Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.68
Liaison John Gardner
Submission Date May 31, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Kate Nelson
Chief Sustainability Officer
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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:

Cycle-Safe bike lockers are secure and weatherproof lockers that are available to residents of University Housing. Each unit is keyed separately and is located next to South Tower in Sandburg Hall. 50 storage units are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cambridge Commons residence hall also features indoor bike storage. In addition, shower facilities are available for bicycle commuters in a number of buildings (building and room #): University Services & Research, Engelmann Hall B21/B25, Architecture & Urban Planning B90A/B90B, Lubar Hall B22/B24, Mitchell Hall 334/372, Northwest Quad 1561/1565.


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:

UWM provides short-term bicycle parking within 50 ft of all occupied, non-residential 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:

The strategies from the 2014 Parking & Transit study enveloped a bike infrastructure plan designed on campus and were approved by shared governance as campus strategy.


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:

In 2015, UW-Milwaukee Student Association supported the implementation of 6 bikeshare stations on the UWM campus and city locations as contiguous to Milwaukee's "Bublr" bikeshare system. UWM students are consistently among the highest users of the Bublr bikes. UWM entered into a five year agreement with Bublr. The first full year, UWM students received full membership. In years 2-5, UWM students will receive a greatly discounted rate of only $20 per year for a Bublr membership. Membership allows all 60 minute rides, station to station, for free.

Also, UWM Outdoor Pursuits offers rental bikes to UWM students to use for free for longer trips. Bikes are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Locks, lights, and helmets are available upon request and the program also offers free minor tune-ups and small repairs to students.


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:

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was named a Bronze Bike Friendly University November 14, 2013.


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):

UWM offers students taking at least one class for credit on campus a semester long bus pass that will allow unlimited free rides on any Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) bus. The pass fee is included in tuition as part of student segregated fees. The University Housing shuttle service operates continuously between the UWM Kenwood Campus, Kenilworth Square Apartments, Cambridge Commons and RiverView Residence Hall. UWM also offers BOSS, a free van transportation service around the campus neighborhood, and UPARK, a free satellite parking lot and shuttle bus system.


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:

UWM offers the Zimride private ridesharing network to students, faculty and staff.


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:

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is now contracting with Enterprise as its car share service provider. UWM was previously serviced through Zipcar and that contract ended June 30 2014, though Zipcar will continue to have locations on the Eastside and around the City of Milwaukee. Enterprise offers membership opportunities for faculty, staff, students, community members and departments.


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:

In 2014, UWM, with support from Nissan and ABB Inc, installed two fast-charge stations to campus to add to the other two existing AC charge stations. Located on the first levels of both the parking structure under the Engineering Math Sciences (EMS) building and the Klotsche Center & Pavilion structure, UWM has the first EV fast-charge stations in Milwaukee County. The stations charge EVs in 30 to 90 minutes and are available for use by anyone. There is no cost, except for the cost to park. The existing longer-term charge stations (4-8 hours) on campus are located at Northwest Quad parking and another in the EMS parking structure; both are also available to the general public..


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:

A UWM telecommuting work policy option allows academic staff to request permission to perform responsibilities away from their offices where appropriate and consistent with operational needs.


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:

UWM encourages employees to request alternative work patterns when appropriate and consistent with the operational needs of the University and collective bargaining agreements.


Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
Yes

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

UWM's Walk to Work Employee Home Ownership Program

UWM employees can receive free home-buying assistance in conjunction with the "Walk to Work" Employee Home Ownership Program, which is funded by the Division of University Relations and Communications.

In order to offer this service, UWM is partnering with Select Milwaukee, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing home ownership in Milwaukee. The organization will provide UWM employees a full range of home purchase assistance, including pre-purchase financial and credit counseling, homeownership educational services, and resources available for home rehabilitations for current homeowners. By working with Select Milwaukee, UWM employees have the opportunity to receive home purchase subsidies, low-cost financing for first-time home buyers, and referrals to reliable real estate agents, home inspectors, and insurance companies at no cost to the employee.


Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
No

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:
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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.