Dear Forge,
I write in response to Natalie Bowen’s article, ‘Day of Action will make no difference to fees’ as the Officer that organised the day.
As you witnessed, student apathy is extremely difficult to combat, and I fundamentally believe this is a step in the right direction. I accept Bowen’s comments that she expected more action, but unfortunately NEC NUS members cancelled due to a decision that the NUS have taken to put a pay freeze on Officer expenses.
Secondly, I take the comment that the rain dampened the spirit of the day, but unfortunately that is beyond my natural control.
However, I refuse to accept that the day of action will not make a difference.
The Union is fundamentally an institution which represents its constituents.
It stands here to defend students whether it is performed through the medium of a demonstration, or as a visual defendant which is what I believe the day of action was.
It was meant to act as a symbol to students that the Union is fighting against any attacks on their rights to education.
It gave them the opportunity to voice their concerns, which many students did.
In response to the NUS’ Broke and Broken funding campaign, numerous Unions have taken part in a day of action, which sends out a message that Unions are standing collectively to oppose student debt.
Sheffield formed part of this national message.
This is the basic purpose of a day of action: unions uniting to strengthen and emphasise an important cause.
I refuse to accept that Sheffield taking part in a national message, in unison with hundreds of participating unions, will not disconcert the Government.
As an alternative, instead of condemning Officers and being pernickety about the “dynamics” of the day – a day that is ultimately helping students – energy could be channelled into celebrating the fact that the Union is still adhering to its core purpose: fighting for students.
Yours,
Rebecca Watson
Education Officer