Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 03/06/09

Members present:  Carol Johnson, Cathy Carlson, Celeste Zuniga, Deanne Roquet, Dennis Godfrey, Dick Haney, Glenn Merrick, Heather Grillo, Kevin Futhey, Theresa Hornstein, Wade Gordon, Diane Morin, Jim Drake, Ben Smith, Britt Johnson.

Committee Reports:

Earth Day:  Celeste and Heather reported the LSC Earth Day will be a one-day event taking place on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 starting at 10am.  All events will take place in a centralized area to be determined.  Ken Gilbertson and John Stetson will be speakers.  Dennis Godfrey and his automotive students will be highlighting a Prius they converted to a plug-in hybrid.  The Prius was obtained through a grant.  In connection with the Earth Day events, Twin Ports recycling will be on campus Thursday, April 23, 2009 to collect various household items.  There will be a fee for the recycling.  The EC committee voted in favor of allotting $1000 for Earth Day events, including speakers, prizes, food, etc.

Recyling:  Kevin requested pamphlets from WLSSD and Britt requested pamphlets from Waste Management for the pamphlet bins on the recycling bins.  Kevin will be installing new acrylic signage on the old recycling bins.  The new signage will match the new recycling bins.  The committee voted in favor of purchasing 5 more pamphlet bins for the old recycling bins.

PR:  Deanne suggested the PR subcommittee request Marketing students help with PR activities.

Old Business

Deanne and Glenn are moving ahead with the Sustainability Initiative.  The mission of this initiative is “to create a curriculum for LSC students that cultivates environmental competency with a focus on environmental sustainability and practical application.”

Deanne is working on a Powerpoint presentation on Environmental Council activities.

Deanne would like to set up monthly meetings with other Twin Ports campuses, including Mindy Granley, UMD’s Sustainability Coordinator.  Diane stated that Mindy would like Deanne on a panel.

Britt has been contacting local businesses about the shredded styrofoam that is available through the Machine Technology program.  She also posted to the Minnesota Materials Exchange Program and Craig’s List.  Several leads have resulted.  She will report findings at the next meeting.    

Deanne is working on selecting a date for the Environmental Council Retreat.  Possible dates thus far:

• Thursday, April 2, noon to 4pm
• Friday, April 3, 8am to noon
• Thursday, April 23, noon to 4pm

Mike Phlepson will be unable to facilitate the retreat due to surgery on his shoulder.  Deanne will work on locating another person.

Deanne reported that three students are involved with the Schools Cutting Carbon program:  Ben Smith, Joel Phelps, and Frank Niffenegger.  http://www.schoolscuttingcarbon.org/

New Business

The Environmental Council welcomed new member, Ben Smith, an LSC student.  Ben will be involved in the Schools Cutting Carbon program.

The Environmental Council was pleased to have Wade Gordon, EC member, present at our meeting.  Wade replaces Mark Winson as the Environmental Council Administrative Representative.

Carol requested a new format for meeting minutes.  Minutes will now be divided into “old business” and “new business”.  A list of motions will be listed at the end.

A revised list of EC subcommittees was passed around for verification.

Jim Drake suggested the Environmental Council set up a Twitter site to post conferences, etc.  Britt is currently working on a blog on the LSC website. 

Dick highlighted the Fit City Duluth program.  According to its website:  “Fit City Duluth is a public/private community initiative designed to change the social and physical environment of Duluth to encourage active, healthy lifestyles. Through information and advocacy, we aim to prevent and reduce chronic health issues and to facilitate healthy built environments that reinforce human powered and public transportation.”

Carol stated that the Upward Bound program received new vests for highway clean-up and offered the old vests to Student Life.  Heather stated she will take the vests.

Deanne or Kevin plan to attend a breakfast seminar through the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) on Friday, March 13, 2009 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.  The seminar will feature speakers Jacqueline Johnson, Chancellor, UMN Morris, and Judith A. Ramaley, President and Professor of Biology, Winona State University.

Ben reported he will work to get LSC involved in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.  Earth hour is an international event that encourages people to turn off non-essential lights and appliances for one hour in an effort to raise awareness of climate change issues.  Several cities and countries are involved.  LSC campus is closed at that time, so Ben will look into holding the event at a local business.  Collaboration with other schools is also possible.  Deanne will contact the appropriate people at the City of Duluth and Mindy Graves at UMD. http://www.earthhour.org/

Carol highlighted the Lake Superior Youth Symposium that will take place at St. Scholastica on May 14-17, 2009.  The symposium is an opportunity for students to discuss global climate change in the Lake Superior region and its impacts on our communities and ecosystems.  http://lakesuperioryouth.org

Motions

The committee voted in favor of allotting $1000 for Earth Day events, including speakers, prizes, food, etc.

The committee voted in favor of purchasing 5 more pamphlet bins for the recycling bins.

Next Meeting

The next Environmental Council meeting will take place on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 10am in Gary’s office.