January 22, 2003

4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Frist Center, Multi Purpose Room A

Committee Attendees: Michael McKay, Chair; Jenn Brudno, Janet Gruschow, Robin Izzo, Kelsey Jack, Bill Jordan, Tom Nyquist, Leila Shahbender, Don Weston

Committee Members Absent: Andy Dobson, Emmanual Kreike
Other Attendees: Mary Banfield, Alex Barron, Kai Chan, Cathy Kunkel, Stu Orefice, Skip Plank

1. Environmental Efforts at Rutgers University

Kevin Lyons, Ph.D., Rutgers University Procurement and Contracting, had to cancel his presentation today due to a conflict. Kevin was to talk about the benefits of having an institutional position responsible for coordinating environmental efforts and the successes at Rutgers. He will be invited to attend a PEOC meeting in the spring.

2. Progress on Dining Services Recycling Campaign

Kai Chan gave a progress report on the recycling campaign in Dining Services. The Greening Princeton group and Dining Services representatives met with M. Slavin & Sons, the largest seafood vendor on the East Coast, to talk about replacing items on the "red" list (fish with problems such as severe depletion due to, overfishing, poor aquaculture management, and heavy ecological impact due to catch of non-target species, i.e, Atlantic cod, farmed Atlantic salmon, shrimp, respectively) with alternatives. Stu mentioned that the seafood labeling program will be introduced to Dining Services units on February 10th.

The recycled plastic mugs, advertising, and distribution of pamphlets and table tents continue.

General Mills will start a six-week program in the Dining Halls to test organic cereals when classes resume. The test cereal is free, and will include four varieties. There have also been suggestions made for "antibiotic-free meat". Please see the Greening Princeton site for more information: http://www.eeb.princeton.edu/~kaichan/greening_princeton.html

3. Greening Princeton Materials on PEOC Website

The Committee agreed the Greening Princeton Materials should be posted on the PEOC website. Comments were made by several in the group the PEOC website is not easily accessible. Mary Banfield agreed to look into the problem.

4. University "Paper Party"

Don Weston sent a draft of the "paper party" invitation electronically to the PEOC members for their comments. The party will be held on Tuesday, March 18th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Frist Campus Center. Invitations to the party will be sent out electronically to the AAMG (Academic and Administrative Managers Group).

Mike McKay introduced Skip Plank, Director of Printing and Mailing, Forrestal Campus. Skip discussed the various types of paper used on the campus, the recycled content of paper, and problems with using recycled paper on older printers.

Skip mentioned Annual Giving uses all recycled paper, approximately 2 to 3 million sheets per year in a campaign. Skip also gave the committee an interesting statistic. The University orders from Printing and Mailing approximately 33,000 reams of virgin paper per year. If it were laid out starting at the Forrestal Campus, it would end in Seattle, Washington.

Purchasing continues to work with Boise Cascade on getting better pricing on recycled paper based on increased volumes of Aspen 30/100 recyclable paper on campus.

5. New Committee Members

Two new students recommended by PEI will be appointed to PEOC to replace Kelsey Jack and Jenn Brudno. The candidates are Catherine Kunkel '06 and Dana Graef '05. Dana was unable to attend today's meeting due to a class conflict.

6. Benefits and Economics of Wind Power

Tom Nyquist, Director of Engineering, discussed the benefits and economics of wind power. Tom distributed an illustration of a wind turbine and information on wind-generated electricity. Community Energy, Inc. is developing a "wind farm" on the Northeast Extension in Pennsylvania, and one north of Atlantic City. Tom explained how the University could buy into the wind farm. A policy decision at the highest level would be needed before the University purchases power from this power pool.

Tom reported Community Energy is working with NJHEPS to help universities and colleges buy from these wind farms. Wind power is a "first choice" renewable energy source because it generates no pollution and uses no fuel. Utility rates will be fully deregulated by August '03.
7. Update on Recycling Bins

Don Weston reported he has received three proposals for recycling bins. He is waiting for three or four additional proposals; he will share the results with the Committee at the next PEOC meeting.

8. Follow up to the 2000 Environmental Audit

Due to time constraints this topic will be discussed in more detail at the next PEOC meeting. Janet Gruschow is interested in (1) getting feedback about people's perception of the audit, and (2) possibly using the audit as a teaching tool.

9. Campus Environmental Intern Summer 03

PEI has funding for an intern this summer. Please let the committee know if your department has any projects for the intern. This topic will be discussed in further detail at the next PEOC meeting.

10. Next Meeting

A few committee members have recommended changing the time for future meetings from 4:00 p.m. to 12 noon because of class conflicts. The committee agreed to try a noon meeting. Stu Orefice, Director of Dining Services, suggested using the Private Dining Room in either Wilcox or Wu. Stu will make the arrangements; lunch will be provided.