University Environment
Committee
11/15/07
Presiding: Charles
Hodson
Regular members in
attendance: J. Twark, C. Hodson, M. Montgomery
Ex officio members in
attendance: B. Koch, P. Cox, M. Schmidt, J. Gill
The meeting was called
to order at 3:00 pm.
Actions of Meeting
1. Approval of minutes of 10/25/07
Action taken: The
minutes were tabled because there was not a quorum.
2. Campus sustainability
Discussion:
Cox noted that there
are many ongoing activities at ECU relating to sustainability. Hodson suggested the need for a
sustainability coordinator who would publicize ongoing efforts and grant
opportunities and coordinate teaching efforts related to sustainability.
Cox speculated that the energy savings might pay for this position.
Koch suggested that a
real commitment to sustainability should go beyond publicizing current efforts
or signing climate statements. The UEC
should make a list of sustainability priorities, as sustainability efforts at
UNC-Chapel Hill began with a faculty committee.
Twark agreed that a list of priorities was necessary and suggested that
this lis be sent to Faculty Senate as a resolution. The remainder of the discussion was devoted
to potential priorities for inclusion on this list.
Twark suggested solar
panels on buildings.
Schmidt has assigned
an investigation of ECU’s sustainability practices as an extra credit project
for her students. She will report to the
UEC on the results. Twark reported that
Anoush Terjanian (History) has assigned a similar project and will share the
results with the UEC.
Hodson raised the
issue of the new performing arts center, which he argued should be located near
university-owned downtown parking. Koch
agreed that there should be a focus on redevelopment as opposed to new land
use. Cox noted that the performing arts
center may be a public/private partnership as part of the city revitalization
plan. Hodson noted that downtown crime
may be a factor.
Schmidt reported that
she discussed community involvement in campus sustainability with development
consultant Steve Mann and suggested an on-campus farmer’s market similar to one
on the UNC-Asheville campus. Twark
suggested a once-a-week on-campus farmer’s market; students might contact
farmers as a service-learning project. Hodson
suggested contacting the Agricultural Extension Service, which operates the
Pitt County Farmer’s Market. There was
extensive discussion of the issue of location, since a farmer’s market would
require parking and visibility. Koch
raised the potential problem that a farmer’s market might conflict with the
current Aramark contract. However, Cox pointed out that the next food service
contract bidding process could include locally-sourced food and an on-campus
farmer’s market as part of the bid.
Koch suggested as a
priority asking that all new buildings on campus should be built with LEED
silver green-design certification.
Another priority is the protection of green space, especially adherence
to the April 2007 green space resolution.
Twark suggested bike
lanes/Greenways along
Hodson asked committee
members to circulate additional sustainability priorities via e-mail.
There was a motion to
adjourn and the meeting was adjourned at 4 pm.
Next meeting: 1/24/08,
3:00pm
Items to be discussed:
trees/landscaping