| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 80.87 |
| Liaison | Megan Butler |
| Submission Date | Jan. 26, 2024 |
Macalester College
OP-17: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Megan
Butler Sustainability Director Sustainability |
Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
The Bike Share offers bikes from the Library circulation desk and the Sustainability Office employs a team of student bike mechanics to administer and maintain the program. Sustainability office mechanics also host weekly bike shop open hours during which students can bring their bikes in for help with maintenance problems. The Sustainability Office began offering a semester-long bike rental program in 2021 and in 2022 shifted away from the semester-long bike rental program into a personal bike program. As part of the personal bike program Macalester as partnered with a local non-profit bike shop, Express bike, to provide used bikes to students based upon need. The bikes are given to students without expectation of having them returned.
Does the institution participate in a car sharing program?:
A brief description of the car sharing program:
The Macalester College High Winds Fund supports an HOURCAR hub at the multi-modal transit hub in close proximity to campus. They support the hub through cash grants for the purchase vehicles and through reserved parking stalls for the vehicles in the pool. Individuals or Macalester College Departments can also sign up for a departmental membership to the car sharing program. The Civic Engagement Center is an example of a department that extensively uses the departmental membership.
In addition, the Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis have partnered the local electric utility and hourcar to offer an electric vehicle rental program with cubride charging stations throughout the Twin Cities metro including at Macalester
Does the institution offer preferential parking or other incentives for fuel efficient vehicles?:
A brief description of the incentives for fuel efficient vehicles:
Macalester offers preferential parking to low emitting vehicles and carpools, drivers of which must apply for a separate parking permit to display on their window in order to use the designated spots. There are 17 preferential spots for low emissions/carpool vehicles in each of the main parking lots on campus. There are an additional there electric vehicle charging spots located adjacent to the preferential spots.
Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:
Macalester has two Level 2 7 kWh electric vehicle ports and one Level 3 port that supports CHAdeMO or CCS open to Macalester students, faculty, and staff as well as the public. The college is also currently in the process of installing additional ports.
Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:
The “Walk to Work” Program, funded by Macalester’s High Winds Fund, provides financial assistance for faculty and staff members to purchase homes within one mile of campus. Those who participate in the program receive “fix up” matching grants up to $4,500 for home improvement projects.
Macalester maintains four housing units and 29 apartments within a quarter mile radius of the College, through the High Winds Fund. These are available to all existing and new staff and faculty. This service has been provided for the past 56 years and we have found that the temporary, college-owned housing nearby more often than not convinces new staff and faculty to purchase permanent housing nearby.
Lastly, the High Winds Fund also provides housing information services on rental and purchase opportunities within 1 mile of campus. In addition, the College has funded car-sharing and bike-sharing hubs on campus to make living close to campus even easier.
Does the institution have other programs or initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and/or reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
A brief description of other programs or initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and/or reduce the impact of student and employee commuting:
Preferred parking is available for eligible low-emitting and electric vehicles and carpools or vanpools.
Website URL where information about the institution’s support for sustainable transportation is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.