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Environmental Studies Department |
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Campus Environmental Issues CommitteeDecember 2, 2002
Al began the meeting by giving a background of why he wrote the document on why we need an environmental director. He stated that he tried to summarize the points that we had raised and add additional information in order to have a cohesive document presenting a case for the need for an environmental director. He stated that it is important that “we keep our eyes on the prize.” We discussed Jim Straka’s email to the CEIC. Janet summarized the email and stressed that she felt that Al’s document was not actually more of a “stick than a carrot” approach – as Jim’s email seemed to indicate. The group felt that we have not and will not take a confrontational approach with the administration. We are rather trying to work with them. However, the group agreed that perhaps additional information on the benefits of an environmental director by perhaps looking at the websites suggested by alum Alyson Schiller Muzila such as Ceres and globalreporting.org. Overall, the group felt that it would be extremely beneficial to meet with Jim – who unfortunately couldn’t make the meeting because of a biology meeting – in order to fully understand the full meaning of his email. Mark Dickson announced that district 14 approved the windmill going up on campus. Mark emphasized that there has actually been tremendous neighborhood support – as he has received 10 positive calls from the neighborhood about the windmill and various positive remarks from people at his church about the windmill. Dickson suggested that we try in some way to work on this positive momentum. He then further stressed that in the meeting with Dan Hornbach and David Wheaton, we should take some small steps – such as increasing the percentage of recycled paper that we use. Al suggested that it is important to try to get more alumni and trustee support for the Talloires. He pointed out that the key turning point in the signing of the Talloires was the support of two trustees. Lastly, we planned out what the basic agenda of the meeting with Dan and Dave would be. In trying to come up with the agenda, it was emphasized that while we might want to urge Dan and Dave to make some small steps in “greening” the campus, we do not want to allow them to think that these small steps are enough and that an environmental director is not needed. Janet also stressed that it is important to quantify any small steps we take in order to show that an environmental director could make far greater savings. She stated that our lack of expertise or time made it difficult to quantify the impact of small actions. This further shows the need for an expert environmental director. We decided that we will take a two step approach in the meeting. The most important part of the meeting will be to first ask Dan and Dave what steps we can take to get the environmental director. We will ask them for their support in trying to get an environmental director and ask them what they expect will happen with this attempt. We will also ask them if they know what happened to the grant that was proposed to the LUCE Foundation. Secondly, we will ask them for their support in taking some small steps to further “green” the campus while we are trying to get an environmental director. We will provide a few simple examples that can easily be obtained – such as increasing the percentage of recycled paper purchased and decreasing paper consumption on campus through promoting greater use of email. Minutes taken by Jesse Goldman. |
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