Understanding the limits of assessing sustainability at Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Ecuador, while reporting for a North American system
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 12 March 2018
Issue publication date: 30 April 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Universidad San Francisco de Quito, USFQ, completed an assessment study to understand its performance in sustainability in 2012. This study aims to recognize the limitations of applying a North American rating system considering relevant criteria to a South American university and to emphasize the importance and lack of benchmarks available in the region.
Design/methodology/approach
Methodology used for this study is based on the Sustainability Tracking Assessment Rating System (STARS) by AASHE. In December 2013, USFQ joined the Pilot Program that included publicly documenting efforts, sharing feedback and making suggestions for system improvements.
Findings
Data collected by USFQ in 2012 and 2013 illustrate how the status of USFQ as a non-residential, teaching university in Ecuador in a developing country had several challenges while using an evaluation system established for universities within a North American system. The limits of assessing sustainability in South America are associated to its geographical location, the number of students and staff that commute to University and the lack of environmental services and certifications available in Ecuador. There are applicability issues with the use of STARS without performance reports from regional peers that can guide the development of relevant benchmarks for future comparability.
Originality/value
Little research has been conducted in the assessment and tracking of sustainability within universities in South America. This paper is one of the first to address the applicability of a North American self-reporting tool to a South American university.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by Universidad San Francisco de Quito´s Chancellor Grant. The authors want to thank Rene Parra, Ma. Carmen Cazorla and Rodny Peñafiel, faculty at the Department of Environmental Engineering at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, USFQ, for their scientific contributions to conduct the first sustainability support. The authors are very thankful to all members of the USFQ community, students, faculty, staff and authorities, for providing valuable information and actively participating in this study. The authors want to give special thanks to Carlos Montúfar for his unconditional support to convert USFQ into a sustainable campus. The authors would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers whose insights majorly contributed in the publication of this case study.
Citation
Velasco, A., Valencia, M., Morrow, S. and Ochoa-Herrera, V. (2018), "Understanding the limits of assessing sustainability at Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Ecuador, while reporting for a North American system", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 721-738. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-04-2017-0054
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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