My fellow Labour Students….
Guild Council tonight censured the President and VP Democracy and Resources for insufficient blogging, while the VP Welfare Johnny Davis refused to accept a commendation unless Ed Sparkes the VP Housing and Community was also commended,consequently both were rewarded.
The title of my post refers to the censuring of the Ethical and Environmental Officer Ed Bauer, proposed by a representative of the Law school in response to a blog written by the EEO which brought Guild Council into disrepute. After an interesting debate Ed Bauer was censured but did not receive a “no confidence” vote. Among others he was defended by Dora Meredith, who praised his enthusiam, engagement and hard work.
The motions I mentioned in my last post were passed with the exception of the National Covention Against Fees and Cuts motion, which was removed from the agenda.
Joseph Chamberlain was the first chancellor of the Univeristy of Birmingham, and gave his name not only to “Old Joe”, the clock tower, but also to our beloved Guild bar. Following a student vote Joe’s Bar will maintain its name.
The NUS’s VP for higher education Aaron Porter urged the Council to vote in the general election, but only for PPCs who pledge to maintain the cap on tuition fees. In 2005 only 35% of 18-25 year olds voted, compared to 63% in the wider population. With 7 million students in the UK we can and should have a much louder voice in the upcoming election.
Divers other issues were discussed, such as poor Virgin Media provision in Selly Oak, muddy car parks, access to exam and essay results on WebCT off site and Residential Association committees being distanced from excessive money handling and nightclub culture.
Snacks were provided as ever, the independent chairs were helpful and friendly, and there was plenty of passion, discussion and democracy.
Suzy (Guild Councillor)
Damn, I knew I was meant to be somewhere last night, I will come to the next Guild Council meeting, I’ll write it down…somewhere. Great blog though, great work on Dora’s part again, pity about Ed Bauer and that is really good point about the elections as that means we are just over 10% of the electorate, it will be something we’ll need to capitalise on in the coming months.
Yeah, it’s tragic that we don’t already capitalise on it, I hope the student body will break out of its political apathy soon! The next GC’s on 18th February apparently, so see you there
Hmm, damn, that’s during reading week so I’ll be home then, I’ll deffinatly be there for the one after!!
Fantastic news about the Bar. I was worried myself about this renaming lark. Joseph Chamberlain was a true British and Imperial hero, in my opinion one of the best politicians in our history. In a nation where there is too often shamed or guilt about our glorious past; I’m proud that Birmingham can keep this famous link to one of its greatest sons. Good work guys.
Careful using that phrase “glorious past” in connection with British Imperialism. I thought you disagreed with British rule in New Zealand?
Happy Waitangi Day in any case.
I refer to past Imperial glories intentionally. I adore my host Dominion; I very much doubt that the geographical area of modern day NZ should ever have amounted to much had Cook not had the good fortune to land in Gisbourne. Here, as much as anywhere in the world, we are all beneficiaries of the legacy of Empire and of Chamberlain.
@oliverjackson – Cheers. I had no idea tbh.