Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 10/4/2013

9:00-10:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Aaron McIntire, Kristi Heintz, Deanne Roquet, Theresa Hornstein

General Members present:  Glenn Merrick, Duane Timo

Guest Present: Heather Williams (Student Senate)

Announcements

Minnesota Waste Wise Annual Meeting is October 16^th at 11:30 at the St. Paul Hotel.  The Council will not send anyone this year.

UMACS is at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa: November 7-9.  Kristi will attend and present the Sustainable Twin Ports project and showcase the posters.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

Policy and Procedure: employee reminders, education, and training needs (printing, recycling, supplies, computers, small appliance)

                *Rachel, Carol, Kristi, Chad

Kristi reported, on behalf of Rachel, progress made in the work-group.  The group met last week and identified some key areas for reminders both for students and employees.  Regarding PaperCut and print settings, the Council suggested the group talk with or invite Jamie Jepperson to next meeting to discuss software options.  The Council was supportive of the Office Green Star project.

Master Facilities Plan

                *Dick, Cliff, Aaron, Glenn, Kristi, Theresa

Kristi shared the sustainability priorities listed in the RFP for the Master Planning Consultant.  Kristi forwarded that RFP to work group members.  Dick has organized the group’s first meeting for next week Thursday, October 10^th at 11:00 in E2028.  Representatives from the Sustainability Council will have an opportunity to meet with Facilities Master Plan consultant in early November.

Sustainability Reporting/Benchmarking: GGI, ACUPCC, MnSCU Sustainability Reporting, Superior Compact, B3, publicizing info

                *Kristi, Aaron, Deanne, Bruce

The group met last week and came up with a list of sustainability related reports that the Council is responsible for.  The work group also revisited the idea of adopting AASHE’s STARS program for tracking progress year-t-year.  The Council reviewed and approved the list.  Kristi will forward to Wade and Al.

Sustainability Kiosk: energy dashboard/demo, sustainability signage

                *Duane, Rachel, Student Senate Rep

Duane has thus far been unable to connect the group with a Student Senate Rep.  Kristi suggested the group move forward with initial ideas planning and include Senate where appropriate.

Grounds Maintenance/Campus Appeal: annual flower planting, rainwater harvesting, no-mow areas, rooftop gardening

                Theresa, Mike, Aaron, Kristi, maintenance rep

This group hasn’t met yet and needs a chair volunteer.

Sustainability in Curriculum

                Theresa, Duane, Aaron, Kristi, Deanne, Glenn

Theresa, Deanne, Aaron, Glenn, and Kristi met this morning and had some initial discussions about the Food Systems articulation with the U of M.  Courses were identified that we could run here.  Kristi will set up a meeting with Jenni next week.

The Garden Club has been donating produce from the garden to the Intercultural Center.  Bruce mentioned his interest in working with the Garden Club to identify plants he’d be able to use in the café next spring.

New Business

Travel, registration, and lodging for the UMACS Conference will cost about $720.  Deanne motioned to pay Kristi’s registration and travel expenses, Theresa seconded the motion unopposed.

After some discussion, the group decided a co-chair structure for the Council is appropriate.  This year, Kristi and Deanne will co-chair the Sustainability Council meetings.  We’ll update the members list at next month’s meeting.

Ongoing Business

Old Business

Kristi and Deanne gave an update on Thursday night’s STP Public Showcase.  Both the Budgeteer and The Duluth News Tribune published articles related to Sustainable Twin Ports and the showcase.  The Council received poster copies of the designed project goals and a plaque of completion.  Kristi will use the posters at UMACS.

The AQIP/STP Progress Report was due to Kent by September 23^rd.  Kristi completed and sent the report to Kent.

Budget

FY14 Budget: $9,000  

MN Waste Wise membership 2013-2014: -$150

Open PO for Menards (landscaping supplies: azalea mulch, planter flowers): -$200

Open PO for Menards (Interpretive trail supplies) – $200

AASHE membership: -$280

Airpark plastic bag recycling program: -$208

Rene Fall (Int Trail GIS mapping): -$320

FY13 potential budget items

·         Concourse lighting signage

·         Bottle filling station for ERTC (did this happen in FY13?) and downtown campus

·         Additional bike rack for main entrance

·         Outdoor recycling cans

·         Interpretive Trailhead sign

·         Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans

·         Parking lot info signs

·         Legacy: fencing for edible exclosures

·         Sustainability kiosk

Next meeting

November 1, 2013, 9:00 am, Student Life Conference Room

Notes submitted by Kristi Heintz