Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.61
Liaison Brandon Trelstad
Submission Date Dec. 20, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Oregon State University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Leticia Cavazos
Sustainability Program Specialist
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians 

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:
OSU has 28 bike lockers, over 25 buildings with showers, and several buildings with indoor bike storage. The League of American Bicyclists has recognized OSU as a Gold level Bicycle Friendly University. OSU is also recognized by the National Center for Urban Transportation Research as one of their Best Workplaces for Commuters. This designation recognizes employers for outstanding efforts to provide alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle. http://www.bestworkplaces.org/

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

None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Bike parking is located near every major OSU building, and the vast majority of support buildings outside the core of campus. Long term storage is available inside residence halls, and bikes can be parked outside residence halls as well.

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:
OSU meets and exceeds Corvallis and Oregon codes for bike networks and connectivity. Corvallis is recognized at the Gold level by the League of American Bicyclists and OSU has contributed to this rating.

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:
Several departments operate independent bike sharing programs designed to allow employees to use campus-owned bikes for use around the Corvallis area. Most of these programs are free of charge and organized at the department level. The Dixon Recreation Center provides resources for bike maintenance. OSU Transportation Services runs a bike loan program with low cost bikes to OSU affiliates for daily, weekly, or quarter-long use. Oregon State University, in partnership with Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), joined Pedal Corvallis. Pedal Corvallis is a community bikeshare program in Corvallis. In May 2017, two bikeshare stations were installed in OSU's campus.

Mass Transit Programs 

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:
Corvallis Transit System is fareless, thanks in part to OSU financial contributions. For other regional systems, OSU provides prepaid transit passes to students, faculty, staff and affiliates on three transit systems and promotes use of those systems to the university community. OSU also operates a free on campus shuttle. http://transportation.oregonstate.edu/transportation/transit

Guaranteed Return Trip Program 

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:
The City of Corvallis has partnered with participating local employers, Drive Less Connect and Cascades West RideShare to administer an Emergency Ride Home program. The ERH allows users of alternative transportation to get a free taxi ride home if an emergency arises while they are at work. Alternative modes include a vanpool, carpool, bike, bus or walking. Rides are provided to the employee’s home, school site (if a child becomes ill) or emergency medical services location. http://transportation.oregonstate.edu/transportation/emergency-ride-home

Carpool/Vanpool Programs 

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:
OSU uses an electronic ridematching/carpooling resource called Drive Less Connect. This secure system connects prospective drivers and riders via email and has optional features like text messaging and advanced mapping. There is no charge to the user to register or utilize the system, and it can be used for business or personal trips. OSU also partners with Cascades West Rideshare to provide vanpool matching services. Parking Services offers discounted parking permits to carpools. http://fa.oregonstate.edu/transportation/carpooling

Car Sharing Program 

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:
OSU has a car sharing program through Zipcar, a membership-based car sharing program for people who are looking for an alternative method of transportation that lowers the cost and reduces the hassles of traditional transportation, and reduces daily reliance on single occupancy vehicles. Two Zipcars are located in the heart of OSU's main campus with two more located on the south side of campus near a residential hub. https://transportation.oregonstate.edu/transportation-services/share-ride/zipcar

EV Recharging Stations 

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:
OSU has 21 EV charging stations, one of which is a unique station on OSU's Solar Trailer. All 21 are Level 2 stations, spread throughout campus. http://fa.oregonstate.edu/sustainability/operations/transportation/ev-charging

Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

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:
OSU supports telecommuting where there is an individual or operational need, or there is potential for University savings. This policy applies to all OSU employees. Academic and research faculty are not required to have a Telecommuting Agreement on file with the Office of Human Resources. All other employees who telecommute must have an approved Telecommuting Agreement on file with Human Resources. The Telecommuting Agreement form outlines the employees location(s) of work and telecommuting schedule. Employees and their supervisors are responsible for making telecommuting arrangements, such as installation of equipment.

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:
Many OSU departments offer flexible work schedules, including working outside normal business hours and compressed work schedules. The most common is the 4 day, 10 hour schedule. OSU central human resources supports departments in making time flexible for OSU employees.

Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting 

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:
---

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:
---

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://fa.oregonstate.edu/transportation-options

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
League of American Bicyclists has recognized OSU as a Gold level Bicycle Friendly University

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.