Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.58
Liaison Tom Twist
Submission Date June 12, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Bates College
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Tom Twist
Sustainability Manager
Facilities
"---" 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:

Bicycle storage - both inside and out, showers and lockers are provided for students and staff.


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:

All academic buildings have bike racks outside, and all student dorms have indoor storage as well.


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:
---

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:

We have a bike share program, where you can check out a bike the way you would a book from the library. Called Bates Green Bikes.

http://www.bates.edu/sustainability/green-bike-program/


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:

We have a commuter vanpool for employees coming from the nearest large city.

http://www.bates.edu/sustainability/to-from-campus/

We also have a discounted rate on our campus zipcars - see below.


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 Harward Center operates three vehicles - one 15 passenger van and two electric Nissan Leafs, which pick students and staff up from anywhere within a 30 mile radius.


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:

Yes, we have the portland vanpool, which serves anywhere from 6-10 riders daily, to and from the city of portland, maine.

http://www.bates.edu/sustainability/to-from-campus/portland-area-commuter-vanpool/


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:

We have Zip cars available for staff and student use.

http://www.zipcar.com/universities/bates-college


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:

We just put in four new electric car charging stations for students, staff, and faculty.

http://www.bates.edu/sustainability/energy-2/


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:

From our employee handbook -

The College has found that enabling certain employees to fulfill their job responsibilities from home by
telecommuting may be beneficial for both the Company and those employees. Telecommuting is considered on a
case by case basis, as it is not appropriate for all types of jobs or all individuals.
All of the College’s rules, policies, practices and instructions apply to telecommuters regardless of where an
employee works. Any violation of the Company’s rules, policies, practices and instructions may result in loss of the
ability to telecommute, as well as possible disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
The College decides, in its sole discretion, whether a telecommuting arrangement is a viable option, based on
several factors, including:
● The College’s needs;
● The employee’s circumstances including where the employee lives;
● The employee’s ability to define goals, organize tasks and work independently to achieve them;
● The employee’s past and present level of job performance; and
● The nature of the job, including whether successful performance requires the employee to be
physically present, whether it can be assessed in terms of identifiable outcome measures, and other
job-specific factors.
A telecommuting agreement is required for any work from home arrangement that involves more than occasional,
de minimis hours. A written agreement is required and must be approved by Human Resources as well as the
employee’s direct manager and Department Head. If the College agrees to a telecommuting arrangement, the
employee must sign a Telecommuting Agreement which will detail the arrangement including but not limited to
the schedule, office equipment, safety, and business expenses.
Approval of the telecommuting arrangement is conditioned upon working in a particular location that has been
approved by the College and memorialized in the Telecommuting Agreement. An employee who seeks to relocate
during employment under a Telecommuting Agreement is required to obtain advance approval from their
manager to telecommute from a different location. Failure to do so may jeopardize employment with the College.


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:

The regular workweek for all full-time, regular, nonexempt staff members at the College is forty hours. Departments
may configure individual staff schedules to accommodate departmental needs and the needs of the College.
Examples may be combinations such as four ten-hour days, four nine-hour days with one four-hour day, and similar
variations as long as the configurations meet the College’s needs for coverage, supervision and work to be
accomplished. Alternative work schedules must be pre-approved by the supervisor.
Daily and weekly work schedules may be changed from time-to-time at the discretion of the College and/or the
individual department to meet the varying needs of the College. Changes will be announced as far in advance as
practicable. Departmental supervisors are advised to work with the Human Resources Department when a longterm alternative schedule is being considered, to make sure all concerns are covered.


Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
No

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

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:

Our electric vehicle parking is intentionally located in prime parking areas in the heart of campus.

http://www.bates.edu/sustainability/energy-2/


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.