FASoS Sustainability Day

FASOS brought its own cozy vibe on May 1st with a movie night of its own at the Sustainability Hub. This time, the film was chosen spontaneously by attendees, a lovely way to connect over shared stories and sustainability themes and of course good old pizza. Earlier that day, the FASOS Green Team hosted a Crochet Workshop led by the student association Maastitch, offering a chance to learn new skills and create sustainable handmade items. For those looking for something more active, an uplifting Anti-Gravity Yoga session in the evening at MAC Yoga gave participants a fresh perspective literally as they flowed through poses suspended in hammocks.

FSE Sustainability Days

Finally, the Faculty of Science and Engineering brought things to a close on May 9th with a Donut Model Open Table in the FSE common space. Alongside free donuts, visitors could explore this innovative framework for sustainable development and city design. Right next to it, a "Fill-the-Gaps" Climate Fresk game encouraged students to reflect on the interconnectedness of climate systems through an popular activity that tied the entire campaign together.

FPN Sustainability Days

The Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience kicked things off on Earth Day, April 22nd. The afternoon started with, the green space between UNS40 and UNS50 hosted a calming Outdoor Yin Yoga session, inviting participants to take a moment to relax from the everyday university stress and simply be surrounded by greenery and fresh air. It was a much-needed pause from academic life.

The following day, FPN kept up the momentum with a creative Knitting Workshop where students and staff learned to upcycle old t-shirts into yarn. It was hands-on and taught those who came how to turn textile waste into beautiful handmade creations. The day ended with a relaxed Speed Dating session in the park, where members of the faculty could get to know each other better and truly speak to each other about sustainability and connection to the community.

SBE Sustainability Days

SBE followed with a trio of events. On April 29th, students unrolled their mats for a Park Yoga session near Tapiin, followed by warm drinks and cinnamon rolls from Chris's micro-bakery. Later that morning, a small group engaged in an Indoor Air Quality Interactive Workshop, experimenting with data and exploring how behavioral responses can influence university air quality. On April 30th, the Sustainability Hub transformed into a cozy cinema for Movie Night, where attendees voted between Seaspiracy, Breaking Boundaries, or David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet. Blankets were encouraged, and free pizza made the evening even better.

Jeroen Warnier, UM Sustainability Officer, introduced the team: 

"Meet our Team Sustainability! I am proud to introduce the team behind Maastricht University's push toward a greener, fairer, and more sustainable future.

From climate neutrality and circular catering to fossil-free partnerships, sustainable travel, and engaging the UM community, we turn ambition into action. We don’t do everything perfectly, but we're learning, improving, and moving forward every day. With commitment, creativity, and plenty of coffee.

From here... to a sustainable UM!"

Maastricht University (UM) has recently launched Sustainability Roadmap 2030, a strategic plan that provides guidance on how UM will structurally embed sustainability into all its activities (education, research, operations, and social engagement) in the coming years.

Would you like to help shape the sustainable future of UM that addresses real needs and drives meaningful progress toward a green, climate-neutral and circular UM campus?

Sustainable UM2030 is developing a Sustainability Survey to explore the knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and actions of UM staff and students regarding sustainability. The survey will also identify barriers, enablers, and actionable steps to support our sustainability goals. To inform our survey's design, we are organising focus group discussions in June with both students and staff to capture initial insights on sustainability.

Your candid answers will be invaluable in shaping this tool, ensuring it reflects the UM community's perspectives and needs. We invite you to sign up for the discussion, will be followed by a vegetarian/vegan lunch.

Responsibilities

1. Event Planning and Execution 

• Plan and coordinate events like the Sustainability Festival, Skill-Sharing Workshops, Clothing Swaps, or Repair Cafés. 
  
• Develop your own ideas for new events and campaigns, or support the initiatives of other Green Office and Hub members. 
  
• Handle event logistics, promotion, outreach, and follow-up. 
   

2. Community and Circularity Projects 

• Support and oversee Circularity Projects, including the Swap Room, Repair Workshops, and Zero Waste campaigns. 
  
• Be a point of contact for students who want to get involved in sustainability at UM. 
   

3. Outreach and Representation 

• Represent the Green Office at public events and in meetings with partners inside and outside the university.
• Communicate the Green Office’s mission and projects to students, staff, and external collaborators. 
  
• Develop partnerships with student groups, NGOs, or sustainability networks in Maastricht. 
   

4. Team Collaboration 

• Work closely with other Green Office members in weekly meetings and team sessions. 
  
• Participate in SUM2030 joint meetings (UM’s central sustainability strategy). 
  
• Report on your progress and share updates to align on shared goals.