WHEN FELIX SPEAKS THE WORLD LISTENS IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION 18th NOVEMBER 1971 No. 305 make funds dependent on good relations with the college, which is by no means certain. The Union Autonomy third part of the proposals involves removal of the union subsidies to clubs and societies. This would be immediately disastrous to those with The Two weeks ago the Government issued a "con- making a one-day closure possible without the high overheads. sultative document" on the Financing of Student support of the college authorities. Two new para- graphs were added, making a total of 10, asking WHAT'S HAPPENING? Unions which, if carried out, is bound to have for the support of the trade unions and the So far, only facts have been dealt with, but far reaching effects on the structure of ICU and parliamentary Liberal and Labour parties. A some speculation on what the Government is Impossible all others like it. surprise motion, passed by a large majority thinking about might be interesting. Early this cancelled Morphy Day. The proposer suggested year, JUS was involved in lengthy discussions that it was inconsistent for students who wanted GOVERNMENT GREEN PAPER with HMG about the possibility of increasing to show that they were responsible adults to dis- grants. Nothing was then decided; at the time of The main points are as follows:— rupt traffic and generally behave in an anti-social NUS conference in April there were no pro- takes a manner. posals to discuss. Surprisingly enough (?) the Present Arrangements Government said what they were prepared to give Responsibility for approving union constitu- UNION FLEXIBILITY only two weeks after this, and consequently, very tions belongs with the university or college au- It is interesting how inflexible the union con- little discussion occurred. In the light of this thorities. it seems odd that these ideas on Student Unions little longer stitution appears to be when dealing with almost The unions are supported in the following ways: should be published only weeks before the next (i) accommodation and services provided by the anything that crops up at a meeting. For example, NUS conference where they are bound to be the final note on the motion. This could not very fully discussed. There are various conclu- institution; (ii) subsidy provided by the institu- sions to be drawn from this. Possibly they are tion: (iii) membership subscriptions from local actually be voted on until someone had formally trying to see how much they can effect without education authorities; (iv) profits from their own opposed the motion. Does this suggest a posi- producing undue criticism. Alternatively they activities, trading, social activities and invest- might be hoping for a great fuss about the idea ments. tive indication of unanimous membership is im- of voluntary membership, with NUS passing possible? various motions about it. They will then offer Payment of Union Subscriptions to negotiate on the proposed system eventually CORRECTIONS giving way to NUS demands. Thus, we are Majority of full time students receive manda- thereafter likely to have union subsidised clubs tory awards, part of which is paid to the union So much for the general background but and societies, but will find registration necessary. by the LEA. what does it all mean? Before that, however, The Registrar's powers could be so wide-ranging There is considerable variation in the amount the straightforward inaccuracies can be dealt that union self-government could be altered or of union subscriptions. It is estimated that the destroyed. annual expenditure on student unions is about with:— £3 million. (i) The survey supported by NUS was in fact PLAN OF ACTION Defects in the Present System conducted with the hope of bringing polytechnic ICU's reply to this is thus to totally reject the plans and to plan a long-term campaign The main defects in the present system are unions up to the level of university unions. This against them. Yesterday there was a march of all as follows: has not, in fact, been published and so the USK colleges to the DES to protest — I was government is using it out of context. assured that given good weather, about 2000 (i) Local authorities have very little control from USK were expected. over the level of subscription. (ii) It is claimed that neither the Government Of all recent legislation this is the most likely (ii) Since subscription increases are paid by nor the UGC has any control over union subs. to affect individual students. It is not something which will gradually occur, it is planned to make the local authorities the system does not en- Apart from being untrue it implies that union courage careful inspection of union money. the changes next Autumn. The most important management is so irresponsible as to raise the point to remember is that no actual division in Parliament is necessary for all this to become (iii) At the moment some unions spend com- fees for no reason. In fact, people standing for And so the intrepid band of Felix reporters, in- pulsorily obtained money on activities more law. The proposals will be presented and unless suited to voluntary contribution. official union positions must show themselves someone wishes to discuss it, nothing can be cluding no less a personage than the editor to be highly responsible, otherwise they just won't done to stop them. Thus our only hope is to get himself, set out to obtain, by fair means or foul, enough people in the country as a whole in- (iv) Part-time students may prefer not to join photographs of the Miss World contestants. union. get elected. terested so that discussion occurs. More than moral support is called fori Possible Courses of Action (iii) The paper says that colleges are not strict A phone call to the Albert Hall gave us the (i) A Registrar to provide some form of control necessary information — the organisers, who enough in their vetting of student money. Again were the people to see about press tickets, could over union operation. untrue, as the union has to submit detailed in- be found at the girls' hotel in Grosvenor Square. (ii) Make union membership voluntary. formation to get grant increases. "They must be expecting trouble — they've got the army guarding the door." (iii) Make unions compete for money with (iv) Students often vote money to causes un- Leaving the American Embassy we went up to other university departments. related to the university, e.g., political move- Proposed New System the first floor of the hotel via the ultra-modern ments. This appears to have substance as it lift, complete with piped music. (i) All students are automatically members does happen. However the money used for "Sorry dears, they've all left," was the first line of the union of that institution without paying of defence, but the fearless reporters were not any subscription but they may still use union these payments is that collected as profit from to be stopped so easily. However, "Superman" facilities. union activities and it is quite justifiable, if a managed to persuade us that perhaps we didn't majority agree, that this money may be used really want those pictures after all. Downstairs (ii) Individual clubs are financed by increased again and another phone call to the Albert Hall: subscriptions from members. for anything. In the case of Sussex, who tried "Sorry, we can't help you." (iii) Unions would be financed by college using public money for an ultra-vires payment The only course of action remaining was to authorities. further legislation is unnecessary as this is al- sit and wait for the girls to come out. The ready an unconstitutional Act by the union. camera was set up at the back door where we UNION MEETING caught our first glimpse of Miss Malta. (It is ICU's immediate reaction to this was to call only a small island, not many people); mean- an emergency union meeting which succeeded SOLUTION while several coaches pulled up outside the in filling the Great Hall. At this, a motion was The suggested "solution" to these problems front door. We arrived there just in time to see it disappear round the back, but managed to get discussed condemning government interference involves removal of compulsory subs, to unions, in union affairs and calling for a National Day some very good pictures of the coaches. giving the extra money to the student. This of Action eventually to be followed by a National Back to the Albert Hall in record time (the one-day closure of all colleges in Great Britain. would remove a college union's ability to speak policeman blinked, so we didn't get caught for This was passed by an overwhelming majority on behalf of students of that University. Money speeding) to find several rows of police and but not before various amendments had been Women's Lib. demonstrators between us and attached. The last paragraph was amended, being allocated by the college to the union would the contestants. Page 2 FELIX Thursday, November 18, 1971 McLOOGE Expounds! THE WHO Presuming that the rest a suitable college code of A big membership drive of this paper is crammed discipline. On the morning will probably start after One of the problems of England after working at ception they deserved but with news, views and the green paper was pub- Christmas and close liais- writing anything about a Fillmore East in New this lack of appreciation, events associated with the lished the Rector and I fin- on will be maintained with was I suppose, predict- Government's Green Paper ally agreed on the last External and Academic Af- group as popular as the York.