BRUNSWICK — Beginning in the fall of 2009, freshmen at Bowdoin College will not be allowed to park cars on campus.

The private liberal arts college announced the new policy Tuesday on its Web site.

"Having a car at Bowdoin is mostly a luxury, and hardly ever a necessity," Bowdoin President Barry Mills said in a prepared statement.

The reasons for the new policy, Mills said, are to help the college become a more responsible environmental steward and to foster a better sense of community among first-year students.

Bowdoin estimates that one in five first-year students brings a car to campus, which translates to about 100 vehicles.

Carey Kish, program manager for Go Maine Commuter Connections, praised the decision and said other colleges are considering ways to reduce their carbon footprints.

"This topic is high on everybody's radar screen, for faculty and staff and for the administration," Kish said. "It's high on students' radar screens, too. So maybe this won't come as a surprise. Kids are resilient and innovative, and they will figure out a way to get around. Maybe more bikes and carpooling, and that's not a bad thing."

Kate Emerson, who will start her junior year at Bowdoin this fall, said students will react to the policy differently, depending on their background and upbringing.

"If you are from a city and used to getting around on your own, it's not a big deal. But if you are from rural Maine, it might be a big deal," said Emerson, who grew up in Washington, D.C., and is living on campus this summer.

Emerson had a car on campus last year, and will be able to keep it as a junior. She said the college has done a good job of making bikes available and encouraging students to use their own bikes. She praised the college for its shuttle program.

Maine's two other liberal arts colleges, Bates and Colby, allow freshmen to have cars on campus, although Bates "gently encourages students not to bring their cars," spokesman Doug Hubley said in an e-mail.

Kish said the car ban is a throwback to a generation or two ago, when colleges routinely prohibited freshmen from having cars.

Emerson said that prohibiting freshmen from having cars will free up parking – a development that is sure to be popular among others in the Bowdoin community.

But more than that, she thinks the policy sets a positive tone.

"From a green standpoint, I think it's great. It sets an example that this is really important to the college," she said.Staff Writer Bob Keyes can be contacted at 791-6457 or at:

bkeyes@pressherald.com