Present: Sheila Berg, Michele Crase, Steven Estes,
Donald Grady, Mary Grosch, Dori Hooker, Robert Huffstutler, Joe King,
Carl Leoni, Craig Marcus, Jim
Murphy, Julie Roberston, Herb Rubin, Frederick Schwantes, Lori Sprague,
Alex Underwood.
Absent: Krissy Melander, Jim Murphy, Linda Tillis
Guest: Matt Kiederlen
I. CHAIRS ITEMS
A. Chair, Bob Albanese, called the meeting to
order. Roll call was taken.
B. The Agenda was approved. Bob A. did
say there is always an opportunity to bring up other items during the latter
part of the meeting.
C. The minutes of the September 24, 2002 meeting
were approved with one change: Page 5, 2nd Paragraph under "D. Other
Matters" was removed except
for the first sentence.
Herb R. raised the question as to who sees the unapproved minutes.
Bob A. will check on this prior to the next meeting.
D. Chairs Comments
1.
Call-Box update. Ten additional call boxes will be purchased and
placed at the following campus locations:
a) Convocation Center - 7
b) Barsema Hall
- 2
c) School of Nursing -
1
According to Michele C. there are currently 21 call boxes on campus and
they average about 100-150 calls per year. Bob A. said that
as funding
becomes available, additional boxes will be placed where needed.
Herb R. commented that the perception of security the campus call boxes
provide
is important.
2.
Bob A. received a request to fly the POW-MIA flag. He was not able to find
a written policy. The current informal policy calls for the flying
of the
American flag, the State of Illinois flag, and the University flag, only,
and has been strictly adhered to. Bob A. did not allow this recent
request, but
did explain to the applicants that the issue would be brought before the
External Subcommittee. He felt there should be a written policy if
there is not
one in place.
3.
Chair, Bob A., said a request was made concerning traffic problems at Garden
Road and Lucinda Avenue. Bob A. felt that visibility for cars exiting
west from parking lots onto Garden Road has greatly improved since the
City of DeKalb removed approximately 100 parking spaces on Garden
Road. He noted that additional spaces have been added to the
parking lots to enhance parking.
A question as to whether a stop sign is needed at Lucinda and Garden Road,
will be referred to Chief Grady. Bob A. has asked Ron Pearson
for a
solution to blocking the use of the access road in this area for safety's
sake. Don G. brought up the fact that there has been an increase
in the
pedestrian traffic across people's yards and it has been necessary for
NIU police to patrol pedestrian traffic. The vehicular traffic situation
will
continue to be monitored in that area. Bob A. hopes that the sale
of 200 green parking permits at a cost of $25 at the Convocation Center
will
alleviate some of the parking problems. He also felt increased use
of bikes will help.
Sheila B. pointed out that pedestrians are walking in the roadway on Stevenson
North to the Convocation Center for events because of the lack of
sidewalks. Bob indicated that sidewalk project has been discussed
and hopes funding will be available to start it next spring.
4.
Bob A. said that NIU has the honor of being designated as the first storm-ready
university in the United States thanks to staff meteorologist, Gilbert
Sebenste. Along with the weather, his enthusiasm gives the campus
community an insight into meteorological information of interest.
He performs
various other duties and has been instrumental in saving the University
money by obtaining grants and forecasting the amount of natural gas needed.
Herb R. felt that Gilbert's weather forecasts and the savings in fuel more
than pay for the meteorologist position. Bob A. will invite him to
a future
meeting.
5.
The Chair reiterated the fact that in the fall of 2003, NIU will be a totally
no-smoking campus. That fact brings up a problem that is now facing
the
University. He quoted from an article in Newsweek concerning a ban
on smoking on campuses: "…with the end of indoor smoking, building
entryways have become de facto smoking lounges prompting some colleges
and universities to boot smokers farther afield. With winter coming,
the
policy gives new meaning to the phrase ' you'll have to pry it from my
cold dead fingers'." To counter the entryway smoking lounges, various
universities require smokers to stand from 10 to 50 feet from the entryways.
Bob A. will pass this issue on to one of the sub-committees to look into
whether such constraints are needed at NIU.
6.
Bob A. distributed copies of the approved Capital Budget Requests from
the September 4, 2002, Board of Trustees meeting. He noted that the
Provost's office provides assistance in prioritizing projects.
a) Appropriated capital budget requests arise from
input across campus and are prioritized based on need. In the past,
of nine priority capital
budget requests, one or two might be approved. If there is
sufficient money in the State budget, three might be approved. Appropriated
capital
budget requests for FY04 include:
c) Project requests for non-appropriated buildings
are treated the same as appropriated buildings. They include roof
replacements, remodeling and
rehabilitation, deferred maintenance, and landscaping.
d) Other campus maintenance issues to be considered
for funding some time during this fiscal year include:
A. Identification of Chairs and members of Subcommittees
Bob A. distributed the subcommittee assignments. If anyone wants to make
a change, please let him know.
1. Safety and Security Subcommittee
Don Grady
Joe King
Carl Leoni (or designee)
Krissy Melander
Ron Pearson
Don G. or his designee, Matt Kiederlen will chair this Subcommittee.
The policing of dorms by Public Safety officers has improved the dorms
for the students. Alex U. agreed and said parking outside of the
buildings especially has been curtailed because of the presence of the
officers.
He also said the interaction between police and students has been positive.
Bob A. congratulated Chief Don G. and his department for a job
well done.
2. Interior Environmental Subcommittee
Michele Crase
Steven Estes
Mary Grosch
Dori Hooker
Julie Robertson
Frederick Schwantes
Lori Sprague
Michele C. of Environmental Health and Safety will chair this subcommittee.
The issue of smokers in entryways and lobbies has been assigned
to this subcommittee.
3. Exterior Environmental Subcommittee
Jim Murphy
Sheila Berg
Robert Huffstutler
Craig Marcus
Herb Rubin
Linda Tillis
Alex Underwood
Jim M., Campus Planning Coordinator/Landscape Architect, will chair this
subcommittee. Jim M. is involved in all phases of landscaping and
has a good perception of what plant life is appropriate for this campus.
Bicycle use and exterior signage will also come under this
subcommittee.
Bob A. would like to see another member on the Safety and Security subcommittee.
He would also like to have the sub-committees operating before
the November meeting. The subcommittees will make recommenda-tions
to the full committee. Those approved recommendations will then be:
a) implemented or, b) if too large a dollar figure then they will
be discussed at a higher level. Bob A. will be happy to attend
any of the subcommittee
meetings.
B. OTHER MATTERS
1. In reply to a question on the proposed overpass/underpass
on Annie Glidden, Bob A. said the option chosen from the Task Force's
recommendation was the installation of the traffic light at Stadium Drive
and Annie Glidden. Education for pedestrians continues on crossing
at
cross walks. Funding is being considered for lighted cross walks
and additional lighting on Annie Glidden Road. The overpass/underpass
is not
an option at this time because of the expense.
2. Aside from the University police, Herb R. asked
about safety liaisons to the committee from the City of DeKalb. Bob
A. said Lt. Carl Leoni or
his designee of the City of DeKalb is the representative. He
also noted that the City and the University meet every six weeks on various
topics
which include safety issues.
III. Next Meeting - The next meeting will be on November 26, 2002 in Founders Library at 2:30 p.m.
IV. Meeting adjourned.