“Labour lackey” and “wannabe politician” are probably not the sort of responses you want when you have just been elected head of a union. But such is life for Aaron Porter, who was elected as the new President of the National Union of Students last April. But Porter takes it all in his stride, although with a slight tone of annoyance. “These accusations are just something you have to deal with. But I have a track record of independence and have criticised Labour before” says the paid up member of the Labour Party.
These criticisms were probably somewhat inevitable when you are attempting to lead an organisation that is inextricably linked to the Labour movement and has seen many of its former Presidents rubbing shoulders with Labour party glitterati.
Instead of focusing on this Aaron Porter likes to point to his own experiences as an undergraduate, a sabbatical officer at the University of Leicester and as Vice President of the NUS as putting him in the “strongest possible position.” While he states that he “really enjoyed university and had a great experience” he is achingly hasty to acknowledge that some people don’t have a good experience at university.
It is with this that Porter launches into what you feel must be a slightly over used tirade on the endless problems facing the higher
education sector. “Budgets under threat…direct impact on the student experience…a real prospect fees will be increased.”
Although over used you get the sense Porter is genuine throughout. And with this he fires an attack on his next target – Vice Chancellors. “Many VCs, probably including Brian Cantor, are calling for fees to be increased.” Porter is not going to draw back or mince words when dealing with what he seems to believe are some form of anti-Christ figurehead for all that he is campaigning against. “They have received record pay; if they campaign for increased fees they should expect a backlash.” With this he throws out what is probably his most stinging criticism – “Not every VC really cares about students and the student experience.”
However, Porter is confident that his campaigns, particularly the NUS campaign against a rise in fees, will garner popular approval. “Public support is on our side and there are not sufficient numbers of MPs supporting a rise in fees.”
It remains to be seen whether the new NUS President will be able to translate this apparent support into successful government policy. The Browne Report (a government study into the possibility of raising tuition fees) is underway now and due to present its findings to those in charge by the Autumn. Porter sees this as the next big struggle. “They have no real regard for students and they will recommend higher fees. The committee’s inclination is towards the free market and they are keen on students paying more.”
Porter certainly sees fighting against fee increases as an integral facet of his presidency. When asked what he wants to achieve during his term he reels off a list of plans – “no fee increases”, “a better deal for part time students”, “a fairer admissions system” and “I want the university timetable to be re-jigged so you apply once you have your results.” And there will certainly be a lot of people waiting to see what Porter can achieve.
The new NUS President is also happy to argue against those who dismiss the NUS as ineffectual or pointless. “We have the most democratic structure of any organisation in the world.” However, Porter is keen to remember some of the problems of the recent past.”The NUS has had some real successes over recent years. But I do appreciate that up until a few years it was mismanaged and poorly directed.”
His criticisms also happily wander onto the subject of the NUS itself. “We need to be better at communicating with students. Most students don’t know what we do apart from the discount card. We need to get our message directly to students.” However, it is not with NUS that Porter seems to think the responsibility of communication lies but with universities. “We need access to students’ email addresses; we need a visible presence on university campuses and should have web links on student union websites.”
Porter certainly shows a genuine vivacious appetite to get things done. He has campaigns spewing left, right and centre and enough criticisms to fill up a week’s worth of newspaper comment pieces. But students have been failed a few too many times for the new NUS President to have access to the trust some might have once taken for granted in the union. Add to this a report likely to recommend raising tuition fees and a government in its overdraft and it will remain to be seen where all Porter’s campaigns and criticisms will get him.
NUS may have had a fighting chance if Aaron had a good team behind him!
Reference:
http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/news/charlie-gets-a-ley-gacy/comment-page-1#comment-4054