October 7, 1999

Sustainability Integration Office

About Events Initiatives Tools & Resources Policies & Principles

Environmental Council

Mission Statement Members History Annual Highlights

EC Minutes

Grants Program

Environmental Studies Program Fellowships in Environmental Journalism Archives

Environmental Council Meeting Minutes
October 7, 1999
Old Chapel 206
Vice Chair: Amy Seif

In attendance: Amy Seif, Krista Siringo, Dan Bedford, Mike Snow, George McPhail, Tom Kelly, Linda Pitkin, Kathy Morse, Jess Pasko, Jamie McBride, Oren Frey, Brian Harding, Margaret Aleks, Tyson Schoelzel

Absent: Nan Jenks-Jay, Charlie Sargent

1. The meeting was called to order at 4:20 p.m.

2. Member Introductions
The members of the Council introduced themselves in order around the table, with Brian Harding first as he was not present at the first Council meeting.

3. The minutes from the Sept. 22, 1999 meeting were approved and noted that they are available on the Council's web site, http://community.middlebury.edu/~enviroc/.

4. Council Decision-Making
A. Decisions made via email: Amy suggested several types of decisions that could appropriately be made via email, including: 1) Expenditures of $100 or less; 2) Meeting preparation; 3) Co-sponsoring of events. Linda added documents to be approved/edited would also be appropriate.
B. Decisions made in meetings: Amy suggested several types of decisions that should be discussed at Council meetings, including: 1) Direction/focus of the Council; 2) Developing/sponsoring of large events or initiatives; 3) Activities that require subcommittees; 4) Policy decisions. Amy added that the Council should have some structure on the way decisions are made, suggesting an open discussion format for a set period of time with a summary by the Chair with resolution, recommendations, or need for more discussion. Linda asked that the most important items be addressed at the beginning of meetings so those who need to leave early will still be able to participate.
C. Formal voting procedure: Amy suggested expenditures larger than $100 should be voted on; Tyson added Council activities that would require a large investment of time should also be voted on. It was decided that in the spirit of not being too formal, the Council would discuss most items unless members felt a pressing need to vote.

5. Discussion Items
A. Environmental Fair (November 18th): Amy introduced this item for discussion, asking Council members if they would like to participate in the Fair this year. Members agreed, with more discussion to follow as a sub-committee is established.
B. Campus Audit : Kathy handed out copies of the 1998 audit to all members and Dan described 3 questions that came out of his review of the materials:
1) What is the purpose of the audit?
2) What should the goals of the audit be?
3) How should the Council go about achieving these goals?
Dan suggested decentralizing the audit process, for example having residence halls perform their own audits. Jess added ES 112 requires students to complete a personal usage survey so it might be possible to dovetail with that kind of activity. Amy reported Nan's comments about the audit as having helped the recycling and composting programs considerably and being useful to generate discussion around future decisions being made on campus. Kathy suggested the audit as a means for helping the College save money and Tyson added it is an important vehicle to look back on and utilize to observe trends and have areas of improvement to focus on. Jess felt there was a need to more effectively disseminate the information from the audit in the future, and Kathy added the Council needed to be careful about using the audit to pass judgment; rather it should be an opportunity to acknowledge good work and make recommendations for the future. George recalled the Energy Council, as it was previously known, hosted competitions among residence halls to promote awareness about recycling, waste reduction and water usage.
C. Council Focus on 1 Issue/Year (Transportation):
Amy presented transportation as an issue the Council could focus on this year, as opposed to working simultaneously on a variety of issues like last year. Tom spoke of the need to work in conjunction with the many other departments on campus that this issue affects, in order to incorporate a broader perspective and facilitate discussion among these groups. Dan, George and Linda all commented that this is a pressing issue that many people have opinions about, therefore it might be a good topic to focus on. George spoke of a committee that was being formed or had already been formed around the issue and that the Council should have a representative to this committee. Amy suggested she wanted the Council's voice to be heard and that although a committee might already exist, there might be other ways the Council could work on this issue concurrently.

6. Summary
Amy summarized the discussion of the Council with regard to:
A. Environmental Fair : The Council will participate and create a subcommittee to work on this project.
B. Campus Audit : The Council agreed to conduct an audit every other year but possibly decentralize the process because it is so time-consuming and complicated. The Council agreed to review the 1998 audit this year and establish a process and goals for future audits, and hope to use the 1998 audit information to stimulate competitions and improvements.
C. Council Focus (Transportation): The Council agreed to focus on transportation but not in the hopes of "solving the problem" or to the exclusion of work on other issues. Rather, the Council will address the outreach and education components of the transportation issue and send a delegate to the campus-wide committee on transportation.

7. Subcommittee Identification
The Council identified 7 tentative subcommittees: Environmental Fair, Audit Planning, Audit Implementation, Delegates to Groups/Campus Transportation Committee, Transportation Education, Efficiency, Outreach
Amy will email the subcommittee list and ask members to sign up. Brian stated his concern that the Council might neglect to educate first year students about issues like recycling and water usage. Mike added he was concerned there was not room for the Council to work on a variety of issues if the focus was primarily on transportation. Amy stated in her work as Environmental Coordinator, she is abreast of these other issues so they are not falling by the wayside. She added if the Council has more of a focus this year than in past years, members might feel more is being accomplished. Kathy commented that the work of the audit spans a variety of issues and is a way for Council members to stay in touch with those outside of the transportation spectrum.

8. Vote on Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
George expressed concern over the reasons why Middlebury might want to be part of this organization, and what benefit it would serve. Krista expressed an interest in joining to both support the work of the organization itself and contribute to positive public relations for Middlebury. Other members wondered if joining was something the administration would support. The Council ultimately voted 8 yes, 4 no or abstain to designate $200 for membership to VT. Membership in Businesses for Social Responsibility is contingent upon approval from the administration.

9. Other Business
Tyson suggested the Council should strongly consider hosting dorm competitions for something eco-friendly, as well as co-sponsoring EQ's Potty Signs. Amy asked a student member of the Council to attend SGA's meeting on Sunday, Oct. 10 to report on the activities of the Council to date. Oren will attend.

4. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Krista Siringo on October 7, 1999.