Sustainability
Environmental responsibility is imperative to the health and wellbeing of our campus, our community, and our planet.
It is achieved through collaborative actions taken across multiple areas of our university, from the buildings we work, live, and study in, to academic and research opportunities, to the food in our dining halls. St. Edward’s recognizes its responsibility in educating and empowering the university community to work together for a more sustainable hilltop.
Explore and learn about sustainability both on campus and around the world.
Check out Green Tips for Toppers to get involved and make your life more eco-friendly. Read about the sustainable initiatives and events happening on campus. Learn what our faculty, staff and students are doing to improve the environment.
Here are highlights we’re particularly proud of:
- Named a Tree Campus USA in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
- Chosen among colleges and universities worldwide for The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
- Proud member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
- Proud member of the Gulf Coast Collaborative Ecosystems Studies Unit, a national research consortium of colleges and universities working collectively on sustainability projects.
- Proud member of the Texas Space Grant Consortium, a national research consortium of institutions, work collaboratively on research projects related to air quality, tropospheric ozone, climate change, and space-related environmental issues.
- Proud member of the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition, an association of local area governments and other entities to discuss policies and best practices related to local air quality.
- Proud member of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas, a non-profit organization representing business, government, academic, civic, environmental, and health interests throughout Central Texas, with a special focus on air quality.
A Green, Sustainable Campus
St. Edward's is committed to creating and maintaining a sustainable campus. Our green practices include eco-friendly building construction and landscaping, recycling and composting, and student involvement in organizations such as Green Ambassadors, Students for Sustainability and a student-run garden.
Campus Sustainability Map
Campus Sustainability Map
The campus sustainability map offers a brief overview of a few sustainability initiatives on campus. Click here to view a PDF version of this file.
Sustainable Building Features
Doyle Hall
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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.
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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
Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel
- As much of the original structure was used as possible including the original wood floor and wooden scissor trusses that support the roof
- The clerestory lantern was designed to bring daylight in above the altar without the heat gain of an overhead skylight
- Captured rainwater from the ministry roof is channeled via a sculptural steel flume to splash on a circular steel catch-basin and into surrounding gardens
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
- Drought tolerant landscaping
Sustainability Team
Jim Morris
Associate Vice President for University Operations
Morris oversees the maintenance operations for the university, including energy management, landscape services, custodial services, and the various building systems. He has input and oversight responsibilities with projects ranging from minor repairs to larger renovations. Prior to coming to St. Edward's, Morris oversaw environmental and energy management in a large public school system and had significant involvement with the development of energy conservation, renewable energy initiatives, student outreach, and sustainability.
Roy Johnson
Arborist
A certified arborist, Johnson manages the campus tree-care plan, maintains our landscapes, and serves on the Tree Campus USA committee. Johnson has kickstarted sustainability projects in his area including the Grounds for Grounds project that turns used coffee grounds from campus cafes and Jo's Coffee into compost and turning landscape waste into compost or mulch that is used right here on campus.
Sustainability Timeline
Sustainability Timeline
The sustainability timeline chronicles the progress that St. Edward's has made towards sustainability in the past 19 years. Click here to view a PDF version of this file.