Minutes – Sustainability Task Force – May 13 th, 2004

2:00 P.M. 18 th Floor Patterson Office Tower

Meeting called to order by Ben Carr at 2:00.

A brief recap of the Berea Presentation was given by Dr. Carr at request of Mrs. Mary Arthur. Highpoints included the EcoVillage, the SENS program, student participation, and the top driven nature of Berea’s Sustainability Initiative. Mr. Phillip Crowley encourage we visit the site and it was agreed the Task Force would attempt to schedule this visit the last week in May on Tuesday or Thursday. Dr. Kramer posed the idea of making a second student orientated trip with the inclusion of Dr. Todd.

Subgroup reports were asked for and they began with Mr. Warren Denny, University Architect discussing the progress of the Land Use and Buildings group. Notice of the attached Ayers Saint Gross Architecture report on an environmental audit was given and briefly discussed. Mr. Denny emphasized the importance of developing and funding a LEED Certification program here at UK. He also noted a project the College of Design has attempted to initiate. They would like to construct a two story duplex that is completely sustainable. Mr. Denny thought our group might be able to provide some additionally backing. Mr. Crowley emphasized the need for a strong partnership with Berea. Mr. Daniel Rowland advocated Dr. Dan Colliver and Richard Levine be added to our group. All members agreed. Opportunities to incorporate sustainability into building design and learning/living environments were also brought to light, in addition to other campus initiatives involving living/learning environments that could be used.

Mrs. Arthur then delivered the Transportation subcommittee’s report that included recommendations in here subgroup’s area. Heavy discussion ensued concerning the recommendation of not allowing freshman to have a car on campus. Several issues including the separation of parking and transportation, the need for freshman to have cars for work reasons, and the opinion of parents were surfaced. Further discussion was deferred until another time, at which, recommendations will be finalized. Additional discussion regarding the needed culture and behavior change found its way to the table.

Moving on, the Communications subgroup then gave its report. Highlights included the integration of sustainability into curriculum, the need for a full University of Kentucky commitment to our initiative, and the need to expand Earth Day 2005 and its visibility on campus. Mr. Bob Wiseman commented that this date might provide an excellent platform for the Task Force to make its final report public.

Finally, the Business Operations subgroup reported that an orientation and organization meeting had been scheduled for May 24 th at which time the timeline for the groups work will be decided upon (link). Mr. Wiseman emphasized the need for a baseline of hard facts and figures would be needed to ensure real progress would be made. Green purchasing and the use local suppliers for University needs were briefly mentioned.

Dr. Carr adjourned the meeting at 3:25.