Zipcar initiative shifts into high gear

By Jesus Diaz

Santa Clara students now have another option for transportation in the Bay Area with the official on-campus implementation of Zipcar, the car sharing and car club service.

Last Thursday, Santa Clara's Office of Student Life, partnered with Zipcar and the Office of Sustainability, presented the new program to the students in an event that featured CBS news and the two cars the university hired. The launching consisted of two tables -- one located in front of Donohoe Alumni House and another between Benson Memorial Center and the Harrington Learning Commons.

These tables were assisted by four Associated Student members, five sustainability interns and Zipcar employees. The event lasted from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and was organized to provide students, faculty and staff with information regarding the program and encourage online sign ups.

"This is a great program because students and faculty can rent a car without having to worry about gas, parking, maintenance and insurance," said junior sustainability intern Cara Uy, who was assisting at the launch. "Even though it doesn't directly apply to me as a junior, I am still considering joining just because it's so much easier than buying a car."

Many students gathered around the tables to ask questions about the program's cost, rules and other logistics.

"It's really cool to be able to get a car with a couple of buddies and take a road trip somewhere," said freshman Ben Knapp. "It's an awesome initiative and a sweet effort for our campus."

The event attracted mostly freshmen, who have limited access to cars on campus, and sophomore students as the program on campus welcomes those who are 18 and older, but also interested upperclassmen.

"It is very expensive to ship my car from Hawaii so I was very excited to hear that this was going on," said senior Kelsey Sadler who signed up. "I know upperclassmen who don't have cars and I think they can benefit from this too."

According to Zipcar, in order to rent a car, a student must first register online at Santa Clara's personalized Web site, www.Zipcar.com/scu. Eligible students are approved by Zipcar and receive an official membership card which would allow the student to rent out one of the two cars available on campus. Those 21 years old and older are also able to rent cars at Zipcar locations outside the university.

The cost to join varies by day with an $8 per hour or $66 per day fee on weekdays and a $9 per hour or $72 per day fee on weekends.

Fuel, along with 180 miles of driving, is included with the price. Miles surpassing the limit cost 45 cents each.

There is a one hour minimum or a four day maximum and a membership fee of $35 which is then applied as a credit towards the first month of membership.

"I think it's a good deal," said freshman Joseph Dickinson. "It doesn't seem expensive and it's definitely cheaper when you split it."

Said Sustainability Coordinator Lindsey Cromwell: "By having this new program, we are making it easier to not have a car. You can now go where public transportation might not have been able to take you before."

According to Cromwell, the implementation of Zipcar on campus will also further the university's initiative to become climate neutral by 2015.

Cromwell, along with the Office of Sustainability, wishes to make students more "conscious and deliberate when it comes to using a motor vehicle."

The two cars the university chose for the launching are Toyota models Scion and Prius.

The fuel-efficiency of the Toyota Scion and the hybrid technology of the Prius are seen as strong supports for sustainability.

"We are now the only Zipcar location in the South Bay Area," said Jeanne Rosenberger, vice provost for student life and dean of students.

According to Rosenberger, Stanford has Zipcars on its campus but there aren't any locations in the San Jose area.

"We expect that we will be popular to our own campus but to also other Zipcar members," Rosenberger said.

Hopes for the growth of this program on campus are expressed by the Office of Student Life.

"We will have presentations for student senate and we will also be involved in next year's summer orientation for incoming freshmen so this is a start of a cycle," said Matt Cameron, assistant vice provost for student life. "We're starting out with two and hopefully it will grow. Time will tell."

Contact Jesus Diaz at jadiaz@scu.edu or (408) 554-4546.