Present:
- Joyce Almaguer
- Kathy Ensor
- Arthur A. Few
- Paul Harcombe
- Priscilla Huston (staff)
- Walter Isle (chair)
- Bill Leeman
- Mark R. Wiesner
- Gordon Wittenberg
- Ryan McMullan (Guest at beginning of meeting)
Not Present:
- Donald Ostdiek
THE FOLLOWING TOPICS WERE DISCUSSED:
1. Ryan McMullan was introduced to the Steering Committee.
Ryan McMullan <estariol@rice.edu> has accepted and begun a one year appointment in the position of Environmental Intern. He has an office in 137C Anderson Biology Laboratory and his extension is 3754. He provided a description of his position, his early accomplishments, and his Near-future Goals. His major assignments involve a Composting Pilot Project, a Rice Natural History Project, and a Waste Reduction program in addition to smaller projects. He will be working closely with Bill Leeman and Paul Harcombe but will produce reports that will keep the entire Steering Committee informed. These reports will appear regularly on his website at: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~mcmullan/Intern.html
Mark Wiesner brought up several issues regarding interns:
· The steering committee should focus on major initiatives.
2. Joyce Almaguer introduced:
Joyce Almaguer <joycee@rice.edu > is the new student member of the Environmental Programs Steering Committee. Joyce is a senior, a Biology major, and a member of Hanszen College. She has been added to our EPSC listserv.
3. Future Meetings:
In general, the EPSC will be meeting every other Tuesday. However since October 20th occurs during the Fall break, we have rescheduled that meeting for October 27th. The following meeting dates are scheduled for this semester: October 6th, October 27th, November 3rd, November 17th, December 1st , and December 15th. The committee asked to be informed when members will not be able to make a specific date.
Action item: Priscilla is looking for space. {105 Rayzor available at 4pm on October 27th}
4. Website:
Paul Harcombe indicated his concern that we take action today on setting up our website based on Chelsea’s website. The draft website from Chelsea may be found at http://conbio.rice.edu/RiceEnvironmental/.
Action item: Priscilla Huston and Mark Wiesner will work with Dr. Alan Thornhill to setup the website.
5. EPSC Listserv:
Joyce Almaguer will be added to the list. Concern was voiced that it is hard to tell who is on a listserv.
Action Item: Priscilla will send the list and information on how to query it to the full committee.
6. Orion Society:
The Orion Society "Forgotten Language Tour" will be in Houston October 1-3.
October 1 at Rice University (arrive about mid-day)
October 2 at The University of Houston in the morning and at Citizens Environmental Coalition on Richmond near Kirby in the afternoon and evening
October 3 : several field trips with the writers will be scheduled.
The writers will include:
The writers will join the Environmental Reading Group for lunch on Thursday at Baker College. This will be followed by a meeting with the Steering Committee. Priscilla Huston will arrange for a room for a panel of the writers at 4:00-5:30PM {Sewall 309 was chosen}. Joan and Arthur Few will host a dinner at Baker House. Walter Isle has arranged for the Grand Hall at 7:30pm. Priscilla will confirm arrangements.
7. Party between Break and Thanksgiving:
Action Item: Priscilla will query the EPSC via email for available dates.
8. Monthly Lunches:
Plan to start in the spring
9. Goals:
Action Item: Reread the Environmental Strategic Planning Report for October 6th meeting.