U Southern Miss to Create Bike-Share Program
The University of Southern Mississippi has announced plans to create a campus bike-share program. The President’s Office, together with the Student Government Association, is heading up the initiative that is tentatively named Eagle Bikes. The aim of the effort is to provide bicycles for faculty, staff, and students to use, then leave them behind for the next rider. The bicycles will be painted the same, bright color for easy identification.
Vanderbilt U Expands U-Pass Program
Vanderbilt University (TN) has expanded its Free Ride program to include graduate and professional school students, allowing them to commute to and from campus for free using the local bus system. The program has been offered to Vanderbilt employees since July 2004.
Bowdoin College to Ban Cars for First-Year Students
Bowdoin College (ME) has announced plans to ban cars for first-year students starting in the fall of 2008. The move is part of the College's ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. It is also intended to foster an even greater sense of community and involvement by first-year students during first year of college.
J. Sargeant Reynolds CC Pilots 1-Day School Week
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (VA) has launched "Smart Fridays," a pilot class schedule that allows students to drive to campus only one day a week and still earn a full load of credits for the semester. The College has calculated that a student could potentially save over $1,080 dollars per semester in vehicle operating costs by participating in the new program.
Portland State U President Promotes Alternative Transportation
Newly hired Portland State University (OR) President Wim Wiewel rode his bike to report for his first day of work in an effort to promote sustainable modes of transportation. The new PSU President rode with the school Provost, a City Commissioner, and Major-elect of Portland. A small reception awaited him and his colleagues following the morning ride. The University, this fall, plans to expand its bike co-op, install 125 new bike racks, and build an indoor bike parking garage that will provide storage for a total of 100 bicycles.
U Florida Challenges Community to Use Green Transportation
The University of Florida is challenging students, faculty, and staff to give up their cars and use alternative transportation on October 17, 2008 and as often as possible, with the hope that it becomes a habit. In meeting the challenge, campus members will pledge to commute by an alternative to single-occupancy vehicle travel on One Less Car Day and as often as possible throughout the fall semester. In addition to individual commitments, each department or organization on campus can sign up to pledge as a team.
U Miami Sign Agreement with Zipcar, Bans Freshman Cars
The University of Miami (FL) has announced an agreement with Zipcar, a car-sharing program that allows members to reserve cars online or via phone or mobile device for an hourly rate. The new program was launched in conjunction with the University's recent ban on freshman cars.
Boise State Named Best Workplace for Commuters
Boise State University (ID) has been named the "Best Workplace for Commuters" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The program recognizes institutions that value and support efforts to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and provide environmentally friendly commuting options to its employees and students. Notable programs that assisted in Boise State earning this recognition were the free bus and shuttle programs for students, faculty and staff;
Michigan Tech Launches Ride Share Program
Michigan Technological University has launched an Online Rideboard. The new electronic ride-share program allows students, faculty, and staff to access an interactive map and find a ride or rider leaving Michigan Tech.
Syracuse U Develops Carpooling Incentives
Syracuse University (NY) Parking and Transit Services has developed a new carpool program that provides parking for two or more University employees who commute to work together. To participate in the plan, all members of a carpool register their vehicles under one multi-vehicle permit, which will provide campus parking for one vehicle; the hanging permit is then transferred between the carpooling vehicles.
Florida State U Expands UPASS to Include Employees
Florida State University has partnered with its local city bus company to expand its UPASS initiative to include all FSU employees. Employees have been able to ride StarMetro buses for free in the past, but had to surrender their FSU parking passes to do it. Now, employees can keep their parking passes and ride StarMetro for free as well.
Fresno Pacific U Implements 4-day Work Week
Fresno Pacific University (CA) has implemented a compressed work week for the summer. The new schedule, which consists of four 10-hour days, was introduced as an initiative to help reduce the amount of money employees spend on gas each week. Approximately 200 of FPU's employees are taking advantage of the new schedule, which will last until early August when the University returns to the normal work schedule.
Oakland U Offers 4-day Work Week
Oakland University (MI) has begun offering a four-day work week to its full-time employees. The optional program, which aims to help university employees save money on gas, is only offered in departments where the alternative week is feasible and does not hinder the University's overall goal of quality student services.
Adelphi U Receives Commuter Excellence Award
Adelphi University (NY) has received the 2008 Regional Commuter Choice Outstanding Achievement Award from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council and Long Island Transportation Management. The award recognizes organizations who demonstrate a strong commitment to economic and environmental issues through a commuter benefits program. To be eligible for the Regional Commuter Choice Award, an organization must provide quality service and elicit high participation for their program through a marketing campaign that encourages the use of buses, carpools, bicycling, and/or walking as alternatives to driving.
Long Island U Purchases Electric Vehicle
The Long Island University (NY) Facilities Services department at the C.W. Post Campus added an electric vehicle to its fleet. The electric powered vehicle can travel an average of 50 miles on an estimated $2 worth of electricity, saving money and reducing emissions.
Illinois State U Launches Bike Share Program
Illinois State University will launch a free bike loaner program called Reggie Ride for students, faculty, and staff this fall. The program will reserve white bikes for faculty and staff and will loan red bikes to students for up to 48 hours. The goals of the program are to cut traffic congestion and cramped parking on campus, reduce fuel costs for ISU vehicles, and promote fitness and an appreciation for the outdoors.
U New Mexico Implements 4-day Summer Work Week
The University of New Mexico has begun offering staff members the option of working a compressed workweek to decrease commuting costs and gasoline-use during the traditionally slower summer session. The program, available June 16 through August 15, 2008, will provide most full-time employees on main campus the opportunity to work a four-day workweek by extending their workday to 10-hour days.
St. Olaf College Establishes Bike Share Program
St. Olaf College (MN) has established a bike-share program on campus. "Green Bike" features a fleet of 50 bicycles parked across campus for use by members of the campus community. The free program aims to reduce the number of times people use automobiles to get across campus or into the town.
Texas Tech Establishes Modified Work Schedule to Save Energy
Texas Tech has instituted a summertime modified work schedule aimed at reducing the amount of energy used on campus. Tech employees who do not work in offices that routinely interact with the public have the option of working from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 30-minute break for lunch, according to a Tech announcement; all other employees will retain the normal 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday schedule. The modified schedule allows for the university cooling system to run fewer hours during the day, resulting in reduced energy use and cost. The schedule adjustment also reduces the amount of time employees spend in traffic during rush hour.
U New Mexico Purchases 4 Biodiesel Buses
The University of New Mexico has added four new biodiesel buses to its fleet. All of the campus's large shuttles are now run on biodiesel or compressed natural gas.
NAU Purchases Electric Forklift, Switches to Greener Products
Northern Arizona University recently purchased an electric forklift to replace its propane-fueled forklift. The new purchase is part of NAU's effort to promote accountable and innovative sustainable practices in its day-to-day operations. The University is also transitioning to 100 percent recycled, Green Seal Certified paper products, recycled trash can liners, compact fluorescent lights bulbs, and Green Seal Certified cleaning products whenever possible. Additionally, NAU is planning to purchase a hybrid, diesel, or electric box delivery truck to replace its gasoline vehicle in the future.
Carleton College Purchases 2 Hybrids
Carleton College (MN) recently purchased two new hybrid cars, replacing two older non-hybrids in the campus fleet. The decision to purchase the hybrid vehicles came after an extensive study of the College’s fleet fuel consumption and expenses. The study found that upgrading cars that were already due for replacement to hybrids would be an efficient and cost effective decision.
Evergreen State College Purchases Electric Vehicle
Evergreen State College (WA) recently purchased a street-legal electric vehicle and has plans to purchase four more by the end of June. The additional electric cars will be financed in part with a grant from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency.
UW Green Bay to Pilot Universal Bus Pass
The University of Wisconsin, Green Bay recently partnered with the city to allow students to ride city buses for free. A student-led initiative led the Green Bay Transit Commission to approve the pilot program, called U-Pass, which gives students, faculty, and staff free rides just by showing a campus ID. The pilot program will run July 1 through June 30. If U-Pass continues after the pilot program, a less than $3 per student per semester student fee and a parking pass fee increase would cover the costs required by Green Bay Metro to implement the program.
Western Carolina U, Florida Intl U Pilot 4-day Work Week
Western Carolina University and Florida International University will offer a four 10-hour day work week to its employees for the summer. The initiative aims to reduce weekly driving time, the cost of lighting and air-conditioning, and CO2 emissions.
Augsburg Launches Bike Share Program
Augsburg College (MN) recently launched a new bike share program on campus. The program gives students, staff, and faculty the chance to check out a bike for personal use, free of charge. Augsburg faculty and staff donated some of the bikes for the program, but most came from a local bike shop.
Washington U in St. Louis to Offer Occasional Parking Program
Washington University in St. Louis (MO) recently announced that they will debut the Occasional Parking Program starting in the Fall of 2008. The program is designed to provide an occasional, reduced-cost daily parking option for those who normally use an alternate mode (walk, bike, public transit and carpool) for their commute. The Occasional Parking Program will make a set number of discounted daily passes available annually for purchase by individuals enrolled in the program. WUSTL also offers a car sharing program, and provides each benefits-eligible employee and full-time student with a complimentary U-Pass, which allows the holder unlimited use of Metro buses and MetroLink as an alternative method of transportation to and from campus.
Westminster College Launches Bike Share Program
Westminster College (UT) recently launched a pilot bike share program. Westminster purchased five lavender bikes that have been made available for check out to all college students, faculty, and staff. The program is a result of a donation made by Chevron.
Ball State U Student Wins Electric Car for University
Ball State University (IN) student Jagjeet Singh Chahal recently won a $1,000 scholarship and a Miles electric vehicle for BSU for the Miles Revolution Video Contest. Chahal's video garnered the most views of any entrant with over 24,000 views on YouTube. The goal of the contest was to engage students in their institution's sustainability efforts and promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles on university campuses nationwide.
Ohio State U Launches Bike Share Program
Ohio State University recently launched Buckeye Bikes, a new reservation program that allows students, faculty, and staff to reserve bicycles for free. Bikes are permitted to be on loan for up to 48 hours. The new program offers 20 bicycles that were donated by Schwinn.
St. Cloud State U to Launch Yellow Bikes Program
St. Cloud State University (MN) recently announced that it will launch the Yellow Bike Program on campus. The St. Cloud community has been donating bikes to the program and volunteers have been repairing the bikes and painting them yellow. The Yellow Bike Program is a bike sharing program that makes bikes available to the community at no cost or for a small fee.
U Minnesota Morris Purchases Electric Vehicle
The University of Minnesota, Morris recently purchased a Zero Emissions Vehicle, or ZEV, for the campus' plant services work fleet. Plant services sold its gas powered vehicle to purchase the $12,500 electric vehicle. The ZEV is expected to require 90 percent less maintenance than a normal gas powered automobile.
U Michigan Launches Carpool Program
The University of Michigan recently launched GreenRide, a Web-based, geographic information system ride-matching application. GreenRide helps a potential carpooler or vanpooler find ride-sharing partners by searching for other UM staff who live close by or on the commute route and who have similar work schedules. Participants will get a map of the general area showing potential ride matches near them and along their commute route, and it calculates potential fuel savings for the carpool or vanpool. Additionally, effective July 1, the University's Carpool Program will allow fellow carpoolers to split the cost of one parking permit using payroll deduction. For a fee, carpoolers will be able to request a reserved parking space. New University carpoolers will get a 10-percent reduction in the shared parking permit fee for the first six months of the program and they will be entered in weekly drawings for $25 gas card prizes.
2 Universities Receive 2008 National Transit Award
The Federal Transit Administration recently awarded 10 U.S. transit systems with the Success in Enhancing Ridership Award. Among the winners were the University of New Hampshire-Wildcat Transit and city of Macomb-Go West Transit, which is a partnership between Western Illinois University and the City of Macomb. The awards recognized transit providers who tried fresh approaches to boost their ridership between the years of 2005 and 2006. The two-year period allowed enough time to implement the new strategies and then measure the results. In addition to netting more passengers, the new techniques also had the potential to be successfully implemented by other transit systems. Wildcat Transit was cited for using better traveler information, nicer bus shelters with solar power lighting, and new biodiesel transit buses, which helped increase ridership by 21 percent. Macomb-Go West Transit was recognized for increasing their ridership by 22 percent by revising their fare structure, advertising, and partnering with Western Illinois University.
Eastern Illinois U to Purchase Electric Vehicles
Eastern Illinois University plans to replace about six of its gas-powered minivans with small electric vehicles. These electric vehicles can be recharged within one hour and can travel up to 30-40 miles at a time. The University has already purchased one six-seat electric vehicle for the campus.
Utah State University Unveils Covered Bike Parking
Utah State University recently unveiled a new covered bike parking structure on campus. The ceremony commemorated the Utah State and Aggie Blue Bikes, a 90 bicycle program that provides bike rentals for up to one full semester. The structure, although finished in November, has been out of use until recently because of the weather.
U Wisconsin-Stout Purchases Electric Vehicle
The University of Wisconsin-Stout recently purchased a zero-emission, no noise electric vehicle. The ZENN car will be used by Parking Services for security and safety patrol of campus parking lots.
Farmingdale State C Purchases 6 Electric Vehicles
Farmingdale State College (NY) recently purchased six all electric vehicles to be used by the physical plant staff. The College plans to replace their older fleet vehicles with electric automobiles later this year and hopes to test an electric truck as well.
Macalester C Subsidizes Bus Passes
Macalester College (MN) is offering a 50% discount on bus passes to faculty, students, and staff. The goal of the initiative is to encourage the Macalester community to use public transportation in order to reduce carbon emissions.
U Puget Sound Offers Free Bus Passes
The University of Puget Sound's (WA) Transportation Task Force recently announced that it is distributing 75 free bus passes to members of the campus community in an effort to promote alternative transportation methods. The passes are available from February to April for three local bus lines. In exchange for the passes, commuters will share their bus-riding adventures via a blog for the duration of the program. The program is the result of a funding from the University's Sustainability Advisory Committee to purchase bus passes for faculty, staff, or students. One local transit operator, Pierce Transit, donated a matching number of passes to expand the program.
Gallaudet U Offers Car Share Program
Gallaudet University (DC) recently started a car share program for its campus. The program, which will be available to community members as well, is a result of a request made by the Green Gallaudet student organization and was implemented by the executive director of business and support services. The car share program will be run by Zipcar.
Louisiana State U Expands Bike Share Program
The Louisiana State University Environmental Conservation Organization recently added 20 bikes to the campus bike-share program called Gold Bike, which started in 2007 with a fleet of 8 bicycles. All bikes used in the initiative are second-hand and painted gold to keep the bikes from being stolen.
Ripon College to Give Free Bikes to First Year Students
Ripon College (WI) recently announced that it will give a free bike, helmet, and bike lock to the first 200 incoming freshman who agree to leave their cars at home for the first year. Student must sign an honor code in order to receive the $400 worth of equipment. The program, called the Ripon Velorution Project, was created to address problems such as fuel consumption, pollution, traffic congestion and parking limitations on campus. The project was made possible by college donors, trustees, alumni, a local lock company, and a local bicycle corporation.
U Calgary to Offer Car Share Program
The University of Calgary recently announced that it will soon implement a car share program on campus. The program is a result of a partnership between UC and the Calgary Alternative Transportation Co-operative, a local car-share company.
U New Mexico Partners with Car Share Program
The University of New Mexico Department of Parking and Transportation Services recently announced an agreement with Zipcar, a national car-sharing service, to provide vehicles to students, staff, faculty and members of the Albuquerque community who are members of Zipcar. Five vehicles will be located throughout campus and will be available at hourly and daily rates.
U Penn Launches Car Share Program
The University of Pennsylvania is launching a car sharing program which will include 40 vehicles and a Penn Sustainability Fund for special environmental projects. Officials say that this is the largest university car sharing program in the North America. The program, supported by PhillyCarShare, will be available to the University's faculty, staff, and students, age 18 and above.
Washington U in St. Louis Offers Hybrid-Only Car Share Program
Washington University in St. Louis (MO) recently introduced WeCar, a car sharing program that will exclusively utilize hybrid vehicles. Under the program, Enterprise Rent-A-Car will make 6 hybrid vehicles available to rent on an hourly basis by faculty, staff, and students over age 18.
Western Kentucky U Initiates Bike Share Program
Western Kentucky University has initiated Big Red's Bikes, a bike sharing program that was started by an on-campus student organization called GreenToppers. The program features bicycles that were refurbished through the donation of old bikes, chains, tires, tubes, and locks.
U Central Oklahoma Introduces Bike Share Program
The University of Central Oklahoma recently launched its "Bum-A-Bike" initiative, a program which allows UCO students, faculty, and staff to check out bikes free of charge for up to two weeks with a campus ID. The program was initiated when the manager of a local restaurant donated 10 bicycles to the University.
