| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.32 |
| Liaison | Heather Albert-Knopp |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
College of the Atlantic
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Andrea
Russell Sustainability Coordinator and Community Energy Center Program Manager -- |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Support for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Yes
None
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
We have two covered bike storage buildings nearby student residences and bike racks around campus. We also have a bike repair shed where students salvage parts from bikes to create loaner bikes for anyone on campus who wants one. They also do repairs for students personal bikes. Students who commute from off campus usually only have a ride of 2 miles or less from in-town apartments, so the need for a shower after commuting to campus is not that important but there are shower facilities available. On campus there is a good network of blacktop roads and sand and gravel paths that are suitable and safe for bicycle use.
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:
Students can park their bikes outside of any building without having to worry about locking them. There are bike racks available outside most buildings, and a surplus of rack space at the centre of campus as well as both North and South ends. Because our campus is so small, students typically bike to campus and then leave their bicycles at a central location while they walk from building to building. Long term storage is available at two covered storage facilities, which are within 330 feet of all residence halls.
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:
Since the college first opened in 1969 bikes have been a prominent part of the COA campus. Every student either has their own bike, rents a bike from the school's bike program, or has access to the community-shared bike fleet. We purposely have kept vehicle parking close to Route 3, at the edge of our campus, to keep cars on the campus periphery, to make it a pedestrian and bike-friendly campus. Bikes are everywhere on the COA campus and part of the college culture.
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:
COA's bike program provides a bike for any faculty, staff or student at no cost. Bikes can be borrowed from the community bike repair shed. Currently, all of COA's bikes are restored and repaired older bicycles. The bikes are maintained by a team of COA students working with the Student Life Outdoor Program. All COA community members have access to the bike shed where they can get tools or help with repairs. The Student Life Outdoor Program also offers bike maintenance workshops for community members. 25 bikes are available for loan at any one time. Any student who wants a bike can assemble one themselves from older bikes or getting help doing so from the volunteer bike program students.
Mass Transit Programs
Yes
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
COA students, in collaboration with the campus' buildings and grounds office, operates a public transportation option, known as the "night bus" and the "day bus". COA's night bus runs from 6:30 PM to midnight, stopping at campus every half hour, and circulating through various planned locations in Bar Harbor. The day bus does three runs per day, but only in the winter. In the autumn and spring students are encouraged to walk or bike to school to reduce emissions even further, and the majority of students do while the temperatures are still warm enough. The buses cut down on individual car traffic and provide an alternate to walking and riding bikes at night.
Guaranteed Return Trip Program
Yes
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
Our community is so small, individuals can always rely on each other for transportation when it's needed. The college has a specific email list serve that acts as communication between all members in our community regarding transportation. Members are encouraged to offer rides when they know they'll be driving somewhere and have extra room, or if they need a ride they can request one through the email list serve.
Carpool/Vanpool Programs
No
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
COA provides free parking for students, staff, faculty, and visitors in all parking areas across campus. These spots are divided into overnight, commuter, and short-term parking, and visitors are asked to respect these designations.
Car Sharing Program
No
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Our car-sharing program is administered by students, and is intended for students (but is occasionally extended to faculty/staff): The college has an electric car that students can sign-up to use through an online reservation site. Use of the eCar has greatly expanded in the last year. Priority for the car is given to educational based need.
EV Recharging Stations
Yes
None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
The college has installed 4 Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, two on campus, one at Peggy Rockefeller Farm and one at Beech Hill Farm. The one on campus is available for public use as well as used to charge the college's two all-electric vehicles. That facility is powered by overhead grid-tied solar panels. See: http://news.coa.edu/2013/01/30/fuel-up-for-free/ for complete description of the charging station program.
Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs
Yes
None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
The option for telecommuting is at the discretion of an employee's supervisor and is currently being used by some employees who work from home for some or much of their workweek.
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:
The option for a condensed work week is at the discretion of an employee's supervisor and is currently being used by some employees. Employees have worked 4 ten-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days.
Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting
No
None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Due to the high price of housing in Bar Harbor and generally on Mount Desert Island many employees find it unaffordable to live on the Island and therefore choose housing options off-Island. The college is aware of the housing situation and continues to consider ways to develop affordable employee housing on land it owns on the Island to enable employees to afford housing closer to the campus.
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:
The college has two all-electric vehicles dedicated to student use with the priority given to conducting work related to their academic program. Our newest vehicle, a Nissan Leaf was specifically purchased to reduce fossil-fuel miles driven by work-study students between campus and Beech Hill Farm. In addition, there are two dedicated e-vehicle parking spaces, located at the charging station. Priority is given to the student eCars, followed by personal e-vehicles.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
From the Campus Environmental Initiative: "College of the Atlantic is committed to encouraging low fossil-fuel transport."
http://www.coa.edu/policies/governance-policies/
The Energy Framework sets goals to transition the colleges vehicle fleet to 100% electric by 2050
http://www.coa.edu/policies/governance-policies/
The colleges policies including the guidelines for sustainable transportation:
http://www.coa.edu/publicationsandpolicies.htm
The direct link for the sustainable transportation pdf is:
http://www.coa.edu/live/files/161-transportation-sustainability
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.