Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.76
Liaison Allison Jenks
Submission Date Jan. 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

New Mexico State University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.60 / 2.00 joni newcomer
Mgr. Env. Policy and Sustainability
Facilities and Services
"---" 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:

We have three LEED buildings that meet requirements for this credit. We have showers and storage facilities for bicyclists. We also have an Activity Center with shower facilities that also houses our Outdoor Recreation Center that rents bicycles and encourages the use of bicycles on campus. Lockers are provided here as well.


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:

We provide short term parking for all occupied buildings. We have a bicycle parking system that complies with Assoc. of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) for short term parking guidelines, in terms of site planning bike corrals, and installation. Also, 99% of the rack styles conform with the APBP recommended rack styles.

The long-term storage part of this is not applicable.


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:

In conjunction with the Las Cruces Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) bicycle plan, NMSU shall improve on its bicycle path network to increase accessibility and connectivity across campus. Bicycle facilities as well as increased access to residential areas within campus shall be provided in a cost efficient manner.

Furthermore, as a policy, bicycles on campus are discouraged from riding on sidewalks, when separately marked bicycle lanes are in existence in such locations, and where sidewalk width is excessive or where pedestrian traffic is low. A set of standards for bicycle racks, their maintenance, and their location was developed and implemented. Consistency in appearance and location of bicycle parking fixtures are established and maintained to allow riders to know where a bike rack should be, what it will look like, and that there will be room for the safe and secure storage of their bicycles while they are away.

Major roads such as Espina will be re-designed in such a manner that it will be less inviting to motorists to speed through, thereby making intersections for both pedestrians and drivers easier. Provisions for pedestrian and traffic signals to facilitate efficient flow of traffic, as well as pedestrian-friendly, city university connection to enhance crossing busy roads by pedestrians, shall be made.


Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
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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:

Our campus shuttle "Aggie Transit" is managed by our Associated Students organization. It is a free service for anyone on campus. With three different bus routes, we encourage students, faculty and staff to park in our free parking lot on the far east end of campus and take the shuttle to their destination. Our campus is 425 acres with long walks between classroom buildings. We partner with the City of Las Cruces bus system for our shuttle. We also offer free city bus tickets for students. There are bike racks on all the buses.
https://asnmsu.nmsu.edu/aggie-transportation/u-pass/


Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:

"CRIMSON CAB" program operates all day to assist students in getting to and from the Greyhound bus station (and others), non-emergency medical appointments, auto shops, and interview locations. Crimson Cab, in order to ensure the safety of students, offers a safe ride home from anywhere within the Las Cruces City Limits, with the exemption of commercial locations.
https://asnmsu.nmsu.edu/aggie-transportation/crimson-cab/
http://www.lascrucesshuttle.com/index_files/CrimsonCab.htm

CRIMSON COACH
Crimson Coach is a special event Shuttle Bus that is completely FREE to students with their NMSU Student ID.
https://asnmsu.nmsu.edu/aggie-transportation/crimson-coach/

PETE'S PICK-UP
Whether you’ve been studying late at the library, had a late extracurricular meeting, or if you’re out late on campus for any other reason, you can always call Pete’s Pick Up for a safe escort to your car or dorm.
https://asnmsu.nmsu.edu/aggie-transportation/petes-pickup/


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:

The Las Cruces Shuttle goes between El Paso (40 miles south) and Las Cruces, dropping off students at the free parking lot on the east end of campus where they can catch the campus shuttle to classroom buildings
http://www.lascrucesshuttle.com/index_files/FaresAndSchedules.htm

South Central Regional Transit District (SCRTD) provides the public with a safe and efficient regional transportation system. Transit services promote independent living for the frail, the elderly,the disabled, and those without access to automobiles by providing essential links to a variety of medical, social, and other services, and the region recognizes the need to improve mobility options for this growing segment of the population. http://www.scrtd.org/


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?:
No

A brief description of the car sharing program:
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Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
No

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
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Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

A brief description of the telecommuting program:
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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:

During the summer months, when our utility costs are so high (average 95-100 degree temps), we offer a "flex week" - a work week of four, 10-hour days. This is a successful program. Since our summer utility costs are $.25/kw from noon - 6 PM (instead of $.05/kw during other hours) we are greatly lowering our utility costs on Friday afternoons by shutting down a campus office during high-rate hours.


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)?:
Yes

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

Free city bus rides for students (through the Associated Students of NMSU)

LEED buildings preferred parking for EV's. In conjunction with NMSU’s ongoing sustainable initiatives, recent building projects were designed and built with a goal of obtaining LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Part of this certification includes designating a number of parking spaces near the projects as reserved for LEED Qualifying Vehicles. We currently have 16 total EV parking spaces on campus https://park.nmsu.edu/leed/


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:

URL's for each program are in each individual section above.


URL's for each program are in each individual section above.

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.