The political portal of the University of Manchester
On Wednesday, the students of Manchester University had their chance to put their questions to Vice-Chancellor Alan Gilbert, hear his responses and debate the issues. The Q&A session took place in the Main Debating Hall of the Students Union.
To Jack McGinn, the session left more questions unanswered. He has written an open letter to Alan Gilbert to express his dissatisfaction with what he heard from our Vice-Chancellor. Continue reading ‘Open letter to Vice-Chancellor Alan Gilbert’
The Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Manchester Alan Gilbert had many student activists silenced at the Education Questions and Answers debate organised by the Students’ Union. In the 90 minute event, Gilbert largely and perhaps unexpectedly agreed with the criticisms of the students and admitted that the university, at times, has been providing poor quality of service to students. He said that through reviews and student feedback the university’s low satisfaction rating will be addressed.
Many students have been airing their negative opinions of the highly paid President with some accusing him of attempting to run the University like a business. However, throughout the session many key critics were found to be agreeing with some of Gilbert’s points, with key union Socialist Party spokesman Dave Sewell stating that he showed admiration for several thoughts presented regarding unfair class discrimination in higher education although the two did not agree on issues relating to tuition fees.
Gilbert also announced that there are heavily progressed plans to build a £45M ‘Learning Commons’ on the site of the old Refectory, which will provide a 1500 capacity study area which is not for teaching. He stated that such buildings have been proven popular among students in America.
Gilbert also admitted that the research driven funding and emphasis in the years since the unification of Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST “may not have been a good decision” and has indicated an active incentive to address the satisfaction of student education.
The problem with students is that the proof is in the pudding. There is skepticism whether the reforms to solve student problems will actually carry ahead. It therefore remains necessary to keep up the pressure on the university to implement the proposed reforms. Continue reading ‘Vice-Chancellor Alan Gilbert Talks to Students’
Today saw the launch of the government’s controversial ID card scheme, with all foreign students who apply for a visa extension now being required to apply for an ID card.
To coincide with the launch, protests were were held outside Home Office immigration centres across the country, including Reliance House in Liverpool, the closest centre to the University of Manchester. Many Manchester students who are opposed to the scheme made the trip to Liverpool to take part in the protest.
Continue reading ‘Manchester Students Protest at Launch of ID Cards’
Lech explains the fallacy of electronic cigarettes.
My elder brother recently introduced me to the newest production of Star Wars. Being the accommodating youngest sibling of three, I bore witness to George Lucas’ latest rehashing or ‘re-editing’ of the famed sci-fi series. My attempts lasted the best part of 300 brutally painful seconds. Please don’t misinterpret this statement as presenting an all-understanding self-righteous student who can assuredly decide what is and what isn’t beneficial. Exercises in responding flexibly to other person’s social choices are part of the immutable sequence of development as an individual. Hell, it prepares us for the compromises associated with the 9-5. For non-smokers, proximity to smoking is an exercise of self-restraint. I hate the smell, the act, the texture, the general bravado associated with the art of lighting up and that is before we even mention the price (£39.99 for a starter kit). Its outlawing in public places following its prohibition by law was greeted with more relief than ecstasy on my part. Smokers, on the other hand, feel aggrieved by the state’s exuberant over-regulation and alleged frequent human right impingements. Yet, does increasing another individual’s risk of death by direct consequence of close interaction deligitimise a smoker’s claims to liberty and free choice? Bearing this in mind, it is with keen interest that I discuss the recent heralding of a new clone of electronic cigarettes or ‘nicotine-sticks’ as dubbed by World Health Organisation (WHO) experts. These are legal in public places, relativity unknown and potentially a dangerous alternative. Continue reading ‘Return of the Puff’
In the first General Meeting on the year to reach quorum, University of Manchester students voted to reform the Students’ Union Council and ban members of the British National Party (and others deemed to be “fascists”) from speaking at the Union.
The first motion to pass, entitled “The Change We Need”, replaces school representatives on Council with General Members. Instead of having a single representative on Council for each school, each school will be allocated a set number of General Members proportional to the number of students in that school. Many Secretaries on Council will also be removed in favour of the new General Members.
This was opposed by many who disagree with the loss of positions such as the Anti-Racism Secretary, although Chris Jenkinson (Proposer of the Motion) and Rob Pinfold (Seconder of the Motion) pointed out that any Council member who states in their manifesto that they would like to campaign on specific issues will be allowed to do so. The motion gained its required two-thirds majority to pass.
Continue reading ‘UMSU GM Reforms Council and Bans the BNP’
Yesterday Politics Society hosted their first session of mini-debates. These debates are an informal chance for any students interested in political issues to practice their debating skills or just to exchange opinions on current affairs.
The motions discussed yesterday were: This House believes that Sarah Palin is a good role model for women and This House believes that America’s global hegemony is coming to an end. The first motion provoked discussion on why Palin was chosen to be McCain’s running mate in the recent US elections and the role of women in politics. Then the second motion raised questions over how to define hegemony - whether economic or military might is the most significant factor and whether their cultural influence has become a more important feature of America’s hegemonic power.
Everyone had the chance to speak and share their opinions in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere at the mini-debates yesterday. Many thanks to everyone who came and especially to Lech, Amy and Jonathan who helped to organise the session and prepared some points to get the debates started. If you have any ideas for topics of the next round of debates – please email Naomi: naomi@manchesterpolitics.co.uk.
Maria Francesca R. Fernandez on why America has made the right choice with Obama as her new President
It doesn’t take a pundit to observe that Barack Obama’s election was a happy day for most people on this side of the Pond. Our distant support for this fresh and controversial Democrat is certainly justified, especially when contrasted with what the Republicans had to offer in this year’s presidential election campaign.
For one, Obama appreciates the importance of regaining global confidence in America and restoring its moral credibility. He condemns the role that the United States plays in sustaining tyrannical dictatorships including the recently ousted presidency of Pervez Musharraf, understands that George W. Bush’s ‘silent treatment’ of the Axis of Evil does not amount to diplomacy, and hence displays a willingness to engage in multi-lateral talks. Not only is this a welcome change of tone, but also a step towards improving international security. McCain, despite having had far more years of foreign policy exposure, has discredited his own advantage by showing little tact on the issue of bomb, bomb, bombing Iran; infamously approving 100 more years of the war in Iraq, which his vote helped initiate; and generally failing to control a temper so volatile it could incite a third world war – I dread to think what he might do sitting across the table from unyielding world leaders at a summit, when even in the controlled environment of a presidential debate he was incapable of masking his antagonism towards Barack Obama, a colleague and compatriot. Continue reading ‘Yes he can!’
Laura-Marie Töpfer on why the hyping up of Obama’s triumph needs to be treated with caution
‘Historic Victory!”, “New Dawn!”, “Record!” – powerful headlines were emblazoned in big letters on newspaper covers around the world at the beginning of this month, when America voted in the most eagerly anticipated US election for half a century. Ecstatic crowds all over the globe celebrated the spectacular win by the Democrats. The American people have given their mandate to Barack Obama, the young senator from Illinois with mixed-race ancestry. He is going to light a fire under the Washington establishment and he is going to get things done. Change has come. But has it? We would certainly answer this question with ‘yes’ if we see ‘change’ as being the end of the Bush era and the hope for a new president who will end the war in Iraq. However, if we look at the policy aspect, our answer is less clear. With the impact of the current financial crisis, it is not looking good for America’s economy. And inequalities of income and wealth are wider than they have been in a century. All true. But this is not enough to say that the US will necessarily move to the left. The belief that Obama can offer a package of attractive new policies to resolve America’s political and social dilemmas couldn’t be further from the truth. He is against Iraq, but has avoided much detail about how and when he would extract US troops. He talks openly about the need to reduce inequality but has not been specific on whether, or to what extent, he would raise taxes on the super-rich to pay for social programmes. He won’t support a ‘single-payer’ plan like Britain’s NHS to improve US healthcare, which would be the best way to control medical costs. In other words, Obama has produced a lot of lofty talk so far. What is missing, are specific policy proposals on his agenda which do indicate considerable change. Continue reading ‘Obamamania and its flaws’
