ROEHAMPTON UNIVERSITY
ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM AND FAIRTRADE STEERING GROUP
Minutes of the 22nd Meeting held at 11.00am on 20 April 2010,
Convent Parlour, Digby Stuart College
Present:
Paul Hodges (Chair) - Principal, Digby Stuart College
Lucy Davenport - Enquiries Assistant, Student Administration
Jonathan Horner - Environmental Manager, P&FM
Catherine Lalani - Senior Lecturer, School of Education
Danielle Paffard - Greener Living Assistant, P&FM
David Parrott - Admissions Officer (EU), Student Administration
Lucy Parsons - Conference and Events Co-ordinator, P&FM
Andrew Skinner - Deputy University Secretary, Secretariat
Tessa Willy - Senior Lecturer, School of Education
Nilou Hawthorne (Secretary) - Executive Assistant, Digby Stuart College
EF&FT22.1
Membership
Noted:
that the Forum would benefit from representation from the marketing and finance
departments.
EF&FT22.2
Apologies and notes of the previous meeting
Received:
apologies from: Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Ken Brooks, Karen Foxwell, Robin Geller,
Yvonne Lincoln, Manon Morel, Mary Richardson, Dave Tinham
Confirmed:
the minutes of the meeting of Wednesday 10 February 2010. [Paper EF&FT22/1]
EF&FT22.3
Matters arising from the previous minutes
i.
Noted:
Noted:
Recycling guidelines ((EF&FT20.2)
that the Chair will contact G A-S for an update on the draft guidelines on
recycling and the disposal of confidential waste.
ii. that the officers in P&FM with responsibilities for recycling and waste
management are Tim Cozens and Ken Brooks.
EF&FT22.4
University Environmental Manager’s Report [JH]
Received:
a written report (EF&FT22.4) from the Environmental Manager (JH) with additional
verbal comments as follows:
i. Environmental Champions
The next Environmental Champions Training Day will be held at Templeton from
9:00am to 5:00pm. The winner of the Environmental Champions Logo Design
Competition was Lucy Parsons. Confirmation that the design has been approved by
the marketing department is still awaited.
Discussions are taking place about how the work that Environmental Champions are
doing might be recognised and celebrated: among the ideas that have been put
forward are; an award for a Champion of Champions, an end of year social gathering
to affirm their collective identity; and, a distinct ‘Champions’ event that might take
place annually.
ii. Energy-Saving Initiatives (JH pp Manon Morel)

Power Perfector voltage optimisation equipment was installed at Southlands
College over the Easter break making a total of six units at the University.
The energy saving is better than had been predicted, at over a 10%
reduction in electricity consumption. Another unit is to be installed at Mount
Clare;

The University’s Carbon Reduction Commitment becomes effective this year;

HEFCE require an update on the University’s progress on the Carbon
Management Programme and following work on this more details about the
project will be available;

Work on SALIX funded projects continues and consultants are carrying out
an on-site review;

Additional meters are being installed to monitor electricity, gas and water use
so that areas where improvements may be made can be assessed.
iii. Travel survey and Travel Plan
The travel survey will need to be repeated as not enough people completed it for it to
be accepted by TfL. The launch will be held next Monday and staff will be able to
complete it for two weeks from that date. If there is not sufficient participation in this
round £20,000.00 of funding could be jeopardised. Efforts are being made to
improve participation this time round and all staff are encouraged to complete the
survey and to use any channels open to them to increase the completion rate.
iv. Bee Hives
A new site has been identified for locating bee hives on the roof of the Lawrence
Building at Froebel College.
v. Access to Nature
An application is being made to Natural England for £100,000 from the Access to
Nature fund to provide nature trails at Froebel. The application deadline is the end of
April. As well as the business case the application needs to be supported by internal
and external expressions of support specifically demonstrating how the proposed
developments will provide facilities for socially disadvantaged groups.
vi. Go Green Week (DP)
Go Green Week began on the 22nd March, and was received with a very mixed
response. Although the content was very good there were some difficulties with the
organisation of activities. The involvement of the RSU in the campaign was muted
and there were also issues with the timing of the event as it came just one week
after the RSU officer elections. Debriefing notes have been prepared to guide future
planning for events of this kind and especially for Go Green Week next year.
Action: PH as Chair of the Forum will call a meeting with the RSU
Environmental Officer, Deputy President and some other officers to discuss
the broad shape of the 2010-11 activity.
vii. Green Impact (DP)
A training day for Green Impact Auditors will be held on the 25th May from 9:30 to
1:00. More auditors are still needed for the audits that are scheduled from the 25th to
the 28th May.
There will be an awards ceremony for Green Impact on Wednesday 9th June from 46 at Whitelands College. Paul O’Prey will be attending to give out the awards and
catering will be providing refreshments. All team leaders, team members, auditors
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and Heads of Departments have been invited.
vii. Environmental Webpages (DP)
Work is still in progress on the new Environmental web pages and this work is being
led by the Greener Living Assistant who is working closely with Marketing. Any ideas
or information should be forwarded by email.
viii. Green League Tables
This year’s submission is more detailed than last year’s and includes information
about
 the University’s involvement in the EcoCampus auditing and environmental
management system;
 ethical investment initiatives from the RBDO;
 advances in procurement policy;
 widening participation initiatives;
 building remodelling, rather than new build facilities;
 Compass catering’s plans to achieve ISO 14001.
ix. National Walking to Work Week
Jennifer Isley has put together a series of walks to coincide with walking to work
week and these activities link in with the Living Streets initiative. Thanks are
extended to her for all her work.
EF&FT22.5
Director of P&FM’s Report
Received:
reports on the following matters:
i. Recycling (KB)
this item deferred to the next meeting.
iii. Allotment Society (TW)
There has been plenty of activity in the Society over the last few months:
EF&FT22.6

Catch 22 and Regenerate have four beds on the allotment and these are for
14-19 year olds who will work on them during holidays and during some
evenings;

there are plans for older residents of the Alton Estate to be involved in this
project as well;

a nursery school has its own plot and their a plans for other community
groups to join University students and University departments in looking after
beds;

RU players will perform on the amphitheatre;

funding is being sought for disabled access;

the communications that have been set up on Facebook are working well;

the trees planted at Froebel College with the support of the London Orchard
Project are all growing very well and are now in full blossom.
Fairtrade Matters
The reapplication for Fairtrade Status is nearly completed and needs to be submitted
before the end of the month. All forum members will have received a draft of the
submission and are requested to check the document and forward any comments to
Paul Hodges.
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EF&FT22.7
RSU Report
None received.
EF&FT22.8
Matters raised by members
Noted:
An overview of the University’s environmental achievements and activities will be
given on the 12th May at the next Staff Forum. A potential list of speakers is being
drawn up by JH, Environmental Manager. Anyone who is willingly to participate
should let him know as soon as possible.
EF&FT22.9
Date of Next Meeting
Noted:
Thursday 10th June
[Secretary’s note: This meeting will now take place on Wednesday 16th June in
Room 104, Duchesne Building at 11:00]
Meeting 21
Environmental Forum and Fairtrade Steering Group
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