August
3, 2006
EMU Board Room
Attendees: Jim Blick, Ben
Farrell, Christine Thompson, Kay
Coots, Paula Staight, Karyn Kaplan, Robyn Hathcock, Bob Jones, Anne
Forrestel,
Tim King, Chuck Kalnbach.
Guests: Frances
Dyke, Brian Smith
Jim Blick was
introduced as
the newly elected chairperson. He
distributed the committee charge and requested the EIC web site be
updated with
the latest version (dated 11/03).
Announcement:
As an update to past discussions
about lighting on campus, Christine said that louvers have been
installed in
the bollards at the heart of campus to help diffuse the light. Fluorescent bulbs will be installed as well.
Reporting
and Recommendation Process:
In 2003 the
EIC was directed
to report to the university senate in addition to the vice president’s
office. The senate receives a copy of the
annual
report for informational purposes only.
Frances introduced Brian E. Smith as the new
Assistant to the
Vice President for Finance and Administration, effective September 1st. She has asked him to interface with the
committee
and assist with the requested feedback mechanism as part of the
recommendation
process.
Feedback
on Recommendation to Reduce the Use of Vinyl
Products:
Frances provided a brief synopsis of the Office of
University
Planning response letter. Chris Ramey
asked each project manager to review their current projects and those
that were
recently completed. He referred to the
Sustainable Development Plan that does advocate avoiding materials that
create
ozone depleting chemicals and cited several good examples where
sustainability
has been a priority, such as Lillis and Moss Street Children’s Center. Alternatives are considered for use in
buildings when feasible and available.
Facilities Services is presently developing construction
standards that will
help provide an opportunity to reduce the use of vinyl products and
identify
preferred non-vinyl materials.
Christine
added that that the
first round of construction standards was recently distributed, and the
planning office has noted areas where they would recommend increasing
use of
non-vinyl and other sustainable options.
Anne commented that the university is reasonably
responsive, but could
be more proactive in finding alternatives and funding.
Since the
Oregon Toxics
Alliance is a valuable resource in providing companies with information
and
assistance, Karyn asked that a copy of this letter be sent to them. Frances will first OK this
with
Chris Ramey.
Talloires
Declaration:
In 2001
President Frohnmayer asked
the EIC to review the Talloires and provide feedback.
The committee has recommended that the
university sign the declaration. Frances
said
that Dan Williams took it to the President’s Small Staff before he left
his
position. She has since spoken to Linda
Brady and briefed her.
Bob and Ben
pointed out that,
as an institution, we are already accomplishing most of the issues that
are outlined
in this declaration.
Smoking
Policy and Non-Smoking Campus Goals:
A
subcommittee formed in the
early spring and prepared a document titled Smoking and Environmental
Tobacco
Smoke: UO Campus Issues. Some of the
problems with the current smoking policy stem from an outdated OAR,
inconsistent
practices such as smoking distances that vary from building to
building, and enforcement
issues.
The
discussion is ongoing about
the current policy and future goals for a non smoking campus. The committee realizes it needs help with
follow
through, what steps could or should be taken, and who should be
involved. Frances has spoken with Kay
about
the various individuals and entities that would need to be included in
the
process. She also plans to contact Russ
Tomlin.
CASL:
Frances has assigned George Hecht to work on CASL
housing concerns.
Karyn and Bob pointed out that
organizations,
such as EWEB, have expressed interest in providing grant dollars once a
house
is allocated.
Integrated
Pest
Management (IPM):
Tim King and
Mark Maguire
attended the February meeting to educate the committee on IPM. One of the committee’s suggestions was to
increase the use of manual labor; however, they realize this would
require
additional funding. Tim commented that
there are many things that can be done without extra funding. IPM saves money and cuts down on maintenance
costs. He is looking at ways to get more
involved, as well as going beyond IPM by increasing sustainable
landscape
maintenance practices.
Contact:
Kay Coots, R.S., CSP
Environmental Health and Safety Director
Phone: (541) 346-5421
E-Mail:
kcoots@uoregon.edu
