Revised 11-11-07

University Environment Committee

10/25/07

 

Presiding: Charles Hodson

Regular members in attendance: M. Glascoff, J. Twark, D. Lawrence, C. Hodson, M. Montgomery

Ex officio members in attendance: B. Koch, P. Cox, M. Schmidt, T. Atkinson

 

The meeting was called to order at 3:30 pm.

 

Actions of Meeting

 

1.  Approval of minutes of 9/27/07

Action taken: The minutes were approved.

 

2.  Report on ECU master plan (Bill Bagnell)

The master plan for the main campus was completed in 2000 and the master plan for the Health Sciences campus was completed in 2001.  The master plan and strategic plan are not aligned and the master plan needs to be updated.  The chancellor wants an updated master plan for the whole campus rather than multiple master plans for different parts of the university.  Ideally, the master plan should be “a physical manifestation of the strategic plan.”  At the moment, however, buildings are being constructed that are not in the master plan, like the dental school and new family medicine center.  Moreover, the 2001 master plan didn’t address parking and traffic circulation issues.  All issues should be considered in the updated master plan. 

 

The planning process has started for Academic Building A, which will house the College of Education and College of Business.  Currently, this project has only programming funds, but it is the next to highest priority for ECU’s capital request to the General Administration.  The Executive Council, Chancellor’s cabinet, and Board of Trustees determine construction priorities.  Academic Building A’s site has not yet been determined.  In the 2000 master plan, it was to be located at the current site of Erwin and Bloxton.  Other possibilities include the base of College Hill and various peripheral sites, some not owned by ECU.  Not included in the 2000 master plan is an 8-block parcel in the warehouse district owned by ECU.

 

Twelve current buildings need full renovation.  Renovation plans will take into account energy efficiency and green design principles.  ECU will design all new buildings to meet the silver LEED green building certification (platinum is the highest LEED certification).

 

There will be a steering committee for the updated master plan.  All units will be represented and the process will be open and transparent.  The UEC will have the opportunity to give input.

 

The first steps in revising the master plan are facilities assessment and updating the map.  The next step is to assess program priorities, growth, and the location of program functions.

 

Discussion:

Twark noted that the UEC’s main priorities in the master plan process are energy efficiency and green space, especially forested space.  Twark noted that College Hill’s green space should be preserved and so this is not a good location for Academic Building A.

 

Hodson asked about the planned West Campus student center.  Bagnell responded that $100K has been set aside for programming for the student center, to include consideration of dining, recreation, advising space, and public services.

 

There was discussion of the 8-block warehouse area.  The buildings are not useable or energy efficient in their current form, but some are historic.  Preservation of facades may be possible.

 

Atkinson presented a packet of information on steps that Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill have taken to reduce their climate footprint.  She asked whether ECU is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).  Koch responded that budget cuts make it hard for ECU to join AASHE although the university is interested in the organization’s work.  Schmidt responded that if ECU wants to be considered a serious research university on par with others in the state, it should be taking the same steps that they are.  Bagnell noted that the climate commitments represent a major financial commitment and should be carefully studied.

 

There was an extended discussion of bike lanes and bike use.  Lawrence noted that bike lanes should be planned along with buildings so the funds could come out of building projects.  He also noted that increasing bicycle use could accomplish cost savings on parking, roads, and buses.  Twark suggested that bike lanes and greenways, especially on 10th Street, be included in the updated master plan and that roadways be narrowed and slowed to increase safety for bikers.  Bagnell responded that the city and the university must cooperate on joint funding for bike lanes and sidewalks.  Koch noted that ECU gives free permits to encourage biking and has also worked with apartment complexes to improve bus service.  He also suggested that a cultural mindset must be overcome; in order to have better bike lanes and more green space on campus, “A” parking spaces would be lost.  Twark encouraged UEC members to come to a meeting with city manager Wayne Bowers on Thursday, November 15, for an opportunity to discuss these issues.

 

2.  Meeting time

Hodson proposed changing the regular meeting time to 3:00 to accommodate members’ schedules. 

Action taken: The new meeting time was approved.

 

There was a motion to adjourn and the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 pm.

 

Next meeting: 11/15/07, 3:00 pm

 

Items to be discussed: American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, UNC Chapel Hill Campus Sustainability Report