Green Committee Meeting Minutes

February 6, 2012

Attending: Ray Bailey, Callan Bentley, Rob Como, Robin (Bill) Gorham, Susi Mattheisen, Ruth Stanton, Jeanette Tucker, Dan Wells, Victor Zabielski,

  1.  The minutes of the previous meeting (date) were approved with any corrections which were noted.
  2. Sustainability Coordinator:Discussion centered on the probability of getting the position filled.  Ray’s communication with Dr. Templin inquiring as to status of the position indicated that much depends on the General Assembly’s and the Governor’s plans for funding higher education.  The lack of federal stimulus money translates into a five million decrease for the college next year, which does not bode well for new positions. 

Dr. Templin suggested the committee get in touch with the new VP for Administrative Services, Tony Bansal who, by virtue of his position, is a standing member of the committee. Ray invited him to this month’s meeting, which he was unable to attend, but he indicated that he would be open to meeting in the future. The committee feels that it has gone as far as it is able to without permanent leadership and needs the full time attention of a spokesperson in order not to continue to fall behind the college’s peersin addressing environmental concerns.  Ray observed that the committee is at a point where it should transition to an advisory body to a sustainability coordinator.
The members will try to meet with Mr. Bansal to brief him on “Green” committee activities and discuss concerns for the future.  Ray has indicated that in any event, he will go off the committee next year, but that he willhelp orient whoever takes over as chair.

  1. Climate Change Symposium: Callan reported on his plans for a climate change symposium this spring at Annandale which would focus on the cultural aspects as opposed to the science.  He has spoken with Bill Hooke, a senior fellow at the American Meteorological Society, who writes the blogLiving on the Real World, about being a presenter, along with a science reporter from the Washington Post, Juliet Eilperin, and Joe Witte, a statistician and pollsterin Ed Maibock’s lab at George Mason University.  Other possible participants were also mentioned for this or future programs.  The tentative dates for the symposium are April 9 or 16, depending on availability of the Ernst Center.

Callan indicated that he would welcome assistance in getting the word out to the campuses as well as to the surrounding community to encourage good attendance.

  1. Old Dominion Power proposal:  Karen needs more time to look for partnerships and think about the project and has postponed her proposal until the next grant cycle.

Ruth Stanton, Reporter