Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 50.80
Liaison Aldo Pierini
Submission Date March 27, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Villanova University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.80 / 2.00
"---" 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:
Most campus buildings and all residence halls have bike racks located next to or near the entrance of the building. In addition, we have several facilities on campus with showers, including athletics (which is open to all faculty and staff), the Law School, Nursing school. dormitories also have showers available for residence. Lockers for bicycle commuters are not proved because all Villanova employees have either an office or locker on campus. Students who live off campus have free access to the gym lockers, which are located in the same buildings as the public showers. Employees can also use the free gym 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)?:
No

None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
We have 34 bike rack locations around campus, many near dormitories and major academic buildings, but we do not have bike racks next to every building.

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:
During the summer of 2013, Villanova completed the Transforming the Campus Landscape renovation, which included a walkability assessment of the campus to identify preferred walking paths throughout campus. As part of the project new walkways were installed throughout the center of campus and vehicles are now prohibited from driving in the center of campus. This change has made the center of campus a pedestrian and bike friendly environment. With no cars to worry about, bicyclist and walkers are able to move about the campus without worry of vehicle traffic. New bike racks were also installed throughout the center of campus to make biking a more viable option for students, faculty and staff.

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 September 2014, we launched the Nova Bike Share. Students (undergraduate and graduate) can rent a bike for a semester or year free of charge. There are currently 50 bikes in the program. Students who participate in the program receive a bike, lock, maintenance and winter storage. The program continues to be very popular among students, selling out within hours of registration opening. Bikes for the program come from Devereux's bike shop, where unwanted bikes are dropped off and fixed up for reuse. Devereux works with adults with intellectual disabilities to teach them work skills they can use to help support themselves, such as bike maintenance.

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:
The Commuter Benefit Plan allows VU Employees to pay for eligible transit expenses through pre-tax payroll deductions. Two train lines run along and stop on campus as well as a bus line. A Villanova campus shuttle runs throughout campus during school hours and an additional shuttle runs off campus to major apartment complexes and businesses (hospital, pharmacy, shopping, etc.). The shuttle is available for all students, and employees of Villanova. http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/parking/shuttle.html

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?:
No

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
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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:
Student Life manages a ride board and the Zip-Car car-sharing program available for all students and employees as well as community members.

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:
Yes, Villanova has 5 level 2 charging station in the Nursing school parking lot and the St. Augustine Center parking garage. Commuters who would like to use the stations are required to purchase an EV parking pass allowing them to park anywhere on campus to charge up.

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:
Villanova University leaves it to discretion of supervisors to grant telecommuting benefits. For example, the Facilities department has 4 employees who have a regular telecommute day either every week or every month depending on the need.

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:
At the discretion of the President, a decision will be made annually to provide an adjusted schedule for full time staff employees during the summer months. If approved, employees will have the opportunity for early dismissal at 12 noon on designated Fridays, without any reduction in pay. If an employee desires a year round change in his or her schedule they are able to discuss that matter with their supervisor and if needed HR will approve the change. Condensed work weeks may result in reduced pay, but not reduced benefits unless hours fall below full time requirements.

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:
Villanova does not currently have a program in place to reward the purchase of a regional home by employees.

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:
A number of our parking lots and garages now have "fuel-efficient" vehicle parking options.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/sustainability/CampusSustainabilityBuildingsGroundsStormwaterDiningRecycling/TransportationSustainability.html

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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