Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 74.42
Liaison Mary-Lee Townsend
Submission Date Feb. 1, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Western University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Connor Donald
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Management
"---" 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:
Provides secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters (the storage, shower facilities and lockers are co-located in at least one building/location that is accessible to all commuters) http://sustainability.uwo.ca/Bicycle%20Racks%20and%20Public%20Showers-%20August%202015.pdf (Bike rack and public shower locations on Campus)

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:
Some residence halls on campus have long term storage for bicycles during the winter months, however not all of the residences on campus have these amenities.

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:
London received a Bronze medal for being a bicycle friendly city. Only 39 communities in Ontario have a designation as a bike friendly city. The goal of becoming a pedestrian friendly campus has been a goal of the University for many years. It is prominent in the newest Campus Master Plan (2015) which can be found here: http://www.ipb.uwo.ca/documents/campus_master_plan_final_dec2015.pdf Having a pedestrian-safe campus is a priority for Western, which is why the Open Space and Landscape Plan (currently under development) has the main focus on making Western a pedestrian and biking-safe zone for the entire community.

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 Purple Bikes group promotes cycling at Western University and at large in the London community. Through the University Students' Council, a small staff and a group of volunteers offer bicycle workshops as well as a bike rental service throughout the year. Bike Workshop The workshop is where remodelling of bikes for bikeshare occurs. It is also open to the public so they can do their own repairs. With a $10/month workshop membership, you gain access to tools and inventory where you can purchase new and used parts for your bike. Anyone interested in learning about fixing bicycles is invited to volunteer; you’ll get hands on experience. Bike Rentals Purple Bikes offers a bike rental service, giving people the opportunity to commute to and around campus and tour the city on a bike. Fortunately, London has many kilometers of beautiful multi-use paths along the Thames River. Bike rentals are available for different lengths of time; see the Bike Rentals page for details. For more information about Purple Bikes, please visit their website: http://www.usc.uwo.ca/purplebikes/workshop.html

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:
Every full time Undergraduate and graduate student receives an LTC pass. The pass allows unlimited rides to all bus stop locations in London, all hours of operation, seven days a week, which include holidays and on all regularly scheduled LTC bus routes. Undergraduates: http://www.usc.uwo.ca/buspass/Bus_Pass_Policy.pdf Graduates: http://sogs.ca/index.php/benefits/bus-passes

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:
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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?:
Yes

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Western University has partnered with Regional Rideshare to offer a rideshare program available to all Western students, staff, and faculty. The program is an easy and efficient way to connect with drivers from all over southwestern Ontario. The program is available in: London St. Marys Stratford St. Thomas Huron County Perth County Middlesex County Lambton County The program is found at: https://uwo.regionalrideshare.ca/en/my/ Western offers preferred parking spaces for carpoolers that are registered under the Regional Rideshare website.

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?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Western University has a partnership with ZipCar to offer a convenient carshare program to all students. You reserve wheels when you want them, by the hour or day (online or in the Zipcar app) and only pay for the time you use them. Information is found at: http://www.zipcar.ca/universities/western-university

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:
Western University recently installed two Level 2 charging stations at our most recent building, Western's Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB). These stations are managed through Parking Services and are accessible to all students and employees that purchase a Parking Pass for that parking lot.

Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs 

Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
No

None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
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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:
“Academic and managerial staff normally exercise discretion as to the manner by which they fulfill their responsibilities and may establish reasonably flexible work hours, in both instances subject to the operational requirements of their unit and the University.” Facilities Management' unionized employees and management have developed a combined staggered and compressed work week format that allows an employee to select his/her starting time and to enable additional days off during the normal work week. http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section6/mapp61.pdf

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:
Western is participating in Ontario's Share the Road, U-Cycle campaign. One of the student benefits of this campaign allows for bike riders to receive a discount at participating businesses within London when they come in with their helmet and Western student card.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://sustainability.uwo.ca/initiatives/alternative_transportation/index.html

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.