ETF Meeting November 29, 2007

Attending: Katherine Bell, Susan Clayton, Margo Curl, Evan Heidtman, Julia Hendrickson, Hannah Legris, Dan Indovina, Lyn Loveless, Beau Mastrine, Hannah Matthews, Amber Phillips, Peter Schantz, Chuck Wagers

Hannah Legris raised the issue of the environmental sustainability statement, which was developed by last year's ETF and is on the website but which has not been presented to the trustees or signed by the president.

Lyn will take charge of a subcommittee, comprising Lyn, Peter, and Hannah, to come up with a statement for review. They will gather information about what other colleges have done, look at the President's Climate Commitment and the AASHE. Peter has some information about funding available from AASHE. Hannah knows someone who is involved with AASHE. The goal is to have some progress from this subcommittee for the first meeting of next semester, and to have a statement that President Cornwell would be able to sign at his inauguration.

Susan presented an update about the progress of an environmental studies program proposal. Lyn, Beau, Nick Kardulias, and Robert Sands met earlier this month to discuss possibilities. A curricular proposal has been submitted to EPC. Noncurricular elements of an environmental studies program are also being discussed, and will continue to be developed in tandem with consultation about possible funding sources.

Margo summarized the progress of the recycling subcommittee. The problem is that people aren't aware of what is being done. The goal for the year is to promote information, including on the ETF website. We discussed what recycling containers might look like, and where they should be. Glass is not recycled unless it is separated, something to be aware of. A suggestion was made to talk to someone at the Voice about publicizing the website.

Hannah Legris is writing an application to CCI for an environmental sustainability coordinator. Such a position, if funded, could also coordinate with the environmental studies program.

Ginny is working on the biodiesel program with Paul Edmiston and is talking to Full Circle Fuels in Oberlin. They're trying to organize a tour of a facility. Paul is calculating the costs of establishing a program, with the goal of writing a grant before winter break. They have identified a possible facility on campus to manufacture the fuel.

Julia has a handout on ways to reduce energy use that she will send to the energy use reduction committee.

The student group, College Environmentalists, has been meeting. We should try to enhance transfer of information so different groups know what initiatives are already in place.