VSU Impending - WHAT CAN YOU DO? R00fledoodleZ (1 Viewer)

[neo o]

Canberra 28/4/2005

The ANU Student Association is one such organisation that will be affected by the impending Voluntary Stundent Unionism Legislation. Sir Presidente is the president of the ANUSA. Sir Presidente, what has the ANUSA done so far to take action against the proposed VSU legislation?

Sir Presidente : Well, we are participating in the 'National Action Day'. Students will meet up on campus, and there will be a DJ! Then we will march on Garema Pl, where our collective voices will be heard.

I'm not familair with Canberra, I assume Garema Pl is a place of political significance?

Sir Presidente : Of course. Garema Pl is where all socially aware university students gather. Also, there are some decent pubs there, and I've figured that if they won't listen to us when we aren't sober, they'll have no choice but to listen to us when we are shit faced and trashing the shopping mall.

I'm sure they will. What do you think the students will miss out on most if VSU is implemented?

Sir Presidente : I'm quite sure that legal representation, clubs and societies and other student services will need to be cut. We can't afford to cut our administration costs as it stands. One of the most important things that we stand to loose though is our Women's Department, we need departments like the Women's department to preserve the rights of minority groups on campus.

But aren't there more women on campus than men?

Sir Presidente : Well, regardless they need their women's only common room to escape from men on campus who are loud, obnoxious and have penises. Like, really have you seen one of those things? Penises indeed.

Thank you Sir Presidente.

INCOME

4- 1101 GSF 484,000
4- 1201 INTEREST 17,000
4- 1223 STUDENT DIARY INCOME 9,000
4- 1301 BOOKSHOP SALES 8,000
4- 1401 SUNDRY INCOME 1,000
4- 2552 SA PROMOTION INCOME 1,000
4- 4107 ADVERTISING (WORONI INCOME) 36,000 1
4- 5101 O-WEEK INCOME 10,000
4- 5211 MARKET DAY STALLS 3,000
4- 6101 BUSH WEEK INCOME 2,000
TOTAL INCOME 571,000

EXPENDITURE

ADMINISTRATION
6- 1101 ADVERTISING/ PROMOTIONAL 2,000
6- 1111 COMPUTER EXPENSES 1,700
6- 1121 DEPRECIATION 15,000
6- 1131 ELECTRICITY 8,800 2
6- 1132 GAS 2,500
6- 1151 INSURANCE 2,200
6- 1161 OFFICE MISCELLANEOUS 900
6- 1171 PHOTOCOPIER EXPENSES 4,000
6- 1181 POSTAGE 1,300 2
6- 1191 REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE 4,000
6- 1192 SECURITY 3,000
6- 1201 PRINTING & STATIONERY 3,200 3
6- 1211 TELEPHONE 1,600 4
6- 1221 CLEANING 8,000 3
6- 2410 PHOTOCOPIER LEASE 3,100 3
6- 3103 AUDITING 4,000
TOTAL ADMINISTRATION 65,300

PRESIDENT & SRC
6- 2101 PRESIDENT'S HONORARIUM 13,300
6- 3111 PRESIDENT'S SUPER @ 10% 1,330
6- 2151 PRESIDENT'S MOBILE 1,100
6- 2201 TREASURER 2,200
6- 2201 VICE-PRESIDENT 2,200
6- 2201 GENERAL SECRETARY 2,200
6- 2201 SOCIAL OFFICER 2,200
6- 2111 CONFERENCES, TRAVEL 10,000
6- 2301 ELECTIONS 10,000
6- 2351 LEGAL EXPENSES 5,000
6- 2451 CAMPAIGNS 900
6- 2552 SA PROMOTIONS 1,000
TOTAL PRESIDENT & SRC 51,430

DEPARTMENTS
6- 6301 ENVIRONMENT DEPT 6,000
6- 6301 ENVIRONMENT DEPT HONORARIA 1,100
6- 6401 ISSANU 11,000
6- 6501 FASA 24,000
6- 6553 EDUCATION DEPT 6,000
6- 6553 EDUCATION DEPT HONORARIA 1,100
6- 6801 SEXUALITY DEPT 6,000
6- 6801 SEXUALITY DEPT HONORARIA 1,100
6- 6901 WOMEN'S DEPT 6,000
6- 6901 WOMEN'S DEPT HONORARIA 1,100
TOTAL DEPARTMENTS 63,400

PUBLICATIONS
6- 1222 UNDERGRADUATE SURVIVOR KIT 10,500
6- 1222 UNDERGRADUATE SURVIVOR KIT HONORARIA 500
6- 1223 STUDENT DIARY 15,500
6- 1223 STUDENT DIARY HONORARIA 500
6- 1224 OTHER PUBLICATIONS 500
6- 4111 WORONI COMMISSIONS -
6- 4201 WORONI EDITORS HONORARIA 6,000
6- 4211 WORONI MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE 16,358 1
6- 4221 WORONI PRINTING EXPENSES 51,160 1
6- 4231 TELEPHONE 1,500 1
TOTAL PUBLICATIONS 102,518

STAFFING
6- 3016 ADMINISTRATOR 48,000 5
6- 3105 WELFARE 38,300 6
6-3107 RECEPTIONIST 7
6- 2321 ACCOUNTING ASSISTANCE 1,000
6- 3102 IT 3,200
6- 3111 SUPERANNUATION @ 17% 14,700
6- 3112 LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS 10,000
6- 3131 OTHER STAFFING NEEDS 1,000
6- 3151 TRAINING/ SUBSCRIPTIONS 800
TOTAL STAFFING 120,000

SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDS
6- 2551 OTHER SOCIAL EVENTS 4,000
6- 5101 ORIENTATION WEEK 25,000
6- 5201 ORIENTATION WEEK HONORARIUM 1,000
6- 6101 BUSH WEEK 8,000
6- 6201 CLUBS & SOCIETIES 75,000
6- 6251 STUDENT PRODUCTIONS 20,000
6- 6551 NUS AFFILIATION 24,000
TOTAL SPECIAL PURPOSE FUNDS 157,000

FINANCIAL EXPENSES
6- 7101 BAD DEBTS 2,500
6- 7102 DOUBTFUL DEBTS 2,500
6- 7201 BANK CHARGES 2,600
TOTAL FINANCIAL CHARGES 7,600

6- 7301 SUNDRY EXPENSE 1,000
6- 7401 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 14,000 8

TOTAL EXPENSES 582,248

NET SURPLUS/ (SHORTFALL) (11,248)

SHORTFALL TO BE COVERED BY AVAILABLE FUNDS 11,248

 

[Rorix]

In a follow-up to our last story, we now interview the head of the union at one of the more politically vocal institutions in the country, Sydney University. Unfortunately, Sir President only has a limited time with us as she is busy organising the upcoming National Day of Action festivities at Sydney University.

Sir President: Yes, that's right. On the 28th of April we will be marching to make our voices heard. Lectures will be cancelled on the day so you can experience what you're going to miss out on if VSU is introduced - paying for something you don't use!

Wasn't your recent anti-VSU march rather unsuccessful, with the estimated attendance at around about 200?

Sir President: Well, many students were taking advantage of the low cost catering at Sydney University so to ensure a larger turnout on the 28th of April, we're going to close down these catering outlets.

A cunning plan, good Sir.

Sir President: Why, thank you. As you well know Union membership entitles you to great deals at Uni, like a 600mL bottle of Coke for $2.20, a price which will be threatened should VSU be introduced.

But, Sir President, how do you respond to claims from some corners that catering at Sydney only shows a small net loss on the financial statements, the kind of loss which doesn't require the some $14, 190, 000 of compulsory contributions from students this year?

Sir President: Well, you've got to understand, a lot of that money goes toward other student services, like appealing the grade of 9/20 on an assignment 'why Palestine cannot have peace until the occupation ends'. Obviously, those left wing university academics have been unfairly biased on a left wing cause because it...uh.... agrees with their political views. It is not the quality of the assignment that is the issue here, it is the right to freedom of political expression!

I see. Now, you claim the USU will cease to exist with VSU, correct?

Sir President: Yes. That's right. The USU, SRC, all clubs and societies will go bankrupt. There will no longer be a student voice. Fun will be outlawed at Uni.

But, Sir President, over half the union's income comes from rental and catering revenue.

Sir President: Well, yes, but a lot of that money goes to clubs and societies, so we won't have any more money to give them with VSU.

But, Sir President, in 2003 only 5% of that money went to clubs and societies, 500,000 of $10,000,000.

Sir President: Well, we also offer many concerts and social events -

Which cost about $100,000

Sir President: Offer free student diaries -

Which don't cost that much and people don't need anyway

Sir President: Spend much money on publications -

Like the publication of The Bull, which is always in constant supply around campus because nobody reads it.

Sir President: Look, I don't have time for this. DAY OF ACTION. 28TH OF APRIL. FREE BBQ -

Paid for by union funds which should be used for restructuring the union rather than poured down the drain so that -

Sir President: FREE FOOD. NO CLASSES. DAY OF ACTION. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOB BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNN!


edit: adjusted the sex of the president for shelley who is missing the point

 

[Not-That-Bright]

very funny... but sadly o so true
I'm sure the last thing the unions will give up is their political money. Next year they'll try to make uni as shit as they possibly can (for everyone) in an attempt to say "LOOK WHAT VSU DID ROFL".

 

[shelley]

Ok its a bit sad that the people feel the need to post fake interviews so ill incroporate a few things (without quoting im too lazy)

firstly thesrc presiedents female ay usyd u idoit lol

secondly its well documented that despite what everyone would like to assume women are still distavantged. I mean John howard can abolish the annual report on teh state of womens rights but it doeasnt change thatw omen to find themselves feeling infoerior. And i cant count the amount of time i get called white trash, a raging feminist cos god forbod i actually have an opinion thats not the same as a males, and the womens room can hardly be considered so amazingly conspriacy. How many males can honestly ay that had to bring children to uni? Try and balance uni work and picking up your children from day care? How many of you males have been leveled an acusation of academic misconduct on the grounds you swapped sexual favours witha lecturer knowlingly for better grades on the evidence u wore a short skirt to that class and not others? (the latters an experience of someone i know) The fact is the womens room gives women a chance to discuss things that are pertinent to them....look if u all feel that stronly campaign for a mens room, i doubt many ppl wopuld object!

im not that opposed to VSU in its entirety or maybe im just resigned to the fact it'll go thourgh unopposed but its its current form its sucks. The outlawing of universitys to fund activites outside of an academic format is rdiicualous and one short step away for a dictatorship rather than a democracy. The idea of teh Iraq stance on the VSU issue is to point out rather than electing a givernment BY the people FOR the People we have a government who wishes to do as they want. The public opinion of teh war showed that John Howard does not care what the public wanted, he cares what he thinks will benefit himself and his parties foreign policy plan!

Ok the drink hings come up many time, yes u can buy a drink from coles for $1, BUT its not cold, if u were to buy a 600ml coke chilled at coles it would cost u atleast $2.50. Thus the whole argument its not cheaper than coles is utter crap.

However i think that the whole expressing of a piont in this bored is pointless looking at previous attemots to defend USU. The simple fact is there's so EXTREMELY vocal members on this board whom feel they have the monolpoly of sense and teh rest of us are mere brainwashed lefties

 

[Rorix]

How many of you males have been leveled an acusation of academic misconduct on the grounds you swapped sexual favours witha lecturer knowlingly for better grades on the evidence u wore a short skirt to that class and not others?

More than you know, dear. More than you know.

The outlawing of universitys to fund activites outside of an academic format is rdiicualous

Like I mentioned earlier the USU has other sources of income. You are 'rdiicualous'.

However i think that the whole expressing of a piont in this bored is pointless looking at previous attemots to defend USU. The simple fact is there's so EXTREMELY vocal members on this board whom feel they have the monolpoly of sense and teh rest of us are mere brainwashed lefties

Actually it's more because USU advocates continue to rely on falsehoods to support their points - the major highlights being that a) VSU will kill clubs/socities and b) VSU will kill food outlets which are both not true.

If a USU advocate was to come along and say 'the access to free legal advice for those who could not otherwise afford it will probably be cut under VSU' I'd completely agree. But the majority of the left wing horde on this site has been confused by the Clubs/Food sound bite that is blasted all over Sydney Uni, at least.

 

[Xayma]

shelly, it's called refrigeration if I add the cost of that to the coke I still end up well ahead. What is being subsidised is only the staffing of the place.

Extremly vocal? Look at the anti VSU'ers at uni or on here, the only difference is we aren't charging you to voice that (technically we are charging the admins a slight cost but if I click on ads it evens out )

If I started wearing a short skirt to one lecturers class and not others, I think I would have many accusations labelled against me.

Also unlike the extreme left (Socialist Alliance, Keep Left) we haven't engaged in vandalism because something didn't agree with our opinion (they ripped hundreds of pages out of Honi Soit's).

Rorix I think this gives us permission to rip down their posters

The one decent USU support sticker was "with VSU there wont be a bulk billing doctor on campus" but they obviously isn't true bulk billing if they will disappear (they must recieve some kick backs in funds, even free rent).

 

[neo o]

c

Ok its a bit sad that the people feel the need to post fake interviews

We thought that it was quite teh funny actually.

firstly thesrc presiedents female ay usyd u idoit lol

And we can assure you that that's the only inaccuracy in the interview. Besides, I think you're the idiot if you can't tell the difference between a factual 'article' and a fictional interview which was written to illustrate a point. The gender of the Usyd president is completely, fucking irrelevant.

secondly its well documented that despite what everyone would like to assume women are still distavantged.

Documentation please. Besides, the words 'representation of minority groups were used' unless you can show me some evidence that women who are in a majority are actually a minority, you can't really argue this point

I mean John howard can abolish the annual report on teh state of womens rights but it doeasnt change thatw omen to find themselves feeling infoerior.

Stats? An article maybe? I could go for one shitty article right about now.

And i cant count the amount of time i get called white trash

Perhaps we need a white pride club on campus then if you feel that you're being discriminated against because of your race. Honestly, I don't see how this relates at all to gender discrimination.

a raging feminist cos god forbod i actually have an opinion thats not the same as a males

Despite popular thinking, all men don't have the same opinion.

and the womens room can hardly be considered so amazingly conspriacy. How many males can honestly ay that had to bring children to uni?

Irrelevant. The women's room (at my uni anyway which the article is relevant to) has no child care facilities and isn't there for child care. The womans room isn't equipped for child care. And besides, since you ask 'How many males' I'll assume that you have no idea anyway.

Try and balance uni work and picking up your children from day care?

On campus trip : 5 minutes
off campus trip : 15 minutes

Yeah it'd be hard. BTW, can you provide any stats for us on the percentage of woman that actually do take children with them into university? kthxbye.

How many of you males have been leveled an acusation of academic misconduct on the grounds you swapped sexual favours witha lecturer knowlingly for better grades on the evidence u wore a short skirt to that class and not others? (the latters an experience of someone i know)

You know, while men don't wear skirts they are capable of banging/being accused of banging a lecturer or academic.

The fact is the womens room gives women a chance to discuss things that are pertinent to them....

So, I'm sure you can talk about 'cute guys' in any other room.

look if u all feel that stronly campaign for a mens room, i doubt many ppl wopuld object!

Apart from the womens association. SA divisions shouldn't be about creating a divisive university environment, but rather providing help to those in need. I hardly feel that say an all women's debating team helps women anyway. A gender department that covers both sexes would help men as well as women, in regards to say gender specific health issues. Despite the fact that men are less likely to seek help when they are in need, doesn't stop the fact that many men do in fact need help in the form of counselling or whatever. Women get this, why don't men?

The outlawing of universitys to fund activites outside of an academic format is rdiicualous

This statement is plain wrong. I'd love to see you try to explain how universities are outlawed from having non academic activities.

and one short step away for a dictatorship rather than a democracy.

Actually i think that enforced payment of a union fee is a dictatorship. BTW the current government was democratically elected.

The idea of teh Iraq stance on the VSU issue is to point out rather than electing a givernment BY the people FOR the People we have a government who wishes to do as they want. The public opinion of teh war showed that John Howard does not care what the public wanted, he cares what he thinks will benefit himself and his parties foreign policy plan!

Could someone come along and tell me wtf she is trying to say here?

Ok the drink hings come up many time, yes u can buy a drink from coles for $1, BUT its not cold, if u were to buy a 600ml coke chilled at coles it would cost u atleast $2.50. Thus the whole argument its not cheaper than coles is utter crap.

I advise that you check the union and non union prices. There is no substantial difference, and you'd have to buy a fuckload of shitty, expensive union food (and doing so would enrich the union btw) to have any hope of earning your GSF back.

However i think that the whole expressing of a piont in this bored is pointless looking at previous attemots to defend USU.

BORED! PUNNY!

The simple fact is there's so EXTREMELY vocal members on this board whom feel they have the monolpoly of sense and teh rest of us are mere brainwashed lefties

Well, firstly you are brainwashed lefties, but think about it this way. If people like you didn't post, we'd have noone to flame. It's much like the relationship between an apex predator and say, an antelope. If there were no antelope, then the predators who rely upon them for food would all die out, but if there were no predators, the antelope would wipe themselves out through over-breeding.

We rely on you, as much as you rely on us.

 

[Rorix]

Sorry Xayma I'm tied up, literally, fighting my recent short skirt wearing case =(.


Gavin Brown wanted a practical demonstration. I feel so used.


EDIT: BAM! HATTRICK!


Xayma, I'm going to organise a 'ALL IS GOOD [except USU]' rally - me and neo_o are going to march on Parliment House in Canberra shouting SUPPORT THE STATUS QUO

are you interested?

 

[Xayma]

Rorix: Why not. Do we get to force others to pay for it?

 

[Shuter]

Ah hilarious.

Really all you have to do is check the profile of people to tell if their opinions are valid or not.

Example:

"Biography:
umm 17, female, studying arts at usyd
Occupation:
im one of those "full time" students! in other words..i dont work
Academic Programme:
4unit english, Ancient history, history extension, general maths (2u prelim..then got lazy), Community and family studies, society and culture "

Now, some key red flags to look out for are:

Arts
Female
English Extension 2 (4 Unit English)
General Maths (or absence of maths altogether)
Community and Family Studies
Society and Culture
History Extension
Does not work.


Now, singular ones of these things on there own may not instantly mean the person's opinion is invalid, however, the presence of many of these qualities does mean you should immediatly stop reading any posts from this user, and try as hard as possible to belittle them.

There are several more red flags to look out for but I will not bother listing them at this point in time.

Also, please note, I am a man, and I will seek to opress anyone or anything I can, regardless of gender, for my personal, financial, physical, mental or educational benefit.

 

[Rorix]

Rorix: Why not. Do we get to force others to pay for it?

I'm working on it.

 

[Phanatical]

I'm sure I've mentioned before that I've written extensively on the topic of Women's Officers at our universities. I strongly oppose them, yet if VSU comes into play than that's all that will survive.

If VSU comes in, people who now benefit from union services will also find that it's worthwhile Not to pay their membership fees. Because all the important stuff will disappear, and all that will be left is the salary of the SRC and Union Presidents ("A Rose by any other name still has thorns"), the Women's Office and the Queer Office.

 

[withoutaface]

You really hate women.

Judging by some of the things I've been told that you have said, I think such accusations might be a little rich coming from you.

 

[Stott Despoja]

I congratulate Professor McWha (University of Adelaide's Vice-Chancellor) on standing up for the importance of student services and student representation to the university community.

After years of under-funding by the Howard Government, universities can not afford to divert money away from core activities such as teaching to maintain services currently provided by student organisations. And, they definitely should not be forced to make up shortfalls by increasing their full-fee paying student numbers.

As Vice-Chancellors have repeatedly pointed out, if student organisations don't provide the services, universities will be left with the responsibility of funding them - and it is unlikely that universities will be able to provide those services as cheaply or as effectively.

The Democrats will oppose VSU legislation in any form, as we have done consistently, so that vital student services are not cut.

Instead of threatening to increase the financial burden on universities by imposing a policy that the sector has rejected, the Government should be maintaining universities' funding in real terms by providing adequate indexation of their grants.

(According to the Higher Education Support Act 2003, the Government must respond to a review of indexation of university grants by this month. Universities estimate that under-indexation of their grants has cost them $586 million since 1996.)

Despite this review being completed more than a month ago, we have heard nothing from the Minister.

I call on the Minister to reveal his response to the indexation review.

 

[Not-That-Bright]

Ok Asquithian, and if u oppose some 'mens' officer, you obviously hate men.

edit: Shelby, you can get COLD DRINK MACHINES to your workplace, and they charge $1 A CAN!, they just come around once a month and collect the profits, i'm sure this could be done for universities...

 

[neo o]

I congratulate Professor McWha (University of Adelaide's Vice-Chancellor) on standing up for the importance of student services and student representation to the university community.

After years of under-funding by the Howard Government, universities can not afford to divert money away from core activities such as teaching to maintain services currently provided by student organisations. And, they definitely should not be forced to make up shortfalls by increasing their full-fee paying student numbers.

As Vice-Chancellors have repeatedly pointed out, if student organisations don't provide the services, universities will be left with the responsibility of funding them - and it is unlikely that universities will be able to provide those services as cheaply or as effectively.

The Democrats will oppose VSU legislation in any form, as we have done consistently, so that vital student services are not cut.

Instead of threatening to increase the financial burden on universities by imposing a policy that the sector has rejected, the Government should be maintaining universities' funding in real terms by providing adequate indexation of their grants.

(According to the Higher Education Support Act 2003, the Government must respond to a review of indexation of university grants by this month. Universities estimate that under-indexation of their grants has cost them $586 million since 1996.)

Despite this review being completed more than a month ago, we have heard nothing from the Minister.

I call on the Minister to reveal his response to the indexation review.

Dang Generator

 

[Generator]

Heh.

Sorry to take this thread off on a slight tangent, but even though you are all in favour of VSU, that does not necessarily mean that you are opposed to the student organisations themselves, right?
By that I don't mean that you support the 'right' of others to make the choice, but rather that you would join (be it one or all) of your own volition. I do realise that you all accept/tolerate their presence and the idea of choice, so that isn't the issue.

Just wondering.

Edit: You would join if it seemed worthwhile, that is (it isn't an ideological position, in other words).

 

[withoutaface]

yay...heresay!

I heard from my friends counsin that you wet the bed in 1993.

Unlike some I dont think the womens movement pure evil nor do I hate the womens movement to the extent of writing hateful and often pretty illogical articles on the role of women in society.

Your uncle doesn't talk to me, nor did he see direct evidence of what occurs in my basement.

 

[Not-That-Bright]

Heh.

Sorry to take this thread off on a slight tangent, but even though you are all in favour of VSU, that does not necessarily mean that you are opposed to the student organisations themselves, right?
By that I don't mean that you support the 'right' of others to make the choice, but rather that you would join (be it one or all) of your own volition. I do realise that you all accept/tolerate their presence and the idea of choice, so that isn't the issue.

Just wondering.

Umm... No, i won't be joining any next year. Ohhh if it seemed worthwhile? Of course.
However its probably an ideological stance.. that I just can't imagine a students union that would be worthwhile...

 

[Not-That-Bright]

Asqy will join as long non union members do not recieve the benefits.

I'm worried that the whole "union members do not recieve benefits" thing may go too far..

edit: on the topic of women's issues, i think there are alot of issues which affect women. The way that they have been constructed to think "it's cool to be a lesbian" "girls that sleep around lots are EMPOWERED!" "you're empowered when you dress like a tramp!" "you HAVE to be skinny" "You have to get a high-sallary, high-powered job!"

However, I feel that MOST of these issues would be dismissed as "OMG U MISOGYNIST! IF ALL THE GIRLZ IN THE COUNTRY ARE TURNING INTO LITTLE HO'S AND SLEEPING AROUND ALL THE TIME AND DEVOLOPING BOLEMIA ITS THEIR OWN CHOICE!!"