2011 Archive - Lane Community College - Sustainability - group meeting minutes

Sims also noted that the subgroup discussed the use of heavily died and fluorescent paper with Anderson because this paper uses more chemicals to dye, its manufacture is more toxic to the environment, and it is less valuable as a recycled commodity. Printing & Graphics is putting together a new paper pallet this summer and is open to eliminating heavily died and fluorescent paper at this time. Sims will contact Anderson towards the end of Spring Term to arrange to look at the pallet.

Science students will make a processor that converts vegetable oil to biodiesel. The students developed a parts list with costs. The estimated cost to make the processor is $1700.
Facilities Management & Planning will determine a location (currently areas in Buildings 7 & 12 are being investigated).
The Science students will make the processor during early spring term and will make biodiesel throughout spring term.
The primary vegetable oil source will be the used grease from Foodservices.
The biodiesel will be used in the Diesel Technologies instructional facility and in the boiler. Use of biodiesel in Facilities equipment will also be investigated.

The sustainability group approved the use of Foundation account funds to pay for the processor.
The group discussed how to sustain the project once the currently involved science students graduate this spring. Hayward noted that Chemistry instructor, John Thompson, would be continually recruiting students to work on the project. Additional ideas for sustaining the project included:

use foundation funds for student internships;
develop biodiesel processing into a class project (students may initially be able to obtain independent study or cooperative education credit);
workstudy; and
sell the product in order to pay for a classified staff person to make the biodiesel. *

*[Note: Hayward developed a cost analysis for the biodiesel project that was not distributed at the meeting. The analysis shows that it would be cheaper to support a part-time classified staff person making iodiesel that the college uses than purchasing regular diesel. The cost analysis is attached].

Members discussed the proposed Fall Conference on Sustainability. Hayward reported that the Bioneers Conference would be held at Lane in the CML October 14-16, 2005. The Bioneers conference promotes practical environmental solutions and innovative social strategies for restoring the earth and communities. One of the conference organizers recently contacted Hayward to discuss whether Lane would be interested in coordinating with Bioneers to develop the conference. Members agreed that the college should look into coordinating with Bioneers on the Fall Conference. Members suggested the following workshop topics:

Hayward will contact the Bioneers Conference organizer to begin discussions about how Lane and Bioneers can work together on the Conference.

Hayward reported that a group of students affiliated with ASLCC and OSPIRG have met to begin planning Earth Week events. Hayward asked if any sustainability group members would be interested in working with ASLCC and OSPIRG to help plan the events. Haenelt, Hayward, Newton, and Sims will work on Earth Week events.

Community Garden : Hediger explained that he is working on coordinating a Lane Community College community garden. Food grown in the garden could be used to establish an OSPIRG food pantry that would help needy people in the community. Robertson noted that there might be potential to develop courses around this project. Hayward expressed an interest in the garden being sited near the rainwater collection system and using the collected rainwater as its irrigation source.

Hediger will contact Lead Groundskeeper, Frank Drengacz, to discuss the project. Newton will discuss the idea with Science faculty to determine where there would be instructional support for the project.

Venturi to audit environmental practices in the Laundry to determine whether improved environmental practices could be implemented. The investigation will include: chemical use; water volumes; temperatures; and heat recovery (Ebbage noted that an Energy Management class could help the laundry investigate heat recovery strategies).
Hayward to ask the Green Chemistry Club coordinator, John Thompson, whether the Club’s students would be interested in researching Laundry chemical use as a project.

Members to e-mail Hayward suggestions for additional statements that should be included in the Facilities Council policy document by Friday, February 11, 2005.
Hayward to send an e-mail to the sustainability group asking people to let her know if they are interested in being on the Facilities Council’s Long Range Transportation Planning Task Force.

Hayward to determine whether architect, Galen Ohmart is available to do a presentation on Lane’s proposed Model Sustainability Building as a green bag lunch.
Hayward to ask Marie Matsen to ask Tracy Simms if the monthly sustainability green-bag lunch event could be a regular event listed on the Lane home page.

Taylor to request that consideration of the Declaration is included on the Learning Council agenda.
Members to e-mail Hayward comments or suggestions regarding the Declaration prior to the April 12 Facilities Council Meeting.