Southeast Linn Community Center (SELCC) has expanded its transportation program to serve Cornell College students.
Launched in early April, Ram Rides is a partnership between Cornell and SELCC where students can schedule a ride in advance for planned activities, such as out-of-town medical appointments; flights; religious services; grocery trips; and other errands.
The collaboration began when Doug Shannon, director of campus safety at Cornell College, realized that, even though Campus Safety offered transportation for students, the office didn’t have the resources to cover all the requested rides. With the success of Natalia’s Food Pantry, a SELCC satellite site at Cornell, fresh on his mind, Shannon turned to Nicole McAlexander, executive director of Southeast Linn Community Center. Building on the transportation network SELCC already had in place, they worked together to iron out the details, and Ram Rides was born.
“We are thrilled to be able to extend our transportation services to Cornell College students,” said McAlexander. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Cornell Campus Safety to fill this gap for students.” Previously, SELCC’s transportation program only served senior residents of Lisbon and Mount Vernon.
Depending upon the availability of volunteer drivers, Ram Rides can be scheduled for Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Some evening and weekend rides may be possible. SELCC’s volunteer drivers pick up students at Cornell’s Thomas Commons.
To request a ride, call Cornell’s Office of Campus Safety at (319) 895-4299 or the Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center at (319) 895-4292. Students should submit their Ram Rides request a minimum of 48 hours in advance.
For more information on Ram Rides, contact Southeast Linn Community Center at (319) 455-2844 or visit selinn.org/transportation.