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BY MICAH LEINBACH
Staff Writer

Grounds going even greener

The Pioneer Log news

april 13, 2012

Lewis & Clarks grounds long a subject of accolades and local famecould undergo significant changes if an ongoing landscaping experiment comes to fruition. Groundskeeper Suzie Spencer and Grounds Manager Gabe Bishop are spearheading a project to organically manage parts of the grounds as organic under the Oregon Tilth Organic Land Care Program, one of numerous efforts by the Facilities Department to enhance campus sustainability. Oregon Tilths program is rigorous, requiring certain types of fuel, equipment, fertilizers and land care practices. All my tools need to be isolated from other tools, Spencer explained. Some traditional pesticides and herbicides will go by the wayside as well. Hopefully we will get a propane torch to deal with weeds, Bishop said, grinning and flashing two thumbs up. It is just another tool to help us keep our aesthetics and not use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, he later explained. Spencer graduated from LC in 2003, and after briefly considering law school decided to pursue a landscaping career as well. It was my passion, she explains, and then I decided to go to school for it. Her studies have paid off. In addition to her work as a groundskeeper; she runs her own landscaping business, is an ISA Certified arborist and is an accredited organic landcare practitioner. By maintaining the grounds around the manor house, Tem-

PHOTO COURTESY OF FACILITIES SERVICES

Lewis & Clarks grounds crew is trying to use more green options in their landscaping practices, including working with more environmentally friendly companies.

Morillo removed from race for ASLC Vice President

BY DARYA WATNICK
Editor-in-Chief

pleton and Odell, she is trying to better align grounds management with the colleges values. It is a different way of looking at the landscape, she explains. Were not just going to be replacing Roundup with propaneits a different way of thinking. Bishop explained that part of the difference was the timescale of planning. Mulch would not just be put down to look good

for graduation, he explained. It would be used to make the soils and plants healthier. Irrigation systems are also getting a second look. According to Bishop, we are taking a much more watchful eye to ensure a more efficient irrigation system. Two years ago, a decision was made not to water the lawns, resulting in yellow grass and uproar from alum-

ni. The plan now is to have the best of both worlds: green lawns and less water use. Analyzing areas that can be renovated for less water use is also part of the effort. Both Spencer and Bishop have the whole institution in mind through their work. Its cohesive and comprehensive, Spencer said, noting the role Grounds plays in supporting populations of bees on

Green fee surplus creates opportunities for students

BY DARYA WATNICK
Editor-in-Chief

campus or bringing the campus closer to Salmon Safe certification. The thing thats driving this is that we are a liberal arts college focused on sustainability, impacting community, improving the environment, saving more, Bishop explained. Were never going to have the silver bullet, he admits, but what can we do better?

Late Wednesday, an e-mail came from President of ASLC Annalisa Peterson (12) that amended the ballot for the race of Vice President. Arena Del Mar Morillo (15) has been removed as a candidate for that position. The official ASLC Constitution states that a candidate for Vice President shall have at least one (1) year of prior experience in the Senate. This requirement can be waived by the Advisor, in this case by Director of Student Activities Jason Feiner. The Constitution states that if that requirement is waived, the candidate must have one year of experience in a committee or the Peer Review Authority, and this requirement cannot be waived. Morillo approached Feiner, who then talked to Peterson and told her that even though she didnt meet the one-year requirements as stated in the Constitution, she could run. Morillo only joined Senate and Committees this semester, and it was this requirement that prevented Morillo from continuing in the race. The election packet for ASLC

states, Any prerequisite can be waived, if deemed appropriate, by the Director of Student Activities. Morillo was told that they didnt realize that she hadnt met any of the requirements. I guess it was just a moment of when they wanted to go back to Constitution, Morillo said. As of now, election rules do not exist for ASLC, and members are working quickly to amend the problem. Treasurer Simon Hudes (12) said, ...whats written in the election packet isnt exactly grounded in the Constitution. The Cabinet members met to discuss this issue and ultimately decided that Morillo did not meet the minimum requirements set in the Constitution, so could not be eligible. And believe me, we wanted her to run, we wanted her to be able to run. But she just doesnt meet the minimal requirements, and we just have to go by the book on that, Hudes said. Election rules are being written for the next Senate meeting, because currently there are no rules saying you cant form a SuperPac, Hudes said.

The green fee is an optional part of tuition that enables the college to purchase cleaner sources of energy. This year, due to a variety of factors, there is a surplus from the fee collected. Since the fees were calculated the campus has reduced overall electricity use, according to Sustainability Manager Amy Dvorak. Overall high enrollment and high participation in the program, lower quotes from other providers and a surplus in the renewable energy certificates market driving down the cost have all led to the surplus of the fee. ASLC legislation from last year created a committee to allocate the funding. The committee is currently made up of Senator Daniel Leavenworth (15); Student Sustainability Coordinator Micah Leinbach (14); the Vice President of Business and Finances designee Michel George, who normally serves as Associate Vice President for Facilities; Dean of Students Tuajuanda Jordan or her designee; and Dvorak. This committee will manage a grant program for students, focusing on undergraduates as the fund-

ing comes from them. However, we are hoping to coordinate this programming with the Sustainability Councils activities as well as Strategic Planning efforts, and create synergies where possible, said Dvorak. This is a unique year for the green fee surplus, as there is no guarantee it will happen again. Our understanding is that renewable energy certificate

prices are relatively low and they are expected to go back up. We also do not have a guarantee on student participation or the continual reductions in our electricity use that we have experienced in the last several years, Dvorak said. Dvorak stresses that the grant program will be a great resource for students and a very exciting opportunity.

ILLUSTRATION BY LIZ FINCH