Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.91
Liaison Natalie Hayes
Submission Date July 9, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Bentley University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 2.00 Natalie Hayes
Associate Director of Sustainability
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:

Bentley's facilities include gym showers with lockers for faculty and staff who work on lower campus and one shower in an office building for faculty and staff who work on upper campus. We do not have designated indoor bike storage but we have ample outdoor racks including covered bike parking.


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

There are 18 bike racks strategically placed around campus, especially near office and administrative buildings.


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?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
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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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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?:
No

A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
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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 program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):

Bentley University provides free shuttle service (run on biodiesel) to all members of the campus community. Two services are provided: The Loop Bus (an intra-campus shuttle) runs throughout the day, making seven stops around campus including North Campus, and The Harvard Square Shuttle which runs throughout the day, making trips between Bentley’s campus and Harvard Square in Cambridge, with additional stops in between at Waverly Square (where commuters can connect to the Fitchburg Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail and local MBTA buses). Commuters can use the shuttle to connect to the MBTA Subway Red Line and local MBTA buses in Harvard Square.
All of Bentley’s shuttles are operated by The 128 Business Council, a nonprofit public/private partnership formed to help reduce traffic congestion in Massachusetts’s Route 128 West area by providing alternative transportation services and information.


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

A brief description of the GRT program:
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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:

Bentley is provides a benefit to its alternative commuters in the form of four strategically placed carpooling parking spots throughout campus, as one of several initiatives to comply with the Mass Rideshare Regulation. Two or more Bentley staff, faculty or student riders coming from an off-campus location can utilize these spots. MassRides is a service provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to maintain a database of commuters to match and facilitate communication among commuters based on work schedule and residence. Faculty and staff are encouraged to use MassRides' free service for carpooling and vanpooling.


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:

The car-sharing option is now available for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over. There are currently 2 ZipCars conveniently available with an online reservation. ZipCar parking spots are located in the Miller Parking lot. In FY 2012, these cars were used at 38% capacity. Zipcar's policy is to add another car once capacity is over 40%.


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

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
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Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

A brief description of the telecommuting program:
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Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week program:

During the summer months, the standard work week is 4 days instead of 5. Depending on the manager, some departments have more flexible hours during the school year to facilitate ride sharing.


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:
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Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:

Bentley University provides a free shuttle service (run on biodiesel) to all members of the campus community. The Harvard Square Shuttle runs throughout the day, making trips between Bentley’s campus and Harvard Square in Cambridge, with additional stops in between at Waverly Square (where commuters can connect to the Fitchburg Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail and local MBTA buses). Commuters can use the shuttle to connect to the MBTA Subway Red Line and local MBTA buses in Harvard Square. All of Bentley’s shuttles are operated by The 128 Business Council, a nonprofit public/private partnership formed to help reduce traffic congestion in Massachusetts’s Route 128 West area by providing alternative transportation services and information.


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.