Sustainable Campus Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 2, 2009
UC 331, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Members Present: Lindsay Becker, Cherie Peacock, Mike Panisko, Erica Bloom, Mark LoParco, Brian
Kerns, Robin Saha, Lisa Swallow, Derek Kanwischer, Emily May
Other’s Present: Christina Voyles, Liz Roosa-Millar, Hugh Jesse, Vicki Watson, Patrick Rhea, Whitney
Byrd
Old Business:
The October SCC meeting minutes were approved.
Bylaw Changes (Cherie):
Cherie emailed original bylaws and proposed changes to the SCC, they are:
Current Bylaws:
A. The committee shall be composed of 12 members from
the faculty, staff, administration, and students at the
University of Montana.
B. The committee members shall be appointed by the UM
President on the recommendation of ASUM, Staff Senate,
Faculty Senate or SCC.
C. Members shall serve a two-year term. Members can be
reappointed for a maximum of two additional two-year
terms by recommendation of the SCC.
D. To capture a diversity of perspectives, the committee
shall draw from a variety of departments and services
found on the campus.
E. There shall be three representatives from each of the
following categories: administration, faculty, staff and
students. Student representation will usually include an
ASUM representative, a MTPIRG representative, and at
least one graduate student (EVST or other interested
department).
Proposed Changes (in RED):
B. The committee members shall be appointed by the UM
President on the recommendation of ASUM, Staff Senate,
Faculty Senate or SCC. (add) ASUM will recommend
student members at the beginning of the fall semester.
C. Members shall serve a two-year term. Members can
be reappointed for a maximum of two additional twoyear terms by recommendation of the SCC. (add) Student
members will serve a one-year term with the option to
renew for one more term.
E. There shall be three representatives from each of the
following categories: administration, faculty, staff and
students. Student representation will usually include an
ASUM representative, a MTPIRG representative, and at
least one graduate student (EVST or other interested
department). (add) The ASUM Sustainability
Coordinator will be one of the student members of the
committee.
Cherie moved the bylaws be amended as stated above, the motion was seconded by Lisa Swallow, the motion was
carried by eight “ayes,” and one abstention. The motion to amend bylaws was passed, changes to the by-laws will go into
effect next Fall 2010.
Green Cleaning Work Group (GCWG) Update (Mark):
The GCWG has formed two sub-groups; One working on drafting the policy (led by Mark), the other working on
assessing the chemicals in the cleaning products currently used in UM departments, and researching third party
certification standards (led by Erica). Louise Lakier is researching information on LEED recommendations of cleaning
products for the GCWG to consider. At the most recent GCWG meeting (October 29th), both sub-groups relayed their
information for feedback. The sub-groups will reconvene for further work before the next GCWG meeting, Thursday
November 19th, 10am – 11am, UC 215.
The GCWG plans to have a draft policy for the SCC’s review by the end of November. Once the policy is completed, the
GCWG will suggest the SCC help establish an oversight committee for continued supervision, product research, testing,
ongoing training, education and field work.
Update on RELF Committee (Robin):
Next RELF Committee Meeting Tuesday, November 3: Will review RELF bylaws, member duties and responsibilities, set a
tentative schedule for issuing call for proposals (Spring 2010), discuss criteria reviewing proposals, and funding approved
projects. RELF will meet again mid-November to finalize the bylaws, terms of office will be determined by the RELF
Committee.
Potential RELF projects: Robin discussed that not all projects will have a payback, but plans to prioritize those that will
to keep the fund sustainable. ASUM will review RELF in six years and determine whether RELF should continue (the RELF
fund stops collecting student fees after a six year period). There was discussion on recording the projects return on
investment, how to best track the successes and/or shortfalls. Robin will have the committee research other University’s
examples of project tracking, stressing that because this is a student backed initiative and supported by student fees, the
success of RELF is largely dependent on student contribution and input.
SCC approval sought, of the RELF Committee members:
Robin Saha (Chair)
Laura Howe (Facilities Services)
Nick Bowman (Student at Large)
Emily Bloom (ASUM Sust. Coord.)
Patrick Rhea (ASUM Senator)
Advisory Seat (empty) *
Jake Armstrong (ASUM Buss Mgr.)
Emily Schembr (ASUM Senator)
Len Broberg (EVST Faculty)
Mandy Summers (ASUM Senator)
*Suggested “Advisory” Member was to be from VP Duringer’s office- Admin & Finance, they have declined a seat,
however agree to provide guidance.
Robin made a motion that the SCC approves the RELF Committee (as listed above). Lisa Swallow expressed concern over
not having a member with financial background and suggested recruiting an accounting student to manage the financial
elements; Patrick suggested maintaining contact with VP Duringer’s office for financial advising and participation as
needed. The motion to approve the current RELF Committee was seconded by Brian Kerns, all approved.
Update on Climate Action Plan (CAP) (Cherie):
CAP is due January 15, 2010: Cherie showed the SCC a graph citing 22 possible strategies for CAP, showing the amount
of CO2 that could be reduced per strategy, the cost of CO2 reduction per tonne (shown either in savings or expenditure).
Eight projects cited as top strategies:
1. Biomass Plant ($50 million implementation cost; $ 1.3 million annual savings)
2. Lighting Retrofits ($2 million implementation; $ 90,000 annual savings)
3. Energy Efficiency Project ($6 million implementation; $210,000 annual savings)
4. Off Campus Wind Project - would replace 11% of UM energy consumption and could be expanded ($3 million
implementation; $200,000 annual savings)
5. HVAC Retro-Commissioning, not replacing, but making current equipment more efficient for 50% of UM buildings
($1.2 million implementation; $470,000 annual savings)
6. Closing buildings over breaks (No implementation cost; $187,000 annual savings)
7. Four-day work week (No implementation cost; $134,000 annual savings)
8. Behavior modification (No implementation cost; $243,000 annual savings)
The eight projects above result in a total implementation cost of $62.2 million, with an annual saving of $2,834,000 per
year, resulting in carbon neutrality by 2030 (chosen as a reasonably aggressive date for neutrality).
Discussion:
There was discussion on assigning a cost to the behavior modification strategy, as this would likely be a new position
dealing with campus wide education, and training; the committee suggested adding $100,000 to $120,000 for this
annually. Mark mentioned that his understanding is that the BOR aren’t considering a four day work week at the UM,
and suggest Cherie bring information on the four day week to Duringer. Both Hugh and Brian stressed the benefits of
wind turbines as a carbon reduction tool, Brian mentioned that some universities that have built their own, and
suggested UM consider developing its own projects for carbon reduction.
Currently Cherie and Erica are working on the plan for further campus involvement, they will meet with the ASUM
Senate, there is a public forum November 17th, 3pm UC Theatre, all campus emails will be sent with information, and
asking for feedback, they will also put the CAP draft on website after the Executive Officers have seen it.
Additions to the agenda:
Recycling Oversight Committee (ROC) Update - Vicki Watson:
1. The ROC is looking for two students to serve on the committee, and also short three more students for the paid
work crew. (Please let students know).
2. Student members of the ROC are planning a “Recycle Right” campaign to reduce inappropriate materials put into
recycle bins (currently sorting overload results in throwing away many recyclable goods).
3. Funding needed, The ROC will ask for a minor increase to port charges in support of the recycling program and
cover the cost of recycling old computers and other e-waste. The SCC is encouraged to ask faculty and staff to
sign up for the payroll deduction which supports the recycling program.
4. Lisa Swallow suggested the ROC look into recycling at the two COT campuses; Vicki agreed to add this to the
agenda for the next ROC meeting.
SCC nomination to replace Kelly Chadwick – Mike: Mike will contact the Staff Senate for nominations.
FLAT Update - Derek: FLAT project moving along; working on the garage, close to getting siding worked on.
NEXT MEETING Monday, December 7th,
1pm – 3pm; UC 329