Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.17
Liaison Chris Frantsvog
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Luther College
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.60 / 2.00 Toby Cain
Sustainability Coordinator
Center for Sustainable Communities
"---" 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:

Bicycle Commuter Services
Showering and locker facilities are available for use by all staff and students in Regent's Center. Also, Sampson-Hoffland Laboratories has a shower and changing room to accommodate employees after their ride to work as a way to encourage bicycling as a form of transportation.

Winter Bike Storage
To help promote the use of bicycles as an alternative forms of transportation, Luther offers free winter storage for bicycles. Bicycles are placed in secure, dry storage in the Ashmore-Jewell Barn (the red barn next to Baker Village.) The barn is open two days in late November to accept bikes. The bikes are locked together and placed in storage by sustainability staff and student workers.


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:

There are bicycle racks outside every main non-residential building on campus that allow bikes to be stored from the start of the school year until November, and from March until the end of the school year. The largest and most commonly used bike racks (outside the union, Brandt, Towers, and a few other locations) remain open during the winter for winter bikers. Students who do not bike in the winter and wish to store their bike long-term can bring their bike to Ashmore-Jewell Barn for the winter bike storage program described above.


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:

The Luther College Bike Share Program provides 6 single-speed coaster brake bikes and 8 multiple-speed bikes free to the Luther community. Bikes and helmets may be checked out at the Circulation Desk in Preus Library for up to four hours per day. Bikes must be returned to the library by closing time. The regular operational hours for the library are (hours during breaks vary):

* Monday - Thursday: 7:30am - Midnight
* Friday: 7:30am - 7:30pm
* Saturday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
* Sunday: Noon - Midnight

During the summer the library is open from 7:30pm - 4:30pm and bikes are allowed to be checked out over night.

Bikes can be checked out for up to 4 hours. Bikes cannot be renewed and checked out again in the same day. In addition to the $50 fine, if the bike is not returned on time the user will be charged a late fee of $1/hour up to a maximum of $10/day for three days. On the third day, the user will also be charged for the cost of the bike until the bike is returned. Replacement fees are $200 for single- speed bikes and $600 for multi-speed bikes. Helmets must be returned with the bike. If a helmet is not returned, the user will be notified for three days. On the third late day, the user will be charged for the cost of the helmet until the helmet is returned. The replacement fee is $25.


Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
No

A brief description of the mass transit programs:

While not catered to commuters, Luther does offer two shuttles catered to students:

Decorah Shopping Shuttle:
A twice-a-month shuttle takes students downtown and to Wal-mart at no charge to complete their monthly shopping needs. The shuttle first takes students downtown and makes a stop. It then proceeds to Wal-mart and drops off the remaining passengers. The driver wait for roughly an hour, leaves with Wal-mart shoppers then stops downtown again and picks up the downtown shoppers. The shuttle then returns to campus.

Luther's Shuttle Service
The Luther College shuttle service is designed to provide efficient, low-cost transportation for students as they travel to and from the Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin areas. The shuttle occurs at the beginning and end of each semester and J-term as well as Fall, Thanksgiving, and Spring Break.


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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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:

Luther has a Facebook group that is specific to ride-sharing. This page replaces the previous ride-share website.


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:

Luther has a contract with U Car Share (a division of U-haul) for a car sharing program at Luther College. U Car Share provides two vehicles (one hybrid) available for hourly rental by students, faculty, staff, departments and the community.


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:

Luther has a Chargepoint EV charging station. Drivers of plug-in electric or hybrid/electric vehicles can hook up and charge a vehicle for a modest $.50 fee. This station was installed in May 2016.


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:

Luther College Remote Work Policy

This policy outlines the guidelines where employment at a remote location may be deemed as a viable alternative work arrangement in cases where individual, job and supervisor characteristics are best suited to such an arrangement in the best interest of the College.

This policy applies to exempt staff.

The President of the College must have final approval of all remote work arrangements.

Remote employment allows an employee to work at home, or in a satellite location for all or part of their regular workweek. Remote employment is an alternative that may be appropriate for some employees and some positions. It is not an entitlement, it is not a college-wide benefit, and it in no way changes the terms and conditions of employment with Luther College.


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:

Luther College does not require its faculty to commute to the campus on days that they are not teaching.


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)?:
No

A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
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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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