Attendees: Jim Blick, Kelly Hansen, Ben Farrell, Paula Staight, William Cresko, Karyn Kaplan, Cathy Soutar, J.R. Gaddis, Anne Forrestel, Tara Burke
Status Updates from Brian Smith
The President’s Small Executive Staff (PSES) will meet on March 6 th to discuss the endorsement policy and process of considering requests such as the Talloires Declaration, The Climate Commitment, Zero Beverage Container Waste Campaign, and the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.
Green Dorm Room: Mike Eyster and Allen Gidley requested that a written proposal be prepared for their review. The subcommittee (Robyn Hathcock, Kay Coots, Kelly Hansen, and Cathy Soutar) will contact Steve Mital to work on this.
Wind Energy in the Residence Halls: Mike Eyster and Allen Gidley have asked for background information. Brian will contact Laura Hubbard about how the fee policy would work. Jim forwarded information that Steve Mital had already prepared (handout provided).
Subcommittee Reports
CASL : Cathy said that CASL has found a faculty advisor and have received assurance of EWEB funding. Karyn expressed a very heartfelt thank you to Cathy for her continued advocacy on behalf of CASL.
Recycled Paper: Jim had alerted Karyn to the fact that virgin paper had been purchased from Costco and was being used in the Registrar’s office. Karyn has been working on this recently since too often she finds that departments are not following the Recycled Paper Policy (even to the 30% degree). In order to remedy this situation, Harriett Merrick has proposed that we develop a university paper contract with one vendor to provide departments with 100% recycled paper that meets our policy requirements. A lot of education is also needed to reduce paper use. Jim will touch base with Harriett.
Tara and Kelly offered to contact Steve Mital to work on organizing a student run educational campaign. Anne suggested that it would be effective to go to individual departments with a sample 100% recycled ream of paper and/or attending department meetings to help educate, survey, and collect information. J.R. could provide a list of departments and locations.
Transportation
Christine and Jim met with Fred Tepfer. He pointed out that the transportation policy needs to be updated since this was last done in 1976. Fred feels that most of the tools are available, but we need support from the UO administration. It would be good to link it to global warming and energy use initiatives.
They also discussed the traffic issue on 13 th Avenue. The campus plan states that there should be no vehicle traffic past Huestis Hall; however, there are no signs or bollards to avert vehicles. The heavy mix of pedestrian, bike, and vehicle traffic is dangerous. Fred also brought up the idea of moving the alternative transportation function from DPS to Facilities Services. There is a mismatch of culture involved in housing alternative transportation in a security enforcement environment. Planning and promotion would more naturally fit and be better served in a Facilities Services environment, separate from parking. The EIC will consider supporting this change by making a recommendation to Frances Dyke.
Karyn requested that the alternative transportation brochure be updated. Dorene Steggell has this in a pdf format, and Ben offered to review it.
Smoke Free Campus
Paula shared that the request for volunteers to serve on UO committees reads that the EIC – “recommends policy, programs on environmental issues that affect the quality of life, safety, and health of faculty, staff, students, and the general public.” In the spirit of this statement and in accordance with data on both health and environmental impact of smoking, it is entirely within this committee’s purview to work toward becoming a non smoking campus in 4 to 5 years. Indianapolis University at Purdue is now a non smoking campus and has found no issues with admissions declining as a result of this decision. Paula Also suggested interim measures such as 25 foot distance from entrances and removal of designated smoking entrances.
Campus Energy Policy/Global Warming
Karyn attended a conference at the University of Colorado and has a lot of information to share with the committee at the next meeting. She noted that they have three new LEEDS buildings. Plaques and signs are a very prevalent on campus each room you find notices about recycling.
Diesel and Benzene: Jim received a complaint about diesel fumes near Huestis Hall. He spoke with Kay Coots and progress has been made in remedying this situation. The committee shared a few ideas on this topic: 1) It is a myth that diesel trucks need to be kept running; 2) President Bush has signed a law to make diesel fuel less toxic by reduction of sulfur and particulates; 3) Paula has a video clip about benzene release when gas tanks are topped off and will provide the link via e-mail.
Plastic Water Bottles
Karyn provided some information from a web site about the soaring consumption of bottled water and the massive amount of plastic waste this one entity is creating. According to a 2005 Sierra Club report, 10 million plastic bottles are tossed every year. She said sales are up to 126 million bottles each year. Karyn proposed that UO provide filtered water dispensers around campus. The committee thought this was a great idea and will recommend it.
The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held from 10:00 – 11:30 p.m. in the EMU Coquille room on Wednesday, March 19, 2007.