Environmental Sustainability Committee Notes
Tuesday October 8, 2013
Edwards Hall 210
4:00 – 5:15 pm
In attendance: Rhonda Holtzclaw, co-chair; Sim Komisar; Vikki McConnell; Joe McDonald; Anne Hartley; Sasha
Wohlpart; Andrew Wilkinson; Kendra Carboneau
Absent: Sarah Davis, co-chair; Kathleen Crawford; TC Yih; Greg Tolley; Carleen Hunt;
Notes: Kendra Carboneau
Minutes- A motion was made to accept minutes from 09/24/13, motion seconded. Minutes passed.
Review of charge and work planning
1. Land use document – review for possible updating
A brief history of the preparation of the document was given. The document is very good as it stands.
2. Monitor feasible implementation of Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan can be found on the Provost’s website. Members are encouraged to review the plan.
http://www.fgcu.edu/Provost/pbc.html ; especially page 12
3. Buckingham – visualization of what we can use Buckingham for now, in the short term over the next few
years, and the long term.
It was proposed that instead of making recommendations on possible uses of the land, the committee
focus should be on how the land is used to ensure that changes are made with the least amount of
environmental impact. The idea is to be proactive, not reactive.
Campus Spine
The campus spine runs from the great lawn to Lutgert Hall. The idea is still in the design and development
stages. A project planned for December is to lay pavers on the outside of the trees on the great lawn
between Howard Hall and the Library. There is no funding at this time to begin any of the proposed
projects. The current members include Dr. Rollo, Tom Mayo, Jim Hehl, Vikki McConnell, planners and
designers. They are looking for representatives from both faculty and the Environmental Sustainability
Committee, possibly Sarah Davis.
Updates
Sim and Andrew visited Tom Mayo. They asked how the ESC can become more proactive. Tom indicated that
systems are already in place for information to flow to and from the Safety and Facilities Committee in a timely
manner. This is done through PBC reporting. It was agreed by the ESC members that more communication
between committees should take place. ESC would like to be involved in projects before the architects have drawn
plans, and money has been spent.
The Master plan can be found here: http://www.fgcu.edu/facilities/facilities2/cmp/InsightJournal.pdf or
through http://www.fgcu.edu/facilities/Masterplan.html
Standards/Best Practices
The ESC will come up with a list of standards and best practices that can be consulted prior to the start of a project.
These standards can be in the form of a checklist and will provide a guideline through the contract and design
process. The ESC will draw on the expertise of faculty on campus to develop these standards. The Land Use
Document has some broad guidelines that should be further defined.
Joe created the following list during the meeting. Members should add details to ensure concerns are addressed.
Best Management Practices for Sustainable Development: for every ITN/Contract
Incorporate according to the FGCU Master Plan and Strategic Plans
Site Development
1. Reuse space we have already built upon versus virgin land. Don’t build on conservation lands.
2. What type of land should be built upon?
3. What animals will be affected? Which endangered species are known to occupy the area?
4. Water supply; maintain flow of wetlands; control run-off & erosion
5. Transit, roads, bike paths, pedestrian walkways (people and animal-friendly); curbs…
6. Multiple uses of area.
7. Energy types to be used; materials to be used. Cost versus savings/sustainability. Short term vs. long term.
8. Cost avoidance in redoing building versus new buildings; build up instead of out;
9. Bridges over water; increase boardwalks: preserve wetlands & upland communities
10. Native species used for landscape materials
11. All buildings with solar panels?
Site development of Existing Buildings
Same questions
Where Best Practices should be posted/referenced.
1. Place with master plan
2. President's sustainability plan, on his website.
3. Report to PBC
4. Talk to people
Other:
1. Academic exercise on setting up Community review of a sustainable campus? Recommendations on what
would be the best plan?
2. Can we tie costs to each sustainable practice?
The Next Step –
Next meeting will be held on Tuesday October 22nd at 4:00pm in Edwards Hall 210.