Sustainable Campus Committee (SCC) Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 1, 2010 ::: UC 329, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Members Present: Mike Panisko, Cherie Peacock, Dan Corti, Derek Kanwischer, Jeff Renz, Eric Bloom, Patrick Rhea, Lindsay Becker,
Whitney Hobbs, Sue Malek, Robin Saha, Brian Kerns, Mark LoParco
Other’s Present: Bob Tutskey, Jennifer Robohm, Liz Roosa Millar, Kelly Chadwick, Alex Zimmerman, Christina Voyles
Old Business:
The February 2010 minutes were approved.
Climate Action Plan (CAP) behavior change campaign (Cherie):
VP Duringer will attend the April meeting to update the SCC on implementing a biomass plant on campus (via Nexterra).
Alex explained UM is hoping to implement biomass for by the end of the summer, to supplement our current heating
plant, for steam and electricity.
Fostering sustainable behavior (Cherie): Currently there are individual groups working toward sustainable behavior:
UM Climate Action Now
Faculty members via their courses for example
- Robin Saha’s EVST “Local Solutions” course.
ASUM Sustainability Coordinator (Erica)
- Steve Schwartz class on consumption
ASUM Office of Transportation
- Nicki Phrear’s internships with her program.
UM Flat Center for Sustainable Living
Facility Service looking at building reps. program.
VP Duringer: marketing campaign across campus.
Cherie working with an intern from Nicki Phrear’s course, on changing behavior in the residence halls.
These groups have met to discuss collaboration and determine focus areas. The next meeting will involve developing a
student survey to identify problem areas in the dorms. Cherie suggested establishing a formal team, or a weekly
standing meeting.
Cherie will meet with the Sustainable Business Council to collaborate on bringing author Doug McKenzie-Mohr
(“Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing”) to Missoula.
Green Cleaning Work Group (GCWG) - (Mark):
Since receiving further input on the UM Green Cleaning Product Policy from the SCC, the policy has been updated. The
draft letter of endorsement from the SCC to President Dennison was emailed earlier and distributed at today’s meeting
for the committee’s vote of approval. The SCC voted to send both the letter of endorsement and policy to President
Denison once minor corrections are made.
ACTION: Updates will be made to the letter and the policy, and forwarded to Mike and Cherie for submission.
RELF Committee Update (Robin):
The RELF Committee has put out a call for proposals last week; Erica has provided application guidelines and instructions
for submitting proposals via provided forms (RELF Committee expects to allocate $60,000 for projects).
Alex discussed how the process may work for RELF:
• Similar to how “performance contracting” works (outside company estimates what improvements will save
energy and provide savings – for RELF students would provide the “performance contracting”).
• Many projects RELF is considering have already been audited; the $60,000 will get projects rolling.
• RELF can capitalize on what others on campus have already learned via performance contracting and focus on
more detailed audits and implementation.
• Focus on “low hanging fruit” such as lighting (easier to identify and improve).
Selection process: There is a list of criteria that will be utilized to select projects saving the most energy with largest
payback. Up to 20% of funds can be used for projects do not need to have a payback (projects that don’t have
quantifiable energy savings, such as behavioral change campaigns).
Forecasting Guidelines: Brian asked about a set of forecasting guidelines the RELF Committee can utilize to project
future utility prices. Alex explained that UM doesn’t endorse a specific set of guidelines, however because RELF projects
have a short payback period (up to six years), forecasting paybacks will be easier to quantify.
Discussion on Athletic Dept. Involvement Regarding Sustainability (All):
Green Griz Basketball Game (Erica): UM Climate Action Now sponsored a “green game” on February 20th (more
recycling, local food, and a raffle which earned $100 toward purchasing carbon offsets. Erica felt selling raffle tickets
toward carbon offsets wasn’t an efficient way to raise awareness.
There was discussion on raising ticket prices to purchase offsets, however lower attendance at games was cited as an
obstacle. Other suggestions included holding more away games on the same day to reduce travel; reducing ticket cost
for those who don’t drive to the game; raise the money to fund compostable Coke cups vs. current used Coke products.
The suggestion was to bring these ideas to Jim O’Day.
Erica has met with both Keegan Eisenstadt (ClearSky Climate Solutions) and Nick Garner (Grizzly Sports Properties), to
discuss what marketing can be done to promote green games in the future. Nick suggested setting up a “green package”
for businesses that currently sponsor games, Erica and Keegan would work with Nick making sure a green package would
entail green measures, and get others involved (coaches, and student athletes). The aim is to hold a green game for
every team each season.
ACTION: Mark let SCC know cost difference for compostable Coke products, Erica to contact Jim O’Day with suggested
ideas.
Earth Week Planning (Erica/Cherie):
President Dennison will present CAP during Earth Week, on Wednesday April 21st, on the Oval at noon.
Earth Day Collaborations:
• Green Tags: Brian is working with the city to collaborate with UM on a green tag program (1 tag = 1 megawatt of
renewable energy). Hoping to have Mayor Engen on site for Earth Day when President Dennison presents CAP.
Mark said that UDS will spend $500 - $1000 to start the program.
• Green House Gas Inventory: Robin suggested bringing the Mayor on campus to present the city’s GHG
inventory, showcasing another SCC partnership. The city may ask the SCC to review their GHG inventory.
Budget Update ($9,717 remaining) and Requests (Mike/Cherie):
Earth Day Banner: Erica requested $210 to have a permanent banner made to publicize Earth Day annually. There was
discussion on getting a banner that is produced with greener technology. The SCC agreed to provide $300 for a sign, and
if a green sign will cost more, the SCC will vote via email on funding more than $300.
ACTION: SCC will provide $300 toward the Earth Day banner.
Canopy Tent for the SCC: Derek requested $300 toward the purchase of a tent for the SCC to use during informational
events/conferences. Cherie suggested collaborating with the COT carpentry class to build a display booth made of
sustainable materials. Because the need for a canopy is immediate, Mark said Dining Services (UDS) may have a tent the
SCC could borrow while Derek contacts the COT about building a sustainable booth.
ACTION: Derek and Erica to contact the COT on building a booth and let Mark know the cost for potential funding by
UDS. Derek to contact UDS Catering on borrowing a canopy.
UM FLAT electrical bid: Derek requested $1700 for needed electrical work at the UM Flat house. UM Flat are currently
working with the local electrical union, who has agreed to do the work, requiring $1700 for materials (other professional
bids were $5,000; students can’t do the work due to liability issues). UM Flat has been seminal in providing students
opportunities to work with green architecture and materials, currently houses groups – UM Climate Action Now, Student
for Real Food, have held various public tours, finalizing the electrical work will wrap up the project and allow for better
showcasing and further study of the project. The SCC will provide $1700 in funding.
ACTION: SCC will provide $1,700 in funding. Derek to provide a list of projects still needed at UM FLAT to the SCC.
General Discussion (all):
• SCC Website: Sue suggested adding the SCC web address to the letter head, as well as citing some problems
with the webpage that need to be updated.
•
Lommasson LEED: No new information on the status of the LEED EBOM evaluation of the Lommasson Building.
•
Earth Tubs: Have been moved from Dining Services (Lommasson Center) going to the PEAS farm. Site work at
PEAS not finished yet.
•
Green Thread: Faulty training has received 20 applicants (25 spots available).
NEXT SCC MEETING: Monday, April 5, 2010 UC 329