Minutes

Meeting Minutes 8/27/10

9:30 Student Life Conference Room

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Megan Bugge, Mat Gilderman, Wade Gordon, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Carol Johnson, Cliff Koski, Glenn Merrick, Deanne Roquet, Jeri Schwerin

Announcements

This semester’s EC meetings will continue to be every other Friday morning at 9:30.  Kristi will try to secure the Student Life Conference Room for these meetings.  Individual workgroup meetings can schedule separate meeting times as needed.

Environmental Outdoor Club will have a table at Student Success Day.  Jeri would like volunteers to staff the table from 11:00-1:00 while she is in class.  Megan and Glenn volunteered.

There was discussion of doing collaborative work between Environmental Council and Environmental Outdoor (Student) Club and maybe clarifying the name so students aren’t confused on which is which.

Outdoor LEED signs were discussed.  A suggestion was made to salvage scrap metal from the new building and have them laser etched with descriptions of outdoor sustainable initiatives like rain gardens, no-mow zones etc.  Mat will chair a “signage” sub-committee, Carol and Jeri both volunteered to help.

The LEED dedication ceremony for LSC will be held Monday, September 13^th between 2:00 and 3:00.  Gary K. is looking for an EC representative to say a few words at the ceremony.  Contact Wade if you are interested in speaking.

Sub-Committee Report 

Climate Action Plan: please review the documents below and add to/modify as you see appropriate.

-Goals: Review and add to the list (SharePoint documents in Climate Action Plan folder)

-CURRICULUM AND EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH working docs (SharePoint)

Kristi reminded everyone that the Climate Action Plan is due to be submitted by January 2011.

Kristi will bring a list of STARS “sub-committees” to the next meeting.

Old Business

It has been brought to Deanne’s attention that the kitchen is still close to out of compostable bags for separating pre-consumer food waste.  Kevin had agreed to follow-up on this, but may not have done so.  Deanne will follow-up with Kevin.

New Business 

Max Udovich, a new Machine Technology instructor, has taken over responsibility of organizing styro shredding efforts and contacted Kristi about possibly recruiting EC members or asking for funding to complete this task.  The Council discussed different classes in which this project could be included as a “service project” and several members of the Council also volunteered time to get the shredding caught up as it is piling up from recent computer purchases.  Kristi will email Max and let him know what we discussed, invite him to the next EC meeting to continue discussion, and EC members are encouraged to email him directly to volunteer time to shred.

A few representative members of the EC will be meeting with President Johns on September 10^th at 8:30 to introduce him to projects and the mission of the EC.  Suggestions for items to bring to his attention include: the long history of the EC at LSC, the beneficial financial impact of projects we’ve initiated, emphasize the minimal, and very recent existence, of a budget the Council has worked from, our plans for this year and future, and also ask him feedback on how best to communicate with other campus groups that may have similar goals.  Theresa, Carol, and Deanne will work on the history and Wade will work on the financial benefit.  A small group will meet Thursday September 2^nd at 2:00 to put together a list of discussion points.

Budget Report

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

September 10^th, time and location TBD.

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 8/27/10

9:30 Student Life Conference Room

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Megan Bugge, Mat Gilderman, Wade Gordon, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Carol Johnson, Cliff Koski, Glenn Merrick, Deanne Roquet, Jeri Schwerin

Announcements

This semester’s EC meetings will continue to be every other Friday morning at 9:30.  Kristi will try to secure the Student Life Conference Room for these meetings.  Individual workgroup meetings can schedule separate meeting times as needed.

Environmental Outdoor Club will have a table at Student Success Day.  Jeri would like volunteers to staff the table from 11:00-1:00 while she is in class.  Megan and Glenn volunteered.

There was discussion of doing collaborative work between Environmental Council and Environmental Outdoor (Student) Club and maybe clarifying the name so students aren’t confused on which is which.

Outdoor LEED signs were discussed.  A suggestion was made to salvage scrap metal from the new building and have them laser etched with descriptions of outdoor sustainable initiatives like rain gardens, no-mow zones etc.  Mat will chair a “signage” sub-committee, Carol and Jeri both volunteered to help.

The LEED dedication ceremony for LSC will be held Monday, September 13^th between 2:00 and 3:00.  Gary K. is looking for an EC representative to say a few words at the ceremony.  Contact Wade if you are interested in speaking.

Sub-Committee Report 

Climate Action Plan: please review the documents below and add to/modify as you see appropriate.

-Goals: Review and add to the list (SharePoint documents in Climate Action Plan folder)

-CURRICULUM AND EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH working docs (SharePoint)

Kristi reminded everyone that the Climate Action Plan is due to be submitted by January 2011.

Kristi will bring a list of STARS “sub-committees” to the next meeting.

Old Business

It has been brought to Deanne’s attention that the kitchen is still close to out of compostable bags for separating pre-consumer food waste.  Kevin had agreed to follow-up on this, but may not have done so.  Deanne will follow-up with Kevin.

New Business 

Max Udovich, a new Machine Technology instructor, has taken over responsibility of organizing styro shredding efforts and contacted Kristi about possibly recruiting EC members or asking for funding to complete this task.  The Council discussed different classes in which this project could be included as a “service project” and several members of the Council also volunteered time to get the shredding caught up as it is piling up from recent computer purchases.  Kristi will email Max and let him know what we discussed, invite him to the next EC meeting to continue discussion, and EC members are encouraged to email him directly to volunteer time to shred.

A few representative members of the EC will be meeting with President Johns on September 10^th at 8:30 to introduce him to projects and the mission of the EC.  Suggestions for items to bring to his attention include: the long history of the EC at LSC, the beneficial financial impact of projects we’ve initiated, emphasize the minimal, and very recent existence, of a budget the Council has worked from, our plans for this year and future, and also ask him feedback on how best to communicate with other campus groups that may have similar goals.  Theresa, Carol, and Deanne will work on the history and Wade will work on the financial benefit.  A small group will meet Thursday September 2^nd at 2:00 to put together a list of discussion points.

Budget Report

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

September 10^th, time and location TBD.

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 4/16/2010

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Megan Bugge, Kevin Futhey, Wade Gordon, Heather Grillo, Dick Haney, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Carol Johnson, Cliff Koski, Deanne Roquet, Julius Salinas

Announcements

DJ McClain attended the meeting and he and Kristi demonstrated the new Environmental Council SharePoint portal site.  It will house the group’s calendar and will be useful when the Council and work groups begin creating and sharing documents.  Kristi also included a link to the EC blog from the SharePoint page.  Everyone is encouraged to take a look at the EC Retreat page and sign up for work groups, then come prepared to get those work group projects completed at our retreat meeting next week.

Gary and Mark will both be attending portions of the retreat relevant to them.  Kristi will finish the agenda and invite them both.

Sarah Lee, a student, attended the meeting as a possible new member.  She announced Joel Salatin’s lecture and reception about Fresh-The Movie, April 18^th in Minneapolis.  Visit http://www.polyfacefarms.com  for more information on Joel and Polyface Farms.

Sub-Committee Reports

-Carol suggested we include required capability of double sided printers in the purchasing policy as well as do away with personal, less efficient, printers.  She also noted that not all existing printers on campus have the capability to print on both sides.   This should be included in the Environmental Purchasing Policy in addition to using certain fonts(like Century Gothic) and backgrounds that use less toner.  NPR recently ran a story related to this.  

-Carol reported that most batteries are not recyclable and they should just go into the trash.  Some batteries are recyclable, like button batteries, and signs should be created to show what we can and cannot take.

Old Business

UMACS

-Kevin was presented a framed speaking award for participating in the UMACS presentation!

-Cliff, Deanne, Kevin, and Kristi all reported on the useful information they all received at the conference.  Many ideas were generated and the pre-conference workshop on the Campus Carbon Calculator was incredibly informational.

                -Deanne suggested we initiate a “Local Food Day” or “Meatless Monday” etc. in the future

                -Kevin reported on UWRF’s strides in re-using materials from an old campus building as art in a new space

LSC Earth Day (April 22^nd, 2010)

-Table: a sign-up sheet was passed around to staff the EC banner/table/commuting survey from 11:00-2:00

     -Deanne or Cliff will leave their laptops at the EC table so anyone can complete the commuting survey there

      -The survey will start on Wednesday; Kristi will send it out in an email

     -The first 30 people to come to the table and tell us they’ve taken the survey will receive a re-usable shopping bag.

     -The vinyl sign is here, Kristi will ask maintenance to hang it and also create flyers explaining the ACUPCC to post with the banner.

-T-shirts:  Wade will pick up and present the $50 book store gift card to the winner on Earth Day during the lunch.

-Advertisement: Mat has posted flyers, Heather will email Earth Day details.

-Many of the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle books have been claimed.  What’s remaining will be at Sarah Lee’s table on Earth Day for anyone to claim.  Everyone taking a book is encouraged to attend one of the future book talks.

New Business 

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting

Next meeting

The next meeting will be our retreat.  FRIDAY, April 23^rd at 9:00 in the Student Life Conference Room. 

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 4/2/2010

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Kevin Futhey, Mat Gilderman, Wade Gordon, Dick Haney, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Carol Johnson, Cliff Koski, Glenn Merrick, Deanne Roquet, Chandra Shoberg, and Megan Bugge

Student Members present:  Tom Deschenes

Announcements

–Megan Bugge, an Upward Bound Advisor, joined us today as a new EC member!

-Cliff will staff an EC table, along with his department’s, during the open house

Sub-Committee Reports

Environmental Council Retreat

–April 23^rd, Student Life Conference Room 9:00 until we finish.  We’ll plan on lunch at Enger Park, bring your own lunch.

Old Business

UMACS

-A group met before today’s meeting to generate ideas for our presentation.  Cliff, Deanne, and Kristi will meet Tuesday to work on the PowerPoint.

LSC Earth Day (April 22^nd, 2010)

-T-shirts:  Mat showed us the winning design.  We will present the $50 book store gift card to the winner on Earth Day.

-Signage: Mat will work on flyers.  The vinyl Presidents’ Climate Commitment banner has been ordered.

-Deanne has 5 student information booths signed up. 

-Dick explained his idea for a “Campus Connectivity” table.  It relates to one of Fit City Duluth’s transportation and complete streets goal.  Check out their website for more information.

-Lunch: Heather has organized lunch with compostable cups, minimal waste products, and organic/local food where possible.  WLSSD will provide composing bags for food and cups.  It was noted that these receptacles need to be clearly marked and have volunteers available to educate.  Contact Heather Grillo or Kristi Heintz if you are interested in volunteering.

-Josh Tesch will do a discussion on Food, Inc showing just a portion of the movie.  Tom will follow up on details.

New Business 

-Cliff brought information regarding the Parking Talk Force’s  desire to make the campus more accessible via the trails on campus.  They are looking for input as to which trails need updating and which would be most useful.  The committee spent some time discussing these ideas.  Cliff will report back to the Task Force with our recommendations.

Motions

Next meeting

Friday, April 16th, 9:30 in the Student Life Conference Room

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 3/19/2010

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Cathy Carlson, Kevin Futhey, Dick Haney, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Dave Israel, Cliff Koski, Glenn Merrick, Deanne Roquet, Julius Salinas

Student Members present:  Tom Deschenes, Svea Lindgren

Announcements

–Deanne mentioned Hartley Nature Center’s fund raiser-Wine in the Woods– April 22^nd

-Dave invited Chris Ringsred to this meeting to share his ideas for greenhouse equipment

-WLSSD and RSPT’s rain barrel and compost bin sale is May 22, 2010 at LSC

Sub-Committee Reports

Environmental Council Retreat

-Kristi has set up an Environmental Council Share Point.  This site can be used for document sharing and editing and will also have an updated calendar.  Only EC members can view this Share Point.  Kristi will send out an email, showing everyone how to get to the Share Point page and sign up for work groups before the retreat (April 23^rd).

-Kristi and Deanne will put together an EC Retreat Agenda.

-Lunch options will be discussed at the next meeting.

UMACS

-Cliff and Deanne will do the presentation representing LSC, Cathy will help with the presentation.

Old Business

 LSC Earth Day (April 22^nd, 2010)

-We will be responsible for the key note speaker, venders, and t-shirts.

     -Speaker:  Kevin contacted Arne Vainio, neither he nor his wife will be available to speak at Earth Day.  A suggestion to do a couple of showings of Food, Inc. (watch the trailer here) followed by discussion was brought up.  The council decided it would be a good direction to go, and this will be done instead of finding a key note speaker.  A discussion leader will be talked about at the next meeting.

     -Deanne suggested we purchase copies of “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” by Barbara Kingsolver, part of the One Book, One Community series at Duluth Public Library.  Discussion, in the atrium, by Bridget Reistad would follow on Earth Day.  Deanne will contact Bridget.  Deanne motioned to purchase 10 books and encourage Student Life to also purchase 10, with the intention of setting up a discussion on Earth Day, Cliff seconded the motion.

    -T-shirts:  Kristi reported that Mat has initiated the design contest with a March 29^th deadline.  Mat is still working on t-shirt pricing.

   -Signage: Kristi reported that Mat is pricing out possibilities for the large vinyl banner we discussed at the March 5^th meeting.  He will give an update at the next meeting.   Flyers were also discussed to publicize the Earth Day events, Kristi will contact Mat and Heather about doing this.

   -Deanne has 5 student information booths signed up. 

New Business 

Greenhouse/Worms

-Worms-Theresa discussed with Gary the possibility of moving the worms to the atrium to the planters under the stairs which aren’t currently being used.  Everyone agreed it is a fantastic idea.

-Solar Panels/Wind turbine-Chris Ringsrud attended today’s meeting to discuss our campus’s sustainability possibilities.  Specifically, ideas for integrating the solar panels and wind turbine into the new health and science building were discussed.  We all decided we need to create a list of items from the greenhouse that need to be saved and also indicate a plan for how it will be used and how much it would cost to get some of the equipment working (ex. the turbines’ charge controller would cost roughly $200 to replace, the batteries are not salvageable etc).  This will be a topic for the Environmental Council Retreat.  Chris agreed to be a part of the planning/proposal process.

     -The possibility of a Schools Cutting Carbon grant for integrating the solar panels and wind turbine into the design of the new building was also brought up, discussion is tabled until EC Retreat.

Motions

Deanne motioned to purchase 10 “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” books for around $10 a piece and also encourage Student Life to also purchase 10, with the intention of setting up a discussion on Earth Day, Cliff seconded the motion with unanimous support.

Next meeting

The next meeting will be Friday April 2^nd, 9:30 – 11:30 in the Student Life Conference Room. 

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 3/5/10

Environmental Council

Meeting Minutes

March 5^th, 2010

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Deanne Roquet, Glenn Merrick, Heather Grillo, Julius Salinas, Kevin Futhey, Kristi Heintz, Mat Gilderman, Theresa Hornstein

Announcements

Next meeting:  March 19^th and every other week after.

Sub-Committee Reports

Sub-Committee member lists were passed around and updated

Environmental Council Retreat

-Location and Date/Time: Deanne suggested staying on campus to have the flexibility of breaking into working groups and also inviting Mark and/or Gary  for a portion of the meeting to discuss specific issues (including new building inquires and a Stormwater Management Plan).  It was suggested we try to secure the Student Life Conference Room for 9:00 am on APRIL 23^rd or 30^th and spend most of the day in working groups. 

     -Kristi will work on reserving the room

-Topics for the retreat include:  An EC Annual Report, an EC Power Point presentation, Environmental Purchase Policy, goals for next year, ways to connect with LSC’s future President, the worm building, and stormwater management issues.

-Theresa suggest a potluck lunch

President’s Climate Commitment

-Kristi was contacted by Bill Mittlefehldt of Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs). He suggested we supply a “success story” for their website on our vending miser project.

     -Kristi will talk with Svea and see if she is interested in putting together a brief summary of our project highlighting it as an Environmental Council initiative.

     -It was also mentioned that this program should be publicized within the school, possibly through simple signs on or near the vending machines, maybe do this as an Earth Day eco-awareness project.

Old Business

It’s in the Bag:  The Council decided that a plastic bag recycling receptacle is a good idea and a motion was made to purchase 1 receptacle for $145 from MN Waste Wise.  Deanne will discuss a meeting time with Kate Worley from MN Waste Wise and she will bring the receptacle with her during that trip.

     -Kristi contacted Airpark Services and they will pick up and sort materials for $4 per pick-up and will pick-up on an on-call basis to start out.  Kristi will schedule pick-ups.

Living Green Conference:

     – Ideas for next year include collaboration with other area events with a similar focus.  Glenn suggested possibly contacting St. Louis River Alliance and partnering with them next year in their Watershed Festival.  Another idea was to hold the event simultaneously with WLSSD’s rain barrel workshop in the spring.

     -Visitor cost was also brought up.  Many ideas were given for utilizing the proceeds of the event.

     -Publicity was discussed and it was agreed to have a website developed.  Mat will follow up.

     -A sub-committee has been formed and anyone interested is welcome to join.

LSC Earth Day (April 22^nd, 2010)

Heather attended this portion of the meeting to discuss our expected role in this year’s Earth Day.

-We will be responsible for the key note speaker, venders, and t-shirts.

     -Speaker:  Paul Thompson’s work history was distributed and the possibility of Arne Vainio speaking was also brought up. The Council would also like to consider Arne,  Kevin will contact him and see if he and his wife are available.

          -Deanne was contacted by LSC’s Institutional Effectiveness Campus Beautification Committee and asked to find a way to showcase and incorporate the atrium for a “grand re-opening” during Earth Day activities.  The committee decided to use the atrium as the location for the key note speaker.

     -Venders:  Heather asked us to also take on venders since we have contacts from the Living Green Conference.  Kristi will discuss this with Wade and Svea.  Deanne also suggested we invite Jay Hanson as a “vender” with his Drive Easy campaign.  Deanne also suggested we purchase his bumper stickers at cost to hand out to students.  John’s Twin Ports Recycling was also discussed as a vendor for electronics recycling.

     -T-shirts:  Mat will initiate the design contest soon.  A suggestion was made to use a recycled content t-shirt if the cost wasn’t substantially different from regular cotton.  Mat will look into it.

     -Signage:  Deanne discussed a poster she saw at MCTC highlighting their commitment to the President’s Climate Commitment.  After much discussion, the Council made a motion to go with a large vinyl banner with ACUPCC and LSC’s logos along with a brief quote of our commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  As part of the Earth Day activities, we would like to have students, faculty, and staff sign the banner and display it either in the atrium or on one of the catwalks.  This banner could be used annually by adding additional signatures of new students/employees.  Mat will look into cost.    

New Business

Motions

Deanne motioned to purchase one plastic bag recycling receptacle from MN Waste Wise for $145.  Mat seconded the motion with unanimous support.

Kevin motioned to move forward in purchasing a banner showing our support for the President’s Climate Commitment to be signed on Earth Day.  Theresa seconded the motion with unanimous support.

Next meeting

The next meeting will be Friday March 19th, 9:30 – 11:30 location TBD.

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 2/26/10

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Carol Johnson, Kevin Futhey, Kristi Heintz

Student Members present:  Tom Deschenes

Announcements

Styrofoam Shredding:  Mike Koppy has received a grant to build a larger styrofoam shredder.  It will shred smaller pieces and will have more safety features.   Some of the materials for the machine have been donated and are reclaimed.

Sub-Committee Reports

Recycling

-The new battery recycling receptacle has been placed near the west entrance.

-Kristi checked into plastic bag recycling (look at the “It’s in the Bag” link for more info).  We can purchase a receptacle specifically for plastic bags for $145 from MN Waste Wise.  Airpark Products & Services will pick up the bags for a nominal fee weekly or bi-weekly.  Kate Worley will bring the receptacle to campus once we schedule a meeting with her if we choose to purchase one.  A motion is needed, discussion is tabled until next meeting.

-Recycled Paper

     -Kristi talked with Mike in the copy center about our campus not using recycled content paper.  She forwarded a link to him regarding the state legislative order on recycled content in copy paper.  Mike replied and intends to look into it.

     -Kevin suggested talking with Mark as well about the legislative order

Environmental Purchasing Policy

-Kristi is in the process of writing an LSC Waste Prevention and Purchasing Policy

     -Carol suggested the purchase policy include the need to only purchase printers with duplex capability and possibly add mandatory duplex printing to the usage part of the policy.

     -Tom will look into installing drivers on existing older computers to have the capability to duplex print.

-Kristi brought up the possibility of getting an Ionator or similar sanatizing tool to try and maybe incorporate a microbiology education project with it.  Kevin will talk with his rep.

Old Business

New Business

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

The next meeting will be Friday March 5th, 9:30 – 11:30 in the Student Life Conference Room.

PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE and DATE!  There has been confusion with the 9:00 change so we’ve decided to go back to 9:30.  We will have a meeting next Friday due to conflicting schedules this week and Spring Break during our next scheduled meeting date.

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 2/12/10

Meeting Minutes 2/12/10

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Carol Johnson, Cathy Carlson, Deanne Roquet, Heather Grillo, Glenn Merrick, Julius Salinas, Kevin Futhey, Kristi Heintz, Mat Gilderman, Wade Gordon.

Student Members present:  Chandra Shoberg,  Svea Lindgren, Tom Deschenes

Guest: Connie Jamieson – Northland College, Environmental Council

Announcements

Earth Day:  April 22nd

Heather Grillo attended to discuss Earth Day

Events will include:

-Campus Clean-up

-Food is being discussed

-A Band is being discussed

-Speakers: Carol will contact Dick about getting a bio on Paul Thompson who requires a $500 Speaker’s Fee (this will come out of the EC budget).

-Carol suggested a session about the beginning of Earth Day or a video to run throughout the day to commemorate the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day

-Wade suggested running a webinar that day if there is one available

-T-shirts : a design contest will run for 2 weeks, Mat will collect entries.  Svea suggested a LSC Bookstore gift certificate be given to the design winner (t-shirts and prize will come out of EC budget).

     -Design will include LSC’s name, the date, and preferably some type of Earth Day’s 40^th Anniversary motif.   

     -The t-shirts will be used for participants in trash clean-up and all volunteers will get one  

     -Earth Day bags from last year will also be utilized

Sub-Committee Reports

Recycling

Carol suggested sending out monthly email reminders to all students/staff/faculty regarding recycling

  -A new email each month reminding people what LSC recycles and where

  -The possibility of a West End Recycling Center was brought up including batteries, plastic bags, light bulbs etc.

  -Kristi will look into plastic bag recycling

Interpretive Trail/Rain Garden

Glenn suggested we develop a management plan for the existing rain garden, it is in need of maintenance and is in our best interest to keep it up to ensure further collaboration with South St. Louis County SWCD and also to stay ahead of an eventual mandatory Storm Water Management Plan.

-Glenn and Kristi will meet with Keith Anderson of So. St. Louis Co. SWCD to develop a calendar for maintenance

-Education is lacking but imperative

  -Wade suggested we approach the President’s Cabinet with education/maint. concerns

Old Business

Living Green Conference:  February 27, 2010 @ LSC 10:00-4:00

-Svea has been posting flyers, please help distribute if you haven’t already

-Wade gave an update on events

     -Arne Vainio is the keynote speaker

     -There is a facebook link for the event – link will also be posted on the EC blog

     -There will be 12-15 break-out sessions, 9 have been covered

     -Student help is requested for registration

UMACS Update:  April 9^th and 10^th

–Deanne and Carol submitted our proposal “From Composting to Curriculum”

New Business

Environmental Council Retreat

Sub-Committee formed: Carol, Deanne, Wade

  -the sub-committee will get together to discuss when and where

  -Deanne suggested an agenda item include development of a protocol for dealing with some of the projects and issues our group takes on.

Guest Collaborator

Connie Jamieson-Environmental Council Member -Northland College, Ashland, WI

Connie brought information and ideas from Northland College’s Environmental Council

Highlights include:

Northland’s EC hierarchy

-The group is primarily students and is co-chaired by the college’s Sustainability Coordinator (Clair Hintz) and a Student Chair Representative (work-study position).  The Council is then broken down into smaller work groups, each with a student work-study Group Chair.  These work groups meet weekly.  The Group Chairs then meet monthly as the Environmental Council to discuss progress.  Work is primarily done in the work groups.

-Some Work Groups include: Dark Skies Initiative Group, Re-Use Room Group, Greenhouse Gas Group (in the final stages of Climate Initiative- Action Plan)Landscaping Group (dealing with composting), Communications Group, Purchasing Group

Following Connie’s presentation of information, a suggestion was made to incorporate a work-study position or independent study credits for a student to work on LSC’s Climate Action Plan.

     -Tom showed interest in perusing this project as an independent study

     – a timeline and requirements will need to be discussed further

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

The next meeting will be Friday February 26, 9:00 – 10:30 in the Student Life Conference Room.

Meeting Minutes 2/12/10

Meeting Minutes 2/12/10

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Carol Johnson, Cathy Carlson, Deanne Roquet, Heather Grillo, Glenn Merrick, Julius Salinas, Kevin Futhey, Kristi Heintz, Mat Gilderman, Wade Gordon.

Student Members present:  Chandra Shoberg,  Svea Lindgren, Tom Deschenes

Guest: Connie Jamieson – Northland College, Environmental Council

Announcements

Earth Day:  April 22nd

Heather Grillo attended to discuss Earth Day

Events will include:

-Campus Clean-up

-Food is being discussed

-A Band is being discussed

-Speakers: Carol will contact Dick about getting a bio on Paul Thompson who requires a $500 Speaker’s Fee (this will come out of the EC budget).

-Carol suggested a session about the beginning of Earth Day or a video to run throughout the day to commemorate the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day

-Wade suggested running a webinar that day if there is one available

-T-shirts : a design contest will run for 2 weeks, Mat will collect entries.  Svea suggested a LSC Bookstore gift certificate be given to the design winner (t-shirts and prize will come out of EC budget).

     -Design will include LSC’s name, the date, and preferably some type of Earth Day’s 40^th Anniversary motif.   

     -The t-shirts will be used for participants in trash clean-up and all volunteers will get one  

     -Earth Day bags from last year will also be utilized

Sub-Committee Reports

Recycling

Carol suggested sending out monthly email reminders to all students/staff/faculty regarding recycling

  -A new email each month reminding people what LSC recycles and where

  -The possibility of a West End Recycling Center was brought up including batteries, plastic bags, light bulbs etc.

  -Kristi will look into plastic bag recycling

Interpretive Trail/Rain Garden

Glenn suggested we develop a management plan for the existing rain garden, it is in need of maintenance and is in our best interest to keep it up to ensure further collaboration with South St. Louis County SWCD and also to stay ahead of an eventual mandatory Storm Water Management Plan.

-Glenn and Kristi will meet with Keith Anderson of So. St. Louis Co. SWCD to develop a calendar for maintenance

-Education is lacking but imperative

  -Wade suggested we approach the President’s Cabinet with education/maint. concerns

Old Business

Living Green Conference:  February 27, 2010 @ LSC 10:00-4:00

-Svea has been posting flyers, please help distribute if you haven’t already

-Wade gave an update on events

     -Arne Vainio is the keynote speaker

     -There is a facebook link for the event – link will also be posted on the EC blog

     -There will be 12-15 break-out sessions, 9 have been covered

     -Student help is requested for registration

UMACS Update:  April 9^th and 10^th

–Deanne and Carol submitted our proposal “From Composting to Curriculum”

New Business

Environmental Council Retreat

Sub-Committee formed: Carol, Deanne, Wade

  -the sub-committee will get together to discuss when and where

  -Deanne suggested an agenda item include development of a protocol for dealing with some of the projects and issues our group takes on.

Guest Collaborator

Connie Jamieson-Environmental Council Member -Northland College, Ashland, WI

Connie brought information and ideas from Northland College’s Environmental Council

Highlights include:

Northland’s EC hierarchy

-The group is primarily students and is co-chaired by the college’s Sustainability Coordinator (Clair Hintz) and a Student Chair Representative (work-study position).  The Council is then broken down into smaller work groups, each with a student work-study Group Chair.  These work groups meet weekly.  The Group Chairs then meet monthly as the Environmental Council to discuss progress.  Work is primarily done in the work groups.

-Some Work Groups include: Dark Skies Initiative Group, Re-Use Room Group, Greenhouse Gas Group (in the final stages of Climate Initiative- Action Plan)Landscaping Group (dealing with composting), Communications Group, Purchasing Group

Following Connie’s presentation of information, a suggestion was made to incorporate a work-study position or independent study credits for a student to work on LSC’s Climate Action Plan.

     -Tom showed interest in perusing this project as an independent study

     – a timeline and requirements will need to be discussed further

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

The next meeting will be Friday February 26, 9:00 – 10:30 in the Student Life Conference Room.

Meeting Minutes 1/29/10

Faculty/Staff Members present:  Carol Johnson, Cathy Carlson, Deanne Roquet, Cliff Koski, Jeri Schwerin, Julius Salinas, Kevin Futhey, Kristi Heintz, Richard Haney, Theresa Hornstein.

Student Members present:  Chandra Shoberg (Student Senator), Svea Lindgren (Student Worker), Tom Dechenes (Env. Studies)

Announcements

Introduction of new members:

Svea will be working with Wade as a student worker and will focus primarily on the Living Green Conference this month, Chandra is an LSC Student Senator, and Tom is an Environmental Studies major.

Living Green Conference:  February 27, 2010 10:00-4:00

Arne Vainio will be a key note speaker

Dick followed up with Paul Thompson; he is unavailable to speak during the conference.

Cathy confirmed food had not yet been discussed, Svea will follow up.

Schools Cutting Carbon:  Deanne announced LSC did not get grant funding. 

Wade spoke with Deanne and suggested using other funding to go ahead with the project anyway.

  -Cathy has looked into water/soda dispenser without soda company affiliation so we aren’t limited on what can be distributed from it.

     -funding needs to be addressed

     -should be discussed with Mark Winson

     -Julius suggested reiterating the savings we will incur by going bottle-less

  -Plans for drinking fountain in commons still on track?

     -further discussion next meeting

LSC Presidential Search:  Deanne and Dick put together an Environmental Council representative draft of qualities we’d like to see in an incoming president.  This information was passed to Hanna Erpestad.

Earth Week Activities:  April 22^nd

Heather Grillo sent a message highlighting events

EC was asked to work on speakers

  -Dick suggested we try to get Paul Thompson for this event, Dick will follow-up

Kevin will work with Heather to put together the Event Checklist

Plan to put together an Earth Week Committee at next meeting

Possible Northland College Collaboration

Deanne mentioned she was contacted by Northland College and they’ve shown interest in meeting with our group.

  -Deanne will invite them to next the meeting

  -Chandra suggested using the Student Life Conference Room for this meeting.

 UMACS Conference: at U.W. River Falls April 9th & 10^th 

Deanne suggested we represent LSC by presenting our story (changes, challenges etc) in a case study format.  Chandra suggested a title “Everything from the Kitchen Sink to the Compost Pile.” 

  –Cathy intends to present on the success of her student workers program in food service

  –deadline for proposal is February 1^st; Deanne and Carol will write the proposal

  –Anyone interested is encouraged to go; funding is available through the EC budget.

Sub-Committee Reports

IE Sub-Committee-working on EC webpage highlighting our events and projects

Old Business

Disk Golf Course:  Trash and erosion issues were brought up.

  -Tom suggested more trash cans be provided; maintenance of this area is the responsibility of Parks and Rec.  They are reluctant to provide more trash cans and they’ve been cut on maintenance funding. 

  -Dick suggested a student group be formed to approach Parks and Rec. 

  -Julius suggested an “adopt-a-course” movement.

  -Deanne and Cathy mentioned some signage may be helpful, like “leave no trace” education.

New Business

Sub-Committees:  Wade and Deanne discussed earlier that we get moving on our sub-committees

-Sustainable Purchasing Policy Committee-Kristi and Dave

-MNWW Committee-Kevin, Deanne, and Cathy

-Annual Report Committee

-Long Range Climate Action Plan Committee (Pres. Climate Commitment)-Cliff, Mark, and Wade

     -Britt and Cliff started this project by doing an inventory last   year

     -Tom and Deanne suggested starting a special topics class to move forward.

Lower Parking Lot “Ponding Erosion” Issues: Cliff mentioned South St. Louis County SWCD is interested in working on the gully below it and creating an easement.

  -Cliff has incorporated related survey work into a class

Sidewalk Salting:  Kristi spoke with Don Selner with the City of Duluth about alternatives to salt.  They are experimenting with a potassium acetate solution, which is a by-product of beet production, at city hall which eliminates the need for salt.  This is a pre-treat solution which is applied with a watering can and can last for more than a week and works at very low temperatures.  Don offered to give us a gallon of the solution to try.  He pays $8.75/gallon.

  -Cathy brought up the danger issue of slippery sidewalks for her staff in the mornings, as they have been heavily salting the sidewalks themselves every morning and every night.

  -Kristi passed on Don’s contact info to Gary after the meeting; Gary will follow up.

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

The next meeting will be Friday February 12, from 9:00 to 11:00, location TBD.