| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.48 |
| Liaison | Patrick McKee |
| Submission Date | June 20, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Connecticut
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.88 / 2.00 |
Sarah
Munro Sustainability Coordinator Office of Environmental Policy |
Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
A number of the dorms and other buildings include bike racks for bicycle storage; UConn has increased its bike racks to 125 located at residential and academic areas. A comprehensive plan to improve the experience for bicyclists is underway, and can be found below:
The BSC Group, a transportation engineering firm, was awarded a contract to produce a comprehensive plan for campus bicycle routes, based on Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements (2010).
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)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
We cannot guarantee that there is bicycle parking within 50 feet of all occupied, non-residential buildings, (more than 500 such buildings on our main campus) although we do have extensive bike racks around campus and close to most buildings, typically within 50 feet of entrances/exits.
All residence halls have long-term bike storage, often within the building, and if not, typically within 300 ft of the building.
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?:
A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:
In 2010, Connecticut's Complete Streets Law went into effect, which requires that all state-funded transportation projects must consider using complete streets design features. Our local town, Mansfield, CT, has also adopted a complete streets policy. The University works with the local community to improve bicycle and pedestrian paths off campus, as well as implementing the UConn Campus Bicycle Plan to improve bicycle and pedestrian paths on campus.
http://www.ct.gov/dot/completestreets
http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/docs/transportation/Overal%20Plan.pdf
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
UConn Cycles is a bike sharing program run out of the campus library. There are 20 bikes available for borrowing by student, staff, or faculty members free of charge so long as they have their ID card. Both Transportation Services and UConn Cycles (through Recreational Services/Outdoor Adventures) are actively exploring options to augment this program; options include adding bikes and rental nodes at residence hall complexes, and an RFI was issued for commercial program providers earlier this year.
The program just expanded to the Recreation Facility in the Student Union with short and long-term bike rental options. More information:
https://uconnoep.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/uconn-bicycle-share-rolls-out/
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?:
A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
A brief description of the mass transit program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):
The University operates a shuttle program that encompasses up to six bus lines that transport students, faculty, and staff in and around campus. On the weekends there is also a free shuttle that provides transportation to neighboring towns. The shuttle service is completely free of charge and increasingly user friendly as organizational and technological advances are constantly being made. There are a number of mobile platforms on which the shuttle schedule can be tracked live, either by line or by stop, that are helpful to those who use the STARS Reporting Tool | AASHE Snapshot | Page 200 shuttle service. http://transpo.uconn.edu/
Students, faculty, and staff also have access to the local Windham Regional Transit District transportation services free of charge.
http://www.wrtd.net/storrs-willimantic_bus_fares.html
Off-campus transportation to and from New York City and Boston are also available to students at a discounted rate through Peter Pan
and Megabus.
http://transpo.uconn.edu/
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the GRT program:
Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
The University instituted a carpooling option for student commuters who wish to share a single parking space. Carpool groups can be between 2 and 4 people and will share a single parking permit. Each member of the group also receives two complimentary day passes each semester for the days in which the carpool is inconvenient. Three more such day passes can be purchased by each group member each semester.
There is a carpooling program set up UConn employees in which they can sign up for using the carpooling tool:
Carpooling tool (bottom left): http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/transportation/index.html
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?:
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Through 2015, the University offered a car-sharing program through the Hertz on Demand services. There are four convenient locations on-campus at which these HOD vehicles can be found. Students, faculty, and staff have access to any one of three ultra-low emissions vehicles (ULEV) or a fully electric car that can be charged at the on-campus charging station. The Hertz on Demand membership for both American and International drivers is free of charge.
http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/transportation/car-sharing.html
UConn is currently in the process of finalizing a contract with Enterprise to offer low-emission vehicles for rent to students, faculty, and staff.
Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
There are 5 charging stations (3 locations) across campus. You can read more about these stations here:
http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/transportation/electric-vehicles.html
https://uconnoep.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/electric-vehicle-charging-at-uconn/
Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Telecommuting is generally promoted by the university, however practices vary by department. The University demonstrates its support for work-life flexibility through the implementation of established policies, procedures, practices, and contractual agreements, as found in union contracts and can be found at www.policy.uconn.edu.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the condensed work week program:
Statement on work/life flexibility: http://hr.uconn.edu/worklife-connections/
Link to UCPEA Member's Request for Flexible Schedule: http://lr.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/988/2014/10/tempflex.pdf
Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
The University of Connecticut Off-Campus Housing Service allows students, staff, and faculty to search for housing close to campus and close to one another in order to foster a sense of community and to promote shorter commutes and thus a more sustainable lifestyle. http://www.offcampushousing.uconn.edu/
Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
In addition to on-campus bicycle accommodation and sharing, bus lines, shuttle service, and electric vehicle charging stations, UConn also provides access to interstate & intrastate bus service, local bus service (Windham Regional Transit District – WRTD), carpooling, car rental, Amtrak rail service, and airport shuttles.
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.