12 noon

Butler/Wu, Special Dining Room

Committee Members Present: Michael E. McKay, Chair; Peter Allen, Andy Dobson,  Stu Orefice, Barclay Satterfield Leila Shabender, Don Weston, David Wilcove, Shana Weber

Committee Members Absent: Kathryn Andersen, Janet Gruschow, Katharine Hackett, Robin Izzo,  Emmanuel Kreike, Tom Nyquist

Other Attendees: Jon Baer, Jon Bradshaw, Connor Cobean, Jeff Domanski, Will Fisher, James Kuczmarski, Carole Loffredo, Dennis Mauzerall, Bernice Rosenweig, Ruthie Schwab, Mark Smith, Kelsey Stallings, Josh Weinstein

Michael McKay welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  The following items were discussed.

PSC Subcommittees – UPDATES

• Green Purchasing
  Jeff Domanski reported the green purchasing group has been meeting regularly to identify opportunities where the University can expand its relationships with other groups (NJHEPS) and universities to move toward more Green Purchasing.  The group is looking into green cleaning products, travel management, expanding the language on our Purchasing contracts, and a joint venture of the Borough and Township on purchasing recycled paper. 

• Sustainability Website  - Earth Day Launch
  Shana Weber reported that the Princeton Sustainability website is expected to be launched on Earth Day, April 22nd.  Links on the portal site will connect visitors to all sustainability programs and student group entities, the PSC, and the Office of Sustainability.  Shana will provide a link to the Committee for their review before the site goes live.

Garden Project
Ruthie Schwab’09 reported the seeding for the garden project has started.  A ground breaking event will be held at Forbes College at noon on April 21st.  On May 9th there will be an event at Forbes featuring edible flowers; PSC is invited to attend.  Soil test results and funding for the summer intern position were also discussed. 
 
Recyclemania Contest
Mark Smith’09 reported on Princeton’s ranking to date on the RecycleMania Competition 2007.  This competition increases recycling and decreases waste generated on campuses.  Princeton currently ranks 8th out of 108 in paper recycling, 12th out of 107 in cans and bottles recycling, 53rd out of 58 in waste minimization, and in food recycling Princeton ranks 4th out of 28.  The competition will end on April 7th. 

Earth Day Calendar
Shana Weber reported the Communications Department is putting together a calendar of all Earth Day events, lectures, and films on campus which will be available through the announcement section of the Princeton Home page for two weeks, April 22nd through May 4th.   Stu Orefice, Director of Dining Services, commented sustainability meals will be served in all dining halls on Wednesday, April 25th.  If you have any events you would like to have listed on the calendar, please let Shana know. 

U-Bike Program
Josh Weinstein ’09 presented a bike recycling pilot program for students, faculty, and staff.  Josh stated the percentage of people interested in the program is approximately 70% out of 619 polled.  Josh reported there are currently approximately 500 bikes that have been impounded by Public Safety.  Costs associated with repairing the bikes, annual maintenance costs, and program options were also discussed.  The goals of the program are (1) to install a protective covering over the bike lot to prevent the bikes from further deteriorating; (2) to install bike racks and begin the sign up for the program; and (3) work with the campus planning group to expand the bike program. 

Sustainability
Mike McKay, Shana Weber, and Steve Pacala, Director of the PEI Institute, gave a status report to the Committee of the Whole, Board of Trustees, on March 30 on Sustainability on campus.  Mike stated Princeton’s research and teaching are key to solving the global warming problem.  Princeton needs to increase efforts to engage students and the campus community in sustainability efforts.  Raising the profile of sustainability during Reunions was suggested by Andy Dobson.  Efforts to identify cost-effective energy conservation and CO2 reduction projects are a priority.   Goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be developed over the next several months and will be presented to the Trustees in November ’07.

Next Meeting:  May 9, 2007

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Banfield
Executive Assistant
Facilities, Office of the Vice President