Transportation to Local Community Sites (Driving Distance):

NOTE:

This page provides basic information for faculty who need to have their students travel to community sites for service-learning projects or community-based research. It is simply an outline and should be considered advice to get you started. UVM's Risk Management web site has a page dedicated to "Field Trip Guidelines;" this is a great place to go for more extensive information on policies: http://www.uvm.edu/~riskmgmt/?Page=guidelines/fieldtrip.html&SM=guidelines/riskreduxguidelines_submenu.html

You should also visit the Vehicle Safety Section of this website for important information about safety and risk management. http://www.uvm.edu/~riskmgmt/?Page=vehiclesafety/vehiclesafety.html&SM=vehiclesafety/vehiclesafety_submenu.html

TOP 5 QUESTIONS ASKED (and answered!!)

1. How should we get there?
   1. The preferred form of transportation for all off-campus excursions is by University owned or leased vehicle. The first thing a faculty member should do is look into options for university sanctioned transportation options (see below).
      
      
   2. The use of your personal vehicles is discouraged. If using your own vehicle seems absolutely necessary you must show proof of a valid drivers license, insurance, and sign an alternative transportation waiver. It is important to keep in mind that if you do use your personal vehicle you will not be covered by UVM's insurance policy in the case of an accident.
      
      (This same suggestion applies when students are traveling on their own for service-learning and community projects; it is good practice to first offer to arrange a university vehicle then, if it does not seem feasible, collect information on valid drivers’ licenses and insurance and have them sign a waiver before they drive).
      
      
   3. For local sites (within Chittenden County) also remember that anyone with a UVM ID can ride CCTA busses for free; this is good information to give to your students.
      
      
2. Where do I find University sanctioned transportation?
   

   1. The Student Government Association rents six 12-passenger vans and a pick-up truck. Academic departments can reserve them 10 days in advance of the rental and student groups can reserve up to 4 weeks, so on weekends can be difficulty to secure SGA vans. During the summer, however, the vans are almost never used by clubs and become more available. The vans cost $100/van/day and are parked at the Gutterson Parking Garage. This includes insurance through the University. If anything were to happen, it is covered except for a deductible, for which the renting department is responsible. Vans come with a full tank of gas, and renters are responsible for returning them full. The renters must have drivers who are certified through Risk Management. This means they have taken a class on driver safety and need to follow all of the policies that Risk Management issues.
      ~Contact Jessica Lavery, Office Coordinator, Student Government Association at (802)656-7739 or jlavery@uvm.edu, to submit a form to reserve the van.

   2. For small groups (cars or vans) the University has a pricing contract with Thrifty for automobile rental.  Information about this contract can be found at: http://www.uvm.edu/~procure/?Page=thrifty.htm. For example, a one-day rental of a twelve passenger van would likely cost around $125
      UVM Rental Center, 622 Main St.
      656-8650, Dave Torrey
      Dave.Torrey@dtag.com
      

   3. Some university departments have their own designated departmental vehicles that can be checked out by faculty, staff, or students. Check with your own department to see if that is a possibility and ask to see their vehicle use guidelines.
      
      

Who can drive?

2. 1. To drive a University vehicle you must be certified through the driver safety program offered by Risk Management. The driver safety program includes a DMV check of your driving background (can take up to 10 business days) as well as a 2 hour driver safety lesson that can be done in a class setting or on your own through a CD-Rom; to schedule a driver safety session call risk management at 656-3242. Information can be found online at: http://www.uvm.edu/~riskmgmt/?Page=vehiclesafety/drivertraining.html&SM=vehiclesafety/vehiclesafety_submenu.html
      
      
   2. Drivers must be 18 years old and be in possession of a valid Canadian or US drivers license.
      
      
3. What are the safety and risk management guidelines around driving?
   
   
   1. Visit the risk management Vehicle Safety guidelines for up to date rules and recommendations around things like safety, insurance, good driving practices, and rules around passenger vans: http://www.uvm.edu/~riskmgmt/?Page=vehiclesafety/vehiclesafety.html&SM=vehiclesafety/vehiclesafety_submenu.html
      
      
4. What do I do if I get into an accident?
   
   
   1. Before you go, print out a copy of the Automobile Accident Claim guidelines from Risk Management to take with you; they outline the procedures that should be followed in case of an accident: http://www.uvm.edu/~riskmgmt/?Page=vehiclesafety/vehiclesafety.html&SM=vehiclesafety/vehiclesafety_submenu.html

Transportation to Sites not in Driving Distance:

For international service-learning or domestic sites not in driving distance, we recommend you contact the Office of International Education or the Continuing Education Office at UVM. They have experience in coordinating this kind of travel. Visit our "Guide to International Service-Learning" to learn more about the roles these offices play in coordinating travel-study service-learning.

Last modified October 19 2010 02:01 PM