ATTENDEES: Ben Farrell, Christine Thompson, Paula Staight, Jim Blick, Karyn Kaplan, Robyn Hathcock, Bob Jones, Cathy Soutar, Steve Mital, Anne Forrestel
Year End Review
Bring Recycling is currently involved in recovering and recycling materials from the university’s demolition projects and has been for years. Karyn suggested that since this is already standard operating procedure it should be included in the new Facilities Services construction demolition procedures document.
The Recycled Paper Policy has been updated on the UO website.
Green Dorm Room : CASL did not submit a proposal to ECAF for funding to develop a green dorm room. Steve Mital reported that less than one third of the $25,000 in ECAF funding was awarded. Only four proposals were received and two did not meet the basic requirements. The ECAF funds will be carried forward and this may become a quarterly competition. Funding was provided for Outdoor Program barn retrofits and an EDC project for PARS pool solar water heater (phase 1). The Student Service Learning Program will consider the green dorm room for one of their projects next year.
PVC : Ben sent a letter regarding the environmental and health hazards of polyvinyl chloride to Frances Dyke in March.
The Talloires Declaration is still pending.
Computer Use and Energy Policy : The committee recommended that e-mail notices be sent out on a regular basis as reminders to save energy by turning off computers and printers.
Karyn would like to see this idea expanded into a more comprehensive energy use policy. She has drafted a letter to accompany an energy use brochure. The committee agreed to support this project and will include it in next year’s agenda.
Steve shared that students in the Service Learning Program are interested in working on a supporting project that would present the energy use policy to students in the classroom.
Smoke Free Campus : Subcommittee Report - Jim, Paula, and Ben prepared a document titled Smoking and Environmental Tobacco Smoke: UO Campus Issues. It includes health considerations, leadership, the 10-foot rule, social norms, policies, and recommendations to address public health issues. The committee suggested the following changes:
Anne felt that some documentation is needed in the social norms section. She also found that secondhand smoke issues and preventing smoking in the first place interweaves throughout the document. The committee recommended that it would be more effective to focus on second hand smoke.
Christine suggested that prevention remain part of the document, but be treated in a more focused manner. Clearly separate with wording such as: “one way to reduce second hand smoke is to reduce the number of smokers. Research indicates that social norming occurs (document it), and people are lead to believe that smoking is commonplace...”
Change recommendation # 4 to indicate that cigarette butt receptacles placed near benches along major walkways should be moved in order to dismantle areas that have become designated smoking areas.
Change recommendation # 8 to indicate that prior to moving toward a smoke free campus in 2007-08; feasibility should be explored in the 2006-07 academic year.
Begin the recommendation section with an overall goal that addresses improving health and the environment.
The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on Monday, June 12, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the EMU Metolius Room.