Edward Bauer - Ethical & Environmental Officer

Environment Health and Safety Executive Committee

2010-07-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure I can make this meeting...summer plans and all that.. I think I will be there however, if you want something brought up I will be sure to pass it along.

Advisory Group on the Environment

Meeting to be held on Monday 19th July 2010 at 2:30 pm,
Vice Chancellor’s meeting room, Aston Webb

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the last meeting 17th December 2009 (attached EAG 10.07.1)

3. Matters Arising:
a. Waste and Recycling Contracts update
b. Sustainable Travel Plan update
c. Carbon Management Plan update
d. Future of the Advisory Group & Sustainability Task Group
(i) Terms of reference/areas of compliance (attached EAG 10.07.2 )
(ii) Membership of the group
e. Eco homes project
f. Green Impacts Initiative update
g. Times Higher Awards
h. People & Planet Green League Table

4. Action Plan 2009_2010 (attached EAG 10.07.3)

5. Date of next meeting

Leaving post

2010-07-11T04:58:00.000-07:00

I have made plenty of mistakes while being an EEO I have been far from a perfect officer, but, this is far from perfect guild or movement. I could write about things I have done wrong, done right, done well, done badly…. about opinions expressed in sabb leaving speeches like the idea that empowerment is giving a fresher Ed Sparkes phone number and e-mail or that ethics or liberation are side issues or that students are not the best people to run the guild … or the events of last guild council.

Why should I be self indulgent or reactive? When I could talk about what I think is really holding our movement back, I’m basically no longer an officer, what is the worse that can happen?

I have always been shocked by the blatant corrupt nature of the obvious careerism of so many in guild and NUS… probably worst that I have seen was Labour student and guild president 08/09 Jenifer Larbie going to work for David Lammy the then Labour Minister for Higher Education who so strong in supporting the raising of fees immediately after finishing her stint as guild president.

dominated by Labour students? six of students in the picture are labour students and one is a labour minster..

But, that is just a minor case point in what the careerist stepping stone that the NUS has become. Out of the most recent presidents of the NUS six became MPs, four became special advisors to MP’s (MP’s in waiting), One became a Labour Executive on its national council and another became a Labour London mayoral candidate and a member of the London assembly the only president who didn’t take the Labour career instead joined the British communist party. For the record since the once home secretary and now the right honourable MP for Norwich south Charles Clarke Became NUS President in 1977, there has only been one Non-labour NUS president.

Our movement is a shadow what it could be and students have has lost so much… we’ve lost: Travel Grants, Special Equipment Grants, Minimum Grants, Older Students Allowances, the right to claim housing benefit, unemployment benefits and income support during holidays, the introduction of loans and now the looming threat of top up fees.

And at the same time that students are losing so much, those at the top have taking more and more, while corruptly saying that there is no money for students… just over the last ten years…The number of staff paid over £100,000 at the University of Birmingham has gone from 28 to 96 and in terms total pay to management there has been average increases of 19.9% each year since 2000. The VC’s wages have also increasing staggeringly from £169000 to £342000 in same period. Both of these increases are far out of proportion with the growth of the university which has grown in the same period by an average of 6.6% per year.

Our movement largely crippled by careerists won’t even organize a national demonstrations or local campaigns against the worsening situation… seemingly because the controlling labour students is at best quasi democratic and has some very dubious “democratic channels” which are easily controlled by Labor party central office and those in hope of a political career will not upset this order by running campaigns with real bite.
Just five points about labour students…
1.The Labour party fund Labour students
2. The Labour party employ Karim Palant full time to “liaise and lobby” Labour students.
3. Labour students sabbatical officers work at Labour central office
4. Labour students is run effectively by the steering committee not by its conference which has effectively no powers.
5. the steering committee is made up of three Labour students, the sabbatical officers based at Labour party central office.

Please don’t think that I back any of the other political factions that are so rife throughout student politics… they are just as bad, in the case of the SWP, maybe even worse. I’m against allowing formal factions, and it was Jack straw who removed the “no politics” clause when he was president of NUS in 1970... turning the NUS into waste of time mini parliament it is today.(watch out this lot)

This years campaigning on fees and cuts have been some what lackluster in my opinion and I’m upset by a guild that has broadly welcomed the logic for plans of £20 millions pounds worth of cuts at the university.
The solution to ending the domination of this careerist political clique that controls and restricts… is… I think to leave the NUS… time to finally say goodbye to that colossal bureaucratic nightmare that costs the guild of students a badly needed £65,000 pounds a year to affiliate to.

The NUS as democratic representative body has failed completely, turnouts make it look embarrassingly out of touch with most students. The NUS is not dealing with the problems of student finance, housing, and standards of tuition effectively. While at the same time as being a massive financial burden its factional politics are passed back down to its member unions by those with using it as back door into their own parties.

(On a side note leaving the NUS would also get us cheaper beer, freedom of choice and better ethics. Including the cost of the affiliation fees NUSSL s one of the most expensive bulk consortiums ever and additionally it restricts our choice to its own limited catalogue, which includes very few Fairtrade items and no Stella!)

Frankly, we would be better off without this political clique… unions In Scotland, where all the major universities are already out of NUS, non-affiliated unions got together to do their own lobbying and campaigning over fees, grants and loans. The culmination of their efforts was the abolition of tuition fees in Scotland… something the NUS thinks is just impossibility.

Anyhow so goodbye for now, I’m not going anywhere, I will be back next year, maybe trying to get the guild to leave the NUS and certainly pushing anti fees/cuts and the ethics rights and environmental agenda forward wherever I can.

Much love to rest of the officer team, all the best to you

Edd xxx

Ethical investment, would be so easy...

2010-06-06T04:16:00.001-07:00

How appropriate is it that a charity and a public institution are funding the manufacture of torture equipment and landmines... it would be so easy to sort out but, guild officers for the entirety of my time at university have consistently blocked progress. It is a change that countless student unions have achieved, to the benefit of their universities and students... the below is a plea to next year team to stop acting like spanners in the work and be a help not a hindrance.

Images like this are deeply disturbing; peace activists shot multiple times at close range, some dying, some dead. Over forty shot, if you have any doubt, about the nature of violence last Monday you can find the evidence here however, the images are very disturbing so, you may not want to look.

Can’t we have an investment policy at the University of Birmingham or at the guild of students that means we have nothing to do with M-16 totting kids rappelling out of helicopters and shooting aid workers? Freedom of information requests about the university holdings reveal not only does it has stakes in the manufacture of M-16s that the Israeli commandos use but in depleted uranium weaponry, cluster bombs, land mines and torture equipment not just sold to Israel but other equally repressive regimes like Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

Would it be so hard? The USS, which is the universities academics pension fund, holds £19 billion can manage an ethical policy. As can universities like Oxbridge colleges, Edinburgh, York, East Anglia, Stanford and Harvard The School of Oriental and African Studies not to mention the massive local authority bodies like Devon, Hampshire, London, Croydon, and Edinburgh.... to name a few.

It wouldn’t cost a dime, the guild has this year committed to adopting an environmentally friendly investment policy, the change doesn’t have to happen overnight, merely the next time a new investment is made, just make sure it is in line with ethical policy... a gradual transfer costs nothing.

Interestingly, modern studies are challenging the assumption that ethical funds underperform the market. Some are going as far as indicating that they could be more profitable. The FTSE4Good index has repeatedly outperformed the FTSE index and the Jupiter Ecology Fund has grown in value by 135% since its inception. It is thought that the more diverse nature of ethical fund holdings and the avoidance of share value disasters like what is currently happening to BP lead to the increased profits that have been clearly more resilient to the recession.

And if the university is looking for an ethical equity fund that has performed consistently better than the BGI fund that is uses it should try this one
Ethical investment is a change waiting to happen at the university, it just needs students to at last act as catalysts. We would only be asking them to invest our money more competently while making the university more attractive to alumni donors.

This year’s officer team have refused the lobby the university, blocked attempts in guild council on spurious fears of recriminations by large multinational companies. This is a challenge that countless student unions have got their university to rise to... so please will next year’s officer team rise to this challenge? I’m looking at Dora Meredith next year’s president Ashley chambers the VPDR and Rob Hunter in particular to take the lead on this.
If you want to tackle this ...

You will need to get ethical clauses built into the terms of reference of the university investment subcommittee. Win student representation on this committee, shouldn’t we have a say in how our finances are run? And strengthen the universities incredibly weak ethical investment policy which reads “The Members actively encourage the Fund’s Investment Manager(s) to take account of social responsibility considerations insofar as they believe such considerations will not jeopardise return or increase risk. The Members also consider non-financial and reputational risk and have chosen not to invest directly in companies that are involved in the production and sale of tobacco”.

Terms of Reference investment sub committee

(a) To determine the investment policy and the criteria upon which the investment performance will be measured
(b) To determine delegated authorities of staff within the Finance Office, within the investment policy
(c) To ratify changes to the investment policy made within the delegated powers
(d) To receive reports from the University’s Finance Office on Financial performance and compliance
(e) To receive reports from organisations used by the University for investment purposes
(f) To review investment performance against policy and asset management criteria
(g) To report to the Governing Body on investment policy and performance
(h) To monitor strategic risks relevant to the work of the Committee as determined by the Strategic Risk Register.
(i) To monitor the extent to which value for money is achieved within the areas under the Committee’s oversight
(j) To monitor relevant Key Performance Indicators and to ensure that any concerns with performance against these KPIs are addressed

If on the other hand you are not a officer why not engage in a e-mail conversation or telephone call to Mr R Shortland the Assistant Director of Finance
t: 0121 414 6109, e: r.a.shortland@bham.ac.uk

Motion for next guild council, Supply chain justice

2010-06-02T03:54:00.000-07:00

As a next step in the WRC campaign I want to get the guild to lead by example and affiliate to the WRC on its own. This will cost the guild £500. However it will make us the first organization in the UK with a ethical procurement policy that deals with discrimination and gender equality with effective independent monitoring.

It will show a working of example of effective ethical procurement in the UK and help our efforts to get the university to sign up. In the process we will show that Birmingham students are not only committed to civil liberties and equality but are innovative and determined.

There are other benefits for students as well; The WRC helps arrange internships abroad for students interested in human rights work via their unions. Signing up to the WRC would be an opportunity for Birmingham students seeking this kind of work.

The guild is already committed to spending this money and signing up to the WRC, however this motion changes our commitment to signing up as a student union rather than jointly with the university.

It is currently backed by the following

Lincoln Smith Oxfam, Matt ward LGBTQ officer, Allan Ssesanga ethnic minorities officer, Emma Cooper LGBTQ officer (elect) , Laura Beckman Ethical and Environmental officer (elect), Catharina Paul Women’s Officer (elect), Rob Hunter VPEA (elect), Joseph Moses ARAF (elect) and Lizzy Bell people and planet

Any changes or edits, please message me or discuss here

Guild Council Notes:

1. The WRC is a US-based independent labour rights monitoring organisation, conducting investigations of working conditions in factories around the globe. Their primary focus is the labor practices of factories that make apparel and other goods bearing university logos.

2. In December 2009 The Worker Right Consortium Fruit-of-the-Loom-campaign, organized by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) and USAS, was the first time student pressure has forced a company to reopen a factory and re-employ all the workers EVER, The Guild was thanked for its part in bring campaign to the UK.
3. 186 universities and colleges are affiliated worldwide to the WRC but, as yet no organization in the UK has taken this step. Signing up would make the guild the first UK organization to do so and show we are a group of progressive and innovative students.

4. The WRC supports union organising in developing countries and actively tries to empower workers is the only monitoring organization that deals comprehensively with Gender Equality. Other codes only mention gender issues, with reference to general discrimination. The WRC deals with gender specific employment related issues like maternity & paternity leave, occupational health, housing, childcare and work family balance provision.

5. The WRC helps arrange internships abroad for students interested in human rights work via their unions. Signing up to the WRC would be an opportunity for Birmingham students seeking this kind of work.

6. Signing up the WRC as a union would cost £500.

a. Assurance that our ethical policy is being implemented
b. Reputation Protection from negative attention of being involved with Unethical practice.
c. Opportunities for students such as internships
d. Positive publicity of being the first UK organization to sign up

Guild Council Believes:

1) As part of the £8 billion spent in the higher education sector on purchasing we have an ability and a responsibility to use our expenditure to contribute to lower carbon emissions, and aid development in the Global South, whilst maintaining a strong commitment to upholding human rights.

2) The Fruit of the Loom campaign success must be followed up.

3) There needs to be global strategic frameworks in place to make workers unionising globally the rule not the exception.

4) That the worker rights consortium is the most effective and most appropriate structure of support for workers rights in university supply chains.

Guild Council Resolves:

5) To lobby the University to affiliate to the WRC.

6) To join the University in affiliating to the WRC, in the event of the university affiliating.

7) To look into proportionally sharing the cost of affiliation with the University.

8) For the Guild, until the University does affiliate, to the lead by example by signing up to workers rights consortium on it own.

9) To encourage all other student unions and universities to follow suit.

Guild Council Mandates:

1. For the President of the Guild with the EEO, to write to the Vice Chancellor the director of HAS, all members of the senate, council and executive, encouraging the University to sign up to the WRC and explaining why the Guild has done so.

Corporate structure

2010-05-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

I was writing that we need to change the nature of our movements collective intelligence. Information our movements “collective intelligence” is very much focused on the officer team. We need to transfer this to the very fabric of our movement.

Collective intelligence helps us deal with the world, free information like wikipedia is a great example of collective intelligence… collectively formed by those who tread the same paths.

It time that the student movement at Birmingham starts building for all students not just officers a data base on the university… which is why I’m publishing details of university structures along with contact information that aren’t available purely on the university website.

Universities are a Byzantine mess, they are one of the few institutions other than monarchy and the church to survive intact from the medieval era … we say intact but modern reforms have brought about a unified administration in the form of “corporate services”, with the Registrar and secretary at its head.

Below are the contact details of corporate services main positions and details of who is charge of who… so you know who to go over whose head by

These Directors unlike some of the members of the senate and council, although they maybe sympathetic… with their “job hats” on they will always fee obliged to take the universities side in every case. Unlike the academic structures of university they also are not tied by any democratic structures.

If you are getting no where, maybe just e-mail them all!

The Registrar and secretary Lee sanders l.sanders@bham.ac.uk , the president of guild has regular meetings and contact with the Registrar and secretary, if the president won’t back your cause however don’t be afraid to contact him yourself.

May also be worth using his PA --- PA to Registrar and secretary Kim Davies k.m.davies@bham.ac.uk if no luck try calling on Tel: 0121 414 3977

The following Directors all work directly under the Registrar and Secretary

Director of Academic services Brendan Casey B.Casey@.bham.ac.uk

Director of Finance Gill Ball g.ball@bham.ac.uk

Director of IT Services Dr Sean P Duffy : s.p.duffy@bham.ac.uk

Director of development and IT issues Nick Blinco n.blinco@bham.ac.uk

Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services Heather Paver h.paver@.bham.ac.uk

Director of Legal Services Caroline Pike cmpike@bham.ac.uk

Director of estates Ian Barker i.barker@bham.ac.uk

Director of planning office Christine Abbott cmabbott@bham.ac.uk

Director of housing and accommodation Stuart Richards s.richards.2@bham.ac.uk

Director of corporate relations Tracey Lancaster … don’t have her e-mail can anyone help fill in the blank?

Stuart Richards Director of HAS and Brendan Casey Director of Academic Services both have series of sub directors working for them

Working for Stuart Richards Director of HAS

Director of university catering Sue Mclaren s.j.mclaren@bham.ac.uk

Director of Sport Zena Wooldridge zjwooldridge@bham.ac.uk

Director of Housing and accommodation general manger Lesley Stewart k.stewart@bham.ac.uk

Working for Brendan Casey Director of Academic Services are

Director of Library Servies Dianne Job d.m.job@bham.ac.uk

Director of Learning Development bob hunter r.hunter@bham.ac.uk

Director of academic and student admin Sophie Bowen … unfortunately missing

Why we should publish the vice chancellors e-mail for all students to hassle him.

2010-05-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

To build a movement that grows, that changes, that has weight it needs to constantly replenish it self with, new activists, new “hubs” of the movement. This is something I think we do very poorly at the guild of students.

Hubs are easy to spot; they do a vast amount of the work, and they seemingly know everyone and have connections seemingly everywhere.

Yeah, we need people like this but where I think the guild falls flat on it face… Is that it turns these “hubs” into permanent entrenched leaders who suppress the development of their replacements… limiting the growth of our movement.

To become an effective student activist on campus you need introductions … not just to other students and student groups but to the university its officers and managers and union and staff campaigners… more than it requires skills, knowledge about the university and a memory of the past.

The Guild reserves all these things for mainly for its officers as an officer you get the training, get taught about university structures told who is who, who to approach on each issue and start building relationships with these people.

This knowledge needs to be decentralized away from individuals and woven into the very fabric our student movement’s environment.

We should have pages on the guilds website profiling the universities directors with the e-mails available, interactive maps of the universities committees; including their links. Members remit and contact information.

The system of campaign representation was (I hope) designed with the best intentions, to get students heard. Its has unfortunately now become more like a bottleneck more of a block than boost to student campaigns. It is surprising? we don't need the one many army we need hundreds of students with the tools and will to make a difference.

Up until I leave as EEO I’m going to spend time publishing this information as best I can, while its up copy and paste it incase it gets removed.
I’m going to start with the upper management academic structures
University council – the highest body in the university, approves all decisions.

Professor D Eastwood The Vice-Chancellor and Principal d.eastwood@bham.ac.uk
Professor M C Sheppard The Vice-Principal 30/09/12 M.C.Sheppardl@bham.ac.uk

Professor M J Hilton Modern History 2012 M.J.Hilton@bham.ac.uk
Professor J M Marshall Medicine 2012 j.m.marshall@bham.ac.uk
Professor C Ryan European Economics 2013 c.ryan@bham.ac.uk
Professor A J Schofield Physics & Astronomy 2013 ajs@th.ph.bham.ac.uk

The Heads of College members of the council

Professor A Pauwels Arts and Law Email: a.pauwels@bham.ac.uk

Professor E W Peck Social Sciences e.w.peck@bham.ac.uk
Professor M C Press Life and Environmental Sciences m.c.press@bham.ac.uk
Professor N P Weatherill Engineering and Physical Sciences n.p.weatherill@bham.ac.uk
Professor L S Young Medical and Dental Sciences l.s.young@bham.ac.uk

The senate

think of this as guild council for the university, recent reforms have weaken its powers considerably and handed them over the executive, however this is how staff and student dissent with decisions is expressed. If you are upset with a decision that seems to have already been made… then it could well be useful to approach these people.

Three College Board members (each of these has been nominated by the Heads of College)

Engineering and Physical Sciences

Dr D F Hermans Director of Education hermadfm@adf.bham.ac.uk
Professor A J Schofield Director of Research ajs@th.ph.bham.ac.uk
Professor D W L Hukins Head of School, Mechanical Engineering D.W.Hukins@bham.ac.uk

Arts and Law

Professor M D Stringer Director of Education m.d.stringer@bham.ac.uk
Professor V L Gaffney Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer v.l.gaffney@bham.ac.uk
Dr L Brydon Head of School, History & Cultures L.Brydon@bham.ac.uk

Social Sciences

Professor C Ryan Director of Education c.ryan@bham.ac.uk
Professor C K Skelcher Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer c.k.skelcher@bham.ac.uk
Professor P B Jackson Head of School, Government and Society p.b.jackson@bham.ac.uk

Food Action Forum Group Meeting on 12 May 2010

2010-05-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

Summary Notes and Actions of Inaugural Food Action Forum Group Meeting on 12 May 2010, 3rd floor Staff House, University of Birmingham

Attendance: Sue McLaren (SJMcL), Ed Sparkes (ES), Louise Sherratt (LS), Mark Houghton (MH), Kevin Herbert (KH), Jane Colbourne (JC), Adrian Blower (AB), Katie Ford (KF), Edd Bauer (EB), Laura Beckmann (LB) and Angela Smith (AS).

Apologies: Tom Guise (TG).

No. Item. Action.
1.0 Introductions:
• Sue McLaren opened the meeting and invited each member to introduce themselves.
2.0 Apologies:
• Please see above.
3.0 Membership and Terms of Reference:
• Terms of Reference were agreed by all present.

Review and Amendment of Current Membership:
• It was agreed that the membership should also included 2 members from the Residents Association. Ed Sparkes to advise.

ES
4.0 Update on Services:
Guild:
• Adrian Blower advised on the refurbishment that is taking place in the Retail and courtyard areas of the Guild. £4 million has been invested and the project is due be completed by July 2010.
• The group were advised that the food court has been designed to provide a more ‘upmarket’ feel, along the lines of “Zizzi’s” at a reasonable price. The bar is a multifunctional area able to deal with day and evening requirements.
• Coffee Nation machines will be fitted in membership services areas; these will be on same scale that is offered at the Main Library.
• Edd Bauer raised concerns over the ‘ethics’ of the Rain Forest Alliance which Coffee Nation promotes.
• A Chinese frozen and dry goods shop is opening in the Guild called ‘Fresh Asia’.

Catering:
• Sue spoke about the recent i-Graduate survey and advised that she would circulate the results to Adrian Blower once her copy had been returned.
• Coffee Tender – Peros has been appointed. University will provide fairtrade coffee in coffee shops. Starbucks will not be included as it’s under a different contract.
• Refurbishment works will begin in Staff House on the 1st and 2nd floor and hopefully will be ready for the start of the next academic session.
• Works will begin in University Centre in summer. Spar and 19 Gales will be relocating. The café area will be expanding and a mezzanine floor introduced to give a food court feel to the area. Café Spice will be a noodle type style of outlet. Mark confirmed that tofu and vegan options will be available. Mark also advised vegan meals are currently available in outlets, but only provided on request.
• Guild and University will work together to promote vegetarian and vegan foods on the new Campus Cooking site.
• New counters in Fusion have been well received.
• Catering prices will be review in August.
• I Lounge Café – café operation is planned to open in the Library at the start of the next academic year.
• Starbucks opening times will be reviewed for the exam period for next year.
• Meal Plan from September 2010 will be able to accept certain VAT items, i.e. orange juice and ice cream.
• Sue briefly spoke about the cashless card system and will give a full update at the AMG. Note: It would appear that the current EPOS system is unable to facilitate this functionality.
• Kevin and Ed spoke about the campus cooking project run by Tom White that will be launched in September offering residents a food diary system, cookery demonstrations, international films, shopping guide to Birmingham and much, much more. This initiative will be advertised on both Guild and University portals with the aim to targeting 1st year students.
• British Food Fortnight (18 Sept – 4 Oct) takes place over Welcome Week this year. Its aim is to promote British produce and local sustainable products. Mark hopes to have the Farmers Market on site during this promotion.

SJMcL

KH & ES
5.0 Any Other Business:
• It was agreed that Adrian and Sue would keep each other in the loop regarding research to save duplication and will look at the possibility of introducing ‘mystery shoppers’.
• Katie raised questions over the future of Avanti and was informed that it will be evaluated depending on the new structure of University Centre and Staff House. Sue advised that she was keen to keep the Chicken Joe brand as it is very popular.
• Jane Colbourne is in the process of writing FAQ’s and will include items regarding vegetarian and vegan food.
• Polystyrene plates and containers used in Avanti are receiving complaints. Catering is looking at introducing bio-degradable cardboard products. Guild is also exploring more environmentally friendly items.
• Jane C will advised on areas were Soya milk products available on campus.
• Sue will look at the offers in Avanti as comments regarding ‘healthiness’ have been received.
• Sue M thanked Ed, Edd and Katie for all their efforts with the formulation of this group and wished them well for the future – it was hoped to build on this group.
• Van sales of local produce are to be investigated for the residential sites.

AB & SJMcL
JC
JC
SJMcL

Date of Next Meeting: To be arranged. Group wishes to meet in July 2010.

Food Action Forum Group

2010-05-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

As some of you will know the first "official" meeting of the oddly titled “Food Action Forum Group”, is meeting this Wednesday at 1pm.

Below is the terms of reference for the group (what it deals with officially) and the agenda for the meeting.

If there is anything you would like brought up, especially any ethical or environmental issues or suggestions you have with or for catering related issues. Please do message myself or Ed “I got naked but, I am not wot for” Sparkes or suggest something on the group wall for debate.

Edd

Terms of Reference:

The Food Action Forum Group is concerned with all aspects of catering and food provision on campus and in halls of residence. The Group aims to consolidate the various existing methods of gaining student feedback (Residents’ Association, the E&E Committee, Focus Groups, Forums, Survey etc…) and provide a forum for the discussion of all catering related issues including Hub grub, procurement, healthy living, ethical and environmental impact, costs/prices, services and operational issues.

The Group aims to be a force for collaboration between the University of Birmingham and the Guild of Students in order to develop and enhance the catering experience of all stakeholders on campus.

AGENDA

1.0 Introductions
2.0 Apologies for Absence
3.0 Membership and Terms of Reference
3.1 Review and amendment of current membership
4.0 Update on Services – Guild and UoB
5.0 Any Other Business

The back door... that is odd, I feel like the front door has been kicked in

2010-05-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

In my title I'm of course referring to the executives, rather arrogant dismisal of the no campaigners asking for changes to the referendum.

Johnny Davis said “this is a back door attempt to make changes” of course this is a referral to guild council’s attempts to change the new bye laws.
Somehow the referendum has become a absolute result ... odd considering the actual question asked was ““Should the Guild of Students develop and implement new democratic decision making processes based on these proposals, which can be found at”

And here is quote from the guilds president during the campaign “It is about getting the basic idea that we want referendums and open meetings and then we will draw up the 'legal texts' which will have to be approved by Guild Council and the trustee Board anyway.”

I can only describe the position that we can’t change the proposals because of the result of referendum deeply hypocritical.

Considering that as a test of student opinion that the results are somewhat invalidated by the way the Guild of Students allowed the 'yes' campaign privileged access to its extensive resources. This included employing students to hand out leaflets and put up posters in support of the 'yes' campaign, using the Guild's professional marketing department for the preparation and dissemination of 'yes' campaign material, granting access to Guild of Students Facebook group and events pages, and Guild and University e-mail lists, as well as respective officers soliciting support from residence associations and student groups for which they have responsibility. Most, if not all, full-time sabbatical officers campaigned in support of the 'yes' campaign against an under-resourced 'no' campaign run by students, many of whom were in the middle of essay deadlines and exams. All at a cost that we can only guess to be measured in the thousands.

It is not a stretch to question the meaning of 'support' for the proposals given that the 'yes' campaign focused largely on a simplistic and ambiguous 'vote yes' message couched in terms of currently popular memes such as 'change' and 'progress' which did not reflect the significance of the reforms being discussed or the issues raised during the 'consultation'. The only public debate during the campaign(s) was very poorly advertised by the Guild of Students and only around 10 students attended.

Considering despite this, hundreds of students voted no any many like some no campaigners asked abstained (yes Votes: 1681 No Votes: 337 Abstains: 98 spoilt ballots: 39 Total Votes Cast 2155 Total Valid Votes 2116) about 78% yes, it would not a stretch to be allowed at least allow some small amendments to be made... absolute none where. In my opinion the guild has taken another turn for the worse.

Protect Students not Israel!

2010-05-01T14:39:00.000-07:00

Before I start, I do not find racism in any way enjoyable, and I am firmly for most No Platform policies in most contexts.

The motion, if passed; would discourage, daunt and threaten deeply needed debate that is morally and legally legitimate. The motion asks students to accept the EUMC definition of anti-Semitism, a definition the UK rejected in favour of a definition of all hate crime.

The EUMC definition while well reasoned in many respects, has serious flaws. From it individuals criticising Israel can be smeared as racist.

Individual criticism of Israel can be inferred to be racist simply from the fact that such criticism seems disproportionate when compared to some general level of criticism levelled at other western democracies or other states. Anti Israeli activists can’t help that the general criticism of say Britain, France the USA are not higher (it really should be), Anti Israeli activists don’t deserved to be smeared as racist because other people don’t criticise other countries as much.... it would also be absurd to ask them to criticize all the other racist, ethnic cleansing and criminal states at the same time, there are unfortunately many of them, we are talking about are individual students not amnesty international! Racism is heavy charge to bring against students and no platform is a extremely harsh punishment speaking in what is considered above the proportionate general level of criticism, if such rules where applied to all aspects of debate how would change ever happen?

The EUMC definition also defines Nazi comparison i.e drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis, as racist. I can see the issue I would understand if someone compared Jewish person’s activities to that of Nazis or Nazi Germany, but I consider the state of Israel to be just as liable as any other state to this kind of criticism ... and the exercise of comparison is certainly not in most contexts racist.

Israel breeches regularly many fundamental human rights and commits ethnic cleansing, as do many states who should also be criticised, I like many students on campus would be branded racist and lumped in with skinheads and the fascists.

This motion needs resisting... the officers have given the motion no recomendation, which means they neither condem nor condone. I would have hoped the team would have rejected it, guild council is on tuesday may 4th, do attend if you can.

Here is a copy of the motion

Motion: EUMC Definition of Anti-Semitism
Guild Council Notes:
1. The last year has seen an unprecedented increase in Anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish students on campuses all over the UK
2. The EU Monitoring Committee working definition on Anti-Semitism has been created and agreed upon by all member states of the European Union as the right way to identify Anti-Semitism
3. At the last National Conference, the National Union of Students by a majority vote decided to renew the EUMC definition in their constitution
4. The decision to renew this was supported by all seven NUS delegates as voted for by the students of the University (which include the President, VPHC, VPSAD, VPDR)

Guild Council Believes:
1. That all students have the right to study, socialise and live free from racism, fear and intimidation
2. That the working definition of Anti-Semitism sets the boundaries of what constitutes Anti-Semitism whilst still allowing for criticism of Israel

Guild Council Resolves:
1. To put the Guild of Students on the front line in tackling Anti-Semitism and all other forms of racism.
2. To encourage the Vice-President of Welfare, ARAF officer and the Jewish Society to work with other societies to raise awareness about Anti-Semitism and the different forms it takes

Guild Council Mandates:
1. The President of the Guild of Students, when signing off external-speaker request forms, ensure that all external speakers follow the EUMC definition
2. The President of the Guild of Students to reject a speaker if they have a history of Anti-Semitic language in line with the EUMC definition.

Transition Birmingham?

2010-04-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

Copenhagen was never the be all and end all it was billed to be….But, at least we got a lot of rhetoric out of our leaders….

I have talked to a good few of you about this, many of us seem think that well… our governments have kind of failed to get their act together … and maybe never really intend on organizing the piss up in the brewery in the first place, so…. What is our alternative?

There are thousands of things that we can do, at individual, community, national and international levels in order to combat the climate crisis reduce our impact on the environment and work towards a fair, sustainable future…. Yeah our governments could help facilitate that … but well, we can do it without them! Maybe there will come a time when Politicians across the world stop being a central part of the problem only influenced by big business and their own careers and they will lend a hand (lol).

Since the politicians are part of system so inept, that they can’t even save themselves our alternative must be, I think, organizing ourselves and working together creating and implementing solutions …. And getting a “transition” to a low carbon society started ourselves.

Our working aims last December where….

1. Raise awareness of the upcoming climate change summit at Copenhagen
2. Discuss the deals which may, or may not be made
3. Encourage activism and for people to come to ‘The Wave,’ a climate change protest being held in London on the 5th December
4. Encourage everyone to lead more ethical, carbon neutral lifestyles
I think we need to recognize that with the failure of Copenhagen that our purposes have evolved …I think we should shift our tactics and aims. I still think we should participate in those big “lobby Gordon” activities …. It just that I now feel they are less relevant to us and we need to shift what we are doing.
Our four could be working aims could be for example…
1. Educate people about how the University community works.
2. Make sure everybody knows about our transition efforts, our activities and get everybody involved.
3. Set up practical Programs’ to help people and the university cut our carbon pollution and waste.
4. Spread our work beyond the University, into the local community and forge working links with local government.

Additionally I would like to change the name and description of this organizing group to “Birmingham University Transition Organizing” and the “how old will you be in 2050” to “transition Birmingham university”.

The groups and networks we built up during the Copenhagen campaign are a valuable resource we should utilize, from which all of us could promote our efforts like the big green fair that was organized at the end of last term.

What does everyone think?

International Women’s Day and the Workers Rights Consortium

2010-03-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

International Women’s Day and the Workers Rights Consortium
Workers Rights means Liberation not just for workers but for all groups! A sentiment shared by The Workers’ Rights Consortium, which states it is against all forms of discrimination; gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, or social or ethnic origin.
Why women’s day??? well studies show that women are amongst the three most vulnerable groups in the work place along with ethnic minorities and foreign born. Not mention 90% of the workers in sweatshops are women.

And there are some outstanding abuses of women’s rights goings such as companies requiring pregnancy tests upon applying for employment, forcing workers to take contraceptives, paying women less, demoting or firing for maternity leave.

The worker rights consortium pushes this code of conduct regarding women’ rights
“Women’s Rights:

I. Women workers will receive equal remuneration, including benefits, equal treatment, equal evaluation of the quality of their work, and equal opportunity to fill all positions as male workers.

I. Pregnancy tests will not be a condition of employment, nor will they be demanded of employees.

II. Workers who take maternity leave will not face dismissal nor threat of dismissal, loss of seniority or deduction of wages, and will be able to return to their former employment at the same rate of pay and benefits.

III. Workers will not be forced or pressured to use contraception.

IV. Workers will not be exposed to hazards, including glues and solvents, that may endanger their safety, including their reproductive health.

V. Licensees shall provide appropriate services and accommodation to women workers in connection with pregnancy.

The Workers Rights Consortium protects and aids women’s liberation movements. Take a look at the story of these five women who formed Bangladesh’s first non-politically-aligned, women-led, trade union and where imprisoned for it.

Yes the Workers Rights Consortium is not perfect; it doesn’t give a direct voice to Women activists... however compared other models, which take funding from the companies causing the abuse, who don’t always act on complaints, it’s certainly a positive step. If you had been pressured into an abortion by your employer would you go an organisation you didn’t trust to be on your side? The Workers Rights Consortium Fosters close ties to independent labour organizations and its independence puts it in a position to win the trust of all groups in a community.

Anti-Sweatshop activist from People and PLanet team up with Women’s Rights activists on campus to fight for equal rights in the supply chain, on March the 8th international Women’s day. We delivered our massive petition, which was symbolically written on T-shirts, to the Vice chancellor to protect women and women’s rights in our supply chain.

2010-03-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

The below is a open letter regarding the new democratic structure from a group of concerned students at Birmingham, including myself. We feel that the proposals have been somewhat pushed through and we are no appealing to those in the process of formulating the final model to reassess certain elements of the proposals in the face of the criticism they have received. this has aslo been posted on the radish website http://j15committee.baylott.org/

Dear Guild Decision maker,

We are writing to you regarding the recent cross-campus referendum on the proposals for a new democratic structure for the Guild of Students. In the final formulation of the model you may have some say.

We feel that as a test of student opinion that the results are somewhat invalidated by the way the Guild of Students allowed the 'yes' campaign privileged access to its extensive resources. This included employing students to hand out leaflets and put up posters in support of the 'yes' campaign, using the Guild's professional marketing department for the preparation and dissemination of 'yes' campaign material, granting access to Guild of Students Facebook group and events pages, and Guild and University e-mail lists, as well as respective officers soliciting support from residence associations and student groups for which they have responsibility. Most, if not all, full-time sabbatical officers campaigned in support of the 'yes' campaign against an under-resourced 'no' campaign run by students, many of whom were in the middle of essay deadlines and exams. All at a cost that we can only guess to be measured in the thousands.

We would also question the meaning of 'support' for the proposals given that the 'yes' campaign focused largely on a simplistic and ambiguous 'vote yes' message couched in terms of currently popular memes such as 'change' and 'progress' which did not reflect the significance of the reforms being discussed or the issues raised during the 'consultation'. The only public debate during the campaign(s) was very poorly advertised by the Guild of Students and only around 10 students attended.

We also feel that students, in general, have not been able to participate properly in the development of the model during the consultation process. The focus groups were poorly advertised, seemingly only within the Guild. Their validity for testing the reception of the proposals was seriously undermined by a lack of objectivity by officer participation the organisation of the sessions, the proposals clearly coming from the officers themselves under the guise of market research and the participants in groups would not have allowed for open detached analysis of the proposals and positive responses are not surprising.

The “You” Survey, which has been constantly referred to in Council and during the campaign, could be said to have included the views of many students across campus, but its general and superficial questions are a poor substitute for genuine engagement in how the Guild is run. It is difficult to see it as anything else than a market research exercise which has been wielded as a convenient instrument to blunt the criticisms of students who have engaged more meaningfully in the debate.

In our campaign we singled out postgraduate representation in particular as we felt they had effectively not been consulted at all on these proposals. There is a strong argument that the proposals could cause lasting damage to postgraduate representation within the Guild (which is, arguably, already in a poor state - although numbers have risen on council in the past year). Given this and the fact that postgraduates are a large minority within the university community, we feel that this on its suggests that major flaws existed in the methodology and/or conduct of the consultation process which may on its own necessitate a complete re-evaluation of the proposals apparently informed by it.

Ultimately, we feel that the result is not very indicative of student opinion at-large. Considering the circumstances under which the referendum was conducted which we have outlined above, a 4:1 vote ratio and a turnout of less than 10% cannot be meaningfully considered as support for the proposed reforms. We also would like to see change in the Guild and hope the proposals will now go through a period of genuine (well-advertised!) consultation, where genuine concerns about excluding the voices of groups on campus from the Guild and the ability of students to be involved meaningfully in the decision making process are listened to instead of being met with substance-less and derisory rebuttals from Guild officers.
However, we are aware that the cross campus voting cannot be ignored, but hope that the above points will have pointed out some of the flaws of the referendum process. We also hope that in the upcoming stages students will have a more present voice in the drafting of the final democratic structure and on behalf of the "vote no" group would like you to consider and take into account the concerns that we have with the proposed model.

1) the steering group; in the consultation process students said they did not want officers to vote, the new model removes the officers' voting rights but instead gives them the power to set the agenda of guild council. we feel this has been due to a misinterpretation, something has clearly gone wrong; adequate safeguards need to be put in place to ensure the steering group remains accountable to students, which could be achieve through features like;
=> Removal of all powers to reject a motion other than ultra vires (stated explicitly in the groups terms of reference)
=> non-exec members elected regularly to the steering group from guild council,
=> letting all students attend the steering group meeting in nonvoting capacity , guarantees that the process of overturning a officer decision will only inculde speeches from the floor (none from the steering group) and
=> a clear procedure to get a rejected motion onto guild council agenda swiftly without a delay to a guild council that could well be next term or even next year...

2) Fairer Representation in Guild Council; a proportionate system for postgraduate and undergraduate students and a realistic representation of cultural and religious groups. Postgraduates and undergrads are two groups with very different experiences, with many differing needs which are clearly not relative. Postgraduates should not have to compete with undergrads for fair representation.
The same applies for cultural, religious and political groups.

3) Ensuring responsive decision making; At present it needs 1000s of signatures to calla guild council for a specific issue. this is not a major issue since guild council is regular (3 times a term). However, in the new proposed structure guild council is only taking place once a term, so that there is a need for more achievable guidelines to call an "emergency" guild council. This could include the reduction of required signatures or power given to guild councillors themsevels to call a guild council. However, whatever the mechanisms in place, we believe that it needs clear and fair guidelines to give all societies equal access to the opportunity of calling additional guild councils if needed.

Additionally, and for the same reason, we believe that it must be possible to call a referendum at all times in the year taught to all guild councillors, as the current proposals strongly imply they can only happen once.

5) The problem of the representativeness of decisions taken in the open forums: these forums happen more than once a week (5 per month), and since it is not clear that these are compulsory meetings for all guild councillors we strongly doubt that the decisions taken by these forums will be in any way representative.

We would suggest that the open forums can make consequential decisions only if the subject had been on its agenda in advance (maybe 2 days is sufficient here), to ensure that people who have an interest in this topic know it is being discussed and can contribute to the debates and decisions.
issues brought up at the meeting itself can be discusses but should be decided on maybe at the next open forum (which will prob only be one week ahead).
All the best
Concerned Birmingham students

The referendum result indicates as much about student opinion as a ritually sacrificed chicken

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

As you may have found on the Guild of Students website, the results of the referendum are as follows:

Total Votes Cast 2155
Total Valid Votes 2116

yes Votes 1681
No Votes 337
Abstains 98

The results are now being reported to the Trustee board who will take the referendum as poll for student opinion to decided on the new structure.

I’m not surprised with this result; however I do feel that as a test of student opinion that the results are somewhat invalidated by the way the guild conducted the referendum; by employing students to hand out leaflets and put up posters for the yes campaign, Using a professional marketing department for the yes campaign material, Using guild Facebook group/events, e-mails, Residence associations and student groups for coercive messages for the yes campaign, full time officers campaigning against students in the middle of their essay deadlines and exams and all at a cost that can probably be measured in the thousands- I feel that the result is somewhat less indicative of student opinion and somewhat more telling of the guilds campaigning resources.

The No campaign was invited to a public debate, which on many points it won, and Tom guise even ended the debate with vague promises of reform the steering group structure, which I eagerly await... however the event was poorly advertised and only around 10 students attended and while the no campaigners where debating at the public debate, paid flyers where spreading out across campus delivering “vote yes” material... To be cynical, I would say that the debate was deliberately under promoted...

For me the biggest dangers now are that post grads have become jettisoned by the guild, the yes campaigners have been claiming that postgrads can represent undergrads and we should break proportional representation. This one of the daftest moves by the guild in recent year’s postgraduates and undergrads are two groups with very different experiences, with many differing needs which are clearly not relative, postgrads should not have to compete with undergrads for fair representation.... but on this point what I’m most confused by is how this came about? When Tom Guise originally came up with this model in June of last year (before all the consultation) postgrads where given fair proportional representation... somehow in consultation despite no one asking for it and even some criticism of the lack of PG representation. Postgrad representation was lost..... but why and how?

The new steering group structure will mean students relying (they shouldn’t have to) an officer not trying ride roughshod over students with differing views, yes that officer will receive clear guidance through forums… if somewhat disparate… but they won’t have to listen … or act… or even interpret what they hear… at the different forums in any mandated way….

It will be very easy for officer to say for instance, “we’ve done a lot of straw polls, market research/ surveys talked to many students; individually, in focus groups and forums…. And they way we see the data is …. students want this”… no one can really compete with the officer because they are hub of so much information, which is only available to the average student in the form of basic minutes and partially revealed research. Obviously this is a system open to abuse and safeguards need to be in place or well we could have more events like this referendum...

Guild council will become smaller... less regular (once a term) ... less representative (two representatives representing all cultural groups??) and arguably less powerful... in my view a disaster ... somehow the new “open forums” which sound great are meant make up for this, but come on, all they are is a little quality time with the officer team, shouldn’t we be getting that anyway? I don’t want to sacrifice genuine representation for these open forums, as EEO I have set up open forums in my own remit last term, but I never thought that somehow meant I didn’t need to go to guild council....

The way these reforms have been pushed through is undemocratic, tom originally came up with these proposals last year, way before the consultation and they have changed very little, except small things like the abandonment of postgraduates... during this past year I have asked to be allowed to attend and be allowed to see the minutes of the democracy review group or whatever it was called... these requests have been constantly denied and despite many negative reactions in consultation very little has changed from the proposed structures of June and certainly in no sense has the underlying logic of centralisation changed.

I am for serious changes to guild democratic structures (and if anyone wants to hear what they would be, I would only be too happy to oblige) but I’m against these changes, I’m against more executive power, I’m for fair representation and I’m against the way these changes have been pushed through.

I and the other no campaigners intend on continuing our campaign if you fancy joining please do join the FB group and message one of the admins.

Recycle cartridges & mobile phones for Charity

2010-03-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

This is the inkjet cartridge and mobile phone recycling scheme that helps charities raise funds without costing you a penny. The scheme is run by Environmental Business Products Ltd who has been working with charities for over 12 years and donated over £3 million to date!

Residents associations and the Guild are are lauching collections all across student accommodation, so keep a eye out, it should be in hall near you soon!

Currently drop off points are available at the following places… keep checking for more updates.

Tennis courts – Tecra office
Jarrat hall – Flat 107
Mason - Flat 10, block 1

Importantly who do you want, the money to go, what is your cause? Take part in the below poll to have your say..

*The final decision rests with res exec

Recycle cartridges & mobile phones for Charity:poll

2010-03-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

REDRESS FASHION SHOW 2010!! Don't miss out.. best fairtrade event of the year

2010-03-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

Showcasing the lastest fairtrade, vintage and eco styles modelled by guys and girls including items from the EMMA WATSON collection! A night of fashion, music and dance with DJ Thorp and Ironmonger providing the beats!

We also have special performances from Medic Dance Society, ACS Gospel Choir and a variety of singers.. (and more live acts still to be confirmed..)

If anything takes your fancy on the catwalk, you want to get yourself a vintage bargain or you want to pick up some handmade jewellery for that perfect Mother’s Day gift then there will be a market place open before and after the show!

There will also be a bar with a range of fairtrade and organic drinks, as well as a charity cake stall throughout the night.

We're even raffling off an outfit or two..

And don't forget to bring all your unwanted, good quality clothes and accessories to the swap shop!

A night not to be missed!!
Tickets are £5 for students and £7 for non-students and are available from 19Gales farmshop in University Centre.

If you're lucky enough to live in halls or be a member of FOCsoc then your tickets cost just £2.50 (for the first 300 buyers). These special offer tickets are avaliable from your Guild Ticket Sellers.

THERE WILL BE GUYS FASHION TOO!!

International Women’s Day, protect women in our universities supply chain…

2010-03-05T10:48:00.000-08:00

What you thought that the naked photo shoot was it… campaign over…nah this shit is ongoing…

The Vice chancellor is reading through all his massive piles of letters from us… mulling all this over and of course staring at our naked bodies, Fabian gave him a copy of our naked pictures.

This Monday international women’s day we are going to be giving him a gentle reminder about what this all about, get for workers the basic independent protection systems that we all take for granted.

Why women’s day??? well studies show that women are amongst they three most vulnerable groups in the work place along with ethnic minorities and foreign born. Not mention 90% of the workers in sweatshops are women.

And there are some outstanding abuses of women’s rights goings such as companies requiring pregnancy tests upon applying for employment, forcing workers to take contraceptives, paying women less, demoting or firing for maternity leave.

And there are other problems groups like the Suman group in Bangladesh in face of its women workers attempting to form the first women led union in Bangladesh it lobbied the government to make women led unions illegal and used there legal clout to get the five women arrested.

So this Monday at 2:30 we are going to be delivering our massive petition, which has been symbolically written on T-shirts, to the Vice chancellor to protect women and women’s rights in our supply chain.

We are meeting in the guild at 2:30 in the common room in the guild of students and we go from there to Vice Chancellors office.

The more people come out in the delegation the more impressive it looks and the bigger impact it will have on the vice chancellor and his pro vices so please do come out.

Any questions please do call or text me on my mobile 07988056867

Sign up to Workers rights Consortium say, Islamic and Jewish Societies

2010-03-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Dear David Eastwood

On Thursday, February 11, 2010, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) announced that it had filed a lawsuit against T.A. Loving Company (a North Carolina based construction company) for denying religious accommodation to several employees and then later firing them because of their religion. (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. T.A. Loving Company, Civil Action No. 5:10-cv-00054). This is unfortunately just one of the many cases of religious discrimination in the workplace around the world. Many cases like this never get to the stage of being heard in court and many countries do not have the commissions in place to protect workers like the USA’s EEOC. I’m writing on behalf of the University of Birmingham Jewish society, to encourage you to sign up to an independent monitoring body such as the Guild suggests - the workers rights consortium.

We would be happier knowing that universities apparel is free from not only Anti-Semitism but all forms of discrimination. We were greatly concerned when we heard about the plight of five women from Bangladesh, who formed Bangladesh’s first Independent Garment Union Federation (BIGUF), the first non-politically-aligned, women-led, trade union to be established in Bangladesh’s apparel sector which was subsequently terminated by their employees the Sunman Group.

Please do everything in your authority to sign the university up to the workers rights consortium as soon as possible.

Sincerely

Lior Sayada
Birmingham Chair of the Birmingham JSoc

Dear Vice Chancellor,

Islam, in its authentic form, gave to mankind an ideal code of human rights fourteen centuries ago. These rights aim to confer honour and dignity on mankind and eliminate exploitation, oppression and injustice.

As a result, I feel obliged (on behalf of the University of Birmingham Islamic Society) to encourage you to partner yourself with Workers Rights Consortium (WRC) - an independent labour rights monitoring organisation, conducting investigations of working conditions in factories around the globe.

It is unfortunate that human rights are being trampled upon with impunity in many countries of the world, including some Muslim countries. Such violations are a matter of serious concern and I can assure you (as a senior representative of the largest student society on campus) that students are increasingly focussing their efforts in campaigning for a just human rights solution to some of the most destitute and depressing circumstances imposed by the world’s most merciless regimes.
For example, towards the beginning of this year, nearly 400 students from various backgrounds attended University of Birmingham Islamic Society’s “Remember Gaza” presentation, which commemorated Israel’s deliberate and disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate and terrorise a civilian population in Gaza, Palestine. – The event was an illustration of how such transparent violations of human rights abuses are arousing the conscience of more and more students throughout the UK.

Signing up with WRC will be an additional opportunity for the University to ensure all its licensed goods have been produced to the highest of ethical standards.

“O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most just with his fellow human beings. Behold, God is all-knowing, all aware.”
(Al Qur'an, Al-Hujurat 49:13)

Yours Sincerely

Tamour Khan

University of Birmingham Islamic Society

Sign up to the Workers Rights Consortium says black and ethnic minority’s association

2010-03-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

Dear vice chancellor,

I’m writing on Behalf of the universities Black and ethnic minorities association and as the guilds ethnic minority officer, to persuade you to sign up to the workers rights consortium.

I am very proud of the work the university has done in creating a positive discrimination free environment that, my self, the BEM association and the student we represent would love for you to extend the university excellent work in this area.

Students want to have the guarantee that the university garments are free from discrimination, can you imagine what it would be like to not be able to get a job because of your perceived ethnic origin? Or being directed into different jobs because of the colour of your skin?

Just last year I was horrified to hear about Ornamental Iron Workers not directing non-whites to the same jobs as their white counterparts resulting in a disparity of work and pay.

Signing up to the worker rights consortium is easy and it would guarantee that all the universities clothes, appareled and all the goods sold in shops on campus are free from abuses that the employees of Ornamental Iron Workers had to suffer.

All the Best

Allan Sengassa
University of Birmingham black and ethnic minority’s association

Sign up to worker rights consortium say, disabled students

2010-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Vice chancellor,

I’m am writing to ask you as Disabled students officer and with the disabled students association, to ask you to sign up to the workers rights consortium because of the role it plays in defend those around world who are victims disability discrimination.

For example thousands of people worldwide are the victims of stigmatization because of the illness for example, many employees require HIV testing as a precondition for employment. A Process which only encourages prejudice and negative attitudes, abuse and maltreatment directed at people living with HIV/AIDs.

It is simpler story for many all over the world with all kinds of disabilities, Signing up to the workers rights consortium would, help guarantee that garments on campus are not made in factories that have abusive practices to people living with disabilities aswell as promoting better practices and protection for disabled people.

The workers rights consortium protects not just people with disabilities, it protects against all forms of discrimination; gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, or social or ethnic origin.

With all this in mind we would like to encourage you to sign up to the workers rights consortium as soon as possible.

Sincerely

Claire Lister Disabled student’s officer
and the disabled students association

Sign up to worker rights consortium: say sports representatives

2010-03-04T07:57:00.000-08:00

Dear vice chancellor,

I’m writing as vice president of sport at the guild of students and on behalf of the universities sports teams. I think the University of Birmingham has an excellent track record of supporting high ethical standards and in promoting equality.

Thousands of women worldwide are forced or pressured to take contraceptives by there employees or made to take pregnancy tests on applying for work. They are also often paid less in wages and benefits given less opportunity.

I am proud to say sport over the last century has had a role in breaking down symbols of masculine power and prestige while being a talisman and role model for women’s liberation and the egalitarian process. This a proud history that Birmingham’s sportsmen and women would like to see carried on at Birmingham.

Signing up to the workers rights consortium would guarantee that the women producing our sports team clothes will; Receive equal remuneration, including benefits, equal treatment, equal evaluation of the quality of their work, and equal opportunity to fill all positions as male workers, Pregnancy tests will not be a condition of employment, nor will they be demanded of employees, Workers who take maternity leave will not face dismissal nor threat of dismissal, loss of seniority or deduction of wages, and will be able to return to their former employment at the same rate of pay and benefits, Workers will not be forced or pressured to use contraception, Workers will not be exposed to hazards, including glues and solvents, that may endanger their safety, including their reproductive health, Licensees shall provide appropriate services and accommodation to women workers in connection with pregnancy.
Additionally sport has another proud history of fighting racism for example the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee (SAN-ROC) which was formed in 1963 and operated all the way through the aparthied regimes time in power, it was a beacon of hope, equality and change for many. The impact of Olympic boycott of all South African sports bodies that practiced apartheid should also not be underestimated. Signing up to the workers rights consortium would protect workers who make our sports apparel from racism and discriminatory practices.
I have been talking, with the other officers in the guild, to Will Hemming from Kukri who is our major supplier say Kukri is very happy to be monitored and would welcome the Workers rights consortium into its factories in china. Please do everything in your power to sign the University of Birmingham up to the workers rights consortium swiftly.

Sincerely

Katie Ford Vice president of Sport

Sign up to the Workers rights consortium say: anti racism activists on campus

2010-03-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Vice Chancellor,

I’m writing on Behalf of the universities Anti Racism and Anti Fascism association and as Anti Racism and Anti Fascism officer, to encourage you to sign up to the workers rights consortium.

186 universities worldwide have signed up to a code of practice and monitoring organisation that guarantee the workers in its supply the chain are free from racist abuse and discrimination.

Racist abuse of poor disempowered groups is easy and systematic. Nike for example recently had to pay out 7.6 million dollars because its managers used racial slurs against its black employees and shoppers, segregated jobs so that the higher paid jobs went to white workers, and routinely told security to monitor not just black customers but also black employees because of their race, Quietflex Manufacturing Company, L.P. had to pay out $2.8 million to 78 current and former workers for employee discrimination and Benenson Rehabilitation Pavilion had to pay out for the racial harassment of 29 employees, with a settlement of $900,000.

These unfortunately are just the cases where groups desperately in need of justice where successful and they where results of long struggles, it took four long years for the Nike workers in Chicago. Today many find themselves without a hope of ending the discrimination against them and many find themselves in impossible battles to end it, for example the current ongoing case against Fiber and Fabrics International is proving a hard struggle where Fiber and Fabrics international requested successfully a arrest warrant, without bail, for the activists campaigning against it.

Students on campus want to know that clothes at the university have not been produced by a worker who has had suffer racist abuse and discrimination, so please do everything in your power to sign the University of Birmingham up to the workers rights consortium

Sincerely

Anna Lawton guild of students anti racism and anti fascism officer guild of students
and The University of Birmingham ARAF association

we all got naked for workers rights

2010-03-03T15:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks for coming, everyone was amazing, we were so numerous that we looked like some kind of naked army, braving the cold, against exploitation.

it was fun action with a serious message, getting Birmingham university signed up to the WRC, if successful, would be the most significant and progressive change in UK procurement practices since fairtrade.

It would mean us as students teaming up with workers, women and all kinds of liberation activists.

corporate social responsibility is great, however in global terms it is like responding to the suffragette movement by saying we will pass equality laws but you still cannot have your own representation or votes, just trust us to be nice....

Lets hope for positive response from our VC, more actions like this are in the works so stay in touch or better start organizing your own action for the WRC with your friends, message me if you want any support

Get Ready for the naked action against sweatshops

2010-02-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

The Independent, (the national paper) maybe coming to cover the story of the international day of action in the UK as ours will be the best action in the UK.....making it great if lots of people turn up but very bad if not many people do.... that being said them turning up guarantees nothing particularly if there are not many of us there.

Please do get the message by any means you can, get your friends along and don't forget to tell them about the great naked after party at the naked lunch toga party on 9th afterwards!!

at the photo shoot there will be

one big banner for people just to show there faces and feet

some medium size cardboard signs which much like the pic on the group go between thighs and and shoulders.

a few small small A2 sizes

and one small A3 sign for Ed sparkes who has volunteered to stand at the very front... what a guy!

please do message me back saying which size you would like I will reserve one for you, it would aslo be help to know just how many of each type we will need.

myself and few volunteers are going to be door knocking around halls trying to get people and selling tickets to Ethical fashion show on the sly, on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evening, if you would like to join us please do message back.

Public meeting -5pm in joes, Yarl's Wood Hunger Strike Solidarity

2010-02-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

I hope many of you will have similar sentiments to mine regarding the recent violent events in yarls wood detention center.

The media coverage of the strike has been very poor, but I am sure some of you will have seen, that a mass hunger strike has been ongoing by the women detainees of yarl's wood against the disgusting conditions and abhorrent practices there.

The demands of the hunger striking women can be found here , they include demands such as "End the frustrations, physical and mental torture at the centre" ,"To end all false allegations and misrepresentations by the UKBA regarding detainees in order to refuse bail or temporary admissions." and "Access to appropriate medical treatment and care as in the community, access to edible and well cooked food, phones with good mobile connections, with camera and recording facilities to back up cases." which are very reasonable.

shockingly The private security guards of the Serco group have violently attempted to end the hunger strike and attempt on the 8th of February saw 70 women being locked in a corridor for up to 8 hours without access to food, water, toilet or medical care. Many collapsed and about 20, who climbed out of a window, were beaten up and taken into isolation cells. Four of the women, singled out as 'ringleaders', were taken to Bedford police station and subsequently transferred to HMP Holloway prison in London, without being charged with any offence or brought before a judge.

These women are guilty of nothing except trying to survive, Serco's activities make me sick.

students across the country have been engaging in a number of protests in solidarity with the hunger strikers have taken place. On 10th February, students held a two-day solidarity hunger strike at the London offices of Serco, the private security company that runs Yarl's Wood. Two days later, on 12th February, a noisy demo was held outside Serco's offices, with around 50 people present. 84 Northwest No Borders activists also took part in a 24-hour fast in solidarity with the 84 detainees on hunger strike. 66 people in Bradford also took part in a one-day solidarity hunger strike. On 17th February, a protest was held outside HMP Holloway in solidarity with the 'Yarl's Wood four'. Another protest at the Serco offices in London has been called for Friday, 26th February.

Knowing that the Serco Birmingham offices are In selly oak not and not a stones throw from my house, I would like to call a public meeting to discuss what we can do at 5pm this Wednesday in Joes, in the guild of students.

"The strikers include -below is from from press release on indymedia

Women on hunger strike include:

Ms O, who has now been taken to Holloway prison. She fled to the UK having suffered years of domestic violence from her uncle in Nigeria and was then threatened with Female Genital Mutilation. She was told by a woman who befriended her that she didn’t stand a chance of asylum.[6] In 2007, she was arrested and convicted of possessing criminal property as she had a little money in her bank account because her parents’ home had been sold. She was remanded in Holloway and eventually in desperation and believing that she would be released sooner, pleaded guilty. She was taken straight from prison to Yarl’s Wood. She reported to the Yarl’s Wood health centre that she was a survivor of torture and showed them her scars. But she remained in detention. (Women Against Rape helped another woman win £38, 000 in similar circumstances.) A lawyer demanded £4000 to represent her. Her barrister used the wrong name in court, didn’t present all the evidence in her case and she was refused. During the
hunger strike, she was told by Yarl’s Wood staff that "You are from the jungle” and she should“go back”.

Ms D, a Black woman and a mother of two, has been detained for 11 months. She was convicted of“racially aggravated assault” after police were called to an argument in a shop. She tried to stop police taking her youngest son from her, was held down and accused of kicking a policeman. One of the police officers (all white) called her a 'black bitch' to which Ms D responded 'white bastard'. This led to a conviction for possession of drugs. She was imprisoned and then taken
to Yarl’s Wood. Her 16 year old son is in the care of social services and her seven year old with a cousin. Ms D was assaulted by a guard on Monday and suffered bruising to her head. She is being held in segregation because she has visible bruises and she has had no medical treatment for her injuries.

Ms N, a lesbian woman and a single mum with two children, has been in the UK for 12 years. She fled to the UK from Jamaica after she witnessed a murder, was falsely accused of being a “police informer” and beaten and stabbed. She had no idea that she could claim asylum in the UK. For years she was unable to speak about the rape she suffered from her stepfather as a child. She eventually
disclosed it to Women Against Rape describing how when she told her real father about the abuse, her stepfather killed her mum. She won asylum in late October but the Home Office appealed and has been kept in detention since. Her son has been attacked by a gang and threatened with guns while she’s been inside.

Ms W has been in Yarl’s Wood for eight months and is on the seventh day of her hunger strike. She has lived in the UK for 10 years and her daughter is British. She was convicted and imprisoned for 10 months for possession of drugs after she was forced to carry a package by men who threatened to kill her and her daughter. She could never speak about the threats as the men told her that they knew where her daughter was and would kill her if she talked. Ms W has not seen
her seven year old daughter for 1 ½ years. Her daughter cries constantly on the phone. Relatives say that she sometimes starts packing her bags to “go and see mummy”.

Ms S has been in Yarl’s Wood for eight months. Ms S is from Jamaica. Her mother left for the UK when she was six and she didn’t join her mother until she was 12. She was traumatised by the separation. In her teenage years, she started using drugs and at 19 was arrested for intent to supply. She was threatened by a gang that if she gave information to the police she would be killed so, fearing for her life, she went on the run. After 15 months she was caught and
got a heavier sentence because she had broken bail. She now faces deportation to Jamaica where she has not been since a child. Other women say she has been transferred to prison but we can’t get hold of her.

Ms M fled rape and other torture in Gambia. She tried to get help from the legal aid clinic in Yarl’s Wood but they didn’t get back to her for four months. She is on five different medications but still joined the hunger strike."

Resurrected: policy from the dead, continue your movement

2010-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:00

All guild policy lapses after three years, which means unless is it renewed by guild council it lapses and is forgotten, As guild council motions are not easily accessible and as there is no updates about motions lapsing, We actually lose many many motions to be forgotten.

This is shame for a movement for our long-term progression and development as movement requires a collective sense of identify and history, which is something that we lose by not seeing what our predecessors did.

Last guild council I dragged up two policy documents from the past one several years lapsed and the second only two weeks.

The first was “Balloon releases and the environment”, which for four years between 1999- 2003 was recurrent issue which the guilds conservation volunteers championed, On 23rd January 1998 the Guild launched 1000 black balloons into the atmosphere as part of the anti tuition fee campaign, the move was heavily criticized as balloons take can take 6 months to degrade in the environment longer in cold water and are very damaging to marine life, this resulted in four years later ,in 2003, Edward Polehampton of Recycling Society and Ro Jackson of Conservation Volunteers passing motion banning balloon releases.

This policy lapsed and one of the societies behind it disappeared, GC has now renewed it, but the movements narrative and continuity can be said to be broken, unfortunately we don’t record our history particularly well as an movement, the best records we have are anecdotal ones kept by the occasional PHD student who has been around forever. Recording what we do stops us cyclically repeating ourselves and acts as a resource for future students.

If conservation volunteers had recorded their past activities would their current members have championed the legacy rather than let it slide?

The best immediate thing you can do as society is start your own blog, record what you are doing, so future students can look back when thinking about what to do next.

For example take a look at the radish old and new it is record of discussions and ideas and activities.

Waste Reduction and Recycling Group

2010-02-16T08:45:00.000-08:00

Notes of meeting

Present: Trevor Shields, Donna Willmetts, Niki Constantinou, Edd Bauer, Tom Guise and Peter Larkin

No. Item. Action
1. Apologies
Dave O Driscoll
2.
Update on Current Initiatives
(i) Binless Office Sceme
The scheme was continuing to go well in the Muirhead Tower with around 10 to 20 bags collected each day. There was potential for a glass bin on the ground floor.

4 locations were now taking part with a further 9 locations having expressed an interest in signing up. From the original stock of 230 bins there are now only 80 bins in stock. A bid for funding for further bins was in place.
Action: Publicity to be updated regarding current situation of glass bin in the Muirhead.

(ii) Rocket Composter
A meeting was being organised to discuss the future location of the rocket.
Action: The group to be updated on progress.
(iii) Grounds and Gardens

Around 20 tonnes of wet leaves were collected last year (not 60-70 as first stated).
Recycling bins on the Vale were not being widely used.

There were concerns regarding the service provided by the City Council.

Action: The Guild to contact the RA’s regarding publicity for the Vale recycling bins. The Guild to contact the City Council to encourage improvements in the service.

(iv) Guild Initiatives
The University was looking at a potential charity scheme with Veolia for recycling ink cartridges.

Action: The group to be updated on progress.

Action: The possibility of the Guild joining the University waste and recycling contracts was to be put to the Guild Trustees at the end of March.

(v) Batteries

A recycling bin was to be placed in the each of the Village receptions, and the Muirhead ground floor.

Action: The possibility of small bins to be placed in the Guild.

PL, DW, TCS, TG, EB, PL, TGPL, TG, EB

3. Waste and Recycling Figures
Updated figures were discussed. The trend over 5 years for waste to landfill was generally downward, however the increase over the last year was possibly due to the large number of office moves.

Action: Barry Higgins to be contacted regarding paper purchasing figures.
Action: The recycling figures to be circulated to the group.

TCS, PL
4. Awareness and website
The environment and Guild websites had been updated.
There was to be a staff student forum in the Guild at 5:00pm on 2nd February.

5. AOB

4. organisations were to be interviewed from a shortlist of 5 for the general waste and cardboard tender.

7. Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 14th April 2010 @ 11.00 am, No 54 Pritchatts Road

Fairtrade Steering Group – 3rd February 2010

2010-02-11T01:03:00.000-08:00

Present: Stuart Richards (Director of HAS – Chair), Pete Nobbs (Medicine and Dentistry), Sue McLaren (Director of Catering), Lucy Whalley (Oxfam), Erika Malone (Retail), Jane Colbourne (HAS Procurement), Edd Bauer (Guild Ethical and Environmental Officer), Sylvia Gardiner (Library & LUCIA), Margaret Healy-Pollett (Chaplaincy & Traidcraft stall), Lizzy Bell (People & Planet), Louise Sherratt (Catering Operations), Edmund Duesbury (Fairtrade Supporter), Zoe Pflaeger (Post Graduate)
Apologies: Steve Burton, Angie Gibson, Kate Weiler, Helen Senior

1) Minutes/Actions from last Meeting
• Jane has been in touch with Starbucks about arranging a meeting but has yet to set a date. JC
• Website – Helen has updated the Fairtrade webpage and has added the Fairtrade fortnight events. http://www.has.bham.ac.uk/catering/fairtrade/

• Redbrick article – unsure whether an article went in Redbrick.
• Fairtrade Officer for Oxfam – this is ongoing but should be ok
• Fairtrade offer at new Guild catering outlet. Sue has emailed Adrian at the Guild about offering Fairtrade products.
• Stuart has spoken to LGUA about serving Fairtrade beverages at meetings
• Report to the Fairtrade Foundation – the University’s Fairtrade status has been renewed and the Foundation congratulated us on the number of events organised. Well done all!
• Erika has been trying to get FT sales figures from Spar and Costcutter.
• Coffee Nation – this coffee is not Fairtrade but is Rainforest Alliance certified. Louise has spoken to Ken from Coffee Nation but there is no current plan to change. Sue will keep this under review.
2) Fairtrade Fortnight
• Wine tasting 22nd February 6.30pm Café Aroma Staff House. Lucy is awaiting confirmation from John Boyle that the Co-op will support the event again this year. If not the ticket price may need to change. Payment for the wine can be made by purchasing card if cardholder goes with Lucy to collect it. Sue offered transport for collecting the wine via one of the catering managers. (LW, JC)
• Ethical Buffet 25th February 7.00pm Noble Room Staff House.
• Fashion show – Friday 12th March Great Hall 7.30 – 9.30pm with stalls open from 6.45 and until 10.15. There is an issue with drinks – Sue will speak to her managers about this (LB, SJMcL)
• 27th February Fab n Fresh at the Guild with Traidcraft stall
• Fairtrade beer and wine festival at the Guild during all of Fairtrade Fortnight
• Naked Day of Action – Students against sweatshops (People and Planet and Fairtrade Foundation campaign) 24th February.
• Fairtrade Association Birmingham (FAB) will have a marquee in Victoria Square on 27th February 10.00 – 3.30. May also be arranging a Fairtrade Tea Dance nearby.
• Lucy will prepare a poster for all the events for everyone to circulate. Stuart offered to get the events circulated on the all-staff email list if Lucy sends the text to him. (LW, SR)
3) Traidcraft – Margaret has a new volunteer but more volunteers would be welcome so the stall could be opened for longer. £170 was banked after Christmas sales. Sales are growing. Unfortunately the safe had been broken into again however there was no money stolen this time as it had been banked. Margaret has not had a response about the Guild volunteer form.
4) LUCIA
• Coffee tasting in Starbucks 10th March at 6.45pm. Tickets £2 in aid of LUCIA. Starbucks has a link with coffee growers in Ethiopia which is where LUCIA supports projects.
• An art exhibition with local artists is planned in June
• Beer and skittles at the Selly Park Tavern 19th February. Tickets £4.00 from John Rickards in the Library.
• LUCIA will have a stall in the FAB marquee on 27th February.
5) FAB
• Jane has sent text about Fairtrade at the University for the Fairtrade City pamphlet that is being prepared for FAB.
6) AOB
• £712 was raised by Angie Gibson and her colleagues at a bake sale at the Medical School yesterday in aid of the Haiti appeal.
• Angie asked (via email) whether anything could be done to encourage the University to use Fairtrade products at high profile events such as the BUAFTAs. Stuart will investigate the pricing structure.(SR)
• Erika reported that Spar intend to widen their range of Fairtrade products
• Erika offered a stall at the Farmers Market on 24th February for Fairtrade. If anyone is interested they should contact her.
• Fairtrade apple juice is now available and also Divine butterscotch flavour. Fairtrade chocolate flavoured milk has been trialled but did not sell well.
• Organisation of a tea party had been mentioned at the last meeting. It was suggested this would be better held later in the year in the Great Hall.
• Edd would like the University to support the Workers Rights Consortium. There is a cost of £1000 per year – the Guild has offered £500 and Kukri a further £100. Edd circulated a letter to the University requesting its support.
7) Next meeting – 12th May 3.00pm 3rd floor Staff House

Ethical and Environmental Committee, minutes, 9th of February

2010-02-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

In Attendance: Lizzy Bell, Maia Stone, Laura Beckman, Sandhya Trott, Ellie Barendt
apologies: Deborah Bazeley, Gemma Bending,Lincoln Smith

1. Elections Ethical and Environmental working group.

Brief discussion on what form of voting was most appropriate AV, FPTP, MPR group settled on deciding the elections by consensus, electing Laura Beckman and Sandhya Trott who I am confident will be excellent Reps.

2. Co-ordination of campaigns

Lizzy Bell: Mentioned the Ethical Fashion show and asked for support from other groups, UN society and Carnival RAG are going to look into publicizing the event to their members.

Discussion of attendance to the E&E committee, decided attendance should not be compulsory for student groups, should attempt to build genuine membership.

3. Suggestions

Simplification of the universities recycling system, discussion about benefits of a unified system and methods of spreading it around campus, creation of inter department green league and global advocate list action all, join global list action Edd - lobby more staff members to join.

RA's and the environment Sandhya and Edd to approach Residents executive about having specific Environment Rep and compulsory membership of the Halls ethical and environmental forum

4. Renaming of group from E&E forum to E&E committee want to differentiate from the new forum system being set up in the guild and encourage a more active participation in decision making.

5. AOB

group very unhappy about the DSR proposals want to talk with a sabbatical about them, Perhaps at the next E&E forum, talked about possibility of campaigning against them.

Naked Lunch supports; students getting naked

2010-02-09T03:21:00.000-08:00

The Iconic Birmingham club night, and strong proponents of nudity the Naked Lunch, will be givin out free guest list tickets to their March party on the 9th - to any student who takes part in the naked photo shoot for a transparent fair system.

This is not just about public nudity however …

the workers rights consortium is not just about sweatshops it is about; LGTBQ rights, Human rights, Women's rights, fighting Racism, Ageism and all forms of discrimination( gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, or social or ethnic origin).

Why not get your group involved in the action, message me if you want me to come meet with you or your committee.

A Time To Get Naked! - wednesday march 3rd 1pm

2010-02-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

or at least time to get other people naked, depending on how you feel about public nudity... whatever.

after two international conference calls, between 26 students from all over North America and Europe (Including students from Birmingham UK & USA)a international week of action against sweatshops has been been organized for, the week starting the 1st of march.

The theme is "I'd rather go naked than, wear sweatshop clothing"

Why take part! - this is not just for the kicks

the people working for university’s suppliers are often working under slave labour conditions, with no union, no healthcare, 80 hour working weeks and 5p an hour wages, with no safety, no breaks no guarantees or job security and as consumers we are often given no guarantees of origin, no independent auditing.

There is a powerful student movement against sweatshops coming into fruition on both sides of the Atlantic. Students have set up the workers rights consortium to monitor companies globally and by asking universities to affiliate to it, we are asking them to "bare all" and uncover the factories that their suppliers use.

We Have already gone far, 186 universities have signed up, $2.5 million dollars have been given to workers in compensation for abuses, 1,200 laid-off workers have their jobs back and Russel athletic have extend the right to unionize for all their factories (find out more ... New York Times and new internationalist .

you don't actually have to get naked just, as demonstrated in the pictures, create the illusion of nudity.

over the next few weeks I'm going to messaging loads of group on campus student societies, sports teams, guild officers, members of staff and the Vice chancellor asking them to take part and show their support. I will keep a running update of groups and individuals helping people getting naked on this blog so keep checking!

talk to you soon

xx

FAIRTRADE STEERING GROUP – 3rd February 2010

2010-02-03T06:33:00.001-08:00

3rd Floor Staff House – 3.00pm

1 Introductions
2 Minutes/actions from last meeting
3 Fairtrade Fortnight Events
4 Review Fairtrade Policy
5 Annual Report to Fairtrade Foundation
6 Traidcraft Stall at the Chaplaincy (volunteers and publicity)
7 LUCIA – forthcoming events
8 FAB
9 AOB
10 Dates of Next Meetings – 12th May 2010, 20th October 2010

RECYCLING WORKING GROUP

2010-01-26T03:32:00.000-08:00

any questions or suggestions you would like me to bring up just, e-mail to me at e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

11:00am Wednesday 27th January 2010, S252 Metallurgy & Materials Building

AGENDA

1. Apologies

2. Update on Current Initiatives
(i) Binless Office Scheme
(ii) Rocket Composter
(iii) Grounds & gardens initiatives
(iv) Guild initiatives
(v) New battery recycling scheme

3. Waste and Recycling Figures

4. Awareness, including website

5. Waste and cardboard tender

6. Any Other Business

7. Date of Next Meeting

Are you thinking of running for ethical and environmental officer?

2010-01-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

It’s a position with a wide remit and for a non-sabb it is always very active and sits on a number of positions. Including the guilds ethical and environmental work group, The universities waste management and recycling group , Fair-trade steering group, Food work group and the universities Environmental advisory group.
The EEO also organises and helps co-ordinate ethical and environmental campaigns at the guild of students and chairs the ethical and environmental forum which meets three times a term.

The EEO also helps organise the guilds role in fair-trade fortnight and organises the guilds yearly direct action and legal training workshops.

The position, since we live in a patriarchal and capitalist society, has been filled time and time again with male candidates- Nick Bryer, Steven Heywood, Julian Pritchard, Pippa Calver and myself. (Check out what pippa was up to on her blog).

If you are thinking of running to gain a head start you may want to come to 1st -

The university environmental forum
This is your chance as a student or a staff member to question, suggest and influence the university on environmental issues. It is a meeting for all staff and students with the universities sustainability and environmental Advisor - Dr Shields, the Guilds Vice president of democracy and Resources -Tom Guise and myself the Ethical and Environmental officer. Dr Shields will outline at the start of the meeting the universities position, what it is trying to do with regards to minimizing it impacts and problems. Afterwards we will be talking about what we could do and what our responses to these issues could be as a community. I think it very important that we make use of this opportunity to start a real community response based, with students staff and the university all involved, to ecological issues at the university. If you want to be EEO I think you should attend, the information you will gain in this event could also help you get elected, as it will become apparent in your speeches that you know what you are talking about. THIS TAKES PLACE - 5-6pm Thompson training suite, guild of students on the 2nd of February

And 2nd

Run for the ethical and environmental work group, this group is responsible for minimising the guilds environmental impacts wherever possible and in ensuring that guilds activities do not. At the ethical and environmental work group we will be drawing up a three year action plan for environmental improvements at the guild and checking the implementation and feasibility of ethical policy. If you thinking of becoming EEO, I would strongly recommend running for this position as it will give you a valuable insight into the workings of the guild. THE ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE on the 9th of February, at the ethical and environmental forum in the guild council chambers at 6pm.

I can answers any questions you may have about the position and I am happy to meet up anytime.

You can contact me on my mobile 07988056867

Should the guild join international efforts to curb the illegal exploitation of minerals and other natural resources in eastern Congo?

2010-01-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

Should the guild join international efforts to curb the illegal exploitation of minerals and other natural resources in eastern Congo?

As armed groups commit horrific atrocities to control and profit from these resources, large electronic companies apparently just do not care about how exactly the minerals in their products are acquired.

The Enough project have researched a detailed report about the situation in Congo (which you can find here ).

If students demand it ..... The guild could use its not in considerable procurement of electronics to influence the electronics industry as they weigh whether or not to invest in making their supply chains transparent and producing verifiably conflict-free products. To help end the systematic rape of women and purposeful infection with HIV, the use of child soldiers, environmental destruction and cyclic violence that has cost so many lives.... only if students decide to tackle the issue.

The motion proposes ...

“The Guild will revisit companies who we purchase electronics from within 12 months to determine whether they have taken the conflict minerals pledge, and base our purchasing of equipment from them in relation to this”

Followed by;

Within 12 months Guild will commit to only to only purchasing electronics from firms that have taken and are abiding by the conflict minerals pledge."
The executive have voted to reject this and however they will accept
“Endeavour to only purchasing electronics from firms that have taken and are
Abiding by the conflict minerals pledge where financially possible.”

The executive’s proposal would in my opinion make the action worthless, endeavouring but only under certain conditions is ridiculous political talk which is only capable of creating little or no change in over a indefinite timeframe.

Please do use the space below in the comments to debate this and if you want to directly talk to the officers stuffing the motion full of staw - e-mail Brigid Jones vpea@guild.bham.ac.uk Tom Guise VPDR@guild.bham.ac.uk and Johnny Davis VPW@guild.bham.ac.uk

Elections and Ethical and Environmental Forum

2010-01-21T05:39:00.000-08:00

Elections and Ethical and Environmental Forum

The Next ethical and Environmental forum is on Tuesday the 9th of February and this forum

*****THERE WILL BE ELECTIONS TO THE ETHICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKGROUP ******

The ethical and environmental, this group is responsible for minimising the guilds environmental impacts wherever possible and in ensuring that guilds activities do not.

“directly or indirectly worsen the rights or living standards of other groups in the global community.”

The ethical bit of the work group is new see – how about an ethical working group? for more info.

At the ethical and environmental work group we will be drawing up a three year action plan for environmental improvements at the guild and checking the implementation and feasibility of ethical policy.

If you thinking of becoming EEO or VPDR, I would strongly recommend running for these positions as it will give you a valuable insight into the workings of the guild.

The forum feeds into several guilds and university sub committees via the EEO, all students at the forum can vote and add things to the agenda.

The agenda for the meeting on Tuesday the 9th will be

Start by, questions to myself what I am doing , what should I do differently.
Co-ordinate our campaigns, requests for help notifications of what we are up to.
Network building, how will our networks work, what relationships will they have with the guild and uni?
Suggestions for changes around the university
Suggestions for changes in the guild
Elections
any other business

If you have anything you would like to add just message me or comment below

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

2010-01-21T05:27:00.000-08:00

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ADVISORY GROUP ON THE ENVIRONMENT

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 1pm 17 December 2009

Present: Apologies:
Professor J Petts (Chair)
Mr E Bauer
Mr B Higgins
Dr T C Shields (Secretary) Dr M Gaterell
Mr I Gregory
Mr T Guise
Mr D Harrison
Mrs C Radnor
Dr M Rivetts
Dr F Young
In attendance:
Miss V Pendleton (Minutes)

1. Minutes (EAG 09.12.1)
The minutes of the meeting held 22 September 2009 were agreed subject to changing UEB to STG in the action on item 3 c).

2. Matters Arising
a) Review of environmental policy
Noted: The revised environmental policy had been approved by EHSEC.

b) Waste and recycling contracts update
Noted: The waste management contract was out to tender with a closing date of 7th January. Five organisations were being considered.
Reported: The financial year figures showed a decrease in waste to landfill and an increase in recycling. However, the calendar year figures were likely to show an increase in waste to landfill, largely due to the number of office moves taking place. The introduction of mixed recycling and binless office schemes was going well despite initial resistance in some areas.

c) Universities that Count BitC indices
Noted: The University would be submitting to the environmental index as agreed at the last meeting. The Sustainability Task Group had chosen to consider further the GRI, and was investigating moving up to the next level, for the CR reporting rather than switching to the BitC CR indices.

d) Sustainable travel plan update
Reported: The travel plan would be going to UEB on Monday 21 December for approval prior to wider circulation and consultations. An informal circulation of the draft had been well received by Birmingham City Council, which was encouraging as they would ultimately need to agree the plan as it would impact on future planning proposals. The sustainable travel website was now live.
Noted: There was an opportunity to bid for HEFCE leadership, governance and management funding for sustainable development initiatives, and options being considered including charging points for electric vehicles. The deadline for the bid was in February. The group to be updated on progress.
Further noted: Mr Bauer had information on a bike share scheme called Velocampus. He was advised to contact Mrs Radnor who was looking into this already.
Action: Prof Petts, Mr Bauer
e) HEFCE consultation
Noted: The response had been sent to HEFCE. A report from HEFCE was expected to be published in January.

f) HECM update
Noted: A rough draft of the carbon management plan update had been sent to Ian Barker, Director of Estates, who was sourcing data from Ian Gregory. A plan which included targets for 2020 needed to be drawn up; it would be worth establishing a working group, similar to the previous Carbon Management Group, to look at this. Dr Shields would raise this with Professor Heath and Mr Harrison at a meeting in January.
Action: Dr Shields
Discussed: Scope 1 emissions had increased slightly, potentially due to Mason Hall coming back online.
Further noted: The action from the last meeting, for Dr Young and Mr Gregory to produce a business case on fume cupboards, was still outstanding.
Action: Dr Young, Mr Gregory.

g) 10:10 campaign targets
Noted: This had been discussed at STG and the following agreed:
“This was not a suitable time for the University to sign up publicly, as a number of major projects were coming back on line during the baseline period which would make achievement difficult. However, the University would support the Guild and shadow the metrics to see what could be done internally.”

h) People & Planet Green League Table
Noted: The article had been circulated.
Further noted: The call for Estate Management statistics had already come in, and Dr Shields was working closely with Estates to ensure appropriate reporting of the number of staff working on environmental issues.

i) Guild activities
Reported: HAS had agreed to meet with representatives of the Guild regarding food procurement. Dr Shields would also attend the meeting.
Noted: The Guild was setting up a Staff and Student Environment Advocates’ Forum. This would be an opportunity for the University to inform the community of environmental initiatives and to hear a wide range of views.

j) Annual report
Noted: The annual report had been approved by EHSEC.

3. Future of the Advisory Group and Sustainability Task Group
Noted: The Vice-Chancellor was supportive of both groups. The STG would now report to UEB through Professor Petts as its Chair. The Advisory Group needed to revisit its terms of reference to ensure that these did not conflict with the remit of the STG, and also fit more appropriately under the umbrella of EHSEC, which was more compliance-driven..
Further noted: Professor Petts would produce a short paper for the Vice-Principal, Professor Sheppard, who was Chair of EHSEC. The paper would ask Professor Sheppard to nominate a new Chair for the Group and to consider the issue of academic representation. Professor Petts would then bring the paper and outcomes to the next meeting of this group.
Action: Professor Petts
4. AOB
Ergo homes
Noted: Dr Gaterell was involved in a number of research projects to do with eco housing. Professor Petts was exploring ways to improve awareness of these projects. Mr Bauer agreed to put the Guild Housing Officer in touch with Dr Shields and Dr Gaterell.
Action: Mr Bauer

5. Date of next meeting
Noted: The next meeting would take place in March. Dates would be circulated.

University environmental forum – if you attend one environmental event this month, make this one it!

2010-01-18T05:44:00.000-08:00

It is in the thompson training suite in the guild at 5pm on tuesday feb 2nd.
This is your chance as a student or a staff member to question, suggest and influence the university on environmental issues.

Come along and take part in an open meeting for all staff and students with the universities sustainability and environmental Advisor - Dr Shields, the Guilds Vice president of democracy and Resources -Tom Guise and myself the Ethical and Environmental officer.

Dr Shields will outline at the start of the meeting the universities position, what it is trying to do with regards to minimizing it impacts and problems. Afterwards we will be talking about what we could do and what our responses to these issues could be as a community.

I think it very important that we make use of this opportunity to start a real community response based, with students staff and the university all involved, to ecological issues at the university.

Please do come along with ideas and suggestions,

Here are some items that I think outline ways that we could progressively develop as a university, please have a read if you have other links please do post them in comments below.

http://www.ecocampus.co.uk/ - “EcoCampus is an Environmental Management System (EMS) and award scheme for the higher education sector. The scheme allows universities to be recognised for addressing key issues of environmental sustainability.
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.”

http://peopleandplanet.org/dl/goinggreener/actionguide.pdf
“This means students (and staff) can create their own vision of a low-carbon, future-proof university. It’s a truly community-level response to tackling climate change and has to be conceived and led from the bottom up.”

http://www.transitionedinburghuni.org.uk/ - “Transition Edinburgh University (TEU) is a staff-student initiative that aims to develop and implement localised practical projects to dramatically reduce our carbon emissions in response to the dual challenge of peak oil and climate change.”

Guild councillors, what a bunch of tossers

2009-12-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

A Bunch of tossers amongst whom, arguments like “we shouldn’t give a shit” still give traction.

The ethical investment policy passed with a few amendments. The amendments like removing references to the nuclear industry were fine and constructive; they helped make the policy a more representative of student’s opinions.

Considering the policy had been posted online for discussion weeks ago, that a forum was run to discuss the content, which was advertised with large posters around the guild, on the front page of the website and that I made myself personally available to come meet anyone privately to discuss it. The fact that the opposition waited until 2 minutes before it went to vote, to air their problems, shows to me that they had no intention of a constructive debate and just wanted it off the agenda.

Their argument, was what disgusted me most, it was not the content but the principle. Large numbers of guild councillors just don’t think the guild should have concerns for the ethics of its practices and all ethical motions should be rejected.
I had told someone just an hour before to not bother coming because I was sure there would not be a “no” vote, just amendments, yet again I was proven wrong and guild councillors have managed to prove in my eyes that they are just a bunch of repulsive sycophants who need to be watched like hawks.

Go find your guild councillors here

Challenge them ask which way they voted, argue with them, run against them, stop them getting elected.

A lot of them will have plans for becoming guild officers, if they don’t give a shit about ethical issues, make damn sure they don’t.

The worker rights consortium lets make Birmingham the first UK University to sign up!

2009-12-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

There is motion going through on this next guild concil, I have written the below so you can get a better understanding of what it is about, I'm happy to answer any questions.

Launched last year this group is fast becoming a amazing success story, its already protected thousands of worker around the world and helped them get a fair wage and decent representation. 186 university have signed up and the group is fast spreading, just within the last few weeks 4 Canadian universities became the first to join in Canada

This group is set up as monitoring organization to guarantee the implementation by large brands and their sub contractors of the standards that the university requires of them.

Currently there is a wide gap, between the requirements of consumers and the actions on the ground of factories owners, sub contracted out to sub contractors of big brands. As I’m sure you all know large brands do not accept responsibility for the actions of doubly sub contracted producers and it is a system in which a great many abuses and lapses take place.

For example just this in 2009, locals protesting against a mine where hooded, shackled and beaten, toxic waste was dumped in west Africa by a oil firm and 1800 people where sacked for trying to unionize at a factory that makes university hoodies in Honduras, this same group has also been shown to have a policy of firing pregnant women, the last group being a company that sells to both the university and guild of students.

The point is that while we all agree to these standards, there is no monitoring body and no global strategic frameworks in place for ensuring they are met in supply chains that have greatly deferred responsibility.

This body has been set up and has been very successful already. In fact just last week it got the jobs back of the 1800 workers who were sacked for unionizing, a fair wage for them and the right to unionize and a fair wage 7 other factories run by the same company in the country.

The workers rights consortium monitors and mediates the implementation of these standards and reports back to universities on the pace of improvement. By joining the workers rights consortium, the university would be pooling its bargaining power that it holds via large procurement contracts with 186 other universities from all over the world.

Signing up would involve no change in supplier simply the better monitoring of that suppliers work and a better mediation between workers and large accountable companies, the WRC has the full support of the FLO and Fairtrade Foundation.

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

2009-12-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
As mandated the motion “protect students” in June guild council, I helped facilitate two training events for students. One was activist legal training teaching students about police powers to take your name, date of birth and residence, to stop and search you the requirements of it, the ramifications of being arrested and ways to avoid getting arrested common mistakes and police tricks. The other one was methods of peaceful resistance how to use non compliance tactics to resist police force and violence, how make a difference and avoid getting hurt. The sessions where run by a woman who has devoted her life to non violent tactics as methods for change and who works for the “activist legal project” an oxford based NGO. Both of these sessions can be run again for your group and if you are interested contact me at e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

Much of the information about legal issues can also be found here on the activist legal projects website http://www.activistslegalproject.org.uk/

“The power that corporations and governments have over our society is maintained through oppression and through the continuing co-operation of groups and individuals. The withdrawal of that co-operation restricts or dissolves their control. Put another way, their power depends on our continuing obedience; when we refuse to obey, their power begins to crumble.” –activist legal project

Continuing struggle: post climate week action

2009-11-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

So what now the weeks over? It was certainly very intense at times..the end of the week means little in itself.

Action on campus is ongoing students are organising and fighting for justice in many shapes and guises, The week was only as good as it was because these groups came together and it is only through sustained collective action that we can continue to have the same level of impact.

The grassroots network we formed organised the week needs to be sustained. By grassroots I mean a network based on collective action and solidarity and support for each other’s initiatives.

I have a few idea of how we can do this however; I would like to discuss it openly at the E&E forum this Friday at 8pm in the guild council chambers. I think good ground to cover would be “Network building, how will our networks work, what relationships will they have with the guild and uni?” it is on the agenda so come armed with ideas.

The rest of the agenda can be found here

Don’t forget the wave on November the 5th part of a global day of action and what is shaping up to be one of the biggest rallies in Britain in recent years. If you are interested in getting a coach to London for wave contact asap .... oxfamoutreach@guild.bham.ac.uk

If you want to go to Copenhagen the cheapest way to get there at this point is the coaches climate camp are organizing here

Also coming up this week:
Movie night: 'Waltz With Bashir
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
Location: UG33, Education Building-Filmsoc, JSoc and UN Society are showing 'Waltz With Bashir': an animated film discussing the 1982 Lebanon war. IMDB Review

And

Fruit of the Loom boycott: STITCHED UP IN HONDURAS!
Date:
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Location: Guild of Students Council Chambers
People and Planet Society and the Guild of Students have helped tackle the exploitation of the factory workers who make clothing often bought in bulk by organizations, including Universities. After making thousands of workers unemployed from a factory in Honduras after attempting to unionize, Fruit of the Loom have become targets of a global boycott. The Guild of Students was quick to respond in solidarity and a motion was passed at Guild Council for the Guild and student groups to boycott Fruit of the Loom products. This was followed by many other UK unions.

This is significant victory for the student movement as reported in the new York times; “Additionally not only did Russell agree to reinstate the dismissed workers and open a new plant in Honduras as a unionized factory, it also pledged not to fight unionization at its seven existing factories there.”

This Wednesday at 7pm in the Guild Council Chambers, come and hear Reyna Martinez tell her story of mistreatment, death threats and illegal firings that accompanied her attempts to unionize and get better conditions for the workers at Fruit of the Loom’s Jerzees de Honduras factory. Reyna and Rod from United Students Against Sweatshops will be available for further discussions.

Ethical and Environmental forum

2009-11-19T09:43:00.000-08:00

Last guild council the ethical and environmental forum was given new terms of reference, new powers to influence the ethical and environmental implications of the guilds practices.

It directly feeds into several guilds and university sub committees via the EEO, all students at the forum can now vote can now add things to the agenda.

I was hoping this forum

We would

Feedback as to what I’m up too..
Start by, questions to myself what I am doing , what should I do differently
Co-ordinate our campaigns, requests for help notifications of what we are up to.
Network building, how will our networks work, what relationships will they have with the guild and uni?
Suggestions for changes around the university
Suggestions for changes in the guild
Talk about how we are going to use the E&E committees: new facebook group, website and blog
Discuss an ethical and environmental investment policy to be taken to next GC
Start a reviewing the guilds ethical and environmental policies
Look at more proposed changes to ethical and environmental structures
Any other business

Anyone can add anything to the agenda if you have a point either comment after this post or e-mail me at e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

Waste management and recycling group minutes

2009-11-17T04:37:00.000-08:00

Present: Trevor Shields, Donna Willmetts, Dave O Driscoll, Edd Bauer, Tom Guise and Peter Larkin
Apologies: Niki Constantinou

No. Item. Action
1. Terms of Reference
To be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to promote and communicate initiatives across both campuses to University staff and students
2.
Matters Arising/Update on Current Initiatives
(i) Binless Office Sceme
The scheme had started well in the Muirhead Tower and Main Library receiving overall positive feedback. A few concerns had been raised over changes in working practices. TCS had offered to discuss the scheme with UCU members but had so far received no enquiries. A similar scheme had been highlighted by the TUC as good practice.
Discussions were ongoing to extend the scheme to Geography, Finance, HR, Munrow, Arts and Staff House. It was also hoped to recruit the VC’s office.
The TUC document ‘gogreenatwork’ to be circulated to the group.
(ii) Rocket Composter
Logistical problems had been encountered at its current location at the Business School.
The Conference Park to be investigated as a potential location.
(iii) Grounds and Gardens
Leaves are now been collected by Birmingham based Biofuels International Limited to produce leaf logs. Around 70-90 tonnes of wet leaves were collected last year.
10 recycling bins for paper/cardboard/glass cans had been placed on the Vale for collection by the City Council, along with one by the terrace huts on campus.
The council to be contacted for information on the number of bags collected.
(iv) Guild Initiatives
The possibility of the Guild joining the University waste and recycling contracts was discussed.
The proposal to be put to the Guild Trustees again.
(v) Batteries
A trial was ongoing in ‘Living’ in the University Centre as part of the ‘batteryback’ scheme.

The City Council to be contacted about implementing the scheme at the Vale.
The possibility of Shackleton and Jarratt to be pursued.

3. Waste and Recycling Figures
The general waste contract was now due for retender. Landfill figures are decreasing year on year. The trend of increasing paper recycling figures suggested that there could be an increasing amount of paper being purchased.
Procurement to be contacted regarding data on paper purchasing.

TCS
5. Awareness and website
The environment website to be updated with recycling figures.
The Guild and environment websites to be cross linked.
The potential of staff student forums to be investigated.
TCS
TCS, TG, EB
TCS, EB
6.
AOB Targets
The group to discuss ideas for potential targets.

7.
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 20th January 2009 @ 11.00 am, S252 Health & safety Unit

Liberty in North Korea! Free award winning film at the guild

2009-11-10T02:41:00.000-08:00

This event is being put on by the UN soicety and I would really recomend attending,

this is the blurb from the UN societies group

"LiNK is a non-profit organization with a two-fold mission: To protect and educate North Korean refugees who are endangered and to tell the world about the injustices happening in and around North Korea. If you do not know much about the crisis, check out this short piece of media we created to explain it better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyYilOhGw40

The organization is launching a 3-month tour with the primary focus of screening the award winning documentary called “Seoul Train” on college campuses starting this October."

Join the UN societies FB group for more updates here

How old will you Be in 2050?

2009-11-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Check out the FB group here
and the website here

if you want to do something to support the week e.g be a event helper, hand out leaflets, get inovled in the planing don't hesistate to contact me at e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

aslo do something right now invite your friends to the FB group and post a link to the website on your wall.

Various student groups are organising events during this week. For more information about the where and when of events, please see the events page

The aims of this week are:

1. Raise awareness of the upcoming climate change summit at Copenhagen
2. Discuss the deals which may, or may not be made
3. Encourage activism and for people to come to ‘The Wave,’ a climate change protest being held in London on the 5th December
4. Encourage everyone to lead more ethical, carbon neutral lifestyles

Please come along to as many events that you can and give your full support to ensure a fair, equitable deal is made among world leaders at Copenhagen this December. This will ensure that the worst effects of climate change are avoided.
===================================
****************TIMETABLE********************
===================================
Monday 16th November

Avon Room – University Centre – 1800-2130
Introduction to ‘How Old Will You Be in 2050′ and Film Showing of ‘The Age of Stupid‘

====================================================================================
Tuesday 17th November

13:00 – 15:00 Climate Picnic outside the Oil Bank (natwest on campus) open, informal chat and about the Royal bank of Scotland (who own NatWest) and the role the banking sector have to play in a transition economy, food drink provided. Pop along say hi, chat have a drink..

17:00 - Guild of Students – Green room
Students Mobilize Students – A platform for students who want to start taking action to green up our community weather in halls, on campus or regionally and chance to network and meet other interested students. An open session not hosted or run by any group or individual.

=================================================================================
Wednesday 18th November

University Square – 1100-1600

Cycling Road Show - Bring along your bike . Come and receive a helping hand for reducing your Carbon Footprint.

Activities include a free of charge cycle surgery so have those brakes checked, tyres pumped and chain oiled! If you are interested in taking part in the free adult cycle training on any of the days please email Caroline Radnor at c.s.radnor@bham.ac.uk
Cycle security coding will be available from the West Midlands Police to those who bring their cycle along on the day. The Police will also be helping you secure your cycle by selling quality Squire D-locks at a heavily subsidised rate (£9 instead of the retail price of about £30) in an effort to reduce the number of cycles on campus with inadequate locks. The majority of cycles stolen on campus have been secured with cable or chain style locks which can easily be cut. High visibility jackets and waistcoats will also be on sale at a discount for staff and students when showing ID cards.

Guild of Students – 14:00-1600 activist legal training: Activists Legal Project www.activistslegalproject.org.uk This workshop aims to arm you with information about the legal implications of taking direct action, the likely charges and penalties, stop and search and what happens at the police station. It aims to help you decide whether direct action is for you and helps give you the confidence to deal with the police and the arrest process.

Chaplaincy Worship Room 16:30 – 6:30 Seeds For Change Oxford www.seedsforchange.org.uk Come to this workshop if you want to check out if direct action is for you or if you want to share ideas and learn some new techniques. The emphasis will be on practical tips and sharing ideas about how to make our actions safe, fun and effective.

20:00 - 21:30 Faith and Climate Change: With representatives from Christian, Hindu and Islamic Societies, we will explore how these issues are directly relevant to living out our faith on a day-to-day basis.

=====================================================================================
Thursday the 19th of November

University Campus 1100-1600
Go blue in the face for Climate Change. Give your support for a fair, equitable deal to be made at Copenhagen. Sign the ‘Here & Now‘ petition.

Joes Bar – 1800-2300
Lunar Society Informal Debate. Come along to debate the issues which matter in a fun casual informal way over drinks.

19:00 - 21:00
CLIMATE JUSTICE NOW!- UK SPEAKER TOUR - The climate crisis has been caused by rich industrialised countries, but it is the world’s poorer majority who are paying the highest price, as extreme weather events become more common, freshwater glaciers melt, and droughts increase. We believe that this means rich countries owe a ‘climate debt’ to the global south.

The Climate Justice UK speaker tour this autumn will see public meetings held around the country. Join us to hear why we need a global climate agreement which is both effective and delivers justice for the global south, and how you can make this happen.
Speakers are:
* Mohammed Shamsuddoha (Equity Bangladesh)
* Asad Rehman (Friends of the Earth)
(plus more tba)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167771642379&ref=ts

====================================================================================
Friday the 20th of November

main lecture theatre - Arts – 1700-1830
Question Time Debate, looking at the political aspects of climate change and the summit in December
Saturday 21st November –
===================================================================================
Saturday the 21st of November

Guild of Students – 1030-1600

Model UN Copenhagen – A mock up of the real conference taking place in December.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=174436363920&v=info&ref=ts
Welcome to ModelCOP15, a 1-day conference organised by the University of Birmingham’s United Nations Society to take place on Saturday 21st of November 2009. It is a simulation of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Denmark from 7 December to 18 December, and aims to establish a hopefully ambitious successor of the Kyoto Protocol.

ModelCOP15 aims to raise awareness about the significance of the Copenhagen Conference, and to inform at a very practical level about the topics at stake and the way in which these international negotiations are conducted. Each delegate (participant) will get the chance to represent one of the countries, or any of the organisations, which will be present at the negotiations in Copenhagen. In debates delegates will represent their respective country’s/ organisation’s position, and as a whole the committees will offer a productive ground for political, scientific, economic and social debate. SIGN UP HERE http://www.modelcop15.com/

Ethical Investmeant policy?

2009-11-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Just to clarify to anyone who may think this is ultra vires, or has as has been said in guild council illegal… this is not the case the legal stand point for ethical investment for charities is below.

These are where:
1. investments conflict with the aims of the charity
2. investments might hamper the charity’s work, either by making potential recipients of aid unwilling to be helped because of the source of the charity’s money, or by alienating some of those who support the charity financially.
3. some supporters or beneficiaries consider that on moral grounds a particular investment would conflict with the objects of the charity, so long as the trustees are satisfied that the course would not involve a risk of significant financial detriment.
4. the charity has express powers to invest ethically.

The guild is required by charity law to endeavour to make sure that none of its actions alienate its members. Not having an ethical investment policy is a relatively major hole within this work, most charities or public intuitions’ now have one (including the university).

Next GC I’m submitting a motion for an ethical investment policy I have based it on the criteria that the ethical consumer magazine use, as they are well established and respected.

Although from this criteria, I have removed items that I think that some in GC would object to. These are a for the record Armaments (as GC has already given its thoughts on this), Nuclear Power and Genetic Engineering (I thought this maybe similarly contentious, for similar reason to the arms), Politics (Political Activity does the company attempt to influence government policy), Boycott Call (if there is a campaign group against it, this could be put in because the guild may want to avoid being associated with a company that has a negative image), Anti-Social Finance, Company Ethos), Animal testing (I have left in cosmetic animal testing).

The ones I have left in are in line with guilds current ethical policy, however I would like to emphasise that things can be taken out and put in by GC and I hope this will be the subject of debate there.

The Guild should attempt were feasible to minimise its negative impacts on the Environmental where ever feasible, including Climate Change (embed emissions), Pollution & Toxics, Habitats & Resources. The Guild should attempt were feasible to protect animal rights (Cosmetic Animal Testing, Factory Farming). The guild should attempt where feasible to maximise its Sustainability (Organic, Fairtrade, and Positive Environmental Features). The Guild should work to protect where feasible People (Human Rights, Workers' Rights, Supply Chain Policy, Irresponsible Marketing)

We can also debate what should or should not be in the policy here and I am happy to meet up with anyone to discuss so hopefully by GC we have a policy that everyone can agree on.

Aslo in the motion I have included this “For any new banking contract, the approval of Guild council is required. With the exception of a urgent need of change of banks in which case the officer team will take the decision to be ratified at a later date.”, I fully believe that as many decisions as possible should be given directly to students, the guild doesn’t change banks very often so I think the debate every five or so years would be something that guild council can take on.

am I not representing students?

2009-11-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

I’m doing my best to represent students, over the last few days I have recived a lot of criticism for doing the opposite. Listening and building democratic structures has been one of my keys objective so far, I’ve set up a new environmental forum in halls, and held its first meeting, passed through guild council a rigorous framework to hold the EEO to account regularly see the new terms of reference here.

I’ve also passed with help from my mentor tom guise a new terms of reference for the environmental working group that brings more students directly into to make sure GC mandates are directly carried on. I’m also lobbying to get a ethical working group set up that is open to students so, that the guild in its dealings with ethical issues can do so to the degree that students wish.

As for not representing students because I submitted motions to GC which would get the guild to lobby on behalf of individuals from other unions or people in the third world. I don’t thinks that fair; I could use my position as EEO to lobby for these things anyway. I’m not I tried to get guild councils permission to do so and GC decided rightly or wrongly against and I’m not doing so. Certianly officers in past have lobbied for things with there permission without going via GC using their executive power and thats something I always said I wouldn't do and I'm not.

Being representative and democratic is important to me and all my actions either come from my manifesto that students voted me in on or from GC mandates. I certainly see that there are horrible flaws in the guilds representative democracy the guild but I don’t try to abuse them to my own ends, after all I am personally attending protests as EEO? I am sending e-mails to the uni from my EEO account? No I’m not and if anyone is interested you’re more than welcome to go through my e-mails, any takers?

I’m working very hard to improve and build the guild democracy as are all the sabbatical team I’m very happy to meet up with anyone or talk about what I’m doing via e-mail or this blog.

RECYCLING WORKING GROUP

2009-11-02T07:52:00.001-08:00

Sorry this so late in being posted however I only just got the agenda, if there anything you want brought don't hesitate to contact me.

RECYCLING WORKING GROUP

11:00am Wednesday 4th November 2009, S260 Metallurgy & Materials Building

AGENDA

1. Apologies and Introductions

2. Update on Current Initiatives
(i) Binless Office Scheme
(ii) Rocket Composter
(iii) Grounds & gardens initiatives
(iv) Guild initiatives
(v) New battery recycling scheme

3. Waste and Recycling Figures

4. Awareness, including website

5. Green Impacts Scheme

6. Any Other Business

7. Date of Next Meeting

Replies to criticism....

2009-11-01T17:03:00.000-08:00

I apologize for being so late to reply to the criticism here, (it’s been a heavy weekend). I’m always happy to debate and justify my actions and meet up with anyone interested to talk about what I am doing.

Amusingly over this I been accused, of being everything that is wrong with the guild, which is faintly ridiculous. Being as my critics point out “a tiny minority” who can only take up minutes of a guild council time in meetings that for lasts hours and hours. I’m impressed that I manage to singly ruin everything that is good.

I wouldn’t disagree that the situation doesn't immediately affect students, beyond the decrease in the service to students that the reforms to the royal mail would entail.

However The longer term of affects of the postal workers losing the strike are far grimmer than a slightly decreased service. The loss of paid hours, the loss of safeguards guaranteeing welfare in the British workplace will affect our generation in the near future.

We should support the postal workers and other workers in their fight for fair hours, fair pay and decent and safe conditions, because we as students are about to enter this very same work place.

I would contest the fact that this is meaningless gesture, the royal mail want to advertise 30,000 temporary positions; strike breaking workers, these jobs will be advertised at the guild. Although it may be the easy thing to take these jobs now, doing so would directly undermine the CWU and could come back to haunt us later when we enter a far poorer workplace.

So I’m fighting to protect the interest of a select political minority am I? In your writing steven you've shown your true colours “an environment very few Graduates would be entering I would guess” , there will many students around the entire country who will, you may be lucky at a well off and affluent university taking part in elite politics at the guild of students. I’m happy to be taking flak from people like you, people who are only interested with the immediate needs of their own elite group.

As for BAE, are you kidding? What about students worldwide the victims of this company? By supporting it we are supporting its actions and as a student union we have duty to support other students were ever they are in the world be it Coventry or Riyadh.

Frankly if these are your opinions I think you should reconsider being in a union because it entails mutual aid and working together. Not the kind of self interested, “we only care about ourselves” syndicalism in which we are constantly played off against each other to mutual detriment.

I’m not a threat to Guild democracy, the Independent Chairs are

2009-11-01T16:32:00.000-08:00

I was censured last guild council and nearly forcibly removed for speaking out against the chairs. In their resolution to not allow an ethical emergency motion on the agenda and subsequent silencing of opposition to their decision, they injured guild democracy perhaps irretrievably for their tenure.

While it’s entirely the chairs decision, they do not have a free hand. In ruling the emergency motion the ignored several years’ worth of guild council motions as to what is the “key” work of the guild of students. See the guilds ethical policy “key duties of any Guild officer of member of staff.”

While the chairs themselves may have personal feelings against the motion (certainly two of them have spoken out against similar motions in the past), if guild council is function democratically then these are feelings need to be put aside. They failed to put these feelings aside and rode roughshod over guild council.

Not only did the chairs dismiss this motion, but they smothered my attempts to challenge this decision.

I first asked them if they would allow guild council to discuss if issue should be on the agenda. Their reaction was not as I hoped, after some uncertainty they resolved cleanly to tell guild council why they had not allowed it on the agenda and spent two minutes listing the pros to having it off the agenda. The chairs denied my requests to be allowed to list to pros to having it on the agenda. I also requested that if I wasn’t allowed to respond to their speech then for it not to be discussed at all, to let neither side have any say is more democratic than one side’s domination.

When I attempted to list the pros they shouted me down and attempted to carry me out of the chamber by force. The chairs have powers that are not democratic in nature i.e being able to decide what is on the agenda, the power to silence individuals and groups and to have people removed. When these powers are abused the guilds democracy is destroyed.

does a guild motion mean nothing? Can it all be wiped away by a independent chair are students who would object to having years of motions they have worked hard to see put in place wiped away, going to be carried out the chamber?

Apologies to the executive team

2009-11-01T16:21:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I accused the executive of forcing an item of the agenda. I was wrong to do so, many of them have since come up to me and said they would be fully supportive of it and if they had been consulted would have said it should be on the agenda.

I was informed by the independent chairs that they consulted the executive a claim that if you were at guild council you would have heard repeated.

If your upset by the re designating the status of ethical issues and there importance to the guild of students don’t blame the exec.

Workers didn't make the agenda

2009-10-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

As many of you will be aware of there is an ongoing postal strike, this was a rapidly evolving situation students were called on for support on the 20^th of October. Obviously the decision to support the postal workers is political one and should be taken by guild council. Since the next guild council in November was far to late, I tried to get a emergency motion put in for guild council tomorrow on October 29^th .

The reason the guild is affiliated to the Communication Workers Union via large umbrella union groups, is because students are the workers and employees of the future. One of the roles that the NUS and unions like the guild plays is to support wider union campaigns so as to make sure that students entering employment enter into workplaces with fair pay, good working hours and safe conditions.

The independent chairs told me to submit an Emergency support motion to so students could weigh up the pros and cons and decide if this was a cause they wanted to support. The Independent chairs then consulted the sabbatical officer team asking them if this motion met the requirements for an emergency motion.

The executive in this consultation informed the independent chairs that this motion did not qualify under 14.2.3

“No motion is an emergency motion if the present work of the Guild would not be severely impaired by the failure of the forthcoming Meeting of Guild Council to discuss the issue.”

In doing so they delegate the guilds union work as secondary and unimportant, a ironic position for a union to take.

There is nothing I can do, I have been informed I cannot appeal this decision anywhere, not in guild council not to the chairs and not to the exec.

All I can do is write this letter to the exec and I would encourage you to do likewise. All the exec have been appealed to for support and none of them have come forward including some in the executive who claim to be unionists, a claim they should probably drop …

Dear exec

I’m sending you this to register my strongest objections to your decision.

Obviously the guild works to protect the conditions of workers, as students are workers in waiting. Thanks to your decision this work cannot take place. Guild policy in my mind is quite clear and the guilds ethical policy states that these issues are “key duties of any Guild officer of member of staff.”

In ruling this issue out under 14.2.3 I believe that you have relegated this in my view and (as stated in guild policy) important guild activity to a secondary non vital activity.

In my view you did not have the right to designate this policy area non vital when guild council has stated otherwise via not only the ethical policy but numerous motions.

sincerely

here are their emails

president@guild.bham.ac.uk;vpdr@guild.bham.ac.uk; vpea@guild.bham.ac.uk;vphc@guild.bham.ac.uk; vps@guild.bham.ac.uk;vpw@guild.bham.ac.uk; vpsad@guild.bham.ac.uk; e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

Oil at any cost; students take action.

2009-10-22T06:38:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Birmingham students took action against British petroleum the oil goliath and well known and chronic abuser of people and the environment.

BP has made voluntary contributions to the Columbian military, who human rights groups have accused of killings, disappearances, torture and beatings. Bp is heavily invested in drilling in Columbia and the Columbian military are alleged by locals to have broken strikes of BP workers.

BP lobby hard to become the first company to drill in the arctic national wildlife reserve a pristine and fragile eco system. If their plans go ahead it will decimate the Gwich’in indigenous people ancient way of life. US geological surveys show that oil in the region will only supply the US for six months at current consumption rates.

BP have partnered with the Chinese company petrochina, while well aware of the genocide this company is complicit in with in sudan and the repression in Tibet.
BP are a driving force behind what has been dubbed the biggest environmental crime in history the Canadian tar sands project . If your interested in finding out more about this project read this damning report by the national geographic here.

The students stood in a line next to the stall with the slogan “BP oil at any cost?” on their backs and handed out leaflets to passersby until they were hustled out the great hall by university security.

Many Bp employees and prospective employees remain unaware of their employer’s actions. The actions of students to point out the inequities of BP remain one of the few ways that students can find out information about their perspective employers records.

“Also if you are reading this don’t forget to go 350 @ University of Birmingham - Outside Aston Webb

On the 23rd October we will add the University of Birmingham to the huge list of supporters accross the World to show the importance of reducing our global Carbon levels to 350ppm.

Its dead easy, just come along, stand on a spot as part of a MAHUSIVE 350, and send a huge united message to the National governments accross the world at the need for a full on deal in Copenhagen in December.

AND THEN EAT SOME COMPLETELY FREE CAKE FOR SPARING YOUR TIME.

If you want more details of what its all about, check this out -
www.350.org or check out the video links. It will take you 2 mins max, and it'll probably be more enjoyable than doing that Uni work anyway...

http://www.350.org/video

SEE YOU OUTSIDE THE ASTON WEBB BUILDING - THIS FRIDAY - 23rd OCT - 12.30pm - BRING A FRIEND - THEY'LL LOVE IT!”

Ethical and Environmental action in Halls

2009-10-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

I know students in Halls care about ethical and environmental issues, I also don’t think they get enough opportunity to express their desire for progressive changes within halls. I took this to residences executive and they voted to start a group/ forum on ethical issues within halls.

The group is not just a forum to talk to the ethical and environmental officer, but a platform for students from different halls to meet up organise themselves and start campaigning together within halls.

I’m also going to try and get groups stronger ties to the guild and universities so it can feed into other relevant decision making groups.

The First meeting is going to take place on the 27th of October in the Nuffield centre (R9) in room G17 at 7:30. I hope discuss with interested residence associations and students what they want from the group, what they would like it terms of reference to look like and what they would like to see changed in halls.

Please do come along if your are interested and join the facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=153495511587 – also invite people you think will be interested

Do you have any ideas? Anything you’d like on the agenda? Would you like to organize free swap shops, charity shop collection points, get more fair-trade products in vale shops and bars, mobile phone or battery recycling points, join local groups in their efforts to win better recycling facilities off the council, try and win for students the opportunity to grow their own fruit and veg on student allotments or do you want to organize a guerrilla gardening group? If you have any ideas don’t hold back.

New terms of reference for the Ethical and Environmental forum.

2009-10-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

During my election I promised to make this forum it stronger, more effective, more open and more democratic. Obviously these are process to be work upon and constantly reviewed. I don’t intend these changes to last forever and I hope they will be changed and improved again and again.

Pippa Calver who was EEO last year made some excellent changes, The best of which in my opinion is the reporting relationships she set up. I’ve left all of her changes intact, In these edits I have only built on the work of previous officers not changed it.

For the most part I aimed to clear up sections I thought were ambiguous. In addition I have included several sections which are aimed at making sure the Forum is called and takes place on a regular basis. This is hopefully encourage more feed back and improve student involvement in the decision making process.

I have also included a short section at the end within the reporting relationship regarding the publishing of the minutes and the feeding back into guild council, in the hope to make it more open and democratic.

The First Forum will be held in early November – I’m just waiting until marketing materials are ready to promote it, before announcing it here which I will do as soon as I know .

My additions are in bold – please feel free to add any of your own

Terms of reference

(a) The Ethical and Environmental forum must meet three times in the first term, Three times in the Second term and twice in the third term, at least two week intervals. it is the responsibility of the EEO to organise these meetings failure to do so will result in automatic censure. This will be monitored by the independent chairs.

(b) To ensure that guild council mandates are implemented effectively.

(c) To ensure fair and proper representation of Ethical and Environmental issues at the University of Birmingham and within the Guild of Students

(d) The Ethical and Environmental forum will elect representatives to the Environmental Working Group and Ethical Working group

(e) To provide an opportunity for The Guild to keep students informed of developments &/or other issues pertaining to Ethical and Environmental matters

(f) To act as an informative consultation system by addressing any issues which arise in relation to Ethical and Environmental issues at the University of Birmingham and report back on their progresses

(g) To monitor feedback from students through the forum and to collaboratively work with the University and the Guild to initiate review or change

(h) To encourage a holistic approach to Ethical and Environmental issues at the University of Birmingham

(i) To act as a platform for the co-ordination and mutual support of student ethical and environmental campaigns

(j) To reduce the Guild of Students’ and University’s negative impact on society in relation to Ethical and Environmental issues

(k) The agenda of the Ethical and Environmental Forum must be available on the ethical and environmental officers blog and the greener guild section of the website at least 8 days before the meeting. it is the responsibility of the EEO post this failure to do so will result in automatic censure. This will be monitored by the independent chairs.

(l) Any full member of the guild of students can add something to the agenda

Membership

The Ethical and Environmental Officer of the Guild of Students shall Chair the meeting

Any full member of the Guild of Students can take part in the Ethical and Environmental Forum and will hold a vote within that forum and can initiate a vote within that forum

Additional groups may be added to target specific students

Invitees in Attendance

To be determined by the chair

Appropriate University staff members

Appropriate Guild staff members

Reporting Relationship

The Ethical and Environmental Forum has the power to make recommendations to the following groups

Environmental Working Group

Ethical Working group

University Sustainability Task Group

Guild management

The Ethical and Environmental Forum must report back to guild council about any of its decisions and guild council has the power to reverse any decision made by the Ethical and Environmental Forum

The minutes of the Ethical and Environmental forum must me posted online on the greener guild section within 3 weeks, it is the responsibility of the EEO to type them up failure to do so will result in automatic censure this will be monitored by the independent chairs.

How about; A Ethical Working Group

2009-10-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Below is a provisional terms of reference for a ethical working group, The guilds current strategic framework for implementing GC policy currently consists of the Ethical and Environmental Forum and the Ethical and Environmental officer.
It’s based upon the Terms of Reference for the Environmental working group and has similar objects. The Idea of Ethical working group is not unheard off the university itself has a fair-trade steering committee.
Currently the only tie between the guild staff and guild council is the Ethical and Environmental officer as the Forum feeds into the rest of the organization via the Ethical and Environmental officer.
The object is to create stronger more able channel for ethical issues than a part time officer.

it is a considerable ammount of reading but if you do read it all Ideas and edits are very welcome.

Ethical Working Group

PurposeThe Ethical Working Group shall be responsible for actively dealing with Ethical issues within the Guild of Students and ensuring that the Guild meets its Ethical obligations.

Terms of reference

The Ethical Working group will meet once a term this to organized by the VDPR and if is not done will result in automatic censure- this is to be monitored by the Independent Chairs.

To work implement guild council mandates and feed into the strategic direction and running of the Guild on ethical issues.Have the power to set up sub-committees and advisory committees which shall have responsibility for such Ethical issues as deemed necessary.

To work on any ethical campaigns that the Guild of Students signs up to as an organisation such as the fruit of the loom boycott.

Have the power to make recommendations on Ethical matters and report these to the Trustee Board and other relevant bodies.

Membership

(i) Vice President Democracy and Resources (Chair)

(ii) Ethical and Environmental Officer

(iii) Buildings Manager

(iv) Venues Representative

(v) Marketing and Communications Representative

(vi) Two Representatives from Membership Services.

(vii) Business manger or retail manger

(viii) Student Representatives from the Ethical and Environmental committee or guild council Invitees in AttendanceTo be determined by the chair or Guild council.Reporting Relationship

The Ethical Working Group can make recommendations on ethical practice to the following bodies, individuals and departments;

· Venues · Chief executive · Communications· Buildings Manager· Marketing · Health and Safety Committee· Staff Forum· Sabbatical Officer Group· Trustee Board· Trustee board Finance committee

The Ethical Working Group Will report its minutes and its progress back to the Officer Team, Ethical and Environmental Forum and Guild council.Minutes will be published online in the your guild section

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE; MINUTES

2009-10-08T02:59:00.000-07:00

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
ADVISORY GROUP ON THE ENVIRONMENT

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 2.30pm 22 September 2009

Present:
Apologies:
Professor J Petts (Chair)
Mr E Bauer
Mr I Gregory
Mr T Guise
Mr D Harrison
Mr P Larkin
Mrs C Radnor
Dr T C Shields (Secretary)
Dr F Young
There were none
In attendance:
Miss V Pendleton (Minutes)

1. Introductions and membership
The Chair welcomed Mr Tom Guise, the new Vice President for Democracy and Resources from the Guild of Students. All present introduced themselves for his benefit.
Noted: The group appeared to be short of academic members, but this was because some of these had not attended a meeting in some time. Dr Shields agreed to contact Dr Mike Rivett to confirm whether he wished to remain on the group. This would then inform further discussions about academic representation on the advisory group.

2. Minutes (EAG 09.09.1)
The minutes of the meeting held 1 June 2009 were agreed.

3. Matters Arising
a) Review of environmental policy
Noted: It had been intended for the Environmental Policy to be revised to reflect the new University structure in time for approval by EHSEC in June; this had not been achieved but the policy would now be presented to the next EHSEC meeting in early November.
Action: Dr Shields, Mr Harrison

b) Waste and recycling contracts update
Reported: In 2008, the recycling contract had gone to tender and PHS had been appointed to handle mixed recycling and confidential waste collection and recycling. This contract had now been terminated due to performance problems; the company had also tried to raise prices within the first twelve months of the contract. Veolia Environmental Services had been contracted on a contingency basis for twelve months in the first instance, with a possible extension to three years if performance was good. It was noted that Veolia had been a close second in the original tendering process.

Noted: The general waste contract expired at the end of August. This had had to be extended temporarily due to a backlog in Procurement.
Reported: A lot of mixed recycling was carried out behind the scenes by HAS, in particular during major events, using wheelie bins and skips. Eight tonnes of mixed recycling were collected in July and nine tonnes in August. Provision of mixed recycling was now being extended, and a stock of bins had been purchased which were being distributed as of 21 September to the Muirhead Tower and public areas of the library, as part of the bin-less office scheme. A second phase of the scheme would hopefully include bins being positioned across the estate. It was hoped that 60 tonnes less would be going to landfill this year.
Discussed: It was hoped such a scheme would reduce waste to landfill. The space required to collect types of recycling separately on-site, coupled with advancements in technology at MRFs (materials recycling facilities) had led to the decision to used mixed recycling containers. Flyers and posters had been distributed in the Muirhead to inform people about the bin-less office/recycling scheme, and Mr Larkin was happy to circulate these to the group.
Staff response to the bin-less office scheme was largely positive. It seemed the majority of staff were keen to be doing more for the environment. It was clarified that staff could keep their under-desk bins but that these would not be emptied; they would need to segregate their own waste.

Noted: Other areas of the University had expressed an interest in the scheme, and were being approached to match the funding put up by HAS for the bins.
Further noted: The Waste Reduction and Recycling Group (WRRG) had not met for some time. It was intended to resurrect this group, which would include student representation. The representative need not be one of the Guild officers.

Further noted: Duty of care visits to the service provider’s facilities were required for all types of waste. A visit to the clinical waste contractor had recently been carried out. The hazardous waste contract was currently out to tender but once a provider had been appointed, a visit would be carried out.

Further noted: The University had signed up to the Battery Back scheme, which recycles used batteries free of charge. A receptacle had been provided but it was necessary to work out the logistics of how to get batteries from all over campus into the one receptacle. The students were keen to participate as well; as halls are residential property, they are covered by the City Council for purposes of waste collection, and it would not be possible for HAS to collect waste batteries from there. It was agreed that a solution would be for the students to collect the batteries and bring them to the main campus.
Agreed: The environment website to be updated with this information.
Action: Dr Shields
c) Environmental Management Systems
i) BiTC indices (EAG 09.09.2)

Noted: Dr Shields had circulated the feedback from the indices. 56 universities, including 13 Russell Group had completed the environment index. There was no league table this year, but universities in the top five for each area had been approached about being named in publicity documentation. The University was in the top five for waste. The University did not score very well in some sections as there is no institutional EMS in place. The Combined Heat and Power facility had achieved 14001 accreditation in June 2009 and this accounts for over 70% of the University’s CO2 emissions.

Agreed: A summary report would be circulated to UEB and if approved it would be put on the website. The group recommended going for the index again. The Sustainability Task Group would decide whether the full Corporate Responsibility indices were completed rather than just the Environmental index.

Action: Dr Shields; Professor Petts

ii) Ecocampus scheme

Discussed: Ecocampus, a scheme which may form the basis for ISO 14001 in universities, was recruiting a new cohort of universities. There was a cost of around £11,000 associated with this, not including resources such as staffing costs. The deadline was in two weeks time. It was agreed that this was not long enough; a full business case would need to be presented to Lee Sanders, the Registrar and Secretary, before the University could make this commitment next year.

Action: Dr Shields

d) Sustainable travel plan update

Reported: The draft plan was now ready and would be presented to the Travel Plan Steering Group on 5 October. A Car Parking Working Group had been set up and had now met three times. A draft proposal from this group would also be ready for the same meeting; as both these documents were lengthy it was possible that the discussions would not be completed that day.
Noted: Professor John Heath was replacing Professor Les Clark as PVC for Estates and Infrastructure. Professor Heath’s job description specifically included environmental impact; it was hoped he would attend the steering group meetings.

Further noted: It would not be appropriate to have student representation on the Travel Plan Steering Group but consultation had been carried out with specified student groups such as the home students. The Guild representatives would let Mrs Radnor know who the appropriate contact was for home students this year.

Action: Mr Guise, Mr Bauer

There had been specific activity in the following areas:
Website

The sustainable travel website was being built and would be ready at the end of October. This would also be the source of information for the Selly Oak Relief Road.

Cycling

There would be four cycling road-shows on campus in October and November. These would mainly target new students but also safer travel as the days get shorter. New cycle parking had been installed by the Munrow Centre and the next phase would see new stands at the Medical School.

Business travel emissions

Mrs Radnor was working with Monica Guise in HAS on the electric car project.
The Energy Saving Trust was to come and monitor emissions generated from the fleet vehicles using a number of different indicators, to be used as a benchmark. This was a free service which would take about 12 months. The results would feed into the strategy to replace vehicles with more energy-efficient vehicles at the end of the contract.

e) Carbon management update

i) HEFCE consultation
Reported: HEFCE were consulting over a carbon reduction strategy. Some of the proposals would affect our funding if they were implemented.
Discussed: The level of the targets was the key to the document, and these needed to be achievable. The Government had already set challenging targets; these relied on government policy in order to be achievable, for example the decarbonisation of the energy supply.
Agreed: A University response should be co-ordinated through the Sustainability Task Group.
Action: Dr Shields

ii) HECM update
Reported: Updated CO2 figures for 2006_2008 were now available on the environment website. Energy surveys were being carried out at non-residential properties. Figures were going up as buildings such as Mason Hall and the Muirhead Tower came back online.
Noted: Internal audit would be auditing internal carbon management procedures in the coming year.

Discussed: Although fume cupboard flow rates had been reduced, reducing their energy consumption, a constant low flow still wastes energy; if the flow rate was reduced any further this could prove dangerous in certain situations. One solution would be to have intelligent flow using venturi valves, which are very responsive. A number of fume cupboards were reaching the end of their useful life; if funding could be secured, these could be replaced with energy-saving ‘intelligent flow’ cupboards.
Agreed: A business case would need to be drawn up, the group to be updated on progress.
Action: Dr Young, Mr Gregory

iii) 10:10 campaign targets
Reported: The 10:10 campaign had been started by the makers of the film ‘Age of Stupid’, a film about climate change. The campaign asked individuals and organisations to sign up to cut their CO2 emissions by 10% during 2010. There were four areas: grid electricity, on site fossil fuel use, vehicle fuel use and international travel. A number of other Russell Group universities appeared to have already signed up. If a reduction of 3% or more was made, participating institutions could use the 10:10 brand.
Discussed: The specified reduction may not be possible for the University, partly because of the timescale but also because of a number of projects that would be coming online during the timeframe.
Agreed: A paper to be prepared for discussion by the Sustainability Task Group.
Action: Dr Shields, Mr Guise

f) People & Planet Green League Table
Reported: The University had dropped from 28th to 68th. The criteria used changed each year and as a result there are concerns within the sector that the table is losing credibility: For example, in 2008 the University scored full marks (4/4) for waste, while this year it had scored 3/8 points, despite continued improvement in performance. The score for environmental staff had dropped from 12/12 to 2/8 despite the appointment of the new post of sustainable travel coordinator.
Discussed: Although a formal FOI request is made a lot of information is already on the website. The process takes a lot of resource to put together. If all relevant information could be put on website an FOI response would be easier.
Agreed: Dr Shields would circulate an article summarising EAUC’s view on the table.
Action: Dr Shields

g) Guild activities
Noted: The Guild would not be taking part in the Sound Impact awards this year due to the refurbishment works, but they were intending to get hold of a copy of the workbook for internal Reported: This year the Guild would be participating in the studentswitchoff campaign along with the University. This was the third year the University had supported this initiative; there was a cost of £1.50/bedspace, which was covered by HAS.
Further noted: There were a number of other activities/initiatives, including:
· The Ethical and Environmental Forum set up by Miss Calver was to continue, with more frequent meetings
· There would be an Environmental Week in January supported by a ‘get involved’ campaign
· Mr Bauer was supporting a campaign around food procurement on campus, to improve the health and environmental impacts of the University community. It was noted that this was a worthy aim but that the responsibilities for the objectives listed were split between various parts of the University. It would be best to pick one area and target that. The group agreed to let him know if they had any thoughts on the matter.

It was clarified that the University has Fairtrade status, as well as its own monthly farmers’ market selling local produce. Surveys are also carried out in catered residences early in the academic year to determine whether the food being served meets the needs of the students.

4. Annual Report (EAG 09.09.3)
Noted: This was due to go to EHSEC on 3 November.
Agreed: The report would be amended as follows and circulated by email for comments:
· Take out acronyms
· Remove reference to Sound Impact Awards
· Cross-reference with previous plan of action and add continuing actions
· Add Ecocampus business plan
· Add ‘Consider submissions to environmental awards as appropriate’
· Cross-check on any relevant activities from the Travel Plan Steering Group.
Action: Dr Shields

5. Green Impacts project
Reported: This two-year project, based on the Sound Impacts awards, was a behavioural change scheme. Birmingham was one of 20 universities selected to take part. The scheme included a grant of £25,000 from DEFRA to cover the cost of a Greener Living Assistant – a student recruited to carry out some of the audit. The University needed to provide match funding of around £10,000, and to find 15 departments to participate in the scheme. A business case had been submitted to the Registrar and Secretary; it was believed that the scheme would pay for itself.
Noted: This had already been discussed through the Leadership Group for Unified Administration, and Mr Nick Blinco from Alumni Relations and Ms Charlotte Wellington from the College of Social Sciences were involved in helping implement the scheme. There were concerns over communication of the scheme within the governance structure of the University, and duplication of work across the administration.

6. Sustainability Task Group development
Noted: A paper was being written to update the Vice-Chancellor on how the University was dealing with sustainability. A clearer distinction would be drawn between this group and the Sustainability Task Group.

7. Date of next meeting
Noted: The next meeting would take place in mid-December. Dates would be circulated.

Copenhagen, climate change awarness week

2009-10-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

World leaders are meeting from December 7th -18th to create the successor to the Kyoto protocol. This is the last chance global meeting, what is decided at Copenhagen will come into effect in 2012 when the Kyoto protocol expires. Scientists report that at current predicted emission rates that the Copenhagen summit will be the last chance for governments to create a deal that could limit the effects of climate change.

Birmingham students from all backgrounds and perspectives are banding together supported by the guild to create a week of Debate, Lectures, Film showings, conferences actions and protests all based around climate change and the summit.

We are organizing openly over Facebook if you would like to take part or would like to put on a event you can either contact; me, Oxfam outreach society, people and planet society at Birmingham or the Birmingham university United nations association alternative suggest it on the group wall or discussion board.

You can find the group here

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119398750902&ref=ts

My e-mail is e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

And you can find the student groups here : http://www.guildofstudents.com/content/193035

Green to do list for the Guild - add your additions

2009-10-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Guilds budget for environmental refurbishment this year is £5000 pounds (I’m looking into ways of increasing this). I, Tom Guise and the Building mangers are brainstorming ideas of where to spend it in the run up to the first meeting of the environmental work group.

Here is quick provisional list I’ve drawn up, what are your ideas for the guilds green to do list? the building is ancient, so work on the basis that we don’t already have it.

· Thermostats
· PVC seals on exterior doors, letterboxes and keyholes
· Radiator valves with thermostats
· Heat reflectors behind radiators
· Electronic timers
· Insulating pipes
· Insulation of hot water tank
· Draught proofing strips around windows and doors
· Insulation of cavity walls
· Insulation of loft
· Insulation of cavity walls
· Cellar insulation
· New energy efficient boiler
· Double Glazing

Comment below with more

Which model of the environmental working group would you prefer?

2009-10-02T02:40:00.000-07:00

These are just two options, feel free to create a third and if you want me to chat to you to explain more about the group please just say

Purpose

The Environmental Working Group shall be responsible for actively dealing with Environmental issues within the Guild of Students and ensuring that the Guild meets its environmental obligations.

Terms of reference

Feed into the strategic direction and running of the Guild on Environmental issues.

Have the power to set up sub-committees and advisory committees which shall have responsibility for such Environmental issues as deemed necessary, such as, the student-led Ethical and Environmental Forum.

To work on any environmental schemes/campaigns that the Guild of Students signs up to as an organisation such as 10:10 and NUS Sound Impact.

Have the power to make recommendations on Environmental matters and report these to the Trustee Board and other relevant bodies.

Membership

(i) Vice President Democracy and Resources (Chair)
(ii) Ethical and Environmental Officer
(iii) Buildings Manager
(iv) Venues Representative
(v) Marketing and Communications Representative
(vi) Two Representatives from Membership Services.

Invitees in Attendance
To be determined by the chair.

Reporting Relationship
The Environmental Working Group can make recommendations on the Environment to the following bodies;

· Health and Safety Committee
· Staff Forum
· Sabbatical Officer Group
· Trustee Board

OR

Purpose

The Environmental Working Group shall be responsible for actively dealing with Environmental issues within the Guild of Students and ensuring that the Guild meets its environmental obligations.

Terms of reference

To work implement guild council mandates and feed into the strategic direction and running of the Guild on Environmental issues.

Have the power to set up sub-committees and advisory committees which shall have responsibility for such Environmental issues as deemed necessary.

To work on any environmental schemes/campaigns that the Guild of Students signs up to as an organisation such as 10:10 and NUS Sound Impact.

Have the power to make recommendations on Environmental matters and report these to the Trustee Board and other relevant bodies.

Membership

(i) Vice President Democracy and Resources (Chair)
(ii) Ethical and Environmental Officer
(iii) Buildings Manager
(iv) Venues Representative
(v) Marketing and Communications Representative
(vi) Two Representatives from Membership Services.
(vii) Business manger or retail manger

(viii) Student Representatives from the Ethical and Environmental committee or guild council

Invitees in Attendance
To be determined by the chair.

Reporting Relationship
The Environmental Working Group can make recommendations on the Environment to the following bodies;

· Health and Safety Committee
· Staff Forum
· Sabbatical Officer Group
· Trustee Board
· Trustee board Finance committee

The Environmental Working Group Will report its minutes and its progress back to the Ethical and Environmental Forum and Guild council - add this

Minutes will be published online on the greener guild section.

Blog Reports - Ideas for Changes? anyone?

2009-10-01T01:38:00.000-07:00

Above Traffic sources for http://edwardbauereeo.blogspot.com/ click to enlarge(if anyone wants so different data just say)

We all know these blogs are not well read .. I think the executive should get a pint (each) for reporting/ Blogging as much as they have while in full awareness of the bleak knowledge that nobody is reading (10 hits a day is the average).

The Traffic Sources paint a cliquey picture, it would appear that nearly all visits either come from students already on the officer blogs - mainly through Fabians which acts as a gateway or from referral amongst our own friends on Facebook and twitter.

The Presidents Blog will always act as the bait / the gateway for new student readers, people are for ever going to be attracted to information on the key positions. If officer blogs are ever going to become a effective communication tool then they need better promotion.

Nearly a full third of traffic to http://edwardbauereeo.blogspot.com comes from Fabians blog, The next biggest officer source is Tom Guise with 5.25%.

On the Guilds website there is not a single mention of the officer blogs or that officers are reporting, you can find links on the officer page but only if your lucky enough to stumble upon it.

I think buttons promoting the Blogs are needed on the front page of the http://www.guildofstudents.com/ and they should in my opinion link to the presidents blog.

What does everyone else think? Representative democracies shouldn’t be done in secret. Looking at the current sources how can guild create a less cliquey readership?

Yes I am aware of irony of starting a “public” debate here, however another important part of readership is content and if the guild wants a better readership officers need to write more interesting more engaging items.

Grim Democratic Failings

2009-09-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

Systematic failings are rapidly becoming clear in the implementation of guild council mandates.

You may have read about the recent guild T-shirt error. First reported by Tom Guise VDPR and then by student media here on the Radish and later here in redbrick . In which the guild accidently used fruit of the loom for its freshers week T-shirts.

Another similar failing was when the guild accepted last January a company for a promotion without doing the research guild council has mandated “The Guild shall always look into the ethical standing of any company before a promotion is accepted. Such as its working practices, the nature of its business, and the supply chain of its products as well as taking into account its majority shareholder and their ethical practices.”– The company turned out to be an arms company which had illegally sold weaponry to countries in breach of international human rights laws and engaging in illegal wars.

Cases like these are just the tip of the iceberg and probably are just the examples we know about. I recently asked for copy of the guild environmental and ethical policies. Both of these policies which staff are suppose to refer to contain serious errors and are massively out of date going backwards chronological through these mistakes.

Shell is still Boycotted – this was overturned by guild council last term

Fruit of the Loom is not boycotted – guild council mandated it to be boycotted in March

Staff and exec flying – this still reads “No Guild officer or member of staff shall use air travel for any Guild business, unless in case of emergency.” This should have been changed allowing staff and exec to fly by the “fly me to moon motion” last winter.

Entering into contracts with companies against whom student groups have campaigns – “The Guild shall endeavour not to enter into contracts with companies against whom its campaigning societies are currently running a campaign.” This was also removed by guild council.

Oil companies – “or any other company engaged with the extraction of oil such as BP.” all oil companies are according to the guilds copy of the ethical policy banned, this was before my time but I know it has been overturned long ago.

These are policies to which staff at the guild use. Mistakes like these would make them liable to make massive errors even when acting in good faith.
Another issue emerging is reporting back to Guild Council on implementation. For example policy reads that the guild will stock fair-trade items in its clothing shop. Anyone who may have visited zest will have noticed this is not the case.

There is no mechanism for reporting back to students when a mandate has not been achieved. This may seem odd to you because if you were told by your boss told you do something and you could not do it for reason A, B and C you would go tell them asap, why? Because they are the person above you! Students are the governors of the guild…. Well at least nominally in practice clearly not.

I’m just reporting here on ethical and environmental mandates other areas are the same. This is not in my opinion a break down in communication as I have seen reported to students in redbrick and on blogs.

Guild council is totally sidelined and ignored its motions have little effect on the guild not because of poor communications but rather because of its integration within the guild. It is to low ranking and too separated from other key decision making bodies in the guild to have a impact.

Thing have gotten so bad in my opinion that the guild staff or the officer team quite simply can’t deal with these issues internally and need to sit down in open meetings with students and discuss reforms.

If you think the guilds structure needs reform and you want this process to be open and democratic involving all students let it be known! Comment here and e-mail this to these addresses-

president@guild.bham.ac.uk;vpdr@guild.bham.ac.uk; vpea@guild.bham.ac.uk;vphc@guild.bham.ac.uk; vps@guild.bham.ac.uk;vpw@guild.bham.ac.uk; vpsad@guild.bham.ac.uk; e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

Dear executive,

I’m concerned about the failure to implement guild council motions. Recent events and past failures show drastic problems with the current system. I want to be heard please start a working groupopen to all students to tackle these issues and bring in real reform.

Sincerely

Concerned student

Environment Health and Safety Executive Committee meeting - Report

2009-09-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hi I posted the agenda of the EAG meeting here, please – this my report on the meeting. When I receive the minutes I will also publish them online.

I would have liked to have used a dictaphone for this report and publish here (in addition to my summary) a recording of the meeting segmented into the sections on the agenda so you could listen to the points directly. Tom Guise however intervened and said that it would be “unprofessional” to use notation aids in the meetings, hopefully by the next one I will have changed his mind.

I aslo think all officers should to report like this on their blogs and will be tabling a motion to mandate them to do so.

3.Matters Arising:
a. Environmental Policy Review

This will be finalised on the 3rd of November. Any Review of environmental policy at the uni should be a key chance for the guild to campaign in. This review seems to be at the end of its process. If anyone is interested in trying to influence the proceedings at this stage I can try and get you a copy of what’s going on.

b.Waste and Recycling Contracts update

Veolia were recently given a temporary contract for mixed recycling and confidential waste. The possibility of extending this contract for the next three years will be discussed next September.

Veolia is a company that is willing to trample all over international law and human rights and is the target of an ongoing boycott campaign, something to campaign on this year?

c.Environmental Management Systems
(i) BiTC indices (attached EAG 09.09.2)

This is a initiative supported by UK uni funding councils, It measures the extent to which institutions integrate environmental responsibility into their strategic and operational activities.

The uni now have the report back, the results are a interesting read and I would love to share them with you. It was communicated that the report is strictly confidential.

I brought up if it could be made public and uni are going to make a “summary” of the results to put online (a nice chance for spin in my opinion – worthy of the guild of students) I’m going to continue to lobby to get it published in full.

(ii) Ecocampus scheme.

(Here some info on scheme http://www.ecocampus.co.uk/ have a gander). The cost to participate is £10,700 pounds which was deemed to expensive.

I’m not entirely convinced the BiTC indices which the uni currently choose to do is the most effective environmental management scheme. I’m going to do some research to check if the uni are trying to cop out of making real commitments. I’d appreciate any help in this research (please contact me if you know anything or are interested) - so that when the decision is taken next year to choose which carbon management scheme to choose the guild will be ready.

d.Sustainable Travel Plan Update

The ball has been dropped here (on drivers feet). The guild was in a dialogue with the uni over the new car parking scheme however during the handover this role has not been conferred. I don’t now what’s going, nobody does... the exec are trying to find someone new to do this role.

e.Carbon Management
(i) HEFCE consultation
(ii) HECM Update

(iii) 10:10 campaign targets

I’ll include here to save myself time (sry), tom guises report to the 10:10 campaign group since it’s a good summary of the discussion, hope you don’t mind tom.

“Myself and Trevor Shields have been actioned to write a note on 10:10 for the University Executive Board to consider and make a decision on signing up or not. The EAG spent a lot of time talking about the variety of schemes they are signed up to, and actually raised a valid point that focusing on this for a year would seem superfluous. The rep from Estates did not seem convinced that it was achievable and Judith Petts actually mentioned being more ambitious, cutting CO2 emissions by 20% by 2015.”

f.People & Planet Green League Table

The uni are upset by the changes in methodology and don’t think they represent a fair assessment of their green efforts and are considering not complying with Freedom of information requests submitted this year from P&P – (this is interesting will keep you updated).

g.Guild Activities

Tom guise reported a few things I will let him cover that in his own time I presented this …..

Can we have a Food action group?

“To influence and improve the health and environmental impacts of the university community, to establish, enable and maintain lifelong eating habits that benefit both themselves and the environment”

Objectives

Leadership

- To ensure that the entire university community are consulted on these issues via the food action group
- To ensure that the entire university community are kept informed of key changes in relation to food issues

Food quality of provenance

- To liaise with on campus retailers about lowering the environmental impacts of their food goods.
- To support the provision of food that has low environmental impact
- To work with campus retailers to endeavour to achieve the food for life targets of 75% unprocessed, 50% local, 30% organic and to address issues of seasonality, animal welfare and sustainable fishing
- To ensure that there is easy access on campus throughout the day to free drinking water that is separate from the toilet area.
Education
- To provide opportunities for students to eat and cook with vegetables that they grown themselves.
- To ensure that there is no collaboration with businesses that require endorsements of brands and products that have high environmental impacts or high in fat, sugar or salt.

The uni seem quite keen to create groups to work to improve the uni’s health and environmental impacts groups, which I find very encouraging. I plan on taking this further will keep you updated on this blog.

Additionally in response to the publication of the agenda I received three questions to ask to the EAG from a student.

Here are the questions and there responses

Q. do the uni know their current level of carbon emissions

A. No they don’t – they have this which is very rough estimate http://www.climatechange.bham.ac.uk/update.shtml
(Seriously look into where the figures come from and you can see how rough an estimate it is)
They did say that they thought money was best spent on making “real reductions” rather than into a full carbon audit.

Q. will the results from the sustainable travel survey be made available?

A. No they were not going to be, not because they have anything to hide but because they hadn’t thought of publishing them. I now have a copy I would post it here however blogger can’t have documents uploaded on for download ( I should get wordpress). If anyone wants a copy to read just write your e-mail in the comments section.

Q. with regards to the PP Green League... what the uni is planning on doing to improve its ethical and enivornmental standing in the region... because Aston, Warwick and Cov all scored higher

A. I got pointed in the direction of this mammoth document http://www.climatechange.bham.ac.uk/wecan/carbon.shtml

Environment Health and Safety Executive Committee meeting Agenda

2009-09-18T10:57:00.001-07:00

Here is the agenda for the next Environment Health and Safety Executive meeting. Have a read and reply below if there is anything you would like brought up about any of the points or something you would like added. The uni loves student feedback don't hold back! If you would like anymore details about any of the subjects just ask and I will try to find it for you asap.

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 22nd September 2009 at 2:30 pm,
Vice Chancellor’s Meeting Room, Aston Webb

1.Apologies & Introductions

2.Minutes of the last meeting 1st June 2009 (attached EAG 09.09.1)

3.Matters Arising:
a.Environmental Policy Review
b.Waste and Recycling Contracts update
c.Environmental Management Systems
(i) BiTC indices (attached EAG 09.09.2)
(ii) Ecocampus scheme.
d.Sustainable Travel Plan Update
e.Carbon Management
(i) HEFCE consultation
(ii) HECM Update
(iii) 10:10 campaign targets
f.People & Planet Green League Table
g.Guild Activities

4.Annual Report (attached EAG 09.09.3)

5.Green Impacts Project

6.Sustainability Task Group Development

7.Date of next meeting

GC Motions

2009-09-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yes I've been writing too much on this blog, more so than any other officer. I'm writing so much because I know that everybody who enters these positions has big ambitions which they constantly fail to achieve. With that in mind I'm starting right now. All the writing I have just done is a ground work trying to raise debate. I Intend to have motions on all these issues ready for the first guild council of term.

just to recap here are the points I have raised that I intend release motions on,

Monitoring the university here

Reducing executive powers here , here and here.

Getting students heard by the Uni making the uni more accountable here.

I will put them up here on this blog for criticism and debate so hopefull by Guild council we have motions that everyone can agree on.

Stuck in the bottleneck of representation

2009-09-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

-I'm writing this because it was a election promise of mine to engage the grassroots and get students heard (this was described at the time as unrealistic). Why Am I not lobbying silently behind closed doors? Its because I just don't believe that the executive or guild council are democratic enough to reform themselves. I believe we need open and honest debate which all students can take part in too reform and re-ignite the guild of students as a campaigning organization.

Last guild council students decided to end the guilds campaign against shell after two years in failure. Two years ago the world and students across the country were in uproar about revelations about shells behavior in Nigeria; its disregard for international laws, its environmental abuse and its role in the murder of 9 Nigerian activists including and internationally acclaimed poet, writer, activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.

Several students societies rallied the student body, created a petition with hundreds of signatures showing broad student support for the university to divest its shares in shell and cease allowing it to promote itself on campus. Those societies and individuals passed a motion at guild council mandating the guild to cease its promotion of shell, investment in the company and for the EEO and president lobby the university to do likewise. At this point the guild got involved..... and a popular campaign which had the broad support of the student body was effectively over.

I don't want to discuss if students should or should not campaign against shell, I just want to analyze why a campaign with so many committed organizers, activists and popular support failed. Why two years later the campaign had lost all momentum.

Passing a motion through guild council - had the same effect on the campaigns momentum as a 20,000 ton train traveling east at 86mph would have on 12 stone 3lb jogger traveling east. The guild cuts its students out of any process of taking its campaigns further.

Its the job of the officers sitting of various university committees to pass up guild council mandates, that committee then hopefully discusses the proposal decides the outcome, and (if the motion mandates) for that officer to write a letter to relevant committee/person/organization . A process which the student group is cut out off. The influence the student group has over its campaign is via guild council and the officers reports on the process of their representation.

The system of campaign representation was (I hope) designed with the best intentions, to get students heard. Its has unfortunately now become more like a bottleneck more of a block than boost to student campaigns. It is surprising? how effective was the one man army ever going be against the university?

In the case of the Shell campaign the student groups behind it where left at a loose end, they still had all that energy all their passion but no real targets left to put it all to good use on. Given time with nothing to do it died away its members left or put their energies into new campaigns. By the time a group of students decided they didn't want their officers to campaign on this anymore, the campaign was truly a shadow of its former self (It didn't really defend itself very vigorously in guild council).

A student society should never be left in the cold, the guild should be helping its students take their campaigns further. Students groups don't know who two target next; guild officers in their reports on their campaigns on there blog and communications to Guild council should contain minutes of meetings they raise the issue at, which departs or individuals objected and who approved, (It will be hard) the guild should work to truly break the bottleneck of this representation open; get permission for student media and students to sit in on all the meetings from the council downward, let students groups send representatives to address the committees directly and even hard get even more representatives who are more accountable for students on these committees.

This bottleneck must be broken students voices should be heard by the university in there full undiluted force with all their passion and commitment. Maybe then popular campaigns like the shell campaign won't fail....

Re: Fabian: Add students to your team ;)

2009-09-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

After reading Fabians Blog “we are a guild of students! A response” . I’ve decided to reply. I commend his desire to re-engage students in the very highest levels of guild politics. I like many was very encouraged by his manifesto promises of change and the sentiments he expressed during the election. I believe he really intends to try make these changes.

The platform me and Fabian are arguing on that is our guild provided blogs. These blogs are now as Nick Petrie says the “primary means of submitting a Guild Council report”. Guild council is the chief mechanism for students to debate with the officers the contents of these reports and the direction of the guild. To do this they are given the platform of guild council.

Online in the officers new e reports it’s a different matter any student commenting/ debating on these reports are given no platform. I think its time the guild followed step with other institutions and groups progressively trying to engage their grassroots.

I think you’ll agree that the “meet the team feed” you have on left and side of your page is the primary area for discussion of executive activities, it’s like a officer team giving reports but there is no guild council, lets not waffle to empty room anymore. The number of student’s blogging tweeting about guild issues shows how many students are clamouring to be let in to this room.

It’s great that you check their blogs that reflects well on your style of governance, however you don’t have to do it and other presidents may not do as you do. So I think it is time that we let those students fully into the online guild council, create an organ for them as Helen says. Include all students and students groups who want it in your “meet the team” feed on your blog because they are very much part of the team. Put links beside the officer blogs to all the students’ blogs that request it, promote them, give them a platform, create a organ etc.

“I been given a platform which is disproportionately superior to fellow student bloggers? Well, according to my google analytics statistics only very few visitors to my blog have come via the Guild website so hence many people have come through word of mouth and my own advertising via facebook and twitter”

Yes however I don’t think that reflects on the power of the platform it probably just reflects on how tucked away and poorly promoted these blogs are on the guild website (my analytics shows a similar story). Not many students turn up to guild council (or atleast stay for the motions) that doesn’t affect the power of it as a platform just its effectiveness.

Prince calls on students for support

2009-09-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

"This was set up by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to find solutions to the global emergency of tropical rainforest destruction, a key part of the climate change equation.

On 30th September 2009, the PRP is launching the Rainforest SOS Campaign - asking people to tell the world to put a stop to rainforest destruction by adding their name and sending a Rainforest SOS to https://webmail.bugs.bham.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.rainforestSOS.org or texting 60777."

Its being lanched on september 30th to concide with students returning to uni who it is hoped will be the campaigns main supporters. The Prince's Rainforest Project is looking for students or a student group to champion it on campus i.e co-ordinate flyering and posters, signing students up or running events. If your interested in doing so they will provide you with campaining materials.

This could be some rewarding work and great experiance for you if you are interested organsing for Prince's Rainforest Project message quickly and I'll put you in contact.

Guild of Officers (Students Excluded )

2009-09-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

I started part one of this here before I went to climate camp . I intend to put forward the issues I raise here too Guild Council in a motion, this is why I'm writing this in public blog rather than in a private e-mail to the executive.

Is the guilds system of absolving its members of power and responsibility appropriate in a age of modern communication? does it not dis-empower the guilds grass-roots while helping to create a inaccessible elite?

Obviously the guilds system of sabbatical representation is designed to defer power and responsibility to a select group. Built on a system based on simple division of labour, the average student is assumed to be too busy do certain tasks . So we have a system were activists are employed for the task of changing the students lives for them because they are assumed to be either to apathetic or busy.

To what extent is this need for this division of labour a thing of past? If it ever was the case that students were incapable of being forces for change, then the information age has certainly changed that. New communications on facebook, blogger twitter. Hundreds of students are now a hidden force for change at the guild and university. Its just a shame that the Guilds system actively disregards these students as elements for change in education.

Don't blame the guild its just that it is about as fast on its feet as a lead donkey and can't keep up with the times. The guild still only lets its executive take part in the official discourse of change. In doing so It demotes its membership who also blog, twitter etc to a lower sub platform. While the guild flops about like a lead donkey-fish out of its archaic snail speed communication water, other groups are already moving forward. The Labour parties Labour list, Conservative Home and other campaigning groups with the same structure as the guild of students like People and Planet have allowed their grass-root membership to start setting the agenda. Students are empowered and informed and don't want rely on supposed “experts” to do the work of change for them. The system at the guild is making assumptions about who is behind change at the university that certainly no longer apply/

I think the the guild needs to break down its separations which sustain a elite that are keeping students quiet and dis-empowered. Why should writers like Nick Petrie talking about the issues at the university and at the guild be given a lower platform to speak on than the president? To me the current guild seems unworthy of the explanatory descriptive of students and until it gives a better voice to its grass-root members then it will remain in my mind a guild of officers.

Take a look at the people and planet website on the front page it has a feed of blogs from its grass-root members> I've also changed the feed on this blog so that unofficial student writers are put next to guild officers on a equal platform. I will be creating a motion for the first guild council arounds the points here if you would like to help create it (or have a major problem with this) then either comment or message me.

The third part on this theme (I which I will write asap) will be on the content of officer blogs (interested?).

I do not intend "to swipe" at any of the current officers my criticisms are aimed solely at procedures that were in place before you got into office, I am sorry if you are attached to them however please don't these criticisms personally.

Climate camp

2009-08-28T08:01:00.001-07:00

climate camp :)

Arbitrary online power

2009-08-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

The internet is a crucial place for any movements organising, mobilisation and coordination. I suppose it make some form of sense that guilds online power channels give arbitrary and uncountable power to the executive. I’m going to be working to change this if you want input just say.

The guilds Facebook group page, this group should be a centre of the student movements online organising….. It’s not.

Being able to send out a message at the drop of a hat to 3000+ of Birmingham Guilds most active students is a powerful tool, a powerful tool that is given arbitrarily to only a select group of students (not even all officers receive it, who gets admin status is decided by the previous year’s Admins ).

The same goes for the guilds website news feed, twitter feed and facebook page again editorial control of the content of these feeds lies solely with the executive.

The officers are not just arbitrarily given the power to mobilise, but the power to decide who gets to say what, to decide what information or events that the student body can see. If an officer disapproves of a group and that group requests publication it’s within their mandate to turn them down out of hand (if you’re wondering yes this power is used actively). This resource should be used fairly between all students of all opinions (not just executive approved ones).

The Facebook groups wall, a place to promote your views and society? as admins officers have the power to block students they disapprove of (I should I know I’m still blocked and I’m an officer!). Its good we have moderators for the wall to stop it being used and abused, I don’t think moderators of political opinion are necessary.

This amounts to a guild that actively blocks a significant portion of its activists in their activities; at the last West Midlands Area NUS meeting in a group session I contradicted an officer from Birmingham guild of students who said that Birmingham guild of students doesn’t really have a large activist base. I said that it does have a very large base, it’s just that the guild “actively disengages from them” (pisses them off).

That’s all for now in part two of this post I will be writing about guild officer blogs. That doesn’t sound very interesting to me either. However if you have anything to say or like the idea of trying to take power away from an organisation whose instincts is to hold unto it like rigor mortis has set in then please contact me however you wish.

Ethical and Environmental Committee Blog

2009-08-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

As you may see in the top right of this blog there is a feed for the ethical and environmental committee.

have a look at it here

I had originally hoped to let all students use this blog and have a forum here but that does not seem to possible on Blogger (which the guild uses).

on wordpress all students can create account and start writing and debating about decisions at the guild that have ethical and environmental implications.

This blog is currently just a prototype hopefully soon there will be a forum and we can make changes to the design and layout. we can change the domain design logos and themes everything.

If anyone wants to be part of team that designs this website either e-mail me on emb709@bham (my guild e-mails currently off-line until Monday) or just leave your e-mail in a comment under here.

designing a website for a major organization like the guild of students (5.5 million pound turnover and 30,000 members) could be great CV experience for you.

I haven't set up a registration for students yet so if you want to start writing right away then (same again) either e-mail me on emb709@bham (my guild e-mails currently off-line until Monday) or just leave your e-mail in a comment under here.

Consensus

2009-08-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

I was prompted create this post by a posting by xyz on The Radish on post about the new guild officer blogs.

here is a copy of that post
"@ edward bauer, for the students to have a democratic input it would help if the officers had a contact address on their blogs (which you don’t have)…as well as just the space for comments on the specific articles you have written. or even a forum on the blog if possible…where people could talk about the EEO issues they want to, not just respond to your posts.

i appreciate that an element of anonymity stops the position appearing to be run by only yourself, and that instead you are trying to make it a consensual body of all the students, it currently seems hard to interact with the blog and the EEO. give people a point of contact at least! then they can start to get involved and you can take a backseat :)"

Tom Guise VPDR, Brigid Jones VPEA, Damien Duff (green party), Lizzy Bell (people and planet) and I were defeated at last guild concil in our attempt to reform the EEO structures and make them more consensual (needless to say I'm sure we will try again).

However there no reason why for now the EEO position cannot by run by a consensous of students.

I've created this post so we can have talk here about how best to to operate consenually.

The forum on the website sounds like a plan, Perhaps allowing all students to post here so the average student can set the agenda of debate?

Next term I plan on running the ethical and enviomeantal committe weekly and in those meeting diccusing all the EEO descisions for that week.

Any other ideas, like or dislike the ones currently here and does anyone know how to make a forum or allow guest posts by students on this site?

RE: Johhny davis - anti facist weekend

2009-08-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Johnny Davis Vice president welfare "attended" the anti fascist protest against the English defense league. A racist group with a largely fascist leadership and strong fascist ties.

Trying to make Birmingham a less threatening city is a great use of time for the guilds welfare officer. Although for the record my idea of "attending" is not turning up 40 minutes late with my shopping in hand.

my main problem with your post is that you accuse the protest and seemingly the anti fascist movement regionally of being "a disguise for the pro Palestine agenda". I don't know why you wrote that and I cannot imagine what hoops your mind has jumped through to get to that conclusion.

With another mobilization for the same cause underway such accusations are unhelpful. The movement draws upon individuals from all walks of life and political backgrounds. Accusing it of having a pro Palestine agenda is tremendously unhelpful to a movement seeking to unite.

Read the post Here

Johnny Davis has clarified his position which is fantastic thank you, obviously there is still plenty of outstanding issues to debate here. It may now be best to do so on his blog next to his clarification message.

Birmingham students at to climate camp???

2009-08-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Students from Birmingham have been camping for climate action for years now! do you want to join them?

From the 27th of august to the 2nd of September students, pensioners, mothers, fathers, workers and children will be gathering were climate change is really being driven forward, London.

if your fed up with empty rhetoric or the pointless greenwash (a good example of the latter http://www.guildofstudents.com/content/index.php?page=90335). Then head down to climate camp.

if you want to join birmingham students to traveling down from birmingham or a place to stay in London then send message to e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk.

in the mean time check out the climate camp website for a list of what to bring you can find it here.

COP - 15 Copenhagen Climate Summit

2009-08-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

In December, Guild Council resolved to affiliate, along with the NUS, to the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and to support their campaigns. World leaders are meeting from December 7th -18th at a "last chance global meeting" to create the successor to the Kyoto protocol.

The VPSAD, The VPDR and the EEO will be working hard to promote the Stop climate chaos mobilization and campaigns for the summit.

Additionally the guild will be providing support for students organizing for the summit creating a platform for all students and groups from any perspective to make themselves heard.

If your a student or student group and would like to organize a event around the Copenhagen summit, whatever your perspective or aims the guild will help you publicize and advertise it. If you would like to take part simply join the Facebook group.

Freedom of information

2009-08-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

The governance of the university is a cloistered and byzantine mess. Students are held at a arms length from information concerning the university. Students are meant to have a nominal input on ethical and environmental decisions at the university. Through the guild of students formal role in the universities governance. However its hard to have a input when you don't know what is going on.

This being nearly* the equivalent of locking a bunch of people in pitch black room and asking them if there is any changes they would like to have made to the colour scheme. Then acting all surprised and disappointed at the lack of enthusiastic response.

I'm now starting as I promised in the election researching all aspects of the universities activities. I'm using the EEO position as a platform to ask questions as well as submitting Freedom of information requests.

Come the start of term I will be asking students to join as researchers and help compile information into a report, if you would like to be a researcher please do contact me at e.bauer@guild.bham.ac.uk

if there are any particular aspects of the university you would would like researched for either e-mail me or comment after this post.

*this not quite the same as we pay for the privilege