Green Campus Committee
February 7, 2012
Minutes
In Attendance:
Christina Adams
Bonnie Bachman
Ray Bono
Cory Brennan
Joel Burken
Andy Careaga
Randy Davis
Jamie Feldhacker
Donna Kreisler
Sara Lindeman
Jim Murphy
Jim Packard
Mark Potrafka
Angie Rolufs
Julie Wilson
64% Attendance!
Guest: Dr. Kate Drowne, Associate Professor of English, Writing Center Director
1. Shared two stories about successful student green fees.
ACTION: Send a success story to Julie for publication in AASHE and other newsletters.
2. Guest Speaker – Dr. Kate Drowne talked about the various programs in development
around the One Book Project: No Impact Man. The intent of the program is to pick a
timely subject that encourages students to ACT, and the point of No Impact Man is to
become engaged. She passed out flyers for NIM Week and copies were sent by Kate.
She explained how the No Impact Project provides information and guidance on
conducting a No Impact Week on campuses. Kate sent information to the committee
with more details. The committee agreed to support the efforts of the planning
committee that will be formed to develop the programming for the next three
semesters.
Andy asked if any students have attempted a no impact week, and Kate said she would
check with the various instructors. He will do a story on them if there are.
A lot of discussion about a potential push to reduce bottled water on campus,
culminating in the idea to build a large structure with the number of bottles we
generate on campus in one week. Angie will talk to Richie Myers about building a frame
to display at Earth Day. Christina will provide Julie with a list of Administrative
Assistants to be contacted to determine the cost and volume of bottled water
purchased on campus annually. This will include the water coolers. The idea is to put
resources spent on bottled water towards the purchase of hydration stations. Sara
reported that in her research, it was shown that hydration stations were extremely
effective in reducing plastic waste.
Gasland video – thoughts about whether or not to show?
Interested in participating in panel discussion during NIM week?
ACTION: Participate in NIM week (attend films, advertise events in class, participate on
panel)
3. Current Campus Projects
a. RecycleMania: The EcoMiners are organizing some events with the RHA to raise
awareness. Julie is working with faculty and staff to begin using the Mini Bin
program, which changes the responsibility of emptying trash and recycling from
the custodians to the individual, which is a proven method of changing behavior
and reducing waste. All GCC members should consider setting the example!
ACTION: Recycle! Reduce the waste you bring to campus. Contact Julie to get
your mini bin.
b. Ground Source Heating/Cooling: construction is scheduled to being in April at
16th and Pine and work west. 7,000 feet of underground trenching will occur
between April and October. Building modifications will begin in October.
http://designconstruction.mst.edu/geothermal/
ACTION: Contact Tony if you have research ideas/opportunities
Jim was successful in acquiring a 2% loan from DNR to work on the McClure
Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). These funds will go toward fume hoods
and other improvements in McNutt, HSS, and ERL. Ted is doing a phone interview
with a Chicago magazine regarding these projects
Andy is developing a fact sheet with Physical Facilities to help with promoting our
green initiatives. Ted is also developing building and design standards to be used
in all future construction.
c. Virtual Desktop Initiative
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Update: The CLC and Staff Thin Client pilots are
going well. The week of Feb 6th, we are launching a new thin client CLC in the
Havener Quiet Lounge, as well as Fulton 107. The Staff Thin Clients will be an
option for the next Staff Desktop Enhancement cycle. The VDI technology will be
in Production Mode in the Fall.
ACTION: Participate in pilot program by contacting Cathy Allison; change your
computer settings to be the most efficient:
http://it.mst.edu/about/greenit/green_index.html
d. EMS objectives EMS External audit will by June 6-10; Management Review will be
May 7; Internal Audits already in progress.
1. Monitor Energy
BTU monitors have arrived. 8 will be installed in Civil, Fulton, McNutt. 65
others (1/2 energy, ½ water) will be installed across campus.
2. Improve SPCCP training
Process complete
3. Develop Fuel Reduction Plan
No progress
4. Reduce Solid Waste
Waste audit will be conducted this spring to determine percent reduction.
4. Upcoming Campus Projects
a. Green Roof-scheduled to being in March
b. Commuting/carpooling support system
c. Doe Run research opportunities
d. Student Green Fund
e. Sustainability Timeline
f. Hydration Stations: student study shows S&T is throwing out approximately
600,000 bottles per year. Environmental Engineering is willing to purchase water
bottles for new freshman in that department. Idea: Obtain grant for refilling
stations for select buildings; solicit support from New Student Programs to
identify funding opportunities from appropriate departments.
ACTION: Stay engaged
5. Opportunities
a. NSF STEM Scholarships - education
Committee agreed to support a campus wide collaboration to apply.
b. Textbook Reviewers Needed: Help Educate for a Sustainable Future
AASHE is supporting partner organization DANS (Disciplinary Associations'
Network for Sustainability) and the Mobilizing Disciplinary Societies on Behalf of
our Students and our Planet initiative to answer the demand from educators and
students for sustainability-related materials in all disciplines. Major textbook
publishers Cengage and McGraw-Hill are currently looking for reviewers who can
suggest ideas about how to educate for a sustainable future. These ideas will be
used as examples and themes in textbook revisions by the publishers. Anyone
involved in education for a sustainable future - in any academic discipline interested in this opportunity can email their contact information to
EducationForASustainableFuture@gmail.com (include contact's discipline in the
subject line) and they will receive a follow up email with more details. Reviewers
will receive remuneration for their work.
6. Save the Dates:
a. Earth Hour – March 31, 8:00 pm: Turn off your lights for one hour
b. Next Meeting - April 3, 2012, 10:30-12:00
c. Earth Day – April 20, 2012, 11:00-3:00