Student politics is an interesting world.
It has a lot of good, with people wanting to represent students and do the best for them.
It also has a lot of bad.
And since my last blog was very positive, I'm now going to concentrate on some of the negatives.
People want to think the best of others and that's a good principle to have. However, this can also lead to a lot of naivety to the true intentions. You have groups who are particularly good at taking the moral high ground on issues when their arguments are essentially all front. For one example, the Student Broad Left last year opposed porposed changes to the structure of Students' Union Council and Union committees, saying the changes were anti-democratic. However, the real reason they opposed the changes was that they had worked out how to manipulate Council as it was then, and they feared a change in the system would reduce their influence.
To be clear, I'm not saying that everyone who opposed those changes did so for this reason, but I'm in no doubt that some people did.
This is just one example. There are plenty more, particularly when it comes to NUS.
A related problem is that politics has almost become a dirty word amongst students. This means that it is almost frowned upon to mention the political motivations behind certain actions. The groups who are well aware of what is really going on are often on the far-left and don't represent the views of the majority of students. They are therefore able to manipulate situations for the benefit of their political grouping.
I don't have a problem with revolutionary socialists organising (whether their model is the Bolshevik Revolution or the Bolivarian Revolution or something else). The issue I have is that a lot of students see politics as the problem. In other words, the view is that if we had a bit less politics, then we would concentrate on the issues students care about.
However, student issues are political and it is not politics that is the problem, it is the wrong kind of politics. Being unengaged does not make politics go away, it just means that people are often naive and easily manipulated.
This obviously comes from my perspective, which is that I don't believe a Union pushing for a socialist revolution serves the interests of students well. When we say we speak for students whilst putting forward views that are grossly divergent from those of the majority of our members, we will be ignored by decision-makers.
I recognise that those on the far-left believe that students problems are all caused, at base, by capitalism and the overthrow of capitalism is the only way to address these issues. I'm not saying that the intentions of the far-left are wrong. Moreover, I commend the honesty of those who are part of a political faction who stand up and say that. However, I do disagree with the direction they think the Union should take.
I think the democratic systems we have as a Union are strong, but there is always room for improvement. I think we need to find a way of making sure the politics is out in the open (or at least the intentions behind actions), without putting those who are not politically engaged off from getting involved.
I don't know exactly how this can be achieved, but then I'm leaving soon, so it will be up to others to solve the problem!
Cheers,
Pete
Sheffield Students' Union - Amazing
It's been a bit of a marathon week with the last three evenings taken up with the Activities Awards, Sports Awards and the 'University, is it worth it?' debate respectively.
These events have been an excellent reminder of what this Union is about - the energy and enthusiasm of students.
Award ceremonies only work when people care about the awards, and at the activities and sports awards it was abundantly clear that people care about activities and sport here. This manifests itself in people giving up hours of their time for the benefit of others. Student volunteering isn't just about projects with the local community, it's also about the people who type up the minutes of their committees or who put time and effort into putting on the best possible event. This is what makes this Union what it is.
The 'University, is it worth it?' debate highlighted a different side to the Union, the more political and representative side. Nonetheless students were there in good numbers, making points to the various stakeholders on the panel. This is in a context of people saying that students are apathetic and don't care about politics. It is our job as a Union to put the interests of student front and centre when the government reviews funding arrangements for Universities and it was excellent to see last night large numbers of students who buy into that project and who buy into the notion that the interests of students should be heard. This is also what makes the Union what it is.
This organisation is an amazing place to work for a whole variety of reasons, but one of the most foremost reasons is the privillege to work for an organisation which has so many people contributing to its success. We want students to fully appreciate their membership of the Union and we need to work on this, but whether acknowledged or not, the Union is what it is because of its members and that is a glowing tribute to the students of this University.
These events have been an excellent reminder of what this Union is about - the energy and enthusiasm of students.
Award ceremonies only work when people care about the awards, and at the activities and sports awards it was abundantly clear that people care about activities and sport here. This manifests itself in people giving up hours of their time for the benefit of others. Student volunteering isn't just about projects with the local community, it's also about the people who type up the minutes of their committees or who put time and effort into putting on the best possible event. This is what makes this Union what it is.
The 'University, is it worth it?' debate highlighted a different side to the Union, the more political and representative side. Nonetheless students were there in good numbers, making points to the various stakeholders on the panel. This is in a context of people saying that students are apathetic and don't care about politics. It is our job as a Union to put the interests of student front and centre when the government reviews funding arrangements for Universities and it was excellent to see last night large numbers of students who buy into that project and who buy into the notion that the interests of students should be heard. This is also what makes the Union what it is.
This organisation is an amazing place to work for a whole variety of reasons, but one of the most foremost reasons is the privillege to work for an organisation which has so many people contributing to its success. We want students to fully appreciate their membership of the Union and we need to work on this, but whether acknowledged or not, the Union is what it is because of its members and that is a glowing tribute to the students of this University.
City Council Elections - Vote!
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.
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.
The Exchange
One exciting project that I've been working on this year is getting more high-profile speakers in to the Union to address a range of issues. The idea is to try engage a borader range of people in current affairs and put Sheffield Students' Union more on the map in terms of events like this. Oxford Union doesn't struggle to get the big names in because they have an established culture of it. That culture is something I want to see established in Sheffield.
I blogged about it in October but it is now coming together in the form of 'the Exchange'. You can see all the details at www.sheffieldunion.com/theexchange
Tickets are going fast for the events next week though, so if you want to get involved get yourself down to the box office quickly!
Cheers,
Pete
I blogged about it in October but it is now coming together in the form of 'the Exchange'. You can see all the details at www.sheffieldunion.com/theexchange
Tickets are going fast for the events next week though, so if you want to get involved get yourself down to the box office quickly!
Cheers,
Pete
Process and outcome
Once again I'm going to offer a less than startling revelation: the way that decisions are made affects the decision taken. In other words, process shapes outcome.
Both process and outcome are important in and of themselves. The way they relate is also important.
To call something democratic is to say that 'the people' had power over the decision. However this concept can translate into practice in so many different ways. The very essence of the concept of democracy is contested. The democratic model employed will therefore affect the decisions taken, but because no one wants to stand up and say they are against democracy, debate about changing process is a democratic organisation, such as a Sutdents' Union, becomes about who can succesfully capture the term democracy. This can be clearly seen from recent proposals to significantly alter the way NUS operates.
Being a Union officer is obviously about making decisions, and therefore there are numerous proceses to put in place to make sure decisions are taken in an appropraite way.
For my post budgeting is a big one. Part of budgeting is proposing budgets for student committees and various processes have been employed to do this in the past. If you're part of a committee and you have feelings on how this can be done to effectively suit you then please be in touch. The process starts from the new year.
Maybe that was a little bit self-indulgent for a blog on the last work day before Christmas, but I'll end by wishing you a Merry Christmas and a good holiday. Hope revision goes well if that's what you'll be doing (that's one thing about studying I don't miss!).
Cheers,
Pete
Both process and outcome are important in and of themselves. The way they relate is also important.
To call something democratic is to say that 'the people' had power over the decision. However this concept can translate into practice in so many different ways. The very essence of the concept of democracy is contested. The democratic model employed will therefore affect the decisions taken, but because no one wants to stand up and say they are against democracy, debate about changing process is a democratic organisation, such as a Sutdents' Union, becomes about who can succesfully capture the term democracy. This can be clearly seen from recent proposals to significantly alter the way NUS operates.
Being a Union officer is obviously about making decisions, and therefore there are numerous proceses to put in place to make sure decisions are taken in an appropraite way.
For my post budgeting is a big one. Part of budgeting is proposing budgets for student committees and various processes have been employed to do this in the past. If you're part of a committee and you have feelings on how this can be done to effectively suit you then please be in touch. The process starts from the new year.
Maybe that was a little bit self-indulgent for a blog on the last work day before Christmas, but I'll end by wishing you a Merry Christmas and a good holiday. Hope revision goes well if that's what you'll be doing (that's one thing about studying I don't miss!).
Cheers,
Pete
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