This blog is only just over 2 weeks from my last (I’m supposed to update fortnightly), but I’ll admit that I’ve not done a ‘what I’ve been up to’ style account for a little while now – really about a Month or so. For most of this time it was the Holidays – highlights of which included finishing off the ‘RU ready… for Events’ and ‘RU Ready… to Promote’ online packs (available at www.rusu.co.uk/nslp), the 2nd SEANUS Executive (detailed below) and a rather enjoyable Christmas party with staff and Exec, though I did lose my duffel coat and glasses at this social so I’m wearing my old (and less funky) pair. The majority of my work time during the Holidays was spent updating the Constitution and Regulations in line with the Governance review (more of this later) but I will admit that I only worked a 40 hour week and not a 55 hour one as I tend to work during term.

Aside from an eye infection I had a very pleasant Christmas break and a relaxing New Year.

I’ve been doing a fair chunk of work with Junction11 concerning their new desk, including finding some more money for them so they can get a better model then they could otherwise afford. I’m also incredibly impressed with their ‘Jukebox Junction’ where you can text in a code to the station and the computer will automatically play a song for you. Martin Butt and the rest of the Tech team at Junction11 have done an amazing job on this – so fair play to them!

Another group that needs congratulating is the new RAGs committee. Headed by Julia Horne they have brought a huge amount of enthusiasm to the RAGs group. It’s really nice to attend their meetings and so on as they have so much energy – it reminds me of why I love my job and feel so passionately about volunteering watching them in action! I really hope many students get involved with RAGs week (week 6 13th – 17th February) as their plans look fabulous.

I held a Volunteers Committee to update everyone with plans for RU Ready, M.A.S.I.V. and the Community Action Volunteering we’re doing as well as giving volunteer groups a chance to talk about what they’re up to and their plans for the rest of the term.
I did “RU Ready… to Promote” training last week which I really enjoyed having done a stint as head of Nightline Publicity in my second year at Uni.

Student Council on Thursday 19th January was an important meeting and one which, through passing the Governance motion with the attendant new Constitution and Regulations, has changed the way the Union is run. The Governance webpage will be up and running soon but the changes will mean a clearer structure for defining Portfolio roles (such as being responsible for Welfare campaigns like safe drinking) and trustee roles (such as being responsible for the financial well-being of the Union and drinks sales). The non-portfolio positions will open up the Union to less traditional students, just yesterday a post-graduate student with a family was discussing the possibility of her candidacy with me. The new meeting structure is cleaner and easier to get involved with. Council eventually voted unanimously for the motion, with 3 out of 4 proposed amendments (including one for spelling changes) being passed as well.

This term includes the Union Elections. 2006 will be a difficult year for RUSU, a challenging year with variable fees and a new extension, a year of change and of adaptation. It is my hope that all students bear this in mind when at the ballot box and choosing who they want to support.

If anyone has any questions give me a shout!

Nickers

Number Crunching

A very quick post - I saw today that Bill Rammell is getting ready to announce a 2% fall in HE admissions next year. I know 2% doesn't sound a lot, but if you take the figures for all people within Higher Education in 2002-3 this equates to 45,503 people, or triple the student population at Reading.

I think that sounds like a lot of people being turned away from Education.

In which Nickers describes his opposition to Top-up fees and describes a conversation with his local MP.

One of the things I like doing most of all is chatting to MPs about student issues, and in 2006 the most important student issue is Top-Up fees. There are many aspects that need to be looked at, and many fights that need to be fought, but one aspect close to my heart is the funding of the Post Graduate Courses in Education (PGCE). I come from a family of teachers and I think the proposed shift from having the tuition for PGCE paid in full with an extra to counter the debts from their first degree to potentially being charged £3,000 can only stunt the number of students going into education. An Early Day Motion (EDM) asking for this stance to be reviewed has been tabled at parliament and I wrote to my MP – Rob Wilson to support this.

Here is my letter and his reply:

“Mr Wilson,

As someone who comes from a family of teachers I am concerned. The availability and quality of Education will always be reflected by the availability and quality of our teachers. I believe the current culture towards paperwork and targets is turning prospective teachers away. The Education sector is in desperate need of reform and in desperate need of strong teachers to carry those reforms through. I don’t believe we can afford to turn good teachers or prospective teachers away.

For this reason, I am asking you to support the Early Day Motion tabled by Paul Farrelly. This requests the Government review their decision to allow variable fees of up to £3,000 for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. I believe that the introduction of these fees will turn students away from teaching and that this should be avoided.

I know Education is one of your top priorities and your experience as Students’ Union President will tell you how important the community of teaching students is to Reading, especially on our Bulmershe Campus, so again, please support EDM 1229.

Regards,
Nick Smith”

“Dear Mr Smith,

Thank you for your letter concerning EDM1229 and tuition fees for student teachers.

I am not naturally a supporter of top up fees and you will note that my party did not support them at the last General Election.

I am giving the matter careful consideration at present and therefore will not sign EDM 1229 at this time.

Thank you for writing, I hope you have a happy Christmas and New Year break.

Yours Sincerely,

Rob Wilson MP
Member of Parliament for Reading East”

I have followed this up with the following response.

“Dear Mr Wilson,

Thank you for your letter of 22nd December 2005.

I’m glad to hear you are not a supporter of top up fees. While I am aware that the Conservative party did not support them at the last General Election I am also concerned that the new leader of your party will cause a turnaround* on the issue. I fundamentally believe that Education should be funded for all and that we are not in a society unconcerned with debt and I still believe that Top-up fees will turn students away from University.

I hope that whilst you consider your stance on EDM 1229 you do bear in mind your previous opposition to them and the students who voted in the last general Election.

Yours Sincerely
Nick Smith”

I’ll be sure to keep you updated on this issue, but if any student would like to know more about the issues being discussed, or how you can also write to your MP please let me know.

*UPDATE - This was written before David Cameron did do a U-turn on Top-UP Fees (despite writing the Conservative Education Manifesto for the last general election where he opposed them)