Transportation Support for Civic Education and Innovation (CEI) Activities

The CLS offers transportation assistance to help you participate in Civic Education and Innovation (CEI) activities. Explore the information below to learn about available options, eligibility requirements, and how to request support. After reviewing your options, fill out the application at the bottom of this page.

To explore options for transportation NOT related to CEI activities please visit: FM Transportation Page

IMPORTANT: Applications for CEI transportation assistance must be made 5 BUSINESS days prior to your trip.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for CEI transportation funding and logistical support, you must:

  • Be a faculty member teaching a community engaged class, OR
  • Be a current degree-seeking student at Grinnell College; AND
    1. Be traveling for a civic, service, or community engaged class purpose; AND
    2. Receive the stated support of one of the Civic Education and Innovation staff members; AND
    3. Be traveling to a location that is not easily walkable; AND
    4. Be traveling in a group of 2 or more.
      • Extenuating circumstances may be considered.  If one person will be traveling alone or the location is nearby, prior approval must be obtained from a member of the CLS Civic Education & Innovation staff​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Vehicles used are part of the College’s carpool fleet. The CLS covers charges.

Options:

1. Enterprise Carshare Program

The College is partnering with Enterprise on a car share program. Faculty, staff, and students 18 and older are able to rent a car. Two cars are available in the parking lot east of Mears Cottage/Campus Safety. You must complete an Enterprise application in advance and pay a $25 membership fee (refunded on your first rental) to become a CarShare member. Allow 5-7 business days for your account to be approved and activated. With prior approval, the CEI team may be able to reimburse students for civic travel using the carshare program. Please direct inquiries to Susan Sanning, Associate Dean and Executive Director of Civic Education and Innovation.

To apply, visit the Grinnell College Car Sharing site.

2. FM Carpool

While transportation through the FM Carpool Program is not guaranteed, there are steps you can take to better ensure transportation for your service experience.

IMPORTANT: Applications must be made 5 business days prior to your trip.

Most Flexible: Become a certified FM student driver

Expectations:

  • Students must be re-certified each academic year.
  • Student drivers may be used for groups of 2 or more volunteers.

Student Driver Eligibility: 

  • There are different age restrictions for different distances.
    • Students must be at least 19 years old for trips within the Grinnell city limits and 
    • 20+ years old for trips outside Grinnell. 
  • Drivers must have had a clean US drivers record for the past two years (no moving violations).
  • Drivers must complete a certification process through Facilities Management.

Instructions:

To become a student driver fill out the Grinnell College Driver Application and email a copy to Jess Lease (leasejes@grinnell.edu). Please cc Ryan Solomon (solomonr@grinnell.edu) so that we have a record of your application. If you need assistance you may either email Jess or call her @ 641-269-3333.

Iowa Department of Transportation Drivers Manual

If you are eligible, becoming a certified student driver enables you to:

  1. Drive yourself for SLWS activities;
  2. Be a volunteer driver for your service groups;
  3.  Become a paid driver for the college.

Apply for service transportation and support by filling out the  Service Transportation Form below. (After certification you may submit your name as the student driver for the group)

carpool clipart

Moderately Flexible: Identify certified student drivers

Expectations:

  • Student drivers already a part of the volunteer project will volunteer their time to drive.
  • Students drivers requested to drive outside of their own volunteer project, may be paid through FM, and as approved by CLS
  • Student drivers may be used for groups or 2 or more volunteers. 

Student Driver Eligibility: ​​​​​​​

  • There are age restrictions for distances that a student driver can go.
    • Students must be at least 19 years old for trips within the Grinnell city limits and 20+ years old for trips outside Grinnell.

Instructions:

Request service transportation and support by filling out the  Service Transportation Form above.

Submit name/s of student driver for the group.

Least Flexible: Request a Professional FM Driver

(Reserved for transportation related to signature CEI activities.)

Expectations:

  • Time for pick up or drop off are not flexible.
  • Destination or pick up location may not change.
  • Drivers may be used for groups of 2 or more volunteers. 
  • If you cancel at the last minute or do not show up, student coordinator is billed for unfulfilled requested time for the driver.
  • Professional drivers are paid for a minimum of 2 hours of work.

Instructions:

Apply for service transportation and support by filling out the  Service Transportation Form at the bottom of the screen.

Select non-student driver

cars

What happens if I am late or do not show up without communicating?

  1. If you miss your ride — you pay!  Your account will be charged the full cost of your transportation if you are a no-show.
  2. Misuse of this service might result in not being able to use this service again in the future.

What if I have an emergency?

  1. We understand that emergencies happen and sometimes Grinnell College carpool rides need to be cancelled.
  2. Emergent circumstances include death, fire, major illness, etc. A paper that needs to be written is not an emergency.  It is a time management issue!
  3. If an emergency arises during business hours call Jessica Lease in facilities management at 641-269-3300 between 8:00am and 5:00pm.  In addition, email the CLS letting us know why you called FM and cancelled your ride.
  4. If an emergency arises after business hours please call Campus Safety at 641-269-4600 to let them know about the situation AND send Jessica Lease an email (cc’ing the CLS) explaining the circumstances.

Applications must be made at least 5 BUSINESS days in advance of the date transportation is needed.

​​​​​​​Business days are M-F 8:00am-5:00pm.

Days that College offices are closed (weekends, holidays, etc.) are not business days.

Apply Now: CEI Transport Support

To explore options for transportation NOT related to CEI activities please visit: FM Transportation Page