December 11, 2006
Owyhee Room

ATTENDEES:   Jim Blick, Karyn Kaplan, Robyn Hathcock, William Cresko, Kay Coots, Charles Kainbach, Christine Thompson, Ben Farrell, Ken Boegli, Brian Smith

Announcements.

·        Bill Bradbury will speak on climate change at the South Eugene High School on December 11^th.  He was trained by Al Gore -- based on “An Inconvenient Truth”

·        Focus the Nation is scheduled for January 31, 2008.  More information available at www.focusthenation.org  

Subcommittee Sign Up

Alternative Transportation: Ken Boegli, Jim Blick, Christine Thompson
Smoke Free Campus:  Paula Staight, JR Gaddis, Jim Blick, Ben Farrell
Campus Energy/Global Warming:  Karyn Kaplan, Jim Blick, Bill Cresko
Green Dorm Room:  Robyn Hathcock, Kay Coots

Updates

Wind Energy - Discussion will be tabled until the January meeting.

CASL

Students have chosen one of the two houses they were offered, and the memo of understanding has been signed.  CASL has a list serve that is managed by Susan Mershon.

A Smoke Free Campus

Karyn brought a sample of a pocket ashtray that she received from Keep America Beautiful.  A product such as this may be given out to help alleviate the litter problem on campus and to heighten awareness of the problem.

Jim said that Paula has written a document for the subcommittee will review before they bring it to the full committee.  She has also met with two members of Tobacco Free Lane County in addition to the UO committee SHAC.  Jim said that considering the continuum of options, EIC first needs to know what is needed in order to discuss the feasibility of meeting the goal of a smoke free campus.

Brian Smith Update

Energy Conservation:  George Hecht advised that a number of energy conservation initiatives do exist.  Progress has been made to minimization of energy cost on campus.  There has been a 14% reduction over the past 3 years.

Green Dorm Room: He is planning to meet with Housing to try to get the appropriate parties involved in this project.

Wind Energy:  Meeting with Housing to be scheduled.  Frances advised that this would need to go through a fee setting process for room and board rates.

Talloires Declaration:  Has been raised at the President’s Small Executive Staff and Brian will make sure they have all the information they need to make a decision on the declaration.

Smoking Issues:  Brian asked for examples of buildings or areas where the most chronic smoking offenses occur.  Committee members cited a few buildings such PLC, Knight Library, EMU, and benches by sidewalks or bike parking areas.

Vinyl Alternatives:  Brian has a call in to Chris Ramey and will provide more information as soon as possible.

New Business

Rocky Mountain Sustainability Summit:  George Hecht and Brian thought the committee could advise them about whether the UO and/or the state of Oregon should try to establish a summit.  Karyn would recommend starting a regional conference on campus sustainability.

Karyn would like the committee to take a look at a brochure created by one of her students.  It is a user’s guide to sustainability on campus projects and may be something the committee could recommend as a resource guide.

Olympic Trials to be held at the UO in 2008:  Sponsored by the City of Eugene and private funds, with university representatives to help ensure that UO policies are recognized.  Karyn is on a subcommittee and suggested that the EIC could help provide feedback and ideas to raise awareness, showcase sustainability practices, and help set a positive legacy for future events.  Bill suggested contacting Rodale Press.  As the publisher of Runner World, Organic Gardening, etc, they would be a strong ally and supporter both financially and environmentally.  Also the new track coach, Ben Lahada, would be another good contact

The next Environmental Issues Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 22, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the EMU Coquille Room

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Contact:
Kay Coots, R.S., CSP
Environmental Health and Safety Director
Phone: (541) 346-5421
E-Mail: kcoots@uoregon.edu