Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.09
Liaison Lissette Hernandez
Submission Date Aug. 22, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Florida International University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Alexandra Dutton
Program Manager
Office of University 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?:
No

A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:

Currently there are shower facilities and lockers on campus that bikers can use, in the Recreation Center at Modesto Maidique Campus and at the Wolfe University Center at the Biscayne Bay Campus. FIU currently does not have indoor bike storage, but with a growing biking community, FIU will be evaluating the need for it.


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:

Bike racks are located all around campus including outside garages, housing buildings, and outside of one of the most populated buildings on our campus. There are over 50 bike racks on the three main campuses.


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:

Bikes on the Bay is a student bike sharing program that provides a fun and easy way to get around campus. This no-charge, no-cost service is available at our Biscayne Bay campus.


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:

Students can purchase Miami Dade Metro Bus passes at the FIU Parking and Transportation Office for half-off the regular monthly price. Regular price for the pass is $100 a month, and students can purchase it for $50 a month.

Any FIU community member can ride the CATS shuttle bus from the Modesto Maidique Campus to the Engineering Center for free. There is also the Panther Express shuttle bus that runs between the Modesto Maidique Campus to the Biscayne Bay Campus. The fare is $2.50 each way.


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 Department of Parking and Transportation offers a Guaranteed Return Trip program in conjunction with South Florida Commuter Services and the Florida Department of Transportation. This program is known as the Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program. It provides commuters that carpool, vanpool, ride transit, bike, or walk, three or more days a week with six free taxi cab vouchers a year to use in the event of an unexpected emergency or unscheduled overtime.


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:

The Parking and Transportation Department partnered with South Florida Commuter Services to make available many alternative transportation options for the FIU community. One of the services provide is the FIU carpool program. Any FIU community member can go to the website Get2FIU.com to register for carpooling and look for carpool matches. The system allows the user to input preferences such as location and commute time preferences and will match them with other users with similar preferences. The users can then choose to contact matches.

FIU is also exploring the option of offering vanpooling to employees through South Florida Commuter Services as well.


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:

FIU offers cars by the hour, day or week with the Car2Go program. The technology, provides self-service vehicle access to cars conveniently located in your neighborhood, at the airport, or even near the office. Rent a car by the hour, day or week, with fuel and insurance included, anytime you need. This program is geared towards students living in the residence halls on campus. The program will be expanded as new residence halls are built.


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:

Our university currently has 11 electric vehicle recharging stations that students, faculty and staff are welcome to use while on campus.


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:

The university has established an alternate work site provision as part of our flexible workplace policy. To be considered for an alternative work site option, employees should complete six months of employment in the department instituting the arrangement, except when an alternative work site has been agreed upon as a condition of employment and referenced on the offer letter. Not all employees, supervisors, or job responsibilities are suited to alternative work site options. Human Resources is the ultimate authority in approving alternative work site options and shall use discretion in determining if the job responsibilities or the employee are suited to such an arrangement before approving participation.


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:

FIU has established policy for a compressed work week which is one in which permits employees to work their assigned number of hours but in fewer than 5 days in one week or fewer than 10 days in one pay period. Compressed work schedules will be granted in situations where job and business-related needs can continue to be met even under a compressed schedule.


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 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:

FIU has established a partnership with RedCoach bus service that serves as a connection to cities in Florida. Riders can take the bus to Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and even Orlando. Local to FIU, the bus has a stop at Miami International Airport, which is also a connection to the tri-county rail system; Tri-Rail. The gives the university community other options to get to campus other than driving, and also gives those who may not have a vehicle another option.


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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