26th November 1993 111 1174:* GOVT. TO PRESS AHEAD WITH REFORM OF NUS This page is dedicated to John Patten, Secretary of State for Education. Despite the advice of university bosses, former Conservative Education ministers, Tory MPs and students, he still plans to demolish the NUS. This page represents how much he understands about local student unions and the NUS. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. FOR IN-DEPTH REPORTS ON VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP, SEE PAGE 2, 3 & 7 OF LEDA. rr - 0 ( 2 Reform of NUS Around Campaigns past Union closed in protest the Country • • • • • • • • • • • • • 111 • • • The cry of "Thatcher - Union snatcher" John Rose. General Secretary Cardiff eeds University Union Union. will then address those drowned out Mrs Thatcher's speech at a executive will seek to gain students waiting outside, at LUU. said that the whole idea At the University demonstration by students from both maximum publicity for its followed by the unfurling of a of the stunt is to make students L of Wales. the union universities in Leeds. realise that: "ail the services you campaign against the NUS banner proclaiming: "Leeds It happened not this week, but hack in are here to use. will not be here if has organised a reforms by shutting the Union at University Union - Closed by November 1971, when the then Education these reforms are implemented.' massive balloon lunchtime today. Order of HM Government." Secretary had proposed voluntary He admitted that setting off launch to raise In a dramatic hid to raise Exec also plan to display membership. cuts in funding and severe DIGEST posters about the campaign all the fire alarm is something of a public awareness. awareness of the reforms restrictions on the independence of student around the Union building. publicity stunt. but pointed out Members of the amongst students. LUU plan 10 unions. Then as now there Union's Exec. was a furious 2,3,4,5 set the fire alarm off at one Students will then be given that it is just one aspect of a NEWS travelled down to response from Leeds University Union: "It o'clock without giving an leaflets detailing the plans and massive campaign that is on- 6,7 the House of Lords will completely destroy the National Union COMMENT advance warning. will be urged to sign a petition going throughout the year. and and have spoken to of Students as we know it today." said Ken 8,9 Eliot Reuben, Finance protesting against the imminent that it is being treated as a real ARTS many Lords in an Hind. then President Secretary, at Leeds University reforms. fire drill as well . MUSIC 10,11 effort to win their t, etas Student. jeopardised along with other "non-essential" Union services. CLASS/JAZZ .... 12 support. The produced a student paper - Gait four-page special issue for distribution to BOOKS 13 RIlvdd - published the public. "We do nothing illegal; perhaps Action loses out in proposals they think that checks should he there just FOCUS 14,15 a twelve page blank edition. in case we do." declared its front page. "We CULTURE 16 rythe government reforms need your support in our fight against the I of student union funding government over these proposals,' could also have a devastating London THE GUIDE 17-23 Mrs Thatcher's report, had it been effect on the work of Student CLASSIFIEDS 24 implemented, would have led. to the finance Commuuity Action. Under All over London of clubs and societies by individual 25 the government proposal~. students have been TRAVEL subscription - not diastmilar to the proposals Action does not qualify as a involved in a SPORT ... 26, 27, 28 currently on the table. core service and would variety of As it to prove that some things never therefore not he eligible for campaigns. change. the coordination of opposition to funding. Westminster 1 POLICY the Government's reforms came in for I "The effect would be University held a stinging criticism. "An utter waste of time." terrible." said Action co mock execution said Ken Hind after an NUS Emergency Leeds Student is an independent ordinator Emma Roberts. and North London Conference_ 'The only decision that was Newspaper serving students at "It would mean the complete University staged a made during the whole day was that we Leeds Cniaeraity, Leeds collapse of \Won, the loss of Gladiators-type were all opposed to the Report....lt was Metropolitan University and student ins olvement in 40 contest farcical" other colleges in and around different projects, including Inside Leeds University Union there was Leeds. All our journalists abide work with children, the Durham condemnation of a "bloody irresponsible" by a code of conduct. but if you elderly, the homeless and left-wing group which had publicly called have any complaints please people with physical Students at Durham for a general strike by students. "The chant contact the Editor. difficulties. We would held a candlelit vigil to protest should be 'Hands off our Unions' and not consider any reduction in 'Tories out' interspersed with silly giggling," Leeds Student Newspaper service as a complete against Voluntary Leeds University Union fumed a Leeds Student Editorial. disaster, as it would he Membership. and a PO Box 157 Reforms of the NUS is an apparent fixture failing some of those who we recent rally eds LS1 I UH attracted thousands on successive Conservative administrations' help." she added_ An Action outing. These would cease under NUS reform. hidden agendas. In 1985 the issue of The only alternative to of students. Other Editor voluntary membership was once again abolition, she said, would be schemes, including providing dreadful if we stopped campaigns included Richard Fletcher "under review", an attack seen by some as volunteers for various getting Action volunteers. a petition written a £44 membership charge for an act of revenge: "This persecution is a Deputy Editor community centres around Our Saturday Club would along a pavement each member. result of the NUS embarrassing the Sam Greenhill Leeds. Andy Austin of Hall have to be shut - most other and letters written Action has 750 student Government over grants." said the President members and is currently Lane Community Centre volunteers are busy on to MPs, "especially Assistant Editor of Labour Students at the time. John McLeod involved in many different complained: "It would be Saturday." old boys of Durham." Chief News Editor Rosa Prince North West Campaigns present _kssilan1 News Editors • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Merlyn Bcauchiii Rag & Leeds Student under threat Lancaster, Helen Crossley Leeds University: y reds Rag and Leeds Student I &wising for more income from • The future of Leeds Student Manchester and John Rev ill Leenewspaper will not sum groups like we' has also been thrown into Liverpool are Starting with the Union shutout on Friday, Matt Roper in their current form tt the Graham Buchanan, Rae Raid chaos by the announcement in organising a "Nurth Exec are planning a full programme of Spotlight Editor Government implements it Cu-Ordinator. said: "Over 75 per the Queen's speech. Leeds West Lobby" - 7th campaigns right up to the implementation of I)avid Smith proposed reforms of the NUS. cent of students do not realise Student currently receives December • when lhe Bill. This places in serious jeopardy what reform of the NUS really around £20,000 from both Focus Editor they will present John Rose, General Secretary. said that the funding of several charities means and what is going to Leeds University Union and Helen Sage MPs with an Exec were going to ask all students to sign which depend on support from happen if it goes through. Leeds Metropolitan University Arts Editors education charter a petition. and write postcards to Baroness Rag societies. People need to he made more Student Union, tinder the Lit Ekstein saying: "Save Our Match.. Government spokesperson in the The proposed reforms will aware of the consequences of proposals this funding would Emma Hartley Union". Massive House of Lords for Education. Keith take away the society's. funding this policy." he lost.. Both Unions would also poster campaigns Hampson NIP. NUS Trustee. and Tim Music Editors and facilities. with the result that Nationwide. student rag be required to charge Leeds are underway and Boswell, Minister for Higher Education. Alex Sanders it will not be able to operate societies provide o%,er £2 million Student market rent for the students have been Students are also asked to write a letter to Johnny Davis anywhere near as efficiently. per year for charities. The use of both of its offices, lobbying their local both their home, and Leeds MPs. Parents Class/I azz One result will he the British Institute for Brain Leeds Student Editor MPs. are also requested to write to their local MP. Mark Punnell disappearance of Rag in.ents like Injured Children, a national Richard Fletcher said: "The Shark and Beer Festivals, while charity supported by Leeds Rag, Books Editor reforms would have a local charities will be is lobbying against the changes South West LMU: John McLeod devastating effect on the paper. particularly hard hit. in conjunction with other and although we might he able The Guide Rag Sabbatical officer Myles charities. to survive on our advertising Bristol University Elaine Ratcliffe, VP Education and Stephen Hill Bremner said: "I am devastated Evelyn Cousins, a revenue, the quality and size of flooded their local Campaigns, said that LMU were planning a Juliettte Garside by the fact that the government spokesperson for B1B1C. said: the paper would obviously be MP's mail with weekly campaign, each relating to one Spores Editor has decided to implement this so "The loss of Rag support will affected. The paper produced Christmas Cards.