We’re two third year students working with the Sustainability Team and would like to give you an overview of what we’ve been up to and what to expect from the Sustainability Team over the next couple of months.

At the moment, we are in the middle of sorting out some lovely merchandise to hand out during Freshers’ Week 2014. We are planning to attend both the Societies’ Fair and Defresh and look forward to seeing lots of new Newcastle University students there. As well as giving new students freebees, our growing team will also be on hand to answer any questions and provide information on what we do.

Last week we went around visiting various University Departments in the pouring rain. Bedraggled, we were trying to convince University Staff to think about joining the NUS scheme Green Impact. If we missed you (the rain was bad) – then feel free to come along to one of the two launch breakfasts at the end of August. Dates to be posted soon. We spent a day with a lovely woman from NUS learning how students help out and drive the Green Impact scheme – they are crucial to the project and we’re hoping more students will apply to help out this year. It’s a great experience and looks good on that all important CV.

Social media is one of our ongoing tasks. We are trying to increase student engagement and interest for environmental issues and events. Hopefully you’ll see us popping up online. Check out twitter @NuSusTeam. In addition our website is under constant renovation – we’re adding content, organising photos and making sure the page is in great condition for the academic year 2014/15. Have a look at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/sustainable-campus/ and tell us what you think?

Come along and get involved:

• Staff and Students – every Tuesday 8am-4pm – go see Doctor Bike for any cycling repairs
• Staff – when arranged – Nordic Walking sessions available: email Rebecca.Allen@ncl.ac.uk
• Staff – end of August – coffee mornings to launch Green Impact
• Staff – 4^th September – cycle to work day
• Students – September 22^nd and 23^rd – come and see us at the Societies’ Fair
• Students – September – sign up for Student Switch Off (sponsored by Ben and Jerry’s)

Best wishes – Jo Evans and Steph Hoare