| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.91 |
| Liaison | Elizabeth Swiman |
| Submission Date | Dec. 19, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Florida State University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Matt
Inman Director Transportation and Parking Services |
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:
FSU does not provide secure bicycle storage or lockers at this time. However, students, faculty, and staff have access to showers at the Leach Center. Student access to the Leach Center is covered in the fees they pay. For a nominal fee, faculty/staff can purchase a Leach Center membership to access the shower facilities.
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)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Short-term bicycle parking is available throughout campus. FSU currently has approximately 4,050 bicycle parking spaces on campus. Bicycle racks are located near all major buildings on campus. A comprehensive map of campus bicycle racks can be found at: http://tlcgisinter.leoncountyfl.gov/biketallahassee/index.html
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?:
A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
Bicycle and pedestrian planning guidelines are included in FSU’s campus master plan. In addition, FSU completed a Transportation and Parking Services Strategic Plan in April 2016. This plan includes a heavy emphasis on reducing campus parking demand, encouraging the use of other forms of transportation, and necessary transportation improvements (including bicycle and pedestrian improvements). The April 2016 strategic plan is actively used to guide future initiatives and improvements.
FSU provides bicycle paths and mixed-use paths throughout campus. When campus roads are improved, additional bicycle and pedestrian enhancements are added (e.g., new bicycle paths, wider sidewalks, etc.).
FSU works with planning staff from the City of Tallahassee and Leon County to identify necessary improvements to bicycle and pedestrian connectors between the city and university. Representatives from local planning agencies were included in the 2016 strategic plan project, and FSU is included in the city’s current bike/pedestrian master planning effort.
FSU was designated as a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly University in November 2016 by the League of American Bicyclists.
https://www.facilities.fsu.edu/depts/planningMan/masterPlan2.php
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
While FSU does not yet have a designated bicycle-sharing program, the university does allow bicycles from the City of Tallahassee’s bicycle-sharing program, Pace, to operate on campus. FSU students, faculty, and staff are able to obtain, ride, and park Pace bicycles on campus.
Sustainable Campus manages the reCycle bike program, which is a low cost bike rental program for FSU students. Bike rentals include a helmet, lock, lights, and minor repair services. Currently, there are 85+ bikes available for student rental.
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 programs:
The university operates a campus-focused transit system called Seminole Express. Seminole Express services are available to all students, faculty, and staff at no additional charge (costs are included in student transportation access fees). Ridership for the Seminole Express in 2017-2018 was 735,603. The current system has eight routes:
• Six routes travel both off-campus and on-campus to help students, faculty, and staff to get to/from campus, as well as travel around campus. These routes also help campus community members travel to/from local parks, grocery stores, retail shopping, entertainment, etc.
• One route provides on-campus transportation only – helping the campus community travel around campus.
• One route (Nite Nole) only operates during late night and early morning hours to provide a safe commuting experience for late night students and night shift employees.
https://transportation.fsu.edu/bus-service
In addition, FSU faculty, staff, and students also have access to the city bus system operated by StarMetro at no cost simply by swiping their valid FSU Card (campus ID) when boarding. All zones and transfers are included. These routes travel to popular destinations including shopping malls, movie theaters, and off-campus entertainment venues. Ridership for the U-Pass program in 2017-2018 was 89,659.
To assist with on-campus transportation during late evening and early morning hours, Transportation and Parking Services provides a free campus shuttle (SAFE Connection). SAFE Connection operates from 7:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. seven days a week (when classes are in session). In 2017-2018, Ridership for SAFE connection was 29,078.
Additional transportation services at FSU include Gotcha Ride (cart service – no charge), Capital City Pedicabs (additional fee required), and Nole Cab (subsidized late night and early morning taxi service).
https://transportation.fsu.edu/options
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
The university partners with Commuter Services of North Florida in the College of Business (Tallahassee area’s FDOT-funded regional commuter assistance program), to offer an emergency ride home program which is available to FSU faculty, students, and staff at no cost. Anyone who carpools, rides the bus, bikes, or walks to campus at least 3 days per week qualifies for this program. Participants must register with the program, after which, they are provided with a voucher which can be exchanged for a free cab ride home in the event of an emergency. http://www.commuterservices.org/commuters/emergency-ride-home-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:
While FSU does not currently provide a designated car/vanpool program or offer reduced parking fees for carpools/vanpools, the university does provide a comprehensive ridesharing service. FSU Rideshare is a quick, secure, and personal way for students, faculty, and staff to find commuting options all over Tallahassee. Using their home and work addresses, they can find a carpool or bus that matches their commute, as well as search for nearby commuters looking for carpool, biking, or walking partners. Signing up is free to all students, faculty, and staff.
In addition, members of the campus community can also use the ride matching services available through Commuter Services of North Florida.
www.fsurideshare.com
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:
FSU has partnered with Zipcar to provide cars for staff, faculty, and students without direct access to a vehicle. There is a yearly membership fee (at a reduced rate) and a small reservation fee per hour, which includes insurance and gas. This allows students to travel to destinations around Tallahassee as well as to points of interest in the surrounding area.
https://www.zipcar.com/universities/florida-state-university
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:
FSU has two Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations in the Pensacola Street Garage. The stations serve two parking spaces each.
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:
FSU’s Employment and Recruitment Policies specifically address the availability of telecommuting per policy 4-OP-C-7-B6 granted under Florida Statute Chapter 110.171 and 110.171(1)(c). Under this policy, employees whose job functions are compatible with telework arrangements may do so per the approval of their supervisor, dean, director, and/or departmental head.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
A brief description of the condensed work week option:
To provide the opportunity to meet departmental, personal, and family needs, alternate or flextime work schedules may be requested by A&P, USPS, and Faculty employees during the summer months or any other time of year. Additionally, alternate schedules may also be authorized by a vice president, dean, director or department head for their division, college, department or unit as a whole with their employees participating on a voluntary basis.
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:
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)?:
A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
FSU provides 16 reserved parking spaces for vehicles using alternative fuels (e.g., CNG, electric, hybrid, hydrogen, etc.).
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.