A Green Hilltop

Welcome Guide to Sustainability 

New to St. Edward's? Or just want to learn more on how to live more sustainable & the work we are doing to make the Hilltop more green? 

Check out this guide! It's filled with information about the Sustainability Office and one of our largest student organizations on the Hilltop- Students for Sustainability

Transportation 

Bus Passes 

With just being a few miles from downtown Austin, sustainable transit options are important to take on your world. In partnership with Capital Metro, all residential students can receive a no-cost mobile bus pass upon request. Student who live off- campus can receive a discounted pass- by visiting the Card Office in the 1st floor Operations Building. 

Composting 

On the Hilltop there's multiple ways for students, faculty and staff to compost their organic waste. The university has partnered with Break-it-down Austin to provide three collections bin close to residential areas. Two bins are located by buildings 1 & 6 of the Mary-Hill Apartment complex and the other is located in-between St. Andre and the Complex. For more information on all things composting- email us!

Grounds for Grounds Program  

Under the leadership of Students for Sustainability, all used coffee grounds from Jo's Coffee & Bon Appetite are composted in the campus garden (located behind Teresa Hall). A program first started by our arborist- Roy Johnson! 

Compost Bin Rental Program

All St. Edward's students, faculty and staff are able to request a personal compost collection bin. This program is only active during the Fall & Spring semesters and will be returned at the end of April. 

Recycling 

In the inner and outer campus are single-stream recycling bins for materials #1-7. Follow this guide if you are unsure if your item is recyclable or not. Specialty recycling bins will be available soon. 

Out-of norm items

  • Styrofoam- JBWN 
  • Batteries- Munday Library 
  • Plastic Bags- Can be thrown out at the local HEB or Walmart
Sustainable Buildings

Operations Building

  • Solar Panels (installed summer 2021) 
  • Occupancy Sensors 
  • LED Lighting 

Doyle Hall

  • Passive shading techniques were designed into the new building's architecture. The west facade incorporates a deep porch that incorporates aluminum louvers specifically designed to permit views while screening all direct solar gain. 
  • Highly reflective roofing was used on the addition to provide for lower solar absorption
  • High performance insulated glazing was used throughout, as well as tight-building techniques to prevent excessive air transfers
  • Lighting and devices are all low-power consumption type

Fleck Hall 

  • Features a longer overhang on the south side to block the sun's reach
  • Insulated, high-performance glazing on all windows
  • Read more about the history of Fleck Hall and see it in 1958 and today on our blog!

John Brooks Williams Natural Science Center - South

  • Water conserving plumbing fixtures result in nearly 25% reduction in indoor water use
  • Energy efficient HVAC and lighting systems reduce peak energy demand by 27% and total energy use by 20%
  • Nearly 90% of the construction waste from the Alumni Gym and John Brooks Williams Natural Science Center was recycled or salvaged, diverting over 1,200 tons of waste from the landfill
  • Automatic daylight controls reduce lighting levels when sufficient daylight is present

Trustee Hall

  • A separate heating and cooling system for the computer tower reduces energy costs
  • A cast-in-place brise soleil on the south side absorbs much of the sun's rays

UFCU Alumni Gym 

  • Water conserving plumbing fixtures result in nearly 25% reduction in indoor water use
  • Rain gardens and native landscaping reduce outdoor water use by 65%
  • Energy efficient HVAC and lighting systems reduce peak energy demand by 27% and total energy use by 20%
  • Nearly 90% of the construction waste from the Alumni Gym and John Brooks Williams Natural Science Center was recycled or salvaged, diverting over 1,200 tons of waste from the landfill

Moody Hall 

  • Reflective Roofing 
  • UV light technology for HVAC systems- installed summer of 2022. Will help eliminate bacteria and viruses in the air. 
Sustainability Map

All around campus we have bike racks, green re-fill fountains, compost bins and much more to help keep the hilltop sustainable. Check out this map to help you live more green at St. Edward's. 

map

 

Sustainability Timeline

Tracking our Progress 

Over the years St. Edward's University has invested in sustainable technologies, renovations, and infrastructure projects. View the full sustainability timeline here. 

Timeline