May 2, 2001
Environmental Council Meeting Minutes
May 2, 2001
Le Chateau B
Chair: Nan Jenks-Jay
In attendance: Krista Siringo, Kathy Morse, Amy Seif, Caitlin Hicks, Nan Jenks-Jay, Mike Snow, Story Parker, Brittany Gill, Timothy McCahill, Kaitlin Gregg, Erik Skovsted, Ben Wessler, George McPhail, Tom Kelly, Jon Isham, Pete Ryan
1. Minutes from April 18, 2001 were approved.
2. Environmental Grant Presentations:
A. Andrew Corrigan:
Digital camera for The Campus. This camera is used 50% of the time by Campus photographers, and they hardly ever have to use the darkroom. Quality is good.
B. Rich Wolfson :
Generating heat from compost (with Katinka Locascio). Findings presented at a conference and submitted to the Journal of Compost Science. Research is continuing with a student doing a theoritical analysis on the contours developed by Katinka.
C. Josh Frank :
Resource Guide. How can we educate students to be ecoliterate? Guide includes trash and recycling, water and wastewater, food and local resources. Every teacher up to the 6th grade in Addison County will receive a guide.
D. Suzanne Fogt:
Sustainable skiing. Examined the Environmental Charter for ski areas. Talked to Pete Macky of the Snow Bowl. The Snow Bowl meets Act250 and other requirements, but there are additional steps that could be taken, such as with waste management in the cafeteria. Opportunities for class projects.
E. Mike Romankowitz:
Paper alternatives. Looked into paper choices, which include tree-free papers (hemp, kenapf) and 100% post-consumer paper. Badger paper has been tested. Recommends 100% post-consumer paper for the College.
F. Cathy Vincent :
Digital Camera for HR. Uses the camera for Middpoints photos. Has eliminated the need to drive downtown for chemical processing. Also eliminated waste, took 70 photos at one event but only ended up using 8 photos.
G. Ron Schildge:
Biodiesal Research. Uses Proctor's used vegetable oil and refined it down in the Old Science Center. Recommends that the college buy biodiesal from a production facility and use in fleet vehicles. Reduces pollution and same price as diesal fuel if you purchase in bulk.
H. Ethan Lacy :
Campus tree inventory. Identifying tree species, how many are non-native. This inventory will help if there is a tree epidemic and can be used as an educational tool
or a walking tree tour or map of dedicated trees.
I. Eric Skovsted :
Weybridge composting. Barrell composter chosen which will be built at Weybridge House. Plans are completed.
F. Ben Wessler:
Impact of Outdoor Orientations. Formulated questions for survey and has gathered information from FOO. Will send survey to several different academic institutions and will use survey with MOO this summer.
3. State of the Environment Report :
All data has been gathered except information on ticketing. Eric will ask Security for information on ticketing.
4. Transportation:
Nan, Krista and Amy met with Bob Penniman of Campus Area Transportation Management Association. He recommended that we hire someone to focus on developing the program and to oversee a survey. The Environmental Council will recommend that the administration support a transportation demand management program.
5. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory :
The 1999 and 1995 inventories are completed and show that heating is the college's largest greenhouse gas emitter, followed by commuters.
6. Council Dinner :
The Council dinner is on May 9 at the Waybury Inn. Everyone should meet at the Adirondack Circle at 5:25pm. We will carpool over. Amy, Krista and George are providing vehicles.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Amy Seif on May 4, 2001.
