ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
January 26, 2006
Knight Law School, Room 301

ATTENDEES:   Ben Farrell, Christine Thompson, Steve Mital, Paula Staight, Jim Blick, Robyn Hathcock, Mike Filippelli, Mark Dixon, Cathy Soutar, Kyla Coy, James Hiebert, Kay Coots and Guest: Frances Dyke

Smoke Free Campus

Committee members recapped discussions over the past few months regarding the feasibility and benefits of a smoke free campus. Kyla and Mike recently surveyed some of the ASUO student representatives, and found that there was generally not much support for further restrictions.  Instead, they would like to see more emphasis on enforcing current regulations.  Paula cited the example of the EMU Board reversing its decision, once presented with the necessary facts, and voted to ban cigarette sales.

New Projects

Frances presented three projects ideas and asked the committee to consider taking on one or more new projects, in addition to the non smoking issues.  She agreed that this is an important conversation that has not been undertaken recently.

1. Pesticide application and whether changes are needed to this program

2. Utilizing Bring Recycling to recover material from demolition projects

3. Create a demonstration green dorm room by outfitting it with high efficiency appliances, lighting, and other sustainable materials, etc.  Frances offered to help with funding.

Ben said that Tim King has accepted an invitation to the February 16^th meeting for an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program discussion. It was determined to begin by forming subcommittees:

Smoke Free Campus – Jim, Paula, Ben
IPM – Jim
Bring Recycling – Kyla, Ben
Green Dorm Room – Robyn, Steve, Mike, James, Kyla

Cathy and Christine were interested in all four subcommittees and offered to serve where they are most needed.  Christine pointed out that if a proposal for funding needs to be submitted to ECAF the timeframe for a green dorm room is more urgent.  The deadline is February 21, and it would need to come from a student group such as CASL or the ASUO. 

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the Knight Law School, Room 301.