Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.00
Liaison Cora Kenfield
Submission Date March 15, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Vassar College
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Alistair Hall
Sustainability Assistant
Dean of Strategic Planning
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Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
No

A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:

There are showers and overnight lockers available for employees but we do not offer indoor secure bike storage at this point in time.


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

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

Each building on campus has bike racks located right outside.

At breaks, Residential Life offers options for indoor long-term bike storage in dorm basements.


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:

The Campus Landscape Master Plan includes a section on pedestrian and bicycle sovereignty on campus, this includes a network of wide paths that connect residential and academic buildings and the phased moving of car parking spaces to the campus periphery.


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 Security Department has a fleet of about 40 bicycles that are loaned out to students on a annual basis.


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:

Yes, the Vassar launched a partnership in January 2018 that allows all students, faculty, and staff to ride the County bus system for free. The College reimburses the county for all rides logged across the system.

There is a bus stop on campus that goes to local grocery stores, the train station, and the local transit hub.


Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:

As part of the College's partnership with 511NY to offer a ride-sharing program, participants are made aware of the Guaranteed Return Trip program.


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:

Through a partnership with 511NY the College has established Car Free Vassar, a carpool & ride sharing program that encourages students and employees to utilize alternative forms of transportation, including carpooling. The system also includes and event board that enables students to ride share to athletic competitions, regional events and to major cities at college breaks. http://bit.ly/VassarRideshare


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:

Zipcars have been available on campus since Fall, 2010


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 March 2018, 4 Level 2 EV charging ports were installed in North Lot on campus. They charging stations are available to all.


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

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)?:
No

A brief description of the condensed work week option:
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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:

Vassar offers 110 rental units and 68 lease-hold houses for faculty use. All these units are within 5 miles of campus. There are incentives of favorable pricing for faculty to live in these units.


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:

As part of our employee health and wellness program, National Bike to work Week was publicized on campus, and included 3 short talks on bike-to-work tips. Employees who logged their alternative transportation commutes were eligible to win a Vassar Sustainability water bottles.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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