Emergency NumbersPhone Book (Must be on-campus or have a valid network account)
Minutes of November 8, 2001 SWG Meeting
4:15 pm, New Science 140, SJU
Agenda:
- Report from plastic bottle use reduction group
- Report from "tree free" paper use reduction group
- Discussion of possible "food summit"
- Report from Midwest Campus Greening Conference
- Discussion of possible grants to pursue
- Adjournment
Bottles: The meeting opened with a report from Briana Stanek on the progress of the plastic bottle reduction project. It was reported that CSB/SJU sell approximately 18,000 plastic beverage containers on campus each week, or almost 600,000 per year. Volunteers were solicited for an educational campaign on the issue and discussion about alternatives ensued. Those interested in assisting with this project should contact Briana Stanek by email.
Paper: Heidi Waldschmidt and Jenny Maza reported on the progress of the "tree-free" recycled paper campaign they are coordinating. They are currently collecting data on our paper consumption and purchasing procedures; they also have contacts at other schools (inc. St. Olaf) where tree-free campaigns have been undertaken. Andy Hamerlinck reported than some schools have installed printers that automatically print 2-sided; this was discussed as an option for student labs and libraries. A group of volunteers has signed on to assist with this project-- contact Jenny Maza by email if you would like to help.
Food summit: Derek Larson reported on a meeting with George Economy of Helios Nutrition and Rick Miller of the Pride of Main Street Dairy, an organic dairy processor in Sauk Center. Mr. Economy raised the possibility of holding a "food summit" that would bring together campus food service directors and local small/organic producers to discuss a possible farm-to-form initiative at CSB/SJU. Given the high level of interest expressed in improving our food service at the Sept. 12 SWG meeting, it was suggested that this idea be pursued. A similar meeting was help at UM-Morris on Nov. 12 so we have a model to work from in developing connections between local producers and our food services. Mary Geller later reported to Derek that a committee had been formed to look at the food services at CSB and may be interested in following up on this as well. A group of volunteers was formed to pursue this topic further; contact Mary Slabinski to join them.
Campus Greening Conference: A four-member faculty team attended the 2001 Midwest Green Campus
Workshop at the UM on Nov. 3rd, where groups of faculty/staff/students from various schools in the region met to hear about ways to reduce the ecological footprints of their campuses. Staff from the National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology project facilitated the day's events. The CSB/SJU team made many contacts and picked up a number of tips on how to advance our sustainability program during the day, but the most significant outcome was a discussion about forming a regional campus sustainability consortium. CSB/SJU faculty volunteered to coordinate the Minnesota schools for that purpose and also volunteered to host a 2002 Midwest Green Campus Workshop next fall should funds become available.
Grants: Derek Larson reported on a number of grant possibilities to support sustainability work, ranging from $1,500 NWF Campus Ecology Fellowships to $500,000+ EPA grants for green infrastructure. Discussion about what kinds of initiatives we might pursue ranged from funding a discount-mug program (to reduce plastic bottles) to installing a demonstration fuel cell power plant to eliminate the coal generator at SJU. As with the other projects, a group of volunteers was assembled to look into funding opportunities and (eventually) to take the lead in grant-writing. Contact Derek Larson if you would like to join in that effort.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 with conversation carrying over into the parking lot. No date was set for a December meeting on the assumption that people will be busy with the existing projects.
The next SWG meeting will likely be held in January on that account.