INSIDE: - Seren - Bangor University

9
December Issue 2010
www.seren.bangor.ac.uk
Union
An interview with the President
We all know it’s a tough time to be a student at the moment, on a
local and national level. So this month, Seren met up with our former Editor
and current Students’ Union President, Jo Caulfield to find out what’s been
happening in the world of student politics, both in Bangor and beyond...
What’s been the biggest challenge
this year
Well, I would say dealing with having
no permanent building and a severe
lack of facilities; no permanent nightclub
for students, whilst somehow
trying to navigate a way through 40%
cuts to the higher education sector and
deal with a university that wants to increase
tuition fees. I’d say all together
that makes for a challenging year…!
Are you happy with the current
location of the Students’ Union in
Oswalds
I would much prefer to be in a more
central location, akin to the whereabouts
of the old building. Our current
location is good for those who live on
Ffridd Site, but not so much for everyone
else. However, the building itself
isn’t too bad as a stop gap. I have the
University working on a lot of redevelopment
here, so soon it should be
even better. I’m keen to move out to
something more suitable as soon as
possible.
And how about Hendre Are you
happy with that at the moment
I’m only as happy as the student body
is when it comes to Hendre, because
it’s not an operation that’s controlled
by the Union. My job is to reflect
the opinions of students to the people
operationally responsible for it and I
do that on almost a daily basis. I don’t
think students are satisfied with Hendre,
and I don’t blame them – the University
should have sought a solution
long before Time & Academi were demolished,
but I will say that the university
have put a lot of effort into trying
to make it work. I don’t think they’ve
pulled it off though and I’m strongly
encouraging them to look at other options.
This process has now begun.
How do you plan to improve student
experience with the Hendre flop
Well, firstly I’d say that it’s not up to
me to improve the student experience
– that’s the job of the University as
they’re the ones with all the resources!
However, what I can do is make sure
the voice of students is heard within
the University loud and clear. I like to
think I do that pretty well.
They are well aware of how passionately
students feel about the lack
of social provision for them here, and
have reiterated that they need to take
it seriously. Students who were here
last year miss the facilities they once
had, new students have not got what
was advertised to them on open days,
it’s all a bit of a mess really. I’m bloody
angry about it and I know students are
too.
What I would like to say though, is
that the university couldn’t be more
aware of our feelings on this issue,and
are trying. I do accept that it’s difficult
for them with the Council not willing
to play ball.
What are your opinions on the
National Demo Where do you
think we can go from here
Taking 250 Bangor students down to
London made me exceptionally proud
to be President of this union. Our students
were brilliant, they were energetic
and happy to be there even after
they had travelled a much longer way
than most! They all protested peacefully
and did an excellent job of making
Bangor’s voice heard. Now the next
stage has to be lobbying. We need to
be emailing MPs and Assembly Members
on this issue. I want every single
MP in this country to have messages
from thousands of students telling
them why they shouldn’t increase
fees and shouldn’t savagely cut Higher
Education. I also want to educate
as many students as possible on the
whole thing, because it can be quite a
complex issue with many levels.
For newer students who didn’t
see the workings of the previous
President, John Jackson, what do
you think you have changed about
the Union
Well, I’ll freely admit I haven’t spent as
much time dealing with constitutional
matters or the inner workings of the
Students’ Union itself as John did. I
think there’s a time and a place for that
and don’t begrudge that work at all. This
year however, I wanted to change tact.
Currently, students have one hell of a
right to be annoyed, for many reasons,
so if the Students’ Union is going to
make a song and dance in the University,
we need to do it now. I think it’s been
paying off – the University are largely
sympathetic to our requests. For instance,
our Rowing Club were about to
throw the towel in after their last boat
broke and we had no money to replace
it. So, we went to the University about
the issue and persuaded them to buy
new boats for the club. There have been
many examples of that and I’m pleased
with progress.
I like to think we are a critical friend
of the institution and I also believe
we’re building a mutual respect – even
if we disagree on some issues.
The SU’s updates on Facebook are
focused largely on the results we are delivering
for students & there’s a reason
for this - if a day comes when we aren’t
securing change and a better deal for
our members, then I believe we may as
well go home.
What would you say you’re most
proud of this year
I think just seeing the sheer number
of students who care about the current
threats to higher education. It’s
very easy to think you’re fighting the
battle solo sometimes, especially as
in previous years many Bangor students
haven’t been as ‘protest-active’
as others. This year, I’ve had so many
conversations, emails and tweets from
students wanting to get more involved,
wanting to know how they can help the
fight. I’m actually very proud of Bangor
students, and exceptionally honoured
to be leading out fight.
Finally, how should students who
want to get in touch with you do so
Oh any way they can, please! I
love to hear from students, as you
would imagine. You can tweet me:
(@jocaulfield), email me:
(jo.caulfield@undeb.bangor.ac.uk),
add me on Facebook, or even - shock
horror - actually storm into my office
and see me. Whatever floats your boat.
Interview by
Gemma Ellis
“I don’t think students
are satisfied with Hendre,
& I don’t blame them - the
University should have
sought a solution long
before Time & Academi
were demolished.”