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Environmental Studies Department
Olin Rice 249
1600 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
651-696-6274
Comments & questions to:
esson@macalester.edu

In attendance: M. Montgomery, J. Jeffers, L. Brandt, S. Ullmer, L. Phillips, L. Smith, S. Lind, A. Tietmayer, B. Smith, B. Kramer, D. Licata, M. Dickinson, M. Stern, A. Romero.

1.  Paper Use Task Force Report

M. Stern of the Paper Usage Task Force, presented the preliminary results of the recent study on paper use at Macalester by students of the Environmental Analysis and Problem Solving course. The revised figures for paper use increase in the last three years is 25-35%. She gave a number of figures of paper consumption from some Departments and reported that it has been very difficult to obtain more specific information since there seems to be very poor record keeping in some areas and that some specific departments/people had been uncooperative. She delivered a draft of the preliminary report -which included recommendations- as well as raw data. Among the major recommendations made, were to improve the bookkeeping of paper use, to which J. Jeffers agreed as a feasible task. Also to launch a campus-wide educational campaign on ways to reduce paper consumption and increase recycling. It was also mentioned that we should be looking into the origin of the paper itself. For example: From what kind of forests are the trees used in the manufacturing of the paper we use are being taken? What is the environmental impact of this?
ACTION TAKEN SINCE THEN: The above-mentioned papers have been deposited in the ES Room's drawer for the CEIC. Once the final draft of the report is finalized, it will be posted in CEIC’s web page. AR talked to Donna Nicholson at College Relations and she agreed to publicize tips on how to use, reuse, and recycle paper on campus. A whole set of recommendations will be also posted in the CEIC web page for those who want more information.

2.  Report of the Policy Subcommittee

B. Smith mentioned that a questionnaire from the people of The Talloires Declaration was received and was circulated among the committee members. He said he had received a suggestion from A. Romero that given the time and effort involved in carrying out a survey using that questionnaire, it would probably be more practical to give it as a class assignment and mentioned that the ES Senior Seminar, in the Spring of 2000, could be a good place for that. D. Licata presented a draft for a campus-wide questionnaire. A. Romero proposed to display it in the CEIC’s web page in order to carry the survey minimizing the use of paper. B. Smith showed surprised by the fact that the Letter sent to the MacWeekly had not been published and no explanation for the delay was known. An article that appeared on November 17, 1999 in the New York Times was brought up. The article titled New Rallying Cry on Campus: Stockholders Power! deals with the way colleges can influence corporate behavior by investing in green and other social responsible corporations only. A. Romero offer to post it in the CEIC’s web page.
ACTION TAKEN SINCE THEN: A. Romero has included the questionnaire of the Talloires Declaration people as one of the projects for the ES Senior Seminar students for next semester. The questionnaire proposed by D. Licata has been formatted as a web page site, so people can answer to it electronically and the results sent to D. Licata automatically, that is, without using paper. The article of the NY Times cannot be posted in the CEIC’s web page for copyright reasons, but an abstract has been posted as well as the link to the NY Times where people can access it by paying a $2.50 fee. The newspaper clipping has been deposited in the CEIC’s draw at the ES Room.

3.  Food Subcommittee

S. Ullmer and B. Kramer reported that there have been some communication problems with the Dining Services Committee in terms of priorities. It was agreed to include the key people of that Committee in our mailing list, as well as to invite them to our meetings. That we should also tell them about what else is being done in other colleges and universities regarding this issue.

4.  Campus-Wide Consultation

A. Romero indicated that on November 10, he gave a report to the Faculty Meeting about The Talloires Declaration and that in the following day, a campus-wide email was sent to all faculty and staff for the same purpose. All responses received were in support to signing the Declaration.

5.  Meeting with the President

A. Romero reported that representatives of the Committee will be meeting with President McPherson on Tuesday, November 23, to discuss the The Talloires Declaration.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 7, 1999, at 4:00 P.M. Olin-Rice 301.  

Macalester College · 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105  USA · 651-696-6000
Comments and questions to esson@macalester.edu