Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.96
Liaison Megan Butler
Submission Date Jan. 19, 2021

STARS v2.2

Macalester College
OP-17: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Christie Manning
Director of Sustainability
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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 Bike Share offers bikes from the Library circulation desk and the Sustainability Office employs a mechanic to administer and maintain the program. Through 2019, the metro NiceRide bikeshare program was located right next to campus. In 2020 NiceRide and The City of Saint Paul failed to negotiate a contract in time for the New Year, so they are not present this year. It is expected that they will return in 2021. The Sustainability Office is working on implementing a semester-long bikeshare program for students, launching in 2021.


Does the institution participate in a car sharing program?:
Yes

A brief description of the car sharing program:

The Macalester College High Winds Fund supports an HOURCAR hub at the multi-modal transit hub in close proximity to campus. They support the hub through cash grants for the purchase vehicles and through reserved parking stalls for the vehicles in the pool.

Individuals or Macalester College Departments can also sign up for a departmental membership to the car sharing program.

The Civic Engagement Center is an example of a department that extensively uses the departmental membership.


Does the institution offer preferential parking or other incentives for fuel efficient vehicles?:
Yes

A brief description of the incentives for fuel efficient vehicles:

Macalester offers preferential parking to low emitting vehicles and carpools, drivers of which must apply for a separate parking permit to display on their window in order to use the designated spots. There are 17 preferential spots for low emissions/carpool vehicles in each of the main parking lots on campus. There are an additional there electric vehicle charging spots located adjacent to the preferential spots.


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:

Macalester has two Level 2 7 kWh electric vehicle ports and one Level 3 port that supports CHAdeMO or CCS open to Macalester students, faculty, and staff as well as the public.


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

A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:

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 $4,500 for home improvement projects.

Macalester maintains four housing units and 18 apartments 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.

Lastly, 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.


Does the institution have other programs or initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and/or reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes

A brief description of other programs or initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and/or reduce the impact of student and employee commuting:

Preferred parking is available for eligible low-emitting and electric vehicles and carpools or vanpools.


Website URL where information about the institution’s support for sustainable transportation is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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