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Environmental Studies Department |
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Campus Environmental Issues CommitteeFebruary 28 , 2006
Attendance: Brett Smith (co-chair), Mark Dickinson (co-chair), Becca Orrick, Jim Davidson, Dillon Teske, Alese Colehour, Helen B. Warren, Asa Diebolt, Angelina Lopez, Megan Bjella, Hannah Gelder, Claire Briguglio, Ruth Janisch Lake, Ellie Rogers, Chris Wells, Timothy DenHerder Thomas, Richard Graves. MacBike Update Dillion Teske, the MacBike student worker, reported on the bike share program. His position is being funded by the Environmental Studies Department and the program is being run out of the Campus Center. The program recently adopted three new mountain bikes that they hope will benefit students for winter riding in the snow. Currently two bikes are being repaired and will give a total of 11 current bikes. Dillon reported that they are getting very good feedback and are considering a way to extend the current one week checkout time. MacBike has been looking for donations to the program, and on April 2 at the corner of Summit and Snelling, they will have a bike drive. Dillon also noted that on Thursday night from 6:30-8:30 he welcomes anyone to come bring their bikes for tune-ups and repair as he works on the program bikes. Dorm Competition Becca Orrick reported that MPIRG is scheduling a competition between dorms by comparing their reduction in energy. MPIRG is asking for the data on dorm energy usage in order to make comparisons. The competition will occur for 2-3 weeks, most likely in April, and may occur in conjunction with Earth Week. The winning dorm will receive prizes from local businesses and their will be a party held at the end of the challenge. Ruth Janisch-Lake was asked to introduce herself, and she announced that there are several off-campus student employment opportunities for environmental organizations, including the Green Institute. Applications are available online at www.macalester.edu/cso. Green Roof Alese Colehour updated the committee on the green roof. The group recently applied for an EPA grant of just under $10,000, and if all goes well, should receive it. The next step is the fishbowl, which is the preliminary green roof test. They are currently receiving donations and will soon be ordering materials to begin planting in the spring. Biodiesel Richard Graves reported on the biodiesel project and the current search for space to hold the generating equipment. The group will possibly receive space in the basement of GDD to store the physical equipment but still needs space to hold the chemicals. They will begin with a test run in the chemistry lab and then look for a larger space in which to run the biodiesel generator once the project gets operating. Earth Week Timothy Den Herder-Thomsa announced that on Tuesday, February 28, an ACTC earth day planning meeting will be held to discuss cooperative events. On Wednesday, March 1, Macalester will hold its planning meeting. He also announced that nine people from Macalester are going to Madison to the Minnesota Energy Coalition. Two hundred people from the Midwest will be looking at energy conservation and climate change and the options that the Midwest possesses for renewable energy. Returning to Earth Week, Ruth suggested that it would be a good idea for Maggie Kincaid (who is coordinating Earth Week activities) to attend a CEIC meeting in order to get Earth Day planning coordinated to the greatest extent possible. Geothermal Megan Bjella reported on geothermal heating and cooling for the new athletic building. She currently has a list of designers and installers and has been looking at basic information from the University of Oklahoma that makes the use of geothermal look viable for Macalester. Athletic Facility Mark Dickinson reported that INTEP, Macalester’s sustainable consultants for the athletic building, has released a second version of the Duty Book, a written document replying with options and choices to Macalester’s various expectations concerning the athletic building. INTEP has been looking at alternatives, including geothermal, and are currently in the schematic design phase; they will progress to design development next. Mark noted that the field house will be on the second floor and the entrance will be on the ground floor from the campus side. The plan currently constitutes a space of 150,000 square feet, compacting area by turning unprogrammable space into programmable space. Mark and others involved in the project will have another meeting with INTEP during March and once a moth after that. Recycling Mark noted that Macalester is in the process of creating a new resource management contract. Macalester is working to increase recycling and reduce waste by joining with a new trash hauler/recycler. Data from vendors and the proposed costs are currently being analyzed to find a probable balance between trash cost and recycling. Jim noted that facilities management is preparing for the changes and is planning to make students aware of all changes. He also acknowledged that the recycling web page will be updated with all new, viable information. Wind Turbine Lastly, Tim commented on the Wind Turbine, a project in which Macalester, with another college, would hold joint ownership of a Wind Turbine and energy production. They are currently working with faculty and alumni to set up an organization to get investors to manage a fund that would own the turbine. Meeting adjourned at 12:50 pm. |
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