Monday, April 14, 2003

12 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Wilcox, Private Dining Room

Committee Attendees: Michael McKay, Chair; Cathy Kunkel, Robin Izzo

Committee Members Absent: Jenn Brudno, Andy Dobson, Janet Gruschow, Kelsey Jack, Bill Jordan, Emmanual Kreike, Tom Nyquist , Leila Shahbender, Don Weston

Other Attendees: Mary Banfield, Kai M. A. Chan, Dale Cotton, Dana Graef, Chad Klaus, S. Helen Labun, Meg Messina, Stu Orefice

Several Committee members were unable to attend the April 14th session. The following items were briefly discussed and will be elaborated upon in more detail at the May meeting:

Environmental Coordinator Position

The possibility of an Environmental Coordinator position at Princeton was discussed. Kevin Lyons, Ph.D., Rutgers University Procurement and contracting, will be invited to the May 8th PEOC meeting. Kevin will give an update on the environmental efforts at Rutgers and discuss some of the responsibilities of an environmental coordinator and the benefits of having a coordinator on campus.

Mike McKay suggested scheduling a preliminary meeting with Kevin and a smaller group of PEOC attendees to discuss this position (Kai Chan, Janet Gruschow, and Robin Izzo) prior to the May 8th meeting. Mary Banfield will contact Kevin Lyons.

Funding sources for the position and how the coordinator will work with various groups on campus were briefly discussed.

Campus Environmental Intern, Summer '03

Dana Graef reported she recommended several students for the intern position. Some of the responsibilities of the intern include:

• Researching costs associated with organic foods
• Researching environmental practices of the companies Princeton University Dining Services does business with, as well as packaging and recycling of products used.
  
  

Funding Sources and University Policy on Environmental Initiatives

Funding sources for various initiatives recommended by the PEOC was discussed. The possibility of working with alumni and the Development Office was suggested. A list of priority projects will need to be drafted and submitted to Charles Kalmbach for review.

Discussion on having a University-wide policy on environmental initiatives has been tabled until the fall. Mike McKay stated the University recently signed on with NJHEPS (New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability).

Other Issues

• Robin Izzo distributed a copy of the Environmental Health & Safety Policy adopted by the University Environmental Safety and Risk Management Committee, October 17, 2001 (See Appendix A).
• Bill Jordan will invite Jim Consolloy, Grounds Manager, to the May meeting to discuss environmentally-friendly landscaping (i.e., native plantings, water use, and pesticide/fertilizer use on campus) as well as the reforestation project near Lake Carnegie.
  
  

APPENDIX A

Princeton University Environmental Health and Safety Policy

Princeton University is committed to providing a safe and healthful environment for its employees, students and visitors and managing the University in an environmentally sensitive and responsible manner. We further recognize an obligation to demonstrate safety and environmental leadership by maintaining the highest standards and serving as an example to our students as well as the community at large.

The University will strive to continuously improve our safety and environmental performance by adhering to the following policy objectives:

• developing and improving programs and procedures to assure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• ensuring that personnel are properly trained and provided with appropriate safety and emergency equipment
• taking appropriate action to correct hazards or conditions that endanger health, safety, or the environment
• considering safety and environmental factors in all operating decisions including planning and acquisition
• engaging in sound reuse and recycling practices and exploring feasible opportunities to minimize the amount and toxicity of waste generated
• using energy efficiently throughout our operations
• encouraging personal accountability and emphasizing compliance with standards and conformance with University policies and best practices during employee training and in performance reviews
• communicating our desire to continuously improve our performance and fostering the expectation that every employee, student, and contractor on University premises will follow this policy and report any environmental, health, or safety concern to Princeton University management.
• monitoring our progress through periodic evaluations
  
  
  

Adopted October 17th 2001 by the Environmental, Safety and Risk Management Committee.