Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 9/14/2012

8:30-9:30

Location: Workforce Development Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Carol Johnson, Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Mike Francisco, Amy Brooks

General Members present:  Dick Haney, Glenn Merrick, Mat Gilderman, Bruce Wallis, Sarah Newport, Jackie Evertz

Guest Present:

Announcements

Duluth LEAP (Local Energy Action Plan) public meeting: Dick would like LSC to be considered as the host site for this meeting and invites anyone interested to attend.

The Sustainable Twin Ports Early Adopter Showcase is October 24^th in the Fitger Room at Fitgers, 4:30-6:30. Email Kristi if you’d like more information.

Boreal Natives has seeded the first phase of the Student Senate’s Legacy Project.  No maintenance is required at this time, and the first 2 mowings next season will be taken care of by Boreal.

Student Employee & Work Group Reports

Student Employees have been meeting with Kristi every Thursday morning and will continue to do so.  The Council discussed project goals for the Employees which included quantifying projects such as composting and water bottle stations.  The Student Employees will continue to report on projects at regular EC meetings.

New Business

Bruce reported Food Services is looking for alternatives to the plastic salad containers and other paper/plastic products they are currently using.  Upper Lakes currently does not stock these for large quantity sale, but Bruce is continuing to look at viable options.

Adopt-A-Parking Lot  Kristi gave an update on the status of adopted lots.  Just the Lower Lot remains to be adopted.  The Lower Lot will be designated as an “LSC Student” adopted lot and the EC will organize volunteers for monthly clean-ups.  Sarah suggested the kick-off event take place on Student Success day, October 3^rd.  The kick-off event will be held in conjunction with Beach Sweep which is organized locally by the Aquarium.  Kristi will contact Paula about using SS day for the clean-up/club instruction and also contact Andrea Crouse at the aquarium about registering us as Beach Sweep participants.  The Student Employees will work on promo of the event.  Bruce suggested we term Beach Sweep as Miller Beach Sweep to give it a local campus appeal

Student Success Day : Sarah is working on a large scale recycling education push.  She’d like to use the SS day table to showcase information on recycling on campus.  She and Jackie are working on different promotional ideas including 3D posters utilizing recyclable materials and printed vinyl stickers.  Kristi will also be doing a morning session focused on our LEED buildings.

Ongoing Business

Maintenance trash/recycling update: Vaughn was not present to report on this, Carol will email him to get an update.

Old Business

Budget                                                                                                                                                                     

FY13 budget: $10,000

Expenses since last meeting:

System hold ($1000)

MN Waste Wise Meeting Registration x 4 ($180)

Mileage for MN Waste Wise in Chaska ($197.58)

Balance as of 9/14/2012: $7,938.44

Next meeting

September 28^th , 8:30, Student Life Conference Room

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 9/14/2012

8:30-9:30

Location: Workforce Development Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Carol Johnson, Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Mike Francisco, Amy Brooks

General Members present:  Dick Haney, Glenn Merrick, Mat Gilderman, Bruce Wallis, Sarah Newport, Jackie Evertz

Guest Present:

Announcements

Duluth LEAP (Local Energy Action Plan) public meeting: Dick would like LSC to be considered as the host site for this meeting and invites anyone interested to attend.

The Sustainable Twin Ports Early Adopter Showcase is October 24^th in the Fitger Room at Fitgers, 4:30-6:30. Email Kristi if you’d like more information.

Boreal Natives has seeded the first phase of the Student Senate’s Legacy Project.  No maintenance is required at this time, and the first 2 mowings next season will be taken care of by Boreal.

Student Employee & Work Group Reports

Student Employees have been meeting with Kristi every Thursday morning and will continue to do so.  The Council discussed project goals for the Employees which included quantifying projects such as composting and water bottle stations.  The Student Employees will continue to report on projects at regular EC meetings.

New Business

Bruce reported Food Services is looking for alternatives to the plastic salad containers and other paper/plastic products they are currently using.  Upper Lakes currently does not stock these for large quantity sale, but Bruce is continuing to look at viable options.

Adopt-A-Parking Lot  Kristi gave an update on the status of adopted lots.  Just the Lower Lot remains to be adopted.  The Lower Lot will be designated as an “LSC Student” adopted lot and the EC will organize volunteers for monthly clean-ups.  Sarah suggested the kick-off event take place on Student Success day, October 3^rd.  The kick-off event will be held in conjunction with Beach Sweep which is organized locally by the Aquarium.  Kristi will contact Paula about using SS day for the clean-up/club instruction and also contact Andrea Crouse at the aquarium about registering us as Beach Sweep participants.  The Student Employees will work on promo of the event.  Bruce suggested we term Beach Sweep as Miller Beach Sweep to give it a local campus appeal

Student Success Day : Sarah is working on a large scale recycling education push.  She’d like to use the SS day table to showcase information on recycling on campus.  She and Jackie are working on different promotional ideas including 3D posters utilizing recyclable materials and printed vinyl stickers.  Kristi will also be doing a morning session focused on our LEED buildings.

Ongoing Business

Maintenance trash/recycling update: Vaughn was not present to report on this, Carol will email him to get an update.

Old Business

Budget                                                                                                                                                                     

FY13 budget: $10,000

Expenses since last meeting:

System hold ($1000)

MN Waste Wise Meeting Registration x 4 ($180)

Mileage for MN Waste Wise in Chaska ($197.58)

Balance as of 9/14/2012: $7,938.44

Next meeting

September 28^th , 8:30, Student Life Conference Room

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 8/31/2012

9:30-11:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Carol Johnson, Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Wade Gordon, Vaughn Johnson, Christina Eckstine

General Members present:  Dick Haney, Glenn Merrick, Neldon Heron, Bruce Wallis

Guest Present: Sarah Newport, Dylan Thorbjornsen, Jacqueline Evertz, Julie Johnson

Announcements

Set semester meeting times: The EC will meet every other Friday morning from 8:30-10:30 in the Student Life Conferenece Room.

The next meeting will be September 14^th.  Kristi will send an Outlook Calendar request to everyone.

Upcoming Conference: MN USGBC 2012 Impact Conference is Tuesday September 18^th.

UMD has received an AIA award for design excellence on the Bagley Center.  Deanne would like to send a letter of congratulations on behalf of the EC.  Kristi and Deanne will work on the letter.

Duluth LEAP (Local Energy Action Plan) public meeting: Dick would like LSC to be considered as the host site for this meeting and invites anyone interested to attend.

Student Employee & Work Group Reports

Kristi introduced Christina Eckstine, the EC’s newest student employee.  Amy Brooks will also be working with the EC this year.  Kristi will arrange regular meetings outside of the EC meeting with student employees to work on projects.  Student Employees will report back to the EC during regular meetings.

New Business

From the office of the VPs:  Campus Committees LSC is now forming advisory committees on items including furniture and equipment purchasing as well as general facilities input.  In meeting with Al a few weeks ago, he encouraged members of the Council to participate in these committees to bring a sustainability viewpoint to relatable issues.  Wade is a part of both equipment committees, administrative and instructional, and Kristi has asked to be considered for both the facilities and furniture committees.

Adopt-A-Parking Lot  Kristi gave an update on the status of adopted lots.  Just 2 lots remain.  Kristi will email all clubs and try to get the last two lots adopted.  Kristi will also meet with Student Employees to plan a kick-off event in late September and lay out the instructions for adoptees.

Council semester project planning: the group started to discuss the importance of laying out tangible and quantifiable projects to focus on.  Deanne commented on Al’s suggestion at an earlier meeting that the EC try to quantify the dollars saved by initiating certain projects, for example composting, re-use room, water bottle filling stations…Carol again mentioned faculty office trash and recycling collection as a missed opportunity in time savings by maintenance.  Many ideas were generated, Vaughn said he will instruct maintenance staff to no longer clean out individual offices, but to have individuals bring their trash to a community location.  He will also run some numbers on the amount of time it will save them.  The discussion concluded with a reiteration of the importance of an LSC Purchasing Policy.  Kristi will make this the first priority, after supervising student employees.

Wade suggested the Council initiate annual green stewardship awards for a student, faculty and staff for innovative ideas or office space practice.  Kristi will bring this to the Student Employees as a project to peruse.

Ongoing Business

Old Business

Budget                                                                                                                                                                      

FY13 budget: $10,000

Expenses since last meeting:

-plant identification and garden plot sign holders ($325.65)

Balance as of 8/28/12” $9,316.35

Waste Wise Annual Meeting is October 2^nd.  Cliff, Theresa, Vaughn and Kristi will to go.  Kristi will work on travel POs and registration.

Next meeting

September 14th, Workforce Development Conference Room, E2028

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 8/31/2012

9:30-11:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Carol Johnson, Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Wade Gordon, Vaughn Johnson, Christina Eckstine

General Members present:  Dick Haney, Glenn Merrick, Neldon Heron, Bruce Wallis

Guest Present: Sarah Newport, Dylan Thorbjornsen, Jacqueline Evertz, Julie Johnson

Announcements

Set semester meeting times: The EC will meet every other Friday morning from 8:30-10:30 in the Student Life Conferenece Room.

The next meeting will be September 14^th.  Kristi will send an Outlook Calendar request to everyone.

Upcoming Conference: MN USGBC 2012 Impact Conference is Tuesday September 18^th.

UMD has received an AIA award for design excellence on the Bagley Center.  Deanne would like to send a letter of congratulations on behalf of the EC.  Kristi and Deanne will work on the letter.

Duluth LEAP (Local Energy Action Plan) public meeting: Dick would like LSC to be considered as the host site for this meeting and invites anyone interested to attend.

Student Employee & Work Group Reports

Kristi introduced Christina Eckstine, the EC’s newest student employee.  Amy Brooks will also be working with the EC this year.  Kristi will arrange regular meetings outside of the EC meeting with student employees to work on projects.  Student Employees will report back to the EC during regular meetings.

New Business

From the office of the VPs:  Campus Committees LSC is now forming advisory committees on items including furniture and equipment purchasing as well as general facilities input.  In meeting with Al a few weeks ago, he encouraged members of the Council to participate in these committees to bring a sustainability viewpoint to relatable issues.  Wade is a part of both equipment committees, administrative and instructional, and Kristi has asked to be considered for both the facilities and furniture committees.

Adopt-A-Parking Lot  Kristi gave an update on the status of adopted lots.  Just 2 lots remain.  Kristi will email all clubs and try to get the last two lots adopted.  Kristi will also meet with Student Employees to plan a kick-off event in late September and lay out the instructions for adoptees.

Council semester project planning: the group started to discuss the importance of laying out tangible and quantifiable projects to focus on.  Deanne commented on Al’s suggestion at an earlier meeting that the EC try to quantify the dollars saved by initiating certain projects, for example composting, re-use room, water bottle filling stations…Carol again mentioned faculty office trash and recycling collection as a missed opportunity in time savings by maintenance.  Many ideas were generated, Vaughn said he will instruct maintenance staff to no longer clean out individual offices, but to have individuals bring their trash to a community location.  He will also run some numbers on the amount of time it will save them.  The discussion concluded with a reiteration of the importance of an LSC Purchasing Policy.  Kristi will make this the first priority, after supervising student employees.

Wade suggested the Council initiate annual green stewardship awards for a student, faculty and staff for innovative ideas or office space practice.  Kristi will bring this to the Student Employees as a project to peruse.

Ongoing Business

Old Business

Budget                                                                                                                                                                      

FY13 budget: $10,000

Expenses since last meeting:

-plant identification and garden plot sign holders ($325.65)

Balance as of 8/28/12” $9,316.35

Waste Wise Annual Meeting is October 2^nd.  Cliff, Theresa, Vaughn and Kristi will to go.  Kristi will work on travel POs and registration.

Next meeting

September 14th, Workforce Development Conference Room, E2028

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 7/16/2012

11:30-1:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Cliff Koski, Deanne Roquet, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Vaughn Johnson

General Members present:  Jeri Schwerin

Guest Present:

Announcements

The EC would like to welcome Vaughn Johnson to the EC.  He is the new EC representative for facilities taking over for Kevin Futhey who retired last week.  Vaughn has already met with Kevin, Deanne, and Kristi and voiced some great ideas, welcome Vaughn!

Conference attendance in FY13:  Deanne mentioned two conferences next year and encouraged anyone that would like to go to put the dates on their calendars.   The first is the Annual Minnesota Waste Wise Meeting in Chaska at the Landscape Arboretum on Tuesday October 2^nd.  Kristi, Theresa, and Cliff all showed interest in going. The second conference is at UW-Madison on April 15^th where Jane Goodall will be the keynote speaker.

Deanne brought up an interesting idea themed after “Food For Thought”.  This would be a sustainable food plus discussion forum involving Bruce/the LSC cafeteria.  Deanne will try to set up a meeting with Bruce to discuss this idea.

New Business

Gardening Club/Wild Ones:  Jeri gave a brief review of work done by the Garden Club in the past month and also gave an overview of what “Wild Ones” does.  She also described the tour they’d like to have here at LSC.  Kristi added that we’d like to make it a plant identification workshop open to the LSC community where natives in both the rain gardens and other areas on campus would be identified and labeled.  Mary Beebe is working with the group and is trying to arrange the workshop for early August.

Ditch no-mow: With the current momentum of the Garden Club and Student Senate Legacy projects bringing attention to outdoor spaces, Kristi brought up the idea of creating some no-mow spaces in the wet ditch areas along the main drive of the campus.  There are many spots that aren’t easy to mow now, and with a little work could become permanent stormwater mitigation areas.  Kristi contacted Jeff West with Boreal Natives to ask for recommendations.  Kristi asked the EC if this is something we should pursue or put in a long-term goal file.  Vaughn agreed there are some areas that could use some immediate attention, and he will bring our idea to Gary A. for feedback.  Jeri suggested we take a look at her home rain garden for ideas.  There are a lot of unknowns as far as who would pay for the work and materials, who would do the work, and how we could get long-term support for maintenance.  Kristi will move forward with some initial planning, but the focus will remain on existing projects to make sure we aren’t taking on too much at one time.

Atrium: Vaughn asked who is responsible for upkeep of the Atrium plants.  This raised a larger discussion of who is responsible for grounds maintenance etc.  It was agreed that a larger discussion needs to be had with facilities and Admin on issues such as these.  Deanne will contact Al about possibly meeting with us to talk about these things.

Dedicated Tree for Kevin The EC decided to dedicate a replacement tree to Kevin once the dead white pine is cut down on the hillside by the H-Building.

Kristi is working with Mat on H-Building LEED signs and showed the design idea to the EC.

Vaughn mentioned the recent MnSCU hazardous waste fines.  He wondered if the EC had any role in our campus’ hazardous waste procedures.  Kristi has a role from a CLA standpoint, but most felt as though the EC is not in a position to make recommendations to Admin beyond the need they already recognize.

Ongoing Business

Old Business

Three water bottle filling stations have been installed in the E and W buildings.  Support and gratitude has been tremendous, and suggestions for more stations have been noted.  A need for one by the Wellness Center makes most sense and if an opportunity to install another arises, we will suggest this.

Budget                                                                                                                                                                      

FY13 Budget: $10,000

Encumbrances since last meeting:

• MN Waste Wise annual membership dues: $150
• Airpark Disability Svcs for plastic bag pick-up: $208

Items for approval:

• 7×5” galvanized signs: $2 each, cards $.70 each.  These will be used for plant identification in the campus gardens.  Theresa motioned to purchase 100 of each, Cliff seconded it, no opposition.

Next meeting

Next tentative meeting is August 13^th, 2012

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz