Dear students, and staff of SOAS,

Today the University of Bradford Union meet to discuss the deportations of cleaners at the School of African and Oriental Studies, London. We want to send our solidarity greeting to you.

We were both shocked and appalled to hear last week that the University had been complicit in allowing members of their staff to be intimidated, detained and deported whilst working at SOAS.

The fact that the University targeted underpaid cleaners many of whom are active in working to fight for better widest is outrageous.

As students and researches at the University of Bradford we feel that our Universities has a duty to protect all members of its community. The fact that the your school not only refused to protect its staff but was complicit in deporting ill and pregnant staff is outrageous.

We fully support actions such as the present occupation to fight for the rights for these workers. Students and staff must unite to work together in creating a community that is safe and secure for each other.

We send our solidarity with those who have been part of the campaign to stop deportations while out thoughts are on those who are being deported and other staff who are being intimidated by these kind of actions. We wish the occupation all the success.

We want to make it clear to all Universities but particular to SOAS that the behaviour of senior management not acceptable and have called for them in a separate letter to support their staff and the occupation.

Yours, in solidarity and friendship.
For and on behalf of the University of Bradford Union



Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Union Secretary – Treasurer 2007-09
Vice President (Societies) 2009-10

Labels: Education Not for Sale, ENS, International Politics, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

On a cold February morning about 60 students from Bradford set off to London to make their mark in the start of the free education ahead of the government review on University fees.

Labels: education, Education Not for Sale, ENS, National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

On Monday 9th March about 40 Students gathered to hear Tamar Katz talk about her experiences being jailed for refusing to fight in the Israeli army. Tamar, a high school student, was drafted in to the army but told her story about how a group of school students and her joined a small but growing movement of conscientious objector in Israel.

Following massive demonstrations and a wave of student occupations against Israel’s war in Gaza, the University of Bradford Union, supported by Education not for Sale (a student anti-capitalist lobby group) joint up with other Unions and also Alliance of Workers liberty to host part of the national tour with Tamar, one of the Shministim, Israeli high school students jailed for refusing to fight in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Tamar said “I was 16 when the second war in Lebanon began and this made me re-consider the prospect of fighting in the IDF after I graduated from school. My family were “ordinary” — not political, and we did not talk about these things at home. I wanted to find out more about the political situation and to think through my ideas. I began to work for an organisation which ran educational initiatives in working-class neighbourhoods. This was my first time in a politicised environment. Through it I met many left wing people. I moved into a collective house and began to get involved with a group called New Profile (an anti-militaristic feminist organisation).

She spoke about her experience in jail, how her family reacted and the pace of change in Israeli. There was much debate about boycotts and their effectiveness and most people reported a successful event. Tamar talked about their work with other organisations such as Combatants for Peace

The Union, with the Peace Studies department is working to bring Bassam Aramin, Co-Founder of a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization, Combatants for Peace to Bradford in the next academic year. He has been accepted at the University to study a masters but needs the fund to come to the University. We will keep you updated with information and whether the University agrees to a fee waiver for Bassam.

Labels: Education Not for Sale, International Politics, Israel, Palestine, Peace Studies, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Now, more than ever, the right to education is important and it’s not just about giving people a fun few years at University. It’s about the “economy, stupid!” (As Bill Clinton once said) and most of all its about giving outcomes that achieve justice and equality.

In this article I will explain why free university education is important. I want to dispel the myth that free education is unachievable, and call on Bradford University to be the leader in moving the debate forward. Apart from the fact that education is a right (under the UN articles of

Human Rights), apart from being something that drives the economy, it is something much more important – it provides a more stable society. As more people achieve higher levels of education our communities become more. I’m not saying that with a University education racism, sexism and homophobia are abolished, but that through greater life and educational experience people have a greater understanding of the world and themselves and are more likely to accept others.

Ignoring that, the question comes down to whether students should themselves “contribute”. After the shambles that was up-front fees, the government changed the system so that either you qualified for free University Education based on your parent’s income or you took out a loan and you paid it back later on. This continued the relience on not only parents but also assumes that everyone receives support from parents.

This whole idea was based on a piece of flawed research, which suggested that your income “potential” was greater after you had gone to University. Infact, it now looks like most people will never pay back the loan which now has higher interest than a high street back loan (most students will pay something like £60 a month just on interest). If everyone benefits through a better society surly everyone should contribute? Many students will leave University with over £20,000 in debt and even if you have stayed at home to reduce your costs you could end up with over £10k to pay back.

How can it be fair? Something that is a human right, something that makes society more peaceful and most of all gives us doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers to name but a few, surely should be available free to everyone.

The system is clearly not working – it needs to change. The government agreed to review the system of fees in 2009 and now the review is about to start. Some Universities are calling for the fees to be increased to whatever level they want, while others are keeping quiet.

Bradford Student Union has a long history of standing for justice, standing for free education. When fees were introduced we supported people who protested and refused to pay; we marched, and by our side was our Vice Chancellor Colin Bell - the then VC - who spoke in the media. He stood up for justice and history will prove him right.

So here’s the challenge to our Vice Chancellor now (Mark Cleary). He says he has his “personal opinions” but wont speak up for free University Education. He says, “the debate is about what level they should rise to” and “a new system isn’t on the table”. Recently I challenged him to set the agenda, put free education on the table. So far he has declined; he doesn’t want to stick his head above anyone else.

The question surely should be ‘what will Bradford lose for speaking out’? The answer is, nothing (apart from keeping the Government and the VC’s chums in other Universities happy). What will Bradford gain? Everything! We would keep our reputation of being a University that leads, that doesn’t just let the big boys boss us around.

In the VC introduction speech to students he says, “it’s the mavericks, the eccentrics that change the world and that’s what we want to foster at Bradford”. Quite right Mark, so lets have a little more of the maverick from you and a little less of the sheep.

On the 25th February students are invited to London for a national demonstration against fees, for grants and for better paid and resourced lectures. That’s free for all students, home, international, well off or not, paid through tax from those who can afford it. Just a small amount that has been given to the banks could pay for it! I will be marching and making a difference, and I invite every student from Bradford to join me. At only £1.50 for a return ticket to London you can’t refuse.

This is a global movement and we are achieving change. Education should be free from the Gaza Strip to the Rocky Mountains. Students are starting the fight back. In France they fought and won against laws that discriminated against student workers. In parts of Germany, Universities, this year, are again free after students took to the streets and fought for free education. In Greece, after student unions battled to get accommodation and food subsidised, victory was declared last year.

So now that we know why education should be free, that it can be free and Bradford University has a history of calling for free education, why don’t you become part of a movement that changes history? Come and join us. Students, lecturers, staff and even Mark Cleary the VC are welcome to make education better.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Tickets for the Wednesday 25th National Demonstration can be bought online at www.ubuonline.co.uk/demo or at the Union reception. or for local contacts cheek out http://studentdemo2009.org.uk

Labels: education, Education Not for Sale, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Last night I want to the Topic Folk Club, the oldest surviving folk club in the world. It was a great night, as always, and enjoyable. I would recommend that anyone around on a Thursday head off to the IDL - Bradford Irish Club and enjoy the night.

At the night, John Waller sang a song in the intermission about Palestine, having lived in Lebanon only a few miles from a refuges camp in 1969, John had written the song then about how he saw the issue, and although trying to look at both sides, it was clear to him that there was a political perspective that had to be taken.

40 years on, and now 60 years since the start of the occupation, John sang that same song again, nothing had to be changed. The attacks, the deaths, the injustice - still rife.

Many people can see that what has been happening over the last 60 years isn't right and that it must end.

One state, two state or what ever is the academic question, what I clear to many, an especially to those who took part in the student occupation on Tuesday and Wednesday is that the killing must stop and we must show solidarity to those who are suffering, quite clearly the Palestinians.

Those who inflate the whole debate in to a Jew, Muslim, Christian conflict, are not only trying to use religion, race and racism to win the argument, they are mistake. This is not an issue of your background, but one of an occupier, an imperial force (IDF) and justice and peace.

Labels: International Politics, Palestine, Peace Studies, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Yesterday after a peaceful demonstration outside the library and a walk to the Vice Chancellors office just under 100 students (see in the photo on the right) decided to occupy the University Boardroom.

This action was taken by the students after they felt that the University had not fulfilled the demands laid out both by the Union (UBU) and the same group the night before.

The demands (which can be seen on the bolg of the occupation) were given to the VC the day before.

During the day the University of Bradford Union officers supported the protesters but where unable/unwilling to lead any part of the demonstration. As an officer I felt that it was important that students themselves spoke with the VC and the University management.

I have always felt that my relationship with the VC and other managers is very good, and the stronger message of students speaking out against something came from them, and from their hearts.

The VC wasn't in at first, and the group spoke first with the Deputy VC and then later with the VC and Chair of the University Council together. The students where very acutely aware of the problems that where facing them in Gaza on the day that Israel had conducted further air strikes against Gaza.

I am very proud of students who take part in direct actions and feel that it is partly my duty to help and assist with this, however, where to the actions stop and the negations start.

The day went with meetings about the demands, refining them and making them better for the University. I was in and out talking to both "sides", and also keeping an eye on the open space.

After a few false starts the university management came to the table with what I would describe as a very good offer. I laid out to students what I thought about it - "if you care about Gaza, if you want to achieve change and keep a positive dialogue with he VC then this offer is good, my brain said accept it. If however, your purpose is different, is to show how long you can last, turn this space in to something different then then would be exciting and my heart says don't accept. If however you go with my heart, I think that we will be letting a great opportunity pass by to work positively with the VC"

The meeting voted by a majority vote to stay - ironically, many of the people that voted to stay then left and the others (bound by the later decision), who had now nothing on the tabled where forced to stay though the night so that they were able to start it all over again.

Bradford students are doing the right thing, but when does an occupation stop, when do we say ok, that's enough go home? I think that we are nearly there. Over the night a number of people worked on a new statement, trying to get some agreement and move closer to something that University could agree on. Lets hope that it all works out.

Labels: education, Palestine, Peace Studies, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Well what a year it has been, we have had a stronger Welcome week, a packed programme and more engagement. I want to draw councillors attention to three things.

National Union of Students and Elections

We have just had the elections of the National Union of Students Delegates as well as other positions, I think that these went well and I want to extend my thanks to the fantastic team that ran the elections.

From the elections it was quite clear that most of Bradford’s delegates are sceptical, if not out right against the recent proposed changes. I would like to make sure that council is aware of this and when the time comes is prepared to put in amendments to make the proposals better. I hope that council will support our delegates in putting these changes forward.

I also note that after the Extra-Ordinary Conference we will have a referenda for NUS, I intend to convene an elections committee to help run that elections and expect to hold it before the new year.

Trustee Board and Honorary Treasurer

The Union has been re-modelling the way it run so that we are more efficient. I have been very keen to make sure that we make no statutory changes to how we operate and that we enshrine the principle of Students running the Union. We have moved towards the executive holding monthly meetings which deal with staffing and strategy issues. These minutes will be presented to you and are put with the executive reports. The meetings are held under the rules for Executive meetings but with particular agenda items.

It is however the case that we have an external Hon. Treasurer, this is so that there is internal and external controls. At present it is Nick Buck is due to retire at the end o f the year and the Union has put two names forward they are Simon Croll (former sabbatical of UBU and now head of the HUB) and Graham Hill (Friend of the Union and Lead for many project boards). The University will present the agreed candidate and these will have to be agreed by both the Union and University Councils.

Financial Control

Over the last few years the Union has been lax with its financial controls, due to fire fighting. This year is no different but we are expected to make short fall. It is therefore vital that we make cost savings as well as keeping a strong control on the Budgets. This year I have set up a process of budget setting, trying to devolve the setting down to departments who will report back to the Finance and Scrutiny committee for final approval.

Our accounts are in the process of being signed off and by the end of the year Council will have then to ask questions and present before the next General Meeting.

If you have any questions then please either phone me on 07899 785 265 or email ubu-ust@bradford.ac.uk”

Labels: National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

As the Bradford welcome week comes to an end for another year I look back at a set of events that set the mark for development.

Many of us here like to think that Bradford is unique in its make up of students and also the style it runs the Union. From having no president (we have a flat executive of 6 full time and 6 part time) to having almost 50% Muslim students UBU is one that leads the way in alternative ways of working.

During the week we held two free Iftaar events open to all students, a ceilidhs, the Trans tea party and much more we made a programme second to none - so why do I think more can be done?

I truly no longer believe that Unions can rely on their traditional commercial services. We need to be entertaining our students in different ways. Every day pubs across Britain are closing and Student Unions cannot and shouldn't be amune to this.

Apart of diversifying the services that Unions offer, I believe that they need to be exploring mutual solutions to expansion and governance of their commercial activities.

A Union in it's very core should be to protect, defend represent and support their members (in this case students). The problem is that so many SU's and officers get bogged down in the administration and running of the commercial activities.

NUS's recommended solution to this is getting in "externals" to run the whole student union and setting up trustee boards. However this is quite the wrong direction. Apart from undermining the very principle that unions should be controlled by their members it is dangerous giving such poer to an unknown external. When the modal of externals, boards and capital is falling around us the cooperatives provides the modal that we should follow.

This is member lead, member run - but what are members?

I would challenge that for commercial services they should be run by workers cooperatives with managements boards made up of equal workers and students (as most of the workers are still students, students have the majority). It is workers cooperatives that meet the ethical needs of their memebrs and treat employees well.

With this model, the services are kept mutual, the Union still have "control" in terms of its memebrs are the commercial services members (on the whole) and the services are run for and by students - not officers, bureaucrats or externals.

There are so many other examples of how alternative solutions could be used but not one suggestion of the like from NUS - only the same old tired mantra about external trustees - something that will eat away at our credibility.

Labels: education, National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Please support this statement and get involved in organising the demonstration I am part of Education not for Sale a campaigning and anti-capitalist part of the student movement in the UK to find out more then please go to http://www.free-education.org.uk

Education – a right not a privilege

No to fees – A living grant for every student – Tax the rich to fund education

For a national demonstration at the start of 2009

This academic year could see the lifting of the £3,000 cap on tuition fees in higher education. Meanwhile, student debt and poverty are already spiralling, students face soaring costs of living and the market dominates our education system from school to college to university.

After years of underfunding for post-16 education, the Government brought in tuition fees and then top-up fees. Worsening the already existing inequalities in higher education, fees are greatly accelerating the development of a competitive market between universities, with a tier of well-funded and prestigious institutions and another of less prestigious, underfunded ones. Along with the absence of decent student grants, they rule out the possibility of seriously expanding access, force most students who do get to university into debt and push many into casualised, low-paid jobs. Lifting the cap will, of course, make all this worse. Meanwhile most further education students have always paid fees and never had grants.

Top-up fees will be in the headlines this year, but fees are not the only issue. Though Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish university students studying in their own nation, and FE students under 19, do not have to pay fees, they do not receive a living grant and are also forced into poverty and debt.

International students are exploited to subsidise higher education institutions through higher and higher fees, while postgraduate study is limited to a small elite through a more and more restrictive funding system.

Women, black, LGBT and disabled students are affected and disadvantaged disproportionately by the growth in student poverty and debt.

As our education is commodified and most institutions are run more and more for profit, the wages, conditions and rights of our teachers and other education workers are also coming under attack.

We believe that NUS is allowing the Government to get away with these deeply unpopular policies. This year, despite the review of the cap on fees, NUS is not organising a national demonstration – not even one for its needlessly bureaucratic “alternative funding model”, let alone the abolition of fees and living grants that students need. Its planned “day of action” – scheduled for 5 November, the day after the US presidential election, hardly the best time to get attention – is a start, but inadequate.

That is why we, students’ union officers and student activists, are seeking to organise a national demonstration in the first three months of 2009, around the following demands:

- No raising of the cap on top-up fees;
- Halt and reverse the growth in international students’ fees;
- Abolish all fees in HE and FE – free education for all;
- A living grant for every student over 16 – at least £150 a week;
- Stop and reverse marketisation in our schools, colleges and universities – tax the rich and corporations to fund education.

We are seeking to organise this demonstration in alliance with trade union activists fighting back against wage freezes, job cuts and privatisation; with other anti-cuts and privatisation campaigns; with young people’s and children’s organisations; and with others who believe that education should be open to all as a human right, not a privilege open to a minority based on wealth.

We call on NUS and autonomous campaigns within NUS to support the demonstration.

* Please add your or your union or campaigning group’s name to this statement by emailing education.not.for.sale@gmail.com.

Signatories so far (all pc):

Aled Dilwyn Fisher, LSESU general secretary
Heather Shaw, Sheffield College SU president
Martha Kunda, Sheffield College SU general secretary
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, University of Bradford Union secretary-treasurer
Maryam Ahmed, Leeds University Union equality and diversity officer
Adam Farrell, University of Sussex SU education officer
Joseph O’Connor Meldau, University of Sussex SU campaigns officer
Alan Bailey, University of Salford SU VP representation; NUS LGBT Committee
Sofie Buckland, NUS Women’s Committee; NUS NEC 2006-8
Gemma Short, Laura Schwartz and Evangeline Ramsey, NUS Women’s Committee
Kath McMahon, Edinburgh University Students’ Association council
Alex Wood, Aston Students’ Guild equalities officer; People & Planet Management Committee
Chris Marks and Stephen Wood, Hull Left Forum
Jennie Killip, University of Manchester SU women’s officer
Ellie Reyland, University of Manchester SU welfare officer

Labels: education, Education Not for Sale, ENS, National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

I've just come out of the University Council meeting where the Union presented it's way forward for both services and finances.

It was I would say a success but it still has its dangers along in the process of greater collaboration for the Union and the University. I have always believed in reform I think that our Union need to be changed to reflect the students of the future, I believe that we need to fashion a new world.

But this is different from the NUS proposals for their internal reforms and this is why:

Five years ago an organisations which I had been one of the founding members of was going though many changes - as members we voted a no confidence is some of the leadership and the AGM had t be cancelled as it fell in to farce. The Trustee's had asked the membership to approve the auditors, accounts and them without any prior documentation.

This was due just as much to neivaty as it was to democratic deficit, our organisation was only 3 years old and we where still finding our feet. That year we sent through some real hard reforms, things changed, they still are not perfect but the members became part of the governance, they controlled the organisation.

Meanwhile a year later the other national youth body (British Youth Council) was going under an equally difficult reform. Reform that was pushed through by the chair of the organisations. Now I have a lot of respect in what they did in re-forming the BYC, but there is a big problem. At first the measures where needed, the organisation had lost staff, moral and could even end up shut. Members spent their time arguing over petty issues rather than achieve change.

Neither situation was great, but as a member of both we felt like we had made a difference to the UKYP - we had set it up and would run it with our youth workers. At BYC the reforms where different they weren't from a ground swell of people, its wasn't a grass roots movement it was an academic exercise in "good governance".

five years later and if you went to either board they would have the same "power" they are as undemocratic as each other (the UKYP got a little more democratic and the BYC a little less). but one was lead by the members and one wasn't, its the direction that we must look at.

Its the same with NUS, a project developed in a office will always fail, a plan in board meetings will never succeed if its not brought to the members to bring them along. NUS governance needs changing, a "review" is needed, but it should sent NUS on a direction of opening up, becoming less centred on the head office and more on the students, instead we have something that cements power, decides policy by officers not members and sets the agenda on what will get people better jobs not members better lives.

Yes reform is needed but only when its done with the membership not without.

Labels: Education Not for Sale, ENS, National Union of Students, Participation, UBU, UK Youth Parliament, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

It's that time of year again when Sabbatical teams in Students' Union up and down the country hand over. This year though it is me that is staying wile the others go.

We changed a lot this year and in order of the new people here they are pictured right.

right to left:
Alex Wilson - Media and Ents (was Communications), me - Secretary - Treasurer (was split), Olga Savina - Academic Affairs (no change), Katie Moore - Student Activities (now includes UCAN), Sophia Coles Riley - Ethics, Environment and Welfare (new post) and Nadia Chergui Women's Liberation (was just Women's).

We have been handing over to the new roles and just getting to know the new team. Today we did the Belbin Team Roles exercises (you can do it here http://www.belbin.com/). We all agreed that some of them where very useful. I have used these before both in the Peace Students Dept when I'm working as a trainer in different situations such as at the Falken house in Berlin.

I came out as a strong Shaper which is very smiler to how I act in exec. We have had a heated recently with issues such as the military on the campus coming up and me taking a clear and strong stance on ethical issues.

I would recommended that others take the test it is just a bit of fun but something that is useful all the same.

Labels: UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

At the first committee meeting of the new ENS we discussed things that actually matter. ENS was reinvigorated at its “Reclaim the Campus” Conference held last month at Birkbeck College the conference defended in to factional infighting, leading to me calling for us to save the left before we reclaim the campus (see previous NUS entries).
This meeting however got to the point, not only that I was left feeling with a sense of direction, enthusiasm and passion. The committee meeting which was billed as an open meeting had most committee member plus about 5 others who where not elected to the committee but wanted to see some action. I went as I was in Brighton and hadn’t made it back to Bradford the night before due to a headache. Making the most of this detour to my plans I thought that I would get stuck in.
The meeting was first of all held in an atmosphere of open and pleasant debate. There where people from different backgrounds attending from trots to anarchists and the others in between. I ended up being duped in to becoming the Treasurer! I always love becoming the money man, and seeing that at the moment I’m doing it for three organisations, why not add another to my bow!
More importantly this meeting convinced me it was something that I want to be involved with. I think that the left needs to be organised and united in the student moment but have been so unhappy in the past when its has seemed to be dominated by political groups.
I may be a labour party member and believe the labour needs to organisations but I’m by no means bounded by any party, I think that my students must come first. That is why I’m convinced that ENS is the body to lead the left forwards. I’m not saying that they (I should say we now I guess), should take on the forces such as SWP/Respect but that we should be the bridge between them and the unorganised left.
The meeting discussed the importance of a conference to gather a plan for action, it talked about direct action and protest and it most of all talked about the need to work with others. We must play a role, a facilitating role and sometimes take a second seat to the larger groups but we must unite everyone to fight fees.
I’m convinced that not only students but pupils, young people and children must also take a stand. We must build a coalitions of young people who will be effected by fees as well as those presently paying them.
The meetings not perfect and we probably talked to much on some issues and could have been better on others, but we are getting there. We will work our way and achieve victory – we have been reclaimed!.. …nor now.

Labels: education, Education Not for Sale, ENS, National Union of Students, Universy of Bradford Union

University of Sussex Students' Union held the national gathering of students for Climate Change and the Student Movement this weekend. The meeting was really an achievement for a students' union to hold such an event.

The speakers on the days where really great. I was totally impressed in how Sussex had managed to get a range of speakers on the left and climate change activists. We need to gather a radical range of student activities to make sure that we as a student movement make progress on this issue.

I was really taken by the way in which the speakers in the first session spoke about communicating the message well. David Wasdell provided an interested account of how we need to grasp the nettle. On some quick research David's background and style is contested by some. I however am cautious to just take the word of the Internet, so often used by the right to discredit our comrades.

I do not think that the message should be discarded, other scientists at the conference seem to agree on the basic science and i think that although his back ground may be "dodgy" as some bloggers have tard him as having this should be put to one side.

The message was clear and agreed, we need action.

Labels: climate change, National Union of Students, Universy of Bradford Union

Well this was almost the accusation that Security put against me when they tried to take me to disciplinary at the University of Bradford. I have been to out spoken about appalling figures of security guards on petrol against sitting in the video room. I have not cooperated when they have tried to shut down Amnesty International on campus and have stood up to them when they have called the police - wasting their time.

But on the may bank holiday while I stood up to them for shouting and intimidating students they made me loose my rag. I was protecting students against a security who are out of control, they expect me to give them details of everyone and hand in my id without any reason. They think they have more rights then the police (The police must have a resason to stop and take you details.)

They then went to accuse use of distracting them making people safer, accusing two WOMEN of being responsible if anyone was raped on campus that night.

At that point I lost it - I shouted at them and refused to cooperate. In the tribunal in which they put against me the charges where breaking three university regulations each with a £150 fine each. They said that I was arrogant and didn't care cause i was part of the union. Well i do care, but because I'm part of the union its my duty to stand up.

In the judgement I was found not guilty with two count thrown out and the other not proven! The judgement which I accept said that I should have in my position have stood back and not refused to cooperate even though they where being out of order. This was due to my position not despite of it.

So although the accusations where thrown out, you cant get any Bradford Student because they are part of a strong Union.

Labels: UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Education Not for Sale (ENS) and its incarnation as the broad platform is something of much debate at the Reclaim the Campus conference at Birkbeck College.
On Saturday about 50 students from around the UK representing radical students from up and down the college gathering to work out the terms of engagement for their next steps after defeating the Governance review at the NUS conference (see my earlier post)
However in the rush to make an organisation that is ready to fight the neo-liberal incursions of the NUS leadership the principle of a broad, left wing, even socialist body was again somewhere lost.
Some members of AWL (Alliance for Workers Liberty) which has in the past been a dominant force in, put forward that idea the ENS should become a membership organisation. Although this was defeated the end result was still a constitution which put at its heart a system of centralism, dividing people rather than coming to common consensual view points.
The groups which where there was a group of individuals, anti-capitalist greens, revolution, AWL and CPGB (Communist Party of GB) with observers from the largest left faction outside of ENS which is Student Respect (SWP). Half was through the conference, after discussing our principles and voting down a plan to make us Marxists in our founding principles the CPGB declared that they would be withdrawing from the debate and pulling their motions. They would not be joining ENS but would be looking to work with the organisation.
Organisation is I guess where for me the problem lies. I don’t want part of another organisation. I don’t want something the suffocates how we can react and go about our work. We need rules of engagement don’t get me wrong, even in some anarchism rules of engagement, be it unwritten sometimes, are still important parts of how we interact. By a Constitution, an Organisation, and a committee smacks to me as something that will only end up going wrong.
I like broad coalitions, where agreement is reached through consensus, where it can br found we all work together and are stronger, where it can’t we go our ways. How I cry can a collation work if you are voting other members down. If we have policy that we establish but not everyone is on board. All that happens is you create another origination, not one that encompass brining people together but ones that brings only splits it’s the old two trots three view argument.
There was a moment in the proceeding when we started to talk about the name of us, in a “People’s front of Judea, Judean Peoples front” moment we where arguing not on what we should do but a new name for this “newly established organisation.
I think that working together is important, and that the founding principles of ENS are something that I whole heartedly support, however with now procures rules and a constitution, do I have the energy to engage in this as well.
Part of my main problem with NUS is that is takes you away from you students too much, with trustee boards, corporate trainings or other conference activities one barley gets time to just work in the Union transforming students lives for the better. Will the ENS just be another body to get tied up in and sap ones energy away. I truly hope not!

Labels: National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

Well, what lovely weather we are having at the moment! So in a glee, hop and a skip students have been heading down to the University of Bradford's Amphitheater (seen here on the right had side)

Students traditionally have always enjoyed a BBQ, camp-fire and playing football, cricket or other sports during the day. It's one of the only places that really brings students together in the summer around the University.

Students from all backgrounds, students from all departments, students from everywhere, come together and its a great feeling when hundreds of students can be seen interacting together.

However in the last year or so, the security have increasingly begun to "crack down" on student activity in this space. As the usual policy of gentrification, and also control, the kind of BBQ, the size of the flames, the materials burnt are now monitored.

This hap hazard control (its not regular) has gone to cause problems for students.

When students get attacked, raped and mugged on campus it's interesting to see were security's focus is. The University of Bradford - Student focused or image focused as always getting it the wrong way around.

Labels: UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Well we have arrived back from the NUS Annual Conference. I will write later on I'm more detail about it all but the basics are that the Governance didn't pass!

What review I hear you cry! Well that my be exactly the point. The NEC (or well the Labour and OI part of the NEC) pushed forward plans for reform of the Union. This was after united calls for a review of how the Union works. No one was challenging that the Union must change but a review took place costing allot of money and consulting with few students and maybe (its disputed) some officers in member unions.

Anyway, the result was changes that would have in reality made little difference, but in some area would have improved things and in others would have made them worse.

For constitutional changes to take place the conference must get 2/3 of the floor, and after a recount and some procedural wrangling it was confirmed that it didn't get this.

The problem was that most of the time the changes weren't even being discussed but on both sides bashing of each other and faction fighting. This really doesn't help the national union. I am generally a supporter of many of the leadership of NUS but when they lost the vote they acted badly. Gemma the President stood up and gave a load of vitriol at loosing, it made her seam like a bad looser and I think made allot of people ashamed that they had even thought about voting for the changes if this was the kind of person behind it. I think that in this case it was a close call but the leadership let conference down!

Anyway, ill say more later on when I get some time.

Labels: National Union of Students, Universy of Bradford Union

Thank you everyone who voted for me. I was elected with over 50% of the vote. It was a good race, and for all those who got involved you will know that there were problems. They have been sorted now and I hope to go in to the year ahead making the Union relevant, radical, campaigning but strong.

Labels: Elections, General Secretary, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

Hello, I’m Lloyd, at present an Officer at the Union. I am re-standing for Union Secretary-Treasurer because I believe that we need to keep on track to win our Union back.

I have a track record for reform, renewal, and reinvigoration and have reclaimed our union for students not factions. I am the Vice-Chair of the British Youth Council, work with a National Charity (Woodcraft Folk) and have a history of development and change.

When I started last year the Union was failing; committees managing finance hadn’t meet in over a year, and students thought the Union was a joke, it was!

I’ve developed a strong union and campaigned for students, sports, societies and led negations with the University. I’ve started to reclaim our union, but more is needed, we need to keep on track.

I will:

Improve

The Union is about first impressions; I will make sure that we extend non-alcoholic social events in Welcome Week. I will make sure that there is a full programme of events that are actually fun.

Rebuild

Our building is falling down. I will push for the final mile to get a new union, prayer facility, social space, bar and shop for all students

Grow

Our Union needs to grow, we need more advisors for support issues, and course reps need better support. I will priorities these areas so, along with student activities, they are at the heart of the University.

It’s our time, it’s our change, vote Lloyd for our Union.

Labels: Elections, General Secretary, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

Well I've just started the job at the University of Bradford Union I'm the new Internal Affairs officer for the union. For this job I have to do the democracy of the union. Starting at the union has been interesting. While other sabbatical starting are learning the ropes find this prolonged hand over useful. However I do find it slightly suffocating. I was keen to get on with the job. However over these last few weeks I have come to like time with other sabbaticals, learning different ways of doing things and setting our objectives.

I want to make sure that the union is reformed next year however the plans that have been laid by the previous team isn't quite what i want. Surprisingly my problem is that it seems very much old union, old left kind of stuff. I'm convinced that we need to look forward to see what the union does and how we work. In some of the plans an LGBT forum will be set up to represent LGBT students, as will the women's forum and all have seats on the Council. I have two problems with this kind of democratic set up.

1. that it puts focus on particular groups that 'need' representation but fails to actually deal with the problems of lack of representation. For example, LGBT(Lesbian Gay, Bi and Trans) students and Women are very well represented in the Union (in fact they are almost over represented) however we can't just do the equation and fill a quota. There are still LGBT students that will remain unrepresented, to just create a seat on council will not reach out. What will is making sure that everyone can participate, that not just the 'political' class take part and that we don't mistake democracy for elections or representation.

2. having representative seats for sections of the liberation campaigns will undermine the part time offers role. The role which should be to coordinate liberation campaigns and welfare, part time offers should be about working for all students in the areas of their role. However it is not representation, when representation of liberation campaigns to be a key of council people like at other universities will start to call for the part time offers to be abolished.

We need to think of alternative ways of engaging with students, we need to use electronic media, hold drop in sessions, and allow all students to engage in ways that they want. If they want the union to work for them they it should do, students should decided how the union spends it money, decides its campaigns but they shouldn't have to have quotas on council as al students should be involved.

I will start a consultation to see what happens with the constitutional reform but I will make the case against quotas without reform every time.

Labels: Council, LGBT, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union, Woodcraft Folk

After us managing to get the gender equality (trans) motion though our union council I have posted a letter to all staff explaining the implication these changes. I'm sure that over the following weeks the changes will be put in place and we will be able to not only claim to compile fully with the law and its intentions but also morally in our duty to members the union. The wording of the motion can be seen here and the letter that I wrote to the paper after the motion failed the first time can be seen here.

Hello Everyone,

First of all just a little introduction, for those of you who I haven’t meet I’m Lloyd the UBU LGBT (lesbian gay, bisexual & trans) Officer.

Last week the Union passed a motion condemning discrimination against trans students and to meet the new legal requirements of all organisations to act positively to prevent discrimination against all genders which was included in the most recent sex and gender act of 2004

The motion delegated responsibility to implementing some of the changes to the Women’s Officer and the LGBT Officer. I’m writing to explain any changes in our work from day to day which we may have to take in to account.

The Union policy is now as follows The Union resolves:

* To be aware of the ways in which selecting gender neutral words actively contribute to promoting equality and inclusiveness.

In practice this means that when writing documents, letters and policy unless specifically referring to a gender neutral words should be used. E.g. “if a union official has an interest s/he must declare it” should now read “if a union official has an interest they must declare it”



* To increase education and awareness by:
- Running a campaign highlighting the position of trans students and issues around gender identity.
- Providing training on trans issues for all staff and officers of the union
- Coordinating training and education with the university and its staff.

In the coming months we will be providing training particular to roles in the union for all our staff. This is something that Hannah, Myself and Andy will coordinate and you will hear about what’s happening in regards t this nearer the time.



* To allow students to self-define on union forms.

In practice this means that Union forms must have a self defining box for gender. E.g. “sex: male _ female_ (please tick)” should now read “gender ____________”. This change is to come in line with the changing University policy and most recent parliament Act of recognising more than two genders.
Please note, where forms are provided from outside the university/union please contact me for calcification (home Officer forms for example cannot be changed, but we can lobby for the changes.)



* To support trans students in their right to use gendered toilets in line with their gender definition.

This area effects our bar staff and ent.s staff the most, in practice what it means is if someone, self defines and lives their life in a particular gender role they may use those facilities. It is clear that under the new legislation, a bloke on a night out, for example, dressed up in drag wouldn’t be classified as living in that gender. However this is a tricky issue and more guidance and training will be provided in the near future.

I would suggest that if there are concerns about particular instances that often approaching the issues sensitively with the person concerned is the best way and if there are further issues please do contact me.


I hope that this is clear and people understand the changes and how it may affect the day to day work of the union. Please if there are any problems do contact myself and I will do my up most to respond to any concerns and queries.
I’m in the part time exec office on Monday morning, Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings for people to drop in or phone and email anytime of the week.

Labels: Council, LGBT, Staff, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

The motion that last night got passed is passed bellow, this is a real step in the right direction, at last the union is responsive to the needs of the minority's I'm chuffed seeing the problems that this motion faced when it was originally before council that we got this though, thanks to everyone that turned up despite the farce that was council , unelected, refusing students voting rights, I think that it not only showed badly on council but left people unhappy with the process, a good day but shameful display from councillors.

This Union Notes:

1. That trans people are widely discriminated against facing ignorance, harassment and sometimes violence.
2. Bradford trans students have voiced their concern regarding the lack of awareness and recognition of their identities and acceptance of their needs.
3. Sex, biologically, is not a straight forward issues and similarly gender is not binary.
4. That Union and University policy prohibits discriminations based on gender or other relevant distinctions.
5. That the Sex Discrimination Act 1976 makes its unlawful to discriminate against gender and the Sex Discrimination Regulations 1999 make it unlawful to discriminate against people intending or undergoing gender reassignment.
6. Trans (for example gender queer, intersex or transsexual) students are often forced to use gender neutral accessible toilets while on campus and were these do not exist (such as in Colours) are forced to used gender specific facilities.
7. That present Union and University forms discriminate against people who cannot define as a binary distinction of either male or female and are forced to at present complete forms inaccuracy.

This Union Believes:

1. Gender is self-defined, not physically assigned, as the latter would be a denial of existence of trans students and a contravention of union policy.
2. Confining gender to a binary distinction discriminates against students unable to define as only either male or female.
3. That people have the right to live according to their gender identity, free from discrimination and harassment.

This Union Resolves:

1. To condemn transphobia and discrimination on ground of gender identity.
2. To be aware of the ways in which selecting gender neutral words actively contribute to promoting equality and inclusiveness.
3. To increase education and awareness by:
1. Running a campaign highlighting the position of trans students and issues around gender identity.
2. Providing training on trans issues for all staff and officers of the union
3. Coordinating training and education with the university and its staff.
4. To allow students to self-define on union forms.
5. To support trans students in their right to use gendered toilets in line with their gender definition.
6. To, when redeveloping the union, provide facilities that are required by trans students.
7. Request that the University also follow these guidelines and campaign to this end if the request is refused.
8. That executive actively implements all resolves with the coordination by the Women’s Sabbatical Officer and the LGBT officer who should report back on progress to council.

Proposed: Lloyd Russell-Moyle (UBU LGBT Officer)

Seconded: Sophia Coles-Riley (Uni of Bradford LGBT society political secretary)

Labels: Council, LGBT, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

Sitting here in the bar, I‘m pretending to do my work. Despite having a deadline tomorrow, I’ve turned to writing this month’s column for Kinetic. Well, there’s been some major changes to the university since the last issue. Shearbridge Green has been eaten up by the giant lizard they call Godzilla and the atrium has at last opened.

There have been some changes to your union too, we are getting some new luxury sofas in Escape, and from June, Carling will be off the menu. We now look forward to a cheaper Carlsberg for your drinking and financial pleasures. Not all the changes have been welcome; I’m still recovering from the fact that Hobnob has been cancelled on the FND rotation, to be replaced by the ever popular Block Party-now every week, twice a week. The FND now leaves me wanting. I’m promised that it will get better and at least shots are cheaper so I don’t have to remember the evenings!

February has been the LGBT* history month. You may have seen those posters: did you know that Shakespeare was bisexual or that Florence Nightingale liked to swing both ways. Great people have been gay, bisexual, lesbian or trans and to recognise this history we will host an exhibition in March. It is important that in the fight for equality we don’t exclude people or hide behind our ‘culture’, instead we must unite.

I believe strongly that we must fight for people’s right to choose how they live their lives. Freedom for a woman to chose what she wears without government, cultural and society’s interference. The right for someone to live with whoever they want regardless of gender, and support for all students regardless of where they are from is vital. Equality for all students can only be assured if protection and support is provided for all at the campus.

This month has also seen climate change hit the agenda big time; I do ask myself why in the union shop they still offer me a plastic bag for a single bar of chocolate. How loud to I have to shout ”I DON’T NEED A BAG with that!” A lot has changed but a lot more needs to be done, staff in the bars, shop and union officers are fighting for change but it doesn’t always come easy.

This year we are set to suffer hard times financially and the union is still failing to meet all students’ needs. I believe that we have the chance to make ours a leading union for the 21^st century but we need to improve our facilities, our bars, and our non-alcoholic spaces. We need to develop what we offer and what we do. We can only do that with you. It is your union and we are your servants, use us, and together we can make your union truly student centred again.

Hope to see you all soon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

LGBT* Officer

ubu-lgbt-officer@bradfrod.ac.uk

* LBGT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans

Labels: FND, Kinetic, LGBT, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union

Bellow is an extract of the letter I today wrote to the UBU student union newsletter, Kinetic Mag

Everyone in your Union works hard to ensure that we meet the needs of every student at the University. I believe strongly that we must fight for people’s right to choose how they live their lives. Freedom for a woman to chose what she wears without government, cultural and society’s interference. The right for someone to live with who they want regardless of gender, and support for all students regardless of where they are from. Equalities for all students can only be assured if protection and support is provided for all monitories’ at the campus.
It is deeply concerning that at the last Union Council a motion, to provide greater support for Trans* students, was voted down. Trans people are one of the most discriminated group of people in society today and the motion’s failure shows how people still find it hard to come to terms with accepting and supporting others. However I’m confident that with some rewording and education a new policy to provide support for Trans students will be passed at the next council.
Providing policies like these are important for the whole Union and for its credibility. With the proposed new development of our student union building it’s a perfect opportunity to help shape the future of your union. At the next General Meeting on Wednesday 13th November we will be voting on a policy laying out plans for a redevelopment of the union buildings and the surrounding area.
This union is failing at the moment to reach some of its students needs; we have suffered with a mill-stone around our necks from bad finances in the past and still feel the effects of this. I believe that we have the chance to make the union a leading union for the 21st century; we need to improve our facilities, what we offer and what we do. We can only do that with you, become a councillor of the union or attend the General Meeting. The General Meetings are open to all students and are place where you can tell the officers of the union what you think should happen in the next term. If you want to become a councillor for the union then email ubu_intaff@bradford.ac.uk.

Hope to see you all soon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle
LGBT** Officer
officer@bradfordlgbt.org.uk

* Trans from Transgender is broadly where a student may be assessed a gender at birth that they may not correct. The student may be physically or mentally in-between male or female either or male or female or neither.
* LBGT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans

Labels: Kinetic, LGBT, Trans, UBU, Universy of Bradford Union