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With the publication of the College Sustainability Report Card 2010, more than 1,100 school survey responses from over 300 institutions are now available online. In total, these surveys offer more than 10,000 pages of data collected from colleges and universities during the summer of 2009. To access surveys from other schools, go to the surveys section of the website. To see grades, or to access additional surveys submitted by this school, please click the "Back to Report Card" link at the beginning or end of the survey.
Name: Jim Brassord
Title: Director of Facilities & Associate Treasurer for Campus Services
Date survey submitted: July 21, 2009
ADMINISTRATION
SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES
1) Does your school have its own formal sustainability policy?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe and provide URL, if available: Amherst identifies sustainability as the core principle that directs all of its operations, from food served to vehicles driven. URL: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/greenamherst/node/9786
2) Has the president of your institution signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes. If completed, please provide the date the GHG Report was submitted to the ACUPCC:
3) Has your institution signed the Talloires Declaration?
[ X ] No
[ ] Yes
4) Is there a sustainability component in your institution's master plan and/or strategic plan (check all that apply)?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes, in the master plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
[ ] Yes, in the strategic plan. Please describe and provide URL, if available:
ADVISORY COUNCIL
5) Does your school have a council or committee that advises on and/or implements policies and programs related to sustainability?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes
If you answered "No" to question 5, please proceed directly to question 11.
6) Please provide the name of the committee and list the number of meetings held since August 2008. (Committee #1)
Name: Green Campus Advisory Committee
Number of meetings: 1 plus numerous sub-committee meetings, e.g. energy conservation, education and awareness, recycling, etc. Number of GCAC meetings curtailed this year due to focus on the financial crisis. Main committee projected to be much more active next year:
This committee advises the College’s administration on sustainability strategies and initiatives.
7) Please provide number of stakeholder representatives on the committee.
[# 2 ] Administrators
[# 3 ] Faculty
[# 2] Staff
[# 3 ] Students
[# ] Other. Please describe:
8) Please provide the name of the chair(s) of the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year, and indicate which stakeholder group the chair(s) represents. Chair will be same as this year
If 2009-2010 academic year information is not yet available, please provide information for 2008-2009 instead.
Name of chair(s): Jim Brassord, Director of Facilities/Associate Treasurer for Campus Services
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student):
9) To whom does the committee report (e.g., president, vice president)?
President and Dean of Faculty
10) Please list key issues/programs that the committee has addressed or implemented since August 2008.
Key issues/programs that the group has addressed/implemented since August 2008: numerous energy conservation projects, adoption of climate standards for campus buildings, initiation of a composting program, oversight of green design features in major renovations of College buildings.
2008. (Committee #2)
Name: Sanctuary Stewardship Committee
Number of meetings: 2
This committee oversees the Colleges undeveloped land holdings (approx 1000 acres) that are in preservation status to ensure that they are managed and maintained in an ecologically responsible and sustainable manner.
7) Please provide number of stakeholder representatives on the committee.
[# 2 ] Administrators
[# 3 ] Faculty
[# 2] Staff
[# 1 ] Students
[# ] Other. Please describe:
8) Please provide the name of the chair(s) of the committee for the 2009-2010 academic year, and indicate which stakeholder group the chair(s) represents. Chair will be same as last year.
If 2009-2010 academic year information is not yet available, please provide information for 2008-2009 instead.
Name of chair(s): Jim Brassord, Director of Facilities/Associate Treasurer for Campus Services
Position(s) (e.g., administrator, faculty, staff, student):
9) To whom does the committee report (e.g., president, vice president)?
President and Dean of Faculty
10) Please list key issues/programs that the committee has addressed or implemented since August 2008.
Key issues/programs that the group has addressed/implemented since August 2008: Wildlife survey and population counts, identification and removal of invasive species, protection of endangered woodland turtle mating zones, identification and removal of a toxic fungus attacking stands of pines, construction of trail bog bridges to protect wetlands and habitat.
Progress made on each of these issues since August 2008:
SUSTAINABILITY STAFF
11) Does your school employ sustainability staff (excluding student employees and interns)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide titles and number of sustainability staff. Recycling Manager and an Energy Manager (2 staff total)
[# ] Number of full-time staff (in FTE). Titles: []
[# 2, 1 FTE equivalent ] Number of part-time staff (in FTE). Titles: [ see above ]
12) Does the head of the sustainability staff report directly to the president or another high-level administrator (e.g., vice president, vice chancellor)?
[ ] N/A
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe: The sustainability program is the responsibility of the Director of Facilities/Associate Treasurer for Campus Services. This position reports directly to the Treasurer of the College
OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT
13) Does your school have an office or department specifically dedicated to furthering sustainability on campus?
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe (including name of office or department and year created):
WEBSITE
14) Does your school have a website detailing its sustainability initiatives?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide URL: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/greenamherst
GREEN PURCHASING
15) Does your school have a formal green purchasing policy?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to full policy, if available: Amherst's green purchasing policy pertains largely to cleaning products. The college does not use any aerosol sprays, and dry cell batteries are used in all battery-powered equipment. Amherst's automotive shop uses a highly concentrated citrus degreaser free of petroleum distillates and chlorinated solvents, making it safer for the staff who use it and the community as a whole. URL: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/greenamherst/cleaning
16) Does your school purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products?
[ ] No
[ X] Some. Please describe: all appliances purchased for capital projects are energy star rated. In addition, replacement appliances for dorms are energy star rated
[ ] All
17) Does your school purchase environmentally preferable paper products (e.g., 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Some. Please describe: yes, the college purchases copy paper derived from recycled content
[ ] All. Please describe:
18) Does your school purchase Green Seal, Environmental Choice certified, or biorenewable cleaning products?
[ ] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ X] All. Please describe: All cleaning products are Green Seal certified with exception of a disinfectant that is occasionally used for high intensity “universal precaution cleaning” (blood borne pathogens)
19) Are your school's computer/electronics purchase decisions made in accordance with standards such as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Some. Please describe: all computers are purchased are rated EPEAT gold
[ ] All
20) Does your school use only pesticides that meet the standards for organic crop production set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Canadian Organic Standards (excluding on-campus farms)?
[ X] No
[ ] Some. Please describe:
[ ] All
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS INVENTORY
21) Has your school completed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] No.
[ ] In progress. Please describe status and provide estimated completion date:
[ X ] Yes. Please provide total annual GHG emissions (in metric tons of CO2e). Also, include the start date for each year as well as the URL to each inventory, if available online, or attach the document.
Current year.
2008: Link to inventory not found; however, Amherst's website states that Conor McDowell ('09) working as an intern for the Facilities Department in 2007completed a detailed greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2006, using the Clean Air - Cool Planet Emissions Inventory Calculator.
2007: not calculated yet—in transition due to installation of Co-gen plant
2006: 29,496 metric tons
2005:
COMMITMENT TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION
The purchase of carbon offsets does not count toward greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions for this indicator. They are counted in a subsequent indicator.
22) Has your school made a commitment to reducing GHG emissions by a specific amount?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details. The College is an active member in the Cities for Climate Protection organization and working through the Town of Amherst Energy Task Force we pledged to work towards reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 35% from 1997 levels
Reduction level: 35% target
Baseline year: 1997
Target date: 2009
If you answered only "No" or "In progress" to question 21, please now skip to question 27.
REALIZED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS
23) Has your school achieved a reduction in GHG emissions?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please list details. The College is continuously striving the reduce greenhouse gas emissions through policy change (Campus temp setpoints), optimizing building computer control algorithms, installing energy efficient lighting and motors, insulating envelopes of buildings, education of building occupants, purchasing renewable energy from the grid, installing solar hot water heaters, buying fuel efficient vehicles, burning bio fuels, renovating buildings, and constructing combined cycle cogeneration plants.
Percentage reduced: 20%
Baseline year: 1997
Date achieved: 2008 (short of 35% target stated above however if we normalize the data for increase in student enrollment and increase in college sq ft footprint we come closer to achieving the goal)
24) Please provide the total heating and cooling degree days averaged over the past three years.
Data on total degree heating and cooling days is available at: http://www.degreedays.net/. This information will be used to help reduce bias between schools in different climates.
Cooling degree days average over the past three years: 350
Heating degree days average over the past three years: 6764
25) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-thousand-square-foot basis for the past three years.
Per-Thousand-Square-Foot Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total maintained building space in thousands of square feet.
2008: .01163 metric tons per sf
2007:
2006: .01475 metric tons per sf
26) Please provide GHG emissions figures on a per-full-time-student basis for the past three years.
Per-Student Emissions = Total CO2e in metric tons / Total number of full-time enrolled students.
2008: 13.7 tons per student (approx 1700 students)
2007:
2006: 18.4 tons per student (approx 1600 students)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
27) What programs or technologies has your school implemented to improve energy efficiency (e.g., cogeneration plant, retrocommissioning of HVAC systems, performing system tune-ups, temperature setbacks)?
Amherst’s cogeneration plant has been designed to provide 67% of Amherst's annual electricity use and 50% of its peak use. The steam output from the plant should satisfy 30% of the College's heating needs, the rest of which will fulfilled by existing boilers.
During occupied hours, buildings are set to 68 degrees (+/- 2 degrees), and during unoccupied hours, the temperature is set back to 60 F in academic and administrative buildings and 64 F in dormitories. The College sets back temperatures to reduce financial, social, and environmental costs. For cooling, during occupied hours buildings are set at 76 F.
Vending misers: As of 2007, vending misers had been installed in 42 of the college's 100 vending machines. Plans were in the works for a second wave of installations. The vending misers would save the equivalent amount of energy as taking five cars off the road.
Variable Frequency Drives: All motors serving a variable load are outfitted with variable frequency drives.
Dining Hall Hood Controls: The fans in the kitchens of Valentine Dining Hall are designed to run only as fast as needed, rather than running at a fixed speed regardless of how much heat and smoke is in the kitchen.
Building control algorithm optimization and calibration program.
Lighting controls retrofits
Hot water hydronic loop temperature reset to match ambient air temperature differential.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
28) Do you facilitate programs that encourage members of the campus community to reduce energy use (e.g., cash incentives, signs reminding individuals to turn off lights and appliances)?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe: lightbulb amnesty program to turn in incandescent lights for CFL’s, energy competition for dorms, seminars on how to “green your office”, office sustainability audits, million monitor drive etc.
RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
29) Does your school generate renewable electricity?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please specify percentage of overall electricity generated from each of the following sources and describe details below. These are demonstration projects to create awareness with students, staff and faculty. % of generated energy is very low.
[ %] B100 biodiesel
[ %] Clean biomass
[ %] Concentrating solar power (CSP)
[ %] Geothermal
[ %] Low-impact hydropower
[ %] Solar photovoltaics: 5 photovoltaic cells on the roof of the Merrill Science Center
[ %] Wind: 1 Air-X wind turbine and on the roof of the Merrill Science Center
[ %] Other
Description:
30) Does your school have solar hot water systems?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please specify number of systems and total BTUs generated annually, if available: The college has four buildings that derive their domestic hot water from solar hot water systems: The President’s House, Facilities Admin Building, Mayo Smith Dormitory, and Hitchcock Dormitory.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PURCHASE
31) Has your school purchased electric energy from renewable sources or renewable energy credits (RECs)?
RECs and electricity from renewable sources must be Green-e certified or meet the requirements of the Green-e standard.
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe.
Date of most recent contract: Amherst College Renewable Energy website states that the college had signed a three-year agreement signed in December 2005. When that contract expired this year the College increased its commitment to renewable energy and now has an agreement to purchase REC carbon offsets for 3% of its electricity for each of the next three. The EPA has awarded the College with the Green Power Partner certification.
In addition, the college derived approximately 33% of it’s electricity from the grid with the balance supplied by the co-gen plant. We recently contracted to purchase this power from a supplier, Trans Canada, because such a high percentage of the power they generate, approximately 40%, for the grid is derived from renewable sources like hydro and wind
Quantity (kWh): 540,000 kwh per year
Percentage of your total electric energy use that it represents: 3%
32) Has your school purchased non-electric energy from renewable sources?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please describe. 11,000 gallons per year of bio-fuel to run all of the colleges grounds equipment.
Date of most recent contract: continuous use and purchase
Quantity (BTUs):
Percentage of your total non-electric energy use that it represents: relatively small %; however, very visible to community as all vehicles are prominently labeled as bio-fuel vehicles.
ON-SITE COMBUSTION
33) Please provide total BTUs of energy for heating and cooling from on-site combustion:
260,092 mmBTU for calendar year 2008
34) Please list each fuel source (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil) and the percent of overall BTUs derived from that source:
Natural Gas 49%
Oil 51%
35) Is any on-site combustion for heating and cooling derived from renewable sources?
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe.
Percentage on-site combustion derived from renewable sources: [ %]
Total BTUs of energy generated from renewable sources: [# ]
Description of renewable energy sources used for on-site combustion for heating and cooling:
FOOD & RECYCLING
The food portion of this category is covered in a separate dining survey.
RECYCLING OF TRADITIONAL MATERIALS
36) Please indicate which traditional materials your institution recycles (check all that apply).
[ ] None
[ x ] Aluminum
[ x ] Cardboard
[ x ] Glass
[ x ] Paper
[ ] Plastics (all)
[ x ] Plastics (some) recycles all resins of plastic bottles (#1-7) and plastic yogurt tubs. .
[ ] Other. Please list:
37) Diversion rate: [ 33 %] (basic recyclables only—does not include composting, landscape waste, electronics, etc)
For 2008, over 33% of the routine solid waste collected at Amherst was diverted for recycling (including routine trash and recyclables, paper, bottles & cans, and cardboard, but excluding food waste, construction & demolition materials, scrap metal, computers & electronics, landscaping wastes, and manure & bedding from the equestrian center).
RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC WASTE
38) Does your institution have an electronics recycling program?
[ ] No
[ x ] Yes. If available, please indicate the total annual weight or volume of each material collected for recycling or reuse.
[ x ] Batteries
[ x ] Cell phones
[ x ] Computers
[ x ] Lightbulbs
[ x ] Printer cartridges
[ X ] Other E-waste. Please list: In addition to recycling computers, Amherst recycles Televisions, other devices bearing Cathode Ray Tubes, and other related computer peripherals (sometimes referred to as breakage)
COMPOSTING (ASIDE FROM DINING FACILITIES)
39) What percentage of your campus's landscaping waste is composted or mulched?
[ 100 %]
All of the campus’s landscaping wastes are composted or used as mulch.
40) Do you provide composting receptacles around campus in locations other than dining halls (e.g., in residence halls, offices, academic buildings)?
[X ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
SOURCE REDUCTION
41) Do you have any source-reduction initiatives (e.g., end-of-semester furniture or clothing swaps and collections)?
[ ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
· Amherst has several initiatives to reduce the waste left behind by students. Amherst has an extensive program to collect donatable clothing, books, furniture, appliances and other items for recycling or donation to local charity. In addition to promoting end-of-year collection and donation programs, the College has at the same time been increasing it’s promotion of storage and shipping options as well in an effort to reduce the amount of waste left behind.
· The results of this decrease have been significant. Over the previous 4 fiscal years, Amherst discarded over 525 tons/year of routine trash (the trash from dumpsters around campus, excluding construction debris and bulky waste). This past fiscal year FY200809, that tonnage dropped to 455 tons/year, a 13% decrease in tonnage..
GREEN BUILDING
GREEN BUILDING POLICY
42) Does your school have a formal green building policy?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe policy and provide URL to the full policy, if available: Amherst has an extensive and specific Green Building Policy. URL: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/greenamherst/design_strategies/building_guidelines
GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS
43) Please indicate LEED-certified buildings.
[# 0 ] Total number of LEED-certified buildings.
[ sq ft] Certified-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Silver-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Gold-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
44) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED certification criteria but are not certified.
[# 5 ] Total number of buildings that meet LEED criteria
[ sq ft] Certified-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names: Earth Sciences, James, Stearns, King, Weiland approx 150,000 square feet.
[ sq ft] Silver-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Gold-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Platinum-level criteria met, but not certified (combined gross square footage). Please list building names:
45) Please indicate buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# 0 ] Total number of ENERGY STAR buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
RENOVATIONS AND RETROFITS
46) Please indicate LEED-EB certified buildings.
[# 0 ] Total number of LEED-EB certified buildings. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
47) Please indicate buildings that meet LEED-EB certification criteria but are not certified.
[# 0 ] Total number of buildings that meet LEED-EB criteria but are not certified. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
48) Please indicate renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled.
[# 0 ] Total number of renovated buildings that are ENERGY STAR labeled. Please list building names:
[ sq ft] Combined gross square footage.
49) What energy-efficiency technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., HVAC systems, motion sensors, ambient light sensors, T5 lighting, LED lighting, timers, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of maintained building space have been retrofitted with motion sensors; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
Upgrade to T-8 lamps—approx 75% of the campus
Motion Sensors—approximately 30 to 40% of the campus
Computerized, Automated building control—90% of all campus buildings
Ambient light sensors—approx 20%
50) What water-conservation technologies have you installed in existing buildings (e.g., low-flow faucets, low-flow showerheads, waterless urinals, dual-flush toilets, gray water systems, laundry technology)?
For each technology, please indicate the number and type of fixtures installed, and the number of buildings in which those fixtures are installed. If possible, include either the percentage of the overall campus fixtures each type represents or the percentage of overall maintained building space that has been renovated with the technology (e.g., 20 buildings representing 10 percent of the maintained building space have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets; thus, 10 percent of the total maintained building space in square feet would be the desired data).
Low flow shower head in all facilities.
Front load washers in all dorms
Low flow faucets in all buildings
Low volume flush toilets in approximate 60% of the campus.
51) What percentage of your institution's non-hazardous construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfills?
[ 100 %] All contruction and demolition waste sorted and recycled remotely at the locala Municiapal Recycling Facility.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES
52) Are there any sustainability-themed residential communities or housing options at your school?
[ x] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Name of program:
Type of community (e.g., hall, building, house):
Number of students involved:
Additional details:
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
53) Does a portion of your new student orientation specifically cover sustainability?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe how sustainability is incorporated (e.g., information sessions, green tour): Orientation includes talks on energy conservation and recycling
INTERNSHIPS/OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
54) Does your school offer on-campus office-based sustainability internships or jobs for students?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please provide number of students and average number of hours worked weekly per student: The College has provided funding for a paid summer internship focused on sustainability. In 2007 this internship worked to develop the GHG carbon inventory and in 2008 the Student worked with a local Environmental Education not for profit.
[# ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Unpaid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
55) Does your school have residence hall Eco-Reps or other similar programs to promote behavioral change on campus?
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please provide details below, and indicate URL if available:
[# ] Paid positions. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# ] Positions that award academic credit. Average hours worked weekly per student:
[# X] Uncompensated positions. Average hours worked weekly per student: pilot program launched in Freshman dorms 08/09. Eco reps focused on energy and promoted an energy competition. 09/10 eco-reps are planned in all campus dorms.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
56) Does your school have active student-run organizations devoted to sustainability efforts on campus?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide total number of active organizations, names of organizations, a brief description of each, and URLs, if available: Green Amherst Project; URL: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/studentgroups/greenproj
Organization focuses on advocacy, awareness and advising admin on sustainability strategies.
SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES AND COMPETITIONS
57) Does your school organize any sustainability challenges/competitions for your campus and/or with other colleges?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please list details for all competitions.
Name of competition: Million Monitor Drive, Light bulb Amnesty Day, Dormitory Energy Competions, Dormitory Recycling Competitions, National Recylamania competition.
mpetion.
Year initiated: 2005
Frequency of competition: once per year for each of the above
Participants: to broad based to estimate. Involves the whole campus
Incentives: Pizza parties, purchase of REC’s
Goal of competition: enhance student awareness and advocacy on these issues
Percent of energy/water/waste reduced:
Lasting effects of competition:
Website: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/greenamherst/awareness#Dorm%20Energy%20Competition
TRANSPORTATION
CAMPUS MOTOR FLEET
58) How many vehicles are in your institution's fleet?
[# approx 20 in the general campus fleet]
59) Please list the number of alternative-fuel vehicles in each class.
[# 4 ] Hybrid. Please list makes and models: Toyota Prius
[# 1 ] Electric. Please describe type of vehicles: electric police patrol motorcycle by Vectrix
[# 10 ] Biodiesel. Please describe type of vehicles and list biodiesel blend(s) used: Heavy diesel equipment, pick-ups, lawnmowers, and tractors. B-20
[# ] Other. Please describe:
60) What is the average GHG emission rate per passenger mile of your institution's motorized fleet?
[# ] pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per passenger mile traveled. Unknown
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
61) Does your school offer incentives for carpooling?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe details of the program including the type of the incentive and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students): Amherst has an account on the ride share website, ridebuzz. Available to anyone with an @amherst.edu email address.
62) Does your school offer public transportation subsidies?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please describe the program including the size of the discount (as a percent of full price) and eligible community members (e.g., faculty, staff, students): Community members with a valid Amherst College ID may ride free on PVTA routes serving the immediate Amherst area.
63) Does your school provide free transportation around campus?
[ ] N/A. Please explain: campus is small enough as to not warrant the need for motorized transportation. Safe rides program provided at night for students.
[ ] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe:
64) Does your school operate a free transportation shuttle to local off-campus destinations?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ X] No
[ ] Yes. Please describe: Not necessary because of the very convenient public transportation alternative that services off campus destinations.
BICYCLE PROGRAM
65) Does your school offer a bicycle-sharing/rental program or bicycle repair services?
[ x] No
[ ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created:
Number of bikes available:
Fees for participation:
Repair services provided:
CAR-SHARING PROGRAM
66) Does your school partner with a car-sharing program?
[ ] No
[ X ] Yes. Please provide details below.
Year created: 2006
Total number of vehicles: 4
Number of hybrid vehicles: 2
Fee for membership: $30
Amherst College was the first college in the country to offer Zip cars for student drivers from the ages of 18-21. We have over 350 student members and have reduced parking demand by over 100 spaces (approx 20%) as a result of Zip cars.
PLANNING
67) Does your school have policies that support a pedestrian-friendly or bike-friendly campus (e.g., in the school's master plan, a policy prohibiting vehicles from the center of campus)?
[ ] N/A. Please explain:
[ ] No
[ X] Yes. Please describe: Landscape master plan calls for extensive use of bicycle racks and promotes a pedestrian friendly walkable campus. Plan also calls for reduction of parking at center of campus. 2/3 of parking surrounding the historic main quad has been removed over the past 3 years.
68) What percentage of individuals commute to campus via environmentally preferable transportation (e.g., walking, bicycling, carpooling, using public transit)?
[ 15 %] estimated # based on observation and # of individuals that live proximate to campus or public transportation lines.
STATISTICS
69) Campus setting:
[ ] Rural
[ ] Suburban
[ ] Urban
[ X] Other. Please describe: College town with surrounding rural areas and open lands
70) Total number of buildings: [# 78 ]
71) Combined gross square footage of all buildings: [# ]
72) Full-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# 1700 ]
73) Part-time enrollment (undergraduate and graduate): [# N/A ]
74) Part-time enrollment as a proportion to a full-time course load: [# N/A ]
75) Percent of full-time students that live on campus: [ 98 %]
Questions 76-87 are for informational purposes only; responses will NOT be included in the Report Card evaluation process.
OTHER AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGAGEMENT
Please mark an "X" next to each item that applies to your institution.
76) Outdoors club: [ X]
77) Disposable water bottle ban: [ X]
78) Participation in Recyclemania: [ X]
79) Student trustee position: [ ]
80) Environmental science/studies major: [ X]
81) Environmental science/studies minor or concentration: [ X]
82) Graduate-level environmental program: [ ]
83) Student green fee: [ ]
84) Alumni green fund: [ ]
85) Revolving loan fund for sustainability projects: [ ]
86) Campus garden or farm: [ ]
87) Single-stream recycling: [ ]
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