| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.69 |
| Liaison | Margaret Lo |
| Submission Date | Dec. 16, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Ball State University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.63 / 2.00 |
Sue
Weller Director Facilities Business Services & Transportation |
Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Each building on campus has bike racks available for bike storage.
Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking (e.g. racks) within 50 ft (15 m) of all occupied, non-residential buildings and make long-term bicycle storage available within 330 ft (100 m) of all residence halls (if applicable)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
There are bike racks located outside all buildings and each residence hall has some type of facility for long-term storage. Facilities vary by residence hall.
Does the institution have a “complete streets” or bicycle accommodation policy (or adhere to a local community policy) and/or have a continuous network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths and lanes?:
A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
The Ball State University Bike Hub, located in the Student Recreation & Wellness Center’s Outdoor Pursuits office (SRWC 133), encourages the popular and beneficial use of biking as an important mode of transportation and recreational sport. The Bike Hub has scheduled bike rides and clinics each semester to promote the importance of bike safety and proper bike maintenance. The Bike Hub also provides campus information about biking on campus, end-of-commute amenities for commuter bicyclists and bike rentals. The Facilities department has installed approximately 2,000 outdoor bike racks throughout campus, which can accommodate 3,200 bicycles. The Office of Housing and Residence Life has indoor bike rooms in select buildings and they also rent 200 fully enclosed waterproof bike lockers to students living on campus. Public Safety provides instructional pamphlets for bicycle users, and the opportunity to register their bikes. Main streets on campus are signed with "Share the Road" signs. The university has free daily lockers and shower facilities for bicycle commuters in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) and Ball Gym facilities. The McKinley Mile Bike Race is an annual event and is considered to be one of the oldest campus traditions at Ball State University. It has its roots that can be traced back to the Lambda Chi Alpha's Bike-A-Thon which began in 1951. The McKinely Mile includes two bike races: the 24-mile bike race for experienced cyclists, and the 7.2-mile race for novice riders. The event is open to full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at the university. Each year Ball State University encourages its employees to participate in Bike-to-Work Day during the month of May. The event is sponsored by the university's Working Well Program. For those participating in Bike-to-Work Day, supervisors may approve casual dress attire on the day of the event. Near-campus students and employees frequent the Cardinal Greenway which is part of Indiana's longest paved rails-to-trails corridor.
Is the institution certified as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists (U.S.) or under a similar third party certification covering non-motorized transportation?:
A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
A brief description of the mass transit program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):
Ball State students, faculty and staff ride the Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) bus system for free by showing their university ID to the bus driver. The MITS bus system has fifteen bus routes and five hybrid electric-diesel buses that run on soy biodiesel during Monday – Saturday within the Muncie city limits, saving up to 30% in fuel use and 90% reduction in hydrocarbons. MITS Bike ‘n’ Ride program offers riders a way to bring their bicycles along for the ride. Bike racks are available on all MITS buses and there is no additional charge to use the rack and no special permit is required. Likewise, Ball State students and employees ride on-campus for free by showing their university ID to the bus driver. On-campus there are eleven biodiesel shuttle buses – six of which are electric-diesel fuel hybrids that serve the main area of campus and run a continuous loop every 5 to 10 minutes Monday – Friday from the South commuter parking lot through the heart of campus to the North commuter lot.
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the GRT program:
Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Ball State University offers two ways to encourage rideshare and carpooling: 1) there is a campus-wide "e-bulletin board" that allows students and employees to post opportunties or request to carpool and 2) there is an "internet rideboard website", which supports a ride share program for those who are interested in a one-time ride and encourages the cost of the drive can be split or shared - and a car pooling program for scheduling rides to and from school on a daily or weekly basis.
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?:
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
Electric vehicle recharging stations can accommodate 2 vehicles simultaneously and are located in all areas of the campus. A special permit is required to use the recharging stations.
Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Faculty who are exclusively responsible for online education are permitted to work from home in meeting their obligations.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the condensed work week program:
Faculty teaching schedules permit faculty to be off campus 1-2 days per week typically.
Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The university Master Plan developed in 2015 includes bike paths through campus. The City of Muncie is collaborating with the university and developing bike paths connecting campus with surrounding neighborhoods. Bike paths are complete around Scheidler Apartments and the Baseball Stadium.
The university Master Plan developed in 2015 includes bike paths through campus. The City of Muncie is collaborating with the university and developing bike paths connecting campus with surrounding neighborhoods. Bike paths are complete around Scheidler Apartments and the Baseball Stadium.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.