ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES COMMITTEE
October 27, 2005
EMU Umpqua Room

ATTENDEES:  Ben Farrell, Rand Stamm, JR Gaddis, James Heibert, James Blick, Kay Coots, Bob Jones, Paula Staight

Tallories Declaration

Dan Williams met with the committee last spring and indicated that the EIC would report to his predecessor in the fall.  It was decided that the first order of business this year would be to re-send the Talloires Declaration to Dave Frohnmayer and the new VP for Finance and Administration, Frances Dyke.  Since it is the committee’s understanding that EIC will now report to Frances, it was also decided to invite her to a meeting in the near future.  Ben will write a draft for the committee to review.  Bob suggested that Dave Hubin also be copied on this memo.

Year End Report

In addition to the Tallories follow up letter, the committee discussed the need to support continued funding of the student environmental coordinator position.  Ben will draft a letter to the ASUO.

Rand reported that DPS does follow up on EIC recommendations whenever feasible.  They collaborated with Steve Mital on a transportation survey last year and will be working with him on another survey directed toward students.  DPS is also working on an alternative transportation modes project in collaboration with a professor in PPPM.  They have implemented a ride matching web site and also a ride share program.

New Business

Ben asked for agenda items for 2005-06:

*  Paula would like the committee to work on education and awareness concerning a smoking on campus.  There are new smoking benches around campus and she feels that their placement makes smoking very visible and sends a message that tends to normalize it.  Pedestrians are also subjected to second-hand smoke around these benches.

Some of the environmental negatives are the toxins in discarded cigarette butts and deforestation as trees are being cut down just to dry the leaves.  Part of the solution is to provide more education and cessation assistance.

Student involvement would be key to this effort, and it would be great if the ASUO would be interested in getting involved.  James Heibert offered to bring this to the attention of Rosie Sweetman, ASUO Environmental Coordinator.

Jim recommended that the EIC have in a broader discussion about a smoke free campus and include it in the year-end report. The committee felt that a smoke-free campus would be a good marketing tool when recruiting new students.

*   Jim suggested that the committee discuss pesticide use on campus with the idea of creating pesticide free zones.  Kay said that the university has been collecting data, and she can provide the committee with information on the integrated pest management program.

*   Jim also would like to recommend that e-mail reminders be re-instituted.  A couple of years ago, Facilities Services would send energy saving tips, statistics, etc.  Bob cautioned that these should be sent in batches so as not to overload the networks.  They could be routed through building managers.  Kay will contact Facilities Services to ask about starting this service again.

Ben feels that this could be part of a larger discussion and action program to provide more education regarding ways to save paper, energy, etc.

The Environmental Issues Committee will be held on Monday, November 14^th from 3:00 – 4:30 pm in the EMU Board Room.