Thursday, September 30, 2004

12 noon, Butler/Wu, Private Dining Room

Committee Attendees: Michael McKay, Chair; Barclay Satterfield, Janet Gruschow, Robin Izzo, Cathy Kunkel, Tom Nyquist , Stu Orefice, Leila Shabender, Don Weston, David Wilcove

Committee Members Absent: Andy Dobson, Emmanuel Kreike, Dana Graef ’05, Joe G. Conley

Other Attendees: Jon Baer, Mary Banfield, David Denkenberger, Nathan Gregory, Christina Harris, Chad Klaus, Robert Ortego, Lisa Ridolfi, Stephanie Tatham

Guests: Office Max Representatives – Bob Colgan, Joy Makoid, Gordon Morseth

Michael McKay welcomed every one to the meeting; introductions were made. The following items were discussed.

1) Aspen Paper Issues – Update

Don Weston discussed the current problems people on campus are experiencing with the Aspen 100 recycled paper. Don stated Purchasing and Office Max, A Boise Company, are working to address all of the problems. Lisa Ridolfi, Purchasing, and Mary Erickson, on site Office Max representative, have been very instrumental in obtaining quality feedback from end users and new changes to the 100% recycled paper have been made. Cartons of the new paper product are being tested on campus.

Don introduced Bob Colgan, Joy Makoid, and Gordon Morseth from Office Max. The group gave a presentation on the processes the company uses in developing the recycled paper.

2) Environmental Goals and Priorities for Princeton

Christina Harris ’05, summer intern, worked on the following Priority Goals developed by PEOC and reported on the economic and environmental impact of these items:

1) Decrease emissions of Greenhouse gases and air pollutants
2) Reduce energy consumption
3) Reduce water consumption
4) Decrease the amount of solid waste sent to landfills
5) Practice environmentally responsible purchasing (for construction and daily campus use)
6) Decrease storm water runoff and ensure that it is uncontaminated
7) Implement a master plan for preserving green space
8) Minimize heat island effects
9) Increase environmental awareness
10) Establish indoor air quality standards

Christina also reported she has researched what Princeton has done on environmental issues over the past 20 years and looked at other universities environmental successes/programs. The goal now is to determine where the greatest opportunities for success are at Princeton and develop a plan.

Reports from Dean Chuang ’06 on the environmental impact of Whitman and Stephanie Tatham ’04 on transportation options will be presented at the November meeting.

Mike McKay stated an Executive Committee needs to be formed to determine the items from all three reports that are the most promising. Dave Wilcove, Tom Nyquist and Janet Gruschow volunteered to help identify how we could approach each issue and identify the resources.

Christina’s report will be sent electronically to PEOC and it will be posted to the PEOC website. Please review the report. If you have any comments/suggestions please send them to Mary Banfield, banfield@princeton.edu .

Miscellaneous:

• The pamphlet, The Guide to Living Green at Princeton, which was created as a starting point to foster environmental awareness on the campus, was distributed to PEOC. Copies were also distributed during student move-in in September. Dave Wilcove requested extra copies of the booklet.
• Barclay Satterfield, Greening Princeton, recommended installing laminated fact sheets about environmental issues in dormitories with the following: turn lights off, do not leave water running, take shorter showers, etc…
• Jon Baer reported the eco representative position was not filled this summer. The positions will continue to be advertised and Jon will report to the Committee once the positions have been filled.
• Leila Shahbender recommended the need to develop an education campaign to get people to think about the environment.
• The annual Vendor Fair will be held at Dillon Gym on October 26th.
• The next PEOC meeting will be held on Thursday, November 11th, at 12 noon at Butler/Wu, Private Dining Room.