December 4, 2001

Environmental Council Minutes

December 4, 2001

Le Chateau D

Attending:  Oren Frey, Erin Jensen, Andrea Hamre, Katy Saunders, Tim McCahill, Kaitlin Gregg, Erika Holsman, Ben Brouwer, Bryan Costa, Helen Young, Jon Isham, Charlie Sargent, Nan Jenks-Jay, Connie Leach Bisson

Absent:  Stephen Switzer, Abiezer Miranda, Mandy Helwig, Sarah Herrup, Valerie Benka, Dane Springmeyer, Ben Wessler, Caitlin Hicks, Lori DelNegro, Charlotte Tate, Mike Moser

1. Minutes from 11/13/01 were accepted.

1. Environmental Fair debriefing

Energy level at the fair was high.  Charlie said there was a request for additional vegan menu items.  Connie discussed the need to clarify the sponsor of the efficient light bulbs as Facilities Management billed the Council at $14/bulb for them.  Next year's committee can look into other env. friendly items to hand out, or reassess how the light bulbs are distributed to ensure that they are put to good use.  Everyone felt the Fair should be continued but some suggested finding another event to link it with where it could be held in a bigger space.  No logical event was determined.

1. President McCardell update

Nan recently met with President McCardell and during this meeting received the President's support for another year of funding of the Environmental Grant Program.  Over the next year, the Council will need to assess how to secure revenue for the Grant Program on an on-going basis.

President McCardell's office has not confirmed a date that he will be able to meet with the Env. Council.  Connie will contact his office again with several specific dates in January.

1. Dining Services Funding Request

Matt Biette, Associate Director of Dining Services, has contacted the Environmental Council requesting $1100 to purchase 100 buckets to collect dishes removed from the dining halls.  Dining Services will pay students to collect the dishes from the Commons.

Council members engaged in a lengthy discussion. Few supported paying students to provide the collection service, though some felt paying dining hall staff to patrol the dining hall doors was more appropriate use of funds. Economic incentives and disincentives were suggested. 

Ultimately, the Council made a motion:recommending that Dining Services stop allowing dishes to leave the dining hall. (Sargent, Young--2nd).  Unanimous

In support of this motion, the EC will ask the Commons to stock cups, plates, etc. in the kitchenettes. 

1. Env. Grant – Efficient Exit Signs

Connie received a revised grant proposal requesting $3250 (original grant was for $1250) to purchase 15 radioactive exit signs.  Connie suggested that if the EC wanted to support the revised grant, that they do so at the original amount and request the following research from the grantee:

1. description of the benefits of the radioactive fixtures (economic, environmental)
2. discussion of any environmental implications of the radioactive element, and
3. analysis comparing incandescent, LED and radioactive exit signs.

This information should be presented in a report form so that it could then be published in a facilities management journal.

The Council endorsed funding the revised grant at $1250 with the report requirements outlined by Connie.

1. Env. Grant – Blue Mitts Bike Society

Connie reported that she had attended an organizational meeting of the Blue Mitts Bike Society and they had over 40 members.  They discussed encouraging the use of helmets at the meeting and several individuals spoke convincingly of the need to wear helmets, especially in winter.  Most had helmets and felt that they would be difficult to purchase since different brands/styles fit different people better.  Members asked if the money for helmets could be used to support mitts for more members and for designing a reflective sticker for the helmet.

EC members felt strongly that the Council must be clear that it does not support winter biking unless done with a helmet.

The EC supported providing Blue Mitts Bike Society with $500 additional funds to create a reflective sticker and purchase additional mitts provided that they collect a deposit for the mitts equivalent to the actual cost of the mitts.  This will provide on-going revenue for the Society should individuals choose to keep their mitts at the end of winter.  Connie will draft a letter for review by EC members.

1. New Issues

Tim McCahill and Ben Wessler will be developing during J-term a directory of key campus contacts to assist students in finding the campus resources and individuals they need for specific issues.

Andrea Hamre initiated a discussion on providing drying racks for clothes.  Members of the EC will contact the Commons staff to encourage the purchase of several drying racks to be stored in a fashion similar to the vacuum.  EC will explore the use of ceiling racks and having retractable clotheslines available for sale at the College store.  Additional work will be done on this in January.  Middlebury alum Alexander Lee runs an organization, Project Laundry List, that will be a useful resource.  He would like to provide a presentation on campus in January.

www.laundrylist.org

1. J-Term Schedule

Environmental Council will meet twice during January on Tuesdays at 4:15 with subcommittee work occurring on alternate weeks.  Location will be announced in January.