5.15.13
Recently, I have been helping on a USU Campaign through the Liberal Club (SULC). The USU, University of Sydney Union, is the largest run student organization in Australia. Basically, the Union is in charge of all the clubs and societies on campus, determines how funds to such organizations are allocated, runs all of the food and clothing vendors on campus, etc. To become a member of the Union, students can buy Access cards, which are $100 a year. Having an Access card allows you to join clubs and societies (many of which you cannot join without Access) and you get discounts on food and clothing sold through Union-run establishments. There is a board of directors which runs the Union, made up of several students as well as other professionals. The benefits to being on Union Board include being able to determine how Access funds are allocated, organizing social events on campus, implementing changes concerning food vendors... and a $4000 stipend. So, being elected to the Board is a pretty big deal, around here. There are 15+ students in the running and only 6 will be chosen, 3 boys and 3 girls.
I'm helping Will & Grace with their campaign. Mostly, all I really do is stand around their table wearing their shirt, go into some lectures and spiel about why students should vote Will & Grace, and make their campaign photo my cover photo on Facebook. It's not a hefty amount of commitment, but it's been fun. Elections are on February 22.
In other news, USYD experienced it's fourth day of industrial action, yesterday. You've got it right, ladies and gentlemen, another strike. These strikes are really just becoming more and more frustrating as time goes on, and a lot of students are starting to get annoyed. The most frustrating part is that the strikers aren't persuasive. They aren't making a meaningful effort to persuade students into championing their cause. The simply barricade the entrances to Uni, get in screaming matches with students and police, and pass out the same unconvincing literature to students who are really just trying to get to class. Because they pay for class. Because they have the right to receive an education, even if several lecturers do not feel like educating them.