Sustainability Subcommittee of Campus Planning
California State University, Fresno
March 18, 2010
8:30am-9:30am
Madden Library Room 3212
Members Present:
Andrew Correa, Marco Diaz, Andrew Jones, Lisa Kao, Mailee
Lee, David Moll, Mike Mosinski, Gary Nelson, Curt Parkinson,
Christopher Pluhar, David Williams, Jerilane Willis, Nate Wills
Absent:
Andrew Bethke, Tonya Bojorquez, Lanny Larson, Peter
McDonald, Samantha Yang
Meeting called to order by David Moll at approximately 8:35am
Agenda Item #1 Welcome & Introductions
Agenda Item #2 Review & Approval Minutes of February 18th Meeting
Agenda item #3 Earth Day 2010 Committee Update—Mosinski/Pluhar/Jones
Dr. Jones provided updates on who will be participating Urban Planning and
Transportation Panel. Mr. Mosinski stated that there will be four other panels,
including one focused on the local environmental impact issue involving Jessie
Morrow Mountain. Pete Van de Water will be handling the Climate Change Panel
and there are still efforts to put together the Urban Water Panel. Mr. Mosinski
stated that the Satellite Student Union was originally reserved as the venue for the
event; however, there has been a request for another location that is closer to the
hub of the campus. Dr. McDonald is looking into rooms in the library that might
be available to hold the panel discussions, and if so, will set up the booths outside.
Mr. Moll agreed that it would be a good idea to have the location at the Peace
Garden again due to the high visibility.
Dr. Pluhar said he had been approached by the Collegian in regards to getting an
advertisement for the Earth Day event. Dr. Jones stated that it would be much
better to get an article in the paper rather than the advertisement. Mr. Moll
suggested that it would be a good idea to get into contact with Lanny Larson and
discuss getting an article put in the Collegian on the Wednesday prior to the
event. Mr. Nelson also added that if he is given the information about the event
that he would be able to forward that to all of the student clubs and organizations.
Mr. Mosinski made note that the group still needs to go over the logistics of the
event (advertising, funding, etc.). Mr. Moll encouraged all of the Sustainability
Subcommittee members to attend and when doing so, introduce themselves to the
public as members of the subcommittee in order to demonstrate strength in the
organization.
Agenda Item #4 Provost’s Sustainability Curriculum Task Force Update #5—Pluhar
Dr. Jones stated the group mainly discussed the logistical issues and constraints of
creating a certificate program for sustainability. Chris Fiorentino pointed out that
there are four upper division courses in different majors that require prerequisites.
The group came to the consensus that it might be a good idea for each college to
create their own certificate for sustainability. This way, students will be able to
fulfill the requirements for the sustainability certificate without having to take the
prerequisite courses in other colleges. Mr. Moll agreed, stating that it will also
allow for this to get implemented sooner. Ms. Kao asks if each of the college will
have a sustainability certificate specific to their own emphasis of study. Dr. Jones
says that will be the case. Mr. Moll asks if there will be a minimum of credits in
order to generate a certificate. Dr. Jones states the average number of credits for a
certificate is usually less than 24 units. The effort right now is to infuse the
sustainability certificate into already existing curriculum. Due to the fact that it is
a certificate, and not a minor, the process to get it approved and implemented will
take less time.
Agenda Item #5 Student Affairs Leadership Panel Discussion Update—Nelson
Mr. Nelson reported that the students Tonya Bojorquez, Andrew Bethke, Andrew
Correa, and Alaia Howell showed an immense knowledge in sustainability efforts
at Fresno State. Student Affairs appreciated their attendance at the meeting and
the information that was provided.
Agenda Item #6 County HHW Propose Location Update #7—Moll
Mr. Moll finished the agreement. He stated that the County now has the finalized
document which is now subject to approval. Status of the project approval should
be determined by the next Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting.
Agenda Item #7 iBike Fresno Campaign—Moll
Mr. Moll reported that iBike Fresno was present at the Faculty and Staff Wellness
Fair earlier that week. The campaign is part of city’s effort to build up May as
National Bike Month. There has been an advertising agency obtained by the City
of Fresno to help publicize the event. Tour de Fresno will take place at
Chukchansi Park and will be the large event for Bike Month. Leading up to this
event, “Resuscitate Your Bike” event will take place on April 25th in Lot E from
noon to 5:00 pm, where people will be able to bring their old bikes to get repaired
for free. Mr. Moll also notes that National Bike to Work Day will be on May 19th,
and that it would be good for Fresno State to show great support in this effort as
well. Mr. Williams stated that the Fresno Green Team highly supports this event
and would appreciate any flyers or handouts for this campaign.
Mr. Moll also stated that he presented the issue of the poor state of bike racks at
Fresno State to the Campus Planning Committee. Bike racks are paid for by
parking fines, however, Plant Operations has been so busy with other entities of
campus that it will take a while before they will be able to get to the work order
for bike rack repairs. Bob Boyd committed to allowing Campus Parking to
administer the money from fines to contract with an outside company to help
upgrade the bicycle racks.
Agenda Item #8 Fresno Green Team Report—Williams
Mr. Williams reported that water is now included in the Energy Efficiency Loan
Program. City Hall will be doing an Earth Day celebration on April 10th. They
are also looking to put in concentrated photovoltaic cells in high towers above the
Promenade Parking lot downtown; they are 25% efficient and the power
generated will be fed to City Hall. There will be a June event in Fulton Mall as
part of the “Downtown Revitalization” effort. Mr. Williams reiterated the iBike
Fresno Campaign, which also has a Facebook page now. Mr. Williams also
passed around brochures for the Water wise Plant Exchange that will take place
on May 8th. International Water and Technology Conference will take place at
Fresno State on May 12th.
Agenda Item #9 Library Green Team Report—McDonald
Mr. McDonald was absent; nothing to report.
Agenda Item #10 Roundtable—All
Mr. Moll reported that Alaia Howell has submitted an application to present at a
sustainability conference that will take place in Los Angeles in mid-June. He asks
Dr. Pluhar and Dr. Jones if one of them, would be able to attend this conference.
Ms. Kao and Mr. Moll request that if neither of them can attend, that they provide
a few points or a video about sustainability efforts from a faculty standpoint. The
proposed topic involved the cohesive efforts between faculty, staff and students in
the sustainability movement at Fresno State.
Dr. Jones reported on a lecture given by Michael Rosenzweig, Professor of
Ecology at the University of Arizona. He spoke on maintaining biodiversity and
“reconciliation ecology”. Lecture was put on and promoted by the Biology
Department.
Mr. Williams mentioned that there was a forum on water at Fresno City College.
Meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 15th