Environmental Council Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2000
Old Chapel 206
Vice Chair: Amy Seif

Meeting was cancelled due to snow and potentially unsafe driving conditions.


1. Approving Minutes, January 12, 2000

2. Staff Council Meeting on Transportation
A. Summary
Amy spoke at the last Staff Council meeting on Parking and Transportation. She presented possible effects of Global Warming on Vermont and the impact of driving on climate change. She discussed driving habits at the college and alternative options to building new parking spaces at other schools and Middlebury. George Whitney explained that a study is needed and a committee should be formed to look at the issue. There was discussion regarding where parking is available; everyone wants to park in the core, but there is little room to put more parking in the core.
B. Appointment to Parking Study Committee
President McCardell has asked the Environmental Council to appoint one member to the new Parking Study Committee, formed to give recommendations to the President regarding parking. Amy is an ex officio member of the Committee. The Council needs to appoint another member to the committee. If you are interested in sitting on the Parking Study Committee, please contact Amy RIGHT AWAY.
C. What direction could Environmental Council take?
To be discussed at the next Council meeting.


3. Upcoming Trips and Meetings (5 minutes, begins 4:28)
A. Trip to Living Technologies, Feb 9, 2:30 5pm
Please contact Amy if you are planning on going. George will be reserving a van and needs to know the number of people going. UVM's Environmental Council will meet us at Living Technologies for the tour.
B. Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire/Pizza, Feb 16, 4:30 6pm
On Feb 16, the Council will meet to fill out the Questionnaire (from University Leaders for a Sustainable Future) to assess how "far" we've come in our environmental mission. Pizza will be served. We will meet in Old Chapel 206. Please mark on your calendar.

4. Sub-Committee Reports (15 minutes, begins 4:33)
TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
A. Audit Implementation
B. Audit Planning
C. Transportation
D. Outreach
E. Events

5. Other Business (15 minutes, begins 4:48)
A. Climate Change and Ski Team
Nordic ski team accepted invitation to wear "Slush Sucks Stop Global Warming" buttons on their warm-ups, but this may be halted due to concern over the word "sucks." The alpine team cannot wear them on their uniforms, but can choose to wear them on their personal gear.
B. Update on Electric Bus
We are waiting for EVermont to let us know a date that is good for Marble Valley in Rutland. Liability issues are being discussed. The Community Council has been asked to come up with suggestions for a route and schedule. A survey is being developed.
C. Co-sponsoring Geonomics talk
Geonomics may bring in a speaker on environment and international issues (Donella Meadows?). Env Council may co-sponsor.
D. C&D Waste
A meeting was held on January 20 to discuss ways to improve construction and demolition waste recycling or disposal. An educational packet will be developed, new language will be written in the sub-contractor's contract, and fees will be increased.