25/10 19:56
AND TO INTERVAL.
Union Council is over for the fortnight, almost 400 of you have joined us tonight, which is just ridiculous, so thank you.
I’ve been Alisha, your editor and tired co-student, see you here at the same time in a fortnight.
25/10 19:53
Utter confusion there for a couple of minutes over how many faculties are actually in the University.
Which is a bit awkward.
25/10 19:51
Are the elections over? I really hope they’re over.
Update on “Who’s Bored?”: No one is asleep. No more eyebrows have been groomed.
25/10 19:49
Personally, we’re amazed Roscoe isn’t hiding under one of the tables.
@rj_hastings @forgepress And we can hear your tears of sadness of no longer being on council #fomo
— ShefUnion Council (@ShefSUCouncil) October 25, 2012
25/10 19:43
Next is the election of the Trustee Board Nominations Committee.
You didn’t know that was a thing? Us either.
25/10 19:42
Apparently, they’re actually for the by-election, and not officer elections. They have a different committee, my bad.
25/10 19:40
ELECTIONS COMMITTEE. That’s what it is.
They set up the rules and standards for officer elections, discussing whether they can use social media, etc.
25/10 19:39
Like reading? Pick up a copy of Forge Press, simples.
Now elections for.. oh I don’t know, there’s paper everywhere and I cannot feel my hands.
25/10 19:37
Speeches for election onto Library User Group have proved one thing: people still like books.
25/10 19:33
What do you want your Library User Group to discuss? Does the IC work for you? Are you afraid of the depths of Western Bank? Tweet us @forgepress with your thoughts.
25/10 19:31
There’s another vote, to elect councillors onto the Library User Group. I have been assured there’s only two more votes to come after this.
25/10 19:30
Everyone’s speeches were actually really good. This year’s councillors seem very interested in the Union’s democratic processes, which makes a change from last year when one guy fell asleep.
25/10 19:29
Speeches are now been given for another vote (democracy, yawn) to elect two people onto the Constitutional Committee.
25/10 19:24
Speeches are now being given for why people would make a good returning officer. So far, the main argument is “I haven’t done anything wrong” and everyone’s favourite “I like democracy”.
25/10 19:21
Nominations for by-elections have been set and approved for November 5, and officer election dates have also been approved.
25/10 19:18
Meanwhile, the dates for officer elections are being discussed.
25/10 19:17
While some admin goes on, it’s time to have a look around in a game of “Who’s Bored?”
We’ve got a councillor downing what looks like a litre bottle of lemonade, one organising their eyebrows, and another staring blankly into space. Dreaming of freedom.
25/10 19:08
They’re using AV. This may or may not be important.
25/10 19:06
Candidates for vice-chair are now giving their speeches. People will vote. Democracy in action, people.
25/10 19:04
Jessie Smith has just been elected chair of Union Council.
25/10 19:01
The water seems to be going down a treat too.
25/10 19:01
We’re sat with Tom Dixon, who seems to be a fan of the viennese whirl.
25/10 19:00
There’s a break.
Which variety of biscuit is most popular? Which blend of herbal tea is going down a treat? We’ll find out just for you.
25/10 18:55
We asked YOU about whether women’s only self defence classes should be expanded to other vulnerable groups, such as LGBT students, here’s some of your responses.
@forgepress How about running them for everyone?
— Open Space (@OpenSpaceSU) October 25, 2012
https://twitter.com/Horses_are_ok/status/261523795234410497
25/10 18:53
People are now standing to be considered as chair of Union Council. Everyone’s clapping and it’s nice.
25/10 18:52
So, I think we’re back. The officer’s objectives were ALL passed, and there was no heckling. Which was lovely.
25/10 18:52
I HATE YOU EDUROAM. HATE YOU.
25/10 18:46
We’ve had about six minutes of eduroam trying to bring us down, so let us quickly update you.
Alcohol’s relation to sports teams has been discussed, and as to whether a form of involvement can be set up asides from socials where alcohol is present. The discussion was welcomed.
Sara Moon’s policy to get students on bikes has been discussed at length, and it was said that with every bike purchase at the university, they will be given a leaflet about free cycling lessons, hopefully improving their road safety awareness.
25/10 18:44
We want your thoughts on tonight’s proceedings, so be sure to tweet @forgepress to get your view published live on this blog.
25/10 18:37
Masson’s policy on women’s-only self-defence classes has come up, and been asked about self-defence classes for other vulnerable groups, such as LGBT students.
25/10 18:36
Turns out there’s 180 people looking at the live blog. I’m so sorry you’re all stuck with me.
25/10 18:35
What!? So my training session worked? Yay!! “@forgepress: There is actual scrutiny going on in Union Council: forgetoday.com/students-union…”
— Roscoe Hastings (@RJ_Hastings) October 25, 2012
25/10 18:32
Gleek: “I love Castle Market, I go there to get my fresh food. But if you live in Ranmoor, that’s over an hour away. It’s something I’m very keen on doing on the concourse.”
25/10 18:32
Welfare officer Jon Gleek’s policies are up next.
He is asked about his manifesto policy to set up a SU market, which would be well nice.
25/10 18:31
My fingers hurt.
25/10 18:28
Alderman: “Some courses cost £4,000 to run, and some cost £20,000 to run.”
I’m a history and politics student, and I reckon I know where I sit on that spectrum. My handouts must cost loads.
25/10 18:27
A councillor, who is currently unnamed to me as he is sat with his back to me, has asked Alderman where the transparency of fee expenditure is that was promised in his election campaign.
25/10 18:26
There’s actual scrutiny going on, this is so very exciting.
25/10 18:26
President Abdi Sulieman’s policy’s are up for scrutiny, followed by education officer, Richard Alderman.
25/10 18:25
Officers’ team objectives have PASSED, Sulieman said they intend to go into schools, and tell young people why university is worthwhile, and they should not be put off by the 9k fees, however the officers will continue to dispute the over 300 per cent fee increase.
25/10 18:19
We’ll be electing a chair and vice-char in “roughly 10 minutes”. Which will be nice.
25/10 18:18
Policy action plans are approved! #shefsuc
— ShefUnion Council (@ShefSUCouncil) October 25, 2012
25/10 18:17
OFFICER OBJECTIVES are now up for discussion.
25/10 18:16
Masson has replied that the quotas, brought in last year, are to ensure women are represented at the NUS conferences, and that places are available for people who are gender queer or trans.
25/10 18:13
Gender quotas question. Hello, controversy.
25/10 18:13
New women’s councillor, Lucy Pedrick, has asked about the zero-tolerance policy in university venues, which Masson said have been implemented.
25/10 18:12
Anti-sexism policy is now up for discussion.
Masson has said she is doing training with new inclusions officers to raise awareness of sexism.
25/10 18:11
Watching @forgepress‘ live @shefsucouncil blog while writing paper on civic university. Council sounds a lot more interesting!
— Roscoe Hastings (@RJ_Hastings) October 25, 2012
25/10 18:10
Our story on ACS’ SPV has been brought up, how can council stop this from happening in future?
25/10 18:10
It’s always nice to feel appreciated Luke.
I have to say the live feed by @forgepress is making @shefsucouncilmuch more entertaining. Top work.
— Luke MacWilliam (@lukemacwilliam) October 25, 2012
25/10 18:07
Everyone in @shefsucouncil should be given weights so that each time they raise their hand to vote they get a little work out.
— Luke MacWilliam (@lukemacwilliam) October 25, 2012
25/10 18:04
Gay and Trans friendly policy up now: The gender-neutral toilets were turned into ladies toilets over graduation week, people don’t seem best pleased.
25/10 18:02
There’s so many motions and movement of paper, totally lost here.
25/10 18:01
This just got all kinds of awkward.
25/10 18:00
A councillor HAS an allergy to tap water. So how can students like this get water at the Students’ Union?
25/10 18:00
Is there an allergy to tap water? Let us know.
25/10 18:00
Everyone’s favourite discussion: BOTTLED WATER.
25/10 17:59
Solidarity with Gaza students up next:
Abdi Sulieman: “If we the university is willing to wave the fees of these students, then we are going to ask if they can wave accomodation fees too.”
Sara Moon: “We have a scholarship for a South African student, and we’re going to ask about getting a scholarship for a Palestinian student too.”
25/10 17:53
Policies on End Israeli Occupation, Companies Involved in Animal Testing and University Relations with Arms Companies have all PASSED.
We like cats, as you know, but luckily no cats are involved in animal testing. Even Taz and Charlie.
25/10 17:49
NO oppositions to Jon Gleek’s policy about safe and affordable housing. No one is surprised.
25/10 17:48
Meanwhile, you should all be informed that there is a married couple on Council for the first time ever. Which is nothing short of adorable.
25/10 17:43
Very good point being made about incorporating private housing into the motion, hoping to inform international students more about landlords and the private housing sector.
25/10 17:42
Safe and affordable housing up next, and I am confused as to why anyone would want dangerous and expensive housing. Except maybe Bond, he likes things expensive and dangerous.
25/10 17:40
No New Leaf, kids. But hopefully an express salad bar in Interval, Sara Moon is to sort this out.
25/10 17:34
Sara Moon: “We need these improvements to the Union, and we can’t do New Leaf like the shop on the concourse. We can’t have something like New Leaf. However, I’ve spoken to a number of outlets about doing more healthy food, and Interval have said they plan on doing an express salad counter and maybe baked potatoes.”
25/10 17:31
NEW LEAF petition is up for discussion.
25/10 17:31
Council’s support of the officers support for the demo has PASSED, with no votes against.
25/10 17:31
NO speakers against the proposal.
25/10 17:30
President Abdi Sulieman said the NUS demo route is undesirable, having asked the NUS to change it.
25/10 17:26
Alderman: “Students need to start setting the agenda for the next election. It will be costly for the Students’ Union, such as subsidising the coaches to London.”
25/10 17:24
Alderman: “We think it is right to support the NUS in the demo.”
25/10 17:24
Richard Alderman arises to discuss the National Demo, saying the officers have mixed opinions on the demo.
25/10 17:23
Union Council is said to last a maximum of two and a half hours, everyone is thrilled.
25/10 17:22
Up for discussion tonight is the National Demo on November 21, Nestle policy, bottled water and much, much more.
25/10 17:17
We’re here at Students’ Union Council, waiting for the festivities to begin as a room full of new councillors get ready to start.