Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.68
Liaison Mei May
Submission Date Nov. 22, 2023

STARS v2.2

University of Texas at San Antonio
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Mei L May
Director Office of Sustainability
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:

1) Roof top Harvesting and Stormwater Disbursement over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Bioswale.

108 acres of UTSA’s original impervious cover predates current regulatory compliance for water quality and impervious cover treatment which included the area treated by the bioswale. The bioswale removes pollutant load, slows stormwater to attenuate downstream flow and serves as an outdoor living laboratory for outdoor education. Informative signage on the LIDS, cisterns and bioswale aid student learning for sustainability.

2) The Mesquite Living Lab (MLL)

The MLL completed in 2021, supports UTSA’s Environmental Science Department’s outreach mission and was funded by $2,671,236 of proposition 1 funding awarded to the Office of Sustainability and the Integrated Biology Department.

The MLL and its surrounding areas are used to illustrate how low impact developments (LIDs) can improve water quality. These LIDs include a bioswale, green roof and rain garden. The building is used to educate the community and the UTSA student body on the benefits of water quality and water conservation of the Edwards Aquifer.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:

1) The Mesquite Living Lab (MLL)

The MLL completed in 2021, supports UTSA’s Environmental Science Department’s outreach mission and was funded by $2,671,236 of proposition 1 funding awarded to the Office of Sustainability and the Integrated Biology Department.

The MLL and its surrounding areas are used to illustrate how low impact developments (LIDs) can improve water quality. These LIDs include a bioswale, green roof and rain garden. The building is used to educate the community on the benefits of water quality and water conservation of the Edwards Aquifer. Workshops are held for community members, including homeowners and landowners, to help them understand what they can do to protect the aquifer.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:

1) Active Transportation Programs: A Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Funded Program (CMAQ Grant)

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) is a fund made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and managed by the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Association dedicated to, as its name suggests, congestion mitigation and air quality improvement. Programs and initiatives set up as part of this grant culminated in an end goal of reducing ground-level ozone by promoting active tranport programs.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:

1) San Pedro 1 (SP1)

UTSA achieved LEED Gold certification at SP1 through thoughtful attention to energy efficiency and sustainable site development as the result of collaboration with partners at Whiting-Turner, Jacobs Engineering, and Overland Partners. With a focus on indoor/outdoor connections and reconfigurable spaces for multipurpose use, the building was designed with innovation and adaptability in mind to serve UTSA students, faculty and staff downtown for decades to come. SP1's sustainable design features contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings among the student body.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:

1) UTSA Texas Sustainable Energy Research Institute (TSERI)

UTSA TSERI is dedicated to sustainability research and is currently using the UTSA campus operations for several energy related research projects including solar power (sponsored by the local utility company; CPS Energy), also research on new battery technology (sponsored by Microsoft).


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:

1) UTSA Campus Garden

The UTSA department of Nutrition and Dietetics partners with the Student Organization "Garden Society" to maintain an on campus garden. The MOU between the student group and academic department share responsibility for the garden both physical support and planning and maintaining plant growth and gardening. The effort is an exchange of academic and student interaction that results in a space for learning and campus engagement.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:

Stormwater runoff is a significant issue on our campus and due to our proximity to the aquifer recharge zone University Operations is required to maintain strict controls on grounds operations.

1) Roof top Harvesting and Stormwater Disbursement over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Bioswale.

108 acres of UTSA’s original impervious cover predates current regulatory compliance for water quality and impervious cover treatment which included the area treated by the bioswale. The bioswale removes pollutant load, slows stormwater to attenuate downstream flow and serves as an outdoor living laboratory for outdoor education. Informative signage on the LIDS, cisterns and bioswale aid student learning in relation to grounds.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:

1) Active Transportation Programs: A Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Funded Program (CMAQ Grant)

The Office of Sustainability has worked to improve Bicycle and Pedestrian facilities since 2018 to reduce congestion from single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs) and improve our air quality. Active transportation and the reduction of SOVs on campus can improve the health and vitality of our students and the surrounding community. The University of Texas at San Antonio Office of Sustainability’s RoadRunner Footprint program (funded by the CMAQ grant) is an active transportation and travel demand project. The program analyzes campus transportation methods and infrastructure and recommends policy for the creation of complete streets at UTSA. Over a 3-year period the Roadrunner Footprint program established programs and initiatives to increase active transportation on all UTSA campuses. These active transportation programs contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:

1) Roof top Harvesting and Stormwater Disbursement over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Bioswale.

108 acres of UTSA’s original impervious cover predates current regulatory compliance for water quality and impervious cover treatment which included the area treated by the bioswale. The bioswale removes pollutant load, slows stormwater to attenuate downstream flow and serves as an outdoor living laboratory for outdoor education. Informative signage on the LIDS, cisterns and bioswale aid student learning in relation to water.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
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Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
---

Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
Yes

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:

1) UTSA's Investment Society Annual Costa Rica Trip & Microlending

UTSA Invesment Society's student managed portfolio enable them to partner with Community Development International (ICDI), which uses the money to provide micro-loans to a rural community in Costa Rica. The loans have been used to fund agricultural projects, transportation, and construction equipment, along with providing seed capital for a small business. Additionally, Investment Society members take an annual winter break trip to the community in Costa Rica. Members have the opportunity to witness the impact that the program provides, along with giving seminars on general business principles.


Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
No

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Campus Engagement:
https://www.utsa.edu/today/2018/05/story/StormWaterGrant.html

Public Engagement:
https://www.utsa.edu/today/2021/01/story/cypress-living-laboratory.html

Buildings:
https://www.utsa.edu/today/2023/08/story/san-pedro-I-awarded-leed-certification.html

Air and Climate:
https://www.utsa.edu/rpm/services/campus-planning/sustainability/initiatives/active-transportation-programs.html

Energy:
http://texasenergy.utsa.edu/

Food and Dining:
https://facilities.utsa.edu/utsa-community-garden-plants-roots-march-4/

Grounds:
https://www.utsa.edu/today/2018/05/story/StormWaterGrant.html

Transportation:
https://www.utsa.edu/rpm/services/campus-planning/sustainability/initiatives/active-transportation-programs.html

Water:
https://www.utsa.edu/today/2018/05/story/StormWaterGrant.html

Investment and Finance:
https://business.utsa.edu/costa-rica-microlending-trip/


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.