Hamilton Replacing All 15-Passenger Vans

Hamilton College will spend $125,000 over the next several months to replace all six of its 15-passenger vans that are used to transport students.

The college will continue to operate 15-passenger vans that are used only by the college's physical plant for maintenance operations around campus. These vans will be replaced later, at the end of those vehicles' normal life cycle.

In place of the six vans used for student transportation, the college will purchase two and lease an additional six 12-passenger vans.

"Recent accidents involving 15-passenger vans, coupled with questions about possible design flaws convinced me that we needed to act quickly," said Hamilton President Eugene M. Tobin. "The safety of our students is paramount."

Announcement of the college's decision comes as manufacturers and consumer advocacy groups debate the safety record of the large passenger vehicles. At a news conference in Washington yesterday, Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook called 15-passenger vans, "arguably one of the most unsafe passenger vehicles on the road."

The college currently uses its vans to transport students to athletic contests and other off-campus student activities.  A student-run jitney service uses the vans to take students to the local shopping mall and into the Village of Clinton on a regular basis. 

In addition, effective Jan. 1, the new policy that prohibits Hamilton students from being transported in 15-passenger vans will apply to vehicles rented by the college as well.

Tobin said funding for the new vans will come from the college's contingency fund.