PSH Conservation Committee Meeting Notes
PSH Conservation Committee
Visit us online at: CONSERV.HBG.PSU.EDU/
Join us on Facebook:
Listserv email address:
Committee email address:
Meeting Notes from 5/3/12
Held 10am in Village Community Room
Action items in yellow
Present:
Jason Zubler, Staff, Co-chair
Mike Behney, Faculty rep
Mitch Spear – Engineering
Rob Coffman– Admissions
Na'ilah Dawkins, Student
Committee Newsletter
Donna and Jason agreed that the newsletter should be quarterly instead of monthly.
Suggestions for next month’s issue include:
Update on new Filtration stations with picture
Herb Garden update – Jason will prepare
Earth Day – Jason will prepare
Film Festival winner – Jason will prepare
Note on switch to LED (from fluorescent bulbs) – Dan will prepare
Note about new student representative.
PSH recycling stats – Jason to provide
Conservation Committee now on Facebook
Anyone with items for the newsletter should send them to Donna ()
It was agreed that each issue should include:
Our meeting date, time and location
website address
email address
listserv address
Conservation tips – Dan will provide
Include upcoming meeting and events (calendar)
Short update on committee/campus ongoing projects:
Farmers Market – Jason will write something up
Trash-to-Treasures – Andrea will write something up
Recycling – Wayne will write something up
Jason and Dave have created a Facebook page for the Conservation Committee
Green Paws Program
Program instructions and checklist have been updated and registration process for units is now open on Conservation Committee website. JoAnn will create a draft certificate that will be used when office finish a step in the program. She will model it after the one used at University Park. There is one office that has completed Step 1 of the program (The Faculty Center, W203 Olmsted Building). There are a total of 5 signed up.
Campus Sustainability Office (UP)
The Penn State Campus Sustainability Office (CSO) is responsible for improving the sustainability performance of the university. The staff person there responsible for Commonwealth Campus Programs is Jeremy Bean. It was agreed to invite him to our next meeting. JoAnn will send the invite to him.
Committee Listserv
Anyone can sign up for the Committee listserv by registering on the Committee website or emailing Mike.
Currently there are 31 individuals registered on the listserv.
Projects
Herb Garden – Jason reported that the herb garden will be moved to the front of Olmsted (East wing) due to the installation of temporary classrooms in the original spot. When moved will need to improve signage and seek volunteers to maintain.
Farmers Market – Jason reported that he is trying to attract more vendors to participate. It was agreed that we also need to seek ways to bring more community residents in to participate. This year’s Farmers Market will start in early May with flowers and baked goods from Strites’ Orchard Farm Market and Bakery.
Earth Day - SEE will be responsible for Earth Day Activities. Herb Garden will be worked on as an activities.
We will look for Sustainable Refreshments for Earth Day. Local, light snacks.
Conservation themed Film Festival – Jason reported that turnout was weaker than expected. It was suggested that next year we invite high school students to the event. The winner of the student produced film was Chyna Geib and she won $500 as first prize. A copy of the film is on the Conserviation Committee website http://146.186.107.82/Portals/58/Film%20Festival/our_planet.mov
Eco-Rep program at University Park.
What is an Eco-Rep?
He or she is a first-year student living within East Halls on the University Park Campus that encourages sustainable lifestyles. Eco-Reps encourage responsible energy usage in the fall and emphasize recycling and composting during the spring semester. Eco-Reps work together to design activities that are informative and fun that support campus-wide sustainability focused initiatives.
More at: http://www.green.psu.edu/youCanDo/Eco_Reps.asp
JoAnn reported that she is having trouble finding anyone interested in this program.
Committee Website
Dan would like to add some items to the website regarding campus initiatives. He will work with Jason and Mike to implement. Mike was asked to add Nailah Dawkins as student representative and Besty Parlett from Faculty Center to website.
Campus Recycling Program – It was reported that the PSH Room Set Up Form has been modified to include information on recycling containers. Dan is sending info to Shawn in Marketing for funding.
Dan will get dollar amount for recycling metal. Detailed weight from certified scale will be presented.
Other Items – Rob mentioned that printer cartriges are piling up outside student services office. Also would like to see a battery pick up program started.
Meeting time and location
Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 10am in the Village Community Center. (We agreed previously that our committee meetings should be held on the first Thursday of each month from 10-11am at a standard location.)
It was agreed that meeting announcements should go out about a week and a half ahead of the meeting to the Committee listserv: (Mike will do)
Carried over from previous meetings but not discussed:
Energy Conservation Challenge – JoAnn reported at a previous meeting that this event is slated for spring 2012.
Food Waste Composting – Jason reported that food services is considering some additional recycling containers to their area in Stack’s. Jason and Wayne to touch base with Greg on details and discuss better signage.
Explore possibilities with the Environmental Engineering Program or Environmental Sciences Program at PSH.
It might be possible to find interested students in these programs through faculty. Could also explore the possibility of an assistantship for a grad student that help incentivize getting students involved.
No one took responsibility to contact Engineering faculty on this.
Strategic Planning
There was discussion about developing a strategic plan for the committee.
Some items to include:
A portion of someone’s time (faculty or staff) funded to help conduct and carry-out the work of the committee. Examples include: Penn State Erie has funded a portion of a faculty member and University Park has a Sustainability Office with staff.
Notes thoughtfully prepared by Mike Behney and JoAnn Coleman.
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