| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.99 |
| Liaison | Megan Butler |
| Submission Date | July 18, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Macalester College
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.88 / 2.00 |
Suzanne Savanick
Hansen Sustainability Manager Macalester Sustainbility Office |
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:
The Leonard Center, Macalester's athletic and wellness facility, is open to all members of the Macalester community. It includes gym lockers and showers.
Markim Hall is the first administrative building to be equipped with a shower specifically for commuting cyclists.
Covered bicycle parking is available on campus.
Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking (e.g. racks) within 50 ft (15 m) of all occupied, non-residential buildings and make long-term bicycle storage available within 330 ft (100 m) of all residence halls (if applicable)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Every building on campus has access to bicycle parking.
Does the institution have a “complete streets” or bicycle accommodation policy (or adhere to a local community policy) and/or have a continuous network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths and lanes?:
A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
MacBike’s Bike Share program allows students, faculty, and staff to check out bicycle from the library for up to a week. The Front Desk of the Campus Center also has bike pumps and helmets for check out.
Is the institution certified as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists (U.S.) or under a similar third party certification covering non-motorized transportation?:
A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
We received honorable mention.
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 program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):
A variety of Metro Transit bus passes are subsidized by Macalester College and available for sale to students, faculty, and staff at the Information Desk.
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the GRT program:
Macalester promotes a GRT program is available by metroTransit
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:
The Macalester College Student Government offers a carpool matching program to students coordinating rides and shuttle to major transit hubs. The Sustainability Office also publicizes MetroTransit's carpool/vanpool matching service. Macalester College has preferential party for carpools and low emitting vehicles.
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:
HOURCAR is a car-sharing program that serves the Twin Cities area. The Macalester High Winds Fund gave a grant to set up a hub next to Macalester College. Individuals can sign up for a membership. Departments can also sign up for a Departmental Membership. The Civic Engagement Center uses the Departmental membership extensively.
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:
An electric vehicle charging station is installed on campus.
http://www.macalester.edu/news/2013/11/macalester-implements-electric-vehicle-charging-station/
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:
It is the policy of the College to provide opportunities for employees to participate in telecommuting when such opportunities become available. Telecommuting is defined as a work arrangement which allows an employee to work a portion of their day or week off campus. This policy applies to all Macalester staff employees, with the exception of those covered by collective bargaining agreements and student employees. Telecommuting arrangements will be considered for any situation where the employee can show that it will benefit him/herself, the work or project in progress, and the College in general.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the condensed work week program:
Many employees are given the opportunity to schedule their own working hours in consultation with their supervisor, within the limitations set by Macalester, in order to meet the goals and objectives of the work unit or department. Generally, full-time employees work 7.75 hours each day and arrive and leave within specified two-hour periods: employees may arrive anytime between 6:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., work 7.75 hours, and leave anytime between 3:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (allowing a minimum of 30 minutes for lunch). Established arrival and departure times should be consistent day to day and week to week. When necessary, individual offices or departments have the option of revising these arrival/departure hours to meet specific needs with the approval of the direct report. This optional authority includes the flexibility to schedule a compressed workweek, again with the approval of the direct report, but also subject to review by the Director of Employment Services. The Director of Employment Services will review compressed work week proposals to ensure that the following standards are met:
1. Arrival and departure times, and days of work, are consistent day to day and week to week;
2. Employees are notified at the inception of the compressed work week schedule that scheduled days may not be moved to accommodate holidays or vacation scheduling, except that if the employee's scheduled day off falls on a scheduled College holiday, the number of hours that the employee normally works can be taken off any time during that month's pay period (exempt) or bi-weekly pay period (nonexempt) with agreement of the supervisor, and the holiday benefit will be equalized to the employee's regular FTE (full time equivalent) pay;
3. All exempt employees record time usage in hours rounded down to the nearest quarter hour (i.e. .00, .25, .50, .75), less than two hours is not reported. (For employees working a four-day compressed work week a full day would be reported as 9.50 hours and a half day would be reported as 4.75 hours.)
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:
Macalester maintains 36 housing units within a quarter mile radius of the College, through the High Winds Fund. These are available to all existing and new staff and faculty. This service has been provided for the past 56 years and we have found that the temporary, college-owned housing nearby more often than not convinces new staff and faculty to purchase permanent housing nearby. The High Winds Fund also provides housing information services on rental and purchase opportunities within 1 mile of campus. In addition, the College has funded car-sharing and bike-sharing hubs on campus to make living close to campus even easier.
The “Walk to Work” Program, funded by Macalester’s High Winds Fund, provides financial assistance for faculty and staff members to purchase homes within one mile of campus. Those who participate in the program receive “fix up” matching grants up to $3,000 for home improvement projects.
Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
An alternative commuter coffee break is sponsored by the sustainability office.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
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.