Sustainability Zone (24th April 2015)

1. Apologies & attendance

1.1

Apologies and attendance was noted as above.

Minutes from previous meeting  

 

The minutes for the previous Sustainability Zone Committee meeting were approved. A review is given below. Some action points have been carried over from the previous meeting, see list of Actions.

In the review of actions from the previous meeting, the following points were noted:

 

2.1 Ongoing: BT to follow up with the University at a later date about the status of actions for gender neutral toilets and gender neutral titles in student records system.

BT has been in contact with the University and Facilities about getting one or two bins put in the cubicles in male toilets in the SUSU and this will be happening soon. BT is still waiting to hear back from the University about the gender neutral titles in the student records system. EC noted that a contact at the University called Ros Collins (Insight) may be able to provide more information on this.

ACTION: Ongoing: BT will update on the status of gender neutral titles in the student records system when the University provide an update

 

ACTION: BT to contact Ros Collins about gender neutral titles in the student records system

 

2.2 Ongoing: WB to share method of BEES NUS reporting of student engagement with TS.

This has not been completed yet.

ACTION: Ongoing: WB to share method of BEES NUS reporting of student engagement with TS

 

2.3 Ongoing: BT to find out what stage Student Groups are at with reviewing funding and how travel fits into this and feedback to the Zone Committee

BT has spoken to those involved (Megan and Katie) to ensure that the Sustainability Zone can give input into travel guidelines and also considers the ethical purchasing and waste reduction e.g. recycled flyers. Initially the guidelines were to be created after SUSU Bank creation but this has been postponed so it is likely the guidelines will be created ahead of this but no definitive date has been set. It was discussed that the guidelines should be brought to E&E and E&D committee as well as the Sustainability Zone committee to ensure that all aspects are considered in the new guidelines. BT will update on this and bring back to zone committee in due course.

 

ACTION: Ongoing: BT to find out what stage Student Groups are at with reviewing funding and how travel fits into this and feedback to the Zone Committee

 

2.4 Ongoing: BT and LB to feed back to Zone Committee about the potential staff and/or student travel policy when there are any developments on progress.

The staff travel policy research is still waiting to be looked over by personnel. BT is awaiting feedback for the student travel policy.             

ACTION: Ongoing: BT to feed back to Zone Committee about the potential staff and/or student travel policy when there are any developments on progress.

 

2.5  TS to look at options of sourcing sustainable clothing (including Wessex Clothing) and to find out what other SU’s are doing in regards to this.

This has not been completed yet. It was explored if this should be a priority due to changeover of committee positions in student groups. TS identified that the committee need to ensure that organisations suggested to student groups are both ethical and reasonably priced. The committee discussed the target groups for this, as many groups such as Union group committees go through marketing for this. It was agreed that TS will look into this at the start of June.

ACTION: Ongoing: TS to look at options of sourcing sustainable clothing (including Wessex Clothing) and to find out what other SU’s are doing in regards to this.

 

2.6  LB, TS and BT to develop an implementation plan for section 5.3 of the E&E policy.

LB has started this and it has been agreed as an action for when the new E&E officer is in post. BT, TS and LB are meeting with Simon Kemp and Julia Kendal at the university to discuss future sustainability engagement plans for the next academic year. LB, TS and BT will develop a plan and bring this to zone committee and to Simon Kemp and Julia Kendal.

 

ACTION:  Ongoing: LB, TS and BT to develop an implementation plan for section 5.3 of the E&E policy with the new E&E officer.

ACTION:  LB, TS and BT to take E&E plans to Simon Kemp and Julia Kendal for the university.

 

2.7 PD to follow up with Jo who prepares the report for Commercial Managers to ensure point of clarity on section 5.3 of the E&E policy is included.

PD was not present at this committee meeting and will update at next committee meeting.

 

ACTION: Ongoing: PD to follow up with Jo who prepares the report for Commercial Managers to ensure point of clarity on section 5.3 of the E&E policy is included.

 

2.8 Ongoing: LB to contact Sue Brindley to get an update on the progress of reducing food waste and to communicate this to the student body (e.g. blog and/or news article)

 

This has not been completed yet.

 

ACTION: Ongoing: LB to contact Sue Brindley to get an update on the progress of reducing food waste and to communicate this to the student body (e.g. blog and/or news article)

 

2.9 Ongoing: LB to bring updated waste action plan to next meeting

 

ACTION: Complete (in progress). LB will review after the exam period and bring to BT and TS.

 

 

2.10 Ongoing: BT to include support staff in the PID and to look into potential for qualifications.

BT has included support staff in the PID but has not looked into qualifications yet. This will need to be discussed at staffing sub -committee

ACTION: BT to take support staff qualification idea to the staffing sub-committee.

 

 

2.11 Ongoing: TS and BT to review the zone strategy and bring findings to the next zone committee to identify priorities.

This is in progress. SB and LB have reviewed the zone strategy and given feedback from a student leader perspective. TS and BT still need to review and provide feedback on the zone strategy. SB, LB, BT and TS will review together before the start of the next academic year.

 

ACTION: Complete (in progress)

 

2.13 PD to check Fairtrade sales figures of the shop from Fairtrade Fortnight

PD was not present at this committee meeting.

 

ACTION: LB to email a reminder to PD to check Fairtrade sales figures of the shop from Fairtrade Fortnight.

 

2.14 BT to work with FD to plan for taking the He For She campaign to union council

 

The ‘He For She’ campaign was take to Union Council and passed. Charlie Green (Student Life Coordinator) has been tasked with looking into it. The campaign will be taken forward through Wellbeing Committee and E&D Committee.

 

ACTION: complete

 

2.15 BT to liaise with Charlie Green (Student Life Co-ordinator) to get up to date with any research into the He For She campaign

 

ACTION: complete

 

2.16 BT to email zone student groups to let them know that development funding is available (if there is some left in the pot)

 

ACTION: complete

 

2.17 LB to contact Paul Davie, Tech Manager following up from the confetti incident to highlight the importance of considering the environmental impact through risk assessment.

This is still to be completed.

 

ACTION: ongoing: LB to contact Paul Davie, Tech Manager following up from the confetti incident to highlight the importance of considering the environmental impact through risk assessment.

 

LB provided a verbal update of E&E. The main focus of E&E at present has been in the planning of upcoming events including the Sustainability Fayre (8^th May). LB has been planning a policy to bring to Union Council about Fossil Free and Sustainable Investment. This approach has been used to ensure that the campaign is more positive and less of a risk to university relationships.

 

LB updated the committee on the HEAT project. Branded t-shirts have been ordered and the first audit has been booked for just before exams. SASH and Student Switch Off are interested in the project and LB will be writing a report at the end of June looking into the longevity and future direct of the HEAT project. There are 9 student auditors trained and 11 houses have signed up.

 

The Sustainability Fayre is being planned but it is a busy time of year for committee members. EC confirmed that External Engagement zone have a pop-up gazebo that can be borrowed for the fair and CMT might have a gazebo in their cupboards. MN noted that that Union own three gazebos that might be able to be used if managed by the facilities team and with Tony Addison’s (Head of Commercial Development).

 

The ethical living guide has been developing with the formation of a database identifying organisations that should be present on the map according to set pre-determined criteria. This will be launched during Fresher’s week and may go out in Fresher’s packs. LB and BT are looking into having these put up in halls for when new students arrive. The map will be made as environmentally friend as possible and printed using vegetable inks and on recycled paper. There will be an online version of the map available on the university Sustainability Action webpages. EC noted that Fresher’s Pack will not use bags, but a SUSU branded pillowcase.

 

LB has been promoting E&E committee position and has found that direct emails to those who have shown past interest or may be interested have been effective in communication.

 

WSA is having a Swap Shop.

 

ACTION: BT to contact to Tony Addison to investigate use of Union gazebo’s for the Sustainability Fayre

 

ACTION: BT to contact university residents to organise the ethical living maps being put up in halls for Fresher’s week.

  

SB provided a verbal update for the committee. The confirmed date for the screening of the new Avengers film will be on Sunday 31^st May if Union Films are able to get hold of the film. The #SotonSpeaksUp campaign will be launching today at the Waterpolo BBQ. Students and student groups will be encouraged to sign a pledge card against sexual harassment and to wear the wristband. The sabbatical officers will be joining with Solent Union sabbatical offciers in going out the clubs and bars in the city to promote both union campaigns and the Good Night Out campaign. The future aim is to develop an online pledge section of the SUSU website.

 

ACTION: No action required

BT provided a verbal update and noted that many of the campaigns and projects mentioned in the previous updates have been collaborative. BT updated on the Shift Your Stuff end of year waste campaign which is due to launch on the 8^th May at the Sustainability Fayre. The campaign will enable students to collect a red bag from various locations and fill it with unused and unwanted items. The red bags can be collect on a collection day in June or placed in one of the red bins at various locations. Staff will be asked to volunteer hours to go door knocking in student areas to raise awareness of the campaign and provide bags to rental properties.

 

The issue of storage until collection/sorting days (11^th and 30^th) and over the summer was raised. BT will look into storage options. Shift Your Stuff will be launching at WSA on 12^th May. LB is meeting the new University Environment Manager next week and will update them on the project. BT has suggested that LB set up a meeting with the new Environment Manager and MN to ensure there is a relationship formed there.

 

BT and LB discussed how Caroline Couch from the University is working on food waste reduction. BT noted it is worth finding out the progress of this.

 

The EIA policy has been passed to Chris Small (Policy and Volunteer Manager) and he will be looking into this over the summer. The first stages will involve investigating other organisations where this is taking place and learning from best practice. It is likely that students with disabilities will be the first focus group.

 

BT provided an update on the employability PID. BT has been in discussions with Careers Destinations about the plausibility of having an Employability student leader and is working with democracy to make this happen. Linked In labs are being organised in collaboration with Careers Destinations and will be taking place on the 11^th and 14^th May. Students will gain advice on Linked In and have the opportunity to have a professional picture taken for their profile. An agreement and action plan for employability is being created with SUSU and Careers Destinations.

 

BT updated on Welfare campaigns and projects. There is a new mental health campaign that has just been launch called ‘The Elephant in the Room’. Stress Less Fest is running again and will encompass before, during and post exam time periods. 36.40

 

ACTION: BT to contact Tony Addison to discuss storage for Shift Your Stuff from the 8^th May

ACTION: LB to set up a meeting with MN and the new Environment Manager.

ACTION: LB to contact Caroline Couch to find out the progress of food waste reduction in SUSU and across the University.

Both BEES representatives were absent with apologies. The group reviewed the BEES update papers provide. The training session for staff planned on the 21^st April has been postponed. BT confirmed that the future of BEES has been decided. The project will carry on at a local level on a smaller scale of at least five visits are year, to be managed by TS. The project will also be offered to other universities and students’ unions nationally. The conference has been postponed until a later date.

 

ACTION: No action required

• 7.1 Gum Bins.

A student has proposed this idea to TS and it has been brought to committee. MN worked on getting Gum Bins into Southampton Airport previously. MN noted that the university will probably not agree with having the bins around campus but it is a possibility to position the bins in union areas. The shop has stopped selling gum due to it being a problem around campus. Other students’ unions are using the bins including Leeds University. The company can come and launch the gum bins to raise awareness and give away small personal ‘gum drops’. MN noted that it is important to think about value versus necessity as it can be relatively costly for the pay monthly collect scheme. Before gum was taken out of the shop the University used to spend approximately £10,000 a year on clean-up costs. BT is meeting with head of University estates and will discuss the idea as part of that meeting. LB will discuss with the new Environment Manager at her meeting next week. The quoted costs from the organisation are £680 for a year contract and £250 for the bins to come for 10 bins and fixings. MN suggested that at least 20 bins for premises this size would probably be needed as bins need to be frequent.

 

ACTION: LB to discuss idea of Gum Bins with the new Environment Manager

ACTION: BT to notify the head of university estates about the Gum Bins idea

Volunteer Feedback occurred after the zone committee.

None

The next Sustainability Zone Committee will be held Monday 15^th June 1pm – 3pm