Committee Members Present: Michael E. McKay, Chair; Patrick Caddeau, Pablo Debenedetti, Katharine Hackett, Robin Izzo, Tom Kreutz, Paul Lewis, Jenna Losh, Tom Nyquist, Stu Orefice, Lang Wang, Don Weston, Shana Weber

Committee Members Absent: Nicholas DiBerardino, Denise Mauzerall

Other Attendees: Mary Banfield, James Boehlert, Rick Curtis, Roger Demareski, Andrea Rose, Stephen Elwood, Janet Gruschow, Steph Hill '10, Kim Jackson, Sandra Kearney, Chad Klaus, William Layton, Lisa Leisinger, Wesley Loo '11, Colleen McCullough '12, Catherine Peters, Peter Quimby, Ruthie Schwab '09, Leila Shahbender, Kelsey Stallings, Ruth Stevens, Josh Weinstein '09, Benjamin Weisman '11, Eileen Zerba

Michael McKay welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the members of the ARP (Academic Review Panel) and the CERP (Civic Engagement Review Panel).  Mike stated that the members of the ARP and CERP will review and evaluate proposals for the High Meadows Fund.  Applications for the High Meadows Fund are due by November 21, 2008.  More information about the applications process can be found on the Office of Sustainability website: http://www.princeton.edu/sustainability/psc/highmeadows/

The following items were discussed.

Current High Meadows Supported Projects

• EPICS program
  A presentation on EPICS, the Engineering Projects in Community Service, was given by Catherine Peters, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering.  Students taking an EPICS course partner with community organizations, such as Isles, the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association and Princeton Young Achievers.  Teams are working on addressing the needs of energy efficiency in low income homes in Trenton.  Another team us working with Isles on renovating a factory in Trenton for community use.  Catherine stated that the students gain real world experience and both the students and the community benefit from the program.
   
• Butler Green Roof Monitoring Project
  Eileen Zerba, Director, Undergraduate Lab, PEI, gave a presentation on the environmentally friendly green roofs being constructed on the new Butler College.  Some of the dorms will be covered with a waterproofing membrane and soil and vegetation will top the building.  This type of roof has the potential to reduce heating and cooling loads.  Eileen explained that the project will be part of an academic study where the green roof will be compared to a conventional roof system.
   
• Student Update: Garden Project
  Steph Hill '10 and Ruthie Schwab '09 gave an update on the Garden Project, which is located on a 1.5 acre plot north of Forbes College.  The garden project is funded by Forbes College and the High Meadows Foundation.  The garden is supported by the Facilities Maintenance Ground crew.  A farm stand and washing station was constructed at the site.  A fall harvest dinner was held for approximately 25 students.  The students harvested and prepared the food for dinner - a great example of "Farm to Fork" in just a few hours.

Office of Sustainability Updates

• NECSC Recap
  Shana Weber reported Princeton University and the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability hosted the 5th Annual Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium  (NECSC) Meeting on October 27 & 28.  Shana stated the keynote address for the conference was given by Lisa Jackson, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.  A "Presidents' Panel" was also held with heads from four New Jersey institutions - Montclair University, Bergen Community College, Rowan University and Monmouth University.  Mark Burstein, Executive Vice President, moderated the panel discussion on the various approaches each institution takes to sustainability on their campuses.  A panel which discussed the pros and cons of nuclear power was also held.  This panel was moderated by Professor Michael Oppenheimer.  Approximately 120 people attended this meeting.
  
• Electric Vehicle Project
  Roger Demareski, Assistant Vice President for Facilities, Plant, reported Facilities is testing electric low-speed vehicles for use on campus.  Vendors, including E-Ride, Columbia and Club Car are participating in the pilot program.  Roger stated that the University is working with Jim Britt, Attorney with Schatzman Baker, regarding the Borough/Township Low-Speed Vehicle ordinance.

The meeting adjourned.  The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary Banfield
Executive Assistant, Facilities Department