Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 45.15
Liaison Andrew Porter
Submission Date March 11, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

University of Cincinnati
OP-2: Building Design and Construction

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.15 / 4.00 Claire Sweigart
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

New building space that meets "Eligible Buildings Criteria":
1,290,070 Square feet

New building space that was designed and constructed in accordance with green building policies or guidelines but not LEED certified:
236,109 Square feet

New building space that is LEED Certified :
671,431 Square feet

New building space that is LEED Silver certified:
131,745 Square feet

New building space that is LEED Gold certified :
250,785 Square feet

New building space that is LEED Platinum certified:
0 Square feet

The website URL where a copy of the institution's guidelines or policies for green building is available :
An electronic copy of the guidelines or policies :
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The date(s) the policies or guidelines were adopted:
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A brief description of how the institution ensures compliance with green building design and construction guidelines and policies:

The University of Cincinnati has a requirement for all new construction, and whenever possible renovations, to be certified LEED Silver or higher. Two of the primary LEED/sustainability focuses are the management of storm water and building energy usage. All new construction projects at the University are encouraged to develop ways of reducing storm water run-off as well as funneling efficiencies gained by a cogeneration central utility plant in order to efficiently condition buildings throughout campus. To further aid in resource management, the University is creating a storm-water master plan. The plan will create a network of storm water infrastructure that can be tapped into as site improvements are made piece by piece across campus.

Work already on-line includes a state of the art co-generation central plant and thermal storage system. The cogeneration central utility plant captures rejected heat from power generation and distributes via low pressure steam to buildings throughout the campus. The plant captures heat that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, and reduces the University’s carbon footprint. The thermal storage tank cools water during the summer months in a massive tank under the football practice field. The water is cooled at night when energy demand is low, and makes more efficient use of power supplied by the grid, which is often wasted at night and over-taxed during the day. The project takes advantage of passive cooling by the mass of the earth for use during the next day.

Together, the LEED requirement for Silver Certification for all new construction, development of the design for the storm water master plan, and extending efficiencies created at the central utility plant, have decreased energy usage and have provided a framework of sustainable design for the University to build on.


The names of all buildings that are certified under the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations, LEED for Commercial Interiors, and/or LEED for Core and Shell Green Building Rating Systems:

Teachers College, Campus Recreation Center, Steger Student Life Center, Center for Academic Research Excellence (CARE), Van Wormer Hall, Lidner Athletic Center & Varsity Village; Morgens Hall


The names of all buildings designed and constructed in accordance with green building guidelines and policies but not LEED certified:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.