ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
June 16, 1999
EMU, Owyhee Room

ATTENDEES: Karyn Kaplan, David Niles, Connie French, Bev Murrow, JR Gaddis, Robyn Hathcock

Announcements:
Karyn invited Teresa Sabol Spezio to an upcoming meeting to talk about what assistance the committee may provide in the environmental audit class.
Kay, Karyn and the recycling crew were invited to the Department of Education’s staff meeting to discuss confidential material handling, the environmental policy and recycling.

Old Business:
J.R. reported on the status of the Paper Policy. Hemp paper is on order and the use of 50% and 100% recycled paper has continued to increase. Approximately 20% of orders are still for virgin paper. He does not know why anyone would still be ordering virgin paper since there have been no problems with the use of recycled paper. Some departments still order from outside sources and purchase in bulk, thereby getting a lower price. JR is also working on getting a consortium of universities together to increase buying power.
Karyn suggested a strategy to require that departments who still order from Boise Cascade be in compliance with the paper policy, i.e., purchasing virgin paper would not be an option. Changes could be implemented when the contract is renegotiated. She would also like to contact Harriet Merrick about educating the purchasing staff.
The logo is now on the Web page. The wording still needs some adjustment as it appears a little fuzzy.

New Business:
Environmental Policy Education and Implementation:
The environmental policy has positively effected some of the current practices and work needs to continue with key people in the departments. The committee discussed the following strategies:

• Focus on presenting the policy in departments
• Build up the environmental coordinators role
• Find creative ways to get people to change their thinking
• Need ways to show people that it’s in their self interest to implement policy
• Highlight first department that implements the policy; i.e. article in newspaper
• Work on making ecologically sound practices the default
• What systems can be effected so that conservation is the rule and not the exception
• Use of the envelopes or stuffers when pay checks are mailed, i.e. put on a message
• The print ad campaign needs to target environmental and recycled paper policy
• Thirty second radio ads can be placed on KWVA for $10. Karyn asked everyone to send her additional thoughts and ideas on ways to effect positive changes.

1999-2000 Appointments:
In addition to the appointment letter from the president’s office, Connie volunteered to send a confirmation E-mail to all members. The purpose would be to find out if everyone plans to accept their appointment, will be able to attend meetings regularly and are interested in actively participating. She will also check to make sure that Bev Murrow is appointed and on having classified staff members appointed earlier.

Transportation, Recycling and Energy:
The Law School and the Grayson and Esslinger renovations have all included covered bike parking. Esslinger and the Law School included the purchase of recycling containers in their budget and plans. Karyn submitted a grant proposal for $15,000 for recycling bins in the EMU.
David commented on the master plan for cycling at the policy level and sees that it is flawed in terms of the reasons given for promoting alternative modes. The two main reasons being that it costs too much to build new parking and the impact of motorized vehicle traffic congestion on the community. However, David points to the larger picture which is the impact transportation has on a global scale and feels that the policy on promoting alternative transportation needs to be redirected. The World Health Organization has now drafted a charter on transportation which is on their Web page.

The incentive programs for using alternative means of transportation is now on hold due to a legal issue. The concern is that UO employees would receive benefits that others in the Oregon state system would not. David asked for the committee’s support on overcoming this roadblock. The committee applauded plans to develop a transportation resource center which could help people with planning and routes.

J.R. asked for an update on bus rapid transit. According to David, the program would give about $5 million to LTD, but the projected increase in riders is relatively insignificant. There is a need for a greater emphasis on transportation demand management (TDM), which is basically education. While Transplan talks about TDM, it doesn’t do anything about it. Most of the $1.7 billion would fund new road construction. Public comment is scheduled for September
Bev wanted to know whether a statement or letter from the committee would be admissible in a public comment forum. David would be the most logical choice to draft one and the chair could present it. Karyn suggested that David provide the most important points to be covered and the committee could then work on a response. The final document could also be submitted to President Frohnmayer and to the Friends of Eugene.

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 21 at 11:00am in the EMU Umpqua Room.

Minutes submitted by Linda Johnson