Environmental Council Minutes
January 22, 2002
Bicentennial Hall Room 148
Present: Lori DelNegro, Charlotte Tate, Nan Jenks-Jay (Chair), Connie Leach Bisson (Vice-Chair), Tim McCahill, Ben Wessler, Ben Brouwer, Andrea Hamre, Oren Frey, Katy Saunders, Dane Springmeyer, Mandy Helwig, Erika Holsman
Guests: Joanna Shipley (Biology Department), Howard "Skip" Brush (Purchasing), Jeff Daigle (Computer Labs), Norm Cushman (Facilities Management)
Missing: Jon Isham, Helen Young, Mike Moser, Charlie Sargent, Kaitlin Gregg, Caitlin Hicks, Steve Switzer, Bryan Costa, Abiezer Miranda, Erin Jensen, Valerie Benka, Sarah Herrup
- Minutes of 12/4/01
No corrections noted.
- Paper Use on Campus
Connie provided some Excel charts, overviewing the continual increase in paper use on campus. Skip forecasted that the new accounting software (BANNER) will substantially add to this paper demand. Joanna echoed these concerns and commented on the length of single-sided training materials provided to staff to learn this new system, and on-going monthly reports being received as single-sided hard copies.
Jeff acknowledged paper consumption challenges in the computer lab included web pages lacking a format conducive for efficient printing, multiple requests by students for their print jobs due to length of time job may be in print cue, requirement by some faculty to receive papers single sided – double spaced. He noted that the second biggest paper users after the computer labs are the Departmental users. Jeff felt that some usage has dropped when faculty are linked to a shared laser printer. Having to walk down the hall to pick up the printed document may minimize the number of print jobs requested. Jeff also noted that the college has substantial data storage capacity, yet many users continue to store data via hard copy in file cabinets.
There is no serious consideration of charging for printing on campus. It is covered within the comprehensive fee, though some on the EC questioned why there is an inconsistency as there is a charge for laundry and photocopies.
Skip described a new copier paper soon to be available from Boise (the company the college currently purchases most of its copier paper from) that will be 100% post consumer fiber and PCF (process chlorine free). Skip does not know the price but is anticipating that the college will use this paper as long as it is within a reasonable price range and the quality is acceptable. Joanna shared that she has been purchasing cases of Badger paper ($40/case – over $10/case more expensive than current Boise paper) from Reprographics for the Biology department and had no problem or complaints with this paper. The Badger paper is also 100% post consumer fiber and PCF.
Skip outlined several issues that should be addressed when the college considers switching to a new source of paper:
Conflicts with copier/printer service agreements
Financial impact
Environmental check – is the product more environmentally benign
Discussions led to the conclusion that education must happen at the Institutional level where policies can be set, while there is a simultaneous need to continually remind the college community of opportunities for saving paper. The EC will discuss actions to be taken, based on the information exchanged at this meeting, at a subsequent meeting.
- Recycling
Connie showed graphs providing a 9-year history of recycling and composting diversion rates for the College. Norm Cushman provided insight into the history of the program, and the educational component that accompanied the on-campus processing of recyclables during the college's peak recycling period. The data shows a peaking of the college's diversion rate in 1995, followed by a slow decline in recycling recovery rates for each of the subsequent years. EC members participated in a lengthy discussion of problem areas, including student apathy, and the need to increase education and feedback to the entire campus community. While the current 54% diversion rate is still commendable, it is important that the college target a rate it feels is environmentally responsible for this campus. The EC will continue its discussion of this issue at its next meeting