September 29, 2023

Socially Responsible Purchasing (SRP) is an industry term that describes an approach to institutional purchasing practices that The Institute for Supply Management defines socially responsible procurement as a framework of measurable corporate policies and procedures and resulting behavior designed to benefit the workplace and, by extension, the individual, the organization, and the community. Implementing responsible fiscal inclusivity and sustainable practices also prioritizes climate change per the strategic plan.

The best way to understand SRP is to see it in action. Check out the following SRP stories from 2023 (so far)!

Drexel Collaborates With Local Organizations to Support Minority-Owned Businesses

Drexel University's ExCITE Center and Accounts Payable & Procurement Services recently collaborated with the Women's Business Enterprise Council East (WBEC East) for a Technology and Surplus Giveaway, in which a local diversity advocacy organization is chosen quarterly to receive technology donations for their members and partners.

Most recently, Drexel was able to donate computers, monitors, web cameras, and even multifunction devices to William Way Center, the Therapy Center of Philadelphia, and GALAEI in partnerships with the Independence Business Alliance. These organizations support the LGBTQ+ community in areas such as arts & culture, empowerment, community connections, mental health, and economic impact. Earlier this year, Drexel donated computers, monitors and web cameras to Pre Pro Bono, Femininely Free, Sandy Ferguson and Carmenletta Shelton. For this project, Andy Stutzman of ExCITE and Bo Solomon, Allen Riddick and Mia Cohen of AP & Procurement worked together to ensure this technology was able to be reused by businesses and organizations whose mission aligns with equality.

Drexel Awarded Bronze Distinction by USPAAC

Drexel University has received the Bronze Award of Distinction by the U.S. Pan Asian-American Chamber of Commerce (USPAAC), a ground-breaking initiative that recognizes the unsung heroes of supplier diversity. The program allows U.S.-based organizations with at least 750 U.S.-based employees to assess their supplier diversity program and compare their program with itself year-over-year to nurture growth and development. Executive Director of Economic Impact and Workforce Inclusion Allen Riddick, who accepted the distinction on Drexel’s behalf at the CelebrASIAN 2023 Business + Procurement Conference, shared the following message: “It’s great how USPACC showcases organizations that are genuinely committed to doing the right thing for the right reasons. Drexel is honored to receive such a distinguished award and looks forward to going through their Supplier Diversity assessment next year with excitement that our Supplier Inclusion Program will continue to grow.”

Allen Riddick Recognized With City of Philadelphia Citation Award

Drexel University’s Executive Director of Economic Impact and Workforce Inclusion Allen Riddick was recently awarded a Citation from the City of Philadelphia for his valuable contributions to the city’s growing minority business community. Mayor Jim Kenney personally presented Riddick with the Citation during the Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Awards Ceremony at the Parkway Central Library. And it turns out that civic excellence runs in the family! Riddick’s father, Chester A. Riddick, Jr, also known as “Chet Riddick,” who is president and CEO of Alpha Enterprise Group, received a Citation Award from the city exactly five years prior, on Oct. 3, 2017, for his outstanding work in the communities where his businesses resided. Read the full story on DrexelNews.

FY2023 Surplus Recap

Drexel’s Surplus Property program sold 131 auction lots in FY2023. Some auctions were for single items (ANS Boat and facilities vehicles) while others were for large quantities of computers, Nursing books (from the Bellet Building) and food prep equipment. The 131 sales helped keep several hundred pieces from going to landfill, generated departments revenue of $140K+ and saved an estimated $58K+ in removal costs. The value that Surplus Property brought to Drexel was just over $204K in FY23.

Drexel Surplus Property helped with a Too Good to Go Residence Hall collection event lead by a student, Clair Toomey. Hundreds of pieces of clothing and residence hall furnishings were given for free to community members before being donated to Goodwill and to PAWs for animal bedding.

March 21-23, 2023, Campus Race to Zero Waste, an annual electronics collection and recycling event, was held at New College Building in Center City, at Queen Lane, and at the Recreation Center. Thirty-six pallets of electronics were collected and sent to PAR Recycling. The Surplus team has been working with PAR Recycling to securely sanitize data before recycling.