The Action Steps in this section work toward the established Goals for the Travel, Fleet, & Commuting topic area:
Reduce campus travel emissions through behavioral and offsetting efforts by at least 50% relative to 2018 baseline
Reduce net campus fleet emissions by at least 20% relative to a 2018 baseline
Increase share of Vassar faculty, staff, and administrators choosing sustainable commuting methods (i.e. not single-occupancy combustion-based vehicle) to at least 50%
The Office of Sustainability will assess current sponsored travel at Vassar, focusing on flights within the Northeast and along major rail corridors to identify opportunities to migrate to more sustainable modes of commuting.
Description:
The Office of Sustainability will assess current sponsored travel at Vassar, focusing on flights within the Northeast and along major rail corridors to identify opportunities to migrate to more sustainable modes of commuting.
CAP Goal Supported:
TFC-A (Campus Travel Emissions Reduction)
Resources Required:
Staff and intern labor will be required to complete the assessment. No direct financial cost is anticipated.
Analysis:
Conducting a comprehensive audit of all sponsored travel is labor-intensive but will provide valuable baseline data for future carbon reduction efforts. Once the assessment is complete, a separate informational campaign should be developed to educate travelers on more environmentally conscious alternatives to flight.
The Office of Sustainability will partner with Facilities Operations and Safety & Security to support greener commuting opportunities. These may include carpooling incentive programs, a vanpool service to and from the Poughkeepsie Train Station during the highest demand times, and expanded Electric Vehicle infrastructure.
Description:
The Office of Sustainability will partner with Facilities Operations and Safety & Security to support greener commuting opportunities. These may include carpooling incentive programs, a vanpool service to and from the Poughkeepsie Train Station during the highest demand times, and expanded Electric Vehicle infrastructure.
CAP Goal Supported:
TFC-B (Sustainable Commuting Growth)
Resources Required:
The vast majority of the resources required to expand existing infrastructure for sustainable commuting can be funded in part or in full by external grants and existing Vassar resources.
Analysis:
The specific programs undertaken to support sustainable commuting will vary depending on interest and participation from campus community members. Ultimately, expanding sustainable commuting infrastructure not only reduces Vassar’s carbon footprint. It also enhances the quality of life for current students and employees.
Facilities Operations and Safety & Security will begin a pilot program of migrating existing campus fleet vehicles and grounds equipment from combustion-based to electric through asset renewal and attrition. This pilot will seek to evaluate the suitability of electric vehicles for various use cases.
Description:
Facilities Operations and Safety & Security will begin a pilot program of migrating existing campus fleet vehicles and grounds equipment from combustion-based to electric through asset renewal and attrition. This pilot will seek to evaluate the suitability of electric vehicles for various use cases.
CAP Goal Supported:
TFC-B (Campus Fleet Emissions Reduction)
Resources Required:
This Action Step can be financially supported through a combination of external grants and the existing asset renewal process.
Analysis:
Existing gas-powered vehicles in Vassar’s fleet range from 15-passenger vans to lawnmowers. Before committing to large-scale electrification of the fleet, Vassar will need to work with individual departments to pilot different solutions.
Vassar will expand existing campus path infrastructure to work toward providing a single shared-use path that ultimately provides a direct connection between the Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve and the Rail Trail.
Description:
Vassar will expand existing campus path infrastructure to work toward providing a single shared-use path that ultimately provides a direct connection between the Vassar Farm & Ecological Preserve and the Rail Trail.
CAP Goal Supported:
TFC-C (Sustainable Commuting Growth)
Resources Required:
Substantial financial investment, to be funded through a combination of existing resources, outside grants, and donor contributions.
Analysis:
In addition to enhancing support for sustainable commuting, a shared-use path across campus provides a substantial benefit to runners, cyclists, and members of the local community.
Implementing this step will require substantial resources and stakeholder involvement. A separate task force or working group should be established to address the issue once Vassar can safely welcome off-campus visitors back to campus.
A team including representatives from the Office of the Dean of the Faculty and the Office of Sustainability will examine the costs, benefits, and feasibility of developing incentives and opportunities for faculty to supplement their professional development and research through remote opportunities that do not require travel.
Description:
A team including representatives from the Office of the Dean of the Faculty and the Office of Sustainability will examine the costs, benefits, and feasibility of developing incentives and opportunities for faculty to supplement their professional development and research through remote opportunities that do not require travel.
CAP Goal Supported:
TFC-A (Campus Travel Emissions Reduction)
Resources Required:
To be determined. Some staff time from faculty and administrators will be required to develop the study and draft recommendations for action.
Analysis:
The current global pandemic has forced opportunities for professional development and scholarly collaboration to primarily occur virtually. In the coming years, as the world transitions away from travel restrictions and in-person gatherings can occur safely once more, the College should evaluate what opportunities that used to be solely in-person could transition to virtual platforms instead.
This specific Action Step focuses on offering incentives and additional opportunities for remote professional development and collaboration, not reducing opportunities for faculty, staff, and administrators to travel.