McCoy College of Business Administration
Texas State University-San Marcos
Report on Progress
2008-2009
PRME
Principles for Responsible
Management Education
From the Dean
In 2000 the United Nations Global Compact was launched with the goal of bringing thousands of businesses
together with non-governmental organizations to advance universal principles in human rights, labor,
environment and anti-corruption. In 2007 an international task force of deans, university presidents and
other business school representatives met under the UN Global Compact to create a set of principles to guide
business school curricula into a greater acknowledgement of corporate social responsibility. The resulting
Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) were made public later that year, and in 2008 the
McCoy College of Business Administration became one of the first signatory institutions of PRME.
According to its website, the PRME seek to "establish a process of continuous improvement among
institutions of management education in order to develop a new generation of business leaders capable
of managing the complex challenges faced by business and society in the 21st century." The mission and
values of the McCoy College have always included ethical behavior, so PRME is a natural extension of our
own values. Along with hundreds of other business schools, we are committed to align our strategy with
UN values embodied by the PRME principles.
McCoy College provides a curriculum that focuses on developing skills in oral and written communication,
critical thinking, information technology, ethical behavior, teamwork, and understanding the importance of
culture and diversity. Our students apply the concepts they learn by participating in 15 business-related
organizations. The combination of classroom learning and practical application has been endorsed by our
advisory board and helps to emphasize our applied orientation.
McCoy College students are encouraged to develop a strong working relationship with both their academic
advisor and the faculty. Their goal is to give students the tools they need both while at Texas State and as
they advance in their careers. Students abide by the university's honor code and the McCoy values of
integrity and adherence to professional and ethical standards.
Business ethics and sustainable development require measurements of success in economic prosperity,
environmental integrity, and social equity. Our commitment to the personal and professional development
of faculty, staff, and students requires that we be both responsive and accountable in our contributions to
the community and the region. This Report on Progress demonstrates that the McCoy College of Business
Administration is committed to implementing policies and projects that protect both the physical and the
business environment.
Denise T. Smart, Ph.D.
Dean
McCoy College of Business Administration
The Mission of McCoy College of Business Administration
The McCoy College of Business Administration is a student-centered learning community dedicated to
sharing values, knowledge, and skills that enable students to compete responsibly and successfully in a global
business environment. The College serves a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students
primarily from Texas. Emphasizing an applied orientation, we value teaching excellence and intellectual
contributions, complemented by service.
Introduction to the Report on Progress
As a signatory to the United Nation’s Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME), the McCoy
College of Business Administration has agreed to provide an annual Report on Progress to all stakeholders
outlining the actions it has taken to support, abide by and promote the six principles of PRME. The following
report provides an overview of how McCoy College incorporates and inspires business responsibility. The
report is categorized by the six principles of PRME along with specific examples of how McCoy College
supports each respective principle.
Principle 1
Purpose: We will develop the capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for
business and society at large and to work for an inclusive and sustainable global economy.
It is the responsibility of McCoy College of Business Administration at Texas State University-San Marcos to
be accountable and contribute to the community and region. Through reliance on self-study and continuous
improvement, students are encouraged to consider problems that are multidisciplinary and global. They
come to understand that our problems are political and cultural, as well as economic. They are encouraged
to understand the importance of culture and diversity to organizations and to apply general concepts of
ethical behavior.
Through student organizations and internships with private businesses, governmental organizations and nongovernmental organizations, students are able to integrate classroom learning with real-life experiences,
which allows them to evaluate models of corporate and non-corporate governance and apply their critical
thinking skills. Following are examples of how McCoy College supports the mission of PRME to develop the
capabilities of students to be future generators of sustainable value for business and society at large.
Curriculum Revision
Last year the Undergraduate Core Course Task Force reviewed the current coverage of College goals in each
core course and recommended additional coverage of ethics, social responsibility, diversity, global business
and sustainability topics within existing courses. The Task Force reviewed every core course to determine
where the extra coverage could be added, subject to the course objectives and the knowledge/skills
expected of students entering and leaving the course. Each core course was mapped to the six College
learning goals, and flow diagrams were developed to illustrate how each course objective supports the goals.
Management of Organizations/Strategic Management and Business Policy
On the recommendation of the Undergraduate Core Course Task Force, the core course coordinators for
Management 3303 (Management of Organizations) and Management 4335 (Strategic Management and
Business Policy), in consultation with all faculty teaching the courses, revised the master syllabi for these core
courses to include more coverage of ethics, social responsibility, diversity, global business and sustainability.
Student Clubs
Teaching Financial Skills to Others: Operation Build a Future: Mexico
In March 2008, the McCoy College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team helped open a small grocery store
15 miles south of Juárez, Mexico, in a community known as Kilometer 33. The store gives members of the
Tarahumara tribe access to food and clothes at discount prices close to home. SIFE also taught community
members about the free market, financial responsibility and business ethics.
Operation Build a Future taught participants how to build a business from scratch, ownership principles, and
trained employees in supply chain management and international trade. “We used money from our own
entrepreneurial operations to help the people in that community build a future,” said chapter president
Brittany Fiedler. “We felt the best way to do this was to develop a strong business plan and then help them
learn how to run their own business. It has been a truly rewarding experience to see our ideas become
reality and to see lives, both theirs and ours, actually change.”
The store was one of more than 50 projects the Texas State chapter completed. Another project, to teach
financial literacy skills, was inspired by the “Suze Orman Show.” A SIFE officer played the popular TV financial
advisor, visiting groups and asking them questions about credit scoring, credit card usage, saving and
investing, and money management. Texas State SIFE won first in the nation for this project.
Making an Impact: Project Green Earth
With a $10,000 sponsorship from Dell, a SIFE team put together a package with facts about going green and
an environmental quiz that went to every SIFE team in the world. On the Texas State campus, the team held
a Global Going Green Day to encourage students to recycle their old computers.
A project called Interview Express focused on improving workforce readiness for students. The two-day
event featured 10 stations, each one manned by a corporate executive, a SIFE officer and a new SIFE
member. Moving from station to station, participants learned about workforce attire, interviewing tips,
proper business introductions, the differences in business card presentations around the world and more.
Blue Santa
The American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter partnered with the San Marcos Police Department’s Blue
Santa program to help needy children. Texas State AMA promotes the Blue Santa Toy Drive on campus by
placing a collection box in the marketing department office and at their biweekly meetings during the fall
semester as well as developing fliers to encourage the Texas State community as well as the San Marcos
community to donate to this worthy cause.
Bobcat Build
McCoy College organizations participate in Bobcat Build. Volunteers paint, mulch, plant flowers, rake leaves,
prune trees and bushes, wash windows, clean up neighborhoods, participate in canned food drives, and
clean up rivers to build relationships between Texas State students and the San Marcos community.
University Projects
Sustainability is a vital global issue and Texas State University-San Marcos is committed to taking appropriate
steps to minimize its impact on the environment. Many of the policies and projects will also reduce energy
consumption and thus, result in cost savings for the University.
For example, the University has a comprehensive recycling program. The recycle center recycles paper
products, glass, plastic, and aluminum cans. In 2008 the campus recycled 85 tons of mixed paper, 20 tons of
cardboard, 8 tons of plastic and 1 ton of aluminum. In addition, batteries, laser toner and ink jet cartridges
are recycled. The University has initiated a composting project, combining food waste from the dining
facilities with cardboard from the City of San Marcos and aquatic vegetation from Spring Lake. At the end of
each semester, a program called “Pack it up; Pass it on” allows students moving out of residence halls to
donate usable items that would otherwise be discarded. These items are then given to local needy families.
Texas State collects e-waste items such as TVs, DVD and CD players, hand held games, cameras, computers,
electrical cords and a multitude of other electronic devices.
The McCoy College Advising Center implemented an online application to reduce the use of paper within the
College.
Environmental Sustainability
Occupancy sensors are installed in all new facilities and major renovations when installation of such sensors
is likely to significantly reduce electrical usage by automatically turning off lights when the monitored spaces
are not occupied. Residence halls utilize low flow shower nozzles. Monthly water usage in the residence
halls is reported to the Director of Housing and Residence Life to help educate the occupants regarding water
conservation. Faucets in the rest rooms on campus are the metering type that automatically shut off. Two
of our three major cooling plants on campus use reclaimed water from the lake rather than water from the
aquifer. The maintenance crew is systematically replacing T-12 florescent tubes with the more energy
efficient T-8 florescent tubes and electronic ballasts.
Five vehicles on campus use alternate fuels: one electric, two hybrids, and two propane vehicles. Sixteen
vehicles are E-85 capable. We continue to add E-85 capable vehicles to our fleet and encourage the local
fueling stations to offer E-85. Other steps to reduce our energy usage and lower utility costs include
upgrading building control systems, re-commissioning of buildings, deep cleaning of HVAC coils in major
buildings, and installing energy efficient windows during renovations.
The Custodial Operations department is making changes in keeping with the University’s commitment to
lessen our environmental impact. It reduced the number of chemicals and replaced many potentially
hazardous chemicals with safer, greener products. It is now using about 40 chemicals, down from over 70 in
2007 – aver a 40% reduction. The general all-purpose cleaner is a "Green Seal Certified," peroxide-based
product. Automated dispensers not only make it easier for the staff, but they also lessen waste and
inadvertent over-use of the product. The department posts its entire chemical list on the Texas State web
site with links to Material Safety Data Sheets.
In order to conserve energy, the University will perform a comprehensive energy audit on campus and
recommend utility improvement projects that will renew some of our aging systems and equipment and pay
for itself with the energy savings generated.
Building Sustainable Communities
The volunteer service learning program provides students with hands-on, community-based, service learning
experiences. It is a teaching and learning approach that integrates community service with academic study
to enrich learning, promote civic and personal responsibility, and strengthen communities. This is
supplemented with internships in the local community, study abroad opportunities, classroom experiences,
and a Common Experience educating faculty and staff regarding sustainability and key principles that relate
to students, educating the community regarding sustainability, using students to promote community efforts
and allowing them to get involved in project based learning.
The University sets an example by converting all printing to environmentally friendly processes, Xeriscaping
the landscape where possible, ensuring that all University-owned vehicles are energy efficient, phasing in
energy-saving equipment, and continuing and expanding current recycling efforts.
Principle 2
Values: We will incorporate into our academic activities and curricula the values of global social
responsibility as portrayed in international initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact.
Courses
MBA Program
Students entering the McCoy College Master of Business Administration (MBA) program may choose one of five
program options, the general MBA or the MBA with an emphasis in health administration, international
business, Latin American business, or engineering technology. A new course being developed, Legal Issues of
Sustainability and Responsibility will cover corporate responsibility and sustainability, including ethical,
environmental and social issues in the business world tied to PRME and the AACSB sustainability goal of peace
through commerce. The entire MBA curriculum is built around a sustainability framework as shown below.
MAcy Program
The Master of Accountancy (MAcy) program produces accounting graduates who are broadly educated in
accounting concepts and practices. Students explore the social and environmental effects of accounting
information on those who rely on it for decision making. A unique aspect of the program is its emphasis on the
ethical implications of accounting, auditing, and financial reporting. The Macy program prepares students for
careers as auditors, tax professionals, business consultants, financial planners, internal auditors, controllers, and
to work in public accounting, government, not-for-profit, and industry.
MSAIT Program
The McCoy College Master of Science in Accounting and Information Technology (MSAIT) program prepares
students for successful careers in management of accounting information systems and IT auditing,
governance, controls, and compliance. The program offers an applied learning approach that blends
accounting and information technology knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Courses at McCoy College of Business Administration in 2009:
ACC 2361: “Introduction to Financial Accounting" – Sherry Ross, Robert Severance and Steve Thoede – This
course, required for all McCoy College BBA students, introduces financial accounting concepts and their
application in the accounting process for business organizations, including financial statement preparation,
analysis and communication of financial information and related ethical responsibilities. In the course,
students study ethics cases and dilemmas.
ACC 2362: “Introduction to Managerial Accounting" – Robert Ellison, Diane Eure and Steve Thoede – An
introduction to the use of accounting information as an aid to management decision making, budgeting, and
the control process, including accounting reports and related ethical responsibilities .
MGT 4390C: “Business Ethics" – Michael D'Amelio – This course considers both what is required for ethical
leadership in business and what it takes to achieve something more- leadership in ethics.
MGT 4390G: “Cross-Cultural Human Relations" – Eric Kirby – This course focuses on the international dimension
of business ethics at all levels of business: personal, organizational and systemic.
BLAW 2361: “Legal Environment of Business" – Jon Bible, Janet Hale, Donald Sanders, and Alexis Stokes – A
survey of basic features of the American legal system and legal aspects of business transactions. Topics
include the nature and sources of law, court systems and procedures, agency, torts, contracts, ethics, and
government regulation of business.
FIN 4325: “Advanced Financial Planning" – Bill Chittenden – Capstone course for finance majors interested in
financial planning. Topics include ethics in the financial services industry, retirement planning and employee
benefits, and estate planning.
MKT 3343: “Principles of Marketing” – Vishag Badrinarayanan, Leah Brisco, Larry Ford, Elyria Kemp, Ken
Murdock, Ruth Taylor, Mary Vanderberg and Gail Zank – examines the marketing process in the context of the
global, cultural, economic, legal/regulatory environment. Examines ethical and socially-responsible marketing.
ACC 5340: “Individual Income Tax" – Larry Campbell – A study of the tax concepts and issues involved in
an individual’s employment and personal life and in sole proprietorships, property transactions, tax
administration and tax practice. Regulatory and ethical issues are incorporated into the discussion.
ACC 5389: "Corporate Governance and Ethics" - Roselyn Morris – A study of the corporate governance and
ethical issues in accounting, including ethical reasoning, integrity, objectivity, independence, core values and
professional issues.
BLAW 5368B: “Law and Ethics in the Business Environment" – John McGee – An examination of the
ethical dimensions of management decision-making. Problems are viewed through the lens of a value
system determined, in part, by the legal system.
CIS 5360: "E-Commerce: Strategies, Technologies, and Applications" – Marcos Sivitanides – This course is
designed to familiarize students with current and emerging e-commerce technologies. Topics include
Internet technology for business advantage, reinventing the future of business through e-commerce,
business opportunities in e-commerce, and social, political, global, and ethical issues associated with ecommerce.
CIS 5368: "Information Security" – Garry White– This course covers the analysis, design, development,
implementation, and maintenance of information security systems. Topics include legal, ethical, professional,
and personnel issues as well as risk management, technology, cryptography and physical security.
Additional Courses Include:
MGT 5312: "Seminar in Management" – Paula Rechner.
ACC 5320: "Auditing" – Yvonne Eixmann.
ACC 5367: "Seminar in Auditing" – Daniel Shook,
ACC 5369: "Special Studies in Accounting" – Steven Thompson.
Principle 3
Method: We will create educational frameworks, materials, processes and environments that enable
effective learning experiences for responsible leadership.
Educational Frameworks
Dr. Corey Ciocchetti, Assistant Professor of Business Ethics and Legal Studies at the University of Denver and
author of “Real Rabbits: Chasing an Authentic Life,” was the keynote speaker during Business Leadership
Week 2009 at McCoy College.
The McCoy College Online First Semester Workshop is a component of the new student experience at McCoy
College. Completion is mandatory for all new students admitted to McCoy College. The workshop is hosted
in an online learning environment and consists of demonstrations and scenario-based simulations. Among
other topics, students learn about the Honor Code and McCoy College values.
Dr. Jack Mogab led a three-day civic, business and educational mission to Monclova, Mexico. The group of 25
included the City of San Marcos Mayor, City Manager, representatives from the police and fire departments,
business owners and managers, and educators. Monclova is a Sister City engaged in an environmental,
business, and social partnership with San Marcos.
The James and Marilyn Lovell Center for Environmental Geography & Hazards Research studies the social and
economic impact of population change and offers innovative solutions to the challenges facing this fragile
planet.
The Department of Geography offers a certificate in water resource policy and concentrations in
environmental and solid waste management and regional land use/land use management.
The Center/El Centro studies Latino media and markets, multicultural marketing, and trends in Hispanic
marketing.
The Department of Music sponsors the La Feria del Mariachi Festival featuring Mariachi, Salso, and Afro
Cuban ensembles. The department also offers degrees in Latin American Performance and Music Education:
Mariachi Teaching.
In the 2010-11 academic year, the university-wide Common Experience theme will be "Sustainability."
The River Systems Institute has become an international center for watershed studies and includes a
watershed science lab for sustainability. The Research Center for River Recreation at Aquarena Center
focuses on sustainable water conservancy in the Rio Grande and the protection of endangered species.
The Department of Agriculture practices sustainable agriculture on the University's 4,200 acre Freeman
Ranch, studying the site's avifauna, soil, topography, and vegetation.
The Center for Migrant Education partners the University with the US Department of Education to coordinate
activities, programs and agencies concerned with the education, health and welfare of migrant workers.
The Center for Multicultural Gender Studies infuses an interdisciplinary curriculum supporting pluralistic
society resources that address race, class, gender and ethnicity.
Principle 4
Research: We will engage in conceptual and empirical research that advances our understanding about
the role, dynamics, and impact of corporations in the creation of sustainable social, environmental and
economic value.
The vision of the McCoy College is to be recognized as a top public college of business in Texas and a national
model for excellence in applied business education, valuing applied scholarly activity. The College encourages
diversity of research interests and desires a faculty that, as a whole, will produce a complete portfolio of applied
research contributions. Resources are available to promote research activities, and awards are made to faculty
members who excel at such activities.
2008-09 Relevant Faculty Research
Dr. Joni Charles presented "Collaborative Partnerships for Sustainable Environmental Outcomes" as part of a
panel at the Western Economic Association. Dr. Charles is involved with various watershed alliances and the
campus-wide Sustainability Group. She has published research on the San Marcos Rio Vista Dam.
Drs. Rosie Morris and Cecily Raiborn were awarded Best Case for “MEOU: The Co-Op Scratches, Not Purrs,”
at the 2009 Carl Menconi Ethics Case Writing Competition. The case will be reprinted in the July, 2009
Strategic Finance magazine.
Economist Dr. David Beckworth’s research on church-going rates during recessions has been cited in The New
York Times, The LA Times (among other newspapers), and on the late-night program "The Colbert Report."
He was also interviewed for two CNN segments.
Dr. Jim LeSage received grants from the National Science Foundation ($144,059) for "Collaborative Research:
(DRU) Modeling Business Return Amid Post-Disaster Uncertainties: New Orleans After Katrina" and from the
Southern Economics Association ($45,867) for "Modeling Business Return in New Orleans after Katrina: Its
Implications for Gulf of Mexico Economic Recovery."
Dr. Eric Kirby is the co-author of "What does it mean to be green?" He is the faculty representative on the
University Energy Conservation committee.
Dr. Susan Kirby, the co-author of "What does it mean to be green?" teaches a sustainability module in the
Management Department and attended a UN PRME conference.
Ms. Vicki West received a Sam's Club Foundation grant to achieve sustainable practices and reduce carbon
footprints for San Marcos companies.
Principle 5
Partnership: We will interact with managers of business corporations to extend our knowledge of their
challenges in meeting social and environmental responsibilities and to explore jointly effective approaches
to meeting these challenges.
Advisory Board
The McCoy College Advisory Board provides support to the College through the business expertise of its
members. These members provide guidance to help ensure that the College programs and curricula remain
relevant and leading edge. Board members invest their time, energy and knowledge to keep the McCoy College
of Business Administration among the leaders of graduate and undergraduate business education in Texas.
New energy partner
Texas State has partnered with MicroPower Global to develop cutting-edge “green energy” technology, with the
goal of developing the world’s first 20 percent efficient modules that will revolutionize the thermoelectric
market. The new technology is expected to save energy, reduce harmful emissions and lead to the availability of
substantial carbon credits. MicroPower is planning to move its operations to the Interstate 35 corridor,
becoming an early and key tenant of an off-campus commercialization center.
Principle 6
Dialogue: We will facilitate and support dialog and debate among educators, business, government,
consumers, media, civil society organizations and other interested groups and stakeholders on critical
issues related to global social responsibility and sustainability.
We understand that our own organizational practices should serve as an example of the values and
attitudes we convey to our students.
Dialogue
The University's popular Philosophy Dialogue Series includes "Sustainability: A Holistic Vision for a Changing
World." Also, Michael Morrow of Ecological Design & Planning led a business honors class in a lively
conversation on sustainable environmental ethics. A brief history of sustainable principles was traced from
transcendentalism, to the first Earth Day in 1970, to the creation of ecofeminism, to sustainability in the 1990s.
Mr. Morrow challenged the students to live for the “good of all, happiness of all” with a design for metaintelligence and heart. According to Morrow, a new intelligence and heart is needed that understands the
complexity and the exponential web for sustainability to flourish. The challenge of minimizing one’s ecological
footprint is central to the concept of producing better products with no toxicity.
Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Symposium
Texas State University-San Marcos will host this symposium, which is one of a host of informational projects and
events about sustainability on campus. Included are field trips to the San Marcos River and the Cypress Creek
watershed in Wimberley, dialogues on sustainability, and multi-media presentations. Drs. Joni Charles and Janet
Hale will present a paper on how to incorporate sustainability into the business curriculum. Drs. Susan and Eric
Kirby will present a version of their AMA paper on "Why be Green?" Selected papers will be published in the
Texas Journal of Science.
Serving as an Example
The Honors Business Law class voted to eliminate the normal/usual end of the semester Honors type paper in
lieu of getting involved in the community to work on sustainability.
A grant from the McCoy Student Development Foundation will allow us to bring Net Impact, a global network of
7,000 emerging business leaders committed to using the power of business to create a better world, to campus.
Our largest donor, McCoy's Building Supply, opened their new "green" corporate offices. The company was
recently recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their assistance in preventing childhood
lead poisoning.
The Department of Finance and Economics sponsored a campus and community dialogue entitled, "A
Conversation about the Financial Crisis" in October 2008. The keynote speaker was Alden M. Stout, Director of
Credit Risk at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. Professors David Beckworth, Ivilina Popova, Alexis Stokes,
and J. Holland Toles added their experience and expertise to the conversation. Dr. Bill Chittenden moderated
the program.