How to become a fair trade university

Oxfam has set up a helpful 5 steps scheme to become a fair trade university. Nottingham, Loughborough, Aberdeen and Oxford Brookes (contact lyne@easynet.co.uk for help or advice) have already successfully become fair trade universities.

1. The Student Union and the university authorities both create a Fairtrade policy incorporating these five goals.

A member of the Union executive and a representative of the university would each take primary responsibility for implementing this policy, and agree to sit in the Fairtrade Steering group (see goal 5). This could be written into their job description.

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 to be sold would be those sold by the shops at present in non-Fairtrade form that are available in Fairtrade form. For instance, if a shop currently sells coffee they would be obliged to add a Fairtrade brand to their stock or to replace it with Fairtrade. Shops would not be obliged to sell Fairtrade foods that they do not already sell as non-Fairtrade.

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) could propose other means.
Articles and other appropriate material to be included in the student newspaper and on the university's website. Promotion of the Fairtrade Mark could 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 displayed on noticeboards in the hall and common room, and promoting commitment to Fairtrade foods. Materials also 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 would commit itself to running a series of events during the Fairtrade Fortnight. The steering group in collaboration with other appropriate bodies would be responsible for organising this.
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 will 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 would 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 to the Fairtrade Foundation, explaining how each goal has been achieved in order for status to be awarded

As well as following these steps Reading as a Uni needs to be clear about what they want to achieve and what is realistic.

Set objectives, both long term and short term
To create a successful and diverse range of products in the ru being served shop, it is vital to find out which products will sell the best throughout the entire student population.
Create a marketing campaign to make students aware of what they are buying and why. Why is fair trade worthier of their money?

Ideas for awareness are:
Continuing the stall in the union giving out free samples and making sure people are aware of what they are sampling, i.e engage students in discussion
Display posters and leaflets everywhere, if possible by coffee machines in jcr's and union? In the cafeterias and bars? And in the ru being served shop.
Sell raffle tickets with fairtrade prizes, helps give awareness and raises money for the campaigns forum.
Investigate the possibility of turning café mondial into a fairtrade café for the afternoon, it is possible to buy stock from local Oxfam shops on a sale or return basis, possibly risc may do this to. Could borrow a chef from risc?

For promotional material-
Fairtrade foundation 0207 4055942 or www.fairtrade.org.uk

People and Planet
51 Union Street , Oxford. OX4 1JP United Kingdom
Tel: 01865 245678 www.peopleandplanet.org
(usually good for fairtrade food samples)