A group of York students has won the opportunity to have their very own I-phone application developed after winning The App Challenge final, held at the Ron Cooke Hub on Wednesday, January 18.
YUSU Welfare officer Bob Hughes has warned students to be vigilant after a student loans phishing scam has been revealed.
Her Majesty the Queen will be visiting York on Maundy Thursday, 5th April, as part of the 800th anniversary of York’s Charter for the traditional “Royal Maundy” ceremony.
A flood caused by a heating system “failure” forced the university IT services to shut down many essential systems on Sunday night, causing problems for many students on the eve of their exams and assignment due-dates.
In a turn that provoked outrage from Senate members it was revealed by Services and Finance Officer Amy Woods that Cantor had offered the SU two choices, to either accept a non-voting position on a new committee, or to fight for a voting position, and should that be granted, he would find a way that ‘the Committee won’t exist.’
She told Senate members, ‘if the committee passes on Amy (Foxton) and Rich (Croker) having a vote, he (Brian Cantor) has said that the committee won’t exist.’
Under a shake up of University committees it has been suggested by Cantor, that the Student Support Committee (SSC) should be abolished and its role taken on by the Student Services Committee.
He has also suggested that whilst the Academic Welfare Officer, Amy Foxton and President, Rich Croker, would be offered positions on the new committee, they would not receive voting privileges.
The SSC currently discuss important welfare issues with the University and receive a vote on topics such as rent prices and financial issues. Should the plans go ahead and the SU officers are denied voting power, decisions will be made by a board made up of University officials and academics.
‘the business side of University will have more influence than the welfare side.
Whilst Foxton said that she felt a combined committee would ‘make things better’ she said that ‘the business side of University will have more influence than the welfare side.’
Vice Chancellor Brian Cantor has offered the SU officers a chance to sit on the committee, but if they were to accept they would not be allowed voting rights.
President-elect Anne Marie Canning said this would ‘ignore the role (of the SU) as welfare advisor.’
Suggestions were made at Senate that SU members should accept a voting position which excludes voting on financial issues. Alex Clarke, James College JCRC Chair said ‘it would be a backward step, if we remove financial voting.’
Rory Shanks, YUSU Ents Officer said he felt that ‘if the Vice Chancellor is effectively blackmailing the Union, that is disgraceful.’
James Flinders, ordinary member, suggested that the issue should be taken to the NUS for legal advice as this is out of precedent with the rest of the country as ‘the government is encouraging students to be on committees’ like these.’
Senate members were left having to decide whether to fight, which Amy Woods said would mean that ‘ Committee changes won’t happen’ or accept the University’s offer that they would be allowed to sit, and debate on the committee, but not vote.
The plans will be taken to university senate, where academic representatives, including heads of departments, and four students, one of whom is Rich Croker, will vote. Concern was raised that as this senate occurs in what would be weeks 11 and 12, the student representatives may not be present, so it is more likely that the motion will pass.
The Student Support Committee will meet on Thursday to discuss their opinions on the situation in which they are now placed. It includes Amy Foxton, Rich Croker, the college chairs (on rotation), members of the Overseas Students Association and the Graduate Student Association and university officials.
The yorker was unable to contact Brian Cantor before going live.
