Thursday is council elections day all round the country.
The most high-profile election is for London Mayor, but there are many important elections in Sheffield.
Currently no party has overall control of the council, with Labour and Lib Dems holding 39 seats each, and therefore each vote is very important in shaping the political landscape of the city.
Make sure the views of students are represented on Thursday and get out and vote. (and when you do, vote Labour).
If you want more information then check out http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-city-council/elections/local-elections-2008.
Demographics
One of the inadequacies of the current officer structure is that responsibility for mature student representation does not sit in any officer role, but is allocated at the beginning of the year. This year it fell to me.
Generally I haven't pushed the issue as much as it should be pushed but last week there was a forum for mature students to come and share their concerns about the union and the university. It was a mixed success but I did have a good conversation with several people including Nelson, who is the mature students rep on Union Council. The man is an inspiration.
As well as his full-time law degree he also works full-time hours at the post office, is in training to become a driving instructor, is a husband and father and he still has put time into coming to Students Union Council meetings. He told me he had got up at 3am the previous two nights so that he could do his coursework. Now that is dedication.
The demographics of university are changing, with more local students, mature students, postgraduate students and international students. This presents challenges to students' unions in terms of engaging this broader membership and we should look at this carefully to make sure our democratic structures, activities and commercial services all cater for the needs of a diverse group of students and that we are acting in the interests of all student groups when representing the needs of students to the university and to other bodies. Whilst it is a challenge it is also really positive, however, because the different views and life experiences that come as a result really enrich the university community.
Generally I haven't pushed the issue as much as it should be pushed but last week there was a forum for mature students to come and share their concerns about the union and the university. It was a mixed success but I did have a good conversation with several people including Nelson, who is the mature students rep on Union Council. The man is an inspiration.
As well as his full-time law degree he also works full-time hours at the post office, is in training to become a driving instructor, is a husband and father and he still has put time into coming to Students Union Council meetings. He told me he had got up at 3am the previous two nights so that he could do his coursework. Now that is dedication.
The demographics of university are changing, with more local students, mature students, postgraduate students and international students. This presents challenges to students' unions in terms of engaging this broader membership and we should look at this carefully to make sure our democratic structures, activities and commercial services all cater for the needs of a diverse group of students and that we are acting in the interests of all student groups when representing the needs of students to the university and to other bodies. Whilst it is a challenge it is also really positive, however, because the different views and life experiences that come as a result really enrich the university community.
Buenos Días
Hola, buenos días.
That's what I've learnt from the 'Conversational Spanish' book I just got free, along with a Divine chocolate bar, with the Independent. I love it when the newspapers turn up to promote themselves.
Voting starts this morning and it is an exciting opportunity to have your say on who should run the Union next year. I think a lot of the races are going to be fairly tight and there are some really good candidates so make sure you get out and vote.
The Exchange Anthony Giddens speech this evening is now sold out, which suggests that it is not just me who thinks this will be a really interesting event. The podcast should be online soon though for those who haven't got a ticket. Look out for the debate we've got in a month's time on how University should be funded, with a really strong panel of people with real influence in the area.
Finally, a quick plug for the International Cultural Evening this Saturday. This is the main showcase event for the national societies with a lot of them performing on stage. A huge ammount of effort goes into the event and it is a brilliant spectacle and a great celebration of the diverse cultures we have at the university. If you're a home student with no real involvement with international events then this is a perfect opportunity to see a different part of what Sheffield Students' Union's about.
Adiós.
That's what I've learnt from the 'Conversational Spanish' book I just got free, along with a Divine chocolate bar, with the Independent. I love it when the newspapers turn up to promote themselves.
Voting starts this morning and it is an exciting opportunity to have your say on who should run the Union next year. I think a lot of the races are going to be fairly tight and there are some really good candidates so make sure you get out and vote.
The Exchange Anthony Giddens speech this evening is now sold out, which suggests that it is not just me who thinks this will be a really interesting event. The podcast should be online soon though for those who haven't got a ticket. Look out for the debate we've got in a month's time on how University should be funded, with a really strong panel of people with real influence in the area.
Finally, a quick plug for the International Cultural Evening this Saturday. This is the main showcase event for the national societies with a lot of them performing on stage. A huge ammount of effort goes into the event and it is a brilliant spectacle and a great celebration of the diverse cultures we have at the university. If you're a home student with no real involvement with international events then this is a perfect opportunity to see a different part of what Sheffield Students' Union's about.
Adiós.
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