| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 57.29 |
| Liaison | Jennifer Kleindienst |
| Submission Date | Dec. 1, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wesleyan University
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Jennifer
Kleindienst Sustainability Coordinator Finance and Administration |
"---"
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:
Allbritton Center, Boger Hall, and 160 Cross St. have shower facilities. Exterior bike racks are available across 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)?:
No
None
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Most buildings on campus have bike racks easily accessible, but this is not the case for 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:
The City of Middletown has a complete streets plan. In addition, Wesleyan works with the City to develop safe bicycle paths on its campus.
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:
There is a bike rental program led and run by students to promote sustainable transportation on campus and around Middletown. Working on a system of semester-long rental periods, the program caters to students who are unable to bring their own bicycles to campus. .
Mass Transit Programs
Yes
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Wesleyan offers The Ride, a free campus shuttle, to all students and employees. The shuttle operates 7 days a week from 7 PM to 4 AM and is on-call for those with disabilities or safety concerns at all other times.
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Wesleyan runs a paid shuttle to the New Haven train station ($10 regular service, $15 break service).
Commuting students can reserve a seat on the Weekday Commuter Lot Shuttle, a free service that operates on a reservation-only basis.
Before and after student breaks, Wesleyan operates paid shuttle service to Bradley International Airport ($20 each way).
Guaranteed Return Trip Program
Yes
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
Wesleyan participates in CT Rides, which offers GRTs.
Carpool/Vanpool Programs
Yes
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:
Wesleyan participates in CT Rides, which offers car- and vanpool matching services at no charge. Wesleyan does not charge its employees for parking. Wesleyan has also partnered with the CT DOT Ride Share program to encourage car pools among faculty and staff.
Car Sharing Program
Yes
None
A brief description of the car sharing program:
Wesleyan has 4 Zipcars on campus, upgraded from 2 when the program began in 2009.
EV Recharging Stations
Yes
None
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
Wesleyan has two Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, which are open to the campus community and the public. Each station accommodates 2 parking spaces.
Telecommuting and Condensed Work Week Programs
No
None
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Select departments allow working from home, but this is limited.
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:
With supervisor approval, administrative employees that meet HR guidelines may set up a flexible (5 days per week but different hours) or alternative (4 of 5 days or 9 of 10 days) work schedule. Employees will be given 30 days’ notice if the alternate work schedule arrangement is not successful in order to return to a regular work week schedule.
Other Strategies to Reduce the Impacts of Commuting
Yes
None
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
Wesleyan operates five local housing programs: the Wesleyan Rental Housing Program, the Wesleyan Houses Advanced Purchase Program, the Wesleyan Advanced Purchase Renovation Program, the Wesleyan Incentive for a Sustainable Campus and the Wesleyan Mortgage Program. Wesleyan owns and maintains a limited number of rental housing units near the campus for the purpose of providing transitional living space for newly appointed faculty, professional librarians, and administrative staff who relocate at the time of their initial appointment at the university. The Advanced Purchase Program and Wesleyan Advanced Purchase Renovation Programs were established to give eligible faculty and staff a chance to buy Wesleyan-owned houses when the houses are no longer required for University use. Houses purchased under this program must be the primary residence of the buyer for at least two years after purchase. Wesleyan provides first mortgage assistance on residential properties for the purpose of supporting and encouraging faculty on at least three-quarters time appointments (excluding visitors and retired faculty), professional librarians, and staff to secure home ownership within reasonable commuting distance of the campus. A sustainable campus is important to Wesleyan and to the environment. Increasing the number of faculty and staff who reside in the Wesleyan neighborhood and walk to work will promote sustainability and will improve the campus experience for all. Yet, despite historic low mortgage rates, many Wesleyan families remain unable to purchase homes due to a shortage of cash toward down payments and renovations. Most of the homes in the Wesleyan neighborhood are 100 years old and in need of renovations. To overcome this barrier to home ownership and to encourage Wesleyan faculty and staff to live on campus, a sustainable incentive program is available on these homes for sale by Wesleyan. The home purchased must be the primary residence of the faculty or staff member as defined by the IRS for at least the two year period following the purchase. Wesleyan will provide a $10,000 price reduction, to eligible faculty or staff who purchase a Wesleyan home.
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:
Wesleyan is a member of CT Rides, which aligns with the NuRide alternative transportation incentive program. This program is available to all students and employees.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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