Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.17
Liaison Megan Litke
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

American University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Hannah Moskowitz
Sustainability Analyst
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:

The School of International Service and the Don Myers Building offers indoor secure bike storage, showers, and lockers for bicycle commuters.


Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking for all occupied buildings and makes long-term bicycle storage available for students who live on-site (if applicable)?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

American University offers bike racks near each of the occupied buildings on main campus, as well as off-campus sites. Secure and covered bicycle storage is available for students living on campus in Cassel Hall.


Does the institution have a bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy (or adhere to a local community plan/policy) that sets standards and practices for campus streets to enable safe access for all users?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
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Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:

Capital Bikeshare is the local bicycle-sharing program within Washington, D.C. There is one Capital Bikeshare location on main campus, with 15 docks, one on Tenley Campus with 19 docks, and one on East Campus with 19 docks.


Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the mass transit programs:

American University offers free shuttle service between the nearest metro stop, Tenlytown Metro, Washington College of Law, main campus, and the Spring Valley Building. All full time undergraduate, graduate, and law students at the university are enrolled in the U●Pass program in which, each student pays $136 per semester and in return provides unlimited rides throughout the semester on Metrorail and Metrobus.


Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:

The program is provided by MWCOG.


Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
Yes

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:

RideAmigos is a web-based commuter management solution for the AU community to find and share rides, as well as discover their various travel options, such as transit, walk, bike, or drive. Students and employees are encouraged to use the online system for long distance travel, short trips around town or for a daily commute.


Does the institution participate in a car sharing program, such as a commercial car-sharing program, one administered by the institution, or one administered by a regional organization?:
Yes

A brief description of the car sharing program:

There are Zipcar vehicles on campus and at off-campus properties that can be used by students, faculty, and staff to conduct official university business. Zipcars on university property can also be used for personal use by staff, faculty, students, and campus visitors.


Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:

There are two stations located in the Katzen Arts Center garage.


Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the telecommuting program:

The university recognizes the growing demands on staff while at work and the increasing challenge of finding new and better ways of serving students, other customers and meeting the university goals. American University supports flex work arrangements to foster a highly desirable and productive work environment that is responsive to these demands and challenge. The University expects that flexible work arrangements will increase retention and recruitment of highly qualified staff, maintain staff productivity, and promote employee engagement.

While not all positions will be amenable to flex work arrangements, consideration of flexible work schedules are be reviewed on a case-by-case basis taking into account the departmental needs and the employee’s ability to maintain a high level of service.


Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week option:

Institution offers a condensed work week option for full time employees. Flex Work Arrangement Policy was approved on September 14, 2009.


Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
Yes

A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:

In summer of 2012, AU started a Live Near Your Work Program. This program awards grants for down payments and closing costs to staff and faculty living near the university. Grants are determined based on the location and proximity of the purchased home to the university as determined by the DC Office of Planning.


Does the institution employ other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting (e.g. preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, cash-out of parking programs)?:
Yes

A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:

Reduced price parking is available for those who drive to campus only a limited number of times per month. This occasional parking permit rewards drivers who drive to campus on a limited basis by charging less per day the less you drive. American University offers incentives to commuters who primarily travel by bicycle to campus. Within this program, bicycle commuters can receive $20 per month for biking to work which can be used to buy bicycling gear and services at participating bicycle shops.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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