ROEHAMPTON UNIVERSITY
ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM AND FAIRTRADE STEERING GROUP
Notes of the 20th meeting held at 11.00 am, Friday 4th December 2009
E107, Digby Stuart College
Present:
Paul Hodges (Chair), Principal, Digby Stuart College
Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Director, P&FM
Emma Baker, Reward and Recognition Adviser, Human Resources
Ken Brooks, Waste and Service Manager, P&FM
Lucy Davenport, Enquiries Assistant, Student Administration
Sally Dell’Osa, Secretariat Administrator, University Secretariat
Jonathan Horner, Environmental Manager, P&FM
Catherine Lalani, Senior Lecturer, School of Education
Sue McKinney, Senior Lecturer, School of Education
Dave Tinham, Lecturer, Crucible
Tessa Willy, Senior Lecturer, School of Education
Nilou Hawthorne (Secretary), Executive Assistant, Digby Stuart College
EF&FT20.1
Apologies and notes of the previous meeting
Received:
apologies from: Vikki Anderson, Annic Chandler, Karen Foxwell, Peter Gabriel,
Robin Geller, Charlie Hudson, Jacqueline Page, David Parrott, Marc Rapley,
Isabel Santaolalla, Fiona Winter.
Confirmed:
the notes of the meeting of 8 October 2009, with the following amendments.
[EF&FT20/1 - previously circulated].


from minute EF&FT19.2, “that the University has moved up from 86th to
80th position in the Green League Tables, placing the University in the
lower second category”;
from minute EF&FT19.4 “ SM will draft a Fairtrade report for the next
meeting. The Chair will provide guidance and procedures reapplying for
Fairtrade status to the next meeting”.
EF&FT20.2
Matters not covered elsewhere on the agenda
Received:
Paper EF&FT20/2 Membership and Terms of Reference (minute item,
EF&FT19.1).
Noted:
that the first meeting of the University Social Responsibility and Sustainable
Development Committee had explored the boundaries and objectives of the
committee and that the VC will write a brief for the group;
that a decision has been reached to bar the purchase of bottled water through
Catering outlets and to provide bottled tap water for all catering functions.
Noted:
Senate’s confirmation of Forum title (minute item EF&FT19.3).
Received:
Recycling information (minute item EF&FT19.5).
Annual report to Senate for 2008-09 (minute item EF&FT19.8).
Action: GA-S to advise Robin Geller, University Secretary, that staff
guidelines for recycling/shredding confidential waste are needed;
Noted:
Paper EF&FT20/3 Priorities for 2009-10 (minute item EF&FT19.9).
EF&FT20.3
Roehampton University Environmental Policy
Approved:
proposed revisions to the Environmental Policy for submission to Senate
for approval [Paper EF&FT20/4].
Action: JH to submit the revised policy to the University Secretary for
onward transmission to Senate.
EF&FT20.4
University Environmental Manager’s Report
Received:
an oral update from the Environmental Manager (JH) on current activities.
i. Environmental Champions
 There are now 35 environmental champions in total. The University
Senate did not endorse a formal allocation of time for environmental
champions’ activities at its last meeting.
ii. Green Impact Project
 This project is one of the three that make up the Degrees Cooler
Programme. The University has fifteen teams participating in the project,
with over 200 staff involved. The first activity for project participants will
be a baseline survey. The project has a two-year time frame.
iii. Walking Works
 Walking Works is a campaign run by Living Streets and funded by
Transport for London, the London Councils and the Lottery Fund. It aims
to encourage more people to walk to and from work, and to walk more
during their working day.
iv. Bicycle User Group
 The Bicycle User Group is up and running following its launch on the 21st
October. It has over 50 members. Health and safety issues have been
raised about the hazards of cycling on some areas of the Campus, for
example, along Lime Tree Walk.
Action: KB to discuss with the University Health and Safety Manager and
to investigate whether funds can be made available for safety
improvements.
v. EcoCampus
 The University is one of 16 participating in phase two of the EcoCampus
scheme. This is a four-phase higher education scheme that supports the
development of an environmental management system. The aims of the
EcoCampus scheme are to encourage, reward and provide tools to assist
institutions in moving towards environmental sustainability through good
operational and management practices. The University is aiming to
achieve the first level of award (Bronze) within the next 12 months.
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vi. Film
 A “green film” is being produced for raising awareness of environmental
issues on campus. It will be about five minutes in length and will be used
initially for Environmental Champion training sessions and in staff
inductions.
vii. Wandsworth Green Business Awards
 The University hopes to submit an entry for a Green Business Award to
Wandsworth Council. The closing date is the 18th December and awards
will be presented early in February.
EF&FT20.5
Director of P&FM’s Report
Received:
Oral reports as follows:
i. Recycling (KB/GA-S)

The collection of waste for recycling is carried out on Thursdays and
Fridays, without additional charge, by Wandsworth Council from orange
and black bins around the campus. The Council is due to stop this
service and alternative arrangements are being investigated. Another ten
bins for collecting waste for recycling have been ordered and their
delivery is expected in March;

The Environment Agency recently carried out electrical waste disposal
inspection, which the University passed with flying colours, and showing
a 100% improvement on last year. Whilst some departments (e.g. library
and IT Business Services) operate the reporting systems diligently, there
are still occurrences of dumping. This practice is dangerous and the
Environment Agency needs to see documentation that accounts for the
disposal of all electrical and white goods. Signage and information
dissemination (especially to students) may improve the situation;

Catering services are doing excellent work to reduce food waste;

The need for guidelines for the disposal of confidential waste has been
brought to the attention of the University Secretary;

Two waste compactors will be removed from Campus on the 21st
December leaving six. Currently collection takes place on a daily basis at
a cost of £400.00 per load. The contracts for the service are due to expire
and all the compactors are due to be moved by next Easter;

Diverse views were expressed following a summary of the difficulties of
disposing of waste from smoking on campus. The Forum recognised that
waste needs to be cleared and that the construction of designated
smoking shelters, or moving to a non-smoking campus were issues for
further discussion. The costs of installing shelters and more signage were
raised as a matter of concern given the number of other items (e.g.
cycling shelters) competing for scarce resources.
ii. Energy-saving (JH for VA)

Powerperfector voltage optimization equipment has been installed at
Froebel College and Whitelands College resulting in a 12% reduction in
electricity usage. Over the Christmas period this equipment will be
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installed at Southlands College and Digby Stuart College.

Smart-metering is being introduced across the University for the
measurement, monitoring, and management of energy use, and there are
plans to install screens in College receptions to display real-time energy
usage. There are also plans for an inter-building competition to be held
this year for students;

A further six projects have received support worth £250,000.00 from the
HEFCE SALIX fund. These funding will support
 cavity wall insulation
 draft-proofing
 loft insulation
 heating distribution
 ventilation; and
 lighting controls.
Noted:
The Forum congratulated and commended the Environmental Team on
this recent success.
iii. Allotment Society (TW)

The Allotment Society now has over 100 members, and meets twice a
week. Simon Cox (a former RU student) is running training courses there,
and funding is being sought to support its work;

The Society is involved in a youth opportunities inclusion programme with
local schools, which will involve young people in the writing of a recipe
book;

Good progress is being made with the London Orchard Project. The
project will fund training and the planting of fruit trees. Areas other than
the allotment are being identified for development;

The School of Education will be using the allotment for teaching and
wider general curriculum development.
EF&FT20.6
Fairtrade matters
Received:
a report on recent plans and developments [Paper EF&FT20/5].
Noted:
arrangements for renewing Fairtrade Status [Paper EF&FT20/6];
that supporting evidence for the renewal of Fairtrade Status needs to be
collected;
that on the 10th December, a film-festival will be held for Human Rights Day, and
that it will feature a film on Fairtrade and a Fairtrade lunch;
that Fairtrade issues can be raised in the recently agreed Environmental
Induction sessions for new staff.
EF&FT20.7
RSU Report
Noted:
that no report was received as apologies had been received from the RSU
representative.
Meeting 20
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EF&FT20.8
Matters raised by members
i. Bottled water
Noted:
Noted:
that this item had been covered in item EF&FT20.2, above, by the Director of
P&FM;
ii. Environmental Forum Website
that the Environmental Manager is working with Damien Morris from the
Marketing Department, to develop a website that is available internally and
externally;
that the draft front page looks very informative and dynamic, and clearly
illustrates the range of environmental activities with which the University is
involved;
that some suggestions were made that might improve the ease with which the
front page of the site might be navigated.
EF&FT20.9
Date of next meeting
Noted:
that the next meeting of the Forum will be held on Wednesday 10th February
2010 (room to be advised).
EF&FT20.9
Any Other Business
Noted:
that the Digby Stuart College Carol service will be held on the 8th December
starting at 6pm, and that the theme of the service will be environmental
stewardship.
Meeting 20
Environmental Forum and Fairtrade Steering Group
04/12/2009
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