Anaheim University, a US-based institution which pioneered online education in the mid-nineties, has now committed to being paperless by 2010. This directive has caused Anaheim to push publishers to produce e-books, as well as adopt technical innovations such as the Sony book reader that allow the entire university’s curriculum of textbooks to be stored in a portable palm-sized electronic reader.

The Anaheim University President Dr. William Hartley signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment in February 2009. The ACUPCC is a highly visible effort organising U.S. college and university presidents and chancellors to address global warming by minimising global warming emissions and providing education in an effort to achieve climate neutrality.

According to a University representative, Anaheim’s students have submitted assignments electronically and accessed online library resources since 1998. This year the university switched from paper to e-catalogues, and digital publishing has replaced the submission of multiple copies of bound theses. The university is expecting to convert all administrative procedures into digital format by 2010.