Visions says:
In this post-crunch political climate, it was only to be expected that attention would soon turn to the highest paid public-sector workers. At around a quarter of a million pounds, our VC’s salary far exceeds David Cameron’s.
What’s more striking is how the University’s top boss uses his expenses facility. Despite the claims that the VC’s use of a private chauffeur is strictly for “business trips,” some of his invoices suggest otherwise. In 2009 Cantor claimed for a journey to the Reform Club in Pall Mall, the heart of London’s private members club district. On its website, the Club states that “To maintain the convivial atmosphere, the use of mobile phones and the production of business papers are not permitted.” So not much work done there, we suppose?
As part of his job, Cantor also gets to dine at celebrity favourite restaurants such as The Ivy, in London’s West End. A three-course meal costing well over £50 could possibly be justified, however, when the journey home back to York costs £333.50, criticism can only be expected.
Although students may worry that national attention through Dispatches might damage the institution, a temporary spotlight on the VC can only be a good thing in the long term. Vision will be watching the documentary with anticipation.
Thumbs up to:
The University rugby team! York’s most infamous sports club landed themselves in yet another pickle when it was revealed that one of their players set off a smoke bomb in Ziggy’s a couple of weeks ago. It seems the boys just can’t stay out of trouble. However, in an interesting turn of events, the club took it upon itself to administer the punishment, by imposing a 10-day Ziggy’s ban on its members.
Here at Vision we pride ourselves on being fair and balanced, and we’ve got to give credit where credit’s due. President Rory McGregor deserves praise for stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for his team’s actions. The rumoured punishment might be a costly lesson for the individual, and the added self-imposed ban could prove to be exactly what the doctor ordered for the team.
Maybe the overly laddish culture within the club will come to an end with their own president denying them what they hold most dear – their Wednesday nights? We’re not holding our breaths, but it’s a nice gesture if nothing else…
Thumbs down to:
Your Shop! Last week, the staff of the popular campus store decided to cover up two completely decent gay magazines, while at the same time allowing lads mags like Nuts to be displayed without any cover.
Now, Vision isn’t saying that we agree or disagree with the practice of covering up front pages that might be deemed offensive – that’s a different debate altogether. What we are saying however, is that the fact that this is an issue at all, is inherently problematic.
It shows that even on a seemingly liberal university campus, the LGBT community is still facing varying degrees of prejudice. This is an issue that needs to be taken seriously, even if it just means removing a piece of black plastic.