Attendees: Jim Blick, Karyn Kaplan, Robyn Hathcock, William Cresko, Kay Coots, Charles Kalnbach, Christine Thompson, Ben Farrell, Ken Boegli, Brian Smith
Announcements
Subcommittee Sign Up
Alternative Transportation: Ken Boegli, Jim Blick, Christine Thompson
Smoke Free Campus: Paula Staight, JR Gaddis, Jim Blick, Ben Farrell
Campus Energy/Global Warming: Karyn Kaplan, Jim Blick, Bill Cresko
Green Dorm Room: Robyn Hathcock, Kay Coots
Updates
Wind Energy Discussion will be tabled until the January meeting.
CASL
Students have chosen one of the two houses they were offered, and the memo of understanding has been signed. CASL’s listserve is managed by Susan Mershon.
A Smoke Free Campus
Karyn passed around a sample pocket ashtray that she received from Keep America Beautiful. A product such as this may be given out to help alleviate the litter problem on campus and to heighten awareness of the problem.
Jim said that Paula Staight has written a document for the subcommittee to review before they bring it to the full committee. The subcommittee met with two members of Tobacco Free Lane County, and Paula has been meeting with the UO Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC). Jim said that considering the range of options, there are a number of questions which should be answered before the feasibility of a smoke free campus can be fully discussed.
Update from Brian Smith
Green Dorm Room: A meeting with Housing will be scheduled to try to get the appropriate parties involved in this project.
Energy Conservation: Brian and George Hecht met to discuss the energy conservation initiatives that already exist. George said that progress has been made to minimization energy costs, and there is a 14% reduction starting three years ago.
Talloires Declaration: Dave Hubin said that the declaration has been discussed at the President’s Small Executive Staff. Brian will make sure that this group has all the necessary information.
Smoking Issues: Brian is planning to meet with Kay Coots and also with Linda King. He asked for examples of buildings or areas where the most chronic smoking offenses occur. Committee members cited a few buildings such PLC, Knight Library, EMU, and benches by sidewalks or bike parking areas.
Wind Energy: A meeting with Housing needs to be scheduled. Frances Dyke advised that this would need to go through a fee setting process for room and board rates.
Vinyl Letter: Brian has a call in to Chris Ramey and will provide more information to the committee as soon as possible.
New Business
Rocky Mountain Sustainability Summit: Brian and George Hecht would like the committee’s advice about whether the UO and/or the state should work toward establishing such a summit.
Sustainability Brochure: Karyn would like the committee to take a look at a brochure created by one of her students. It is a user’s guide to sustainability on campus projects and it may be something the committee could recommend as a resource guide.
Olympic Trials to be held at the UO in 2008: The trials will be sponsored by the City of Eugene and private funding. University representatives are on subcommittees and can try to help ensure that UO policies are recognized. Karyn is on a subcommittee and suggested that the EIC could assist by providing feedback and ideas to help raise awareness and set a positive sustainability legacy for future events. Bill made a suggestion to contact Rodale Press. As the publisher of Runners World and Organic Gardening, they could be a strong ally and financial supporter. The track coach would be another good contact. Brian offered to also discuss this with Jan Oliver.
Campus Energy Conservation
Karyn’s original idea was to work on developing a user guide for faculty, staff, and administrators that would include computer use, shutting off lights, etc. New employees already receive a packet that includes a list of 10 things to do to help conserve energy. She feels that it would be very helpful to have a letter from the administration encouraging the campus to reduce energy use and provide things that everyone can do to promote a culture of conservation. This could be expanded to help educate people about global warming and what can be done to reduce our impact and to promote the governor’s new of legislation on renewable energy.
Frances introduced Brian E. Smith as the new Assistant to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, effective September 1 st. She has asked him to interface with the committee and assist with the requested feedback mechanism as part of the recommendation process.
The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 29, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.