Brown University Community Council

October 25, 2011 Minutes

Tuesday, October 25, 2011
4:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Members: President Simmons, Provost Schlissel, Russell Carey, Margaret Klawunn, Dick Spies, James Baird, Thomas Lewis, Kiri Miller, Ralanda Nelsen, Michael Roh, Melina Packer, Matteo Riondato, Anne-Caroline Sieffert, Sean DeBobes, Paul Magliocco, Jill Rossi, David Sherry, Daniel Harrop, and Anita Louise Schell–Lambert were in attendance. Karen Davis, Joan Wernig Sorensen, Corey Brettschneider, Melani Cammett, Anne Fausto–Sterling, Brad Marston, Eric Suuberg, Corey Walker, Michelle Site, Michael Stewart, Audrey Butcher, Catharine Beattie, Connie Livingston, and Rebekah Eckstein were unable to attend.

The minutes of the September 13, 2011 meeting were approved.

President Simmons reported on the October Corporation meeting and outlined next steps for athletics and the ROTC. The Corporation affirmed the plan presented in President Simmons' response to the Report of the Athletics Review Committee. Included in the plan is the opportunity for the teams that the Committee had recommended for elimination to demonstrate that their supporters are able to endow their sports at the required levels, a reduction of 20 admission slots for athletes, an increase in the academic index for athletes, and budgetary recommendations. The Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services is charged with primary responsibility for implementation of the plan with oversight coming from the Provost and the Dean of the College. The Corporation will be involved in ongoing oversight, monitoring, and assessment of the university's progress under the plan. With regard to the ROTC, the Corporation affirmed President Simmons' statement of the importance of military service and leadership and encouraged her to continue conversations with military leaders on expanding the offerings available to students. The Corporation directed the establishment of an office on campus to coordinate services supporting veterans studying at Brown and Brown students participating in ROTC programs.

Steve Maiorisi, Vice President for Facilities Management, gave an overview of the 2011 Sustainability Progress Report. Mr. Maiorisi began with a review of the carbon reduction goals set in 2008: a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 42% below 2007 levels by 2020; all newly constructed facilities consume energy at rates 25 – 50% below those required by code and attain a minimum of LEED Silver; and reduction of greenhouse gas emission for all newly acquired facilities by a minimum of 15 to 30%. He next reviewed highlights from the report, including a 26% reduction of greenhouse gases since 2007, identification of $27M of conservation projects, and a 83% reduction of bottle water purchasing since 2008. Lastly, he reviewed the awards that Brown received in recognition of its sustainability efforts.

The next meeting of the Brown University Community Council will be held on November 29, 2011 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in the Kasper Multipurpose Room, Stephen Robert '62 Campus Center.

Respectfully submitted,
Catherine Pincince, Secretary of the Brown University Community Council