ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
October 29, 2002
Board Room
ATTENDEES: Bob Jones, Paige West, Christine Thompson, Anne Forrestel, Gregg Stripp, Julia Heydon, Levi Strom, Vivian Vassall, Wayne Jewett, Dorene Steggell, Kay Coots, J.R. Gaddis, Chris Jones, Sara Henderson, Jo Rodgers
Guests: Harriet Merrick, Steve Mital, Josh Ruddick
Overview
Kay Coots distributed the Committee Charge and a contact list of all members. She gave a brief overview. EIC was formed in 1991. Dan Williams saw the need for a forum to advise him on environmental issues. The charge is very open in that the Committee may choose to look at anything involving environmental issues on campus. One of the most prevalent concepts throughout the charge is education. In addition to reporting to Dan, the Committee now also reports to the University Senate via a year-end report.
List Serve
The consensus was to change the reply function so that messages only go to the sender. In order to reply to the entire list, choose ‘reply to all’ in your mail program or copy and paste the list address.
New Appointment
Steve Mital is interested in becoming an EIC member. The Committee unanimously agreed to add Steve as one of the faculty appointments.
Athletic Program Printing
J.R. contacted Tom Larson. Tom said that Athletics is aware of the Good Company sustainability assessment. The programs are now being printed on recycled paper at IP/Koke Printing Company.
Facilities Services
George Hecht asked Kay to discuss several items on his behalf:
1) Cooperative effort between Facilities Services and Energy Studies and Buildings Lab. She distributed a page from a web site illustrating energy that the University is consuming. At some point George would like input from EIC regarding renewable energy purchasing. It would cost approximately 20% more to purchase energy that EWEB designates as wind generated and/or certified salmon friendly. Would the money be better spent in energy conservation efforts?
2) The grounds crew is actively looking at water use and alternatives
Transportation Update
Christine Thompson reported that some information from the 1996 Campus Planning Transportation Conference is available on the University Planning web site. Implementation strategies are not on the site; however, a hard copy is available. She will work on getting this information into an E-mail.
Additional suggestions for areas which could benefit from forming subcommittees:
* Kay Coots suggested that a subcommittee look at what has been done in non-Facilities areas as a result of the Good Company assessment. The findings could be posted to the web page.
* Jo Rodgers distributed a brochure on Humboldt State’s Center for Appropriate Technology. CCAT was started in 1978. Visitors to the center can experience various forms of appropriate technology, such as bicycle-powered television, use of solar panels and wind turbines. At this point, they produce surplus energy and sell some back to the university. They have a horticultural garden, composting toilets, rain water-catching system, and gray water recycling, etc. Their web site address is: http://www.humboldt.edu/~ccat
Jo said that there is interest in developing a similar center at UO. The Ecological Design Center has formed a subcommittee to explore this idea. She suggested one way EIC could lend support is through formal endorsement in conjunction with the Design Center.
Steve asked whether a proposal has been forwarded to the Capital Campaign. The deadline for submissions is very soon. He suggested Jo contact Dan Udovic.
* Gregg Stripp suggested that the creation of an Environmental Coordinator position would benefit the University.
* Vivian Vassall would like to see the Committee work on ways to educate by highlighting current environmental policies. For example, a brochure or laminated poster could be created for each campus organization.
Building metering project and energy conservation: Paige West is working on a project called Reduce the Juice, an energy conservation competition between the residence complexes.
Subcommittees were formed to work on the following areas:
Education – Kay Coots, Sara Henderson, Julia Heydon, Levi Strom, Vivian Vassall
Transportation – Sara Henderson, Steve Mital, Dorene Steggell, Paige West
Environmental Literacy Undergraduate Curriculum Requirement – Anne Forrestel,
Jo Rodgers, Vivan Vassall,
The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, November 21, 3:30 – 5:00 in the EMU Umpqua Room.