The Environmental Council (EC) has a long and successful history on the Middlebury campus. The EC is a standing committee of the College that recommends policy, undertakes assessment and projects, educates the college community and advises the President about the sustainable campus. Comprised of a cross-section of faculty, staff and students appointed by their representative bodies (Faculty Council, Staff Council and Student Government Association), the EC meets every other week throughout the academic year. Members make a significant commitment to environmental work as each person participates on at least one subcommittee that undertakes projects outside the bi-weekly meetings.
For the past several academic years, the EC has focused on documenting greenhouse gas emissions and developing a process for reducing campus carbon emissions. In 2003, this effort resulted in the establishment of a separate Carbon Reduction Initiative Working Group that will expand on the foundations laid by the EC. The EC is also working on policy and outreach efforts related to management of college lands, environmentally preferred purchasing, and carbon neutrality.
Of special interest to many, may be our Environmental Grants program. Funded initially by the Environmental Council budget as a pilot program, and now by the President's discretionary funds, this exceptional program has provided faculty, staff and student members of the college community financial resources to explore over seventy campus sustainability initiatives.
For your convenience, minutes of the EC meetings are posted regularly to this site, a list of current members is available, and significant reports documenting environmental benchmarks are accessible.
Annual Highlights
EC Minutes
Grants Program
History
Members
Mission Statement