Minutes
sustainability group
Wednesday, July 6, 2005 • 3:00 – 4:30 pm • Building 16, Room 211

Attendees:
Denise Gosar, Disability Services
Jennifer Hayward, College Operations
Marie Matsen, College Operations
Bob Mention, Facilities Management & Planning
Joseph Newton, Science
Amanda Poston, Conference and Culinary Services
Anna Scott, College Operations – Energy
Mike Sims, College Operations – Recycling
Margaret Robertson, Advanced Technology
Susan Tatar, Facilities Management & Planning
Rick Venturi, Specialized Employment Services

Minutes:

Recycling Award Announcement
Sims reported that Lane Community College was awarded the Recycler of the Year Award for an organization by the Association of Oregon Recyclers. This is an annual award that places Lane among the best recycling organizations in the state. Matsen noted that this award will be presented to Lane by the AOR President at the LCC Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, July 13.

Introduction of Energy Analyst
Matsen introduced our new Energy Analyst Anna Scott. Scott is a graduate of Lane’s Energy Management Program and has worked in the construction and energy management fields. Matsen explained that she would like Scott to coordinate an Energy Conservation Promotion sub-group in order to inspire staff and students to save energy.

Indicator Reports
Members discussed progress on indicator reports. Scott will contact Poston to schedule a meeting during the first week of August. Sims will update the recycling indicator report data and contact Mention to schedule a meeting. Hayward, Robertson, and Gosar will schedule a water meeting for the first week of August. Hayward, Newton, and Gosar will schedule a meeting to work on the Landscape Maintenance indicator. Hayward reminded members that Matsen has offered a prize for the first team to get an indicator report done.

Update on Projects
Biodiesel: Hayward reported that the lead student will be getting work study for working on the project. Hayward reported that the processor is essentially put together and in the testing phase. Venturi noted that the college should consider retrofitting a diesel car into a car that runs on vegetable oil as a next project. Matsen suggested that the college obtain a used diesel vehicle as a motorpool vehicle to use for such experiments and as a car for staff to take on short trips around town.

Sustainable Paper: Sims reported that he is working with Printing and Graphics Director, Gary Anderson, on developing a more sustainable color pallet. Dark and neon colors use more chemical dye and are more difficult to recycle. Sims and Anderson are working to remove these colors from the pallet of colors that Printing and Graphics offers. Hayward mentioned that the percent post consumer recycled content of the standard white printer/copier paper supplied by the warehouse has increased from 30% to 40%.

Green Bag Lunch Series for Summer/Fall
Members discussed topics for a Green Bag Lunch Series for 2005/2006. Scott will work on planning an energy conservation &/or renewable energy for homeowners green bag. She will contact the Energy Outlet to determine whether there are some give-aways that they could donate. Hayward will develop a draft list of series topics for the group to review.

Fall Conference
Hayward updated the committee on the status of the Bioneers Conference. Robertson noted that the conference planning committee is currently soliciting and reviewing proposals for workshops. Members who may be interested in conducting a workshop at the conference should submit an online proposal.

Reinvigorating the Committee
Members discussed options for obtaining new membership and interest in the sustainability group. Ideas generated were:

• Energy conservation promotion group (include things like “nega-watt” certificates and prizes).
• Table outside Student Services on the first day of term to capture the interest of new students.
• Give away reusable mugs to all staff who attend in-service (~600). Have a sustainability message inside the mugs.
• Reward people with good ideas or habits. A student award might be a scholarship to Lane. The Foundation may be able to help obtain funds for this. A staff award could be something like an overnight stay at Brietenbush or Timberline lodges.
• Ensure that the group has a broad focus. Don’t just concentrate on energy and forget about everything else.

Minutes prepared by: Jennifer Hayward
Date: 12/14/05

Action Items:

Laundry Environmental Audit

• 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.

Coordination with Facilities Council

“Green bag” lunches

• Scott to work on planning an energy conservation and/or renewable energy for homeowners green bag. She will contact the Energy Outlet to determine whether there are some give-aways that they could donate.
• Hayward to develop a draft list of series topics for the group to review.

Foundation account

• Matsen to provide suggested talking points for group members to use when promoting the sustainability account.

Sustainable Paper Use

• Sims to remain in contact with Anderson regarding the elimination of fluorescent and heavily died papers.
• Sims to set up a meeting of the Sustainable Paper Use sub-group to plan out how to move forward plans to encourage staff to make double-sided copies.

Indicator Reports

• Hayward to e-mail Gosar info on the publication and submission guidelines.