September 20, 2000
Environmental Council Meeting Minutes
September 20, 2000
Old Chapel Lawn
Chair: Nan Jenks-Jay
In attendance: Pete Ryan, Krista Siringo, Charlie Sargent, George McPhail, Nan Jenks-Jay, Kathy Morse, Amy Seif, Mike Snow, Katy Saunders.
Absent: Jonathan Isham, Tom Kelly, Linda Pitkin (students members not yet chosen).
1. The meeting was called to order at 4:25 p.m.
2. Introductions
The members of the Council introduced themselves. In addition to Nan Jenks-Jay, the Chair, and Amy Seif, the Vice-Chair, this year's Council includes four faculty members, four staff members, and seven students. The student members to the Council will be determined by the Student Government Association before the next Council meeting.
3. Introduction to the Council
Kathy Morse will give an introduction at the next Council meeting on October 4.
4. Focus Items for this Year
A. State of the Environment Report: Last year's Council came to the decision to complete the next Report in Spring '02. This year, we will need to focus on developing an agenda and starting the research.
B. Environmental Peak Task Force: The Peaks of Excellence are now engaged in a year-long planning process, including the Environmental Peak. A Retreat was held for Environmental Studies Faculty and Staff, during which the issue of campus environmental affairs and potential integration with the academic program was explored. A Council sub-committee will be formed to develop goals and objectives for a sustainable campus over the next five years. These will be integrated in the peak planning process.
C. Council Issue of the Year: Last year, the Council made a decision to pick a focus issue for each year. Last year's issue was transportation. We need to decide on an issue for this year. One idea is to focus on climate change, which would include doing a climate change emissions inventory as part of the State of the Environment Report.
D. Ridgeline Landscaping: Because the existing Ridgeline landscape has an unpleasant appearance, the Ridgeline Committee has been charged with coming up with a landscaping solution that incorporates sustainable landscape methodology. Norm Cushman has replaced George McPhail as the Chair of this committee. The committee has explored the meaning of a "sustainable landscape." The committee interviewed three possible consultants to develop a design for Ridgeline, but none of the consultants met the committee's needs. Instead, an internal solution for the most damaged area of Ridgeline has been selected, with Greg Yandow currently developing a design. Because this area receives much abuse from building occupants, it presents an enormous challenge. Mike Ade, a member of the landscaping crew who was interested in sustainable solutions, has resigned from his position with the college.
E. Parking Study Committee: Last year, the Committee focused on solving the most critical needs for parking, and the second phase is scheduled to occur this year. The committee will discuss incentives and disincentives to get community members from using single passenger travel. A memo went out to the college community from Ann Hanson, in which carpooling was mentioned. A carpooling board has been added to Middpoints. Amy Seif is participating in the initiative to create a regional transportation center in Middlebury. A photo of the electric bus will go in the President's Report.
F. Events: Although the Council is not usually the appropriate group for organizing events, there are two events which the Council has traditionally participated in. These are the Environmental Fair (Nov 16) and Earth Day.
G. Environmental Grant Program: See below.
H. Other: Nan Jenks-Jay reminded the Council to not forget about the "community" aspect of the work we do and to incorporate the region and town into our initiatives.
5. Environmental Grant Program
Krista Siringo discussed the grant program, started last year with a budget of $1500, and expanded this year by the President to $25000. The grant program is a way to implement the State of the Environment Report's recommendations. The grants are available to faculty, staff, and students. Project applications are due by October 17, and projects must be completed by July 1, 2001. The maximum grant award will be $15,000. Amy Seif will announce the availability of the grants, through all campus and special interest group emails, an ad in The Campus, table tents, Middpoints, and at the ES Colloquium.
6. Summary of Summer Initiatives
A. Environmental News: The second issue of the environmental peak newsletter will be out this fall.
B. Clean Cities Initiative: Amy Seif is involved with the Vermont Clean Cities Initiative, an initiative to replace gas vehicles with alternatively fueled vehicles and to build better infrastructure for alternatively fueled vehicles within the state. Soon, the committee expects to win Dept of Energy designation for Vermont as a Clean City. The Environmental Council is a sponsor of the initiative.
C. Electric Car: The College is now leasing an electric car from EVermont, as well as an electric truck. Security and Facilities Management will be using the car, and the electric vehicle outreach intern will conduct education and demonstration with the car and the truck. Pete Ryan is interested in using the car for class transportation.
D. Orientations: Amy Seif presented on environmental affairs at New Faculty Orientation, New Staff Orientation, Residential Life Orientation, New Student Orientation, and to the Pre-enrollment Program.
E. Sustainability Discussions: A new lunchtime discussion group for faculty and staff regarding readings on sustainability has begun.
F. Wetland Violation: The college has been in negotiation since the wetlands error was realized. Lara Dumond's environmental grant project on restoring the Bicentennial wetland may be part of the mitigation plan for the Ridgeline wetland. Kate Turner and Jen Delenardo's grant project on double-sided printers has resulted in ITS purchasing two double-sided printers, in Voter and BiHall.
G. Project Review Committee: Green certified wood is being installed in Ross Commons. The Atwater process is going well, and the PRC is meeting early with the library architects. The PRC is moving to a creative, rather than critical, process.
H. New Recycling Facility: A new 1.5 - 2.5 million dollar facility is under discussion. External Affairs is interested in finding a donor. This facility may incorporate an educational center, vernacular architecture, and environmental design elements.
7. Other Business:
A. Council meeting dates are Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 11, Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 29, and Dec 13. Three dates were changed due to conflicts in member's schedules. The next meeting on Oct 4 will take place in 23 Adirondack View, instead of in Old Chapel.
B. The Environmental Council can sponsor several registrations for the Building an Ecological Economy Conference in October.
C. The Environmental Studies Program is sponsoring the Something Wild, Something Managed Conference on Oct 5-6 at Middlebury College.
8. The meeting was adjorned at 5:45 pm.
Minutes respectively submitted by Amy Seif on September 25, 2000.