Sustainability

Ithaca College is committed to becoming climate neutral and reducing our carbon footprint. In May 2007, former President Williams signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. Computing resources use a significant amount of energy. Information Technology has long been committed to business practices that minimize environmental impact.

Technology Renewal Program

The majority of college owned computer equipment is part of a technology renewal program. This equipment is used in faculty and staff offices and in labs and classrooms. The technology renewal program provides the following benefits:

• Increased power to better negotiate vendor terms
• Planned replacement to reduce obsolescence
• The ability to purchase newer, more energy efficient hardware
• Equipment is leased not purchased and is returned to a reseller after 3 years
• The hardware is recycled not discarded
• Equipment purchases, deliveries and disposal are done in bulk reducing possibly reducing transportation energy consumption
• LCD monitors are not part of the program but IT strongly encourages individuals and departments to order ENERGY star LCD monitors and peripherals

ENERGY STAR Hardware

IC only purchases and leases ENERGY STAR rated hardware as part of the GetIT and Technology Renewal programs. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping individuals and organizations save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. For hardware to receive an ENERGY STAR rating, it must be designed to meet the ENERGY STAR specifications that ensure energy savings when computers are being used, performing a range of tasks, as well as when they are turned off or into a low power mode. ENERGY STAR qualified computers must also have efficient internal or external power supplies.

IC purchases are also lead-Free, RoHS Compliant and EPEAT registered.

• RoHS, the Restriction of Hazardous Wastes Directive, restricts the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, Chromium VI, PBB (flame retardant), and PBDE (flame retardant) materials in electronic equipment
• EPEAT, the Electronics Products Environmental Assessment Tool, is an environmental procurement tool designed to help institutional purchasers compare and select desktop computers, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes. Dell products are recognized for environmental achievement by EPEAT

The Park Laptop and the School of Business laptop programs have also identified laptops that are ENERGY star models.

The college also recommends hardware that has built in longevity, is upgradable and provides the best possible performance/price ratio; models that are manufactured to provide as little downtime as possible (whether institutional purchase or laptop program purchase). Systems are chosen that can be repaired in-house, have better standard warranties and upgrade options, and have many years of optimum use. The end result is fewer resources and repairs are put into the computers once they are obtained.

Technology Partners

IC purchases Dell and Apple computers and Hewlett-Packard network printers. All three manufacturers are on the front of integrating sustainable design in their product manufacture and who have responsible “end of life” resource management programs.

Recycled paper in labs and recommended in office. In recycled paper, recovered paper consisting of trimmings and scraps from printing and other processes is reused to make pulp for paper. IT manages the main computer labs on campus. In these facilities, IT purchases 30% recycled paper products to meet the printing needs of the labs.

When possible, IT sets networked printers to print duplex by default.

Individuals and departments are also encouraged to limit printing, use electronic files and archive data in electronic not paper formats.

Over 600 computers are in labs across campus. IT takes effort to ensure that these labs are being managed in an environmentally friendly way:

• Lab toner is recycled
• Recycled paper product is used in the labs
• Paper, bottles and can recycling containers are available in the public labs
• The computers automatically shut down at 3 AM if not in use
• In Williams Hall where there are many "unstaffed" labs, the consultants walk through the building at the end of the evening shift and shut down all unused computers
• Duplex printing is the default print option in the main public labs