University Achieves Laudato Si’ Certification for Advancing Sustainability

This summer, Saint Joseph’s officially received certification from the Laudato Si’ Action Platform for its active participation in sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship. With Saint Joseph’s having formalized its commitment to a University-wide sustainability plan in 2024, the certificate is one step among many in the University’s multi-year plan to build a lasting, action-driven culture of integral ecology.

The President’s Laudato Si’ Initiative was inspired by the late Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si', which calls for urgent action to address the environmental crisis facing the planet. In its first year, the initiative focused on establishing a vision for the University’s sustainability program; identifying priority areas; developing a comprehensive, long-term plan; and incorporating sustainability into the University’s strategic plan.

“Establishing a framework and engaging stakeholders across our University community were essential to successfully launching the initiative,” says Clint Springer, PhD, guiding coalition lead, associate professor of biology, and director of the Institute for Environmental Stewardship. “We formed a guiding coalition, held listening and visioning sessions, and collected baseline data about our sustainability activities.”

Through these collaborations, the University identified four key priorities: Reduce the University’s carbon footprint and become more energy efficient; improve waste management and recycling infrastructure; further integrate environmental and social justice into the curriculum and research; and ensure the sustainability of infrastructure and procurement methods.

Most notably, the University’s new six-story residence hall, Sister Thea Bowman Hall, features geothermal heating and cooling, furniture and other woodwork made from reclaimed wood of the trees removed from the site, a bioretention basin, and underground stormwater retention systems for a greener and more sustainable living experience. The University is pursuing U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED certification — a globally recognized standard for green buildings — for the 596-bed residence.

“By using a geothermal system, USGBC has awarded us 16 out of a possible 18 points for energy performance, with a total energy savings calculation of 44%. For plumbing systems, we have installed low-flow fixtures, which have accounted for a 46% reduction in water use. For a building of this size, which houses almost half of our first-year residential students, these outcomes are enormous and validate Saint Joseph’s commitment to sustainability,” says Kevin Mueller, senior director of construction and planning.

On-the-ground efforts included the introduction of reusable OZZI to-go containers in the dining hall, as well as a comprehensive recycling program spearheaded by the student-run Green Fund, which is working with the University to better allocate recycling receptacles throughout campus and roll out educational signage. The Green Fund also led sustainable living workshops, organized an event to map environmental injustices, and hosted a free yard sale in an effort to reduce consumerism and foster communal exchange.

During the University’s move-in/out periods, the facilities and residence life teams worked with Student Senate on various sustainability activations, including a food, clothing and housewares donation drive, as well as the implementation of a new mattress recycling program.  Across the country, approximately 55,000 mattresses are disposed of daily and, while over 75% of a mattress's components are recyclable, fewer than 10% are actually being recycled.

“During our pilot program in the spring, we had donation locations at three residence halls and collected over 30 bins of clothing items in addition to mattress toppers, microwaves and furniture items,” says Emma Hendrickson, BS ’26, Green Fund outreach coordinator and sustainability chair for the Student Senate.

In the community, the University has partnered with the Science Leadership Academy at Beeber to establish an after-school environmental science program during which St. Joe’s students will volunteer and provide tutoring to the local middle and high school students.

As the University continues its efforts for a second year, it has plans to launch its official sustainability plan, as well as hire a director of environmental stewardship and sustainability who will provide strategic and unifying leadership to advance the University's mission in these areas. Saint Joseph's is also in the process of conducting a greenhouse gas inventory to measure its progress toward reducing its carbon footprint.

“Our pursuit of sustainability is a lifelong journey — a commitment renewed each day to lighten our footprint and nurture our common home,” says Springer. “Through this work, we strive to embody Saint Joseph’s mission to walk with and for others as well as with and for the planet we share.”