UIW Recognized by National Organizations for Work in Sustainability Effort

University Receives Two Separate Silver Ratings

San Antonio – January 14, 2025 – The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is proud to announce that it has recently been recognized with two separate Silver ratings for its efforts in the area of sustainability on the UIW Broadway campus.

First, UIW has earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its campus wide sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). The group sponsors the STARS ratings, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, which measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

Photo: UIW Dubuis Residence Hall/LEED Silver Certification

With more than 1,200 participants in 52 countries, AASHE’s STARS program is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability performance. Participants report achievements in five overall areas: 1) academics, 2) engagement, 3) operations, 4) planning and administration, and 5) innovation and leadership.

“Achieving a Silver STARS rating is a sort of sustainability ‘graduation’ for UIW,” says Dr. Kevin Salfen, member of the UIW Sustainability Advisory Board. “Now we are broadcasting to the world that we have achieved great things in sustainability and that we are part of a global community of like-minded campuses. And we have a roadmap: concrete steps that we can take to achieve a gold STARS rating, not as an end in itself, but as a testament to what we’re doing for our campus and civic communities and for our common home.”

Salfen says much of the credit for the success of this effort goes to the work of UIW’s Sustainability Advisory Board, chaired by Dr. Ben Miele, for the many activities and accomplishments that have led to this Silver rating from AASHE.

UIW is also celebrating a second sustainability milestone, as the recently renovated Dubuis Residence Hall was awarded LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The facility incorporates many sustainable items such as lighting and use of water, however, most significant or impactful is the HVAC system improvements. The system utilizes very high efficiency water-source heat pumps that promote energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact and integrate with renewable energy.

“By obtaining LEED Silver Certification, the residence hall not only reduces its carbon footprint but also provides a healthier living environment for its occupants,” says Philip Lopes, associate vice president for Planning and Campus Management Facilities. “This achievement underscores our institution’s dedication to fostering a sustainable future, setting a benchmark for future projects and inspiring the community to prioritize eco-friendly practices. The certification also enhances the UIW’s reputation, attracting environmentally conscious students and staff who value sustainability.”

Photo: UIW Solar House/LEED Platinum Certification

UIW is not a newcomer to LEED certified accolades. The Solar House on the Broadway campus is LEED Platinum certified as it features zero daily energy consumption, a Butterfly Roof for maximum rainwater capture, and a Helical Pier Foundation System to minimize soil disturbance. Salfen says all these sustainability efforts are the continuation of lessons learned from the founders of UIW.

“One of the legacies of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word is that UIW has a long connection to sustainability,” concludes Salfen. “The Sisters ensured that the 53-acre Headwaters Sanctuary next to our campus would be protected in perpetuity from development. They made “care of the environment” part of our Mission. And they have inspired so many of us, including me, to center sustainability in our teaching, research and service. The Sisters essentially created a culture of sustainability that all of us – students, staff, teachers and administrators – are invited to join. Being at UIW means that we get to imagine how what we do as individuals can support that broader, mission-centered culture.”

The University of the Incarnate Word is a sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.