Environmental Council
Minutes of March 30, 2006
4:30 pm 401 Old Chapel
Submitted by J. Byrne
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Glenn moved to approve the minutes of the March 16 meeting. Diane seconded and the meeting minutes were accepted without change.
Announcements and Updates
Glenn invited council members to attend a presentation that will be made by Patrick Bellew entitled "Anthills to Labyrinths—Engineering Sustainable Architecture" on April 6, 2006 at 7:30 pm in Dana Auditorium which is co-sponsored by Environmental Affairs, the Architecture Department and Breadloaf Corporation.
Glenn also mentioned that Michael Dennis Associates, who are working with the College to create a new master plan, is giving a presentation on 4/28/06 and that another meeting prior to this is to be scheduled for members of the EC and others to meet with some of the Michael Dennis team to discuss ideas and concerns related to the planning process. Jack will forward that info when it is available.
Diane invited students on the Council to consider applying for one of three internships with the Nature Conservancy available through Environmental Studies. The deadline is next Friday. Diane can provide more info for anyone interested.
Environmental Council Structure and Function
Council members engaged in a discussion about the structure and function of the council looking toward the 2006-07 academic year. It was decided that we should devote a portion of our time at our remaining three meetings to continue the dialogue about our goals and objectives and how to implement them in the coming year. Some of the comments and ideas that were made during this discussion include:
Environmental Council Membership:
Membership is a one-year appointment and members can be reappointed to successive terms. Faculty members are appointed by the Faculty Council. Students are appointed by the Student Government Council. Staff are appointed by Staff Council. Members tend to self-select, ie, they come forward and request that their respective council appoint them. It's the job of the Environmental Council to announce openings and to solicit members.
At one point certain faculty departments would recommend members. And there was a seat for a facilities staff person.
With regard to the future agenda of the EC, we should be sure to coordinate with relevant recommendations and issues addressed in the new MC strategic plan. What should our role be – to target important areas and work on projects to accomplish them? Or to monitor and support and encourage others to do them and report on progress?
We should also be involved and work closely with the Master Planning process underway.
It would be good for the EC to coordinate more with the Sunday Night Group.
The EC acts as the environmental conscience for the College. It should continue to review policies, recommend changes, support activities that further our goals, foster more communication among groups involved in environmental and sustainability efforts.
How do we encourage more people to come to the EC with issues, ideas, and concerns? What kind of mechanisms do we have for communicating about sustainability and for stimulating more participation in activities?
How do we raise our visibility and voice regarding environmental and sustainability issues and solutions?
How do we engage more students in our efforts? What communication tools can we make better use of websites, blogs, table tents, liaison with other groups, meetings with senior staff and trustees, ? Can we undertake activities that will bring more students to Council meetings?
How do we make the EC more of a hub where issues, ideas and activities coalesce and get communicated?
Providing an orientation to sustainbility for new students and faculty and staff is an important activity to support.
The EC also play an important think tank function to help shape and revise policy on the environment and sustainability.