At the beginning of Spring 2014, the Public Safety Office created 20 carpool spots in the student parking lot near the Health Education Building on the Truax Campus.

A group of students sowed the seeds for the idea and communicated it with the Student Senate. From the senate, it moved on to administration in Student Life. Eventually, the Public Safety department agreed to follow through and allow students to obtain carpool permits to park in these spots.

The spots are open to students, faculty and staff but according to Madison College Public Safety Lt. Jim McFarlane, these spots were created with students in mind, to promote energy conservation and the reduction of carbon emissions. They are available for cars with one driver and at least two passengers. Those interested in taking advantage of this service must sign an agreement and apply for the yearly permit. These spots are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Any time we can reduce our carbon footprint, we should do it. We have identified ourselves as leaders in becoming more energy efficient and this is another way that we can do that,” McFarlane said.

A handful of students have already signed up for these permits this semester and no complaints or violations have been reported to Public Safety.

“This is kind of a pilot program to see if we can expand it even further,” said McFarlane,“we are committed to making this available to students.”