By Mark Kilgarriff
University, the best three years of your life, apparently. Sleeping on
beer-stained
sheets, the tradition of daytime television and finding a multitude of uses
for empty take-away containers. And these are the positives.
The darker side of student life is truly a cause for concern. Not only are we
subjected to exploitative landlords, but also have to eventually address the
prospect of repaying seemingly insurmountable loans and overdrafts. Statistics
reveal (as they always do) that the current crop of students will leave
university
with an average debt of £10,000, the ball and chain of which will heavily
outweigh
the piece of rolled-up paper in the other hand, flapping limply in the breeze.
This achievement is juxtaposed against a blurred recollection of alcohol-fuelled
nights, spent flitting away that vital loan money. The following day is a
mission
of mercy to the student finance officer, who informs you that your debts are
not sufficient enough to be deemed critical. Ah, well, you can always sell a
kidney if it has not been pickled yet.
But this is a digression away from the serious issue at hand. That, disregarding
the above, our current student population really cannot be bothered.
A recent rally in London over student fees attracted thousands of demonstrators
from universities across the land. With hordes of vocal protestors fighting
for a fairer education system and positive support from the government, the
occasion seemed an emotional experience. However, the students from
Buckinghamshire
Chiltern's University College contributed a mere whisper. If it were not for
a Board of Studies meeting and an important lecture, I would have shown my
enthusiasm
for yet another example of Labour hypocrisy, but the turnout on February 20th
was very poor. Despite optimistically being described by James Lloyde, BCSU's
President, as 'excellent', for the attendance was an increase on previous years,
the signals of apathy for our condition is very lucid. Students really do not
care about the important matters that will ultimately affect their period of
education here in High Wycombe or at the Chalfont campus.
The Student Union elections were held between the 11th and 14th of March, and
despite a lack of advertisement, over 600 students voted. This seems a positive
response to an important matter, until you consider that the university has
in excess of 6,000 voting members. I spent four days sweating under a large
comical curly wig, trying to persuade my colleagues and complete strangers why
they should vote "Scouser" and convince them why the elections are so important.
Firstly I offer my sincere apologies to anyone who found my gimmick offensive,
(but seriously get a sense of humour), and secondly, after four days of
canvassing,
I began to discover that students either did not care about, or were not aware
of, Student Union affairs. Regrettably, this apathy began to rub off onto me
and come the final count, it was a relief not to have won.
Please do not read this as a dismissal of student politics and issues, as they
are incredibly important. James and Nigel Cooke have performed excellently since
coming in last year and they too comment on this "culture of apathy" that seems
attractive to students. This lethargic attitude may be a reflection on the
general
feelings of society today, where emphasis is upon self-interest and having to
fight in one's own corner. With the abolition of the grant system and the
sickening
introduction of fees, (which ironically go to the student loans company,
therefore
we are funding our own loans) students have been forced into part-time
employment,
which ultimately affects our studying, or to extend overdrafts and request a
second loan, just to accommodate the first. These circumstances damage Student
experience we all should be enjoying, which spirals detrimentally onto Student
Union events, as participation dwindles, resulting in the facilities and bars
virtually becoming ghost towns. Therefore, students are dissuaded, financially
or by low-turnouts, from venturing out to an event at the Student Union, which
ultimately harbours a bad reputation.
But do not let this article mislead you. The Student Union is not solely about
drunken entertainment, although these will be the cherished memories of most
students. The unattractive aspects of representation and democracy are ignored,
which is no surprise, as who would willingly give up three hours a month to
attend a meeting, where the highlight is supplied by Chairman Ray Stone's
multi-coloured
gavel bag.
Seriously though, these meetings are vital to the running of the Student Union.
To be involved in the process of decision-making that affects all students in
the long-term is something that cannot be dismissed. All students have issues,
yet very few are addressed simply because it is easier to complain about it
in the pub with several mates, than take action and use your voice effectively.
As anyone should know, the political process can be tedious and lengthy, yet
when a student complains, they expect a miraculous transformation overnight.
This is also an occasion to practice any communication skills, especially public
speaking, decision-making and the right to complain, which are vital if you
are to succeed as an individual in today's society.
If students would give a little, rather than expect everything with no effort
in return, then perhaps we all may benefit from a fuller student experience,
rather than moan in two years time that BCSU did not fulfil your student needs.
University can be the best three years of your life, if you shake off this
apathy
and stand up for what you believe and what you want.
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