Members: President Simmons, Provost Kertzer, Brenda Allen, Katherine Bergeron, Russell Carey, Beppie Huidekoper, Christopher Bull, John Cassese, David Cutts, Penelope Dennehy, Stephen Foley, Joachim Krueger, David Sheinberg, John Gillis, Robert Klaber, Joseph Bush, John Cumbers, Christina Purpura, David Margolius, Carin Algava, Nancy Fjeldheim, Geoffrey Greene, Kathleen Rossi, Sarah Sharpe, Kisa Takesue, Sarah O’Dowd, Guy Sanchez, and Emma Simmons were in attendance.

Nancy Armstrong, Barrett Hazeltine, Elmo Terry-Morgan, Lauren Kolodny, Mark Ramadan, Emma Tai, Neel Shah, and David Bloom were unable to attend.

The minutes of the March 13, 2007 meeting were approved.

Chris Powell, Energy Manager, gave an overview of the draft report of the Energy and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC). He reviewed Brown’s current greenhouse gas emissions and offered a potential course of action for minimizing these emissions. Brown emits 82,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, of which 56% is emitted from the on site burning of fossil fuels and 44% from the use of electricity. Energy efficiency and utilization projects and the purchase of renewable energy certificates/carbon offsets were some of the examples given as actions that could be taken. Mr. Powell outlined the recommended greenhouse gas emissions reduction and climate neutral goals and presented strategies to achieve them. The EEAC recommends that Brown should reduce its emissions 4 to 18% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 75 to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. It proposes that Brown should allocate funds and implement a policy to achieve carbon neutrality by FY 2008. Strategies identified to achieve greenhouse gas and emissions reduction and climate neutral goals include switching from #6 fuel oil to natural gas in spring and fall, improving energy efficiency in buildings, taking advantage of new offset markets, and creating its own offset projects. Discussion among and questions from members of the Council and the audience followed.

Nancy Dunbar, Associate Provost and Banner Project Owner, gave a presentation on the Banner Student Information System. She reviewed the timeline for implementing online registration and the other remaining modules. Associate Provost Dunbar also reviewed the scope of the entire Banner Project and the resources required for its implementation. She commented that implementation is continuous and efforts to enhance and fine-tune the system will be on-going. Discussion among and questions from members of the Council and the audience followed.

Due to time constraints, the update on diversity initiatives by Brenda Allen and the opportunity for members of the Brown Community to address the Council were deferred.

The next meeting of the Brown University Community Council will be held on September 11, 2007 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in Leung Gallery, Faunce House.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Pincince

Secretary of the Brown University Community Council