Memorandum

To: Fayneese Miller, President of Hamline University

From: Cody Bentzel
Date: October 16, 2016
Subject: Proposal to study the feasibility of buy multi-purpose busses
Purpose:
In this proposal, I am requesting permission to research the feasibility of Hamline
University owning multi-purpose busses.
This proposal recommends that I should be allowed to conduct a feasibility study of
Hamline University buying multi-purpose busses. If Hamline owned multi-purpose
busses, they can be used for transporting students to athletic events, bus trips to various
locations around the Twin Cities, and used as a safety shuttle for students. I will create a
report supporting my research on whether Hamline should buy theses busses. I expect to
be completed with this report no later than November 27, 2016.
Summary:
Despite being a small private institution, Hamline University has an ideal location in the
city of St. Paul. If you look around the city there are numerous activities for students to
attend. One problem being is that some students have no ways of getting around in this
big city.
Even though there is public transportation accessible for students at Hamline, they may
not always be the easiest way of transportation. If students of Hamline want to attend an
athletic event that is taking place on another campus in the area, they can take public
transportation. If Hamline University owned a bus or two, it would be a more convenient
way of transportation for students.
I propose to research the following topics:
The initial cost of purchasing a bus
Other universities that use busses for student transportation
Different ways the busses could be used
Benefits of using transportation provided by the university
After successfully conducting my preliminary research, I found out that there are many
resources related to my topic. Each source I came across during my research is credible,
and it will continue to have an impact on my future research.
Introduction:
During the 2005-2006 school year, over 45,000 student athletes were transported to
various sporting events across the country (Lavetter & Kim, 2010). One way students are
transported to events is the use of the multiple passenger vans. These vans can hold up to

15 students at a time, and are more likely to roll over when carrying too many passengers.
Instead of using these utility vans, college campuses are now purchasing 20 seat
passenger busses (Lavetter & Kim, 2010). Purchasing a bus can be a great investment for
both the college campus as well as the students of a particular campus.
Although most colleges still use the utility vans to transport students and facility, it is an
unsafe method of transportation. The National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have ran
tests on 15 passenger utility vans, and concluded that these vans are three times likely to
roll over when occupying more than 10 passengers (Veronikis, 2010).
The initial cost of purchasing a bus is an investment that the university needs to believe
in. Not only do these busses have multiple areas of use, they also can be beneficial for the
students. After researching different types of busses, it is safe to say that a hybrid bus
would be most efficient for the initial purpose. Research says, that a hybrid bus will
reduce operating costs, which ultimately will be beneficial compared to other types of
busses (Veronikis, 2010). The cost of a hybrid bus, on average, is around $530,000
(Veronikis, 2010).
While conducting my research, there was a major benefit to having a bus owned by
Hamline University. Like many schools around the country, college campuses want to
protect their students from drinking and driving. Having access to a bus could be
beneficial for students safety when drinking alcohol and searching for a ride home.
Colorado State University implemented a bus that departs campus every 15 minutes and
drives to the nearest bars for drop-off or pick up (Ditzenberger, 2015). Owning a bus
would be beneficial to the students who partake in certain activities. Kyler Hanson, a
junior at CSU, says the best part is the $1 fee it cost to get home safe (Ditzenberger,
2015). This is a major issue in the world today, and having a bus could help the safety of
students tremendously.
Research Procedure:
The initial research process is most important when completing a feasibility report. If
your initial research is limited you may not have enough information to complete the task
at hand. I will provide you with my current research, proposed research, and the criteria
used to complete my research.
Completed Research: After completing my initial research, I have a good idea of this
specific information:
The cost of purchasing a hybrid bus
Safety of utility vans versus busses
Comparison of different size busses
Proposed Research: The research process is a process that will continue throughout this
paper. In the future I plan on researching the following topics:
I will develop a questionnaire that will be given to Hamline students only.
Benefits of university transportation

Bus trips for students

Costs to rent busses for athletic events

Criteria: After my research is complete, I will come up with suggestions that are based
on the following criteria in my research:
Will Hamline students use these busses for various events?
Where will the money come from to purchase a bus?
How would these busses be put to use after purchase?
QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:
This is my third year as a student at Hamline University, and I currently hold a 3.0 GPA.
As an athlete on the mens hockey team, I have been transportation that has been
provided by Hamline University. I have had many experiences with busses and travel to
and from campus.
Schedule:
Task
Student Survey
Progress Report
Feasibility Graphics
Feasibility Rough Draft
Final Feasibility Report

Due Date
October 23, 2016
October 30, 2016
November 6, 2016
November 13, 2016
November 27, 2016

References:
Ditzenberger, H. (2015, Feb 23). Destination: Drunk bus. University Wire Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1657489903?accountid=28109
Lavetter, D., & Kim, H. D. (2010). Transportation Practices in Community College
Athletics. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 34(6), 449-461.
Veronikis, E. (2010). Agencies put brakes on bus buys. Central Penn Business Journal,
26(23), 17-17,20. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/356879606?accountid=28109