Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 61.51
Liaison Karen Eckert, Ph.D.
Submission Date March 5, 2021
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Principia College
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.60 / 2.00 Karen Eckert, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Center for Sustainability
"---" 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:

The college has a 100% resident student population and secure bike storage is available in 100% of student housing. Similarly, showers are available in 100% of student housing and in all athletic facilities (Hexberg, Crafton, Hayfield). Anyone may enter the locke rooms and showers, including faculty and staff.


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:

There are bike racks in front of all entrances to residential and academic buildings. Bicycles, as well as skate/long boards can be stored in residential dorms (free of charge) during academic breaks.


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:

All campus buildings are connected by paved walking/biking paths. All campus buildings offer bike racks at the front entrance. Skate- and long-boards are also welcome and widely used.


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?:
No

A brief description of the mass transit programs:

This is not relevant - we are a rural campus, far from any transit or shuttle services.


Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
No

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:

This is not relevant - we are a rural campus, far from any transit or shuttle services.


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:

Principia operates a college campus in Illinois and a K-12 School in St Louis, MO. Cross-cutting staff (e.g., IT, Finance, Admissions) carpool in hybrid sedans provided by Principia. These carpool vehicles are used daily and are not subject to parking fees.


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

A brief description of the car sharing program:

Principia operates a college campus in Illinois and a K-12 School in St Louis, MO. Cross-cutting staff (e.g., IT, Finance, Admissions) carpool in hybrid sedans provided by Principia. These carpool vehicles are used daily and are not subject to parking fees.


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:

The campus does, however, have Level 1 plug-in stations sufficient to serve all e-vehicles routinely parked on campus - plus any guests or visitors. There is no charge to use these stations.


Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the telecommuting program:

Selected staff members telecommute from home for some portion of the work week. This is encouraged, especially during COVID, but the decision is up to the supervisor regarding whether work can be effectively done from a distance.


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:

Telecommuting is always an option, provided that the job can be effectively accomplished and evaluated from a distance, and has the Supervisor's approval.


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:

Rental Housing program consists of 40 houses and 29 apartments for faculty and staff and non-traditional students. This provides a substantial benefit since there is very limited housing close to the campus and the nearest towns are about 15 miles away. Most Rental Housing tenants are able to walk or bike to work. The rents are below market rates. (If our rates are below 80% of market value, then the tenants would have to be taxed for receiving a "benefit" - so an appraiser helps us every three years with a market analysis.) We have in-house crews for maintenance and repairs.


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:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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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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.