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Environmental Studies Department |
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Campus Environmental Issues CommitteeNovember 8, 2005
Attendance Brett Smith, Mark Dickinson, Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, Talia Kahn-Kravis, Sarah Stephens, Terri Fisher, Erin Foster-West, Maggie Hughes, Kathy Johnson, Kristin Pollock, Ruth Janisch Lake, Claire Briguglio Meeting begins with review of current projects: green building (INTEP meeting November 22), campus master plan (CEIC meeting December 6 to discuss plan), paper purchasing (Kathy to report options on January 1), MacBike (created ability to check out bikes from the info desk), Macalester recycling (plan by Jim Davidson), Green Roof (MacCares planning green roof over fishbowl), wind turbine (in coordination with other colleges), dorm energy use (currently creating survey for student energy use), biodiesel project (use of cooking oil from Bon Appetit), campus energy (natural gas vs. No.6 oil), Campus Kitchens (unused food to community groups), composting, “Social Responsibility Research Assistant” work study. Campus Ecology Framework As members of the National Wildlife Federation, Macalester has the option to use a campus ecology framework for project planning during 2005-2006. A form would be submitted that set campus focus issues and explaining goals (found in electronic version at www.nwf.org/campusecology under “Become a Member”). Brett acknowledges need to continue present projects and perhaps work on them in conjunction with this ecology framework by picking focus issues such as waste management, building design, transportation, etc. Mark points out the goal described by Campus Ecology: “help us to help you.” He suggests that we use the framework to better establish projects that have not found full structure yet. Brett suggests the possibility of a Campus Ecology subcommittee group by issue. Brett acknowledges his interest in recycling and offers to lead that issue. Mark comments on the important role of colleges in sustainability, especially Macalester for its high interest in internationalism, and suggests that this framework would be very helpful in advertising our present projects. He voices his interest in leading the energy issue and specific work on Macalester’s use of natural gas over No.6 oil. Brett ends that everyone should look at the framework and if involved in a certain project with interest for organization through the framework, drafts should be formulated and individual meetings scheduled for further discussion. Recycling Projects Brett comments on recent student meeting with Jim Davidson of MacRO, and Jim’s suggestions for action, including a task force, event recycling bins, recycling web page, dorm recycling competition, technical assistance from Waste Wise, etc. On March 31, Macalester’s resource management contract expires with BFI. Currently, Macalester is putting out a request for proposals considering garbage hauling services, waste reduction, recycling, and cost benefits. The winner of the contract will work with the Macalester community and must find baselines to measure improvements. Mark comments that in our new contract, Macalester may not save money but will improve the campus reduction/recycling in conjunction with financial benefit to the company for improving reduction efforts. Timothy announces the finding of a service that will compost with universities and institutions. This service is currently being looked into by MacCares for future use at Macalester. Events Purchasing Workshop with keynote speaker Tom Votta, a legal consultant on resource contract on Tuesday, November 15. Campus Ecology Tele-Conference on climate action on Thursday, November 17 from 1-2:30 p.m. Contact Brett if interested. Saint Paul Environmental Roundtable; “Smarter Cleaner Energy in Saint Paul.” Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m. -12 p.m. in Weyerhauser Chapel. Activist Roundtable open meeting on Saturday, November 12 in OlinRice at 5:30 p.m. Next CEIC Meetings
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