Sustainability at Lake Superior College

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

Meeting Minutes 6/18/2012

11:30-1:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Deanne Roquet, Kevin Futhey, Kristi Heintz, Mike Francisco, Theresa Hornstein, Wade Gordon

General Members present:  Mat Gilderman

Guest Present:

Announcements

Gardening Club update: Kristi mentioned last week’s rain garden and S-building rock swale weeding work done with the Gardening Club.  The small group of worker bees included Mary Beebe, Jeri Schwerin, Adam Johnston, Aaron Mcintire, and Kristi Heintz.  The group is hoping to do more work on the west lot next week and also organize an LSC community mini-workshop focusing on plant identification.  Wade suggested Matt Whitehill do some rock identification/labeling as well.

A discussion about the responsibility of ongoing garden maintenance came up as well.  Many ideas were brought up, one possible campus participation idea included starting a spring “Green Thumb” project or award.  Offices or departments could take on a flower bed or pot and take care of it for the summer.

New Business

FY13 Priorities/Projects/Goals Planning The group identified a few priority projects for FY13.  They included:

• working with facilities to put together a comprehensive landscape plan
•  working with Food Service in many projects related to our campus food supply
• and creating a  Purchasing and Energy Use Policy for the campus

Legacy Project Update Kristi updated the EC on the Senate’s work on the legacy project.  So far the grass has been killed off and Boreal Natives is supposed to have the grass seed laid by the end of the June.  The plan to move donated stone to campus for paths and tables had some challenges and that portion has been put on hold. The SS will keep us posted on the project.  The EC again mentioned the importance of signage for plants etc.  Kristi will work with the SS on this.

Interpretive Trail Signs have been printed and are ready for installation. Jean Kirwan and Janet Blixt did a fantastic job designing and editing the signs that Glenn compiled information for.  Kristi and the Environmental Science work study, Adam, will be working on the installation in mid-July.  An announcement will be made at fall Duty Day to highlight the new signs.

Re-Use Room Update The re-use room is being well utilized.  Many used items were transferred from the old AA supply room to the re-use room when supplies moved to the Copy Center.  Kristi spoke to Mark Magnuson about getting shelving put into the new adjunct work space (formerly the Learning Center) and moving many of the supplies into that space permanently in early August.  Mark was very supportive of the idea.

Food Service Director invite Deanne will invite Bruce to our next meeting, tentatively set for July 16^th.  The meeting may be changed to accommodate his schedule.

Ongoing Business

Adopt-A-Parking lot signs were printed by State Sign Shop.  They will also print the names of the adopting groups as vinyl stickers.  These signs will be installed in August.  Kristi will talk to Mary Nienaber about announcing this project at Duty Day as well.

LSC Sustainability Website Kristi met with Steve Fudally about the lack of upkeep on the LSC Sustainability Webpage linked to the LSC site.  The two of them decided to replace that webpage with the EC’s Sustainability blog site.  Steve will re-work the format of the blog to make it more consistent with other Department blogs, including an LSC logo.

Old Business

Campus Accessibility Survey results are posted on the blog.

Budget                                                                                                                                                                      

PO encumbrances since last meeting:

• Adopt-A-Parking Lot signs (MN State Industries): $130
• Interpretive Trail Signs (ShelDon): $212
• Water bottle station: $1492
• Budget balance end FY12 ($0)

Next meeting

Next tentative meeting is July 16^th

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 6/18/2012

11:30-1:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Council Members present: Deanne Roquet, Kevin Futhey, Kristi Heintz, Mike Francisco, Theresa Hornstein, Wade Gordon

General Members present:  Mat Gilderman

Guest Present:

Announcements

Gardening Club update: Kristi mentioned last week’s rain garden and S-building rock swale weeding work done with the Gardening Club.  The small group of worker bees included Mary Beebe, Jeri Schwerin, Adam Johnston, Aaron Mcintire, and Kristi Heintz.  The group is hoping to do more work on the west lot next week and also organize an LSC community mini-workshop focusing on plant identification.  Wade suggested Matt Whitehill do some rock identification/labeling as well.

A discussion about the responsibility of ongoing garden maintenance came up as well.  Many ideas were brought up, one possible campus participation idea included starting a spring “Green Thumb” project or award.  Offices or departments could take on a flower bed or pot and take care of it for the summer.

New Business

FY13 Priorities/Projects/Goals Planning The group identified a few priority projects for FY13.  They included:

• working with facilities to put together a comprehensive landscape plan
•  working with Food Service in many projects related to our campus food supply
• and creating a  Purchasing and Energy Use Policy for the campus

Legacy Project Update Kristi updated the EC on the Senate’s work on the legacy project.  So far the grass has been killed off and Boreal Natives is supposed to have the grass seed laid by the end of the June.  The plan to move donated stone to campus for paths and tables had some challenges and that portion has been put on hold. The SS will keep us posted on the project.  The EC again mentioned the importance of signage for plants etc.  Kristi will work with the SS on this.

Interpretive Trail Signs have been printed and are ready for installation. Jean Kirwan and Janet Blixt did a fantastic job designing and editing the signs that Glenn compiled information for.  Kristi and the Environmental Science work study, Adam, will be working on the installation in mid-July.  An announcement will be made at fall Duty Day to highlight the new signs.

Re-Use Room Update The re-use room is being well utilized.  Many used items were transferred from the old AA supply room to the re-use room when supplies moved to the Copy Center.  Kristi spoke to Mark Magnuson about getting shelving put into the new adjunct work space (formerly the Learning Center) and moving many of the supplies into that space permanently in early August.  Mark was very supportive of the idea.

Food Service Director invite Deanne will invite Bruce to our next meeting, tentatively set for July 16^th.  The meeting may be changed to accommodate his schedule.

Ongoing Business

Adopt-A-Parking lot signs were printed by State Sign Shop.  They will also print the names of the adopting groups as vinyl stickers.  These signs will be installed in August.  Kristi will talk to Mary Nienaber about announcing this project at Duty Day as well.

LSC Sustainability Website Kristi met with Steve Fudally about the lack of upkeep on the LSC Sustainability Webpage linked to the LSC site.  The two of them decided to replace that webpage with the EC’s Sustainability blog site.  Steve will re-work the format of the blog to make it more consistent with other Department blogs, including an LSC logo.

Old Business

Campus Accessibility Survey results are posted on the blog.

Budget                                                                                                                                                                      

PO encumbrances since last meeting:

• Adopt-A-Parking Lot signs (MN State Industries): $130
• Interpretive Trail Signs (ShelDon): $212
• Water bottle station: $1492
• Budget balance end FY12 ($0)

Next meeting

Next tentative meeting is July 16^th

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 4/27/2012

April 27^th, 2012

8:00-9:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

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

General Members present:  Dick Haney, Kevin Lindgren, Heather Grillo

Guest Present: Beth Johnson

Announcements

Waste Wise Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 2^nd at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska.  Anyone interested in going can contact Kristi.

YMCA Camp Miller is hiring a counselor position for summer.  Dick will forward the posting to Kristi to be distributed to the EC mail list.

Work-Study & Work-Group Reports

New Business

Accessibility Survey With the re-design of the East parking lot occurring now and work beginning soon, Dick suggested we put together a survey of individual’s satisfaction with the non-motorized accessibility of our campus.  Dick, Deanne, Heather, and Kristi will work on survey questions.  Kristi will put the questions into a survey monkey format and attach it to the blog and send a Newsplash request to Mat.  Kristi and Lance will have the survey available next Tuesday and Wednesday.  Heather suggested we raffle remaining Earth Day items, including t-shirts and herbs, for those that take the survey.  Great idea!

Legacy Project Update Beth reported that the project has been approved and Brian is just waiting on Jeff at Boreal to begin the work.

Hosting Sustainability Folks meeting Since the first meeting time didn’t work for most, we are now getting down to the wire to schedule during spring semester.  This meeting may have to be put off until fall.

Re-Use Room Kristi has had several requests from faculty to open another re-use room this summer.  With so many office moves taking place, it would be a great idea to continue it all summer.  Kristi spoke with Mark M. about this option, he asked that she work with Rody and Gary to find a space.  The room will be open from 11:00-1:00 Mondays and Wednesdays.

Strategizing FY2013 Kristi would like to lay out goals for the next school year.  It was decided that the June 18^th meeting would be a good time for this.

Ongoing Business

Smoking on the Interpretive Trail was again brought up as an ongoing problem.  Kristi will check with facilities to see if they have any more No Smoking Signs that can be posted at the trail head(s).

Adopt-A-Parking Lot sign design has been completed by Jean and Kristi brought an example to show to the EC.  Kristi will set up a PO for the signs which will cost about $150.

Old Business

Earth Day Re-Cap The general feeling was that Earth Day this year went very well.  Students really loved the water bottle give-away.  Heather did an amazing job, as always, organizing everything for the MONTH!  The shirts were a big success, there are some remaining that will be used as prizes throughout the year.  The Council decided we should re-order the same shirts next year.  Ideas were generated on how to involve more faculty in the planning of Earth Day activities, possibly sending an early reminder, similar to SS day, so instructors can put “extra credit” opportunities on their syllabuses.

Budget                                                                                                                                                                     

PO encumbrances since last meeting:

• Earth Day t-shirts $500
• 5R, Recyclemania printing
• Plastic bag pick-up: $8

Balance as of 4/23/2012: $1,859.96

• Adopt-A-Parking Lot signs $130
• Interp Trail Sign Supplies: $208
• Earth Day/5R/Recyclemania printing :$
• Water bottle station: $700 (retrofit) $1300 (full)

Next meeting

Next meeting is June 18^th at noon in the Student Life Conference Room

Summer meetings will be July 16^th and August 13^th at noon in Student Life

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 4/27/2012

April 27^th, 2012

8:00-9:30

Location: Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

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

General Members present:  Dick Haney, Kevin Lindgren, Heather Grillo

Guest Present: Beth Johnson

Announcements

Waste Wise Annual Meeting will be held Tuesday, October 2^nd at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska.  Anyone interested in going can contact Kristi.

YMCA Camp Miller is hiring a counselor position for summer.  Dick will forward the posting to Kristi to be distributed to the EC mail list.

Work-Study & Work-Group Reports

New Business

Accessibility Survey With the re-design of the East parking lot occurring now and work beginning soon, Dick suggested we put together a survey of individual’s satisfaction with the non-motorized accessibility of our campus.  Dick, Deanne, Heather, and Kristi will work on survey questions.  Kristi will put the questions into a survey monkey format and attach it to the blog and send a Newsplash request to Mat.  Kristi and Lance will have the survey available next Tuesday and Wednesday.  Heather suggested we raffle remaining Earth Day items, including t-shirts and herbs, for those that take the survey.  Great idea!

Legacy Project Update Beth reported that the project has been approved and Brian is just waiting on Jeff at Boreal to begin the work.

Hosting Sustainability Folks meeting Since the first meeting time didn’t work for most, we are now getting down to the wire to schedule during spring semester.  This meeting may have to be put off until fall.

Re-Use Room Kristi has had several requests from faculty to open another re-use room this summer.  With so many office moves taking place, it would be a great idea to continue it all summer.  Kristi spoke with Mark M. about this option, he asked that she work with Rody and Gary to find a space.  The room will be open from 11:00-1:00 Mondays and Wednesdays.

Strategizing FY2013 Kristi would like to lay out goals for the next school year.  It was decided that the June 18^th meeting would be a good time for this.

Ongoing Business

Smoking on the Interpretive Trail was again brought up as an ongoing problem.  Kristi will check with facilities to see if they have any more No Smoking Signs that can be posted at the trail head(s).

Adopt-A-Parking Lot sign design has been completed by Jean and Kristi brought an example to show to the EC.  Kristi will set up a PO for the signs which will cost about $150.

Old Business

Earth Day Re-Cap The general feeling was that Earth Day this year went very well.  Students really loved the water bottle give-away.  Heather did an amazing job, as always, organizing everything for the MONTH!  The shirts were a big success, there are some remaining that will be used as prizes throughout the year.  The Council decided we should re-order the same shirts next year.  Ideas were generated on how to involve more faculty in the planning of Earth Day activities, possibly sending an early reminder, similar to SS day, so instructors can put “extra credit” opportunities on their syllabuses.

Budget                                                                                                                                                                     

PO encumbrances since last meeting:

• Earth Day t-shirts $500
• 5R, Recyclemania printing
• Plastic bag pick-up: $8

Balance as of 4/23/2012: $1,859.96

• Adopt-A-Parking Lot signs $130
• Interp Trail Sign Supplies: $208
• Earth Day/5R/Recyclemania printing :$
• Water bottle station: $700 (retrofit) $1300 (full)

Next meeting

Next meeting is June 18^th at noon in the Student Life Conference Room

Summer meetings will be July 16^th and August 13^th at noon in Student Life

Notes Submitted by Kristi Heintz