1. “Green Bag” lunch evaluation
Members reviewed the “green bag” lunch on composting noting that there was a good turn out and that it went well. One member commented that it was helpful that there was a connection between what you can do in your personal life and what we do at the college. All agreed that it would be a good idea to do another “green bag” lunch on composting again during the school year. Phipps suggested changing the seating arrangement to ensure that all attendees can see the presenter and improving signage and advertising.

Dumbleton reported that she is working on coordinating a “green bag” lunch on native landscaping. She noted that a key faculty member is on vacation until September. Phipps suggested holding the lunch in October. Members agreed. Dumbleton will work on scheduling the event for early October. Skelton said that she is working on a brochure about native landscaping and asked members to provide her with suggestions.

2. Reports on indicator data
Hayward presented a template proposal for the indicator data. Members approved the proposed template with the following two changes: 1) add lines for the date completed and the year reported; and 2) limit the length of each indicator report to 2 pages to maintain the user friendly quality of the report. Hayward will finalize templates and send them to the appropriate groups for data input.

3. Activities for fall
Geyer reported that she reserved a table for “sustainability” that will be outside of Building 1 during the first few days of fall term. Geyer suggested having some give-aways to attract people to the table. Winslow will get quotes on both plastic and stainless steel to-go mugs in various sizes (12, 16, & 20 oz.) and quantities (200 & 500). Hayward suggested having a theme for the table. It was also noted that the booth would need to be staffed. Members will discuss a theme & booth staffing at the next meeting.

Hayward noted that members had previously suggested that we do a waste audit in the fall, which she plans to coordinate. Dumbleton suggested challenging staff and students to have fewer recyclables in the trash in the spring than we find in the fall. Burns suggested having a competition between community colleges in Oregon.

4. Foundation account

Members discussed how to encourage contributions and how to use the contributions. The following list was brainstormed.

Publicity

• Publicize in The Daily
  • Sustainability effort
  • Can do Foundation account online
• Matsen announcement at fall in-service
• At public events, in press releases: stress that we have an account.

Methods of encouraging/getting contributions

• Donation cans
• Payroll deduction
• Identify businesses that may be willing to donate. (But go through Foundation.)
• Voluntary donation as part of registration
• Student events—fundraisers, benefits

Strategies

• Identify purpose of account; single purpose? multiple purposes?
• Identify specific purposes, e.g., solar panel or biodiesel
• Set up general account before identifying purpose
• Biodiesel as a project
  • Source of student jobs, internships
  • Manufacturing facility on campus
  • Campus vehicles
  • Training class(es), sustainability technical training, part of curriculum
  • Cost-benefit: financially viable
  • Connects many departments: auto diesel, science, food services, accounting, facilities
  • Find grant funding

5. Summary of input on green office specifications
Hayward reported that she had not received any comments on the green office specs. Atkins reported on reactions from the trades staff including that staff have questions about how to implement, but are generally supportive. Hayward will work with Atkins to provide more specific information to the trades.

6. Other business
Burns reported that Foodservices has started using used plastic liners for garbage cans. The bags originally contained materials coming into the Laundry and were previously thrown away.

Winslow reported that Foodservices might begin using compostable plates, bowls, and utensils. A subcommittee will meet to discuss whether composting could be expanded to accommodate this additional waste stream and/or whether reusable plates and utensils could be maintained.

7. Next meeting
The next meeting will be Thursday, August 26 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Agenda items will include:

• Unfinished topics from Other Business (this meeting)
• Sustainable Development Seminar at UO
• EFS West Listserv
• Department e-mail list
• Foundation account
• Brainstorm project list, long-term and short-term
• Prioritize
• Publicize
• Activities for fall
• Report: cups for fall giveaway—Greg
• Theme for table
• Planning
• Updates on indicators
• Discussion group: planning
• (Reading-discussion group, discussing topics at a conceptual, policy level)

Minutes prepared by: Jennifer Hayward
Reviewed by: Margaret Robertson
Date: 8/24/04

Action Items

“Green bag” lunches

• Dumbleton to work on scheduling green bag lunch for early October.

Indicator data

• Hayward to finalize indicator report templates and forward them to the appropriate groups for data input.

Activities for fall

• Winslow to get quotes on both plastic and stainless steel to go mugs in various sizes (12, 16, & 20 oz.) and quantities (200 & 500).

Sustainability in Foodservices

• A subcommittee to discuss whether composting could be expanded to accommodate plates and utensils and/or whether reusable plates and utensils could be maintained.