Vision says:
When clubs in town have cheaper door prices and better drink deals, is it any surprise that college events struggle to sell enough tickets to break even, let alone make a profit?
Up until now, Derwent proved to be an exception to this rule, with Club D events almost always selling out. However, with the decrease in college spirit following the change to catered accommodation this year, Club D is no longer a guaranteed money-maker. Perhaps students have realised that paying up to £5 to dance in what effectively is a canteen where they eat twice a day is not an enticing offer.
Despite the extortionate cost of renting sound equipment having blighted college events for years by artificially pushing up the price of tickets, this is the first time college chairs have come out in unison to speak out against the university’s short-term policy.
If York truly wants to present itself as a collegial university, it has to invest in its colleges. £35,000 to pay for equipment that all colleges can use is a worthwhile investment when renting can cost over £1,000 per night.
Thumbs up to:
Freedom of speech. This week has seen a triumph for freedom of speech as controversial speaker Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari was allowed, despite protestations, to deliver his speech about the teachings of the Qur’an to students. It is essential, for an age in which extremist views are increasingly alienated, that we sit up and listen on the rare occasion that we are offered the opportunity to hear these thoughts first hand. What we agree with may be minimal, but what we can learn will be extensive.
However, if the cases of the York Tories, and the blocking of comments on the Nouse website have taught us anything, it is that freedom of speech may not be as clearcut as we would like. Is could be argued that it is not within the Tories’ rights to publish material that is potentially damaging for their affiliate party. It could be said that it is not acceptable for spiteful or derogatory comments to appear on student media.
However, Vision believes that the ignorance bred from restricting freedom of speech can be more harmful than the offence caused by allowing it.
Thumbs down to:
Student apathy. It’s a real shame that so many of this year’s part-time and supplementary positions are going uncontested at this year’s elections, and even more so that some places are completely empty. If we expect to hold our Union accountable for their actions, we must show that they are mandated by the entire student body.
Not only does this mean casting our votes wisely, but participating in the elections at every level, including putting ourselves in the race. Running for a position may be a large undertaking, but it should be one that is sought after; representing your university is a matter of pride (as well as a nifty CV filler), and we are sad to see so little enthusiasm.