I Research and gather information: Research who buys paper on your campus, and determine what kind of paper, the recycle content, the cost of the paper and how much is bought at a time.  Determine if any individual departments decide the type of paper they buy or is it left up to one individual who decides for the entire school.  Your university may have to go through a department within their state to purchase paper - if so, determine which department and talk with the person in charge.  Are there state mandates?  What are their concerns (if any) about purchasing TF or PCW paper?  Has your school or department tried high post-consumer waste paper or non-wood paper before?  Why not? ( There could be many reasons: color concerns, quality concerns, price, availability) If they have tried alternative paper, were there any problems or complaints.  Make a list of complaints, suggestions or praises.
At both The University of Virginia and Rutgers, university buyers helped the students with their campaign.  Kevin Lyons, Rutgers buyer, has been working on "buying green" for Rutgers since 1988 and is a tremendous ally to the student environmental groups on campus.  Althea White, UVa's purchasing manager, has been relentless in pursuing companies that sell high content PCW paper.  Find out if there is anyone in your school's purchasing department who is concerned enough about this issue to help.
Research alternative paper and recycled paper; learn what materials are used to make alternative fiber paper and if these fibers are environmentally friendly.  For instance, bamboo forests in Thailand are critical habitats for the Panda bear and many other species; deforestation of these habitats to make bamboo paper isn't an environmentally friendly choice.
When researching possible alternative papers, remember to determine how they were bleached.  Paper that is bleached with chlorine creates high levels of toxic organochlorines, including cancer-causing dioxins and furons and is unacceptable.  Paper bleached with chlorine dioxide or hypochlorite results in lower levels of organochlorines but are still not preferred.  Look for PCW paper or recycled paper that is PCF.  If paper made from virgin wood fiber is the only choice, TCF is clearly better.
Talk with the distributors that currently supply paper for your school.  They may be able to help with information like how much paper your school buys and the recycled content.
There is a list of alternative and recycled paper supplies attached to this guide.  Talk with these distributors and find out what they have to offer because it is important to know the product that you want your university to purchase, and look for distributors other than the ones listed.  Also, to set a good example, your group should be purchasing TF and high PCW paper.
University of Virginia discovered that their president signed on to the Talloires Declaration, a historic agreement signed by presidents of over 20 major universities around the world that called for higher educational institutions to pave the way in sustainability education, research and practice.  Research your university for any agreements or declarations similar to this and if an environmental policy has been signed use it when approaching the head of your college or university.

Here is a list of other questions to help in your research:
What are the purchasing policies for your university?
Must the buyer take the lowest bid?  Is there any leeway?
Must departments purchase from campus procurement?
Must campus procurement purchase from a centralized government warehouse?
   If so, what types of papers are available there?
Do any school or government requirements to purchase recycled, PCF, or TCF papers
   apply?  Might other environmental policy statements apply?If it didn't create any legal conflicts, would your school or department participate in a
   buying cooperative?
Are campus copying machines set up with a double sided option?
Could double sided be made the default setting for each machine?
Can each machine reduce two pages to fit on one copy?
Are there clear instructions posted for double sided and 2-1 copying?
If your school uses paper towels, napkins, cups or plates, are they really needed?  Are
   they bleached with chlorine chemicals?  Do campus food outlets give a discount for
   drinks purchased with reusable mugs?