 "Photo: Matt Sprague")
Green initiatives have spread to the parking garages. Eco-friendly faculty, students and staff have been rewarded by parking and transportation services.
Hybrid vehicle owners, after applying, can receive a parking permit for half off the regular price.
As of now, 40 people have submitted applications and have been approved, while there are six applications pending.
"We didn't really have a [permit sales] target, to me its pretty much right on," Ken West, administration and finance manager for parking and transportation services, said.
"I'd expect it to increase about 50 percent."
According to Pam Martin, communications specialist for administration and finance and a representative from the Go Green initiative, the goal of the program was designed as an incentive for individuals who are making the commitment to the environment and to those who already have.
Jane Wolfson, director of environmental science and studies program, has a hybrid car she bought in 2003. "It needed to be done," she said.
"I am very happy to be rewarded for driving a hybrid, I certainly did not buy it expecting a reward," Wolfson said.
Sheila Tilghman, who has recently been brought on board with parking and transportation services as the transportation demand management and customer service coordinator, expressed her enthusiasm for the project.
There are a great deal of programs in the works to help the campus become eco-friendly, and to ease the confusion of parking on campus, according to Tilghman.
"Hybrid permits are a small part of a much bigger picture," she said.
According to Tilghman, although most of the permits were purchased by faculty, some students are utilizing the new program.
"Overall the reaction from students has been positive, however, there have been questions about other cars with alternative fuel," Tilghman said.
As of right now, there are no programs that target vehicles with alternative fuel, however other programs are being implemented.
"Ride sharing and carpooling should come out this year as well as the zip car," Tilghman said.
The zip car will offer students the opportunity to carpool to campus, by rent-a-car if they have to drive to work or go to an appointment.
The cars will be available to rent for a half hour, an hour, or two hours, depending upon where the student needs to go. According to Martin, all of these programs are part of a collaboration between Go Green and parking and transportation services.
"No matter how many people participate in the hybrid program or others, we are always going to continue striving for a bigger goal for the campus. It's something we're always working towards," Martin said.
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