ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
February 28, 2001
EMU Walnut Room

ATTENDEES: Mary Clayton, Kay Coots, J.R. Gaddis, Bob Jones, Christine Thompson, Teresa Sabol Spezio, Uladzimir Slabin, Karyn Kaplan, Tex Arnold, Susie Shauger, Julia Heydon, Amy Lake, George Carroll, Molly Westling, Nathan Tublitz

Review Committee Charge:

Nathan Tublitz described the process for reorganizing the reporting structure of campus committees under the three governing bodies of Administration, University Senate and externally-mandated boards. It was determined that the EIC needs to be reassigned because its recommendations and decisions impact the general University community. While the EIC may continue to report to the Vice President of Administration, it will also report to the Senate, which is usually in the form of an annual report. The Senate is requesting that an updated committee charge be sent to Nathan Tublitz by the end of March.

A subcommittee was formed to help meet this deadline. The following members volunteered: Mary Clayton, Bob Jones, Kay Coots, Susie Shauger and Christine Thompson. If anyone would like to make comments regarding this process send your thoughts to eic-com@lists.uoregon.edu.

Reducing Energy Use on Campus:

Amy Lake shared some of the educational methods underway such as an energy conservation tips section in News & Views, a banner on 13^th, sandwich poster boards in high traffic areas and e-mails to building managers. George Hecht is looking for additional ideas from the committee.

The EIC web page would be a good place to post conservation tips and other news items. Successes need to be advertised to help jumpstart more interest. Student members felt that one of the best ways to educate the student population is to post information where they live, and possibly in The Commentator. Friendly competition between dorms may help and prizes could be given for best conservation efforts.

Environmental Audit Class:

They will begin by determining the current state and what has been done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at UO. The class will survey Planning, Recycling, Rand Stamm, and LTD and the Eugene Bike Coordinator to find out what solutions they would recommend at UO. With the help of LTD, they’ll look at ways to improve traffic patterns on 13^th, Alder and Kincaid streets. The class will keep in touch with Amy Lake as ideas are generated.

Teresa would like someone to talk to the class about the EIC and Mary volunteered.

The committee suggested that ‘how to get around by bus and bike’ sessions be given during student introduction and new employee orientations.

Web Page:

Robyn wants to know if she should make it possible to search the minutes pages. The consensus was yes. The subcommittee is trying to develop a section where information may be grouped once content is generated. Examples of this would be frequently asked questions and/or energy conservation sections. E-mail your ideas to Mary Clayton or Amy Lake.

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting is Wednesday, March 21 at 3:00 p.m. in the EMU Umpqua Room.

Minutes submitted by Linda Johnson