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Committee On the Environment (COE)
COE’s
charge is to review capital projects for their environmental impact
and to make policy recommendations. Because our main interlocutor in
the administration, the Campus Planning office , works through the summer,
COE continued through the summer to meet with them. We reviewed one
project, the Sorority complex on Fraternity Row which is still in the
earliest stages of development but which promises to be actually enhance
the immediate environment. Most of the time, we worked with Campus Planning
on the Transportation Study and Campus Plan Update. We are optimistic
at this point that wording in both plans will reflect the Senate’s
environmental goals and values as embodied in the Mission Statement
adopted three years ago. We focused as well on the pragmatic dimensions
of implementation. Most notably, we produced, in collaboration with
the Campus Environmental Officer, Emory’s first Land Use Map,
which applies one of the following categories to every piece of land
in the Druid Hills campus: Restricted, Preserved, Conserved, Managed,
Buildable.
Chair: The Senate's Committee on the Environment was created in 1990 in response to the growing university need for discussion and action on environmental issues. The committee's charge was prepared by an ad hoc committee consisting of Professor Donald Shure, Dean Bill Murdy of Oxford College, University Secretary Tom Bertrand, and Professor Harvey Ragsdale. Emory's Senate Committee on the Environment will be the principle body to formulate a broad ecological understanding of the Emory environment and, in that context, evaluate environmental issues to develop specific recommendations for action. The creation of an environmental vision of the Emory campus is necessary for establishment of environmental policy to guide the Committee on the Environment and others who engage in planning, development, and sue of the Emory environment.
The Committee on the Environment will function with in the Emory community in several ways, each leading to recommendations for campus activities which have environmental impacts. large scale campus projects are of special concern since their environmental impacts may be lessened or negated most easily if addressed earl in the planning stage. Accordingly, the Committee on the Environment will review early development plans for large scale projects to provide its initial environmental recommendations. Final environmental recommendations for all projects will be given after reviewing finished plans. The
results of environmental reviews will be shared with committees which
approve other aspects of campus projects and with the administration.
To facilitate communications between the Committee on the Environment
and the Campus Development Committee, one member of the Committee on the
Environment will serve as an official liaison member of the Campus Development
Committee. Administrators serving on the Committee on the Environment
will be designated as liaison to Emory's administration. When appropriate
the Committee on the Environment will meet with other Emory committees
to resolve environmental concerns. The COE formed the following three subcommittees at its November 9, 2000 meeting. Those who serve on the subcommittees will have an opportunity to gain more insight into the projects assigned and would advise and guide the rest of the COE in any decision-making that needs to be made collectively.
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APRIL 18, 2000 The University Senate Committee on the Environment (COE) is composed of faculty, staff, administrators, and students of the University. The charge to the committee is, in part, to " . . . evaluate environmental issues to develop specific recommendations for action." COE meets monthly, usually on the second Thursday of the month. Additional meetings were held in response to the increased construction schedule. Members of COE also serve as liaisons with the Campus Development Committee, Traffic and Parking Committee, Lullwater Management Task Force, and Friends of Emory Forest. Many of the issues taken up by COE this year centered around construction projects related to the Campus Master Plan, including:
REVIEW, LESSONS LEARNED, AND DIAGNOSIS: After ten years of activity, COE has reviewed its charge and contribution to the university and community at large. Since the implementation of the Campus Master Plan, COE has been engaged in reviewing and commenting on the environmental impact of Capital Projects. Much of this work is more appropriately the responsibility of the Facilities Management Division. This past year, FMD has become significantly more environmentally aware of our increasingly valuable campus greenspace. FMD recognizes the enhanced wealth of this dwindling resource and is implementing earlier protection and preservation procedures into project proposals. FMD should be congratulated for this position and encouraged to continue the effort. In this light, COE can concentrate on longer term environmental planning, stewardship, education, and outreach programs. Most people agree that the remaining greenspace on campus has enhanced value, rather than depreciated value due to heavy construction. Exercising prudent forethought with the Capital Projects Development Process can protect more of the environment and save construction costs. One example is the adoption this year of the LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design System) certification and rating system for new projects (Science 2000-Phase II Building, Business School expansion, Theology School expansion). TREATMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Environmental Vision/Mission Statement: During the Year of Reconciliation, it is appropriate for the campus to adopt a comprehensive Environmental Mission Statement that has the input and approval from all sectors of the university. The Ad Hoc Committee on Environmental Stewardship has circulated a working document of an Environmental Vision Statement for Emory. Corporate America is making their commitment and it is time for Emory to do likewise. Respectfully submitted, William B. Size, Chair University Senate Committee on the Environment April 18, 2000 |
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