Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Sustainability Council Meeting Minutes 11/2/2018

October 5^th, 2018

9:00 – 9:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Mike, Theresa, Deanne, Mary, Dave, Grant, Nate, Cliff, Mark, Wade, Randel Hansen, Mike Mageau, Glenn, Kristi

General Members present:  Mike Seymour

Guests:

Announcements

Kristi shared the System Energy & Sustainability Newsletter via email

Kristi suggested we seek a representative from the Allied Health and Nursing division for the Council.  All current members can recruit and invite new members.

New Business

Welcome Mike Mageau and Randy Hansen, faculty developing and teaching the new Eco Entrepreneurialism program at LSC.  Randy, Mike, Mike, and Glenn offered program details with an anticipated fall 2019 launch.  Mike Seymour joined today’s meeting to share an update on the campus housing project and provide details as they relate to the new program infrastructure.  The final city approval for site agreement will be December 3^rd.

Mike Seymour is requesting assistance/guidance from the Sustainability Council on marketing the vision of healthy living at LSC.  This theme will tie the interdisciplinary nature of the new Eco Ent program as well as collaborative spirit of the new housing project.  As the Sustainability Council updates the LSC sustainability webpages and aligns goals with those of the State of MN and the Minnesota State C&U System, we will work on this messaging.

AASHE annual membership dues were due October 31^st.  Mike F. motioned to pay the annual $280 dues, Theresa seconded.  Motion passed unopposed.

The Council viewed the State of MN Enterprise Sustainability 2017 Report (found on the MN Office of Enterprise Sustainability webpage) and Minnesota State C&U’s proposed changes to its Commitment to Sustainability Policy (5.17) policies/goals on sustainability ahead of the meeting.  Kristi provided feedback on the drafts earlier this summer.  The Minnesota State policies will be sent to the Board of Trustees (BOT) in the spring for final review.  The Council agreed we would align our own goals with those of Minnesota State.  Wade suggested the Council draft a request to adopt the goals to the President for official consideration and approval.  Kristi requested that while members are browsing the web, members consider appealing ways to present data on our webpages, and send interesting examples to Kristi.

Specific notes discussed related to the sustainability goals/targets:

• Greenhouse Gas: it appears reporting on Carbon Emission will be limited to Scope 2 (energy), ie data that can be gleaned from B3 data input. The Council considered the value of the comprehensive GHG inventories that we completed in 2009 and 2011.  The Council agreed there may be value for the students performing the inventory, but getting the data might be too time intensive for staff, particularly in the Business Office.  Kristi shared that use of the newest carbon calculator, SIMAP (a campus carbon calculator, formerly CarbonMAP, formerly Clean Air-Cool Planet) offers a 2-month free subscription, and annual subscription for $350.  No formal decisions were made on collecting comprehensive GHG data, but Kristi will work with student employees and interested faculty if they want to use the tool as a teaching resource.  The Council may consider the annual membership at the December meeting.
• Water: Mike M. shared that the Eco Ent program will be incorporating rain harvesting for their program – great news!
• Solid waste: much discussion on this goal.  First, we need to capture a baseline on our waste production.  This will be a student employee project, building on past projects.  Kristi shared that the State of MN is removing desk-side waste receptacles, relying on centrally located sorting areas.  The Council has discussed this option many times before.  Wade suggested the recommendation to adopt that practice be sent to Al and/or Pat for consideration.  Kristi noted she would like to be part of or lead the discussion with the maintenance crew if this new process is approved.  Also, viewing the Green Office survey results, many employees are willing to put their waste in a central spot, and many are interested in reusable (towel) options for their kitchenette areas.  With individual waste/recycling baskets removed, perhaps laundering towels could be done by maintenance.  Kristi noted we should do our baseline waste audit before implementing change.  Nate noted Lynn is doing this in the Student Services area already, and laundering items herself, because she’s the best. Based on a small waste sort done by Theresa and Deanne’s Environmental Science class, we know paper towels are a huge (majority) part of our landfilled waste stream by weight.  Perhaps some can be composted on site with the new program, and ideas were shared for bathroom paper towel use.  Mary and Glenn also requested more absorbent options specifically for the science labs.  Mark shared that the more absorbent tri-fold paper towels cost almost 3 times more than our current paper towels.
• Procurement: Minnesota State is not setting specific targets for purchasing, but does have targets for pollution prevention as it relates to acquisitions. Kristi will request the list of Minnesota State Department of Admin’s Sustainable State Contracts and Cooperative Purchasing be placed on the Employee Portal-Business Services page.  Kristi will also work with the Business Office on additional training for purchasers related to the identification of “green” purchases in the Marketplace system.
• Energy: We will continue to input monthly energy and water data to B3. Kristi has updated the LSC profile to include the Minnesota State goals for CO2 emissions and energy use so they can be used for tracking and visualization.

Anticipating approval of these policies by the BOT, Deanne suggested that per the Procedure’s “General Responsibility” of campuses to “…appoint a representative(s) for all energy and sustainability issues and shall maintain records regarding carbon emissions, energy and water conservation and efficiency, and waste.  The representative shall also monitor and communicate programs, initiatives and curriculum addressing sustainability, including (bot not limited to) sustainable food policies, conservation and protection of the natural environment, and pollution prevention efforts…” , these new requirements call for a clearly defined Sustainability Coordinator position.  These responsibilities should be reflected in a staff’s position with adequate time allotted for all of these responsibilities, and the position should also be reflected in the campus’ org chart.  Wade suggested the Sustainability Council draft a letter to President Johns outlining this request.

Old Business

Kristi offered a presentation and discussion at this year’s Excellence in Teaching Festival, titled “Threading Sustainability Across Curriculum”; thanks, Jenna, for initiating this!

Zero Waste products have been difficult to acquire in the LSC store, due to high initial cost.  Kristi will work with Wade and Mike to devise a process similar to that used in the copy center for supplies.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

Update from Student Employees

• No opposition was raised to putting a geocache on campus. Grant will look into this.

Budget

FY 18 original budget: $8,450

Encumbrances to date:

• Prairie Restorations (tansy treatment): $300
• Menards: $200
• ShelDon: $140.52
• 4 Seasons Outdoor Svcs: $ 193.99

Next Meetings

Regular monthly meeting: Friday, November 30th, 9:00 am, S2920 (Large Admin)

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 11/2/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

Sustainability Council meeting minutes 10/5/2018

9:00 – 9:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Dave, Theresa, Jenna, Mike, Eric, Kristi, Mark, Grant, Dave, Brandon

General Members present:

Announcements

1 student employee position for the Sustainability Council has been posted, as Nicole had some scheduling conflicts.  Interested students should contact Kristi.

Jenna is looking for presenter(s) on sustainability in curriculum for the College in the Schools Day of the Excellence in Teaching Festival on October 24^th, both a break-out and keynote during lunch.

Old Business

Campus housing follow-up thoughts (tabled to Nov. meeting)

New Business

Maintenance on the existing trail head entrance (west end) to the creek was completed with new limestone and stormwater flow diversion.  Thanks to Glenn, Dave, and Grant for helping with that effort.

Kristi purchased a new trailhead sign with an updated campus map from ShelDon.  With Grant’s help, we were able to avoid renting a dingo to drill the holes for the Interpretive Trail sign frame at its new location, just across the main driveway from the E parking lot exit.  Brian Bich has been strategizing the move.  The Council planned an Interpretive Trailhead sign moving party following the meeting, so the meeting agenda was brief.

Ahead of a new LSC presidential search, Kristi suggests the Sustainability Council work to update the LSC Sustainability webpages and landscape plan.  Kristi asked for feedback on the most efficient way to accomplish this.  The Council agreed word docs should be sent around for individual edits.  Kristi will take a first run at the edits and send around for feedback.  Edits should be completed by November meeting.

Dave shared that he is continuing to work with Greg on potential mountain bike trail development in and/or near campus.  He will continue to update the Council as discussions progress.

Kristi shared that work done by our GreenCorps revealed some potential student-driven projects, specifically related to the employee Green Office Program that Chris championed.  Kristi asked for feedback on the survey, and will send that spreadsheet for review and prioritization of student-led projects.  This review should be completed by our November meeting.

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

Update from Student Employees (tabled for Nov. meeting)

Budget

FY 18 original budget: $8,450

Encumbrances to date:

• Prairie Restorations (tansy treatment): $300
• Menards: $200
• ShelDon: $140.52
• 4 Seasons Outdoor Svcs: $ 193.99

Next Meetings

Regular monthly meeting: November 2nd, 9:00 am, S2920 (Large Admin)

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 10/9/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.

Sustainability Council meeting minutes 9/7/2018

9:00 – 10:30

Student Life Conference Room

Attendance

Governing Core Members present: Deanne, Al, Wade, Mary, Dave, Nate, Theresa, Jenna, Mike, Eric, Glenn, Kristi

General Members present:

Announcements

Woody Plants Field Workshop & Removal (Duluth CISMA) Oct 3^rd, 3:30-5:30, Casket Quarry Park

New student employees for the Sustainability Council have been hired.  Grant and Nicole will tag team trails and garden work this summer/fall and the Council will prioritize student projects at our October meeting.

LSC’s Integrated Mfg assists in Imagine Canal Park in Sept, kick off event is tonight.

Harvest Fest is Saturday (9/8) in Bayfront Park

The Duluth People’s Climate March is Saturday (9/8) starting at 10:00 at the AICHO

Monthly Twin Ports Climate Conversations, October’s meeting will be at Perch lake for wild ricing demo and discussion, contact Deanne or Kristi for more information.

Soles to the Poles– Nonpartisan get out the vote festival is October 13^th, 1:00-5:00 pm at Denfeld HS, contact Deanne for more info

LSC hosts the Izaak Walton League monthly meetings and programs.  Next meeting is Wed October 3^rd with a focus on understanding treaty rights.  Contact Glenn for more information.

New Business

Our FY19 budget was set, as last year, at $8,450.

Glenn shared fall plans to reprint the Interpretive Trail-head sign to include an updated campus map and proposed new trailhead.  Rental of a dingo/auger is needed for sign holes.  The Council discussed the proposed trailhead and sign location and ideas to make the ditch more traversable.  Al favors a permanent culvert.  Kristi shared the updated map that Jean modified for our hand-maps and trailhead sign.  Mary suggested adding a QR code or link to the trailhead map so people don’t have to take a paper hand map.  Supply needs for the trail include limestone and supplies to repair and stabilize the old trail entrance.  Dave motioned the Council use its budget to fund these projects, Theresa seconded.  Unopposed.

The Council reviewed its membership roster on the Campus Committees page.  Kristi will request updates.

Kristi hosted a “Hosting a Zero Waste Event” meeting for most campus event planners/purchasers this summer.  Student Life hosted their first nearly zero waste pizza party event during welcome week, and it was a great success.  Kristi was able to easily place bins, provide education for students, and assist with clean up.  In the future, this will become a student employee task.

Connie is still on board for purchasing these items, if departments are willing to purchase from the LSC Store.  Wade noted it would be great to get to a place where zero waste was part of normal event planning, and planners would have to opt-out if they intended to purchase items not listed as compostable.  A great goal!

Summer Grounds Projects

• Pollinator garden-Kristi shared photos of the pollinator garden planting and progress. The Council briefly discussed winter management (ie keeping salt, snow, and sand off the plants).  Kristi plans to put reflective stakes around the garden and will continue to work/communicate with maintence.  The Council will continue to work on a design for the black plastic area over winter.
• Tansy town-Glenn and Kristi shared our experience on the H-building hillside. Kristi shared that Prairie Restorations had done the first application of Escort in late spring, and we plan to do the same next spring.  Glenn noted the project is simply gigantic, and too big for us to manage on our own.  Following a second year of tansy treatment, the Council will continue to plan for a planting strategy.  Kristi suggested we continue to look for grant opportunities for the project.

The Council discussed preliminary thoughts about the new student housing project ahead of the September 14^th meeting with architect Carly Coulson. Kristi and Deanne took notes; Kristi will summarize throughts and will circulate to the Council ahead of that next meeting.

Remaining new business agenda items were tabled for October meeting

Old Business

None

Work Group and Student Employee Reports

None

Budget

FY 18 original budget: $8,450

Encumbrances to date:

• Prairie Restorations (tansy treatment): $300
• Menards: $200

Next Meetings

Meeting with Carly Coulson: September 14^th, 9:00 am, Large Admin Conf Room (S2920)

Regular monthly meeting: October 5^th, 9:00 am

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kristi Heintz, 9/7/2018.  Posted to LSC Sustainability Council Blog and Employee Portal Committees page.