| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 63.61 |
| Liaison | Julie Cahillane |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Northwestern University
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Audrey
Steinbach sustainNU staff Facilities Management |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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:
A secure bike parking area is available on the Chicago campus and some buildings on the Evanston campus offer indoor bike storage. Shower facilities are available to riders on both campuses.
None
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)?:
No
None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
There are 95 bicycle racks on campus servicing all of our buildings, although some are further than 50 ft from the entrances of these buildings. Long term bicycle storage is available in 7 of our 26 residence halls and long term storage is also available to students during the winter recess between the Fall and Winter quarters.
None
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?:
No
None
A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
Northwestern's grounds include wide sidewalks and pathways to encourage cycling and walking. A continuous network of these pathways connect all buildings on campus as well as several public transportation sites, like shuttle stops.
Path sharing is a priority of the 2017 campus master plan update, as we have realized that separate paths dedicated to both pedestrians and bicycles are needed.
None
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
Both Northwestern and Evanston have committed to Divvy bike sharing program, which came to campus July 2016. Evanston will be installed 8 locations and Northwestern installed 3 of its own stations. This bike share program originated in Chicago, so is available at our Chicago campus as well. Divvy memberships are offered at a discount to both students and employees.
None
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?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
Northwestern is a Bicycle Friendly University Silver Level, Awarded 2016, Valid until 2020
None
Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the mass transit program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):
Northwestern offers free campus shuttles for all students, faculty and staff. The shuttles run around campus, in Evanston, between the Evanston and Chicago campuses, and to Ryan Field, the University's sporting complex. Some schools and classes also provide students with free passes for the Chicago Transit Authority trains and buses.
Northwestern does operate a Transit Benefit Program, which "deducts parking fees and transit expenses from benefits-eligible employees' gross pay before calculating taxes." (http://www.northwestern.edu/uservices/transportation/commuter/benefit/index.html)
None
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the GRT program:
Northwestern offers an Emergency Ride Home program to all registered PACE Rideshare participants. Through this program, registered members will be reimbursed for taxi rides, Metra, Pace or CTA tickets home in the event of an emergency. (http://www.northwestern.edu/transportation-parking/commuter-options/pace-rideshare-program.html)
None
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
None
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
NU participates in the Pace Rideshare program partnering with other area businesses to increase the potential for carpool matches. Full-time Northwestern employees can register for the program. Each carpooling group receives one parking pass after registration.
None
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:
Two car-share programs, Enterprise CarShare and ZipCar, are available on campus with multiple cars and discounts offered to employees and students. These programs are offered at a discount to both students and employees. In addition, students and student groups may rent Motor Pool vans and vehicles for travel, which are owned by the university.
None
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:
Northwestern has eight free electric vehicle charging stations available for use by anyone on campus. They are located in the garages on the north and south ends of campus to promote use by all. Four of the stations were installed in the 2014-2015 school year as part of a partnership with Schneider Electric and the Institution for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern. The other four were installed in 2016 to improve access to electric vehicle commuters.
None
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:
Northwestern recognizes the difficulties of managing work and personal lives, so offers alternative work arrangements where possible. Our telecommuting option for employees would "allow employees to work part or all of their work hours from a location other than their regular work site." For instance, an employee might work at home 2 days per week. (http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/work-life/flexible-work/)
None
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the condensed work week program:
Northwestern offers a variety of flexible work arrangements to employees. An employee can work under Flextime, which "permits flexibility in starting and quitting times without changing the total hours worked in a work week." Employees can also select a compressed work week, which compresses a full-time work schedule into less than 5 days per week. Additionally, a job sharing program is also available, where "the responsibilities of one full-time position are shared by two employees." (http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/work-life/flexible-work/)
None
Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
No
None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Although not yet implemented, an Employee Assisted Housing Program is currently in the planning phases. This program would provide financial assistance to employees looking to live in neighborhoods close to campus. The program will also provide energy management resources to employees that participate. The program is still under evaluation and the parameters are currently under review.
None
Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes
None
A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
There are several sustainable transportation options for Northwestern community members to travel to Chicago's airports. A 15 percent discount is available for the GO Airport Express shuttle service to O'Hare and Midway airports. Through this service, NU staff, faculty and students can share shuttles with others, which reduces cost and gas.
(http://www.northwestern.edu/transportation-parking/shuttles/airport-transport.html)
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.