Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.14
Liaison Aaron Durnbaugh
Submission Date Feb. 27, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Loyola University Chicago
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Aaron Durnbaugh
Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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:
The University has constructed a "bike corral" located in the main parking structure on campus. This facility is a fenced in area that is secured with a camera which is monitored at Campus Safety. In addition, entry to the corral can only be made by using the Loyola identification card. Showers are available in BVM hall for staff/faculty. Students may utilize Halas Rec Center for showers, lockers and other fitness equipment. At the Water Tower Campus two showers are available for all employees and students. Lockers are available in the Terry Student Center. At Health Science Campus, showers and lockers are available in the Fitness Center.
+ Date Revised: Aug. 24, 2017

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:
There are short-term and long-term bike parking available to all visitors and members of the Loyola community. Some residence halls may not have long-term bike storage but adjacent buildings do.

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
We are well connected to bike network infrastructure on both Lakeside Campuses and the Health Sciences Campus.

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:
At Loyola, we have two bike sharing options. The city-wide system is Divvy. Students and Employees can get reduced membership and thousands of bikes are available at hundreds of locations. On the Lake Shore Campus, the student-run business, ChainLinks has more traditional bike rentals available. This program is provided in cooperation between Loyola Unified Student Government Association, Loyola Bike Club, Campus Safety, and Loyola Facilities. A fleet of approximately 45 bicycles is currently available to all members of the Loyola community. Nearly every bike is checked out on a daily basis during the school year.

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:
Loyola University worked with the City of Chicago Transit Authority in order to provide all full-time students with a "U-Pass" which is included in the cost of tuition. The U-Pass gives students unlimited use of the CTA busses and trains and offers an unparalleled opportunity to take advantage of everything Chicago has to offer. No cash is needed. The U-Pass serves our students with a connection to shopping, sports events, social activities, art and entertainment centers, and anything else that grabs your attention.

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:
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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?:
No

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Loyola does not currently have a carpool matching program, particularly due to the difficulty of parking in the urban location. The University provides substantial alternative options such as public transportation, campus shuttles, and car-sharing partnerships.

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:
Loyola encourages all members of the university to use alternative methods of transportation such as public transit, but the school also offers a Car Sharing Program for those who absolutely must drive around campus. Loyola partners with I-GO, a Chicago-based non-profit car sharing company dedicated to reducing congestion and improving mobility. Users can reserve a car online or by phone, drive to see friends, to run errands, or just to get away from campus. Drivers pay by the hour and the mile, while I-GO covers gas, insurance and maintenance.

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:
There are two Level 2 charging stations in the Fordham parking garage at Lake Shore Campus and many non-Loyola charging stations available near the Water Tower Campus.

Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Loyola University promotes the use the telecommuting when other transportation options are over-burdensome or not feasible.

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:
Loyola has a Flexible Work Schedule Policy that encourages and authorizes individual departments to implement flexible work schedules to meet business needs. In addition, departments may adjust the work schedules of individual employees to meet personal, home or family needs while preserving the hours defined by the position's FTE and maintaining quality service. Change in scheduled hours may be requested by an employee or designated by a department. Since there is no change in total hours worked, flex-time will not affect pay or benefit level.

Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Loyola’s University Assisted Housing Program (UAH program) is designed to encourage home ownership in the city of Chicago, near the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses, by assisting our eligible faculty and staff members with closing costs and down payment assistance for the purchase of a home or condominium as a primary residence.

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:
Multiple times a year, alternative transportation options are promoted to target audiences. Transportation options have been included in all new student and new employee orientation materials.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://luc.edu/campustransportation/generalinformation/alternativetransportation/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Other information on sust. transportation topics is found here: http://www.luc.edu/sustainability/campus/focus_areas/transport/

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.