Environmental Council Meeting
Minutes of 2-19-02
Attending: Andrea Hamre, Oren Frey, Caitlin Hicks, Kaitlin Gregg, Tim McCahill, Charlie Sargent, Helen Young, Mandy Hetwig, Dane Springmeyer, Ben Wessler, Nan Jenks-Jay, Connie Leach Bisson
Guests: Char Carlson, Chris Howell
Absent: Stephen Switzer, Abiezer Miranda, Sarah Herrup, Valerie Benka, Ben Brouwer, Erin Jensen, Erika Holsman, Jon Isham, Lori DelNegro, Mike Moser
- Environmental Grant Request
Chinese House requested grant funds to purchase a compost unit to be used during the academic year to assist them in managing the food waste generated from their weekly Chinese dinners and other food-related activities at the house. EC approved funding for up to $200 and requested a report at the end of the semester on how the unit has worked, an estimate of weekly amounts generated, and how residents and guests were educated about the food composting system.
- Middlebury Initiative for Sustainable Development (MISD)
Chris Howell and Char Carlson provided a summary of MISD activities on campus. They asked the EC for ideas on funding sources for purchasing a bike cart for collection of dishes from the residents' halls. One member suggested contacting Facilities Management about fabricating a cart. MISD will pursue this idea.
MISD indicated an interest in working together on more projects and the EC will organize a meeting with representation from all campus environmental groups to explore collaborative ventures and better networking.
- Earth Day
Council members discussed various activities to celebrate Earth Day. Midd Dining will be holding its annual BBQ on Monday, April 22.
Hanging Out Day (supporting air drying of clothes) is April 19th.
Tim, Dane and Connie have been part of a planning group for a community Earth Day Sunday celebration on the town green. Council members were disappointed that more details were not available about the town event and some questioned the Council's role. Nan Jenks-Jay provided perspective by sharing that the EC for several years had an Outreach Committee to provide more linkage to the community and region. She also noted that the EC had steered away from hosting big celebrations in recent years as they consume so much time and require a budget or fundraising. Discussion was tabled, but EC members were invited to a planning meeting for the Hanging Out event scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 20 at 1:15 in Cook 1.
- Next meeting with Ron Liebowitz
Several members volunteered to summarize activities of the EC. Connie will ask Doug Dagan to show a few summary charts from the emissions inventory work.
Environmental Grants – Caitlin Hicks
Emissions Inventory – Doug Dagan
Carbon Neutral – Kaitlin Gregg, Jon Isham
Energy Conservation – Mandy Hetwig et. Al.
Environmental Fair – Tim McCahill, Oren Frey
General Discussion – Dane Springmeyer, Nan Jenks-Jay
** Council Meetings for the rest of the semester will begin at 4:30 and end by 5:45. Please be timely or let Connie Leach Bisson know if you cannot make the meeting.