Sustainability at Lake Superior College

Meeting Minutes 11/5/2010

9:30 Student Life Conference Room

Faculty/Staff members present: Kevin Futhey, Mat Gilderman, Kristi Heintz, Theresa Hornstein, Deanne Roquet, Megan Bugge

Students present: Tom Deschenes

Announcements

Sub-Committee Reports

Website: the sustainability website is now linked from LSC’s homepage.  Travis Jackson has been doing a fantastic job at getting content formatted and sending it to Steve.  Kristi suggested we consider a position for Travis as a work-study for next semester.  Mat will forward pictures that Tom took over the summer as well as some LEED pictures to Kristi to be posted on SharePoint.

 Old Business 

Kevin and Kristi reported on the MN Waste Wise Annual meeting.  There were many interesting ideas generated.  Theresa would like to meet with one of the presenters form the meeting, Richard Murphey, and discuss native landscaping with him, possibly formulating a proposal for landscaping around the new building.  Kristi will forward a link with the meeting’s PowerPoint presentation to Theresa.

Deanne will follow-up with Wade on the status of our CAP extension request.

The disk-golf course trash collection is going forward with the City of Duluth.  Kristi followed up on a couple of weeks they had forgot to do pick-ups and it is not on the regular rotation. 

A student also contacted Kristi about a class project to put some more descriptive signs down on the interpretive trail.  It would be a good idea to maybe include the disk golf course and signs explaining where the trash cans are located.  Kristi has made an effort to get the student and Glenn together to discuss this project.

 Climate Action Plan:  the Council discussed ways to include the campus on input involving the Climate Action Plan.  Deanne suggested we do a short presentation at the January 6^th Duty Day and have small break-out groups brainstorm at Duty Day to generate ideas. It was agreed that we should meet with President Johns before that to get feedback from him.  Kevin set up a meeting for November 30^th at 1:00.  Kristi will arrange a meeting with Student Senate sometime before the January Duty Day as well.

New Business 

Budget Report

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

Next meeting will be November 19^th,  time and location TBD

Meeting Minutes 10/8/10

Environmental Council

Meeting Minutes

October 8^th, 2010

8:30 Student Life Conference Room

Announcements

Innovative Office Solutions would like to meet with the Council when they do a campus visit on October 22^nd.  They are working to become LSC’s primary source for office supplies and offer many eco-friendly supply options.  This would be a point to include in the CAP and also LSC’s Sustainable Purchasing Policy.

Theresa and Deanne discussed an RFP for an MPCA grant aimed at sustainable agriculture and campus/student research.  It would be a partner grant with UW Superior and possibly St. Scholastica.  Theresa is following up on more details.

Kristi updated the group on the progress made on the sustainability website and mentioned that Travis Jackson is doing a fantastic job of formatting information that we want placed on the website.  Kristi and Travis will meet with Steve next week about getting that info uploaded to the server.

Mat is working on placing an “advertisement” on the LSC website telling people where they can pick up free shredded Styrofoam.

Sub-Committee Reports

Kristi updated the group on the Climate Action Plan and discussed resources for continuing to add content. She also suggested we send the AASHE document “Leading Profound Change” to President Johns to look over before we engage him in discussions related to our plan.  The group agreed to work on the CAP at regular Friday meetings.  The CAP and all resource documents are available on SharePoint.

Wade will discuss the idea of LSC’s target climate neutrality date with the President’s Cabinet at a meeting next week and will ask for feedback.

Old Business

Kristi updated the group on the disk golf course clean-up on September 29^th.  About 7 students participated in the clean-up and 12 bags were added to the 8 bags that had been collected by a student group over the weekend.  Kristi also followed up with the City of Duluth on trash cans, there are now 2 cans on the edge of the course, 1 along Trinity Road and 1 by the gate near the LSC main entrance.  The City is checking the cans and picking up trash weekly.  The City suggested we put together an agreement that we (LSC) will be in charge of cleaning up the course on a regular basis and they will put up an adopt-a-park sign with our name on it.  Kristi will work with the Environmental Club on signage pointing out where the nearest trash cans are.  Kevin will look into getting 1 or 2 more cans placed on the course.

New Business

Wade discussed our involvement in this year’s Living Green Conference.  We need to get an earlier start this year and form a sub-group to work on planning.  Many ideas were discussed for collaborating with another event to combine efforts.  The issue of cost to visitors was also discussed.   Carol mentioned that the League of Women Voters contacted her and is very interested in partnering to work on organization.  Wade has followed up with them and will report back to the Council when he discusses with them their potential roll.

Budget Report

Motions

No motions were made at this meeting.

Next meeting

October 22, 2010 9:30 Student Life Conference Room

Submitted by Kristi Heintz

Meeting Minutes 9/24/10

EC meeting notes 9.24.2010

Outdoor Adventure Club- potentially will join us (EC).  By combining clubs and other organizations we can have a bigger impact on campus

o   Jeri/Kristi to be advisor(s)

o   Facebook fan club page created- this will be the primary communication tool, bigger topics can be posted to the main LSC fb status.

Student Success Day- EC/outdoor club will have a table

• Megan and Kristi will set up the table

• Explain about the facebook site, have laptop set up in case people want to “like” the page right there

• Wade has big flat screen we can use, has port for flashdrive for slideshow (should we test out early?)

o   Disc golf site cleanup will take place starting at 1:30, have people meet at table

• Gloves will be provided by Kevin/facilities and Heather Grillo (they have disposable)

• Potential extra credit for clean up, talk to faculty?

Twin Ports has the compostable bags for the kitchen to use, currently not in compliance. They will drop them off

WasteWise Meeting, Kristi and Kevin will attend, Wade signed approval form

AASHE membership will be renewed

Idea- Deanne brought information on the new water filling stations that city hall has in its water fountains.  They are in the back and have sensors to fill water bottles.  (I think Wade currently has the info sheets)

o   Possibilities discussed include asking for a sample one, using in new building, seeing if current water fountains can be retrofitted, any sponsorship/financing possibilities?

Disc golf site,

o   Kristi is working with the city of Duluth and Waste Management to obtain dumpsters

o   Find sponsors for holes, make it an actual commitment, what would they have to be responsible for/ what would the business get in return (nice signs?)?

o   Ask city of Duluth if it will sign off user rights to the course and surrounding area to LSC.

o   We will then create a management plan with clear-cut policies

o   Possibly have this count as a civic engagement project/ GLISTEN?

o   Motion was made to create a white paper plan, EC will write and present to Duluth

Safety issues

o   Kristi is only the biology lab safety person, NOT the entire campus

o   Possibly have one of the new facilities personnel be an environmental safety engineer

o   OSHA inspection, how much would it cost?  Have a person from UMD’s masters program use us as a thesis project?

o   Shops, chem. Lab, art department, many indentified areas of concern

Extension on Presidential Climate Plan

o   Will start working on CAP October 8^th

§  Invite Pat Johns at strategic points, keep him included

Strategic plan, Mark W had hard copy

• This copy stated EC would be completing 6 initiatives, but EC was not included/informed of plan

• EC should be the body doing the recommendations, not the actions

• Departments should take ownership of environmental rersponsibility

Climate Action Plan

• Will apply for full four month extension

• Reason: We have a new president

• ERTC- building, inspect for energy use

Check out rest of campus for energy waste ex) tvs/radios playing with no one in room

Wade can get Compact Florescent Bulbs from MN Power for use in the lamps that many people have been preferring to use instead of overhead bulbs

• Possible awareness campaign

• Survey, individual awareness

• Saving the college $$ could save a staff position

• Explain cumulative effect of individual actions

• Actually compare energy usage between two office areas

Printing- the Tech Center is back to printing pages single-sided as the default

• Wade will talk to Barry about this

Recycling drop off

o   Right now people can bring things to the loading dock, but most people don’t know where that is, put up signs, clear labels

o   Potentially have boxes at the other end of campus with higher traffic to deposit lilght bulbs, batteries, printer cartridges

EC website pictures, Matt has ideas, pictures from this summer

o   Deanne has student interested in working on the website

Submitted by Megan Bugge

Meeting Minutes 9/24/10

EC meeting notes 9.24.2010

Outdoor Adventure Club- potentially will join us (EC).  By combining clubs and other organizations we can have a bigger impact on campus

o   Jeri/Kristi to be advisor(s)

o   Facebook fan club page created- this will be the primary communication tool, bigger topics can be posted to the main LSC fb status.

Student Success Day- EC/outdoor club will have a table

• Megan and Kristi will set up the table

• Explain about the facebook site, have laptop set up in case people want to “like” the page right there

• Wade has big flat screen we can use, has port for flashdrive for slideshow (should we test out early?)

o   Disc golf site cleanup will take place starting at 1:30, have people meet at table

• Gloves will be provided by Kevin/facilities and Heather Grillo (they have disposable)

• Potential extra credit for clean up, talk to faculty?

Twin Ports has the compostable bags for the kitchen to use, currently not in compliance. They will drop them off

WasteWise Meeting, Kristi and Kevin will attend, Wade signed approval form

AASHE membership will be renewed

Idea- Deanne brought information on the new water filling stations that city hall has in its water fountains.  They are in the back and have sensors to fill water bottles.  (I think Wade currently has the info sheets)

o   Possibilities discussed include asking for a sample one, using in new building, seeing if current water fountains can be retrofitted, any sponsorship/financing possibilities?

Disc golf site,

o   Kristi is working with the city of Duluth and Waste Management to obtain dumpsters

o   Find sponsors for holes, make it an actual commitment, what would they have to be responsible for/ what would the business get in return (nice signs?)?

o   Ask city of Duluth if it will sign off user rights to the course and surrounding area to LSC.

o   We will then create a management plan with clear-cut policies

o   Possibly have this count as a civic engagement project/ GLISTEN?

o   Motion was made to create a white paper plan, EC will write and present to Duluth

Safety issues

o   Kristi is only the biology lab safety person, NOT the entire campus

o   Possibly have one of the new facilities personnel be an environmental safety engineer

o   OSHA inspection, how much would it cost?  Have a person from UMD’s masters program use us as a thesis project?

o   Shops, chem. Lab, art department, many indentified areas of concern

Extension on Presidential Climate Plan

o   Will start working on CAP October 8^th

§  Invite Pat Johns at strategic points, keep him included

Strategic plan, Mark W had hard copy

• This copy stated EC would be completing 6 initiatives, but EC was not included/informed of plan

• EC should be the body doing the recommendations, not the actions

• Departments should take ownership of environmental rersponsibility

Climate Action Plan

• Will apply for full four month extension

• Reason: We have a new president

• ERTC- building, inspect for energy use

Check out rest of campus for energy waste ex) tvs/radios playing with no one in room

Wade can get Compact Florescent Bulbs from MN Power for use in the lamps that many people have been preferring to use instead of overhead bulbs

• Possible awareness campaign

• Survey, individual awareness

• Saving the college $$ could save a staff position

• Explain cumulative effect of individual actions

• Actually compare energy usage between two office areas

Printing- the Tech Center is back to printing pages single-sided as the default

• Wade will talk to Barry about this

Recycling drop off

o   Right now people can bring things to the loading dock, but most people don’t know where that is, put up signs, clear labels

o   Potentially have boxes at the other end of campus with higher traffic to deposit lilght bulbs, batteries, printer cartridges

EC website pictures, Matt has ideas, pictures from this summer

o   Deanne has student interested in working on the website

Submitted by Megan Bugge