Movement 124

on Gampus
society problems
One group has had ongoing problems getting acknowledged
by its students' union because of a
no-duplications policy. The union in question will
not let the society register because there is already
a Christian society, and they seem unwilling and
unable to acknowledge the differences between
such groups. ln this case, the problems seem to
come back to a particular officer and the issues may
change when a new sabbatical officer takes post. ln
this situation, it is hard to advise members of the society
how best to progress. When multiple secular
societies of similar styles are accepted, it is hard to
accept this ruling - especially when the Christian sohigher
education
news
Student societies, particularly Christian ones, are
facing all sorts of problems on campus. From funding
and recognition to disagreements with other
campus societies and seemingly arbitrary rules affecting
religious societies, the issues are never
simple. Committee members from SCM's affiliated
student groups have been in touch with me about all
sorts of problems during my time with SCM so far.
student unions exist to celebrate,
encoura$e and represent student politics
- but some are banninEl their own membel
societies from havin$ political affiliations!
campus nerrys
SGM's Links Worker reflects on some issues that have arisen for
our student groups on campus, and ways of tacklin€l them.
Lecturers' pay dispute
Many movement readers will have been affected by the summer's
pay dispute, which drove lecturers to strike and refuse to
mark exam papers. lt came to an end in July, with the offer of
a pay rise over the next three years followed by further negotiations
once an independent review of university finances has
been carried out. SCM welcomes the end of the dispute, which
caused real gtress for many students, and hopes that the income
raised from tuition fees can be used effectively to guarantee fair
pay for lecturers and other staff.
Top-up fees and student debt
The NUS, with the support of lecturers' unions, continues to
campaign against the removal of the cap on top-up fees. There
should be a major demo in London this October about the issue,
and SCM hopes to organise a service as part of the demo. Check
www.movement.org.uk for updates.
Our feature this issue on values in higher education (pages 14-
19) includes reflections on many of theseissues. Take a look!
cieties have such different remits. ln other places the
religious societies are not allowed to become fully
affiliated groups. The justification varies from place
to place, but it frequently comes down to ideas
about inclusivity. There is a view that because many
religious societies only exist to include members of
their own faith group, they do not conform to the
equal opportunities policy set out by the union.
Another group have been told that they can't use any
of their funding for affiliation to religious or political
organisations. The student union, which exists to celebrate,
encourage and represent student politics, is
banning its member societies from embracing such
approaches in their day+o-day existence!To contrast
this, another union positively encourages societies
to use their funding for student politics, but assumes
that religious societies will have more access to funding
than other societies. So they're expected to seek
funding from local religious organisations rather than
the union. When the same university is experiencing
concerns about religious extremism on campus, it is
a little disconcerting that the union seem so willing
to 'sell out' their societies to the highest bidder. A
number of unions won't allow any funds from outside
sources for this very reason!
When active involvement in religious faith-based
groups seems to be somethingthat scares and threatens
a number of people, especially when there are
perceived links to extremism, it is really disheartening
to hear of the problems faced by groups. l'm
no longer just talking about the SCM groups, but
about tales I hear from our friends of other faiths.
Groups are not always managing to reach the target
number of members and are having to find new,
underground ways of working and meeting. Ways
that aren't sanctioned by the union, and sometimes
aren't even known about.
While these problems are all significant, they can
be overcome. Sometimes this can be done by the
members of the societies by themselves, and other
times it can't. lt is on these latter occasions that it
can be useful to have someone to bounce ideas
around with and, if needs must, get involved. lt is
important to remember that while each situation
may be unique, sharing it can be helpful.
lf there are problems that are being faced by your society,
or one you know about, please get in touch with
me in the office (links@movement.org.uk or 01212
200 3355). lf I can't help you on my own, l'm sure I
know someone who can - it's what Jos are for! O
lo Merrygold is SCM's Links Worker.
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movement