Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 46.94
Liaison William Clancey
Submission Date Feb. 7, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Durham College
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.60 / 2.00 Ross Carnwith
Manager, Ancillary Services
Facilities & Ancillary
"---" 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:
Bike racks are located across campus. Shower facilities are in the campus recreation and wellness center. Lockers are located throughout DC and UOIT and bikes can be securely stored in main residence through a student driven bike share program

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:
Bike racks can be found across campus and there are showering facilities in the Campus Flex centre. Bikes can also be stored inside the residence buildings, in the basements, for students who wish.

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:
CyclOn: organization consists of bike enthusiasts who intend to advocate for the use of bicycles to reduce carbon footprint and encourage outdoor activities which will promote healthy living. This is useful for holiday and weekend usage for people living on campus and off campus, especially non-local and international students. The club has 2 bicycles, which are available through the South Village campus residence.

Mass Transit Programs 

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:
The U-Pass for all full-time students at Durham College, UOIT and Trent (Oshawa) allows unlimited free transit seven days a week on all conventional DRT and GO Bus service for travel in the Region of Durham. The full-time student U-Pass fee is paid with full-time student fees. The U-Pass is valid for transit from September 1 until May 31 each school year. The U-Pass is valid for services other than transit as indicated on the back of the pass. Only full-time students qualify for free transit with a current U-Pass within Durham Region. Holographic hexagon bus icon appears on eligible student passes only. The U-Pass was approved September, 2006 by the student body and the Student Association’s general referendum.

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:
Because Durham College is a participating Smart Commute workplace, employees are eligible for Emergency Ride Home (ERH) reimbursement. If they have an unforeseen emergency on any day they use a sustainable method to commute to work, they can request reimbursement of up to $75 for their emergency transportation costs. They must retain all emergency transportation receipt(s). Note that as of the summer of 2019, the Smart Commute program was cancelled and is being re-developed through the Region.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
30 designated carpool spots are located at the Oshawa and Whitby Campuses. Cost sharing incentives are offered to program users.

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:
There is a local Zipcar program that operates out of nearby campus residences

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?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
Durham College has 5 level 2 charging stations in total across both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses. They are free for students/staff to use, but parking rates still apply.

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:
N/A

Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
No

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
N/A

Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

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

None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
N/A

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:
The Sustainability Office is a Gold level workplace champion for the Regional Smart Commute program and hosts various challenges and opportunities for winning prizes during Smart Commute campaigns - bike to work week, carpool week, etc. Preferred parking options are available for EVs at both the Oshawa and Whitby Campuses.

Optional Fields 

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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