Macquarie University Student Election to the University Council

[AsyLum]

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Is it just me who didn't get a voting paper?

[MaryJane]

Haha, its the Ma Monster trying to stop you voting!

I got a voting paper.. as in the little blue thing? I can't believe there are only two candidates.

Please everyone vote, because its only Nick against the Ma, and so we can actually make a difference (if the whole thing isn't already rigged).

Is it just me, or does Victor look like a playstation character? All square-eyed and square-headed.

Asy, call up the VC's office and get them to send you another voting paper?

[AsyLum]

Yeah I might, though I've fired an email to Victor asking him to explain his claims already, so this should be good.

[MaryJane]

Haha, beautiful, Mike!!

I like how he said he was "involved" (or some similar word that implied even less participation) in keeping the HECS fees stable.

[AsyLum]

Hi there Victor,

As a concerned Macquarie University Student, I had a few questions regarding your claims and plans for the University as part of being elected to the University Council.

1) You say you will continue to support the University in creating scholarships, but what does this phrase mean exactly? Will you promise us or guarantee the formation of new scholarships? How will you plan to do this? Can you give us explicit details as to how you have formally 'supported' the University and your contributions to past scholarships being set up?

2) "Create more parking spaces". As a frustrated student who thinks its ludicruous to pay for a parking permit and not find parking, I was also thrilled to hear of your news that you will create more. Could you enlighten me on the exact details of how this would be achieved, namely location and how you would fund such a thing or get it approved ?

3) "Lobby the Co-op Bookshop to reduce prices of books and unit readers". Again another hit we students take is through textbooks, so I was interested how you would negotiate such a reduction in price?

4) Lastly, "Participated successfully in stopping HECS fees increase". Now this comment was quite the shock to me as I saw my HECS increase for this year, could you explain how you stopped it, and why if it HAD been stopped, was it increased?

I'm sure you'll find the time to answer these pressing issues as one concerned university student to another,

Respectfully,

Michael

Haha yeah it just rubbed me the wrong way

(was meant to paste/post this earlier, but fell asleep haha)

[PwarYuex]

Genius, Mike.

Just to clarify, this was my stance on his statement as I read it:

Victor Ma:

1. Scholarships. As far as I'm aware, Macquarie as a university does not offer any scholarsihps based on financial difficulties. Individual departments/divisions/centres/scholarship funds etc may, but the university (and hence Victor) has never created a tertiary-wide scholarship for hard-done-by students.

Equity scholarships are arranged by the federal government and have nothing to do with Victor or the university. Students apply directly to the DEST, not through the uni.

To the best of my knowledge, the three main groups of scholarships inside the university are sporting scholarships, academic scholarships awarded by the university (namely innovation and super innovation), and scholarships awarded by the department. Usually, departmental/etc scholarships, which are funded by a benefactor, whether it's one person or a group, take into account only academic merit.

2. More parking spaces. This is simple pig-trough politics. He is appealing for what he sees as easy votes, when a) he cannot provide the service, and b) he will not provide the service. Every year, I believe he says the same thing. No more carparks than any other year!

That being said, carspots should NOT be a political platform. To all you whingers out there: Get at uni earlier or later. Do not pretend that millions of dollars on new parks would be better than millions of dollars funding scholarships, building new rooms, fitting out the library, constructing new foodcourt areas, etc.

3. Lobby Co-Op. Nice try. (As above), except I think that lower prices would be nice. However, it's not going to happen. I don't even think he gives a shit about Co-op prices. I highly doubt that he could do anything, considering the Co-op grips all our balls with an iron fist.

4. Refurbish SAM Courtyard. Well we all know that the courtyard is owned by SAM. This is a statement for the University Council, not SAM. Quite illogical.

Then again, he does sign the paper with 'SAM President'.

5. HECS increase. Am I missing something, or did that big fat increase which hit me on the head not happen?

Nick Mueller:

Well Nick has a quality, German name. He's hot, he bicycles around uni, and he's one of the nicest, most sincere chaps I've met.

He has one platform, and it's a realistic platform with him actually going for the council: Environmental issues.

He has several points.

1. Accountability,
2. apathy with students,
3. simple initiatives,
4. actually saving money.

He doesn't seem ridiculously Green, like that loser Tim Hendry, but rather pragmatic and moderate.

I'd rather have one thing addressed than all these empty promises. Rather than hoping Victor will do all this shit for us, let's vote in Nick and and see what we can do with him.

[ALLLICE]

Originally Posted by AsyLum

Is it just me who didn't get a voting paper?

voting paper?? wtf

[Cyan_phoeniX]

I got mine today. First thing I noticed about Victor Ma's rant (after thinking that he looks like a playstation character - MJ) was how full of shit he is and how his shit-filled statement will probably attract a lot of stupid. Luckily, stupid people also tend to be lazy (thus they will not vote).

That Mueller guy either is or looks very much like a guy that walks around in a trenchcoat. I'm probably thinking of Tim Hendry - the guy that is in Parramatta greens.

[Gilbert1]

See I have no idea what you guys are on about. Is it because I'm part time I don't get the right to vote?

[Cyan_phoeniX]

Originally Posted by Gilbert1

See I have no idea what you guys are on about. Is it because I'm part time I don't get the right to vote?

I'm pretty sure all students can vote :/

[ALLLICE]

I'm full time and i haven't heard of this voting thingy

[AsyLum]

Thats cos you're a first year

[Cyan_phoeniX]

Originally Posted by ALLLICE

I'm full time and i haven't heard of this voting thingy

you'll probably get it in the mail later. Either that, or Ma's henchmen have intercepted the postman.

EDIT: oh, and yes, as asylum said, because your a first year...

[ALLLICE]

I see....

So should I be anticipating some kind of brainwashing business from this Victor Ma u speak of?

[Cyan_phoeniX]

Originally Posted by ALLLICE

I see....

So should I be anticipating some kind of brainwashing business from this Victor Ma u speak of?

I've never seen a Ma campaign :/ I think he just tries to get votes off exchange students and asians.