ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
May 19, 1999
EMU, Maple Room

ATTENDEES: Robyn Hathcock, Connie French, John Bittner, Karyn Kaplan, JR Gaddis, Marti Ravits

Wrap up for the 1998-99 year
Final Report Karen sent a draft of the annual report to the committee on May 19 via E-mail. The report begins with a summary, followed by special events, subcommittee reports and recommendations. The final report will be ready by June 1.

Future Projects
Improving Student Involvement: Marti suggested recruiting student members from the Environmental Studies program and offering internships. John asked if it would be possible to increase the number of students appointed from ASUO. Karyn will research both of these options. More advertisement needs to be directed toward the student population. Ideas on this ranged from posting information to the ASUO programs E-mail list to contacting OSPRIG and Land, Air, Water in the fall.

Improving Faculty and Staff Involvement: Would it be possible to ask Dan Williams to reappoint members who regularly don’t attend meetings? Could a policy be instated such as three missed meetings and a member would be taken off the committee?

Improving Campus-wide Involvement: John cited an example from the STEP Team -- they instituted a suggestion form and found that it really increased their visibility. An environmental concern form and suggestion box would allow people to bring issues up for new business. A press release or an article in the Emerald this fall. Areas to be included are last year’s accomplishments, what the committee stands for, and plans for 1999-2000.

Sub-Committee Issues
Transportation: Marti recommended that the EIC support and help to empower the bicycle coordinator. The committee supports making that position an ex-officio.

Communications: The logo needs to be finalized. Karen asked Robyn to add an on-line suggestion box to the Web page.

New Business
Connie French and Karyn Kaplan were nominated to act as co-chairs. The committee voted unanimously in favor of this nomination.

The committee decided to continue to meet over the summer on the third Wednesday each month from 11-12pm in order to conduct strategic planning and organization sessions for next year.

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16 at 11:00am in the EMU Owyhee Room.

Minutes submitted by Linda Johnson