Green Committee Meeting Minutes
May 3, 2010
Members Present: Ray Bailey, Callan Bentley, Rob Como, Skyler Kopko, Kathleen Odige, Jennifer Richardson, Ruth Stanton, Dan Wells, Victor Zabileski.
I. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes: Ray Bailey called the meeting to order at 3:00. The committee approved the minutes for the meeting of April 30, 2010.
II. Chair Report: Ray reported that he had intended to invite members of the 2010-11 Green Committee to attend today’s meeting so that new members could be introduced and the committee could begin planning for next year’s activities. This joint meeting could not take place, however, as the Senate has not yet recommended and the President has not yet appointed the members for the 2010-11 committee.
Ray reported that the Sustainability Coordinators for metro Washington colleges and universities have formed a sustainability working group to exchange ideas and information. Ray attended the initial meeting of this group and has been communicating with other members since the chair of our Green Committee is the closest position NOVA has to a sustainability coordinator. The metro group is planning to meet this spring with Congressional staff and, perhaps, members of the Obama Administration. Ray is hoping to attend this meeting so that NOVA will be represented.
Ray reported that Manassas Campus CST faculty have offered to make public service announcements to promote recycling. The Green Committee then discussed various slogans that might serve as themes to be used in these announcements.
The committee then discussed the presentation made by Pepsi representatives to a previous meeting of the Green Committee and noted that, at least to date, that presentation has not led to any action by or proposals from Pepsi.
III. Old Business: The committee discussed a variety of methods by which it can promote sustainability at NOVA. In particular, the committee agreed that it needs to make a more comprehensive and effective effort in this regard for 2010-11. This includes continuing the speaker series which the committee has sponsored for the past several years, supporting and expanding Earth Day activities at NOVA (several campuses did have Earth Day/Arbor Day activities this year, and the Annandale Campus has done so for several years), writing more articles for Intercom, and similar activities.
The committee discussed the status of the ENV program at NOVA. The discussion reminded committee members that we may want to invite Dr. Sheri Robertson to a meeting of the 2010-11 committee to discuss how sustainability principles might be further incorporated into NOVA’s curriculum as is happening at a growing number of colleges and universities in the region and the nation.
IV. New Business: The committee discussed several ideas that might warrant attention in the future. This included a discussion about how NOVA might provide recharging stations or facilities to support faculty, staff, and students who purchase the electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids) scheduled to be sold in the area beginning in late 2010. Additionally, the committee agreed to inquire about the disposal of used cooking oil at NOVA and whether this oil might be provided or sold to individuals or facilities involved in making biodiesel fuel. Finally, the committee discussed how it might encourage the growing of student environmental clubs and activities at the college, including the planting of trees which are available at little or no cost from state and local agencies.