PRESENT: Maggie Buck, Jennifer Hazen, Linda Pitkin, Sarah Rebick, Carly Vynne, Jon Woodbury
1. Jen convened the meeting, asking if anyone had any announcements.
2. Sarah reported on her presentation of the Report on Parking and Driving to the SGA. Their major concern was about our last recommendation to consider the possibility of limiting car registration to upper-class students. They generally supported the creation of more parking lots over a forced reduction in vehicles. They did not discuss the rest of the plan and delayed a vote on it, because many people had not yet read it, though it was distributed to them ahead of time. The SGA did approve Karen Lewis to serve on the Parking Reform Task-Force which will be deciding how to implement an assigned-lot system for next year.
3. Jen reported that someone from Wallace-Floyd had contacted her about whether the Environmental Council had produced a memo regarding the Master Plan. The Council agreed that it was not necessary to write a memo in support of the plan.
4. Jen reported that the Task Force met last Thursday to discuss possibilities for a new parking registration system. Representatives were supportive of the plan, but there was debate over the details. General consensus was that it should not be done simultaneously with room draw because it would cause unnecessary added stress to an already difficult situation for staff and students. There was support for assinging lots based on residence halls though - a fine difference, but potentially less stressful for students. The concern with this is guaranteeing that there is enough room in each lot. Tedi Jennings is gathering statistical information and Jen is researching the systems at other schools. Another point of concern was whether to tackle Faculty/Staff parking this year as well; students feel that it is only fair, but there is concern about trying to do too much at once.
5. Jon expressed support for assigning lots according to residence halls. He worried that we make sure that any system we develop will not result in students returning early in an effort to get a good lot assignment. He also suggested that Security be in charge of implementation as it was originally under their department. Linda mentioned that we will have to consider the programming implications of anything we decide. Several members of the Council supported a pre-registration, where students will have to indicate that they will be bringing a vehicle ahead of time, and lower priority will go to those students who arrive on campus without pre-registering. Linda wondered if it is practical to assign all the spots in a lot due to snow accumulations in winter. We agreed that it would be wise to leave a couple of empty spots. Similarly, she suggested an increased number of 15 minute visitor parking spots in key areas.
6. The Subcommittee on Energy and Conservation presented their list of new Environmental Assumptions for the Facilities Plan. There was some confusion about what we had decided at the last meeting, and due to the low turnout, a final decision was postponed. The comment period has been extended to the end of April, so we will have time to vote on this at our next meeting. The subcommittee will continue to work on this and wants input from others on the Council.
7. Jen will be attending a conference on sustainable building and design and renewable energy this week to gather information for the new environmental center proposal.
8. Sarah has been working on the Campus Development survey results, but wants help. She will contact Nic Tuff to re-organize the Subcommittee on Planning and Development to assist her. The desired result is a report that we can present to the administration, Community Council, the Campus, and other interested parties.
9. Scott Russell Sanders, a renowned nature writer will be speaking on campus this Sunday and Monday.
10. The next meeting was planned for Monday, 14 April, 1997 at 4:15 PM in Mitchell Green Lounge. Judy Watts will chair.
11. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Jennifer Hazen, Vice-Chair. February 12, 1997.
Return to Minutes List Page
Return to Environmental Council Homepage