Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 30.79
Liaison Rebecca Jones
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Austin College
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.20 / 2.00 Kelby Archer
Coordinator
Center for Environmental Studies
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

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

None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Faculty and staff have access to showers, lockers, and bike racks in the campus gym facilities.

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

None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Each building (except for the chapel) has 1-2 bike racks within 50 feet of the entrance. Each rack can hold 6-12 bikes and they must be secured with personal lock systems. During short breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break), Residence Hall Directors will usually allow bicycle storage in a specified interior location.

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:
The campus is bike & pedestrian friendly. The great majority of campus buildings are accessible from each other without a road crossing. Only seven regular campus buildings (not including an alumni center and a few administrators' houses) are across a regular city street from the rest of the campus. The college recently purchased from the city and closed two roads to facilitate pedestrian and bicycle transit. The college has also purchased from the city a little-used road between the main campus and student residences known as the cottages. This road predominantly serves the campus community, but still serves a few privately owned residences as well.

Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
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Mass Transit Programs 

Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
No

A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Sherman, Texas has less than 50,000 residents and thus does not have significant public transportation options.

Guaranteed Return Trip Program 

Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
No

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
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Carpool/Vanpool Programs 

Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
No

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
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Car Sharing Program 

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

None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Austin College offers Enterprise CarShare, a membership-based car sharing program from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, on campus. Rates start at $5/hr, $60/day, and $35 overnight (6 p.m.-8 a.m.) and includes fuel costs. Physical damage/liability protection included for members 18+. Online access to vehicle reservations. Vehicles available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week for personal use. Access to vehicles in convenient, designated parking spots

EV Recharging Stations 

Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
No

None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
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Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
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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:
During the summer, subject to divisional Senior Staff approval, employees may work a full 37.5 hour workweek in less than five (5) full days. For example, an employee may work four (4) full days of 9¼ to 9 ½ hours each and have one (1) full day off. Depending upon staffing in a given campus office, such compressed workweek schedules may only be available on a rotating basis among several co-workers.

Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

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

None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
The college rents housing near campus to faculty and staff at below market rates.

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:
Priority parking for low emission / fuel efficient vehicles is available in the largest parking lot.

Optional Fields 

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