Monday 12th November to Sunday 18th November 2012
General Meeting Accessibility
I would like to begin with this topic. I wasn’t able to make the Emergency General Meeting (EGM) this Friday due to work commitments, but the repercussions of which seem to be echoing on the internet even today. This isn’t just about EGMs, it’s also about General Meetings (GMs).
It’s true, sometimes we can Tweet or put things on Facebook that after reflection, probably oughtn't have been mentioned at all. It’s not one person or one group of people, but a growing culture of freely criticising people through internet forums.
GMs are supposed to promote discussion and debate, they are supposed to be spaces where ideas are challenged. Where we’re going wrong is that internet forums such as Twitter are now being used in ways that indirectly target people personally. This behaviour has steadily been growing, but judging from these same internet forums today, students no longer find it acceptable. What’s more, we’re right.
It’s terrifying to speak to a room full of people who might disagree with you, let alone the sniggers in the audience or the judgemental Twitter feed about you afterwards. We are not the Houses of Parliament. We are an accessible Student’s Union, a safe space. We are supposed to be representing everyone, making you feel welcome whether it’s your first or fiftieth GM.
So, what are we going to do about? Moan about it on the same internet forums we’ve previously used to criticise? Wallow in self pity and accusations?
No!
We’re going to work together, face to face. No matter how many or how few GMs you’ve been to, whether you know the constitution like the back of your hand or you didn’t even know there was one - there is a relaxed, friendly open forum next Tuesday. Pop by and share your ideas. You can find the facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/134054006745301/
I believe in making the Union accessible, equal, inclusive, representative and liberated. So, how do you propose we get there?
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| Harry |
Scrutiny & Accountability Meeting
This was on Monday, and felt a little like going to see the teacher for a school report! It really wasn’t as scary as all that, but did feel a bit odd. The funny thing was, they were monitoring our progress according to the constitution and the manifestos we ran for the positions with. In all honesty, I’ve begun doing loads of other things that I hadn’t put on my manifesto! And that stuff didn’t count! Fair enough really, we ran on manifestos and that’s what you voted us in for. I’ll just have to pull my socks up (is that even a phrase?) and get to it, even the itty-bitty constitution bits!
Executive Committee and General Meeting
Exec met on Monday evening, it must have been a pretty normal meeting as I have nothing special to mention - sorry! However, Tuesday evening was the General Meeting, and I’m not sure where to begin. Some controversial motions were brought up, but more than that, it was the raw emotion behind each point of view. I suppose that’s how accessibility in GMs was brought up, as passion can always be misunderstood on the internet. I am not just talking about the Poppygate motion (otherwise known as whether Dan Cooper, ULU Vice President should have laid a wreath on Remembrance Sunday or not). For some the motion on no platform for fascists was uncomfortable to watch, including myself. I left that GM feeling raw and worn out, and I can’t have been the only one. Perhaps the internet is a vent for passion, frustration and anger that ignores the more sensitive side to us all. I’m not sure, but as Equality & Liberation Officer I am working on inclusivity and understanding. Feel free to come along to the drop-in open forum for GM accessibility, I would like to know what you think.
Also, congratulations to Hodan Elmo, who was elected BME Rep for the I&R Senate and SURHUL! We are so happy to welcome you on board - avid readers, watch this space!
Also, congratulations to Hodan Elmo, who was elected BME Rep for the I&R Senate and SURHUL! We are so happy to welcome you on board - avid readers, watch this space!
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| Talha |
Inclusion and Representation Senate
We met on Thursday evening in Imagine. It was great to have such a good turnout! We collectively came up with ideas on SHAG week, and how to keep it informative. We also talked about making sure that people can ask questions anonymously at the next talk, called “Let’s Talk About Sex and Sexuality”. Not all “Let’s Talk About” talks have to be about sex, it’s just worked out that way! The talk will be on Monday.
The I&R Senate particularly want to emphasise that however much or little sex you like, and with whoever you like - that’s alright. SHAG week is to make sure we are all keeping safe, happy and healthy in our relationships. It should be good fun too!
We also kept up to date with progress so far, including Zero Tolerance, wheelchair accessibility to Founders Library and the UCU nursery petition amongst other things. The minutes will be available on the SU website soon!
Demonstration on Wednesday 21st November 2012
To highlight how the education debts disproportionately affect those who identify with liberation branches, namely ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability, we went around the University taking photos of people with statistics. Thank you to everyone who leant us their beautiful face! You can see the photos on the link below:
If you would like to meet us for the march, there will be a coach leaving from Royal Holloway to take us there and back! Tickets are £5, and you get a free t-shirt (which makes excellent pyjamas!). Find out more from the reception at SURHUL!
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| Lizz |
New Trans* Welfare Rep in LGBT+ Society
Congratulations to Lizz White, who got elected as the new Trans* Welfare Rep for LGBT+ Society. It's a very important role, and they'll be working with Jess (Gender Rep) and Moose (LGBT+ Rep) on keeping us informed about Trans* issues and awareness. It's a tough job, but with the I&R Senate, we can do it!
Society Photo Day
For those of you taking photos with your society or sports team this weekend, I got in on the fun! I was able to help the photographers out on Saturday, taking down your names for your photos. Thank you also for your patience, spelling out your names and waiting in an orderly queue. In a noisy corridor, ‘m’ and ‘n’ sound remarkably identical! I couldn’t help out on Sunday, but Saturday I managed to sneak away for 5minutes to get my photo with Feminism Society! What larks!
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| As always, feel free to email me! I'll be seeing you on the march on Wednesday, then! Ciao! |
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