VSU

[recurve boy]

We just had a huge discussion about the possible consequences of VSU when it is introduced in our Sport Association GCM. apparently it has already been introduced in some states?

We're screwed. Anyone else?

[Aarleks]

Oppose it in every way possible. VSU would spell the death of many less patronised spots like archery. We seem to go through the debate every couple of years. Thankfully it is always argued against very well, and for very valid reasons. I hope it doesn't happen to you guys.

[grantwomack]

Excuse my ignorance... VSU?

[frommy]

Excuse my ignorance... VSU?

Also? Please explain?

[Flehrad]

Voluntary Student Union

Currently all university undergraduates pay compulsory union fees.

The government wishes to introduce VSU to break up the stronghold that university unions hold in political power especially in protest and demonstration, not to mention the potential to sway votes.

If VSU comes in, then services will be effected greatly, because union monies (for our uni at least) are used for union buildings, subsidies, library etc.

Which means, if there was VSU, and you didn't pay, you wouldn't be able to use the library, use the microwaves in the union buildings, no health services etc....

But some people think they don't use it so it won't effect them....

[recurve boy]

Voluntary Student Unionism

Basically, it makes paying the Uni union fees voluntary. :D Hence the name. At the moment, its voluntary for a uni to enforce it. Because it got voted down at the last whatever. However, now that Johnny is back and stronger than ever, he has a good chance of getting it enforced by federal government. Then every uni would have to do it (Alex's last sentence confuses me as he would be affected too).

This is bad because whose going to opt to pay the fee is it is optional? Since its the union that funds the various clubs, societies and services on campus, no fees mean all this goes away. At my uni, even though the Sports Association gets a miniscule percentage of the fees, the sports clubs get a decent amount of funding. Our club could not possibly function without the subsidies from fees.

UPDATE: I'm a slow typer when I'm not coding.

[Aarleks]

At a federal level I believe VSU comes under the jurisdiction of the ACCC. Whilst the government could legislate it is unlikely to do so, it typically prefers to encourage such changes to take place from the inside. In this context the government is typically in favour (to a limited extent) of compulsary student unionism (CSU) as it increases the proportion of non-Commonwealth income to the university. However, the ACCC has been looking into CSU so who knows (can't find anything on their site though). I don't think they will rule against it, and it will come down to individual Uni's again. Thus, if it transpires as I think it will, I hope VSU doesnt happen to UNSW.

[recurve boy]

I admittedly only know the digest version of VSU. But apparently at this years AUS games, people from our uni talked to people from other unis about how VSU was working out for them. I assume this meant that it is already been adopted by certain unis in some states. Hence the whole thing was back on the SA agenda. I don't believe UNSW is in support of VSU as this means one less fee the uni can charge and we all know how UNSW is like with that ;) Anyway, it was suggested that we come up with contingency plans. My plan is "First dibs on the arrow cutter."

[Aarleks]

Probably a goog plan...


Just wish I could solve that damn puzzledonkey 1.3...

[Jules]

Freedom of Association should entail Freedom of Disassociation.
Compulsory Union fees are bull****.
Other than acting as practise for a group of arts undergrads who think that they like to organise things, student unions are an inefficient waste of space. Cash squandering assholes in fact.
The standard retoric about 'oh my god this or that as we know it would cease to exist' has been done to death. If people want to do archery at uni, they can express that desire formally by paying the required fees to join the club rather than have everyone else on campus subsidising them to the tune of $500 year. This isn't a bloody recreational hippy commune. If an on campus archery club is not feasible and sustainable then **** is plainly being pushed uphill by maintainning one, and it obviously shouldn't be there.
The businesses on campus that could be subsidies and/or organised to offer good cheap food aren't and so don't and that crap about funding libraries etc. is laughable. All the kiddies who are playing at being 'elected representatives' know how to do is piss the money up against the wall via outcomes of frequent lengthy crap speaking sessions.
Threads are no good when everyone agreeds are they now?
:lol:

[Aarleks]

Thanks for putting us in line dad. :lol: :wink:


Seriously,
Freedom of Association should entail Freedom of Disassociation
Tricky... depends on how you want to go about it (eg. the differences therein between France, USA, and Great Britain). In the context of CSU there are more benefits to both students and the surrounding community are gained from CSU (I'm speaking form my experience with Sydney and UNSW).

The standard retoric about 'oh my god this or that as we know it would cease to exist' has been done to death.
That's because people believe that is what will happen. Certainly would for us, as it would for any club in Australia that is on council or crown land if the government decided to charge the going commercial rate for it. Would any such club be 'feasible'? Subsidies from the wider community is how most 'grass roots' level sports survive. There is nothing stopping every student from taking advantage of what they have paid for, as in the community.

This isn't a bloody recreational hippy commune.
What!?!?! I've been lied to all this time! :lol: :lol:

[Jules]

alright, you've convinced me. I take it all back :lol:

[Aarleks]

Good boy...CRACK!!!

Now get to work whilst I sip chardonay and smoke goolwas (sp.?).
:lol: :lol:

[Jules]

Ohhhh... but I did 3 chapters last night and the paper is not till Monday... I'm going down the street to see the 'My Architect' film about Kahn instead :D
I never separate pleasure and pleasure 0X

[Flehrad]

To perhaps place things into perspective.

For our club, we shoot 6 hours a week roughly.
We also get funding from our sports union body, currently at $3 000 a year.

I have been informed in the past, compared to other clubs, we do quite well, as other clubs may get more money in funding, but we have the value from facilties.

When we used to shoot at the Square, the commercial rate that the sports union charged to non university people was $400/hour.
Which means, we effectively would be getting $2400/week worth.
Times by 52 weeks, $128 400 worth of facility hire.

If VSU style occurances kick in, the club may be asked to pay for such facility hire, or, worse even, we would have to segregate to the point where non union members can't use club gear, and would have to pay much much higher rates etc.

[Aarleks]

I never separate pleasure and pleasure 0X

Amen brother. :D


Don't know anything about Kahn (or architecture for that matter). Somebody I was speaking too (at a debauched party) on Saturday night was adamant the film was a fake. :-? Yet I sem to remember one of the movie shows doing a bit on it recently...

[Jules]

Well I didn't either, but now I know a bit.
Quite an intertaining film, though a little bit selfish on th epart of the guy that made it. Interesting comments concerning the context of the buildings construction came out in many of the interview with other architects but the film maker didn't seem to have much interest in the circumstance of the work. He followed the path of asking about more personal things.
I guess he had to get all the other illegimimate children together and have a big cry session, but I would have forgone it for some more time exploring some of the more interesting projects.
Having said that, it DID give a good picture of what the guy was like.

[Shirt]

Aarleks - Gauloise, I think you mean...

Bloody horrible things. Suits some nasty wannabe hippy down to the ground. :wink: :lol:

[Aarleks]

Ahh... yes that's them. :lol: Thanks Shirt.

Now... where's my copy of Trotsky?

[Jules]

My final exam is the 9th, so I'll find something to smoke and throw a spare 'focus concentration' thought your way before I pass out :lol:

[Aarleks]

What are you studying Jules? Eng.??

[Jules]

i've got one international economics, one heat transfer (Eng)
Then Qld for Decembre (I'm driving up - I'll come shoot with you boys :)
Then the motherland to earn some valuable currency, then Europartykikonlotsofinteresting**** land for a few years.

[Aarleks]

Sounds complicated. :-?

I'm driving up - I'll come shoot with you boys
Excellent! You're welcome anytime (it's $2 rangefees). Anytime we're shooting that is. :D