Student Union Mag - Campus

john.needham

Ken Griffin wrote: »

I don't believe in the use of elections as a way of selecting editors for anything. It always too much of a popularity contest.

Unfortunately that is quite often the only way to ensure that the "leaders", within any group, are fairly selected. If this decision is left down to previous editors (and i dont know if it is or not), the natural inclination is towards people you know, making it no better than a popularity contest.
Having an election would encourage new people to join, particularly first years, and while the point has come up many times that the college view should be more than just a way for students to pad a CV, it appears (from the outside) to be a great way for them to gain experiance, which is something that campus doesnt (and shouldnt really) do.

Shea O'Meara

Tony.Time wrote: »

That's cool. I just wasn't sure exactly what you were getting at but we are singing of the same hymn sheet.

I'm not up to speed fully on what is going on in the college view....many of the photo's are not good enough quality. But that is not the aim of this thread.

yeay

Nor is the independence of the college view, actually. What directions can the SPC make to a society? ....Is this the current situation or does the spc authorise funding for the entire academic year?

Awww:(
Thread: Student Union Mag - Campus

My query: Should we be funding a mag because nobody wants to work it? Why have a mag if you need to hire journalists, photographers, researchers? How DCU is the Student Union mag if complied, (although overseen by the SU) by non-student employees?

Cid-Highwind

Tony.Time wrote: »

That's cool. I just wasn't sure exactly what you were getting at but we are singing of the same hymn sheet.

I'm not up to speed fully on what is going on in the college view. But I do think there is no need for the college view to be a society. What are the reasons behind the SPC wanting this....as the comment editor in a previous post said they were behind it in this thread.

I'm on the current SPC, and I worked on the project to move the publications towards a more society-like structure.

My main motivation for this is I think that it would get more people involved. Having elections for things like first years reps and treasurers does get people interested in things, as does holding events that people can attend.

The secondary benefit of that of course is that you have people dedicated to these roles to work on advertising, promotion etc., but getting as many people involved as possible is a benefit in itself, and the most important one imo.

I chaired the meeting with representatives from both Flashback magazine and the College View to discuss this, and the project has only continued because THEY were enthusiastic about it. We presented the idea, and offered our support, but we didn't make the decision.

Tony.Time wrote: »

Nor is the independence of the college view, actually. What directions can the SPC make to a society? Plain and simple question: If the college view was to publish a story that reflects badly on the SPC, the university or the SU or embarrasses either, can the spc refuse to continue to fund additional editions of the paper? Also I was told that the SPC only funds a number of editions of the college view at a time not an entire year in one go - that i would see as control, even if this is unintentional. The SPC should fund the college view for the year, not just a couple of issues at a time. That IMHO is a threat and control of the paper, and any reasonable person could deduce the same. Is this the current situation or does the spc authorise funding for the entire academic year?

Just to clarify this slightly, what the SPC at the time said was that it the funding for the second semester was provisional ONLY on the publications being adequately promoted and advertised.

The College View has printed stories that reflected badly on the SPC (link) and it prints something negative about the SU in most issues - no one has ever even suggested that it's funding should be affected by this. The SPC has never made attempted to interfere in the editorial control of any publication - that's simply not our role.

Ken Griffin

GazeeboBrown wrote: »

Maybe a panel of alumni who work in the sector could select the editor?

A Dragons Den type affair :pac:

(a half-serious suggestion)

Actually, that's what I proposed many moons again - a Publications Board with representatives from SPC, journalism alumni and the School of Communications which would interview prospective candidates for editorships.

Ken Griffin

Shea O'Meara wrote: »

My query: Should we be funding a mag because nobody wants to work it? Why have a mag if you need to hire journalists, photographers, researchers? How DCU is the Student Union mag if complied, (although overseen by the SU) by non-student employees?

The magazine only has one employee - that's always been the case. That's because it's basically a full-time job to put a weekly publication out, not due to lack of interest. Everyone else is unpaid.

Fiftysix

Ken Griffin wrote: »

Actually, that's what I proposed many moons again - a Publications Board with representatives from SPC, journalism alumni and the School of Communications which would interview prospective candidates for editorships.

That is a ridiculous idea. Why should Alumni have a say in a student run paper? I assume one of the main reasons for the college view existing was to give an alternative *outside of the School Of communcations* so having them involved would be stupid. If the School of communications had a say in the editorial team then surely they would be more of a threat of censorship than the SPC?

As For Campus. i think it is a very good use of Students' money. It is good to be kept informed of what is going on throughout the year, although all i saw for weeks in the clubs and socs pages was dramasoc's rent....Having said that I think this years one was a bit weak. It is meant to be a SU publication and, to be honest i do no care about the latest Duke Special CD on sale. I pick up campus to see what the SU are up to and look at the pictures....... But then again those pictures are always of the same people. Who takes those photos anyway?

Cid-Highwind

Fiftysix wrote: »

As For Campus. i think it is a very good use of Students' money. It is good to be kept informed of what is going on throughout the year, although all i saw for weeks in the clubs and socs pages was dramasoc's rent.... I pick up campus to see what the SU are up to and look at the pictures....... But then again those pictures are always of the same people. Who takes those photos anyway?

The photos and the clubs & socs pages are based on what's submitted. If it's only the same people sending photos in, then they're going to be in it a lot more (with the exception of photos taken by the SU at SU events).

Fiftysix wrote: »

Having said that I think this years one was a bit weak. It is meant to be a SU publication and, to be honest i do no care about the latest Duke Special CD on sale.

That's always been an issue with campus, I really think those pages could be replaced with more SU and DCU stuff. Hopefully they will next year.....

Fiftysix

Cid-Highwind wrote: »

The photos and the clubs & socs pages are based on what's submitted. If it's only the same people sending photos in, then they're going to be in it a lot more (with the exception of photos taken by the SU at SU events).

Surely the current SU knew that and could have changed things? By physically taking the photos themselves?

However i agree if it was to have mmore SU related stuff in it it would be justification of spending the money on it. I for one wnat to know what is going on with them and and if there are people that don't want to read it they don't have to.:pac:

Shea O'Meara

Ken Griffin wrote: »

The magazine only has one employee - that's always been the case. That's because it's basically a full-time job to put a weekly publication out, not due to lack of interest. Everyone else is unpaid.

I believe that's the case with the editor, but they are advertising a new post for someone to research stories, do interviews, take photos etc.

dead-bob

Fiftysix wrote: »

By physically taking the photos themselves?

As oppose to metaphysically?


(You didn't see me right?)

john.needham

Shea O'Meara wrote: »

I believe that's the case with the editor, but they are advertising a new post for someone to research stories, do interviews, take photos etc.

Thats the editors position. It is re-advertised every year as far as i know.

Shea O'Meara

"The Office of Student Life is recruiting a Publications & Research Officer for the Students' Union. It's a fulltime nine month contract position."

lil_cain

Fiftysix wrote: »

Surely the current SU knew that and could have changed things? By physically taking the photos themselves?

However i agree if it was to have mmore SU related stuff in it it would be justification of spending the money on it. I for one wnat to know what is going on with them and and if there are people that don't want to read it they don't have to.:pac:

I believe the SU do take a lot of the photos themselves. The problem with that is that you only get a small number of events, and the people the SU know are still going to show up disproportionaly.

monument

Shea O'Meara wrote: »

"The Office of Student Life is recruiting a Publications & Research Officer for the Students' Union. It's a fulltime nine month contract position."

AKA the editor of Campus?

Jasirl

Yeah i agree

DemocAnarchis

Personally I think that the SPC and the SU are a waste of money, given that fees are being introduced and that capitation fees are being increased. I think we should use the funds to subsidise poorer students to come to college.

Jasirl

Yeah i agree

DemocAnarchis

Jasirl wrote: »

Yeah i agree

Also I disagree.

I am sympathetic to your stance, but i'm not sure your position is consistent.

TheChrisD

DemocAnarchis wrote: »

Personally I think that the SPC and the SU are a waste of money, given that fees are being introduced and that capitation fees are being increased. I think we should use the funds to subsidise poorer students to come to college.

Since when did the the SU exec need to be paid for their job? Use that money to create new scholarships

Jasirl

We should increase GAA scolarships.

irlande

TheChrisD wrote: »

Since when did the the SU exec need to be paid for their job? Use that money to create new scholarships

There's no need for new scholarships, the SU money should be re-invested straight into the GAA academy, they're horribly underfunded as it stands.

DemocAnarchis

Actually, thinking about it, why not use the money to increase revenue for the college to improve our facilities? We could split it between several hedge funds, or perhaps a 24 hour Subway on campus.

TheChrisD

DemocAnarchis wrote: »

or perhaps a 24 hour Subway on campus.

I wholeheartedly agree! Having cheap-ish decent enough food available anytime on campus is more important than a magazine!

Shea O'Meara

DemocAnarchis wrote: »

Actually, thinking about it, why not use the money to increase revenue for the college to improve our facilities? We could split it between several hedge funds, or perhaps a 24 hour Subway on campus.

DCU does need an International ariport!!

Lots of room for improvement. Cheap/subsidised food would be a great start alright. On a weekly basis, It's probably the biggest cost, next to transport, for most students.

sirfistycuffs

DemocAnarchis wrote: »

Actually, thinking about it, why not use the money to increase revenue for the college to improve our facilities? We could split it between several hedge funds, or perhaps a 24 hour Subway on campus.

Hey that's a great idea. We should all band together to make it happen.
You know, organise ourselves into some sort of Union. Made up of Students.

Urizen

Mmm, Subway Union...

sirfistycuffs

Politics, but tastier.
And with your choice of cookie or crisps.

TheDeparted

sirfistycuffs wrote: »

Hey that's a great idea. We should all band together to make it happen.
You know, organise ourselves into some sort of Union. Made up of Students.

It'd never work. Would probably just evolve into a group full of self-importance, with very little power. Still, we should try it some time.;)

Urizen

But who would run this 'Union'? Couldn't be just anybody... They'd need a beard.

irlande

Urizen wrote: »

But who would run this 'Union'? Couldn't be just anybody... They'd need a beard.

Or boobs!

But definately not both.