Bangor University’s Star Publication
ISSN 1755-7585
Issue No. 202
VICTORY FOR
October Issue 2008
INSIDE:
Referendum: what next?
FEE FIGHTERS
Bangor Students vote YES in referendum
O
New Union building - the analysis
Iain Dalton and James Nock of Bangor Socialist Students Society
n Thursday, 16th October, Bangor students voted yes via referendum to support Bangor Socialist Students’ ‘Campaign to Defeat Fees’ – a campaign that seeks free and universal higher education – and as a result, the stance was adopted as union policy. The vote was carried by 271 votes to 104 votes, the overall turnout suggesting a potential wellspring of apathy among the greater student populace. This notwithstanding, the potential ramifications resulting from the ‘Yes’ campaign’s success could be far-reaching in the longer-term for many Bangor students. Underpinning the details of the ‘Yes’ Campaign policy is a variety of measures. In addition to the central pillar of opposition to a future increase in the number of top-up fees and the caps on said top-up fees being raised, the campaign is also interested in seeking a living grant for all students and writing off current student debt, as well as opposing university privatisation and looking to other universities, organisations and student bodies to build a mass campaign from the ground up.
the start, making their presence felt around One reason for the ‘Yes’ Campaign’s success could be the groundswell of activism the Students’ Union and Main Arts the day that the movement was essentially relying after the GM and this appears to have galvaon. In effect, this may have acted as a uni- nised significant student interest. Yet the two camfying force to bring paigns are not necother students round to the cause. essarily ideologically opposed. The conBy marked contrast, the ‘No’ Campaign sensus at both the GM and Senate was appeared subdued, that both campaigns despite the presence • Socialist Students of NUS President were in agreement win with 271 votes over the core belief Wes Streeting at of free education. Inthe recent General • Students Union now deed, at the meeting Meeting (Tuesday, adopts anti-tuition of Senate, Ben Gray 7th October).NUS Wales President stated that the policy fee policy of free education Ben Gray was also was a cornerstone of present at both the • Debate to be GM and the first NUS belief and that continued over at the Annual ConSenate gathering ference held earlier the following Tuesthe year this year they had day. (Noted ‘No’ sought to find an alcampaigner and future American Vice-President Sarah Palin ternative solution to raised caps on tuition was also conspicuous by her absence). The fees. Rather, the ‘No’ Campaign offered a ‘Yes’ campaign proved more visible from more diplomatic approach concerning the
Referendum in brief:
cost of education, and criticised some of the ‘Yes’ Campaign’s more ambitious proposals such as living grants for all, which were deemed unnecessary by ‘No’ campaign speakers. At the discussions held during GM and Senate, a number of students raised pertinent and probing questions directed towards both campaigns. The ‘Yes’ Campaign was asked how much of the money to be raised for the campaign would be allocated from student budget. At Senate, Ben Gray was asked why the NUS had failed to prevent the raising of top-up fees in 2004, and what they would do to prevent future defeats. Both questions caught the respective campaigns off-guard, and offer mere hints at the broiling contention surrounding the agenda of student finance. Keep your eyes peeled for further developments, as this looks set to run and run.
Stephen Davies
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