Partnerships

ITS (Information Technology Systems) and campus sustainability:

• Configuration of faculty, staff, and lab computer hardware to meet or exceed Energy Star and/or EPEAT Gold standards. Our "standard" computing packages include the most power efficient CPU and power supply options available.
• Configuration of faculty, staff, and lab computer software to reduce energy consumption when not in use. More information here.
• Engage vendors, such as Dell and Apple, who actively participate in programs to mitigate the environmental effects of computing and e-waste.
• Leasing most faculty, staff, and lab computers and servers. More information here.
• 4-year refresh cycle for faculty, staff, and lab computers. When compared to a common 3-year refresh cycle this means that we save more than 100 computers worth of e-waste per year.
• Implemented a "one machine per full time employee" refresh program to reduce the total number of computers on campus. Our estimate is that this will save 5-10 computers worth of e-waste per year.
• Offer laptops as a default package option for faculty users.
• LCD displays wherever possible.
• Consolidated the majority of campus servers into a VMware virtualized server environment or engaged off-campus hosted server solutions, such as Google Apps. This results in fewer physical computers in the campus server room (less e-waste) as well as significantly less electricity and heating/cooling used to run campus systems. More information here.
• We have worked with the Student Environmental Center and SGA to advocate duplex printing and facilitated duplex printing where possible on campus.
• Worked with the Copy Center/Finance office to make the most of the available networked multi-function devices (copier, printer, scanner, fax) and advocated scan-to-email in place of printing.
• Implemented a page count-based limitation on print jobs in campus computer labs. This limits individual print jobs to 50 pages or less. In the past it would not be uncommon for us to find several hundred pages of a print job left on the printer unclaimed and wasted.

Transportation Services, On and Off-Campus:

BARCS shuttle system that operates M-F. The shuttle picks up at local apartments including The Grove, Mountain Trace, and Pinnacle Ridge. www.unca.edu/barcs

UNC Asheville Cycle Shop, which offers FREE bike rentals and FREE access to tools to repair and maintain bikes. www.unca.edu/recreation/bikeshop.html

The Online Rideboard is a carpool site that allows students to coordinate daily commuting and long-distance trips (on weekends and holidays). www.unca.edu/rideboard

The CAP program which encourages students, faculty, and staff to use alternative transportation, rather than purchasing parking permits. Those who participate in the CAP program have several privileges including 10 days of free parking, 5 free mountain bike rentals, membership to the City of Asheville's WAY TO GO Asheville Commuter Club, and enrollment in the Cities Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program. www.unca.edu/transportation/programs.asp#cap

Unlimited FREE access to the city bus with a valid OneCard. www.unca.edu/transportation/aroundasheville.asp#transit