Horrendous email server implementation from Microsoft. Makes Sebb and Bluec want to hurt small furry creatures.
Use of Exchange and Outlook promotes the use of email by people who really shouldn't use it:
FORWARDED ON BEHALF OF X X Dear colleagues Some of us have discussed the issue and are unhappy about the vending machines in the IGES concourse, more specifically about what comes out of them! We would like to be able to buy, for example, a sandwich made in Aberystwyth with local ingredients on wholemeal bread, an organic apple grown in Britain, Fairtrade tea, coffee and confectionary… In short, we would like to be able to choose to eat and drink more locally and environmentally sustainably, more healthily, and more ethically within our Institute. Right now, we would like to simply canvas opinion. If we can arrive at some sort of consensus on this, we can perhaps determine who is responsible for the very limited choice we get at the moment, how undergraduates feel, and how best to lobby for change. A number of us are willing to facilitate the initiation of such a process if people would like to express their support and perhaps willingness to become involved– or otherwise – in an email to me. Thanks for your time. Regards X
FORWARDED ON BEHALF OF X X From: X X [mailto:xxx@aber.ac.uk] Sent: 16 November 2007 11:29 To: 'X' Cc: 'X' Subject: Vending Machines - message to Hospitality Services Dear X I am writing about the vending machines in the IGES concourse, more specifically the choices or lack thereof available from these machines. We recently canvassed opinion among staff and postgraduates in IGES and very quickly received more than forty responses strongly supporting the content of this message. Perhaps even more tellingly, we received no responses in defence of the current vending machine regime. The general opinion is that would like to be able to buy, for instance, sandwiches made in Aberystwyth with local ingredients on wholemeal bread, organic apples grown in Britain, Fairtrade tea, coffee, fruit and confectionary… We are also concerned about the lack of vegetarian and vegan choices in the machines, the sale of fizzy sugary drinks which affect student concentration, and the preponderance of Nestle products on sale. In short, we would like to be able to choose to eat and drink more locally and environmentally sustainably, more healthily, and more ethically within our Institute. We understand that the Fairtrade committee has managed to affect change in the content of some vending machines within the university, so there is a precedent for flexibility? We also believe that the IGES concourse is soon due for refurbishment? This, then, seems like a good opportunity to request a change in what’s on offer. I look forward to hearing from you and to taking this matter forward. Yours sincerely X
FORWARDED ON BEHALF OF X X From: X X [mailto:xxx@aber.ac.uk] Sent: 10 December 2007 19:26 To: 'X' Cc: 'X' Subject: Vending Machines in IGES concourse: Wait and see? Dear Colleagues I have heard from some of you with responses to your personal emails to X of Hospitality Services. It’s not too late to use this message as a reminder to make your wishes known to him xxx@aber.ac.uk. Meanwhile, I should update you all on the situation. Among our emails to X, Y offered a seemingly tailor-made solution: ‘My child attends Penglais School which has successfully removed almost all traces of unhealthy food from their vending machines recently and supplies a good range of organic and Fairtrade items and deals with Suma Wholefoods, based in Yorkshire (local deliveries weekly). X who runs the vending machines in Penglais School is able to lease two unbranded vending machines from BVS (one drinks machine and one snack machine) for £50 per week which includes maintenance costs. The machines contain water, juices, popcorn, yoghurt coated raisins, exotic fruit mix, Go Ahead bars, fruit bars, wholegrain waffles, sesame seed snacks and sandwiches, to name but a few. Alison has even kindly agreed to supply samples if you would like to see the quality of the products she is using presently.’ The Penglais School vending machines are supplied with sandwiches by local company Spartacus, who are using more and more local produce. I spoke to the owner of Spartacus and he would love to talk to X and Hospitality about supplying vending machines with the sort of products we are asking for. However, X’s response to Y was: ‘I am writing to let you know that I have put in place immediate improvements to our selection of Hospitality options, and this will be in the vending machines early next week. Please be assured of Hospitality’s commitment to Fair Trade. All our outside catering produce is now Fair Trade and Fair Trade options are available at all Hospitality outlets, as are produce from Rachel’s Organic, Rob Rattray (local butcher), Birchgrove Free Range Eggs with up to 95% of our produce for the Hospitality Outlets purchased in Wales. With stringent measures placed on the suppliers to ensure they are fully compliant with food safety legislation and, I must add, at some considerable cost. Our policies far exceed what is expected under current government guidelines. Thank you also for your information regarding the lease of vending machines at £50 per week, we have 47 machines on campus that are filled and serviced by a small team employed by the university and tasked as part of Hospitality Services to break even. Unfortunately, to add £2,350.00 per week £122,200.00 per year in lease costs to our business would make it totally unviable. Once the refurbishment has taken place I hope you will see Hospitality’s commitment to healthy options.’ So, once we have seen the proof of the pudding – or otherwise – I suggest we reassess our strategy. It will take a lot stamina and a high degree of solidarity to bring about small changes. Our requests thus far have been countered by partial information about a campus-wide system that is presented as closed to the possibility if change. We may want to consider that action at the department/institute level cannot be effective. Anecdotally, I have heard that Interpol failed in its quest to get a more ethical vending machine installed. So, we may need to know the forum that can change campus-wide policy and to which we can make departmentally concerted representations. I am very willing to continue to ‘administer’ this campaign for IGES and to gather your responses, but I suggest that, apart from stamina and solidarity, at this point we need more data and some fresh ideas? Best wishes X