Environmental Council
Minutes of April 23, 2002
Le Chateau ~ D
Present: Helen Young, Lori DelNegro, Charlotte Tate, Nan Jenks-Jay (Co-Chair), Connie Leach Bisson (Co-Chair), Caitlyn Hicks, Oren Frey, Katy Saunders, Andrea Hamre
Absent: Jon Isham, Charlie Sargent, Mike Moser, Tim McCahill, Steve Switzer, Ben Brouwer, Ben Wessler, Dane Springmeyer, Abiezer Miranda, Erika Holsman, Erin Jensen, Sarah Herrup, Mandy Helwig, Valerie Benka, Kaitlin Gregg
I. Review of Minutes
No additional comments were offered for minutes of the March 12 and April 9 EC meetings.
II. Earth Day Debriefing
General reaction was positive to the various Earth Day events and that the College (and EC) should continue to participate in Earth Day events. The location for one event was incorrectly posted so care should be taken in the future to ensure that publicity is correct. Several clotheslines were still up. EC members commended Facilities Management for supporting this initiative and reiterated the importance of taking the clotheslines down as permission was given that they were to be up only through Sunday, April 21st.
Members commented on the positive interaction between the Town and College for the Environmental Fair and felt the College should support similar endeavors in the future. More kid-related activities were advocated for the community event. The College's participation included exhibits by MISD, Ron Schildge & biodiesel, carbon neutral poster, a global warming presentation by Prof. Rich Wolfson, a drumming circle led by Prof. Steve Trombulak, and participation on the planning team by Connie Leach Bisson and Dane Springmeyer '02. The College provided 50 chairs, 30 folding tables, a podium and a portable lecturn for the event.
III. Draft letter to Acting President Ron Liebowitz
In response to the EC's parking lot discussion at its April 9th meeting, Connie drafted a letter on behalf of the EC to Acting President Ron Liebowitz requesting that the Administration move forward with the creation of a pedestrian campus that reduces dependency of motorized vehicles. Based on the discussion, a few additions will be made to the letter and it will be recirculated to the EC before being delivered to Ron.
IV. Follow to EC Meeting with Acting President Ron Liebowitz
Connie reported that Ron has time conflicts with the remaining EC meeting dates. Recognizing the importance of keeping Ron engaged particularly in the Carbon Neutral initiative, several members of EC will meet with Ron before the end of the semester to brief him on the next steps for carbon neutrality at Middlebury. Ron will be provided with all year-end reports of the EC, including Carbon Neutrality and the Environmental Grants Assessment. In addition, the EC will invite Ron to the fall ES Colloquium on Carbon Neutrality.
V. Update of Environmental Policy in College Handbook
Nan explained that every year the Environmental Council is asked to review the Environmental Policy prior to its inclusion in the Handbook. To change the content of the policy requires approval by the Trustees. Questions arose about who enforces the policies in the Handbook, and how familiar the College community is with its content. Suggestions were made that an educational series in the fall could focus on individual elements of the Env. policy that could run in MiddPoints and the Campus Newspaper.
EC members felt the Environmental Policy should be reviewed by the '02-'03 EC, and that consideration should be given to developing a series of Guidelines for complying with the College's environmental policies and programs. Connie will also follow up with Eric Davis on his thoughts of how we might best give guidance to the College community about environmental responsibility.
Katy Saunders suggested that the EC pursue inclusion of Carbon Neutrality goals in the Handbook.
VI. Next Meetings
April 30th Environmental Grants Presentation
May 7th End of Year Reports
Celebration