POTSDAM – The presidents of Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam will be in Ives Park Wednesday to show off the cars students, staff and faculty at the schools can rent by the hour or the day.

The colleges are launching a new partnership with Zipcar Inc., which will provide both campuses with combined access to the car network.

Zipcars is a growing nationwide business that provides cars for short-term use.

Clarkson University Pres. Tony Collins, SUNY Potsdam Pres. John Schwaller, along with student leaders, will take new Zipcars for a spin onto the two Potsdam campuses, departing from Ives Park Wednesday afternoon.

Under the plan, campus drivers can sign up for $25, pay an annual fee of $50, reserve one of the cars at the two campuses, and for rates that start at $66 per weekday -- or $8 a weekday hour at SUNY Potsdam or $7 an hour at Clarkson – you can drive away. The rates are a little higher on weekends, and for other than the most economical cars.

The car comes with a gas card for fuel, included in the fees. The daily rental allows 180 miles before an extra 45¢-a-mile rate kicks in.

Members 18 to 20 years old can use any of the cars dedicated to the two campuses. Members 21 and older can use any of the cars in the network, which includes universities all over the country, major American cities, and some cities in Canada and the U.K.

Zipcar promotes itself as an alternative to owning a car, and as a “green” campus alternative cutting the number of cars on campus.

The company says it has 30 vehicle models to choose from, including pickup trucks and BMWs at varying rates. Campus cars tend to be smaller more economical vehicles.