Monday 18th
- International Day Against Homophobia Stall – all day outside the library
- Interview with a student regarding the Riveters and consensus decision making.
Tuesday 19th
- Attended talk on ‘An Alternative History of Gender’ about trans and feminist identities working together.
Wednesday 20th
- Executive meeting, where we passed mental health policy for executive members.
Thursday 21st
- Attended Equality and Diversity meeting where we discussed gender neutral toilets across campus, equality data for campus, updated key members about equality and diversity progressions in the Union and learnt about the single equality scheme.
- Attended the Riveters meeting.
Friday 22nd
- Attended pre-meeting and meeting of the Union and University liaison forum, where we discussed the union’s finances, online voting in elections and the system of getting visiting speakers.
- Had a meeting with the people in my section for Pangaea (outside decoration) where we finalised our plans.
- Attended the Manchester Talent social – celebrating the input from student volunteers this year.
Saturday 23rd
- Represented UMSU and the Greater Manchester LGBT network at Birmingham Pride in the student entry to the march. The aim is to campaign against the commercialisation of sexuality at events like pride, which promote the ‘pink pound’ and take the New Labour stance that just because we have ‘marriage’ we have full equality. Birmingham pride was fantastic – not only in the political statement of the march, but also in the community green space, where LGBT people were not overwhelmed by corporate logos, but instead cheap tea, buns and a chance to make glittery bracelets ☺
All week
- I’ve been busy planning and preparing for the upcoming handover period with Hazel, putting together a folder of information and planning the timetable, including meetings and training sessions, some of which have been planned for the whole of the incoming exec.
- I’m also continuing (as ever) with the resolves from the Students With Caring Responsibilities report from November. At the moment, I’m busy drafting, in conjunction with the University, a specific policy on maternity/paternity rights for student parents, and fitting caring responsibilities into the mitigating circumstances policies. Another aspect I have been working on for some time is a handbook for Students with caring responsibilities, highlighting their rights and services available. This work will be ongoing for a long time so I’ve ensured it will be covered fully in the handover period.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Student Direct - what the editorial didn't quite say
by
Robbie Gillett
Communications Officer
Jennie Killip
Women’s Officer
This article was due to appear on the Union page but was pulled by the Editor and replaced with an advert. So here it is online instead...
It’s been a big year at the Union and our Student Paper has played an important role in articulating the conversations on campus and reporting all the news, campaigns, music, lifestyle, fashion and so much more that makes up student life.
We would like to say a great big thanks to all those who have volunteered and worked so hard and professionally at Student Direct - week in, week out - to demanding deadlines. Without you there would be no paper.
We are also aware that the Paper tends to get singled out more often for criticism, than for praise, nonetheless there’s a been a few too many reactionary editorials and what seem at times as thinly veiled personal attacks which seem to have more to do with a distaste for the characters involved rather than wishing to further the debate.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a few rebuttals to some of the opinions put forward in the editorials this year to act as a counter point to what has been previously been printed, and further contribute to the discussion.
RE: Issue 1, Editorial ‘Unisex Toilets’
“The ‘non-gendered’ facilities will be provided for all those men who do not ‘self-identify’ as men, and all those women who do not think of themselves as women. This potty parity is good news for all those students who’ve always fancied a bit of titillation in the bathroom, but may have been put off by the awkwardness of entering the Ladies’ or Gents’ hand in hand. Political correctness gone mad?”
Ah - the Unisex toilet debate – kick-starting the year with that classic reactionary caper, “PC gone mad” and creating the animosity between Student Direct and many LGBT students on campus that continued throughout the year. Identity is a massive issue for trans students and the right to self-identify has been won on the back of decades of repression against LGBT communities.
Furthermore, the Student Direct Officer was present at the Executive meeting at which the toilets were agreed upon (10/07/08) and supported the move. Only one set out of four were de-gendered. The Editorial team underwent diversity training the week before this editorial was written. Which seems to have gone to waste. A letter with over 60 signatures was sent to Student Direct for issue 2 and printed, yet the apology that appeared seemed intentionally ambiguous.
RE: Issue 2, Editorial ‘Riveted at Recent Labour Conference’ (regarding the presence of the Womens Officer at a climate change protest)
“The eight campaigners […] accosted a Labour MP, quizzing him on that well known feminist bugbear – climate change. […] Following the horrifying story of rape in our midst last week, Student Direct only hopes that the forthcoming weeks will see more relevant campaigns being directed from the Women’s Office.”
What this editorial missed is that women are disproportionately affected by climate change, making it very much a feminist issue. In many places that will be the worst effected by climate change, women simply work harder. When water is scarce, they are the ones who will have to walk further to collect it. And when resources are short domestic violence levels increase. Climate change is a feminist issue.
And insinuating that the rape of a student was the fault of the Women’s Officer for attending a demonstration in her free time is totally unfair.
RE: Issue 5, Editorial ‘Hands Off Our Paper’
“One Students’ Union Officer has made a number of attempts to prevent Student Direct from publishing content of direct relevance to students”
The officer in question was concerned that the article “Where did the money go?” was inaccurate and misleading. The article resulted in the University calling in the auditors and cost the Union thousands of pounds. They found no wrong-doing. In this respect, it was entirely right that the Officer, a trustee of the Union, should urge more caution from Student Direct before printing sensationalist, yet unfounded, front covers.
RE: Issue 10, Contact Hours: Do we really care?
“Student direct….struggle to name any (non-politically active) students who actually desire more time spent in the lecture hall or seminar room…Do students really want a minimum cap on teaching hours? Or would we all just prefer an extra hour in bed?”
Whilst some courses, particularly in the sciences, do have more than enough contact hours, other students, notably in Humanities have seen their lecture and seminar times dwindle to as low as four hours a week. This can leave some degrees feeling like glorified library subscriptions. This Easter, Law students, not known for having particularly radical politics, stood up successfully to an attempt slash their contact hours by a third. Hats off to them.
RE: Issue 13, “Under Occupation: Resistance is Futile”
“While the intentions, atmosphere and energy of the occupation are admirable, Student Direct can’t help but view the protest as an act of naiveté on the part of the campaigners.”
So let’s all just go home then and not worry ourselves. Fortunately, some people are brave enough to come down off the fence and take a stand against the ongoing injustices in Gaza and around the world. It is easy to call people naïve, it makes you look sophisticated and grown up. But the students who have campaigned so tirelessly this year to do whatever they feasibly can to help those suffering in Palestine should be applauded. History is made up of such people standing up and fighting back. Right on.
RE: Issue 14, “Pointless Politics”
“Student Direct would like to congratulate the supporters of the GM motion “Gaza Crisis” for [… ] essentially achieving…very little. Now union policy has passed, Gilbert will have to sit up and listen though! Will he heck.”
Yes he did. The University may not have agreed with all the resolutions of the motion, but it met with the Union, talked and agreed to a number of requests such as sending surplus academic supplies to Gaza. Having official Union policy and importantly the sustained protest by grassroots activists in the Simon Building, gave the ensuing negotiations a greater weight and legitimacy.
RE: Issue 15, “A touch of Global Glamour”
“SD would like to applaud and congratulate the Union’s International Officer for her successful efforts with global; glamour week.”
And we too like would applaud this Editorial for saying something positive about the Union for once. Nice one.
RE: Issue 16, “Up in Arms”
“What is it with a certain group of student activists and illegal activities? Last week’s theft of recruitment materials from a graduate recruiter certainly isn’t the first instance of illicit conduct on the part of present and former representatives of our Union. How could the students involved have thought that the best way to influence the actions of the Ministry of Defence was by stealing from them? Yes, the Ministry of Defence exacerbates international problems by producing and exporting military technology and the civil sector does in many cases offer better employment benefits to students. But “confiscating” (their words, not ours) others’ belongings not only gives the MoD the moral high ground, it also represents an attempt to take away the choice of other students who may have wanted the freedom to make an informed decision as to how to spend their futures.”
This editorial was puzzling - it admitted that the military-industrial complex has a negative effect on the world but then argued it should be allowed. What the arms industry shows and their presence on campus is that what is legally right isn’t always morally right. And what the action against the arms recruitment stall showed is that what may be legally wrong, isn’t always morally wrong.
RE: Issue 19: “Trust me, I’m a lawyer”
“Student Direct was pleasantly surprised by the perpetrators of the latest high-profile protest to take place on campus. While impassioned causes such as the Israel/Palestine conflict and Reclaim the Uni have galvanized segments of the student community in the past, such causes tend only to appeal to a politically-active left-wing minority, who line Oxford Road in their droves waving megaphones at unsuspecting passers-by with suspicious amounts of glee.”
Actually, Reclaim the Uni in its origin was praised for having broad appeal to a range of students. And what’s meant by ‘suspicious amounts of glee’? Should we campaign with solemn dirges? Being politically active is empowering and inspiring. It is not a self-sacrificial burden we take onto our shoulders on behalf of the rest of the world with glum faces. It is about smiling in the face of adversity and stepping up to the challenge. We are sincere, but we know how to have fun.
RE: Issue 20, Editorial ‘Girl Power’
“It is telling that eight women were elected to positions on next year’s Union Executive compared to just six men and only one candidate was willing to stand for the Women’s Officer role in last month’s elections. These manifestations certainly suggest that the justification for a Women’s Officer at UMSU is more tenuous than previously thought – and we refute the inevitable allegation that it is sexist to say so.”
And after the anti-woman, anti-trans, anti-feminist writings that have littered the paper all year, how many women would feel comfortable going to the woman editor of the paper for advice and help? Not many perhaps. The need for a dedicated officer to fight for women students’ rights has been proved in the Editorials alone.
RE: Issue 21, Editorial ‘Spread Your Legs’
“This week the Women’s Officer is to be heard complaining somewhat predictably about the name of club night “Spread Your Legs” […] but the Union are simultaneously welcoming such objectification […] at this year’s end of exams party, Pangaea. […] Student Direct can’t help but stifle a smile at the lack of consistency between Union officers on this occasion.”
And finally, a thinly veiled personal attack, which is nowhere near newsworthy. And brought us to write this counter-editorial that’s been building up all year.
Conclusion
Difference of opinion and debate is a healthy part of campus life. With the benefit of hindsight it is also easy to point out that the predictions of the paper proved incorrect. At times though, this strayed beyond a healthy critique of student tactics and strategies, and towards the suggestion that we really shouldn’t bother trying to change anything. At their worst, these editorials saw an active attempt to undermine parts of the Student Union and student community – to portray them as abnormal, and to use the editorial to launch personal attacks, noticeably against one particular election candidate running for the Editor post.
The University of Manchester Students Union has a proud and radical history. Our main building is named after the South African anti-apartheid campaigner Steve Biko – who battled and died fighting injustice in his country. Our Union is renowned across the UK for its vibrant political and cultural scene. This year has continued that tradition and Student Direct has facilitated this process. We congratulate again all those in the SD office who have worked so hard, including the Editor. We look forward to more debate, more campaigning and more progressive politics next year.
Robbie Gillett
Communications Officer
Jennie Killip
Women’s Officer
This article was due to appear on the Union page but was pulled by the Editor and replaced with an advert. So here it is online instead...
It’s been a big year at the Union and our Student Paper has played an important role in articulating the conversations on campus and reporting all the news, campaigns, music, lifestyle, fashion and so much more that makes up student life.
We would like to say a great big thanks to all those who have volunteered and worked so hard and professionally at Student Direct - week in, week out - to demanding deadlines. Without you there would be no paper.
We are also aware that the Paper tends to get singled out more often for criticism, than for praise, nonetheless there’s a been a few too many reactionary editorials and what seem at times as thinly veiled personal attacks which seem to have more to do with a distaste for the characters involved rather than wishing to further the debate.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a few rebuttals to some of the opinions put forward in the editorials this year to act as a counter point to what has been previously been printed, and further contribute to the discussion.
RE: Issue 1, Editorial ‘Unisex Toilets’
“The ‘non-gendered’ facilities will be provided for all those men who do not ‘self-identify’ as men, and all those women who do not think of themselves as women. This potty parity is good news for all those students who’ve always fancied a bit of titillation in the bathroom, but may have been put off by the awkwardness of entering the Ladies’ or Gents’ hand in hand. Political correctness gone mad?”
Ah - the Unisex toilet debate – kick-starting the year with that classic reactionary caper, “PC gone mad” and creating the animosity between Student Direct and many LGBT students on campus that continued throughout the year. Identity is a massive issue for trans students and the right to self-identify has been won on the back of decades of repression against LGBT communities.
Furthermore, the Student Direct Officer was present at the Executive meeting at which the toilets were agreed upon (10/07/08) and supported the move. Only one set out of four were de-gendered. The Editorial team underwent diversity training the week before this editorial was written. Which seems to have gone to waste. A letter with over 60 signatures was sent to Student Direct for issue 2 and printed, yet the apology that appeared seemed intentionally ambiguous.
RE: Issue 2, Editorial ‘Riveted at Recent Labour Conference’ (regarding the presence of the Womens Officer at a climate change protest)
“The eight campaigners […] accosted a Labour MP, quizzing him on that well known feminist bugbear – climate change. […] Following the horrifying story of rape in our midst last week, Student Direct only hopes that the forthcoming weeks will see more relevant campaigns being directed from the Women’s Office.”
What this editorial missed is that women are disproportionately affected by climate change, making it very much a feminist issue. In many places that will be the worst effected by climate change, women simply work harder. When water is scarce, they are the ones who will have to walk further to collect it. And when resources are short domestic violence levels increase. Climate change is a feminist issue.
And insinuating that the rape of a student was the fault of the Women’s Officer for attending a demonstration in her free time is totally unfair.
RE: Issue 5, Editorial ‘Hands Off Our Paper’
“One Students’ Union Officer has made a number of attempts to prevent Student Direct from publishing content of direct relevance to students”
The officer in question was concerned that the article “Where did the money go?” was inaccurate and misleading. The article resulted in the University calling in the auditors and cost the Union thousands of pounds. They found no wrong-doing. In this respect, it was entirely right that the Officer, a trustee of the Union, should urge more caution from Student Direct before printing sensationalist, yet unfounded, front covers.
RE: Issue 10, Contact Hours: Do we really care?
“Student direct….struggle to name any (non-politically active) students who actually desire more time spent in the lecture hall or seminar room…Do students really want a minimum cap on teaching hours? Or would we all just prefer an extra hour in bed?”
Whilst some courses, particularly in the sciences, do have more than enough contact hours, other students, notably in Humanities have seen their lecture and seminar times dwindle to as low as four hours a week. This can leave some degrees feeling like glorified library subscriptions. This Easter, Law students, not known for having particularly radical politics, stood up successfully to an attempt slash their contact hours by a third. Hats off to them.
RE: Issue 13, “Under Occupation: Resistance is Futile”
“While the intentions, atmosphere and energy of the occupation are admirable, Student Direct can’t help but view the protest as an act of naiveté on the part of the campaigners.”
So let’s all just go home then and not worry ourselves. Fortunately, some people are brave enough to come down off the fence and take a stand against the ongoing injustices in Gaza and around the world. It is easy to call people naïve, it makes you look sophisticated and grown up. But the students who have campaigned so tirelessly this year to do whatever they feasibly can to help those suffering in Palestine should be applauded. History is made up of such people standing up and fighting back. Right on.
RE: Issue 14, “Pointless Politics”
“Student Direct would like to congratulate the supporters of the GM motion “Gaza Crisis” for [… ] essentially achieving…very little. Now union policy has passed, Gilbert will have to sit up and listen though! Will he heck.”
Yes he did. The University may not have agreed with all the resolutions of the motion, but it met with the Union, talked and agreed to a number of requests such as sending surplus academic supplies to Gaza. Having official Union policy and importantly the sustained protest by grassroots activists in the Simon Building, gave the ensuing negotiations a greater weight and legitimacy.
RE: Issue 15, “A touch of Global Glamour”
“SD would like to applaud and congratulate the Union’s International Officer for her successful efforts with global; glamour week.”
And we too like would applaud this Editorial for saying something positive about the Union for once. Nice one.
RE: Issue 16, “Up in Arms”
“What is it with a certain group of student activists and illegal activities? Last week’s theft of recruitment materials from a graduate recruiter certainly isn’t the first instance of illicit conduct on the part of present and former representatives of our Union. How could the students involved have thought that the best way to influence the actions of the Ministry of Defence was by stealing from them? Yes, the Ministry of Defence exacerbates international problems by producing and exporting military technology and the civil sector does in many cases offer better employment benefits to students. But “confiscating” (their words, not ours) others’ belongings not only gives the MoD the moral high ground, it also represents an attempt to take away the choice of other students who may have wanted the freedom to make an informed decision as to how to spend their futures.”
This editorial was puzzling - it admitted that the military-industrial complex has a negative effect on the world but then argued it should be allowed. What the arms industry shows and their presence on campus is that what is legally right isn’t always morally right. And what the action against the arms recruitment stall showed is that what may be legally wrong, isn’t always morally wrong.
RE: Issue 19: “Trust me, I’m a lawyer”
“Student Direct was pleasantly surprised by the perpetrators of the latest high-profile protest to take place on campus. While impassioned causes such as the Israel/Palestine conflict and Reclaim the Uni have galvanized segments of the student community in the past, such causes tend only to appeal to a politically-active left-wing minority, who line Oxford Road in their droves waving megaphones at unsuspecting passers-by with suspicious amounts of glee.”
Actually, Reclaim the Uni in its origin was praised for having broad appeal to a range of students. And what’s meant by ‘suspicious amounts of glee’? Should we campaign with solemn dirges? Being politically active is empowering and inspiring. It is not a self-sacrificial burden we take onto our shoulders on behalf of the rest of the world with glum faces. It is about smiling in the face of adversity and stepping up to the challenge. We are sincere, but we know how to have fun.
RE: Issue 20, Editorial ‘Girl Power’
“It is telling that eight women were elected to positions on next year’s Union Executive compared to just six men and only one candidate was willing to stand for the Women’s Officer role in last month’s elections. These manifestations certainly suggest that the justification for a Women’s Officer at UMSU is more tenuous than previously thought – and we refute the inevitable allegation that it is sexist to say so.”
And after the anti-woman, anti-trans, anti-feminist writings that have littered the paper all year, how many women would feel comfortable going to the woman editor of the paper for advice and help? Not many perhaps. The need for a dedicated officer to fight for women students’ rights has been proved in the Editorials alone.
RE: Issue 21, Editorial ‘Spread Your Legs’
“This week the Women’s Officer is to be heard complaining somewhat predictably about the name of club night “Spread Your Legs” […] but the Union are simultaneously welcoming such objectification […] at this year’s end of exams party, Pangaea. […] Student Direct can’t help but stifle a smile at the lack of consistency between Union officers on this occasion.”
And finally, a thinly veiled personal attack, which is nowhere near newsworthy. And brought us to write this counter-editorial that’s been building up all year.
Conclusion
Difference of opinion and debate is a healthy part of campus life. With the benefit of hindsight it is also easy to point out that the predictions of the paper proved incorrect. At times though, this strayed beyond a healthy critique of student tactics and strategies, and towards the suggestion that we really shouldn’t bother trying to change anything. At their worst, these editorials saw an active attempt to undermine parts of the Student Union and student community – to portray them as abnormal, and to use the editorial to launch personal attacks, noticeably against one particular election candidate running for the Editor post.
The University of Manchester Students Union has a proud and radical history. Our main building is named after the South African anti-apartheid campaigner Steve Biko – who battled and died fighting injustice in his country. Our Union is renowned across the UK for its vibrant political and cultural scene. This year has continued that tradition and Student Direct has facilitated this process. We congratulate again all those in the SD office who have worked so hard, including the Editor. We look forward to more debate, more campaigning and more progressive politics next year.
Monday, 18 May 2009
Women's Officer Report 11-16th May
11-16th May 2009
Monday 11th
- Typed Riveters minutes, created events and emails.
- Collected more copies of the Riveter and distributed to bars and cafes
- Checked Dough (restaurant) fit with dietary requirements
- Liaised with police regarding the LGBT anti BNP demo.
- Answered emails.
- Case work.
Tuesday 12th
- Staffed the Suffragette ‘get the vote out’ stall all day, encouraging people to register to vote for the EU elections.
- Attended the ‘EU – united for what’ Challenging Orthodoxies Society event.
Wednesday 13th
- Organised the publicity for the night bus during exam period
- Made banners and placards for the LGBT anti-BNP demo.
- Organisation for IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia)
- Wrote the UMSU pride march application
Thursday 14th
- Organised sending money to charity from several Riveter projects.
- More organisation for pride events
- Attended the EU election hustings
- Attended the Riveters meeting
Friday 15th
- Attended the Exec meeting.
- Helped Ellie on the Mood Food stall
- Attended the Challenging Orthodoxy Society meeting on ‘Are the Taliban Evil’ and asked a question about the Taliban, women and solidarity links.
- Finished preparations for the Saturday demonstration.
Saturday 16th
- Attended demonstration with LGBT students against the BNP, highlighting their homophobic policies and encouraging people to use their vote on June 4th for other (nicer) parties.
Monday 11th
- Typed Riveters minutes, created events and emails.
- Collected more copies of the Riveter and distributed to bars and cafes
- Checked Dough (restaurant) fit with dietary requirements
- Liaised with police regarding the LGBT anti BNP demo.
- Answered emails.
- Case work.
Tuesday 12th
- Staffed the Suffragette ‘get the vote out’ stall all day, encouraging people to register to vote for the EU elections.
- Attended the ‘EU – united for what’ Challenging Orthodoxies Society event.
Wednesday 13th
- Organised the publicity for the night bus during exam period
- Made banners and placards for the LGBT anti-BNP demo.
- Organisation for IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia)
- Wrote the UMSU pride march application
Thursday 14th
- Organised sending money to charity from several Riveter projects.
- More organisation for pride events
- Attended the EU election hustings
- Attended the Riveters meeting
Friday 15th
- Attended the Exec meeting.
- Helped Ellie on the Mood Food stall
- Attended the Challenging Orthodoxy Society meeting on ‘Are the Taliban Evil’ and asked a question about the Taliban, women and solidarity links.
- Finished preparations for the Saturday demonstration.
Saturday 16th
- Attended demonstration with LGBT students against the BNP, highlighting their homophobic policies and encouraging people to use their vote on June 4th for other (nicer) parties.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Women's Officer Report 5th-8th May
Exec Report
5th-8th May
Tuesday 5th May
- Finished the leaflet on the views of women by all parties standing in the EU elections.
- Finished editing the Riveter magazine.
- Made the Votes for Women banner for Thursday.
- Talked to Students about Trans Week and answered a number of questions people had.
- Helped Robbie write the counter editorial for the Union page of Student Direct, which the editor chose not to print.
Wednesday 6th May
- Promotion for the GM in the morning
- Attended the inquorate GM but remained behind for the informal debate
- Lis debrief with actors and others involved.
- LGBT anti-BNP demonstration meeting – planning meeting for Saturday16th. Acquired action points such as getting poster designed, and acted on them!
- Attended Audio Uprising – a fantastic clubnight put on for the Children in Conflict Fundraising week. It showed the Union can host club nights.
Thursday 7th May
- Collected the Riveter magazine and made sashes.
- Spent the whole day on the stall outside the library, getting people to register to vote in the EU elections and handing out ALL copies of the Riveter – meaning I’ve had to get more printed, which is fantastic!
- Riveters meeting
- LGBT Annual General Meeting, which unfortunately failed to reach quorocy. I’d attended to argue to keep women’s representation within the committee structure.
Friday 8th May
- Attended the Reclaim the Uni participation meeting, where representatives from the University and Union explained the channels available for students to influence the academic decisions (And all other decisions) of the University.
- Lots of money/finance sorting for the women’s and LGBT budgets.
5th-8th May
Tuesday 5th May
- Finished the leaflet on the views of women by all parties standing in the EU elections.
- Finished editing the Riveter magazine.
- Made the Votes for Women banner for Thursday.
- Talked to Students about Trans Week and answered a number of questions people had.
- Helped Robbie write the counter editorial for the Union page of Student Direct, which the editor chose not to print.
Wednesday 6th May
- Promotion for the GM in the morning
- Attended the inquorate GM but remained behind for the informal debate
- Lis debrief with actors and others involved.
- LGBT anti-BNP demonstration meeting – planning meeting for Saturday16th. Acquired action points such as getting poster designed, and acted on them!
- Attended Audio Uprising – a fantastic clubnight put on for the Children in Conflict Fundraising week. It showed the Union can host club nights.
Thursday 7th May
- Collected the Riveter magazine and made sashes.
- Spent the whole day on the stall outside the library, getting people to register to vote in the EU elections and handing out ALL copies of the Riveter – meaning I’ve had to get more printed, which is fantastic!
- Riveters meeting
- LGBT Annual General Meeting, which unfortunately failed to reach quorocy. I’d attended to argue to keep women’s representation within the committee structure.
Friday 8th May
- Attended the Reclaim the Uni participation meeting, where representatives from the University and Union explained the channels available for students to influence the academic decisions (And all other decisions) of the University.
- Lots of money/finance sorting for the women’s and LGBT budgets.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
27th April - 4th May
Women’s Officer Report 27-04-09 – 01-05-09
Monday 27th
- Met with Hazel to co-write the introduction to the Riveter
- Promoted this week’s events
- Worked on the Riveter, including starting editing articles and planning the format.
- Attended Open Media
Tuesday 28th
- Attended another inquorate Exec Meeting
- Case work (which meant I unfortunately could not attend the NUS/UMSU termly meeting)
- Attended meeting for proposers/seconders of GM motions and made plans of how to best promote next week’s general meeting.
- Met with the LGBT secretaries to finalise plans for Trans Week
- Attended the inquorate council meeting
- Wrote and commissioned articles for the Union Page of the paper next week.
Wednesday 29th
- Ill but caught up with emails and case work.
Thursday 30th
- Contacted halls in Victoria Park re doing dinner talks for the GM next week (Awaiting response)
- Got the artwork for the Riveter sorted. Did more work on compliling and editing the Riveter
- Case work.
- Made posters for Trans week, gender neutral toilets (GM) and Pro-Choice (GM).
- Attended Gilbert meeting re. occupation demands.
- Riveters meeting
- Started a flyer on ‘women’s policies’ of all parties for upcoming EU elections
Friday 1ST May
- Case work meeting
- Riveters minutes and action plans
- Started work for Get the Vote out women style.
- Poster run
- Attended bar refurbishment meeting
- Caught up with emails.
Sunday 3rd May / Monday 4th May
- Edited the Riveter magazine
- Appeared on All FM as the Union’s women’s officer.
Monday 27th
- Met with Hazel to co-write the introduction to the Riveter
- Promoted this week’s events
- Worked on the Riveter, including starting editing articles and planning the format.
- Attended Open Media
Tuesday 28th
- Attended another inquorate Exec Meeting
- Case work (which meant I unfortunately could not attend the NUS/UMSU termly meeting)
- Attended meeting for proposers/seconders of GM motions and made plans of how to best promote next week’s general meeting.
- Met with the LGBT secretaries to finalise plans for Trans Week
- Attended the inquorate council meeting
- Wrote and commissioned articles for the Union Page of the paper next week.
Wednesday 29th
- Ill but caught up with emails and case work.
Thursday 30th
- Contacted halls in Victoria Park re doing dinner talks for the GM next week (Awaiting response)
- Got the artwork for the Riveter sorted. Did more work on compliling and editing the Riveter
- Case work.
- Made posters for Trans week, gender neutral toilets (GM) and Pro-Choice (GM).
- Attended Gilbert meeting re. occupation demands.
- Riveters meeting
- Started a flyer on ‘women’s policies’ of all parties for upcoming EU elections
Friday 1ST May
- Case work meeting
- Riveters minutes and action plans
- Started work for Get the Vote out women style.
- Poster run
- Attended bar refurbishment meeting
- Caught up with emails.
Sunday 3rd May / Monday 4th May
- Edited the Riveter magazine
- Appeared on All FM as the Union’s women’s officer.
Women's Week
Exec Report 20-4-09 – 25-04-09 – Women’s week
Monday 20th
-Put up posters, flyers, banners etc for women’s week
-sorted out the stall
-Wall of Shame from 1-2pm (getting people to write their views of sexism on the wall)
-Follow-up casework
-Put on the Open Media documentary about rape as a weapon of war and women’s healing.
Tuesday 21st
- Prison date – took the play and project Lis into a women’s prison to get women to engage with ideas of their bodies, power, sex, gender-roles. Helped with the post-performance workshop. It was such a fantastic experience – it really changed my views of prison, prisoners, and re-affirmed my belief in student potential to do positive work.
Wednesday 22nd
- Caught up with emails and other work
- Promoted and attended the Women and Religion: Our Experiences talk.
- Spoke to students and gained feedback regarding the bar refurbishment.
Thursday 23rd
- Did an interview for a student regarding the decision making roles of the union.
- Met with the LGBT Secretary (women’s) place elect to discuss next year.
- Turned up to another inquorate exec.
- Inspirational Women – we got lots of students to write the names of women who have inspired them on a board and got some fantastic responses.
- Riveters meeting, with loads of new people, which was fantastic.
- Feminist University Challenge – an event to stick two fingers up to the abhorrent sexism faced by Gail Trimble. With many exciting questions on feminism – Man Uni won with a score of 140, Man Met (well, one Man Met graduate and 3 Riveters) scored 87.5
Friday 24th
- Climate Change demo – smashing up mother earth, to show world leaders role in climate change.
- Critical Mass
- Reclaim the Parks – direct action to reclaim our public spaces from gender-based violence.
Saturday 25th
- Whitworth Art Gallery trip to visit the ‘Subversion’ exhibition.
- Attended NUS LGBT Awards.
Monday 20th
-Put up posters, flyers, banners etc for women’s week
-sorted out the stall
-Wall of Shame from 1-2pm (getting people to write their views of sexism on the wall)
-Follow-up casework
-Put on the Open Media documentary about rape as a weapon of war and women’s healing.
Tuesday 21st
- Prison date – took the play and project Lis into a women’s prison to get women to engage with ideas of their bodies, power, sex, gender-roles. Helped with the post-performance workshop. It was such a fantastic experience – it really changed my views of prison, prisoners, and re-affirmed my belief in student potential to do positive work.
Wednesday 22nd
- Caught up with emails and other work
- Promoted and attended the Women and Religion: Our Experiences talk.
- Spoke to students and gained feedback regarding the bar refurbishment.
Thursday 23rd
- Did an interview for a student regarding the decision making roles of the union.
- Met with the LGBT Secretary (women’s) place elect to discuss next year.
- Turned up to another inquorate exec.
- Inspirational Women – we got lots of students to write the names of women who have inspired them on a board and got some fantastic responses.
- Riveters meeting, with loads of new people, which was fantastic.
- Feminist University Challenge – an event to stick two fingers up to the abhorrent sexism faced by Gail Trimble. With many exciting questions on feminism – Man Uni won with a score of 140, Man Met (well, one Man Met graduate and 3 Riveters) scored 87.5
Friday 24th
- Climate Change demo – smashing up mother earth, to show world leaders role in climate change.
- Critical Mass
- Reclaim the Parks – direct action to reclaim our public spaces from gender-based violence.
Saturday 25th
- Whitworth Art Gallery trip to visit the ‘Subversion’ exhibition.
- Attended NUS LGBT Awards.
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