March 8, 2000
Environmental Council Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2000
Geonomics Seminar Room
Vice Chair: Amy Seif
In Attendance: Amy Seif, Oren Frey, Jamie McBride, Charlie Sargent, Jessica Pasko, Kathy Morse, Linda Pitkin, George McPhail, Mike Snow
Absent: Nan Jenks-Jay, Brian Harding, Tom Kelly, Margaret Aleks, Krista Siringo, Tyson Schoelzel, Dan Bedford
1. Approved Minutes, February 23, 2000.
2. Ridgeline Woods:
A. Summary:
George gave a quick summary of the Ridgeline Woods landscaping situation. He explained that the original landscaping may not have been done well due to unforeseen weather and other problems, and therefore mostly weeds have grown. The Environmental Council feels that landscaping with grass may not be the best solution and a sub-committee has been formed to come up with an alternative plan. The Council may ask for the assistance of outside consultants, such as Jose Alminana or John Hart from UNH.
B. Sub-Committee:
The new "Ridgeline Woods Sub-Committee" is comprised of Linda Pitkin, Dan Bedford, George McPhail, and Mike Snow. George has volunteered to be the Committee Chair, and he will organize the first meeting. Anyone not present at the meeting who would like to sit on this sub-committee should contact George.
3. Detailed Sub-Committee Reports:
A. Audit Implementation :
1. This Year's Grants: All budget matters have been taking care of. Lara Dumond has won a grant from the National Wildlife Federation for her wetlands project, and may not need the full $700 granted to her by the Environmental Council anymore.
2. Next Year's Grants: The Audit Implementation Committee discussed an application deadline of October 2000 to allow for recipients to work on their projects all year. Grant amounts should be left open and are up to the applicants depending on project needs. The selection committee should be comprised of members from the Council, including at least 2 faculty, 1 staff, and 1 student. The Audit Implementation Committee is now dissolved for this year, since they have accomplished committee goals.
B. Audit Planning :
Tom developed discussion notes for the Council, which Kathy distributed to all Council members. At the next meeting, we will discuss the questions for discussion in detail. We discussed starting the research for the audit in the fall of 2000, and publishing the audit in September of 2001.
C. Transportation:
1. Route and Schedule for Electric Bus: The Council discussed Eric Skovsted's four options for a route. Suggestions included running the schedule by Peter Bouchard to make sure it works for class schedules, the routes should be geared to student needs, and that the time alloted for stops on Route 4 did not seem realistic. The routes have gone to Community Council, SGA, and Staff Council for their input. Jamie, Kathy, Oren, and Mike volunteered to help pass out surveys on the bus during the trial run.
2. Survey Results: Jess described the results of the November 1999 Environmental Fair survey on student transportation; a list of the results was sent to all Council members and posted on the EC website. Results include that 40 students out of 100 drive frequently, bad weather and being busy cause students to drive more, and 80% felt parking was an important issue on campus. All results can be viewed on the web.
3. Update on Parking Study Committee: Only one meeting so far has been held. The committee has asked for more information in order to make informed decisions. It sounds like many on the committee are in favor of increasing parking.
4. Other Sub-Committees:
A. Events:
The Council voted (6 out of 7 voted in favor) to co-sponsor the Womensing acapella group's Earth Week concert on April 29. The Council will give $100 to Womensing, who will need to find other sponsors. Other Earth Week events include the Council's trail clean-up, campus hike, student art exhibit, the Museum's art showing, CSO social career links, Earth Dances, Tai Chi by the lake, Russ's Rockin' Earth Day Barbeque, an an EQ event. Middlebury College is a member of the national Earth Day Network.
B. Outreach:
The Trail Clean-up will take place on Sunday, April 30. Jess is organizing the clean-up with the Middle School. Charlie is organizing the supplies. Amy volunteered to be interviewed on public radio if someone from the sub-committee organizes this.
5. Other Business :
A. Get Well Card:
Krista Siringo was in a car accident, and fortunately has only relatively minor injuries.
B. Responsible Purchasing:
Mike requested that this be discussed at the next meeting.
C. New Lights:
George informed the Council that he has put up new solar-powered lights outside Bicentennial Hall by the stairs. The lights store enough energy to supply light during a string of five cloudy days. The Council thanks George.
5. The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Amy Seif on March 10, 2000.