Vermont Law School launches Zipcar's most rural program

(NECN: Anya Huneke, South Royalton, VT) – Two new cars have arrived in South Royalton, Vermont. That may not sound like a big deal, but a lot of people will get some mileage out of them. In the process, they’ll be tending the environment and their budgets. Courtney Collins: “Every year admissions hears from students- ‘Gee, do we need to bring our own car to Vermont Law School?'” For the first time, Courtney Collins says the answer to that question is ‘no’, because finally students at Vermont Law School have another option. Wednesday school officials launched a new program through ‘Zipcar’– the world’s leading car-sharing service. It’s become a popular program in urban areas but South Royalton is anything but urban. Courtney: “It’s true what a lot of students have said- that they need to buy a car to come to law school here… we don’t have a bus system, a train station… anything like that.” The school says this represents Zipcar’s most rural campus car-sharing program in the country, and that comes as no surprise to many here. Shirley Jefferson is the Dean of Student Affairs and diversity. She’s also an alumnus- who often had to find rides while she was here. She now gives them. Shirley: “I usually find myself taking students to the airport, bus station, train station…” So she was happy when students took the initiative and looked for commuting alternatives. She says Zipcar was appealing because it’s both cost-effective for members, who are only charged when they use it, and it helps bring down the school’s and its students’ carbon footprint. Both cars available are fuel-efficient- and one is a hybrid. Courtney: “We are ranked as the number one environmental law school. It’s great to have that recognition, but it’s also important not to talk the talk… but also walk the walk.”> A member of the campus greening committee, Evan Belser helped bring the Zipcar program to Vermont Law School. He says it’s something many of his friends need. Evan Belser\student: “It’s been tough. They need to schedule things far out from when they happen… and they end up being a little trapped… especially in the winter.” The hope is that those Vermont winters will be a little easier- if the burden is shared.