| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.20 |
| Liaison | Tori Grant |
| Submission Date | Dec. 21, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Calgary
OP-18: Support for Sustainable Transportation
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Kathy
Pham Co-Op Communications Coordinator OS |
Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:
Shower facilities for cyclists are located in the following buildings: Child Development Centre parkade level, Clinical Skills Building locker rooms, Energy Environment Experiential Learning basement, Kinesiology A locker rooms, and the Taylor Family Digital Library first floor (staff access only).
The Bike Root is a student-run bike shop on campus that is sponsored by the institution. The Bike Root provides tools, parts and training to members. They perform repairs on-site, provide a bicycle library, bike valet, and offer tune-up tent services on and off-campus.
The university’s Outdoor Centre offers cycling services including bicycle and bicycle accessory rentals, bicycle repairs and mountain biking courses.
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)?:
A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:
Bike racks are available outside major buildings on campus and often at multiple entrances. In 2016, the bike racks underwent upgrades and expansion.
Secure bicycle parking on the main UCalgary campus is available in the Arts Parkade, the largest parking lot on campus. Storage is also available within residence halls for residence students. The Foothills Campus courtyard has bike storage with a 255-capacity.
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?:
A brief description of the bicycle and pedestrian plan or policy:
The university’s 2016 Long Range Development Plan specifies current policy for developing bicycle and pedestrian access on campus. The principle of a pedestrian oriented campus is critical in creating a safe and energetic campus that integrates with the neighbouring communities. The pedestrian and bicycle pathway system welcomes pedestrians and cyclists to the campus, making their journey memorable as they interact with the unique places that speak to the campus origin and culture. This system will also be integrated with the larger city-wide system.
The pedestrian and bicycle pathway system allows for safer movement around the campus perimeter while encouraging the slower movement through the middle of campus. Pedestrian and bicycle pathways are supported by welcoming elements at the campus edges, well-lit, barrier free pathways and, where possible, sheltered from wind and weather. Landscape elements will consciously support a safe environment with clear lines of sight.
A strong pedestrian and bicycle pathways system encourages walking and the use of public transit, reducing our reliance on motorized vehicles. The campus pedestrian and bicycle pathway system includes both combined and separate pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.
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 is a student club on campus that is providing students, faculty and staff with access to sustainable alternative transportation in the form of a bike library. Rentals are available for low prices, with the support of funding from UCalgary’s Students’ Union.
Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
A brief description of the mass transit programs:
Since 2002, the University of Calgary has provided all full-time undergraduate and graduate students with the UPass. UPass holders have full access to available transit services during terms that they are enrolled in classes, which includes unlimited bus and C-Train travel. The UPass is funded in part through a compulsory fee for all full-time students in order to provide transit access to all students at a rate that is significantly lower (currently approximately a 70% discount) than regular price.
Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
A brief description of the guaranteed return trip program:
Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
A brief description of the carpool/vanpool 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?:
A brief description of the car sharing program:
UCalgary Parking and Transportation Services has partnered with Car2Go for its on-campus carshare program. This program provides all the benefits of having a vehicle without actually having to own one. Membership is open to anyone 19 years or older with three years of driving experience. Members have unlimited and unrestricted access to a fleet of 300 low-emission smart cars, eight of which will be on campus at all times. Gas, parking, maintenance and insurance are all included.
Users can find a car by using a smartphone app for either iPhone/iPad or Android, contacting the call center, or finding an available car parked on the street. Cars are returned to any location within the ‘Home Area’, which is 88 square kilometers in Calgary.
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:
Four electric vehicle charging stations are installed on the main university campus near the Energy Environment Experiential Learning (EEEL) building.
Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
A brief description of the telecommuting program:
Employees are able to request telecommuting in various faculties and departments across campus. Approval for telecommuting is confirmed individually by each department.
Does the institution offer a condensed work week option that reduces employee commuting (as a matter of policy or standard practice)?:
A brief description of the condensed work week option:
Informal and formal flexible work arrangements can be requested by full-time employees of the University of Calgary. An informal arrangement involves situational short-term changes in work hours or location. Informal work arrangements do not involve an application process and managers can make informal work decisions on an ad-hoc basis. A formal arrangement occurs when a staff member and a manager agree to implement a flexible option that is scheduled and more permanent in nature. A formal arrangement may involve approval processes with formal application and enrolment timelines.
The Summer Compressed Work Week arrangement is a scheduling arrangement that offers the option of working the equivalent of regular full-time work in fewer than the standard five (5) day work week during the July - August months. Staff members will work a 7.75 hour work day over a two (2) week period with a scheduled day off to be taken on either a Monday or Friday. Applications are reviewed by department managers before being submitted to the HR Services Team.
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:
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)?:
A brief description of other strategies to reduce the impact of commuting:
The Universal Pass Program (UPass) is a transit sticker applied to the University of Calgary Unicard. This program entitles full-time undergraduate and graduate students to unlimited access to transit services including light rail transit and an extensive bus system. The sticker is valid for one term at a time and is automatically renewed for full-time students. This program is offered at a 70% discounted cost as the result of a partnership between the university and Calgary transit.
Additionally, the university operates events such as Commuter Challenge in order to promote sustainable commuting to students, staff and faculty. During commuting events we educate stakeholders on the various low-impact commuting options available on campus.
The university enforces an idle-free policy across campus, in order to improve air quality and reduce emissions.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.