January 24, 2001
Environmental Council Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2001
Old Chapel 206
Meeting with President McCardell
In attendance: Nan Jenks-Jay, Kathy Morse, Amy Seif, Pete Ryan, Story Parker, Ben Wessler, George McPhail, Mike Snow, Oren Frey
Absent: Krista Siringo, Caitlin Hicks, Erik Skovsted, Jon Isham, Tom Kelly, Charlie Sargent
1. The meeting was called to order at 4:25 p.m.
2. Welcome and Introductions
Nan Jenks-Jay began the meeting. She is pleased that Middlebury College enables the Environmental Council and the Project Review Committee. The PRC will be releasing the Framework to the public within the next month or two. Middlebury College is recognized as a leader in campus environmental affairs. The members introduced themselves to President McCardell.
3. Council's Issue of the Year
A. Background :
Amy Seif attended a meeting hosted by Clean Air-Cool Planet of environmental coordinators from UNH, UVM, Dartmouth, and Tufts. It become obvious at that meeting that Midd is very strong in energy efficiency and green building programs, which makes us poised to be a leader in abating global warming. The U.S. has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, which would require a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels. Many schools are becoming interested in meeting the protocol as a grassroots response to governmental inaction. The newest prediction from the IPCC is that global temperatures will rise in the next hundred years between 2.7 and 11 degrees F; this is startling considering a drop in 11 degrees is all that is keeping us from Ice Age temperatures.
B. Goals:
The Environmental Council is interested in reducing the College's greenhouse gas emissions. The first step we will take is to do a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, with the help of Clean Air-Cool Planet, to find out what our biggest emitters are and how we compare with other schools of relative size. We will then develop an action plan recommended for the College. The Council continues to do community-wide education on climate change and the associated issues of energy conservation and transportation. The President suggests connecting with the town and region on these initiatives. Also, he suggests that we integrate the "issue of the year" into academic programs. His suggestions include bringing in speakers on the subject through an endowed lecture and teaching a J-term class.
C. Air Conditioning Policies :
The Council is developing A/C Policies for every kind of space (residential, office, etc.) on campus, as suggested by the President. In the past, A/C was only used to protect equipment. Now, with a new air conditioned residence hall being built, a can of worms has been opened. According to George McPhail, the College will have a bigger A/C load than a heating load with the completion of Ross. Other ways of cooling a building are suggested, such as planting trees, designing for cross-ventilation, and ceiling fans. Window air conditioners are extremely inefficient.
D. Clean Cities Initiative :
The Council thanks President McCardell for his support of the Vermont Clean Cities Plan and the College's commitment to purchasing two new electric vehicles. The Department of Energy has just designated VT to be a "Clean City," which means that there will be grant support for new alternative vehicle fleets and creating new refueling stations. Middlebury College is poised to benefit from several grants; there is a possibility that we will get five Ford Thinks! through a DOE grant which could be used by the Commons Program. The President asked about the ski shuttle, which he finds to be a success. The students on Council agree, but request shuttle runs on weekends after J-term.
E. Transportation Planner :
The Council is interested in hiring a transportation planner as a consultant on developing a Transportation Demand Management plan for Midd. TDM programs cut down on single passenger vehicle commuter travel; these programs may include vanpools, guaranteed ride home programs, improvements to bikeways, carpooling programs, etc. The President also suggests getting some hard data on parking and transportation. This is another area in which the Council could work with the town. The Council is charged with developing a plan for this consultant, which includes what the consultant would do, what he/she would require, and what the result would be; this plan should be given to the selectboard.
4. Environmental Grant Program
A. Last Year's Program :
Last year, the Council used $1500 from their budget to award three grants. One grant funded staff research into chemical use on the campus landscape. Another grant funded research into double-sided printers by two students. This resulted in the purchase by ITS of two printers, one in Bi Hall and one in Voter. The third grant funded a restoration plan for the Bi Hall wetland. The student who was awarded this grant now works doing wetlands restoration, and she will be featured in the National Wildlife Federation's magazine as a "Conservation Hero."
B. This Year :
The President gave the Council $25000 last year to support this year's grant program. So far, $16,000 has been spent on seven projects by students, faculty, and staff. The deadline for applications is Feb 1, and the Council expects to spend the full $25,000 this year.
C. Future Funding :
The President asked, "Should we do it again?" The Council is interested in offering environmental grants next year. President McCardell gave the Council $25,000 for next year, and is allowing the Council to keep any funds that remain in this year's budget for next year. The Council thanks the President. This gives the Council time to secure long-term support for the program. The President requests a year-end report and campus wide dissemination. He requests to be invited, along with other members of the administration, to the public presentations by grant recipients.
5. University Leaders for a Sustainable Future
The Council is interested in having the College join ULSF, which will enable us to be featured in ULSF publications and assist us with networking with other schools. Information on ULSF will be sent to the President. Membership is $500.
6. Comments from President McCardell
President McCardell called the meeting a productive session. He thanked the Council for all that we are doing and says we should let him know if there are ways in which he can help. The ES External Review team told him that the College is doing perhaps the "best job" of walking the walk. They request that we distinguish between global and international study and ask that we carry the work we are doing into the larger community.
7. The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 pm.
Minutes respectively submitted by Amy Seif on January 31, 2001.