New University program will provide free transportation to foster communication between researchers and agency officials
A new University program will make transportation to and from Washington D.C. efficient and free of cost.
The University believes that partnerships with federal agencies are pertinent to the research mission of Auburn. Such partnerships also play a key part in the creation of research opportunities for Auburn faculty and staff.
Currently, transportation from Auburn to D.C. is costly in both time and money. Auburn is providing a service that will alleviate these problems.
Monthly transportation from Auburn-Opelika/Pitts Field to Dulles Airport on a University jet is now provided.
The flights depart and return on the same day, leaving and returning at approximately 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, and the plane remains grounded during the day.
The service is free of charge for faculty and staff, but travelers are responsible for their transportation while on the ground in D.C.
The distance from downtown D.C. to Dulles Airport requires approximately $60 in taxi fees and 45 minutes in driving time.
The University hopes that by providing free transportation will encourage important relationships between Auburn researchers and agency officials.
“It sounds like a reasonable proposal, especially if someone from our campus makes regular visits to D.C. on behalf of the University,” says Johnny Green, dean of students.
One cause for the program is the need for contact with agency officials in order to receive important research funding. The University encourages travelers to schedule multiple meetings for their day of travel, in order to maximize the usefulness of the trip.
In order to enroll, faculty and staff are asked to provide Chris Lawson, in the Office of the President, forms that include the name and contact information of the traveler and a tentative meeting schedule while in D.C.
Researchers should schedule more than one meeting to take full advantage of the trip. Applications are due to Lawson by the deadline for each flight, found on the flight schedule. Lawson will then contact applications regarding logistics.
The current schedule included travel dates through August.
“We hope that providing air transportation will assist researchers as they create, enhance and maintain contact with key agency officials and pursue their research objectives,” according to the University Web site.
For more information, visit http://www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/AU-DC%20Shuttle/ or call 844-4650.
