Several members of the Glasgow University Union (GUU) Board of Management have been accused of vandalising campaign placards belonging to SRC Presidential candidate James Foley.

The incident, which took place on the evening of Tuesday March 1 following a Hustings Meeting for hopeful sabbatical officers, resulted in a number of posters promoting the James Foley campaign being torn down from their positions and ‘thrown to the street’ by members of the GUU Board.

Eyewitnesses to the event claim to have seen Board members leaving a GUU meeting in a drunken state, before proceeding along University Avenue as far as University Gardens. They were then intercepted by a number of James Foley’s supporters, who are said to have subsequently ‘physically assaulted’ and ‘spat on’ the GUU Board members involved.

Chris Walsh, a member of the Vote Foley Campaign Team and eyewitness to the event, spoke of his anger on finding people removing campaign material.

He said: “We kind of expected some drunk people coming out of the unions to pull down a few placards; but to come across an organised group of GUU board members specifically targeting our campaign materials after a drunken night out was infuriating. Hardly union impartiality.

“It’s clear that the right wing establishment are willing to use any dirty tactics to prevent the election of a real, progressive candidate.”

The members of the GUU Board involved – accused by the Foley Campaign Team of being Ross Mitchell, Convener of Debates, Ross Cook, Convener of Libraries, David Birrell, Convener of Games and Present Student Member Chris Bush  –  will face disciplinary action according to GUU President Colin Woods, who stressed that the Union does not support any individual candidate in the SRC Election.

He said: “At roughly 3am on Wednesday morning a number of GUU Board Members did remove some James Foley placards from University Avenue. GUU in no way condones the behaviour of those GUU Board members involved in the incident and they will be subjected to individual discipline as a result of their behaviour.

“GUU has no official backing of any candidate in this election. The individuals involved were acting on their own accord and in an individual capacity.”

Woods went on to accuse members of the Foley campaign of acts of violence against members of the GUU Board, condemning their response as ‘deplorable’ and ‘thuggish’.

“[The incident] resulted in those involved being physically assaulted and spat on by the individuals from Mr. Foley’s campaign.

“The behaviour of the members of Mr. Foleys team was absolutely deplorable. The use of violence in any campaign is at best thuggish and menacing, and at worse cause for police involvement; on this occasion the police were not called as the individuals involved did not wish to put negative attention on what should be an important and positive election.

“These attacks were also independently witnessed, and at one point a passer-by intervened in the aid of one of the board members involved.”

James Foley, along with fellow candidate Stuart Ritchie, is one of the frontrunners in the ongoing election for SRC President. Desmond McKenna is also hoping to take the position.

It remains to be seen how this incident will affect James Foley’s campaign.

Adam Campbell

The abandoned Hetherington Research Club has been occupied by various activist groups in protest to proposed cuts to Higher Education.

The club, which was forced to close down last year for financial reasons, was occupied on Tuesday February 1, by around 50 protesters, who gained access to the empty building through a fire door from the adjoining building 11 University gardens.

The occupiers have issued a list of demands, which include indefinite freedom of access, no police presence, acceptance of student ownership and control of the Hetherington. The protesters are also demanding no cuts to student services or unions and no job losses without proper consultation.

One protester explained the reasons for the occupation.

He said: “Student action shows the importance of the student experince and this occupation of the Hetherington will remind others of that as well.”

The decision to occupy the building was taken on Monday as workers began to renovate the building, in what is believed to be an attempt by the university to sell off the building as offices.

The activists intend on using the club as a free student space that is open to all staff and students, and numerous events have been held in the building, including a reading by AL Kennedy, in what is considered to be the launch of her campaign to become Rector at Glasgow University.

Many different groups, including former staff members at the Hetherington, have supported the campaign. Eileen Boyle, former Staff Representative at the Hetherington, showed her support for the occupation.

She said: “I was here the day they actually shut it down and I’m just thinking this kind of direct action might have actually kept our social space open and kept 25 people in jobs so I’m applauding what the students are doing just now to draw attention to this.”

Tommy Gore, President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), applauded the efforts of the protesters, but warned them from shifting focus off other events.

He said: “Whilst it’s good to see the Hetherington back in use, we’re concerned that the Occupation will detract from the issues surrounding the forthcoming Cost Reduction Plan in the next week. This is where the SRCs focus will be on, in responding to these announcements.”

The university spokesperson says it will not intervene with the occupation, unless it becomes disruptive.

He said: “Campus security are in close contact with the protesters. As things stand, as long as the protest remains peaceful and does not disrupt the normal business of the University and other students, campus security will not intervene.”

The Research Club was closed down last year after the university stopped providing finanicial grants to the club, believing that it was unjustifiable to supply funding to a club that was not financially viable.

Jennifer Campbell and Adam Campbell

The Glasgow University Union (GUU) has continued its tradition of debating by hosting two political debates.

The first, the annual John Smith Memorial Debate, saw high-profile politicians debate the motion “This house believes that Labour is still best for Britain,” the second a debate on the Alternative Vote (AV) referendum, which is due to take place on May 5.

The University’s Rector, the Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy MP, chaired the John Smith debate, and stressed his impartial and independent role at the beginning of the proceedings.

Proposing the motion were the Labour politicians Ann McKechin, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and MP for the Glasgow North constituency; the Rt. Hon. Tom Clarke, who is a former Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill; and Johann Lamont, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party and MSP for Glasgow Pollok. Ann McKechin MP defended Labour’s commitment to the working people of Britain, while Tom Clarke MP highlighted some of Labour’s achievements while in power.

Speaking to the Glasgow University Guardian, Johann Lamont MSP summarised the main argument of the proposition: “We have big issues facing families, and my contention still remains that the Labour Party are more likely to protect and defend them.”

Representatives from the other three major parties opposed the motion: Gerald Malone, former Conservative Minister of State in the Department of Health; Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown, Shadow Spokesperson for Justice and representative of the Glasgow region; and Angela Constance, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning in the current SNP government.

Charles Kennedy concluded the debate by praising both the good-natured atmosphere and the clashing ideas brought to the fore. Following this, a vote led him to declare the result a scoring draw.

Proposing the AV system were Sophie Bridger, head of the Glasgow University Liberal Democrats and Katy Gordon, top of the list candidate for the Liberal Democrats for Glasgow North.

Opposing the AV system was Ruth Davidson, who stood as the Conservative party candidate in the 2009 Glasgow North East by-election, and Ross McFarlane, President of the Glasgow University Conservative Association.

Speaking after the debate, Katy Gordon emphasised the benefits of AV and encouraged people to use their vote.

She said: “It’s really important that everyone goes out and votes and votes for this.

“I think will be fairer vote and it will make sure that everyone’s vote counts it will stop the scandal of MPs having safe seats, seats for life, and it will also make MPs work harder, as they will not just have to get the core vote but they will also have to go out to work to get other people to support them as well. So with the fairer vote we have an opportunity, the people have an opportunity to have a say change politics forever.”

Gerald Malone, speaking to the Guardian after the John Smith Memorial debate, stressed the importance of debating at the University of Glasgow and highlighted its rich history:

He said “There’s a litany of people who have cut their teeth in the debating chamber in Glasgow University”, mentioning Charles Kennedy, Menzies Campbell and Donald Dewar amongst others.

Glasgow’s new Tesco Metro store on Byres Road is giving 10 Glasgow University Guardian readers the chance to win a Dissertation Survival Kit each!

The final year of university is rarely easy for anyone, and writing a dissertation is no easy accomplishment. Combined with additional assignments and lectures plus your friends, family and social life, the final year of any university course can be a real challenge.

So, to try and take the edge off the stress and pressure of being a final year student, The Tesco Metro store on Byres Road has teamed up with Guardian to offer 10 students the chance to win a fabulous Dissertation Survival Kit each, consisting of all the essentials any student needs – Red Bull and coffee, tinned beans and pizza as well as the obligatory pens, paper and other bits of stationery.

The store is now open from 6am – 12 midnight Monday to Saturday, and 8am – 12 midnight on Sundays.

For your chance to win one of these great Dissertation Survival Kits, just answer the following question along with your name and contact details, including a postal and email address, to editors@glasgowguardian.co.uk:

Q: What is Tesco’s famous motto?

Terms and Conditions:

All entries for the competition must be received by no later than 12 noon, Friday 12th March 2010.
This competition is open to all University of Glasgow students.
Winners may be required to take part in publicity.
Usual Newspaper terms and conditions apply, copies available on request.
Dissertation survival kits only available from the Byres Road, Glasgow Tesco Metro.
Winners will be sent a letter or email from Freedman Brown Communications to take in store to claim the kit.
Each kit will amount to approximately £10 each.
This competition is not open to employees of Tesco Ltd or The Guardian.

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