| Overall Rating | Platinum - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.01 |
| Liaison | Patrick McKee |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Connecticut
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Richard
Miller Director Ofice of Environmental Policy |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Yes
None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
The university provides bicycle racks outside the majority of dormitories and buildings throughout campus. Enrolled students have free access to shower facilities and lockers at the Recreation Facility with proof of an ID, and employees can pay a small monthly membership fee.
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)?:
No
None
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 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:
UConn adheres to Connecticut's Complete Streets Law that went into effect in 2010. The law 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. Additionally, the recent construction of UConn’s Discovery Drive includes new 5-ft. bike lanes and a separate 8 ft. wide paved multi-modal path that extends into or out of campus and connects with the town's paved multi-modal path to the Four Corners retail district in town.
https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/PP_Policy/Documents/Complete%20Streets
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/transportation/
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:
The UConn Recreation Facility heads the Cycle Share Program that allows students to rent bikes out for a week or a semester, for a nominal fee. The location of the bikes is centrally located at the recreation facility. Additionally, the UConn Outdoor Adventure Center has equipment rentals that includes bikes, bike helmets, locks, repair kits, and lights to students for a nominal fee, varying depending on how long you plan to rent.
For more information:
https://recreation.uconn.edu/programs/adventure-center/
http://recreation.uconn.edu/programs/cycle-share/
Mass Transit Programs
Yes
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
UConn provides free shuttle service throughout the campus and surrounding areas for students, staff and faculty. The average number of passengers on each campus shuttle is about 10,500 per day. Bus schedules are listed on the official website as well as the MyUConn App. An additional free bus runs to and from our local town, Storrs (Mansfield) to Willimantic and has multiple stops along the way.
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. An on-demand shuttle service will bring students to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT, Amtrak Hartford’s Union Station, and the Cross-Sound Ferry in New London for a reduced price.
U-Pass CT is a new option for students provided by parking services. The U-Pass allows students with a valid student ID to use participating transit services around Connecticut for free. All fees are already in the student fee bill, so there is no additional charge. During its first two semesters of implementation, 57% of undergraduate students at all campuses have utilized the program, and that number is expected grow as the program increases in popularity and more transit services join.
Guaranteed Return Trip Program
No
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
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Carpool/Vanpool Programs
Yes
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.
UConn employees and students can sign up for a carpool through Zimride, and online ride-matching service that connects drivers and passengers within a private UConn network heading to the same area.,
There is a carpooling program set up UConn employees in which they can sign up for using the carpooling tool:
Carpooling tool (bottom left): https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/zipcar-and-alternative-transportation/
Car Sharing Program
Yes
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
UConn is now home to ZipCar, the world’s leading car sharing network. For a small fee, UConn members can pick up a Zipcar at six different locations around campus. An additional membership fee will include gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day.
http://transpo.uconn.edu/zipcar/
EV Recharging Stations
Yes
None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
There are 20 charging stations (4 locations) across campus. You can read more about these stations here:
https://ecohusky.uconn.edu/electric-vehicles/
https://uconnoep.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/electric-vehicle-charging-at-uconn/
Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs
Yes
None
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 that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
Yes
A brief description of the condensed work week option:
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
Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting
Yes
None
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 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:
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 which are included in tuition fees and ‘free’ for students with proof of a U-Pass.
Optional Fields
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.