ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
December 9, 2003
EMU Board Room

ATTENDEES: Dorene Steggell, Steve Mital, Wayne Jewett, Cheri Smith, Ben Farrell, Joni Herbst, Kyle Allred, Karyn Kaplan, J. R. Gaddis, Robyn Hathcock, Bitty Roy, Julia Heydon, Bob Jones, Chris Jones, Josh Skov

Arena Update

The private corporation that will construct the new arena did not follow the regular procedure for site selection. Dorene reported that they have decided to follow some guidelines such as having the Campus Planning Committee (CPC) review the design. The CPC has met to review the charge letter and provided feedback to President Frohnmayer. They advised that UO sustainable development guidelines and SEED guidelines be followed. Steve suggested the subcommittee draft a letter to Dan Williams outlining EIC’s position on the construction process.

Governor Executive Sustainability Order

The Oregon University System is one of eight state agencies participating. The Good Company has been hired to assist OUS. Josh Skov briefed the committee on the process. The OUS central office would first like to find the best way to relate to the campuses and for campuses to relate to each other regarding sustainability. Bob Simonton, the head of capital construction for OUS, has been charged with working on this plan. Josh Skov asked for e-mail addresses from those interested in receiving more information and would like to participate in this process. His e-mail is joshua.skov@goodcompany.com

Subcommittee Reports

Ben met with John Baldwin to discuss the best way to support the creation of a UO sustainability coordinator. John suggested that he contact Bob Dopelt to discuss bringing the issue to Bob Simonton. The subcommittee will hold it’s first meeting on Thursday at 11:30 a.m.

Steve called Paul Elstone, the new Director of Corporate and Foundations Relations, to ask whether there are any capital campaign proposals that currently reflect the EIC’s interest in endowments for environmental projects, and if not, can one still be submitted. He is reviewing the proposals and will let Steve know.

The first meeting was held to discuss priorities. Kyle reported that the subcommittee has decided the best option for an environmental literacy requirement is to follow the one used for the multicultural requirement. Students would take four credits in major or general education requirements from the existing classes offered. Galen Martin has agreed to help secure Environmental Studies department support.

Karyn and Kyle reported that planning for Earth Day is underway. The focus will be on promoting the earth ‘at home’ -- what has already been done on campus and future plans. Students groups will be encouraged to promote the environmental work that they are doing through the Student Environmental Groups collaboration.

Bob reported that CASL has become an official ASUO student group. Karyn suggested that they apply for special request funding through the Student Senate.

Joni Herbst and Bitty Roy would like to join the subcommittee.

Service Learning Program

The campus-based project this year will involve energy education. The project is funded by Dan Williams’ office with matching funds from EWEB. Steve introduced their GTF, Sarah Massy, and asked that she be added to the EIC listserv. The project involves the following components:

• Gather all existing and some additional research to produce a campus energy profile and develop a concise, dynamic presentation.
• The goal will then be to deliver this presentation to 25% of the campus via classes, residence hall meetings, faculty meetings, and student clubs.
• They will try to measure the impact of the presentations.
• Additionally, they will investigate the possibility of purchasing wind power from EWEB. The first step is to determine the level of student support through a measure on the ballot.

Steve asked the committee to help provide venues such as their own or in colleague’s classes or at staff/faculty meetings. They plan to have a ten-minute presentation ready early spring term. An expanded version will also be available. Contact Steve by e-mail at smital@darkwing

Julia suggested videotaping the presentation to run at Earth Day or on Channel 21, etc. Karyn suggested posting it to Inside Oregon and the environmental coordinator’s department e-mail list.

Vinyl Use in Buildings

David Monk is the director of the Oregon Toxic Alliance. He described the alliance as a grassroots group with a mission to eliminate unnecessary toxics use. One of the projects they will launch next year is Vinyl Out of Oregon. The alliance hopes to see the use of chlorinated organic compounds (pvc/vinyl) addressed in the next review of the UO Environmental Policy. David offered to provide information and can also suggest language relating to purchasing policy, life cycle costs, and recycle contents.

Vinyl may well be the largest contributor of persistent bio-cumulative toxins. There are clear alternatives and therefore no need to use this product in building materials. The campaign is working with universities and colleges across the state, with faith based organizations, hospitals, and clinics regarding the ethical and health issues of vinyl.

PVC/vinyl is the worst plastic to recycle due to numerous chemicals that go into it. Seventy-five percent of the vinyl in the world is found in building materials. There are significant environmental justice and human health issues. It’s primarily produced in Louisiana and Texas and exposes these populations to dioxins from chlorinated compounds. Lead and cadmium are used to stabilize PVC. Alternatives now exist for every application, except wire sheathing.

A chart is being developed to show uses, the alternatives, suppliers, life span, and costs comparisons. The alliance has begun their research by contacting a few hundred organizations across the state involved in building and renovation projects. They plan to contact another 500 in the near future. David noted that Lillis is a beautiful example of a building that is free of vinyl (except wire insulation and in the concrete slab).

Karyn suggested following a model such as Wood Products Purchasing Policy and Recycled Paper Policy. David said that it would help to be able to refer to the UO policy when contacting project managers. The policy already implies that the university wants to factor life cycle considerations into the building process. EIC support for more stringent or specific language would also help. David will send Dorene more information.

Bob will follow up on the Wood Products Purchasing Policy and Recycled Paper Policy final approval and posting.

Please send agenda items for next meeting to Dorene.

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on January 22, from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. in the EMU Board Room.