Long-un strategies for NUS (yet another VSU thread) (1 Viewer)

[loquasagacious]

Long-run strategies for NUS (yet another VSU thread)

Ok firstly, the anti-VSU campaign in its current form will fail.

The NUS should address the concerns of the Liberals and make a compromise.

The young liberals aided in writing the legislation and their position is simple. They don't want to pay money for a Student Union that they hate and who bags them out all the time. They believe that the majority of Students also hate the union or are ambivalent. They also support greater competition on campus for the provision of services however that doesnt have much to do with VSU/USU itself.

The NUS needs to propose a radical overhaul of the process, specifically it needs to offer choice. The contribution of money would still be compulsory, like taxes, however what I propose would ensure that the 'taxes' collected were spent as people wanted eg in a more democratic manner.

Anyone who has dealt with super or managed funds will know that when you sign up you are offered a variety of investment options dividing your money in various ways between differing investments. All this is illustrated by a plethora of pretty pie charts.

The Universities (who would now handle the collection of this money as opposed to the Union) would present to all students a range of ways in which they wanted their money spent.

In this way those that did want to keep a strong union could give it money, those that wanted to support sports could give sports money, and various combinations etc etc etc. In this way the spending would be a much better reflection of the wishes of students. Even if it was accepted that the current spending is democratic in that elected representatives decide then my system is more democratic as it is a direct democracy.

In this way those services students want would remain those they didn't would wither and die or improve.

There would be one failsafe to protect minority interests those things deemed by the VC to be essential to small groups eg a womens space and a queer space. Their funding could be topped up via money from those that did not select a specific investment option but choose to allow the university to allocate the money as it sees fit.

So what are peoples thoughts on my proposal?

 

[Korn]

Ok firstly, the anti-VSU campaign in its current form will fail.

The NUS should address the concerns of the Liberals and make a compromise.

The young liberals aided in writing the legislation and their position is simple. They don't want to pay money for a Student Union that they hate and who bags them out all the time. They believe that the majority of Students also hate the union or are ambivalent. They also support greater competition on campus for the provision of services however that doesnt have much to do with VSU/USU itself.

The NUS needs to propose a radical overhaul of the process, specifically it needs to offer choice. The contribution of money would still be compulsory, like taxes, however what I propose would ensure that the 'taxes' collected were spent as people wanted eg in a more democratic manner.

Anyone who has dealt with super or managed funds will know that when you sign up you are offered a variety of investment options dividing your money in various ways between differing investments. All this is illustrated by a plethora of pretty pie charts.

The Universities (who would now handle the collection of this money as opposed to the Union) would present to all students a range of ways in which they wanted their money spent.

In this way those that did want to keep a strong union could give it money, those that wanted to support sports could give sports money, and various combinations etc etc etc. In this way the spending would be a much better reflection of the wishes of students. Even if it was accepted that the current spending is democratic in that elected representatives decide then my system is more democratic as it is a direct democracy.

In this way those services students want would remain those they didn't would wither and die or improve.

There would be one failsafe to protect minority interests those things deemed by the VC to be essential to small groups eg a womens space and a queer space. Their funding could be topped up via money from those that did not select a specific investment option but choose to allow the university to allocate the money as it sees fit.

So what are peoples thoughts on my proposal?

Well I disagree with this, because my uni and I would think that there are other uni's and ppl who think like me, doesnt provide any services that I actually use (I have yet to find a list of what UWS provides from these fees) The only services I use are ones that uni's have to provide by law, so I see no benefit in fees still being compulsory. Also I have no problem with them bagging out different political parties, after all its a democracy and therefore has some sort of freedom of speech, even if it doesnt specifically state this in the constitution, Also how are women a minority at uni it seems to be pretty even, and why do these spaces need to be funded? Cant they just meet anywhere on the campus, it seems a bit wrong to have a set place for women and "queer" as u said it to have a specific allocated space why cant they meet where ever they want? It doesnt require funding either, what costs are involved? If u wanna meet up with friends at uni does it cost money unless your buying things?

 

[Phanatical]

I hope the NUS dies a painful death with felix eldridge at the helm. That way, he'll always have that hanging over his head.

 

[Phanatical]

I'd also like to point out that despite attempts by groups like the Australian Intervarsity Male Rights Association, policy still exists at NUS level that "condemns the creation of a Men's Officer at any university". Something about being "symptomatic of a backlash society". Fuckers.

 

[Korn]

I'd also like to point out that despite attempts by groups like the Australian Intervarsity Male Rights Association, policy still exists at NUS level that "condemns the creation of a Men's Officer at any university". Something about being "symptomatic of a backlash society". Fuckers.

Never heard that before, sort of sounds like reverse sexism

 

[iamsickofyear12]

Well I disagree with this, because my uni and I would think that there are other uni's and ppl who think like me, doesnt provide any services that I actually use (I have yet to find a list of what UWS provides from these fees) The only services I use are ones that uni's have to provide by law, so I see no benefit in fees still being compulsory. Also I have no problem with them bagging out different political parties, after all its a democracy and therefore has some sort of freedom of speech, even if it doesnt specifically state this in the constitution, Also how are women a minority at uni it seems to be pretty even, and why do these spaces need to be funded? Cant they just meet anywhere on the campus, it seems a bit wrong to have a set place for women and "queer" as u said it to have a specific allocated space why cant they meet where ever they want? It doesnt require funding either, what costs are involved? If u wanna meet up with friends at uni does it cost money unless your buying things?

I totally agree.

 

[Abu Ghurayb]

Never heard that before, sort of sounds like reverse sexism

What the fucking hell is reverse sexism?
It's just sexism dumbarse.

 

[Korn]

What the fucking hell is reverse sexism?
It's just sexism dumbarse.

sexism is generally against women, this is the other way around, therefore reverse sexism. But yeah its just sexism

 

[Abu Ghurayb]

sexism is generally against women, this is the other way around, therefore reverse sexism. But yeah its just sexism

So by that logic, racism is only aplicable when white people attack someone of another race?

 

[Korn]

So by that logic, racism is only aplicable when white people attack someone of another race?

Well no, ur bored arnt u

 

[iamsickofyear12]

So by that logic, racism is only aplicable when white people attack someone of another race?

I have never heard of a white person complaining about racism from a black person or asian person.

 

[Abu Ghurayb]

Well no, ur bored arnt u

Not so much bored as ammused.

 

[Abu Ghurayb]

I have never heard of a white person complaining about racism from a black person or asian person.

So just because you've never heard of it, it doesn't happen?

 

[Not-That-Bright]

I think an all-out war would be a good way to solve the entire situation.
"WAR AGAINST RIGHTIST FASCISM!!!!"

But no, i think a compromise is very unlikely.

Walrusbear - The union could start being a little more profitable (they already have alot of assets), they could focus on drawing students in instead of just trying to fight VSU.

 

[walrusbear]

what sort of adaptation techniques are there to VSU?

unions won't be gaining funding anymore
prob around 5% or less will pay union fees once the policy is instituted

 

[katie_tully]

So just because you've never heard of it, it doesn't happen?

We're allowed to make movies about black parents hating their white son in law, just don't do it around the other way.

 

[walrusbear]

I think an all-out war would be a good way to solve the entire situation.
"WAR AGAINST RIGHTIST FASCISM!!!!"

But no, i think a compromise is very unlikely.

Walrusbear - The union could start being a little more profitable (they already have alot of assets), they could focus on drawing students in instead of just trying to fight VSU.

the union could certainly change its focus and redistribute funds to be more effective, certainly
i think that these things aren't going to happen with such a cynical policy like VSU
VSU forces unions to fight, face it. it's a straight out attack from the government

 

[Not-That-Bright]

Don't you think students would back USU more if they took a kindler gentler approach when dealing with students? Many of my friends who honestly kinda don't care, are starting to just get pissed off with the unions for all the crap that is going on.

 

[walrusbear]

Don't you think students would back USU more if they took a kindler gentler approach when dealing with students? Many of my friends who honestly kinda don't care, are starting to just get pissed off with the unions for all the crap that is going on.

what 'crap' are you referring to?
if its the defence campaign against VSU then stop complaining because it wouldn't exist without the policy

 

[Not-That-Bright]

It doesn't matter, people don't see it that way. The unions are pissing off first years (at least the ones i know) by being annoying jerks about VSU. Honestly, imo, if the unions wanted to survive they should be nicer. Hows bout instead of rallying, having some sort of a solidarity day where people get together and sign up for the union next year, with a band and showcasing all the GOODIES u get for ur money.