around campus and to several off-campus sites, including a local grocery store. All shuttle fleet vehicles are distinctively marked with the HWS logo and colors. Students who prefer to get around campus on foot but are concerned about traveling alone can request a “Safe Ride” from Campus Safety. Campus Safety Officers are available to escort students around campus, especially after dark and when the shuttles are not running. Students in need of a safe ride should contact the Campus Safety Office from a safe, well-lit location, and a uniformed officer will meet them and transport them to their destination. Bikes are also a popular form of transportation – bring your own bike or borrow one of ours. The HWS Yellow Bike program, sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, allows students to lease one of the Colleges’ bikes for the semester for a small, refundable deposit. Bikes are leased on a first-come, firstserved basis, and they tend to go quickly. If you’re interested in the bike program, please contact the Office of Sustainability at (315) 781-4380 or sustainability@hws.edu. The Colleges are also host to two rental cars through Zipcar, giving students who don’t need and/or want a car everyday the flexibility of having a personal vehicle when needed. However, if you would like to bring a car to campus, you should know that all student vehicles must be registered at the Campus Safety Office within three business days of the first day of class each semester in order to park on campus. To register a vehicle, students should complete the online registration form at http://parking.hws.edu. When picking up their permit, students must show a valid student I.D. and state registration and pay the appropriate fee. (Typically $125/ semester or $175/year). Our parking and traffic regulations handbook can be located on the Colleges’ website at http:// www.hws.edu/studentlife/campus_safety.aspx Once registered, you will receive a parking decal that must be promptly and properly installed on the vehicle. The first-year parking permit allows you to park in the first-year lot, the Houghton House lot, and other lots. To reduce congestion, firstyear students who park on city streets surrounding the campus will be ticketed. If you have any other questions about getting around campus with a car or shuttle, contact The Campus Safety Office at (315) 781-3656 or securitymail@hws.edu.
32 HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES
Sustainability When President Mark D. Gearan signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007, he made Hobart and William Smith Colleges a charter member of an effort to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, those responsible for climate change. As you arrive on campus, be assured that all lighting is energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Since formalizing our commitment in 2007, sustainability has become an important part of campus culture. The dining hall and café feature three bin waste receptacles: one for organic waste, one for trash and one for recyclables; and offer a $.25 discount to individuals who use a reusable mug/ water bottle. HWS started purchasing wind power in 2004 and, since 2011, have offset 100% of electricity usage through the purchase of wind power, resulting in a quarter reduction in the Colleges’ greenhouse gas emissions. The Colleges also are taking another meaningful step toward climate neutrality with the creation of two local solar farms, which not only will deliver 50% of the Colleges’ power through renewable energy, but will also provide new hands-on curricular opportunities for students. Once completed, the combined arrays will provide five megawatts of power, the largest solar installation at any institution of higher education in New York State.
Sustain
In 2004, the Finger Lakes Institute was established, devoted to research and education about the Finger Lakes environment, including issues regarding water quality, sustainable community development, agriculture/ food, energy, and waste. If you’re interested in environmental activism, there are plenty of ways to get involved on campus, from studying ecology in the classroom to advocating for sustainability as a member of the Campus Greens Club, Sustainable Foods Club, or joining the EcoRep Program. Additionally, there are several sustainabilityrelated internships, honors projects, independent studies, and other opportunities for students who want to make a difference on campus. In addition, fall 2016 marks the third offering of the Sustainable Living Learning Community. This living learning community is a two-semester long program that investigates the intersection