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’
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.
On Wednesday the NUS held an Extradordinary Conference (called by 36 students unions back in October) to discuss reform and the new proposed NUS constitution. At the conference, the proposed new constitution was passed by 614 votes to 142. There is however a condition that the constitution must be ratified by a further conference - either another Extraordinary Conference or the Annual Conference next April. UMSU held its election for delegates before reading week. A list of our delegates is available online on the UMSU website.
Union hacks will have probably been suffering from deja vu - the proposed reforms are very similar to those proposed and defeated at this year’s Annual Conference in Blackpool. Those in favour of the reforms claim that they will modernise the NUS for the 21st century (its constitution has barely changed since the organisation was founded in the 1920s) whilst those against argue that it is an attack on the democratic elements of NUS.
More information is available over at Officer Online. We’ll bring you more updates nearer the Annual Conference next year or when another Extradordinary Conference takes place (if called).
The Debating Society hosted their first guest speaker debate on nuclear energy this Tuesday. The event was chaired by Ciaran Prendeville, who recently won ‘best speaker’ at the last inter-university competition. The society adopted the stance that the UK should abandon its nuclear arsenal. Guest speakers included Eric Grove, a Professor at the Centre for International Security at Salford University; and not surprisingly, due to the topic of debate, Jackie Burke, a regional development officer for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). There was, however, one difference to the usual style of debate in that there were no POI’s (points of interest) where the audience or the opponent is allowed to interrupt the debate and make a challenge.
Burke started with the mission statement of the CND; basically that the UK has failed to comply to the 1968 Non-proliferation treaty. The CND campaign against this was recently stepped up due to the “hush hush” bill to replace trident - she claimed at a cost of 76 billion - that had been pushed through the commons. The audience was on the verge of confusion whilst she argued that the production of the new weapons would reduce employment. However, she brought the game back when she explained this was down to an increased use of machinery. The conclusion to her opening speech started to tug at the heart strings of the audience using media intense rhetoric like ‘weapons of mass destruction’. She talked about the bombs being eight times more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and suggested that the new nuclear program could stimulate a nuclear arms race.
Continue reading ‘Nuclear Energy Debate’
Yesterday, the Politics Society hosted ‘Student Question Time’ which saw student representatives of political parties from across the spectrum clash in a spectacular war of words.
Speaking on behalf of the Labour Party was Michael Joslin, likewise for the Conservatives was Rob Largan and the Liberal Democrats by Chris Jenkinson. Also present were the Socialist Workers Student Society (SWSS) spokesperson, Dave Sewell and the Greens were represented by Justine Hall.
Unsurprisingly, with the global economic slowdown, and the strains placed on the banking sector, the economy was the major topic of the day. Many allegations were levelled at Labour for the government’s inability to deal with the banking crisis as Rob Largan noted the need for ‘fiscal conservatism’. This earned a stalwart, if not slightly predictable ‘defence of the Labour realm’ retort from Michael Joslin who talked of steering clear of ‘change’ for change sake, and emphasised fears that without Labour leadership, the country would go into a ‘deeper recession’.
Continue reading ‘Student Question Time Roundup’
The Politics Society’s Environmental Question Time got off to a controversial start on Friday when Phil Woolas, Minister for Immigration, had a cream pie thrown at him. The pie was thrown by a member of the No Borders group which is vehemently opposed to his recent comments on immigration caps in the UK.
Protestors from the No Borders group staged a demonstration at Woolas’ comments on immigration outside the event, holding signs reading “only if you’re British”. A spokesperson said the group objected to the “essentially racist immigration policies” of the government and accused Woolas of “playing right into the hands of right-wing extremists”. The start of the event was delayed by around ten minutes as a result of the protest.
Around 100 students attended the event, which featured six panellists. The Liberal Democrats were represented by Chris Davies MEP, the Greens by Peter Cranie and the Conservatives by Farraz Bhatti. UMSU Communications Officer Robbie Gillett and Gayle O’Donovan, a member of Camp for Climate Action also attended. Politics Society Chair James Maskell chaired the debate.
Continue reading ‘Controversial Environment Question Time’
