Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 46.93
Liaison Kevin Salfen
Submission Date Oct. 21, 2024

STARS v2.2

University of the Incarnate Word
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Kevin Salfen
Co-Director, Office of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Campus Engagement

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:
UIW has a robust campus community garden that supports class- and program-related service-learning. Students who work in the garden can receive service hours for their time, which count toward their 45-hour service requirement.

Public Engagement 

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:
Athletics has designated "green games" over the course of the semester during which faculty, staff, and student volunteers assist Facilities staff to "train" event attendees, including community members, in how to recycle.

Air & Climate 

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:
UIW participates in a Demand-Response energy program through CPS Energy, voluntarily limiting energy usage during high-demand periods, particularly in the summer. UIW's participation in this program has been promoted through the Sustainability Advisory Board.

Buildings  

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:
In AY 2022-23, the Sustainability Studies Concentration had a work-study assigned to it who was tasked with measuring square footage of certain buildings, an activity that this work-study student had prior experience with, to support preliminary work toward an energy audit of main campus.

Energy 

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:
In AY 2022-23, the Sustainability Studies Concentration had a work-study assigned to it who was tasked with measuring square footage of certain buildings, an activity that this work-study student had prior experience with, to support preliminary work toward an energy audit of main campus.

Food & Dining 

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:
UIW has a robust composting initiative, working with Sodexo, the company contracted with running UIW's cafeteria, to transfer fruit and vegetable cuttings to the community garden, where it is incorporated into a bokashi composting process. The compost is used in the campus community garden.

Grounds 

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:
UIW has a campus community garden with a central location and several "satellite" locations that are used depending on the number of volunteers available in a given semester. A pollinator garden has also been planted, in coordination with Facilities.

Purchasing 

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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Transportation 

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:
UIW subsidizes passes on San Antonio's public transit system, Via, for all students, faculty, and staff.

Waste 

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

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Through initiatives such as "green games" offered by UIW Athletics, students have opportunities to educate campus and civic community members about recycling, diverting materials from the waste stream.

Water 

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

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

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

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Students have had a role in advancing sustainability at UIW in relation to coordination and planning. The President of the Student Government Association has, in the past, advocated for the opening of a food and necessities pantry (Cardinals' Cupboard), which now has a permanent location on main campus.

Diversity & Affordability 

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

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Through student organizations, UIW has abundant opportunity for students to promote and support diversity on campus. These efforts are further supported by a dedicated Associate Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Investment & Finance 

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

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

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

A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
UIW has a robust set of opportunities and resources to support student wellbeing, including wellbeing in relation to work. These resources are introduced and explored by all students as part of their required work in First-Year Experience, a course all entering freshmen must take.

Optional Fields 

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:
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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.