Yesterday at the quarterly Information Technology Policy Meeting, we spent some time talking about Green IT.  Our discussion group observed that we need to be more intentional as we move forward. An effective “green” IT campaign will require leadership and education.  The leadership must come from the highest levels on campus and the education must be engaging and far-reaching. Our students are ready to be involved and our faculty and staff want to help us get to a better place. Green IT is a priority in the IT Strategic Plan and recognized nationally as a higher ed priority.

At UW-Madison, we are working on digital imaging to reduce paper and ink consumption, we have made great progress in recycling computer equipment, we are adopting virtual server environments at an unprecedented rate, and we are all very conscious of our resource consumption.  This fall, the IT community will initiate a more formal program in conjunction with “We Conserve” and our students to show that Wisconsin can lead the way in Green IT. Look for announcements and ways to participate as the fall semester begins.