Gaining Fairtrade Status
The University of Gloucestershire first gained Fairtrade status in 2006 and this has been renewed each year since by the Fairtrade Universities Initiative. Staff have been developing and improving the number of Fairtrade items on offer and providing everyone in the University community with a wider choice of products across all campuses. Items include chocolate bars, tea and coffee, as well as rugby balls, footballs and basketballs purchased by the Students’ Union sports teams. A full range of Fairtrade products on sale at the University can be found below.
The University is working in partnership with the Students’ Union and BaxterStorey, its catering provider, to promote and raise awareness of Fairtrade products. Head of Facilities, Andrew Simpson, said:
“We are delighted that our status has been renewed but will not be complacent in our commitment to Fairtrade, which reflects the University’s sustainability strategy. The product range has been expanded and Fairtrade is now very much the default as opposed to the option. The catering providers have standardised their product ranges across all of the campuses with the option of non-Fairtrade being removed in many instances. Only Fairtrade coffee and sugar is supplied to internal and external meetings and conferences, and relevant products are emphasised on the hospitality menus and counter displays.”
What does a Fairtrade University look like?
Being a Fairtrade University means that we have to meet the following five goals:
1. The Students’ Union and the University must both have a Fairtrade Policy incorporating these five goals
A member of the Union executive and a representative of the University should each take primary responsibility for implementing this policy, and be on the Fairtrade Steering group (see goal 5). This should be written into their job description. See the Fairtrade Policies in thge buttons on the left.
2. Fairtrade foods are made available for sale in all campus shops. Fairtrade foods are used in all cafés/restaurants/ bars on campus. Where this is not possible, there is a commitment to begin to use Fairtrade foods in these establishments as soon as it becomes possible to do so.
Foods sold should be those previously sold by the shops in non-Fairtrade form that are available in Fairtrade form. For instance, if a shop used to sell coffee they are obliged to add a Fairtrade brand to their stock or to replace it with Fairtrade. Shops are not obliged to sell Fairtrade foods that they did not previously sell as non-Fairtrade. See below under heading ‘Fairtrade Products’ for a list of all products sold on campus.
3. Fairtrade foods (for example, coffee and tea) are served at all meetings hosted by the University and the SU, and are served in all University and SU management offices.
4. There is a commitment to campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption on campus.
At least three of the following methods must be in operation at any one time. The Steering Group (see goal 5 below) is at liberty to propose other means:
- Articles and other appropriate material should be included in the student newspaper and on the University's website. Promotion of the Fairtrade Mark should also take place in other appropriate publications, such as University prospectuses. In particular, the publications should commit to cover the annual Fairtrade Fortnight in March, and to update readers with major developments.
- Fairtrade Foundation materials should be displayed on noticeboards in Halls and common rooms, and promoting commitment to Fairtrade foods. Materials should also be displayed in every place where Fairtrade foods are sold.
- Fairtrade Fortnight (March) - this is the opportunity to promote Fairtrade foods and increase sales. The University must commit itself to running a series of events during the Fairtrade Fortnight. The steering group, in collaboration with other appropriate bodies, is responsible for organising this. Past events have included debates, tastings, quizzes, giveaways and a Fairtrade Bake Off.
- Other opportunities - the steering group should seek opportunities to promote the Fairtrade Mark at related events - for example, those which focus on trade and development.
5. Set up a Fairtrade Steering Group.
This group should meet at least once a term to reflect on the progress of each of these goals, and to decide how to go about continuing to excel in these goals. The group should include a representative from the following groups:
- The residential/catering organisation
- The University authority
- The SU executive
- An appropriate SU society
- Each associated institution
The steering group is required to send a full report at the end of each academic year to the Fairtrade Foundation explaining how each goal has been achieved and developed for status to be retained. Membership of the steering group and minutes of recent meetings can be found here - December 2011 and October 2012.
Fairtrade Products
See links below to find out what Fairtrade products are sold in the university and where to get them:
For further information
Fairtrade Foundation
Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair Campaign
People and Planet Trade Justice Campaign
For more information on Fairtrade in universities contact university@fairtrade.org.uk