The University of Sheffield and The University of Sheffield Union of Students Fairtrade policy adopted June 2004.

The University of Sheffield and The Union of Students assign great importance to our role within the greater world and therefore commit to supporting, using and promoting Fairtrade products.

1. Steering Group

A Fairtrade Steering Group will be set up to implement this policy. This Group will meet a minimum of once a term to continuously monitor and improve the university and union support for Fairtrade. This Group shall submit a progress report to the University Environment-sub committee and the Union assembly at least once a semester and to the Fairtrade foundation once a year. This Group shall be made up of representatives from the following areas:

• The Union Sabbatical team
• University Accommodation and Campus Services
• University Facilities Management Directorate
• Union Commercial and Buildings Services
• University Procurement
• People and Planet Student Society

2. Sale of Fairtrade products

The University and Union will sell as many Fairtrade products as is feasible in all our shops, cafes, vending machines and other outlets. Where it is not currently feasible (for reasons of price, supply availability or contractual obligations) to sell Fairtrade the university and union are committed to begin selling Fairtrade as soon as it becomes feasible and to negotiate with existing suppliers in order to do so.

3. Hospitality and university residences

The University will serve Fairtrade drinks/products at all internal meetings, conferences, hospitality events, where supplied by the University Catering Department (e.g. open days) and in halls of residence, with a commitment to increasing the use of Fairtrade products as it becomes possible to do so.

4. Promotion

The University and Union will work together to promote the sale of Fairtrade products via the following methods:

• Promotional materials to be displayed on notice boards and at point of sale
• Articles and other appropriate material about Fairtrade will be published in the student newspaper and newsletter, on the University and Union’s websites, in the staff newsletter and in other appropriate publications such as university prospectus.
• A series of promotional events will be run during Fairtrade Fortnight every March. The steering group is responsible for organising these events, which will be promoted in the appropriate University and Union publications.

5. Staff and student support

All members of the University and Union will be actively encouraged to support the Fairtrade policy. Details of this policy will be communicated throughout the University and Union and efforts to support Fairtrade will be strongly encouraged.

6. Review

This policy statement will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Download the Union Fairtrade Policy (PDF 33KB).