THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO
TE WHARE WĀNANGA O WAIKATO
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY COMMITTEE:
3 DECEMBER 2012
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 3 DECEMBER 2012
PRESENT:
Associate Professor Priya Kurian in the Chair; John Cameron, Dr Chris Eames, Rachael
Goddard, Hine-iti-moana Greensill, Sam Taylor, Mark Thompson.
Secretary:
Cassandra Beattie
12.01
APOLOGIES
Received
Apologies for absence from Associate Professor Eva Collins and Professor David Hamilton (CoChair).
12.02
CONFIRMATION OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
Confirmed
1. The minutes of the Environmental Policy Committee (EPC) meeting held on 3 September
2012.
2. The minutes of the Environmental Policy Committee (EPC) meeting held on 23 February
2012.
12.03
REPORT FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR
Received
An oral report (tabled) from the Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator in which she noted:
1. 3 Accounting students conducted a 3-month carbon sink study measuring carbon
sequestration on 6000 trees on campus. The results showed the University of Waikato trees
store only 4.5% of our carbon emissions. This provides a base for further research and study.
2. 26 people turned up to the community planting day and 600 plants were planted near Oranga.
Stage 2 in 2013 would consist of 1,500-2,000 plants being planted around Oranga.
3. Sustainability has been retained as part of the University’s distinctiveness; however, the
Academic Plan does not specifically talk about sustainability as it is woven amongst all
topics. Rachael to follow up with Anna Bounds.
4. Discussions were in progress about updating the Environmental Policy and the EPC terms of
reference.
5. A community newsletter was being developed to communicate environmental issues. A
discussion was required with Comms about the University template to make it more fun and
accessible.
6. Book Launch: Comms has been gifted the content (by Rachael), illustrations and photos of
the NZ Frog Book. The book will be available free via hard copy and the UoW website in
2013.
7. FASS student Amy Ninnes was still interested in producing a sustainability animated film.
Filming would take approximately 30 hours and a koha would be provided. Pitfalls were the
lack of availability of high quality equipment. Rachael to talk to Comms about the use of
their equipment.
8. The environmental website page needs to be more accessible by the community.
9. Rachael will develop a ‘green event guide’ in 2013 specific to the University.
10. The development of a concept for a sustainability hot house, to showcase green technology,
and retro fit building, was still a possibility but would take considerable time and effort.
Opening hours would need to be considered. Rachael will develop a business case.
11. Universities of the Future group met to discuss the future of traditional learning and the
possibility for more online learning. The need for traditional lectures and campuses was still
relevant; however, adapting to future changes in technology could provide more sustainable
learning options.
12. The Sustainable Hamilton Strategy document had been released for comment. HCC took on
board the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Leadership Forum’s advice (Rachael has
been standing in for Eva).
12.04
ACTS MEMBERSHIP
Noted in discussion
1. That the one year membership would cost AU$800 (currently NZ$1200).
2. That the committee needed to consider the best use of the budget. This would be a useful tool
to tap into a larger resource and all staff would have access.
3. That if the committee can find the budget, the ACTS membership could be trialled for a 1
year period, and then reviewed.
12.05
INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE THE CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT AWARDS (ICE)
Noted in discussion
1. That the Capital Assets Committee (CAC) would not fund the ICE awards.
2. That an alternative to ICE awards funding could be to state that money may be available to
capitalise projects.
3. That even a token monetary reward does encourage people to come up with ideas; however,
the awards could be recognition of the green initiatives that were already happening.
12.06
COMMS COMMUNICATION- ADVICE
Noted in discussion
Rachael and Chris met with Comms to discuss the communication of sustainability. EPC minutes
would be sent to Peta Goldsworthy in Comms to keep her up to date and provide information on
current projects. It was agreed that clear communication was required and a 24hr communication
response rate seemed achievable.
12.07
COKE: EPC MEMBER FOR PANEL
Noted in discussion
1. ULeisure and Coca Cola had set up an environmental funding panel on campus and asked for
a representative to join who had a strong environmental background. Rachael declined and
suggested John take her place if no conflict of interest prevailed from his role on the ULeisure
board. Failing this, Mark would be happy to sit on the panel.
2. Coke/ULeisure budgeted $10,000 for initiatives on campus. The committee could investigate
funding for planting initiatives.
12.08
COMMITTEE NAME CHANGE
Recommended
That the Vice-Chancellor approves a change to the name of the committee, to the 'Environmental
and Sustainability Policy Committee (ESPC)’.
12.09
EPC TERMS OF REFERENCE
Noted in discussion
1. That committee members’ appointments need to stagger for periods of 1-3 years.
2. That Rachael would discuss the updated Environmental Policy with Brandon and request a
couple more months to allow further input into the final plan.
12.10
UPDATE ON ORANGA LAKE OPTIONS
Received
A report from David Hamilton that went to the Capital Assets Committee and the Senior
Management Group on the Oranga Lake options.
Noted in discussion
That the University was waiting on a quote from Hans Burgraaf for the work required. The current
option was to have a person in the lake instead of machinery, which would be trialled first. The VC
indicated this project would go ahead and the money would be found.
12.11
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN UPDATE
Recommended
That the committee would reconvene at a later date to discuss the plan further as David needed to
be present.
12.12
DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY
(INFORMAL AND TDU)
CONVERSATION
TOPICS
FOR
2013
Noted in discussion
1. That Rachael was interested in initiating bi-monthly lunchtime informal conversations about
a range of topics relating to sustainability.
2. TDU had been in contact with Eva and two sessions had been set up next year to talk about
sustainability and teaching (11-15 February).
12.13
REPORT TO VC
Noted in discussion
1. That the annual report of EPC could be used as a basis to extract relevant information for the
VC report.
2. The committee would meet early February to discuss the report prior to meeting the VC.
12.14
COMMITTEE ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Rachael thanked the committee for their enthusiasm, energy, input and commitment over the
past year.
2. The committee thanked Rachael for her support through her role over the past year.
3. The committee congratulated Rachael and David on their Kudos awards.
12.15
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Noted in discussion
That EPC will meet bi-monthly on the first Friday of the month. There will be a second meeting in
February to meet the Vice Chancellor and present the annual report. The date for this meeting will
be advised once confirmation is received from the VC’s office.
Secretary’s note: The committee will meet bi-monthly on the second Friday of the month. The next
meeting of EPC would be on Friday 8 February 2013, in the FMD meeting room.
Cassandra Beattie
Student and Academic Services Division
12 December 2012