SJSU ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM
Thursday, February 17, 2000
1530 - 1700, SCI 127
MINUTES
Meeting called to order at 1530. Present: G. Selter, S. Rafkin, M. Lambert, L. Rowntree, R. Keady, D. Schwarz, D. Jaehne, J. Smith

Minutes of 12/16 meeting approved without discussion.

Forum reviewed the mission statement with a view toward focusing and prioritizing activities for remainder of the academic year.

OUTREACH: Forum agreed to emphasize development of a brochure to publicize environmental courses and curricula on campus, and to gain a place in the orientation day programs for incoming students in fall where the brochure and other information could be distributed. S. Rafkin will take the lead, assisted by other Forum members. Additional outreach activity includes planning for presentations in Science 02 in the fall semester. Information presented should include course, major, and career options. The Forum will also attempt to learn more about the planning for, and pilot offering of, a University Studies course on campus as a potential outreach vehicle.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM: Both tracks have now been signed off by the Provost and are in operation. L. Rowntree proposed that the Forum provide support for EH&S Administrative work this semester to ramp up the industry connections that need to accompany the EH&S program. The activity includes setting up meetings with industry representatives and establishing funding mechanisms to attract and garner industry funding support for the program. After some discussion, the Forum agreed that it would be good Forum investment to support a .2 faculty assignment this semester with the understanding that the Forum should be repaid if the industry funding efforts are successful. Forum instructed Chair Jaehne to write to Dean Noble (COSS) to offer the Forumís support and outline the arrangements and expectations. Part of the broader discussion articulated the Forumís desire to invest in developing environmental projects that can repay the investment, rather than to attempt to use limited Forum funds as a source for various environmental program expenses. In this regard, the Forum asked G. Selter to approach Dean Kirk (COE) about the distribution of grant funds from the EH&S grant the Forum seeded when it supported M. McNeilís summer grant proposal activity.

AWARDS: The Forum instructed Chair Jaehne to continue to investigate M. McNeilís proposal for the Forum to join with IREES in a research poster awards program in June. Specifically, we need to know what arrangements have been made, who may participate, how the event will be advertised, what prize(s) will be given, who will judge, and any other relevant procedures. The Forum supports the idea in principle. Jaehne will report at the next Forum meeting.

SPEAKER SERIES: After some discussion, the Forum agreed that itís major purpose was not to be a producer of a speaker series per se, but to support efforts and opportunities to promote environmental discussion as they arise on campus. In that regard, R. Keady announced that the Institute for Social Responsibility, in conjunction with the College of Education, will be sponsoring a visit by Dr. Chet Bowers in April. Dr. Bowers will give a public lecture on Thursday, April 27, followed by two days of workshops on topics related to greening the education process. We assume the expenses for the visit will be about $3000 and will be largely assumed the College of Education. The Forum asked R. Keady to find out what the principle sponsors will be contributing and then to come to the Forum with a proposal to suggest ways in the Forum might be able to support the public portion of the event.

EARTH DAY INVOLVEMENT: The Forum agreed that while it supports the Earth Day efforts of campus and community groups, those efforts do not represent primary venues for direct Forum sponsorship or involvement.

ACADEMIC SENATE RESOLUTION: At the suggestion of M. McNeil, the Forum agreed to support the SJSU Academic Senate in its support of the Joint Venture Silicon Valley proposal for a public symposium (March 4) on the Environmental Goals of the Vision 2010 program. Chair Jaehne will write a letter to the Academic Senate to indicate the Forumís support.

CURRICULUM INVENTORY: We will circulate via email the current environmental course inventory to all affected departments and seek updates and revisions. Any updates will be sent directly to D. Schwarz so that the website may be updated.

FORUM PROMOTION: The Forum agreed to email broadly an announcement to the campus of the Forumís website address with an invitation to visit the site. Flyers will also be prepared and circulated to departments for posting. Departments will also be asked to report any current environmental partnerships or research activity suitable for posting on the website. Finally, the Forum agreed that we should attempt to have the Spartan Daily visit the website and write a story about the Forum and its activities. Chair Jaehne will check into this.

GLOBAL WARMING: The meeting concluded with a spirited discussion about the current state of the scientific debate on global warming. The Forum affirmed its support for the expression of all opinions on the matter but declined, in light of its current semesterís workload and its funding limitations, to support efforts to bring in a speaker at Forum expense to continue the large scale public discussion.

NEXT MEETING: We will attempt to meet on a Monday or Wednesday in mid-March to accommodate Forum members who cannot make Thursday meetings. We will circulate an email invitation to set the date in the coming weeks.

MEETING ADJOURNED at 1655.