To become a Fairtrade university you must meet five targets.
Target One:
The students’ 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 on the Fairtrade Steering group (see goal 5). This could be written into their job description.
Target Two:
Fairtrade foods are made available for sale in all campus shops. Fairtrade foods are used in all cafes/restaurants/bars on campus. Where this is not possible, there is a commitment to begin to use Fairtrade foods in these establishments 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 replace it with Fairtrade.
Shops would not be obliged to sell Fairtrade foods that they do not already sell as non-Fairtrade.
Target Three:
Fairtrade foods (for example coffee and tea) are served at all meetings hosted by the university and the students' union, and are served in all university and students' union management offices.
Target Four:
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) could propose other means.
Articles and other appropriate material to be included in 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 – this is the opportunity to promote Fairtrade foods and increase sales. The university would commit itself to running a series of events during 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.
Target Five:
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 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 awarded.
For the university’s status to be retained, the steering group is expected to develop the goals and send a report at the end of every academic year to the Fairtrade Foundation.