University Environment
Committee
2/28/08
Presiding: Charles Hodson
Regular members in
attendance: H. McKinnon, D. Lawrence, M.Glascoff, J.
Twark, C. Hodson, M. Montgomery
Ex officio members in
attendance: B. Koch, P. Cox, M. Schmidt, T. Atkinson, J. Gill
Visitors: S. Sheta, R. Chin
The meeting was called to
order at 3:00 pm.
Actions of Meeting
1. Approval of minutes of 1/23/08
There was a motion to
approve the minutes. The minutes were
approved with one change.
2. Report on drought (Gill)
The governor’s mandated
water restrictions are in effect. Most
irrigation has been stopped, although some critical
watering to protect investments continues with collected rainwater. Grounds is taking
proactive steps like the installation and use of a 500-gallon cistern and the
use of retention ponds around the north recreation fields. Bartlett Tree Experts is being consulted
about counteracting the effects of drought in existing oak trees and root
excavations are underway to let water penetrate to roots.
Discussion:
Atkinson asked about
3. Unfinished reports to Faculty Senate
The committee is working to
finalize two reports for Faculty Senate, the survey Schmidt conducted in her
biology class and the list of Environment Committee Recommendations for ECU
Campus Sustainability. Glascoff noted
that the committee needs to get on the agenda for Senate and should also share
these reports with the UNC Tomorrow committee, as they will be making budgeting
priorities and requests. UNC Tomorrow
needs to receive the reports right away so that they can take them into
consideration.
Discussion:
Glascoff raised doubts about
the percentages in the Schmidt report.
Schmidt replied that her report mainly shows that students want to be involved,
even in working on solar panels. Her
data was generated from free essay responses, so all responses were volunteered
by students. They were not provided with
a list of ideas to choose among.
Koch suggested that the
recommendations list should tie environmental goals to teaching, research, and service. McKinnon noted that we can pair the
recommendations list and Schmidt report and
There was discussion of the
recommendation that ECU fund a sustainability coordinator position. Koch emphasized that, in the recommendations
list, we should aim high on sustainability coordinator position. This person could beef up design standards, especially
in light of the possibility that the General Administration could begin dictating
LEED certification or standards for new buildings. Sheta noted that the coordinator should
coordinate more than buildings and should be connected to research, teaching,
governance and use AASHE resources and tracking. Koch suggested that the coordinator should be
an engineer and noted that ECU has recently joined AASHE.
Glascoff offered the
reminder that the UEC is an academic committee and the report should be sent to
UNC Tomorrow via Austin Bunch and Deirdre Mageean if funding is needed. She also suggested replacing “objectives”
with “recommendations” in the title of the report. Hodson suggested that we add a recommendation
that ECU form a sustainability committee.
Action taken: Hodson moved
to form task forces to finalize each report.
After the task forces complete their work, Hodson will send both reports
to Faculty Senate and to UNC Tomorrow.
Schmidt task force: Schmidt,
Hodson
Recommendations task force,
which will make revisions via e-mail: Twark, Koch, McKinnon, Atkinson, Montgomery
4. Parking Resolution #02-43/Energy Conservation
Report
Hodson reported that the
parking resolution requires an annual report from Administration and Finance be
provided to Faculty Senate. Glascoff explained that the report can be one-page
and suggested that the current resolution is obsolete. The UEC might propose new, simpler resolution. Koch volunteered to put together a new
resolution.
Hodson noted that Faculty
Senate also needs to receive a report about energy conservation, prepared by
Koch in consultation with the UEC.
Gill volunteered to work with Koch on this.
5. Sheta sustainability project
Twark asked Sheta about the
status of his planned survey on campus sustainability.
Chin reported that there was
a technical glitch with the survey engine.
Sheta shared his large educational
posters about sustainability. Hodson
suggested putting these posters up at a Faculty Senate meeting.
6. Belk building project
Atkinson raised concerns
about the plan to remove three river birches as part of the Belk building renovation. These birches will be replaced by seven oak
trees.
Discussion:
Atkinson asked if the oaks
will be near power lines. Gill replied
that they are 25 feet from the power lines and won’t interfere. Hodson noted that the relandscaping
of the Belk building was discussed last year.
Gill responded to Atkinson’s concerns about the patio location, nothing
that this was decision of the building’s used and not within
the purview of the UEC. All work on the
landscaping has been postponed pending the UEC’s discussion of Atkinson’s
concerns.
Atkinson talked to an arborist
who claimed that there is no evidence that the birches have only 5-15 years
left. Moreover, the birches are only
dropping small branches, which are not a safety issue. The trees provide needed buffer between the building
and the street.
Gill responded that his
arborist saw large dead branches, and Gill himself has 15 years of experience
as a landscaper. Another landscape architect
agrees that birches do not have long to live.
Gill emphasized that he is willing to hear recommendations from the UEC.
Koch noted that the UEC can
set certain important trees off limits, as we have with green space.
Twark asked whether new
trees can be planted with old trees left in place. Gill responded that this isn’t feasible, as
the trees will compete. Atkinson asked
how the new oaks would be watered. Gill
replied that Gatorbags will be used.
Gill emphasized that all
other trees on the site except river birches will be kept, although some will
be relocated.
Hodson noted that the UEC’s
scope is limited and we have never been involved with new buildings. The river birches were probably put in
because they were quick and cheap.
Hodson favors putting in new trees.
Gill reported that elm trees will also be added.
There was a motion to
adjourn and the meeting was adjourned at 4:50pm.
Next meeting: 3/27/08, 3:30
pm
Items to be discussed:
Select
subcommittee members to identify landmark trees on campus.
Discuss
committee plans for next year.
Discuss
Committee’s draft annual report.