The nature of their roles (generally) is such that very often a student will be unaware of the work they have done/will do for them until they are in need of their assistance. I remember criticism levelled at myself last year that would have had you believe that I was the worst in the world, and yet there would have been others who would have told you the complete opposite. Very often the criticism comes from people who either have an agenda, are speculating or who are simply stirring the pot. I understand your point but again it doesn’t really give you all that much to go on does it? What about the times you weren’t anywhere near the office? What about the students who have been helped by them and would sing their praises – and have done on this site? Ultimately it’s subjective. I see officers who would generally be considered to do a lot of work, and wouldn’t disagree with that, but I would question the value of a lot of their work. If you want to get something done, you don’t necessarily have to sit until 11pm writing a paper about it down to the colour of the tacks you are using to put up posters. Over the last years the line between the Union and its workings vs the University and its workings has become increasingly thin. Personally, i’d rather have officers doing things they individually and as a group see fit (within reason) rather than spending an extra 10 hours in their office to tick boxes for someone from across the road. The relationship between the 2 obviously necessitates co-operation and adherence to certain rules but too many officers, in my opinion, are far too keen to impress senior management of the University and come across as “big boy in a big boy’s job”.

As for the Gown, I have to say I wouldn’t have been behind any moves to oust them. Some things published are childish and silly and often offensive, but ultimately a bit of craic. I think it’s naive to think it’s Barry and Paul driving that one forward though. You’d have to look down a nearby corridor for your culprit…

But i think that the mess that some areas of the union are in started when sabbs thought they could get away with coming in at 11am and being away by 3pm, or when they think that speaking to people is the real work. Its important, but not what they are there for. They are there to effect change and to maintain a level of representation for students.

I think Lilly and Duffy have across looking so bad, because their jobs do not produce high profile results such as the publication of the SU mag or interaction with clubs and socs. But I feel they have not been professional in the way they have handled themselves this year. Blocking the gown, which they really should just put up with and prove wrong through their work, and I have to say every time I walk past the sabb office, Lilly and Duffy have always had friends there talking to them. And I know they are friends, not students they are helping.

The truth is very few people know how much work the sabbs are doing. If Shane did the same amount of work he does now but went out socialising the way LilDuff do people would say he did no work at all. Having a social life outside work shouldn’t be mistaken for not being able to perform in work. Most of these opinions are based on seeing people in the office after 7 in the evening or because they talk enthusiastically about part of their job. Have a bit of sense and realise that actions like that are as self serving as anything else – very much a “LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT HOW MUCH WORK I DO, AND LOOK HOW FAIR I AM TRYING TO BRING IN THIS CHANGE TO WAGES WHICH COULD EVEN IMPACT ON MYSELF ” exercise. Spending silly hours in the office and talking about how much work you do doesnt necessarily translate into a lot of (useful!) work. Half the stuff that sabbs do for students is ignored by the majority of the student body anyway… see self defence lessons, lectures, fair trade events etc. Attendances are almost always piss poor and you’re left trying to drag your mates along as a favour. Maybe if sabbs were a bit more of a face about campus, like duffy and lilly etc, people would take a bit more interest in what was actually goin on in the place.

Enough.

Who cares?

Why are we giving this snippet of a letter so much attention?

JESUS!

It is hardly surprising however as she is so out of touch with student views and opinions. Maybe if she had some form of a social life she may understand student concerns and views. Then she may carry out her job correctly nstead of sucking up to resident groups constantly. Us students demand a better VP Community next year! She is a complete waste of space!!!

Duffy and Lilly haven’t been tasked to make changes they’ve been tasked to do the job they were elected to do, in this they have failed.

Its becoming clear that they were elected to their positions not because they had any interest in doing the job but because the groups that have a stranglehold over these sabbatical positions wanted to maintain the status quo.

Duffy and Lilly have just gotten a years worth of easy money by coasting along on the hard work done by other sabs.

I’ve only read a bit of gown this year but at least they are providing a service to students which is undeniably beneficial.

There are a couple of excellent Sabbs who the others free ride on … Hawthorne or Shane for example. Pity that the rest cant put in the same effort.

And you say The Gown are overly biased…

Massive LOL.

You might recognize him as they guy doing all the work while certain other officers have UV party’s at the Bot or the guy who gets his work in on time rather than a week late.

He’d also be the one who’s gone to meetings and made themselves accountable for their actions to council.

He’d also be the chap who’s been pushing for accountability for student officers through performance related pay (not play as would suit some other officers)so that future officers don’t simply coast through a year of work.

In short he’s the fella who’s been keeping the union going, picking up the slack from other officers and generally makeing sure the union runs as its supposed to.

And would you believe he’s done all of this from behind his desk!

LOL.

Paul Lilly abu! great man for the students, not like brogan!!!!