Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.07
Liaison Breeana Sylvas
Submission Date Feb. 25, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of California, Merced
OP-21: Support for Sustainable Transportation

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 2.00 Karin Groth
Director of Transportation
Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution provide secure bicycle storage (not including office space), shower facilities, and lockers for bicycle commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the facilities for bicycle commuters:

Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) offers bicycle racks in strategic locations throughout campus and storage facilities at Housing and Residential Life.


Does the institution provide short-term bicycle parking (e.g. racks) within 50 ft (15 m) of all occupied, non-residential buildings and make long-term bicycle storage available within 330 ft (100 m) of all residence halls (if applicable)?:
Yes

A brief description of the bicycle parking and storage facilities:

Bicycle racks located outside all residential and non-residential buildings. Long-term storage facilities located in two of campus residence halls.


Does the institution have a “complete streets” or bicycle accommodation policy (or adhere to a local community policy) and/or have a continuous network of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths and lanes?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle/pedestrian policy and/or network:

Although there is not a policy at this time, UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services collaborates with both the City of Merced and Merced County to assist with planning for bicycle pathways leading to the campus.


Does the institution have a bicycle-sharing program or participate in a local bicycle-sharing program?:
No

A brief description of the bicycle sharing program:
---

Is the institution certified as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists (U.S.) or under a similar third party certification covering non-motorized transportation?:
No

A brief description of the certification, including date certified and level:
---

Does the institution offer free or reduced price transit passes and/or operate a free campus shuttle for commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the mass transit program(s), including availability, participation levels, and specifics about discounts or subsidies offered (including pre-tax options):

UC Merced partners with our local transit authorities to provide scheduled transportation support for students, staff and faculty throughout Merced and to all major housing locations off-campus.


Does the institution offer a guaranteed return trip (GRT) program to regular users of alternative modes of transportation?:
Yes

A brief description of the GRT program:

For those participating in our Vanpool program, and have signed up for our Commuter Club, a GRT program is offered. For carpool participants, clean-air commuter cards are offered to support riders with extenuating circumstances.


Does the institution participate in a car/vanpool or ride sharing program and/or offer reduced parking fees or preferential parking for car/vanpoolers?:
Yes

A brief description of the carpool/vanpool program:

TAPS provides both vanpool and carpool programs. We offer dedicated spaces within our campus lots for those choosing alternative transportation options.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the car sharing program:

TAPS offers Zipcar as the campus car sharing program, which is accessible to students, staff and faculty. Our campus offers 3 dedicated vehicles and 3 spaces 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for reservations to the program.


Does the institution have one or more Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle recharging stations that are accessible to student and employee commuters?:
Yes

A brief description of the electric vehicle recharging stations:

TAPS provides two Level 2 charging stations and four Level 1 stations. TAPS has submitted application for funding to increase the number of Level 2 stations offered at UC Merced.


Does the institution offer a telecommuting program for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the telecommuting program:

UC Merced standard practice is to offer telecommuting opportunities authorized through administration, and to continue offering flexible scheduling to accommodate staff and faculty needs.

Please see: https://policies.ucmerced.edu/sites/policies.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/telecommuting_policy.pdf


Does the institution offer a condensed work week option for employees as a matter of policy or as standard practice?:
Yes

A brief description of the condensed work week program:

The most common types of compressed workweek are:
4/10 schedule (four 10-hour days per week).
9/80 schedule (80 hours in a two week period worked over nine days instead of ten).

Compressed workweek is intended to create flexible conditions that help employees integrate their work and personal lives more effectively and better manage issues such as commuting, caregiving, continuing education, and community service. Successful compressed workweek arrangements serve the needs both of individual employees and their work unit/departments. The focus of the arrangement is on job performance and meeting operational needs. A written agreement clarifying both parties’ expectations is required.

Please see:
http://hr.ucmerced.edu/talent-acquisition/workplace-flexibility


Does the institution have incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus?:
No

A brief description of the incentives or programs to encourage employees to live close to campus:

Our campus is remote – at this time, no incentive or programs exist due to our location.


Does the institution have other incentives or programs to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation and reduce the impact of student and employee commuting?:
Yes

A brief description of other sustainable transportation initiatives and programs:

TAPS continues to provide alternative fuel options for both our fleet vehicles and the transit systems we use (i.e. natural gas, electric vehicles, hybrids). We utilize solar meters in our high-mobility lot to encourage short-term visitor parking with zero energy consumption. Our campus is an active member of the Commute Connection Program, which offers additional incentives and subsidies for those choosing alternative and sustainable transportation options. TAPS is also working diligently, in partnership with the City of Merced to provide a transportation hub (park and ride) located in a major off-campus student housing location.


The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable transportation program(s) is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Additional website: http://www.commuteconnection.com


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.