Vision says:
Anti-Semitism is completely unacceptable. That our Racial Equality Officer would be condoning such outrageous and out-dated views is something Vision is entirely oppposed to.
Vision would support any students who look to a motion of no confidence being raised against Lawrence Binitie, and does not think that the Officer, in the light of his views, can fairly represent all the students he is mandated to.
When Grace Fletcher-Hackwood was no confidenced in 2008, it was the result of a long campaign of democracy, and rather than being struck out of the Union by the YUSU President in his role as a trustee; Vision supports the democratic process by which Binitie could be removed from office. There is very little separating Fletcher-Hackwood and Binitie’s cases – both acted entirely against the morals their positions seek to uphold. Whether Binitie has private viewpoints contrary to his role is not as important as whether or not he chooses to inflict those so angrily upon others.
Fletcher-Hackwood’s case set a precedent for how these situations should be dealt with. It is unfathomable that Binitie would be allowed to stay in his position as Racial Equality Officer – as it has become extremely clear that racial equality isn’t even something he supports.
Thumbs up:
The bar redevelopments. With the opening of the Lounge bar in the Roger Kirk Centre, and the promise of a new bar opening on Hes East in the near future, things are finally looking up for the University’s rather questionable bar scene.
Five years ago, there was no hope of a students’ union-run bar, but now we have two and are looking forward to the third, with very different atmospheres in all bars – Uni or YUSU-run. From the coffee shop feel of Derwent Bar to the classier pizzas in the Lounge, we have a bar scene to suit anybody, drinker or not.
Not only that, but finally societies have somewhere to go where their socials can be better catered for. Drinks deals in V Bar and Derwent Bar are good, but the Lounge has a set of deals, including food, just for groups. Take that, topped off with the things we’re hearing about the new Langwith, and it seems the days of the Uni not being ready for freshers are passing by.
Thumbs down:
The loss of Little John. The bar, as tumultuous as students’ relationship with it could be (don’t forget the time Vision reported on its owner and bouncers getting violent with some female students, or the first time the owner was arrested in a cocaine scandal), was at least somewhere where gay students could go fearlessly.
Though York isn’t known for being particularly homophobic, the loss of Tru’s gay night on Sundays last year, followed by the only well-known gay-friendly bar in York losing its alcohol license may well make life more difficult for York’s LGBTQ community.
That said, those who define as LGBTQ shouldn’t need their own bars to feel comfortable, and the drugs abuse that has led to Little John losing its license shows that this might have not been the best environment for anybody. Vision can only hope that LGBTQ students feel comfortable enough in the numerous other bars and pubs, without needing their own venue.