"We need to convince students the paper usage is excessive and reduce it. The yellow paper (solution) should allow for great reduction, but this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Garrett Fitzgerald, Eco-Action public relations director.

By October 1998, the amount of paper used already had exceeded the total usage for Fall Semester 1997, he said.

Additional labs, faster printers and greater paper allowance per student are possible reasons for the increase, Williams said.

Students were permitted 110 free printed sheets per semester this year, up from 85. The cost of sheets exceeding the allowance was lowered from 8 to 7 cents each, he said.

"I was in favor of (the adjustment) because the student fee went up and it is nice for students to see where their money is going," Williams said.

The number of printing jobs has not increased significantly, but the number of pages per job has, he said.

Between regular class work and increased Internet use, some students say keeping usage down is challenging.

"I always go over the limit. I didn't find that they gave us enough free sheets before. Lots of professors have notes on the web, so the increase had no effect on usage. I just didn't have to pay as much," said Tyler Sill (senior-marketing).

For others, the allowance helps them keep some restraints on how much they print.

"Last semester I printed up to my capacity and stopped because I thought it would be a hassle to get a computer account. (With the increased allowance) I wouldn't waste, but I wouldn't watch it as carefully," said Chris Keener (sophomore-advertising and public relations).

An environmental awareness campaign is planned as a joint effort between CAC, Eco-Action and the Undergraduate Student Government, said USG President Caroline Casagrande.

Asking professors to let students submit assignments by e-mail and encouraging students not to print as many rough drafts are some possible objectives for the campaign, Fitzgerald said.

"We have a new problem, but we're working together now," Casagrande said. "We have to work on other ways to help improve the environment."