Meeting Minutes 1/12/2018

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9:00 – 10:45

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Kristi Heintz, Marissa Berger, Danielle Wood, Mike Francisco, Eric Brandt, Cliff Koski, Deanne Roquet, Dave Israel, Eric Brandt, Wade Gordon

General Members present:

Guest Present: Chris Whaley

 

Announcements

 

New Business

Following December’s meeting and conversation with Al, Kristi drafted an official withdrawal notice for the Climate Leadership Network/ACUPCC, on behalf of President Johns.  The Council took time during the meeting to review the draft and edit for content and typos.  The Council agreed the letter adequately represented the group and campus’ position on membership.  Kristi will send the draft to Debbie/Pat for his consideration and ask him to forward to the Climate Leadership Network.

 

This summer, Janet Blixt asked Kristi to update the review the LSC Wikipedia page to include additional information regarding our more recent sustainability efforts.  Kristi has edited and asked for Sustainability Council review.  All agreed it was an accurate representation, and like that it links to our campus’s sustainability webpage, but felt it needed a brief reference to our MS4/stormwater efforts and local affiliation.  There may even be an appropriate place to put this info in the “facilities” section of the Wikipedia page.

 

While updating the Wikipedia page, Kristi thought it might be a good time to revisit the LSC Sustainability mission statement.  The Council will maybe take this on another time.

 

Kristi sat in on a webinar for the Green Ribbon Schools award.  This is an annual application/award program for both higher education and K-12 institutions.  Each state accepts and scores applicants and forwards their top candidates to the U.S. Department of Education for national pool review.  Kristi asked the Council if anyone if this is something we should pursue.  All agreed it might be good if anyone has time.  Perhaps we would seek support from our PR department.  LSC has never applied for this award. Pre-application (a simple “intent to apply” is due Feb 1 and the full application is due Mar 7.  Kristi will work through this if time allows.

 

Emily Ziring from the Minnesota State System Office shared that the “APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities” is seeking campus sustainability case studies for their annual publication.  Kristi thought it might be cool to share a story about our collaborative project with WLSSD’s community compost drop site.  The Council agreed it would be nice to submit, time allowing. The application deadline is only a couple of weeks away.

 

Kristi was excited to share details of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) PV Development for Institutions Course she applied for and was accepted to participate in.  The course will run from January 29 – March 25.  The intent of the course is to lead a team of 5 members within an institution through all the steps of planning and deploying PV on a campus.  There are a number of “teams” participating in the course.  Modules are completed weekly, for 8-weeks, at our own pace but we have an opportunity to attend weekly webinars with PV industry professionals and ask questions.  The LSC includes Kristi (team lead), Al Finlayson, Wade Gordon, Jon Lintula, Steve Oberstar and Alan Ahlberg.  Right now, some team members are participating in the PV 101 optional “pre-req” course.  Kristi will provide monthly updates to the Council as the course proceeds.  Related, Wade reported PV course work (certificate or other track) development is being discussed amongst deans and Workforce Development.

 

Related to our PV course Kristi asked Emily Ziring for additional guidance on Minnesota State’s position on solar PV deployment and also asked for a list of campuses that have deployed PV to date.  Most campuses have installed systems <10kW, and may have been program or education driven, as opposed to primarily driven to generate/save campus electricity.  Emily will be providing campus guidance via PowerPoint, sometime in February.  Great timing.

 

Kristi shared that we are about half-way through our Trex soft plastics recycling drive and about 50% to our goal.  At the December meeting, Danielle through a “plastic bag drive” might be a good idea to get a final push on plastics collection and also promote more recycling.  It’s a great idea, and Kristi thought we might tie it to our March 22nd annual recognition of World Water Day.  We can maybe showcase the project in March and use the day as a celebration and outreach effort.  Danielle and Kristi will work on that project.  Anyone else can join in planning if they’d like to.

 

The Council decided our Earth Day could be celebrated on April 19th.  Last week, the Biology Department faculty received an offer from Shawna Mullen about her willingness to present to classes on the Ethical Choices Program.   Many of the Program’s themes focus on food and healthy decision-making, and there are 4 pre-designed interactive talks to choose from.  The Council reviewed the programs, narrowed it down to their two favorites, and would like to hear Shawna’s opinion of the most appropriate message for the audience.  Shawna also teaches at St. Scholastica, so would have a very good idea of demographic messaging.  Kristi will follow up with Shawna and ask if she is available, and go from there.  The Council will also invite Heather to the February Council meeting to continue Earth Day planning.

Kristi and Chris will do another energy walk-though over break, replicating results from 2009 and 2011, to quantify costs (energy and dollar) of small appliances and heaters.  This information will be useful in out Green Office roll-out.

 

Old Business

Kristi has heard feedback from maintenance and the nighttime supervisor, Craig, about their wanting some training for employees about proper recycling practice in offices.  In response, Kristi used the Duty Day gallery walk table to “Talk Trash” with faculty and staff.  Kristi also invited Sarah Lehrol from WLSSD to promote the LSC Community Compost drop site and offer home composting tips and bins for those that wanted them.  People were very receptive to the information.
Chris also tabled and kicked off the Green Office Challenge. He provided ¼ page cards to interested employees, with Kristi’s Trash Talking/recycling info on the back.

 

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

GreenCorps project(s) update:

  • Kristi and Chris had stickers and maps designed for the Green Office Challenge, and Chris kicked it off at the January 4th Duty Day. Kristi has a blog post available with the link to the google GO Challenge survey and information went out in the Newsplash this Monday.  Chris reported there have been 2 “teams” that have completed the survey and asked for additional resources. Win!
    • Marissa asked if there is a hard-copy version available for the survey, if anyone were to want to print and work through the survey over time with their team. Chris will look at this and maybe create .pdf that we can post on the blog.  Great idea.
  • Chris gave an update on his small appliance and technology audit. He is almost done and talked about some of the high level findings.  Largely, some computer settings or steps on how to most efficiently set personal laptops would be a nice resource that he could develop.  He’ll quantify more results on appliance use in the coming weeks.

 

Budget      

FY 18 total budget: $7,399.26

Encumbrances to date:

  • Menards: -300
    • Atrium soil, potting soil, landscape tools
  • Mileage reimbursement: MPCA site supervisor training: -160.50
  • Mileage B3 luncheon: -167.99
  • B3 luncheon registration: -27.37
  • AASHE annual membership: -280
  • Print/postage: -18.04

 

Review/revise FY17potential budget items

  • Trees for H-hillside (Glenn)
  • Energy-related requests (smart strips?)
  • Picnic table under H catwalk, or Student Life area?
  • Interpretive Trail bench, trash/recycling cans, exclosures
  • Sustainability kiosk: pamphlet holder, plastic bag bin
  • workshops?

 

Meeting adjourned 10:45

Next Meeting

Friday, February 2nd, 9:00

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 1/16/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

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