What's wrong with the Student Union this year?

isilidur1980

Since I have been in the university, the quality of the Student Union and their services has gradually decreased every year. This year has been the worst so far. There has been absolutely no visibility from the new Student Union officers in the university since the start of this semester. The Student Union website seems to have been abandoned. The weekly email update section of the website includes the an email of May 2013 as its latest update. The Student Union bookstore has become irrelevant. I could point out quite a few areas which have deteriorated in quality since last year. And last year, the Union was pretty pathetic in what it achieved for students. I don't actually know when the new officers started in their positions but their lack of communication and interaction with the student body is shocking. Easily the worst leadership of the Union in the 4 years I've been in the University. And the standard in those 4 years was pretty low!!
A bunch of complete wasters!:(

shruikan2553

Sounds like business as usual

isilidur1980

shruikan2553 wrote: »

Sounds like business as usual

I wouldn't mind but these clowns are getting paid in some of these positions.
I was told on here last year that the Student Union were involved in getting the lift for disabled people installed near the Arts Millennium building. I was talking to a friend of mine who uses a wheelchair last week and I was told that the lift has rarely ever worked. All her protestations to the SU and the university seem to have falling on deaf ears this year. But they still have the gall to come on here and point to that as an achievement. The pack of jokers!!

shruikan2553

I learnt after first year that it wouldnt change, doesnt matter who you vote for all we'll get is cheap trips away to protest. Dont know how anyone who is in a wheelchair manages in NUIG, stairs to get every where with an odd lift hidden away somewhere.

isilidur1980

shruikan2553 wrote: »

I learnt after first year that it wouldnt change, doesnt matter who you vote for all we'll get is cheap trips away to protest. Dont know how anyone who is in a wheelchair manages in NUIG, stairs to get every where with an odd lift hidden away somewhere.

And free "johnnies" from time to time!:) The SU love to take the credit for the lifts that have been installed. However, if they really were bothered about disabled peoples welfare, they would be fighting constantly to improve the standard of these. They just give short shrift to disabled people when complaints are made about them not working!! Either they just don't care or they don't have the intelligence and ability to take care of it. I would lean towards it been the latter!! But it could just as easily be the former. The level of incompetence this year is worst than ever. I really find it hard to believe that they could actually be worse than last years SU but they are beating them for incompetence hands down. It's time Kearns and Catherine and the SU clowns got up and actually tried a little at least! Wasters!!

3fullback

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Since I have been in the university, the quality of the Student Union and their services has gradually decreased every year. This year has been the worst so far. There has been absolutely no visibility from the new Student Union officers in the university since the start of this semester. The Student Union website seems to have been abandoned. The weekly email update section of the website includes the an email of May 2013 as its latest update. The Student Union bookstore has become irrelevant. I could point out quite a few areas which have deteriorated in quality since last year. And last year, the Union was pretty pathetic in what it achieved for students. I don't actually know when the new officers started in their positions but their lack of communication and interaction with the student body is shocking. Easily the worst leadership of the Union in the 4 years I've been in the University. And the standard in those 4 years was pretty low!!
A bunch of complete wasters!:(

Ah here this is just a slander campaign by the OP. It sounds to me like you've got a chip on your shoulder.

You have no idea the work that goes on behind close doors that is done completely confidentially with students in helping them with problems and cannot be publicised !

Regarding the lift it's not the SU who give the go ahead to put in a lift or a ramp for a wheelchair user and organise it's construction. They have to lobby the University itself which of course isn't always easy in an area which is full of bureaucracy(red tape) !

They only began the term this month and your giving out about website updates ? What info do you need that is so important ?

Ficheall

3fullback wrote: »

They only began the term this month and your giving out about website updates ?

They began in July, no?

I emailed the Welfare officer, the head of Buildings, and the VP for capital projects 10 days ago about those ****ty new bicycle staircases they've installed going up onto the Quincentenary and haven't received a reply from any of them.

LoonyLovegood

I've emailed them several times and gotten responses from them. Had to go in about grant issues, and they were great. I was also at socs training, they've loads planned for the months ahead. No SU is going to be perfect, but they are helping.

Lockstep

I've been into the SU a few times about problems and they've always been great.

If you have and problems with the SU, there's a CLass Rep Council meeting on tomorrow so swing along and tell them what problems you have.

isilidur1980

3fullback wrote: »

Ah here this is just a slander campaign by the OP. It sounds to me like you've got a chip on your shoulder.

You have no idea the work that goes on behind close doors that is done completely confidentially with students in helping them with problems and cannot be publicised !

Regarding the lift it's not the SU who give the go ahead to put in a lift or a ramp for a wheelchair user and organise it's construction. They have to lobby the University itself which of course isn't always easy in an area which is full of bureaucracy(red tape) !

They only began the term this month and your giving out about website updates ? What info do you need that is so important ?

I'm pretty sure everything I have said here is pretty accurate. I fail to see where the slander arises. And I have absolutely no chip on my shoulder. I am; however, extremely critical of the SU. The main reason is I would love to see a strong union. I always vote in the elections in the hope that the candidates I vote for offer better. I'm always disappointed.

To pass the blame for the carry on occurring with the lift is disappointing. I was bombarded here last year about how great the Union's input was installing these. The statement that it is the university and not the SU is ridiculous. If the SU doesn't shout and work for the disabled students in the university, who will? Blaming bureaucracy is simply not good enough. Just excuses. Exactly what the disabled student got when she was in contact with the SU. Simply not good enough.:mad:

I have complained about the visibility, communication and interaction the SU has had with the student body this year. Your reply just reinforces that. The website is one of the main tools for people to interact with the Student Union. Your excuse that we are only back this month is irrelevant. It has not been updated since May. If they only had a mandate to run it from the start of term, fair enough. But they are not doing that. When the SU have actually got worse in their face to face interaction and communication with the student body, the least I would expect is an up-to-date online presence by them. Did you really think before you asked me the question, "What info do you need that is so important ?" Think about what you are asking here. There are 18000 students in the university. A good proportion of them are new students. They can never have enough up-to-date information. And a simple "Welcome to the university. We are your student union. We are available to discuss any problems you may be facing in university this year. Good luck with your studies." would have been nice!!

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

I've been into the SU a few times about problems and they've always been great.

If you have and problems with the SU, there's a CLass Rep Council meeting on tomorrow so swing along and tell them what problems you have.

Unfortunately the feedback I have got from the person regarding the lift situation has not been so positive. It seems now from some replies here that it is a university issue and not a SU issue. So student welfare is something the SU seems to be divorcing itself from!:(

infactaniceone

3fullback wrote: »

Ah here this is just a slander campaign by the OP. It sounds to me like you've got a chip on your shoulder.

You have no idea the work that goes on behind close doors that is done completely confidentially with students in helping them with problems and cannot be publicised !

Regarding the lift it's not the SU who give the go ahead to put in a lift or a ramp for a wheelchair user and organise it's construction. They have to lobby the University itself which of course isn't always easy in an area which is full of bureaucracy(red tape) !

They only began the term this month and your giving out about website updates ? What info do you need that is so important ?

So you are admitting that there are issues as regards the lifts for the disabled yet you say that bringing up an opinion on a public platform is "slander" . Is it you that is being slanderous towards this comment? The solution to fixing the lifts is money and relying on grants etc is the usual road but its proving too slow for those that need it now and confidence with SU abilities is very low. What I would like to know is how much it will cost to fix the problem so we can gather the money, ring the lift people and get the problem solved. I would have no problem standing between the library and concourse with a bucket gathering for a good cause. Get a bucket outside the library, everyone will contribute something if they can. Problem solved - wake up.

isilidur1980

CTYIgirl wrote: »

I've emailed them several times and gotten responses from them. Had to go in about grant issues, and they were great. I was also at socs training, they've loads planned for the months ahead. No SU is going to be perfect, but they are helping.

I think it would be fantastic if they actually communicated all these wonderful things with the student body. The website would be a good start. But wait they are only back 3 months. Lets give them a chance!!

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Unfortunately the feedback I have got from the person regarding the lift situation has not been so positive. It seems now from some replies here that it is a university issue and not a SU issue. So student welfare is something the SU seems to be divorcing itself from!:(

"Divorcing from" and "not able to easily change" are two different things. I'm not on the SU so I'm not sure what the exact protocols are but the SU doesn't control university building policy.

Seriously, if it bothers you so much, go to the CRC tomorrow and bring it up with the SU in front of the Class Reps who can vote to require the SU to do something about it or at least follow it up. Complaining about it on an online notice board isn't likely to change much.

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

"Divorcing from" and "not able to easily change" are two different things. I'm not on the SU so I'm not sure what the exact protocols are but the SU doesn't control university building policy.

Seriously, if it bothers you so much, go to the CRC tomorrow and bring it up with the SU in front of the Class Reps who can vote to require the SU to do something about it or at least follow it up. Complaining about it on an online notice board isn't likely to change much.

Are you saying that one of the main objectives of boards.ie in providing a public forum for discussion on certain topics is really irrelevant??:D And bringing this up on here has got people thinking about it, it seems!!

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

"Divorcing from" and "not able to easily change" are two different things.

I'm also sure that having a debate on the intricacies of language will not make the journey in a wheelchair from the AM building to the Concourse any easier. All I'm worried about is the end result. I'm not too worried about the debate in how to get there.

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Are you saying that one of the main objectives of boards.ie in providing a public forum for discussion on certain topics is really irrelevant??:D And bringing this up on here has got people thinking about it, it seems!!

Not irrelevent but the NUIG section of Boards has very low traffic.By all means, post about stuff like this but if your goal is to actually effect change, then I'm really struggling to see why you're bringing it up here rather than bringing it up with the CRC, local Galway media or something.
This thread has gotten *some* people thinking about it but only 7 people have posted in it, with yourself posting the majority of the posts.

I'm also sure that having a debate on the intricacies of language will not make the journey in a wheelchair from the AM building to the Concourse any easier. All I'm worried about is the end result. I'm not too worried about the debate in how to get there.

Accusing a group of being "divorced from student welfare" when it's something they don't have control over is not semantics. It's at best, not understanding what the SU is or can do.
If you're so concerned about the end result then posting on Boards isn't likely to achieve much. Maybe set up a Facebook campaign, contact the Galway Independent, protest at the SU office or something along those lines.

Writing a few posts on a relatively quiet forum isn't the best course of action.

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

Accusing a group of being "divorced from student welfare" when it's something they don't have control over is not semantics. It's at best, not understanding what the SU is or can do.
If you're so concerned about the end result then posting on Boards isn't likely to achieve much. Maybe set up a Facebook campaign, contact the Galway Independent, protest at the SU office or something along those lines.

Writing a few posts on a relatively quiet forum isn't the best course of action.

But the debate here will become an issue in semantics. I merely put forward that it was a perception of mine from certain replies here that the student union was divorcing itself from student welfare. Now we are debating semantics.
Thanks for you input though. You have provided some interesting points on how to further this issue.

Fooker

What has been said about the website is probably right. I would think though that that should be put at the door of the day-to-day staff who work there...

Ficheall

Lockstep wrote: »

Accusing a group of being "divorced from student welfare" when it's something they don't have control over is not semantics. It's at best, not understanding what the SU is or can do.

To be fair, Lockstep, it's something they should definitely be attending to. A single officer with a megaphone has gotten a lift fixed before, if I recall correctly, no?

They SU have "control" over sweet FA. I believe they claim to have some influence though, which they ought to be exerting.

Squeeonline

Does anyone else get the feeling that the "protest" on Tuesday (I think) is just a box ticking exercise by the SU? "protest to protect your future" is the most vague reason for a protest ever.

Do people honestly thing a few hundred galway students turning up in Sligo is going to change anything in Dublin?

Maybe they should go back to writing angry letters to the Dail.

WallyGUFC

They update their Facebook account several times daily. Maybe send your queries that way. I have no idea what ranting about it here will do, especially when they aren't here to respond.

isilidur1980

WallyGUFC wrote: »

They update their Facebook account several times daily. Maybe send your queries that way. I have no idea what ranting about it here will do, especially when they aren't here to respond.

Could it be possible I don't have a Facebook account or know that they had a Facebook account?
Also, why do people usually post things of this nature on public forums??

isilidur1980

Squeeonline wrote: »

Does anyone else get the feeling that the "protest" on Tuesday (I think) is just a box ticking exercise by the SU? "protest to protect your future" is the most vague reason for a protest ever.

Do people honestly thing a few hundred galway students turning up in Sligo is going to change anything in Dublin?

Maybe they should go back to writing angry letters to the Dail.

I heard very little about this protest actually!! Kind of backs up my claim about the lack of communication between SU and the student body!

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I heard very little about this protest actually!! Kind of backs up my claim about the lack of communication between SU and the student body!

Really? There are posters all around campus and I've personally seen Declan Higgins do shoutouts to inform students about the march.

shruikan2553

The SU told the class reps to let their classes know about the protest. The few people I spoke to think it is a pointless day out which is spending money instead of using to help the students. I'll be protecting my future by attending lectures instead. I have no idea what this is meant to be about, probably the usual stop increasing fees and cutting the grant.

IsThisIt???

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Could it be possible I don't have a Facebook account or know that they had a Facebook account?
Also, why do people usually post things of this nature on public forums??

Usually in the hope that everyone will agree with their point and tell them how smart they are....but not in this case.

WallyGUFC

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Could it be possible I don't have a Facebook account or know that they had a Facebook account?
Also, why do people usually post things of this nature on public forums??

When does complaining on a public forum ever achieve anything? How about you run in the next SU election, get elected and enforce change?

MadYaker

I couldn't give less of a f*ck about the SU to be honest.

Ficheall

WallyGUFC wrote: »

How about you run in the next SU election, get elected and enforce change?

As mentioned elsewhere in the thread, I raised an issue with the head of Buildings on campus - can we extrapolate from your suggestion that I ought to work my way up to that position myself to address the issue, rather than sending in a complaint? Is that the general gist of what you're saying?

When I vote someone in to represent me on something, it's not so that they can say - "Well, if it bothers you so much, why don't you get elected and do something about it?"
It wouldn't really be a great attitude for either an aspiring politician or someone who allegedly wants to help others to have, would it?

isilidur1980

IsThisIt??? wrote: »

Usually in the hope that everyone will agree with their point and tell them how smart they are....but not in this case.

Usually to highlight and discuss issues which they feel are important to them!

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

Really? There are posters all around campus and I've personally seen Declan Higgins do shoutouts to inform students about the march.

I am in the university from about half eight each morning to eight in the evening. I attend most lectures and have missed very few so far this semester. I haven't seen Declan Higgins around the campus at all this semester. In fact, no student union member has even been in to one of our lectures telling us about anything that is going on so far this semester. They have not even got around to choosing class reps for our class or college. Amazing how you seem to be seeing high student union visibility and I see none!!

isilidur1980

WallyGUFC wrote: »

When does complaining on a public forum ever achieve anything? How about you run in the next SU election, get elected and enforce change?

I have no desire to run for a position in the student union. However, as I am a student of the university and in part finance Student Union activities, I have every right to complain and hold the SU accountable for their incompetence. Would you not agree?? Because I choose not to run for the Dail in the last election, does that inhibit my right to hold the government to account for what I perceive might be flawed policies and incompetence?
Have you ever complained on a public forum Wally?? Do you not understand that situations such as the Arab Spring were started through interactions on public forums and through social media? I suppose not!

isilidur1980

@ Lockstep

I see that you seem to agree with Wally that if we want to affect change, we shouldn't bother voting for representatives who promise this to us. We should just run ourselves. From what I read, I understand you are running for the Postgraduate position in the SU. If successful, will you tell people who come to you as their representative that if you want change to go out and do it themselves?
What platform are you exactly running on so?

WallyGUFC

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I have no desire to run for a position in the student union. However, as I am a student of the university and in part finance Student Union activities, I have every right to complain and hold the SU accountable for their incompetence. Would you not agree?? Because I choose not to run for the Dail in the last election, does that inhibit my right to hold the government to account for what I perceive might be flawed policies and incompetence?
Have you ever complained on a public forum Wally?? Do you not understand that situations such as the Arab Spring were started through interactions on public forums and through social media? I suppose not!

I would agree that if you have issues with the SU you raise them with them, not on a public forum where they seemingly have no members and are thus unable to respond. Also, I think it's fair to assume the vast majority of the college population have a Facebook account, certainly a higher proportion than those who have boards.ie accounts. Thus it makes perfect sense that that would be their platform.
I wouldn't exactly call the Arab Spring a raging success either, given the absolute mess that is now Syria, Egypt, Tunisia etc. But that's neither here nor there. Why not email the President of the University? You're basically only complaining to see if anybody agrees. Clearly a thread with 30 odd posts after more than a day isn't going to lead to some sort of Arab Spring within the college where the whole SU is overthrown, kicked out of college and told to leave the city. Complain to people who 1) care and 2) can do something about it. There aren't many on here who satisfy either of those requirements.

isilidur1980

WallyGUFC wrote: »

I would agree that if you have issues with the SU you raise them with them, not on a public forum where they seemingly have no members and are thus unable to respond. Also, I think it's fair to assume the vast majority of the college population have a Facebook account, certainly a higher proportion than those who have boards.ie accounts. Thus it makes perfect sense that that would be their platform.
I wouldn't exactly call the Arab Spring a raging success either, given the absolute mess that is now Syria, Egypt, Tunisia etc. But that's neither here nor there. Why not email the President of the University? You're basically only complaining to see if anybody agrees. Clearly a thread with 30 odd posts after more than a day isn't going to lead to some sort of Arab Spring within the college where the whole SU is overthrown, kicked out of college and told to leave the city. Complain to people who 1) care and 2) can do something about it. There aren't many on here who satisfy either of those requirements.

I've emailed the SU about this. I haven't got a reply yet.
I used the comparison of the Arab Spring to answer your assertion that writing on a public forum is pointless. It is a perfect example of the power of social media and online forums. You reference this analogy out of context. I have read some of your replies and you use the Aunt Sally quite a bit!
Can you not remember authoring a thread on "JEdward" on here? Out of nowhere you used this forum to ridicule them and complain they were a waste of oxygen, etc. What gives you the legitimacy to then come on here and say I shouldn't complain on this about something which I feel and I'm sure many others feel is a very relevant topic?
Do you troll threads and tell people they have no right to complain on this platform. You don't seem to have any other argument. Some people on here agreed that the SU was poor this year. Some disagreed and said it was good. You on the other hand didn't really take a position. You merely said I shouldn't complain about it on this.

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I am in the university from about half eight each morning to eight in the evening. I attend most lectures and have missed very few so far this semester. I haven't seen Declan Higgins around the campus at all this semester. In fact, no student union member has even been in to one of our lectures telling us about anything that is going on so far this semester. They have not even got around to choosing class reps for our class or college. Amazing how you seem to be seeing high student union visibility and I see none!!

Yeah, it is very surprising. Declan did a shoutout on the march to the 2pm PDE class last Wednesday (I know this as I was attending the class to do a different shoutout). I also saw him coming out of the Kirwan last Monday. Given he's not a student, it's a fair assumption he was doing a shoutout.
I can't verify or deny your claims that you don't see him around in your 11+ hours on campus each day but it does mean that at least one person on the SU is going out there to get the word out.

There's also posters around the campus. Last week, I saw ones beside Smokeys, outside the reading room, at the entrance to the college bar and all around the Áras na Mac Léinn.
As for North Campus (where I'm based), on my way into the Cairnes today, I saw posters at the entrance to the Engineering Building and Áras Moyola. Feel free to check them right now as they were definitely there at 9:00 am.
Do you stop to look at poster boards? It appears you don't. Granted maybe you're just not looking very hard, given you spend a lot of your time on this forum complaining about the SU.

Also, did you attend the Class Reps Council last night?

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

@ Lockstep
I see that you seem to agree with Wally that if we want to affect change, we shouldn't bother voting for representatives who promise this to us. We should just run ourselves. From what I read, I understand you are running for the Postgraduate position in the SU. If successful, will you tell people who come to you as their representative that if you want change to go out and do it themselves?

The election was on last Thursday and I didn't get elected. Shame but not something to get worked up on.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

What platform are you exactly running on so?

My manifesto was already posted in the SU Elections thread. Given you posted right after me, I'm guessing you saw it?

Ficheall

You seem to be side-stepping the valid point about representation, Lockstep.
Commiserations anyhow - who got the position, Conor or the other lad? I can't find the info on the SU website.

Lockstep

Ficheall wrote: »

You seem to be side-stepping the valid point about representation, Lockstep.

Fair enough: if you need to bring something to someone's attention in the university, then emailing them is usually the worst way to do it. If I need to talk to my supervisor about something important, I ring him or arrange a meeting. If I'd been elected, I'd have done the same thing; that if someone had an issue, I'd try and sort it out in person or if the other person could not do so, I'd ask them to ring me and do it over the phone.

If you want change, lobby the SU. If that fails, use outside pressure; SIN, Facebook, Galway media and so on. Of course, if you're entirely unhappy with how things are done and have been as critical of the SU for years (as Isildur has) then I'm quite puzzled as to why they don't run themselves.

Ficheall wrote: »

Commiserations anyhow - who got the position, Conor or the other lad? I can't find the info on the SU website.

Conor Lane won the position. Surprised you're still paying attention to SU elections, given you're no longer a student.

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

Yeah, it is very surprising. Declan did a shoutout on the march to the 2pm PDE class last Wednesday (I know this as I was attending the class to do a different shoutout). I also saw him coming out of the Kirwan last Monday. Given he's not a student, it's a fair assumption he was doing a shoutout.
I can't verify or deny your claims that you don't see him around in your 11+ hours on campus each day but it does mean that at least one person on the SU is going out there to get the word out.

There's also posters around the campus. Last week, I saw ones beside Smokeys, outside the reading room, at the entrance to the college bar and all around the Áras na Mac Léinn.
As for North Campus (where I'm based), on my way into the Cairnes today, I saw posters at the entrance to the Engineering Building and Áras Moyola. Feel free to check them right now as they were definitely there at 9:00 am.
Do you stop to look at poster boards? It appears you don't. Granted maybe you're just not looking very hard, given you spend a lot of your time on this forum complaining about the SU.

Also, did you attend the Class Reps Council last night?

No, I didn't attend the Class Reps Council. I did attempt to get in touch with our class rep; however, as yet none have been elected for our class. Also, no college reps have been elected. I suppose they are only back a couple of months so the SU will probably get around to it soon. I wonder what was discussed at this. I'm sure though if it was anything important our class reps will let us know...Oh wait!! Ah sure, the SU website will have the informat.....wait a second. They are only back since July. I forgot!
I suppose they might have it on a poster. Better keep an eye out for them. I still haven't got a reply to the email I sent them. Not really surprised!:D

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

If you want change, lobby the SU. If that fails, use outside pressure; SIN, Facebook, Galway media and so on. Of course, if you're entirely unhappy with how things are done and have been as critical of the SU for years (as Isildur has) then I'm quite puzzled as to why they don't run themselves.

Like i said in an earlier post, I am highly critical of the SU. And I have every right to be critical of them. That doesn't mean though that I am been critical due to a personal vendetta I have against anyone or the SU itself. My criticism of the SU has been the same, no matter who has been elected. I also vote all the time in SU elections. I actually think about what the candidates say and decide based on that.
It doesn't get away from the fact that the visibility and the communication this year is the worst since I have been here. People might have different opinions on the achievements of last years president but one thing that can't be argued against was his visibility and interaction with the Student body. He hounded people in lectures at times. I haven't seen the SU president in any lecture so far. in fact, I've seen none of the SU officers in any of our lectures. They haven't even bothered to come in about class reps. Five weeks I'm back now!!
If you were in my position would you be critical?? You seem to suggest that I'm been critical for the sake of it.

Ficheall

Lockstep wrote: »

Fair enough: if you need to bring something to someone's attention in the university, then emailing them is usually the worst way to do it. If I need to talk to my supervisor about something important, I ring him or arrange a meeting. If I'd been elected, I'd have done the same thing; that if someone had an issue, I'd try and sort it out in person or if the other person could not do so, I'd ask them to ring me and do it over the phone.

The worst way aside from dedicated internet fora, of course...

If your supervisor won't communicate with you via email, then I would suggest there is cause for concern there.
Not responding to emails as a preferred modus operandi is just a tad unprofessional, even if you are friends with everyone on Facebook.

Lockstep wrote: »

Of course, if you're entirely unhappy with how things are done and have been as critical of the SU for years (as Isildur has) then I'm quite puzzled as to why they don't run themselves.

I don't really "get" this attitude. Is that how politics generally works? I know you've studied it in a more in-depth fashion than I have, but... really?
I know democracy is pretty flawed, and I haven't held many positions as a "representative", but I can't ever recall thinking that the appropriate response to a complaint was "Yeah, well why don't you get elected to my position and fix things yourself?"

Lockstep wrote: »

Conor Lane won the position. Surprised you're still paying attention to SU elections, given you're no longer a student.

I only pay attention to the ones in which I know the candidates, idle curiosity. They don't affect me any more or less than they did when I was a student.

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

No, I didn't attend the Class Reps Council. I did attempt to get in touch with our class rep; however, as yet none have been elected for our class. Also, no college reps have been elected. I suppose they are only back a couple of months so the SU will probably get around to it soon. I wonder what was discussed at this. I'm sure though if it was anything important our class reps will let us know...Oh wait!! Ah sure, the SU website will have the informat.....wait a second. They are only back since July. I forgot!

Firstly, you don't need to be a Class Rep to go the Class Rep Council.
Secondly, you're a Commerce student, right? The Convenor for Business and Law was only elected last week (noone ran last year) and it's the Convenors who are mainly responsible for ensuring Class Reps are elected for each department.
At any rate, I'm very surprised by how passive you are. There wasn't a Class Rep when I was in my undergrad so a few people in my class went to the Education Officer (Emmet Connolly at the time) about getting one elected. He came in the next class, a Class Rep was elected and all was well.
If you really want a Class Rep then ring the Education Officer or call up to their office.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I suppose they might have it on a poster. Better keep an eye out for them. I still haven't got a reply to the email I sent them. Not really surprised!:D

Why are you being so flippant about posters? You were giving out that you hadn't heard about the protest so I pointed out the posters all over the college. It was also mentioned on SIN, FlirtFM and on their Facebook page. It's not the SU's fault if you're not using these.

Like i said in an earlier post, I am highly critical of the SU. And I have every right to be critical of them. That doesn't mean though that I am been critical due to a personal vendetta I have against anyone or the SU itself. My criticism of the SU has been the same, no matter who has been elected. I also vote all the time in SU elections. I actually think about what the candidates say and decide based on that.
It doesn't get away from the fact that the visibility and the communication this year is the worst since I have been here. People might have different opinions on the achievements of last years president but one thing that can't be argued against was his visibility and interaction with the Student body. He hounded people in lectures at times. I haven't seen the SU president in any lecture so far. in fact, I've seen none of the SU officers in any of our lectures. They haven't even bothered to come in about class reps. Five weeks I'm back now!!
If you were in my position would you be critical?? You seem to suggest that I'm been critical for the sake of it.

I don't think you're being critical for the sake of it but I do think you have sort of axe to grind with the SU. If you're so keen to get stuff sorted then complaining on a low-traffic forum isn't gonna change much and you seem to expect to be able to sit around waiting for the SU to come to you or for emails. You'd be much, much better off heading to see them personally (they're there all day) or phoning them.

The worst way aside from dedicated internet fora, of course...
If your supervisor won't communicate with you via email, then I would suggest there is cause for concern there. Not responding to emails as a preferred modus operandi is just a tad unprofessional, even if you are friends with everyone on Facebook.

Oh no, they do respond. But like with all emails, you can be waiting a fair while. If you want quick responses then emails are not the way to do it in case an email gets sent to Spam, overlooked or whatever.

I don't really "get" this attitude. Is that how politics generally works? I know you've studied it in a more in-depth fashion than I have, but... really?
I know democracy is pretty flawed, and I haven't held many positions as a "representative", but I can't ever recall thinking that the appropriate response to a complaint was "Yeah, well why don't you get elected to my position and fix things yourself?"

That's how democracy works Ficheall. If you don't like how a representative is doing something, then your choices are either: Influence them to change things, put up with it, don't vote for them the next time around or run yourself.

I only pay attention to the ones in which I know the candidates, idle curiosity. They don't affect me any more or less than they did when I was a student.

Fair enough, I only paid attention to two elections last year as friends of mine were running. When I'm not a student in a university, I don't bother with them at all.

LOSTfan57

I actually see Declan around most days tbh...

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

Firstly, you don't need to be a Class Rep to go the Class Rep Council.

I've heard and actually been invited to one of these Councils before. I actually interacted quite a bit with the SU last year. It was mainly through the class reps but also called over to the SU office a few times. Never got any real hop of any of them. But they were at least more visible and organised than the current lot.

Lockstep wrote: »

Secondly, you're a Commerce student, right? The Convenor for Business and Law was only elected last week (noone ran last year) and it's the Convenors who are mainly responsible for ensuring Class Reps are elected for each department.

Are Convenors part of the SU? I thought so. Hence one of the reasons I am critical about the SU in my post.

Lockstep wrote: »

At any rate, I'm very surprised by how passive you are. There wasn't a Class Rep when I was in my undergrad so a few people in my class went to the Education Officer (Emmet Connolly at the time) about getting one elected. He came in the next class, a Class Rep was elected and all was well.
If you really want a Class Rep then ring the Education Officer or call up to their office.

As I've said, I actually interacted quite actively with the SU through my class reps and personally last year. I also fail to see why I should run for election if I want change, do the SU conveners job or go to a Class Rep Council to bring up topics my, as yet, undecided class rep should do. Why do we have a SU at all if students just sorted all this themselves?

Lockstep wrote: »

Why are you being so flippant about posters? You were giving out that you hadn't heard about the protest so I pointed out the posters all over the college. It was also mentioned on SIN, FlirtFM and on their Facebook page. It's not the SU's fault if you're not using these.

Let's not bring the discussion down to a level of flippancy about posters. You are already attempting to do that about posting about things on this site. I understand if you think the SU are doing a good job. Defend them on merit so. Lets not divert the main topic of the thread. It is something that is quite common on this thread so far. Why has the lift not been fixed? Why won't the SU respond to people on this? Why, after 3 months back, are the SU failing to update their website? Is the SU bookstore being updated?? Do you think this is acceptable??

Lockstep wrote: »

I don't think you're being critical for the sake of it but I do think you have sort of axe to grind with the SU. If you're so keen to get stuff sorted then complaining on a low-traffic forum isn't gonna change much and you seem to expect to be able to sit around waiting for the SU to come to you or for emails. You'd be much, much better off heading to see them personally (they're there all day) or phoning them.

True, I have an axe to grind with the SU. Like I said I'm highly critical of them due to their incompetence.
And no, I don't expect to sit around and expect them to come to me. You are assuming that I don't or haven't interacted with the SU before. That is a wrong assumption. I actually considered running as Class Rep this year but one of last years class reps advised me not to. He basically said to me that it was a waste of time. He was an excellent rep but rarely got any hop off the SU himself!

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I've heard and actually been invited to one of these Councils before. I actually interacted quite a bit with the SU last year. It was mainly through the class reps but also called over to the SU office a few times. Never got any real hop of any of them. But they were at least more visible and organised than the current lot.

Fair enough but given how much you claimed to care about your friend's welfare, I'm very surprised you didn't raise it at CRC

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Are Convenors part of the SU? I thought so. Hence one of the reasons I am critical about the SU in my post.

The Convenor was only elected last week as noone ran for it last year so they had to have a by-election. You can hardly blame the current one for stuff he hasn't done, given he was only elected on Thursday.
Also, the SU held an election and noone ran for it. That's hardly their fault.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

As I've said, I actually interacted quite actively with the SU through my class reps and personally last year. I also fail to see why I should run for election if I want change, do the SU conveners job or go to a Class Rep Council to bring up topics my, as yet, undecided class rep should do. Why do we have a SU at all if students just sorted all this themselves?

If you've been quite active, then why did you sit around waiting for the SU to interact with you, instead of going to them and asking for help with getting a Class Rep elected? Given how critical you've been of successive SUs, I am surprised that you haven't decided to run yourself, given how unhappy you are with the recent SUs we've had.
The SU doesn't rely on students doing things themselves but it does rely on students being active. The SU is a few people in a college of thousands of students. If you want stuff done, you need to show initiative. This isn't secondary school.

Let's not bring the discussion down to a level of flippancy about posters. You are already attempting to do that about posting about things on this site. I understand if you think the SU are doing a good job. Defend them on merit so. Lets not divert the main topic of the thread. It is something that is quite common on this thread so far. Why has the lift not been fixed? Why won't the SU respond to people on this? Why, after 3 months back, are the SU failing to update their website? Is the SU bookstore being updated?? Do you think this is acceptable??

Ah ok, it's flippancy to point out that your claims are bogus. You complained about not seeing information about the march. The fact you've said this when there were numerous posters around the place really makes it seem like you have some sort of axe to grind. Either that or it's there's none so blind as those who don't want to see.
Given I'm not on the SU or deal with buildings, I personally don't know but as I've suggested, you'd certainly get a better response by contacting the SU directly, especially given how clearly urgent you seem to think it is.
I've barely ever been on the SU website myself but having a look at it, it's been updated numerous times in the last few weeks such as the post about the upcoming SUSI clinic.
have you looked at the Facebook page? here Check how often that's been updated.

True, I have an axe to grind with the SU. Like I said I'm highly critical of them due to their incompetence

Then once again, I would suggest you engage with the issue more constructively than complaining on a low traffic forum. I'm not saying you dont have the right to post or anything like that but I do question you genuine you are in your desire to get things sorted if your way of doing things is sending emails and expecting the SU to come to you. It's a big campus. Be proactive.

And no, I don't expect to sit around and expect them to come to me. You are assuming that I don't or haven't interacted with the SU before. That is a wrong assumption. I actually considered running as Class Rep this year but one of last years class reps advised me not to. He basically said to me that it was a waste of time. He was an excellent rep but rarely got any hop off the SU himself!

No, I'm not assuming what you have done in the past. I am however, highlighting that your current actions are fairly silly for someone who wants to get things done. If you're annoyed about your email being ignored, go up and see them in the office. If you're annoyed about the lack of a Class Rep, then go to the Education Officer and ask them to sort something out. Also, I'm struggling to see how you can complain about the lack of a Class Rep but still claim it's a waste of time

WallyGUFC

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I've emailed the SU about this. I haven't got a reply yet.
I used the comparison of the Arab Spring to answer your assertion that writing on a public forum is pointless. It is a perfect example of the power of social media and online forums. You reference this analogy out of context. I have read some of your replies and you use the Aunt Sally quite a bit!
Can you not remember authoring a thread on "JEdward" on here? Out of nowhere you used this forum to ridicule them and complain they were a waste of oxygen, etc. What gives you the legitimacy to then come on here and say I shouldn't complain on this about something which I feel and I'm sure many others feel is a very relevant topic?
Do you troll threads and tell people they have no right to complain on this platform. You don't seem to have any other argument. Some people on here agreed that the SU was poor this year. Some disagreed and said it was good. You on the other hand didn't really take a position. You merely said I shouldn't complain about it on this.

I don't remember, maybe I was drunk, maybe it was a pisstake of a thread which was probably eventually locked, but I didn't get so worked up about it regardless.
All I'm saying is that there is clearly numerous ways to get in touch with the SU, and you havn't exhausted all of them. Until you do and get no response from any of them, I don't think it's very fair to be so critical when they aren't here to respond. Have you called into their office in Aras na Mac Leinn by any chance?

Also, my position regarding SU is that they do the best they can. I don't agree with all of their ideas e.g. the farcical plan last year to open the Kingfisher to everyone, but I believe they do a reasonable job. And I have absolutely no affiliation with them whatsoever and probably never will.

isilidur1980

Lockstep wrote: »

Fair enough but given how much you claimed to care about your friend's welfare, I'm very surprised you didn't raise it at CRC

I didn't go to the one on just last week. My interactions with the Union last year, through the rep and directly, has made me realise that it will make very little difference. The SU is too passive. They are going through a set of motions year in year out.

Lockstep wrote: »

The Convenor was only elected last week as noone ran for it last year so they had to have a by-election. You can hardly blame the current one for stuff he hasn't done, given he was only elected on Thursday.

I wasn't aware that there was elections for Convenors last week. I would think that one of the first and most important issues would be to sort out class reps. Students are back 4-6 weeks at this stage.

Lockstep wrote: »

If you've been quite active, then why did you sit around waiting for the SU to interact with you, instead of going to them and asking for help with getting a Class Rep elected? Given how critical you've been of successive SUs, I am surprised that you haven't decided to run yourself, given how unhappy you are with the recent SUs we've had.

I'll be honest. I probably wouldn't be a good candidate for the position of rep. It suits some people and not others. However, I feel that the people who do run for positions of this nature should understand what these positions entail and do the job in the proper capacity. I feel this is not been done. It seems to be more of a CV filler and that self interest is the biggest driving force behind most(not all) SU reps and officers. I don't mind self interest. I applaud it. But Union ideology focuses on the collective. That's one of the principles on which they run.

Lockstep wrote: »

The SU doesn't rely on students doing things themselves but it does rely on students being active. The SU is a few people in a college of thousands of students. If you want stuff done, you need to show initiative. This isn't secondary school.

Believe me, I was in the SU office due to numerous reasons last year. My class reps were also sick of me asking to bring stuff up. I was never satisfied with the outcomes. I would also have liked for the SU election candidates to tell me to show initiative and do things myself before I voted in the elections. I am not the one who runs around the college at election time promising better representation and welfare. So it is simply not good enough to now say they are too busy and to sort it myself. A simple class rep would be nice.

Lockstep wrote: »

Ah ok, it's flippancy to point out that your claims are bogus. You complained about not seeing information about the march. The fact you've said this when there were numerous posters around the place really makes it seem like you have some sort of axe to grind. Either that or it's there's none so blind as those who don't want to see.

Calling this bogus is surely subjective. You feel the SU are doing a good job. I feel they are doing a bad job. I didn't see the posters about the march. I don't read message boards. But I stand by my claim that no SU officer or Convenor has been near 3rd year commerce this year. No emails were received. No leaflets anywhere around smokies. And although you say that Declan was visible, I never on any occasion seen him. I actually marched with the SU on certain issues last year. One was hi-jacked by far left tools. We turned back once we reached Eyre Square. The legitimacy behind the march had been lost. I wouldn't blame the SU for this though. But I wouldn't march with them again.

Lockstep wrote: »

Given I'm not on the SU or deal with buildings, I personally don't know but as I've suggested, you'd certainly get a better response by contacting the SU directly, especially given how clearly urgent you seem to think it is.

Lockstep wrote: »

I've been on to disability support services. I got a spiel about how there is some sort of audit going on at the minute regarding some services and infrastructure and they will get back to me.

I

Lockstep wrote: »

've barely ever been on the SU website myself but having a look at it, it's been updated numerous times in the last few weeks such as the post about the upcoming SUSI clinic.
have you looked at the Facebook page? here Check how often that's been updated.

I use it quite a bit. Mainly the SU bookstore and some other information that I find personally beneficial to keep updated on. There has been specific updates; however, much of the stuff is not been updated. It is actually quite a good resource if it was kept updated. I never found the need to complain about it until this year. It was always well kept.
I'm not on Facebook. I might be in the minority but it would be a minority of about 20% or 30% of the student body. That might be hard to believe but I'd be comfortable with that figure. The SU website allows for greater ease and structure to deal with and keep updated on certain topics.

Lockstep wrote: »

Then once again, I would suggest you engage with the issue more constructively than complaining on a low traffic forum. I'm not saying you dont have the right to post or anything like that but I do question you genuine you are in your desire to get things sorted if your way of doing things is sending emails and expecting the SU to come to you. It's a big campus. Be proactive.


No, I'm not assuming what you have done in the past. I am however, highlighting that your current actions are fairly silly for someone who wants to get things done. If you're annoyed about your email being ignored, go up and see them in the office. If you're annoyed about the lack of a Class Rep, then go to the Education Officer and ask them to sort something out. Also, I'm struggling to see how you can complain about the lack of a Class Rep but still claim it's a waste of time

I've made a choice to not interact this year. That doesn't take away from my legitimate right to complain about the level of representation. We are forced to be part of the SU once we enter college, afterall.

isilidur1980

WallyGUFC wrote: »

I don't remember, maybe I was drunk, maybe it was a pisstake of a thread which was probably eventually locked, but I didn't get so worked up about it regardless.
All I'm saying is that there is clearly numerous ways to get in touch with the SU, and you havn't exhausted all of them. Until you do and get no response from any of them, I don't think it's very fair to be so critical when they aren't here to respond. Have you called into their office in Aras na Mac Leinn by any chance?

Also, my position regarding SU is that they do the best they can. I don't agree with all of their ideas e.g. the farcical plan last year to open the Kingfisher to everyone, but I believe they do a reasonable job. And I have absolutely no affiliation with them whatsoever and probably never will.

I was in the office many times last year. I won't go into why on the forum. They have put themselves in a position whereby they will be faced with criticisms. I have tried to support marches around the fees issue,etc as I am a student who was hurt by the current education grant cuts and fees. A little more creativity is needed though. People are laughing at the 6 monthly or yearly march!! The morale of the student body is shattered on this matter. It is either they don't care or have given up. We are living in a time where it should be easy to get attention on protests, etc. The failure to do this is a failure of leadership. Not a failure of the national student body and Irish people in general.
I will agree somewhat with you in that I have met SU members and officers who I perceived to be fantastic in what they tried to do. But for the most part, I've be disappointed.

Lockstep

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I didn't go to the one on just last week. My interactions with the Union last year, through the rep and directly, has made me realise that it will make very little difference. The SU is too passive. They are going through a set of motions year in year out.

If you think they make very little difference, why are you complaining about their lack of engagement?
And it's fairly ironic that you accuse others of being passive!

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I wasn't aware that there was elections for Convenors last week. I would think that one of the first and most important issues would be to sort out class reps. Students are back 4-6 weeks at this stage.

How were you not aware about the elections? They sent emails out about the election on the 10th, the 13th, to 20th and the 26th of September. And it was on posters all around campus, their Facebook page and so on. If you didn't know the elections were on, you've noone to blame but yourself.
The SU can't do much if noone ran for the position charged with getting Class Reps for Commerce and Law students. I'm really not sure how you can blame the SU for this one.
Also, I'm struggling to follow how you can simultanesouly claim that one the most important issues is to sort out class reps while not thinking it was worth bothering with to run yourself. Or that you didn't consider that maybe you should contact the SU if you didn't have a Class Rep yet.
From the SU email sent out on the 10th September

Class Representatives
Every class is entitled to a Class Representative to represent their class. If your class does not have a Class Rep your voice will not be heard. If you have any questions on the roles and responsibilities of a Class Rep contact the SU Vice-President/Education Officer Catherine Breslin at su.education@nuigalway.ie <mailto:su.education@nuigalway.ie> . Further information regarding the role of Class Reps is also available in the SU Council section of our website here. <https://www.mis.nuigalway.ie/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.su.nuigalway.ie/site/view/95/>

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I'll be honest. I probably wouldn't be a good candidate for the position of rep. It suits some people and not others. However, I feel that the people who do run for positions of this nature should understand what these positions entail and do the job in the proper capacity. I feel this is not been done. It seems to be more of a CV filler and that self interest is the biggest driving force behind most(not all) SU reps and officers. I don't mind self interest. I applaud it. But Union ideology focuses on the collective. That's one of the principles on which they run.

Fair enough. If you feel you wouldn't be any good then suggest that a friend runs. It's what I did for the full-time SU positions.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Believe me, I was in the SU office due to numerous reasons last year. My class reps were also sick of me asking to bring stuff up. I was never satisfied with the outcomes. I would also have liked for the SU election candidates to tell me to show initiative and do things myself before I voted in the elections. I am not the one who runs around the college at election time promising better representation and welfare. So it is simply not good enough to now say they are too busy and to sort it myself. [/quote[
They promise better representation but they're, what, a dozen people in a university of thousands? Like it or not, the SU relies on students showing initiative.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

A simple class rep would be nice.

You've already said you decided you couldn't be bothered running for CR yourself so I'm not sure what your beef is here.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

Calling this bogus is surely subjective. You feel the SU are doing a good job. I feel they are doing a bad job. I didn't see the posters about the march. I don't read message boards. But I stand by my claim that no SU officer or Convenor has been near 3rd year commerce this year. No emails were received. No leaflets anywhere around smokies. And although you say that Declan was visible, I never on any occasion seen him. I actually marched with the SU on certain issues last year. One was hi-jacked by far left tools. We turned back once we reached Eyre Square. The legitimacy behind the march had been lost. I wouldn't blame the SU for this though. But I wouldn't march with them again.

Hardly subjective. You were giving out that you hadn't seen any info about the march. Ignoring that there were posters literally all around college (which I verified myself on my way back to the Cairnes). If you don't read posters then that's your own problem and not something the SU can be blamed for, especially that they included info about the march in the weekly SU emails sent out to all students (one sent on the 20th of September, one sent on the 26th of September). If you haven't been checking your emails, that's not the SU's fault. I know you're just gonna say you never got the emails but they were sent out. If you haven't been getting them, then contact ISS and ask them why your emails are disappearaing.
I'll happily forward you on the emails if you want and you can see them dated and all.

Fair enough if you haven't seen Declan Higgins around. I can't confirm or deny where he's been in relation to you but I can confirm weekly SU emails were sent on as well as SIN and the poster boards. But it's not the SU's fault if you don't bother reading these.
Nowhere did I state the SU were doing a good job. I'm pretty ambivalent about them myself (I do like Declan Higgins however)

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I've been on to disability support services. I got a spiel about how there is some sort of audit going on at the minute regarding some services and infrastructure and they will get back to me.

Good man, I'm glad to see you're doing some constructive work on this.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I use it quite a bit. Mainly the SU bookstore and some other information that I find personally beneficial to keep updated on. There has been specific updates; however, much of the stuff is not been updated. It is actually quite a good resource if it was kept updated. I never found the need to complain about it until this year. It was always well kept.

Fair enough. I don't use the SU bookstore myself so I can't comment on this.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I'm not on Facebook. I might be in the minority but it would be a minority of about 20% or 30% of the student body. That might be hard to believe but I'd be comfortable with that figure. The SU website allows for greater ease and structure to deal with and keep updated on certain topics.

And Facebook is far more used by most students. In 2011, 90% of 15-24 year olds in Ireland use Facebook with two thirds of these using it daily. If you don't use Facebook, then grand but it makes sense for the SU to rely on it to reach students.

isilidur1980 wrote: »

I've made a choice to not interact this year. That doesn't take away from my legitimate right to complain about the level of representation. We are forced to be part of the SU once we enter college, afterall.

You've made a choice not to interact but you seem to be doing very little about what you're complaining about. If you're gonna whine about the dark, don't be surprised if others suggest you light a candle.