Sustainable Campus Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Facilities Services Conference Room 3.00pm – 5:00pm
Members Present: Erica Bloom, Dan Corti, Mike Panisko, Brian Kerns, Kelly Chadwich, Mark LoParco,
Cherie Peacock, Lisa Swallow, Dereck Kanwisher
Other’s Present: Patrick Rhea, Alex Kuennen, Vicki Watson, Ian Finch, Greg Howard, Christina Voyles
Old Business:
After discussion on the previous minutes, they were approved.
Discussion of Green Cleaning Work Group Update (Mark):
Appointments came from President Dennison for membership of the Green Cleaning Technical Work group. The first meeting is set for
Tuesday, September 15th, 9am – 10am, in UC 329.
Discussion of RELF Committee (Erica):
Erica had asked for recommendations of staff to serve on the RELF Committee; still need a representative from Facilities Services, from
the office of Associate VP, and someone to serve as Chair, as well as two students at large, and two from ASUM. There was discussion
on Robin Saha expressing interest in serving; Erica will contact Robin and the ASUM for two student recommendations.
Patrick Rhea with an update on the RELF fee: The RELF fee was meant to start next semester, however students were charged this
semester. After discussion with Rosi Keller, the earlier start for the charge was legally “ok’d” because the end date will be moved
forward, thereby not affecting the overall amount students will be charged. Due to the earlier start of the fee, this will double the
amount RELF will have for implementation of projects next semester (estimate amount is $80,000). This semester the focus will be on
getting meeting dates for the committee set by October 1st and gathering ideas for projects. Facilities Services has a list of project ideas,
RELF members will contact students for ideas.
**ACTION ERICA: To contact VP Duringer and the ASUM Business Manager re: RELF appointments needed.
Update on CAP (Cherie & Erica):
Cherie sent out an “Initial Strategies List” and is looking into a new version of the carbon calculator for more accurate results. Currently
have a rough draft of the transportation section that the Tech Work group is working on, will forward to the SCC for review and input.
Setting up a meeting with COT and continue to meet with Stakeholders. Erica is working on the transportation section and plans to talk
to someone in Athletics about air travel.
There was discussion on another Working Group being formed related to community involvement, working on the broad goal of defining
how the UM will incorporate sustainability into education, research and community outreach. Right now those interested in being in this
work group are Mike Panisko, Lisa Swallow, Nicki Phear, Steve Schwarze, and Dane Scott (Royce Engstrom was involved preliminarily).
Some ideas were put forward:
Green Thread cited as a model to continue creating revenue.
Cherie met with the Sustainable Coordinator for the state of Montana, talked about an education piece with her.
Mark LoParco brought a brochure from UC Santa Cruz, a campus food guide showing local foods, movements, courses, etc. all
related to local foods, etc. Dining Services plans to put out a brochure like this next fall. May be a good companion piece for
the education and outreach goals cited above?
Mike mentioned that some of Chris Comer’s grant ideas may be utilized into various educational and outreach projects.
ASUM membership voting update (Mike & Cherie):
At the last SCC meeting, there was discussion on having the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator as a permanent SCC member. Current bylaws states the SCC have three students, but doesn’t specify that one of them be the ASUM Sustainable Coordinator. SCC members
voted to add the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator as a permanent student member of the SCC. Now the SCC has 4 students (one of
which is the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator). This is to revert to three student members when one of the student’s terms expire.
The ASUM requested the SCC add two students of their (ASUM’s) choosing in addition to the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator serving on
the SCC. The ASUM wanted the SCC to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that the ASUM appoint all student members to the SCC,
however because the by-laws state that President Dennison appoints all SCC members, this is not possible. Cherie read from a letter to
the ASUM, which denies their request to appoint additional student members beyond the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator:
“The SCC believes that the two newest student representatives on the committee were added correctly during Spring Semester 2009. The
students filled positions that were vacant under a previous ASUM administration. We do not feel it is appropriate to require them to
register as students at large, unless they want to do so. The committee prefers to retain its current size, with the possible addition of the
ASUM Sustainability Coordinator. We hope having the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator as a member of the SCC, will guarantee ASUM
student oversight and effective coordination between our two organizations.”
After discussion, the SCC agreed to ask President Dennison to amend the by-laws to state that one of the three students on the SCC will
be the ASUM Sustainability Coordinator, and to stager student terms of service.
**ACTION MIKE & CHERIE: They will send SCC members an updated draft of the letter to the ASUM for feedback. Mike and Cherie to
continue to meet with the ASUM on student appointments.
Previous Sustainability Activities (All):
Annual Report –should ideally be presented in April. In previous reports, there was a list of recommendations which have informed the
SCC’s goals (Climate Action Plan one of the most prominent). This is a report on both accomplishments and what is still needed for
completion, to be shown to President Dennison.
**ACTION MIKE: To get a draft report out by September.
Budget Update (Mike & Cherie):
As requested last month, $100 was allocated for a booth at the fair in August. Dereck feels the SCC should invest in standard display
items for future events. Vicki suggested utilizing Dr. Stan and her marketing students who may donate time as part of a class project.
Cherie suggested contacting the art department, or other departments on campus. Lisa recommended coordination with the COT
Carpentry program to get a booth constructed. Mark offered to loan tents that Dining Services has.
Erica mentioned the 350 climate action now campaign to get student and community involvement; this event is on October 24th; both
Erica and Ian are working to get students involved. There was discussion on doing a student survey, possibly employing electronic
surveys to get input and learn what people are aware of. Mark mentioned an electronic survey Dining Service utilized, that was very
helpful (had over 3000 respondents).
Erica: Request for money to attend an ASHEE sustainability conference in Indiana (trip total about $900). Erica has asked ASUM and the
President’s Office for funding. The SCC agreed to pay half the cost of the trip, and will pay up to $500 if the ASUM agrees to pay the
other half.
**ACTION ERICA: To get a break down of actual cost for the trip for the SCC and the ASUM.
NEXT MEETING:
date, time, location to be determined.