Members: Provost Kertzer, Margaret Klawunn, Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar, Bill Twaddell, James Baird, Corey Brettschneider, Anthony Cokes, Chi-Ming Hai, Timothy Herbert, Evelyn Hu-Dehart, Lynne Joyrich, Kiri Miller, Brittaney Check, Chaney Harrison, Subha Subramanian, Clay Wertheimer, Joseph Bush, Heather Lee, Yolanda Castillo-Appollonio, Nancy Fjeldheim, Merle Krueger, Damon Rarick, Kathleen Rossi, and Ken McDaniel were in attendance. President Simmons, Karen Davis, Beth Doherty, Cynthia Loncar, Corey Walker, Yelen Chihombori Quao, Lauren Buckel, Esther Dorzin, Patrick Worth, Gillian Bell, Paul Magliocco, Daniel Harrop, and Charlie Kroll were unable to attend.

Provost Kertzer presided in President Simmons’ absence.

The minutes of the September 23, 2009 meeting were approved.

Steve Maiorisi, Vice President for Facilities Management, began the presentation on the 2009 Sustainability Progress Report with an overview of Brown’s recent efforts to promote and sustain environmentally conscious behavior on campus. In 2008, the University committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020. During the second year of the greenhouse gas reduction plan, Brown has reduced its energy-related carbon footprint by 18.8%. Chris Powell, Director of Sustainable Energy & Environmental Initiatives, explained the measures being taken to achieve the reduction goals, including cogeneration, energy efficiency, and fuel switching. Kai Morrell ’11 concluded the presentation with a review of projects being coordinated by EcoReps, a student organization working to make Brown a greener campus.

Roger Nozaki, Director of the Swearer Center, led a discussion of Brown’s engagement with the City of Providence. The Swearer Center is involved in long-term, in depth engagement with community, partners, and residents. Over 700 students are involved in the 30 community programs supported by the Center, including Algebra in Motion, John Hope Mentoring Program, and Rhode Island Urban Debate League. It also offers special programs such as Making Connections Leadership Institute and National College Advising Corps. Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar, Assistant to the President, gave an update on the Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence. The Fund is a permanent endowment overseen by a committee of the Brown Corporation, which the University has committed to raising in the amount of $10 million. So far $1.5 million has been raised. The first grants totaling $148,000 were awarded in May 2009. New grant proposals are currently being reviewed.

Matt Severson ’11 and Ryan Chan ’10 spoke about ICE, a group of students who are interested in pushing for increased visibility and collaboration amongst climate + energy activity at Brown. A longer term goal of the group is to have a center, institute, or some sort of quadrangle, erected at Brown that incorporates several disciplines. In the short term, ICE is holding a year-long seminar series to demonstrate the impressive work already underway by Brown faculty.

The next meeting of the Brown University Community Council will be held on November 17, 2009 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at Brown Hillel, 80 Brown Street.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Pincince
Secretary of the Brown University Community Council