COS STEERING COMMITTEE
MINUTES FOR
23 JANUARY 2009 MEETING
PRESIDING: Co-Chairs Lynda Butler and Dennis Taylor
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Bob Dillman, Rowan Lockwood, John Swaddle, Dave Shepard,
Lauren Edmonds, Jessica Parrent, Phil Zapfel, Anna Martin, Ginger Ambler
ABSENT: Same Jones
Approval of 8 December 2008 minutes: The Steering Committee approved the minutes for the
8 December 2008 meeting as distributed.
Subcommittee Reports:

John Swaddle reported for STAC:
o The greenhouse gas inventory team met to discuss the inventory and concluded
that it would not consider Lake Matoaka and the College Woods now because
they basically balance it other out; that is, the impact of greenhouse gases on the
campus is not mitigated by Lake Matoaka and the College Woods. Though a
habitat restoration project could turn the Lake into a positive sink in the future,
sufficient progress on such a project (e.g., the algae harvesting project) has not
been made. Lauren Edmonds will take over the greenhouse gas inventory for
academic credit.
o STAC is drafting a survey on travel for business and commuting to work and
would like our feedback on questions to ask. John is especially interested in
questions that probe student attitudes. Professor Mark Leemis volunteered his
math class to help with the survey.
o John contacted Linda Orr from the procurement office to discuss green
purchasing.
o The stormwater management group will meet next week. John reported that
VIMS is working on a project involving the harvesting of nutrients from algae
and the conversion of the collected nutrients into biofuels.

Bob Dillman and Dave Shepard reported for FOPS:
o The Transportation Working Group discussed the potential use of zipcars, noting
that this alternative mode of transportation raised insurance issues because of the
age of many of the users. The group also discussed the possibility of establishing
a community bike rehab space to repair bikes and educate students about bike use.
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The SA communal bike program apparently has suffered some setbacks in part
because of the quality of the bikes. Finally, the TWG liked the idea of a footpath
linking the new School of Education to the main campus.
o The Physical Plant Working Group held a well attended meeting of students,
faculty and staff. Executive Chief Denis Callihan discussed ways to improve the
efficiency and sustainability of food service operations. Several of the facilities
projects funded by green funds have made progress: the occupancy sensors and
the material for the solar cell project have been ordered, and progress has been
made with the installation of electric meters. The PPWG is trying to get a handle
on the costs of the recycling program. One key area of frustration is finding a way
to measure our solid waste output with and without recycling, as well as the
associated costs. A related problem concerns the way our waste contract is
written; the College pays for transportation costs and the number of trips, not by
weight. Dave is checking with other places on the costs of their recycling
programs. APO and SEAC would like to do a pilot project that expanded the
recycling program by providing their own labor. Because this proposal would
increase the costs of the program, Dave recommended that we try the project for
about 8 weeks, while FM has the money to cover the increased costs. Steering
Committee members agreed that the recycling program provided some good
opportunities for student research or service projects and for outside fundraising.
Lynda agreed to ask Neysa Rosario, our central development office liaison, to
attend our next meeting. Finally, HACE would like an update on the recycling
program. Dave agreed to accompany Rowan to the HACE meeting.

Rowan Lockwood reported for PEDS:
o The Academic Programs Working Group worked on the faculty survey
and discussed adding a link to Banner that allowed students to search for
courses addressing sustainability.
o The Student Life Working Group is looking at approaches taken at other
institutions and is considering how to change student behavior to promote
sustainability.
o The Food Services Working Group took a tour of the kitchen, led by Denis
Callahan, the Executive Chief. He discussed ways to improve the amount
of material that is recycled. Denis would like feedback on how to resolve
definitional issues surrounding the use of organic and local products.
3. COS Website: Rowan reported on the progress of our website. She raised the issue of
having a link to our website on the College’s home page. Lynda agreed to contact Susan
Evans about this issue. Rowan agreed to check with Gene Roche about finding someone
to maintain our site.
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4. Surveys and Audits: Dennis and Lynda agreed to develop a database of standard
questions and answers that can be easily updated and serve as a central clearinghouse for
information related to green surveys and audits. Anna asked us to send our additions to
the Princeton Review survey to her by January 30.
5, 6. Project Solicitation and Summer Research Forms: Lynda asked for suggestions
for revising the forms so they could be finalized.
7. Landscape: Dennis agreed to handle the bee meadows matter.
8. VIMS Coordination: Dennis reported that VIMS will be using a mini-COS model to
organize its green efforts in a way that will provide more information to COS.
9. Green Purchasing: John talked to Linda Orr in procurement about green purchasing.
She is excited about the idea. We agreed that COS should develop a green procurement
guide to help her office. Dave and John agreed to work together on this effort. Dave will
provide information on green housekeeping that housekeeping is gathering. Dave and
John also will consult with Sandy Prior about green purchasing.
10. Updates: The Eco-House proposal probably will be approved. Randy Chambers
would be the faculty advisor. No other student group would lose special housing if the
Eco-House proposal is approved.
11. Meeting Dates: Our next meeting is on February 20 at 10:00. Also, the March
meeting is being moved to March 20 at 10:00 to avoid a conflict with spring break.
12. New Business:


Anna reported that she is chairing a subcommittee under Grand Challenge #5 of
the College’s Strategic Planning effort. She is drafting a sustainability goal and
will share the wording with us.
Phil asked for an update on the green endowment. Dennis and I suggested that he
email Sam, who was unable to attend the meeting.
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