Time: 8:00 am
Present Richard Strong, Wayne Beierman, Dennis Easley, Phil Camill, Dale Jamieson, Ben Lum, Julie Klassen, Jamie Long
Absent Miako Ushio
Secretary: Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz
New Business:
Environmental Statement of Principles (update)
Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz (Secretary) and Jamie Long (Student Chair) reported on their meeting with Steve Kelly (Dean for Budget and Planning), regarding the current status of the Environmental Statement of Principles and possible avenues to further publicize and implement it.
– The Environmental Statement of Principles has been endorsed by the Building and Grounds (committee?) of the Board of Trustees
– Dean Kelly felt this was the most efficient means by which to get the statement implemented.
- At present, the Environmental Statement of Principles impacts the operational side and business functions of the college
– Dean Kelly proposed the idea of publishing an informational brochure about environmental activities and considerations going on at Carleton, which would be updated annually and be sent to students, faculty, and staff each year.
– Concern was voiced that the brochure should not simply be an advertisement of the environmental things that Carleton is doing, but ought to also foster a greater sense of awareness and promote further efforts to function more environmentally and sustainably. Furthermore, the brochure should indicate the college’s commitment to the Environmental Statement of Principles.
– The Committee voiced a desire to have such a brochure endorsed by the college (i.e. have a college seal appear on the brochure).
– The Committee moved to create a brochure and to have the EAC serve as the review committee for its production.
EAC Advising Other College Committees and Groups (Letter to Arb Committee)
– From a recent meeting with Dean Kelly, Dennis Easley, who also sits on the Arb Committee, clarified that the Arb Committee is more of a management committee than an advisory committee, and that Arb decisions are made independent of college decisions.
Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz and Jamie Long reported on their recent meeting with Dean Kelly
– Expressed sense that EAC does not know about Arb projects, and has direct representation from facilities, maintenance, and grounds.
– Idea was suggested to invite Mark McKone (Director of the Arb) to present on Arb projects once a term in order to inform the EAC about such projects.
- Committee agreed that the presentation and discussion of projects should be proactive rather than retrospective. It was suggested that since the Arb is part of the college, Arb projects should be up for scrutiny just as the facilities and grounds projects are.
- Expressed need to establish an open dialogue and discussion
– Idea was suggested to create an EAC membership position for an Arb representative if needed.
- Concern that Arb reps may be reluctant to commit to another committee responsibility
- Committee decided to try having McKone present once a term to see if that is sufficient.
- Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz and Jamie Long will work on drafting a letter inviting McKone to present to the EAC.
Recycled Paper (Tree-Free Campaign)
Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz met with Loretta Springer, head of Printing and Mailing Services, about getting information concerning the distribution and use of recycled paper across campus.
– Springer provided information about which departments and areas of campus are using what grades of recycled paper, including those departments that insist on using virgin paper.
– She explained that paper with a recycled content of between 30% and 100% is more expensive.
– The Committee entertained idea that information about using recycled paper should be brought up at faculty meetings, but decided that it would be more effective to approach faculty departments after a period of time, once everyone has been using recycled paper for awhile.
Alternative Energy
Phil Camill presented on several alternative energy options and new technologies
Solarwall Technology:
– Makes air exchange in buildings more efficient by having small holes in wall that draw air in at a rate that the metal solarwall can heat it before it enters the building.
– Creates a warm boundary layer in building wall that preheats incoming air, which requires a large exposed south-facing wall to install the paneling.
Geothermal Heating:
– A closed loop system, in which an antifreeze-like solution is pumped into large coils placed in wells in the ground that are warmed by the heat of the earth and drawn back into the building to heat its interior. In the summer the system does the opposite, taking heat from in the building back into the earth to be released.
– Creates a nominal savings of 25-30% on energy bill.
– There are several models for industrial and residential applications, with many local manufacturers in Minnesota.
– This system would drop energy use levels well below levels required in the Kyoto Protocol, and the payoff period is relatively quick (3-5 yrs. for residential and possibly 10 yrs. for industrial)
– Implementing this technology reflects business minded decisions meant to cut energy cost as well as furthers Carleton’s institutional emphasis on functioning as sustainably as possible.
Environmental Building
– Possible site out near the Arb, possibly replacing Parr House and Farmhouse.
– Richard Strong would like the EAC to function as the advisory committee for the project.
– Committee emphasized employing sustainable design principles as well as energy efficient construction, potentially replacing existing inefficient structures like Parr House and Farmhouse.
– Questions were posed about the size, location, and materials for such a building.
– Such an energy efficient and sustainable building might save the college from projected new capital investment, and it was suggested that there is a window of time to experiment and research alternative energy methods.
Plans and Construction of Art Gallery
Richard Strong indicated to the Committee that the EAC should recommend and advise on the plans for the proposed new art gallery.
– Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz and Jamie Long agreed to draft a letter to Barbara Johnson (Vice President and Treasurer of the College), recommending the implementation of sustainable design principles drawing from the Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide.
– It was suggested that the proposed letter ought to emphasize Carleton’s commitment to functioning as environmentally and sustainably as possible.
– Proposed ideas the Committee is interested in seeing be considered in the plans:
- Site choice and layout
- Orientation of windows and lighting
- Insulation
- High efficiency equipment
- Alternative energy sources
Meeting Adjourned 9:30am