Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Steve Mital
Submission Date Feb. 28, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Oregon
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Steve Mital
Office of Sustainability Director
Finance & Administration
"---" 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:

Several UO dorms have indoor and outdoor secure bike parking and showers (such as the LLC, Barnhart, and Hamilton) and some of the athletic facilities (such as the Cassanova Center) have secure bike parking and showers.


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

Several buildings have secure bike parking. Showers are available at the Student Recreation Center which is located no more than a 5 minute walk from the vast majority of campus buildings.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:

In 1991, the Campus Planning and Real Estate Office created the UO Bicycle Plan, which lays out a set of policies and practices that encourage bike use on campus. These policies include: dismount zones, a link to the city’s network of bike paths, adequate parking for bicycles, and an extensive network of bike paths on campus.


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 UO Bike Loan Program is run through our Outdoor Program. It rents out bikes to students for either a day or a term. It also offers a bike repair shop, bike repair workshops, advice for purchasing bikes, and volunteer opportunities. They have 100 bikes available for long term loan to students only, 25 bikes available for short term loan to any outdoor program member, and 30 bikes for conference loans and special events.

For the 2012-2013 school year, the UO Bike Program has received a grant from the student government to bring a bike-share system with 40 bikes to campus. These bikes will be available to the whole community to check out for short trips.


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

A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:

Silver


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 program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):

UO ID cards allow all faculty, staff, and students to ride Lane Transit District buses for free. The UO also offers a free Access Shuttle for students, faculty and staff with limited mobility (http://parking.uoregon.edu/content/access-shuttle)


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

A brief description of the GRT program:
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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:

The UO uses Zimride to coordinate ride matching for faculty, staff and students. With Zimride, the UO community can find UO friends, classmates, and coworkers going the same way you are. The secure website requires a UO ID and password to gain access. UO Zimride helps offer or request rides for commutes, road trips, and popular events. If participants have a car, they can split costs by offering rides. If participants don't have a car, they can find rides to wherever they need to go.


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:

Carpool parking permits are less expensive per person than single occupancy vehicle permits. The more riders there are in one carpool unit, the cheaper the cost per person. Additionally, Priority Parking is available for carpoolers on 13th Ave between University and Agate. The spots are marked 'Lot 13' and are held for carpoolers 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lot 13 is first come first serve. There are also marked Carpool spaces in most of the other parking lots on campus.


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

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:

NA


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:

According to the Oregon University System Telecommuting Policy, "The University of Oregon endorses telecommuting when there are opportunities for improved employee performance, reduced commuting miles or university savings."


Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week program:

There is no specific program name for a condensed work week, yet many people refer to these as "flex schedules." Decisions about flex schedules are made department-by-department, office-by-office. For example, Campus Operations approves flex schedules (sometimes simply because of the associated duties in those jobs), while Environmental Health & Safety, Campus Planning & Real Estate and the Riverfront Research Park do not.
Student employees are all on flex schedules, as they need to work around their classes and test schedules.


Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
No

A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:

NA


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

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:

A no-idling policy has completed all internal reviews and is being adopted by UO.
Tailpipe emissions are a significant source of greenhouse gas and other emissions. These emissions are harmful to the environment and human health. In keeping with its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and model environmentally sensitive behavior, the University of Oregon’s “No Idling” policy encourages campus users to adopt the practices listed below.
1. Engine warm-up periods for University of Oregon fleet vehicles should not exceed the minimum time required to achieve required airbrake pressure and/or other critical settings.
2. All vehicles on campus should be turned off whenever idling time is expected to exceed 20 seconds. Exceptions are granted to specific vehicles uses including UODPS patrol cars, refrigerated trucks or any other vehicle use where idling is necessary to maintain health and/or safety.
The Office of Sustainability will develop appropriate educational and promotional materials in support of this policy. The Office of Parking and Transportation will make these materials available to the university community via its website and other outreach activities.


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.