continues to be deeply engaged in the promotion of ethics, social
responsibility, leadership, and service. We are proud of our
accomplishments to date and look forward to continuing and
increasing the positive impact we have on our students, our
community, and the world.
Sincerely,
Richard B. Artman
President tel: 608-796-3001 • fax: 608-796-3004 • www.viterbo.edu
tel: 608-796-3000
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PRME Sharing Information in Progress (SIP) Report
Dahl School of Business, Viterbo University
September 30, 2012
Viterbo University emphasizes five core values: contemplation, hospitality, integrity, service,
and stewardship. With a focus on these core values, the university’s mission and vision are in
direct alignment with the Dahl School’s efforts in the area of sustainability.
Mission of the Dahl School of Business and the Dahl School of Business
The Dahl School of Business values every student and prepares each one to make a difference
as an ethical and effective leader in organizations and society.
The mission of the Dahl School of Business' MBA program is to develop an influential network
of informed, ethical, and effective leaders who are committed to making a positive impact on
organizations, the community, and the world.
General Overview
Viterbo University’s Dahl School of Business continues on its path to promote sustainability
through its programs and curriculum, student projects, and faculty activities. Highlights include
a new undergraduate business major in sustainable management, an adoption of sustainability
as the underlying framework for the MBA program, and an increase in the number of student
projects focused on sustainability.
Curriculum
Sustainable Management Program
In the fall of 2011, the DSOB launched an undergraduate degree program in Sustainable
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Management. The B.B.A. provides students with exposure to various traditional business
courses, as well as several core sustainability courses. Sustainability core courses include
content focused on sustainability planning, policy and strategy, systems thinking, change
management, and sustainability reporting.
Sustainability Core:
SUST-201 – Foundations of Sustainability. This course provides an interdisciplinary foundation
of sustainability from a conceptual and applied perspective. The course builds an understanding
of sustainability at a variety of special and temporal scales. Students will explore from different
perspectives the link between environmental issues, poverty, consumption, population growth,
economic globalization, and urbanization.
SUST-210 – Sustainable Organizations. This course builds a greater understanding of
sustainability at an organizational level. Particular attention will be placed upon sustainability
within the private, public, and nonprofit sector. The course will provide students with a
comprehensive familiarity of how sustainability is implemented in a variety of organizational
settings.
SUST-330 – Systems Thinking and Change Management. This course fosters skills for systems
thinking and systems dynamic modeling useful to chart pathways for sustainable human
development and pathways within various organizations. Objectives, fundamentals, and
implementation of organizational change management will be developed. Strategies for
overcoming obstacles to change will be discussed.
SUST-360 – Sustainability Planning, Policy and Governance. This course will examine the historic
and current context for sustainable decision making in terms of public policy, global and
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domestic economy, political and business agenda setting, science, technology, and ethics. The
course provides an overview of various sustainability planning frameworks and standards. This
course focuses on implementation of sustainability at multiple levels.
SUST-470 – Sustainability Monitoring and Measurement. This course will focus on sustainability
metrics common in a variety of organizations. The course will introduce a process for
measurement and monitoring in diverse settings. Mechanics for continuous improvement, goal
setting, reporting, and auditing will be developed.
SUST-495 – Sustainability Capstone Experience. This course will provide experiential learning in
sustainability through an internship, field practicum, research experience or global experience.
In addition, students will meet throughout the semester to connect their experience with the
principles developed in the program.
MBA Program with Ethical Leadership and Sustainability Focus
The Dahl School of Business also transitioned its graduate business programs to a sustainability
framework. Rather than one MBA program focusing on ethics while another focused on
sustainability, the two curricula were aligned around sustainability. Two new programmatic
student learning outcomes are assessed. They are:


Create innovative business processes and strategies on the basis of systems thinking and
sustainability within a global business environment.
Ethically lead change through individual, team, organization and systemic collaboration.
Every MBA student at Viterbo University takes the following three courses which explicitly
relate to sustainability. In addition, other MBA courses reference sustainability and build the
understanding and skills necessary to create sustainable change in organizations.
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MGMT 525 Complex Systems Change Strategies
In today’s business environment, it is important to be able to understand various philosophies
related to system analysis, development, and change. During this course, students will examine
the critical components of successful organizational change efforts, including critical and
creative thinking processes, and change theory. Students will analyze organizational case
studies, evaluate causes of failure and factors of success in organizational development
projects, and design optimal change interventions.
FINA 510 Socially Responsible Financial Management
This course focuses on financial statement analysis, moving from bottom-line thinking to a
“triple-bottom-line” definition of profitability to encompass the organization’s profits and social
and environmental impact. This course includes a review of current research related to the
long-term financial success of an organization, and how a policy of corporate social
responsibility (CSR) can contribute to and enhance firm sustainability. Other topics include
ethics and corporate governance in financial management, international financial
management—especially as it relates to other countries with strong CSR policies, and managing
the financial performance of non-profit organizations.
MGMT 550 Business Strategies for Sustainable Change
This course equips students to develop and implement business strategies to enhance
sustainability and drive organizational change. Through an interdisciplinary approach and
foundational knowledge of business sustainability, students will build a comprehensive
foundation toward the implementation of sustainability and organizational change in a variety
of organizational settings. Particular emphasis will be on the achievement of sustainable
performance through effective analysis, design, and execution.
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Graduate business students also choose electives, some of which directly address sustainability
as well. MGMT 675 Sustainable Measurement and Monitoring is a course for which student
groups measure and analyze sustainability efforts of regional organizations.
MGMT 675 is designed to provide students with real world experience related to sustainability metrics
and reporting. The course has been offered three times since its inception in 2010. The major aspect of
the course is a significant group project. Students have engaged in a variety of projects for our campus,
other academic institutions, government entities, and local businesses. Projects have included analysis
and reporting of energy usage, water usage, recycling and waste production, greenhouse gas emissions,
green product purchasing, among others.
In September 2012, the course was highlighted on PRiMEtime. Raintry Jean Salk, Ph.D., Dahl
School faculty member who developed the course, was interviewed by Giselle Weybrecht for
her blog, PRiMEtime. PRiMEtime is a joint initiative between the Secretariat of the Principles
for Responsible Management Education (PRME), an initiative of the United Nations Global
Compact and Giselle Weybrecht, author of The Sustainable MBA: The Manager’s Guide to
Green Business. The article can be accessed at:
http://primetime.unprme.org/2012/09/04/engaging-your-students-in-making-your-and-otherorganisations-more-sustainable-5-questions-with-raintry-jean-salk-from-viterbo-university/
Student and Faculty Projects
In spring 2011, 20 graduate business students completed field studies as their capstone projects
for the MBA program. Two of the student teams completed projects directly relating to
sustainability. First, one team worked with Mayo Clinic Health Systems – Franciscan Healthcare
to coordinate efforts around the creation of sustainable community garden projects. Second,
another team worked with Hillview Urban Agriculture Center to create branding, pricing, and a
marketing message for the organization.
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MBA students also have also partnered with Western Technical College to assist with
sustainability efforts. One student worked as an Energy and Sustainable Projects Graduate
Assistant. The student’s work included researching, identifying and collecting data that was
later used in the MGMT 675 Metrics of Sustainability course. The position also worked to
promote and support energy efficiency and conservation at the college. In summer of 2012,
two students worked to create a usable system from the reports created by the Sustainability
Metrics class. The students wrote a case study from the energy and recycling data and
compared Western's path with other educational institutions.
The Dahl School continues to co-host (with Viterbo’s Institute for Ethics in Leadership) the
Leadership at Noon series in which regional business leaders speak on their experiences and
issues in ethical leadership to further the common good in organizations and communities.
Undergraduate students in the Dahl School completed projects to promote sustainability as
well. The Dahl School’s largest student organization, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE),
conducted three sustainability-related projects in 2011-2012: A Dowtown Mainstreet (DMI)
project, a project with our campus cafeteria, and a third for a local food preparation retail
business. After doing a much needed inventory of downtown business space, SIFE students
found 83 empty ground level business spaces in downtown and 243 upper business spaces
empty. With this information, DMI can recruit specific businesses to the downtown. This year,
SIFE is assisting the collection of data from businesses to determine space
needs. This should result in more downtown businesses which help to preserve and strengthen
our downtown community. The Cafe project was three-phased. SIFE did pre-, para-, and postfood waste collection to show students and faculty the amount of waste generated before and
after the study. As a result, there was a 13.6% drop in the weight of the food waste in the Cafe.
Finally, the U-Bake project entailed researching and replacing an oven for the company which
was more energy efficient than the one they were using.
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Students in MKTG 450 Integrated Marketing Communications created a branding and
marketing plan for La Crosse’s Eco Park. Specifically, the students are working to increase the
general awareness of the Eco Park to the La Crosse area, and to increase specific awareness of
the educational programming opportunities offered by the Eco Park to distinct market
segments
Research
Several members of the faculty of the Dahl School of Business (15 fulltime faculty members and
administrators total) are engaged in research and professional activity in the areas of ethics,
corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.
Refereed Abstracts/Proceedings
Salk, R. J. & Gambrell, K. (2012, June). Globally responsible leadership. Association of
Franciscan Colleges & Universities Annual Conference, La Crosse, WI.
Oelfke, A., Robinson, J., & Robinson, P. (2012, March). Do firms recognize a fiduciary duty to
stakeholders? Evidence from firm proxy statements. MBAA International Conference, Midwest
Academy of Legal Studies in Business (Presented by Paul Robinson), Chicago, IL.
Marson, J. (2012, June). Service at the International Level . Association of Franciscan Colleges &
Universities Annual Conference, La Crosse, WI.
Robinson, P. (2012, March). Crisis in the Boardroom: Using a Management/Board Model to
Simulate Quick Response to a Legal/Ethical Emergency. Midwest Academy of Legal Studies in
Business. Drake Hotel: Chicago, IL.
Hedberg Carlson, L., Cook, S., & Salk, R. (2011, May). A longitudinal investigation of relative
interest and familiarity of ethics, CSR, and sustainability among graduate and undergraduate
business students. MBAA 2011 International Conference. March 23-25, 2011. Drake Hotel:
Chicago, IL.
Presentations
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Salk, R. J. & Slinger, L. A. (2012). Emerging opportunities: Educational and career options in
sustainability. Invited Presentation. Education After 4. January 11, 2011. Sponsored by La
Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. La Crosse, WI: Viterbo University.
Salk, R. J. (2011). Measuring sustainability: Indicators and metrics to assess, analyze, and
monitor impacts. Invited Presentation. Fair Trade Federation 2011 National Conference. May
6-7, 2011. Milwaukee, WI: Radisson Hotel.
Cook, S. (2012). Business ethics? The story of stuff. Invited presentation. State Conference for
Future Business Leadership of America. April, 2012. La Crosse, WI.
Cook, S. (2012). Changing perceptions of ethics in business. Invited presentation. La Crosse
Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program. November, 2011. La Crosse, WI.
Technical Reports
Salk, R. J., Tyser, R., Green, K., Peterson, A. & Nichols, N. (2012). Sustainable La Crosse
Commission: Sustainability indicators report. Prepared for the La Crosse County and City of La
Crosse Joint Sustainable La Crosse Commission.
Other Scholarly and Professional Activities
Keenan, S. & Robinson, J. Getting Businesses to Behave; Sustainability Language in Public
Communication by American Companies. (2012). Mentored Summer Research Project. La
Crosse:WI
Rochelle Brooks completed a project with the development editor of Cengage Publishing to
review the 4th edition of the textbook Ethics in Information Technology. She reviewed 10
chapters, and the book will be published later this year.
In February 2011, Raintry Salk presented to a group of 20 Rotaract members at Western
Technical College. She discussed the depletion of world resources, defining and delineating
sustainability and the role major corporations will play in rectifying the situation of this
depletion. In addition, Dr. Salk serves on several boards including the Sustainable La Crosse
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Commission, a joint city and county advisory body and Citizens Energy Task Force. She also
serves as a reviewer for AASHE.
Key Objectives
Key objectives for the Dahl School of Business over the next 18 months focus primarily upon
assessing student learning in the area of sustainability through the new student learning
outcomes of the sustainable management undergraduate program and the MBA program,
broadening the impact of the school’s activities in the community, and increasing collaboration
in faculty research.

Continue to positively impact the Viterbo University campus sustainability efforts
through the work of the students in the MBA program focused on sustainability.

Analyze undergraduate student learning outcomes and the assessment plans to ensure
student development in this area.

Produce several peer-reviewed scholarly works in the area of CSR or sustainability by
faculty

Work with MBA students to promote presentation their sustainability research at
professional conferences

Continue implementation of the MBA Oath for all students entering the MBA program.
Sustainability on Campus
Since 2010, many efforts have been undertaken on campus. Two buildings were built with
LEED Silver design specifications. Currently, the new School of Nursing building is undergoing
the LEED certification process. Additionally, a new residential apartment complex opened for
students in the fall of 2012. The building designed to LEED standards and expected to be 26%
more energy efficient that code minimum.
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Infrastructure improvements have been made across campus in the last two years.
Improvements include lighting upgrades, replacement of rooftop heating and cooling units,
installation of variable frequency drives in air handlers, installation of tankless water heaters,
permeable pavement in three parking lots, and virtualization of multiple computer servers.
The Environmental Responsibility Committee (ERC) is an active committee on campus. The
committee is comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, and students. Since 2010, the
committee has held several events, introduced important campus policies, and provided
leadership in sustainability efforts and initiatives on campus. For instance, in 2011-2012, The
ERC collaborated with two other local college campuses and a nonprofit to implement a
community wide No Impact Week. The ERC was also instrumental in the University’s signage of
the Catholic Climate Covenant’s St. Francis Pledge Care for Creation and the Poor. The Pledge
affirms five actions: 1) PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the
poor and vulnerable, 2) LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions
of climate change, 3) ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other
affiliations-contribute to climate change, 4) ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce
the ways we contribute to climate change, 5) ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in
climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and
vulnerable.
This fall, the ERC is organizing a Campus Sustainability Day, along with hundreds of campuses all
over the nation. Events will focus on highlighting sustainability efforts across campus.
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