Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 45.79
Liaison Larry Cook
Submission Date Dec. 4, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of South Carolina
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.60 / 2.00 Dameon Hopkins
Recycling & Waste Manager
Facilities
"---" 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:
University Green buildings follow LEED standards for new building construction concerning shower facilities and bicycle storage. Residence halls provide indoor storage for bikes. Residence halls also include shower facilities by default. Academic and administrative buildings provide secure exterior bike storage. Most new projects will include shower and changing spaces for building users unless the building is within 200 yards of a PE facility that provides locker rooms.

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:
USC's bicycle parking and storage facilities can be found here: http://www.sc.edu/vmps/USC-SHUTTLE-PARKING-MAP.pdf

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:
USC has an alternative transportation policy which provides specific guidance for campus members choosing to utilize alternative transportation, including safe storage, parking, abandoned bike project policies, registration, and liability for abandoned bike confiscation from parking services.

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:
Campus Bike Shop maintains a fleet for road and mountain bikes which students can pay daily, weekly, or monthly rates to utilize. The City of Columbia's Blue Bike SC program also operates adjacent to campus with bicycle rental available: https://www.bluebikesc.com/.

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:
Free shuttles operation on campus everyday; free new student access to Columbia area bus system, known as the COMET. https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/parking/shuttles/index.php

Guaranteed Return Trip Program 

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:
There is a free night-time shuttle service around campus, but this would not work as an alternative mode of transportation off of campus. https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/parking/shuttles/safe_evening_rides/index.php

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?:
No

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Currently there is no organized system for incentivizing carpooling on campus.

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?:
No

None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
The University was previously contracted with Enterprise car share program on campus, but Enterprise indefinitely suspended their car-sharing operations at most university campuses in the US effective June 18, 2020.

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:
4 electric vehicle charging stations are available: 2 in the Pendleton St. Garage and 2 in the Bull St. Garage.

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:
Employees can telecommute when such an arrangement is determined acceptable by their managers.

Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
No

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
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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:
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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:
Annually, a bike/ped count and outreach campaign known as Travel Lightly Day are held.

Optional Fields 

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