A recent email from Mike Webster, Director of Campus Safety, gave McDaniel students an opportunity to respond to a questionnaire about interest in bringing Zipcars to the hill.
The response rate was “enormously high” according to Webster.
In fact, about 20% of students who received the email took the time to answer the survey, a response rate that “far exceeds typical student’s survey response” said Webster.
The idea of Zipcars is simple: the customer signs up for a Zipcar membership for $35 and receives a “Zipcard,” which can be used to unlock any Zipcar at any location. In addition, the new member receives $35 in credit for their first Zipcar use.
The Zipcars would significantly increase transportation options for McDaniel students, allowing a car to be rented for only eight dollars an hour.
Zipcars would be especially helpful considering only 60% of McDaniel Juniors and Seniors have cars on campus.
According to Webster, a difficult point for the college’s decision to sign the contract with Zipcar is the fact that the agreement requires a minimum amount of revenue from the cars.
If McDaniel does not meet this requirement with significant usage of the rental cars by students, the college will have to make up the difference.
Webster went on to say that other liberal arts institutions like Goucher College “did not meet this ‘minimum’ in the first two years.”
Although the process of getting Zipcars here on the Hill is still in the early stages, the significant response and interest from students is a promising sign that McDaniel will have rental cars in the future.
For more information check out Zipcar.com.
