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.
Students at the university have until midday on Wednesday of week five to vote on whether they wish their university to remain affiliated to the NUS.
At YUSU’s UGM on Thursday, speakers fought both for and against the referendum and put forward arguments of cost, officer training, grants and benefits of conferences.
The Yorker spoke to YUSU president, Tim Ngwena, who is encouraging York to keep its NUS affiliation. Ngwena said “the values are more beneficial than any material aspects or costs that come out of it” and he argued union officers should be able to express their opinions, rather than remain impartial.
In opposition, Alan Belmore of the ‘No to NUS’ campaign told The Yorker that money given to the NUS would be better spent on societies and sports clubs. He showed concern that only four York students have any influence over who is elected as NUS president, saying “we don’t really have a proper say in the NUS.”
For full interviews with Tim Ngwena and Alan Belmore and to see the debate from the UGM, watch The Yorker’s videos at the bottom of this article.
At the UGM, seven other motions were also debated. Tim Ngwena proposed new bye-laws to create a “more effective, accountable and democratic union.” Ngwena said current laws have “too long been out-dated” and he is calling for a “much more functional set of bye-laws.”
Much debate was raised over a motion proposing an Alternative Freshers’ Week: Roxanne Kovacs argued that the current freshers’ week has “gaps to be filled” as there is a lack of day-time events, as well as non-alcoholic events for those restricted by religion.
However, Nick Scarlett opposed “labelling an alternative freshers’ week”, which could segregate students, and stated that numerous non-alcoholic events were in fact held by colleges this year, such as film nights and quizzes.
A motion proposed by Miles Layram asks students to vote on commemorating the Hendrix gig of 1967 at York alongside the portering protest of 2002.
Hendrix performed in what is now L/N/O28 and Layram wants to rename the room Hendrix Hall to commemorate what is “a part of York’s history” and a “good talking point for current and prospective students”.
Liam Haakon Smith, YUSU’s disability officer, drew attention to the effect of this on disabled students and asked for lecture rooms not to be renamed “especially for those with disabilities who get easily confused.”
Layram added that the portering protest of 2002 “deserves to be remembered” and Vision’s special edition about the demonstrations should be put up on the Union’s notice boards in Vanbrugh.
Arguments against called for the motion to be brought back separately so students wouldn’t have to vote for both simultaneously.
Finally, a motion seeking a “clear stance on invited speakers” was proposed by Emma Brownbill. This motion would see speakers at the university whom YUSU considers to threaten or oppose the freedoms of the student body not allowed to speak unopposed.
Brownhill insisted “this isn’t about political oppression” and “it isn’t a No Platform policy” but the opposition argued that the motion “doesn’t clarify the issue” and is “only about Union finances” and counters the regulations the university already has in place about freedom of speech.
Voting on the NUS referendum and all other motions is open from midday on Friday of week four until midday on Wednesday of week five on the YUSU website.
Tim Ngwena and Alan Belmore speak to The Yorker
Debate over NUS affiliation from the YUSU UGM
I'm sorry, but the interview given by Alan Belmore is incredibly annoying and seems very rehearsed. At least Tim's interview seems honest.
Would have loved some rehearsal time "Anonymous" - was just asked by the Yorker after my speech in the UGM to say something. The tone is probably more born out at my frustration that the meeting that the politically ambitious were stacking up to support the referendum, but I suppose Turkeys don't vote for Christmas.
Edit: Should learn to spell before posting...
The NUS has become a talking shop more concerned with getting its delegates parachuted into safe seats, usually in to the Labour party. Jack Straw, Charles Clarke and Phil Woolas are three that spring to mind. They have no interest in students beyond how it can get them a cushy job. An utterly worthless institution
I don't care for the NUS beyond the odd discount it manages to secure for students.
I do, however, find it irritating that it claims to speak on behalf of the nation's students, as if they were a homogeneous mass, and given that most students know hardly anything about the NUS. And its claims to political impartiality are laughable, as it's basically a Labour kindergarten. Does it also still propound the fatuous idea that 50% of people should attend university?
Can't stand the NUS, yet to find an NUS rep that stands for anything I believe in. The discount is nice, but our stupid dateless university cards get little discount outside York.
Also, a company called Unidays is working on an easy, NUS free way to get discount online by just verifying yourself with the uni...they're finding themselves blocked from promoting this at some places by the NUS - lovely!
The last closed shop in England. All university affiliations should be removed. The NUS is an entirely political organisation and being a member of it should be totally voluntary. It's like being forced to join the left wing of the Labour Party. In this day and age, it is disgraceful this should be so.
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