Dear students, and staff of SOAS,

Today the University of Bradford Union meet to discuss the deportations of cleaners at the School of African and Oriental Studies, London. We want to send our solidarity greeting to you.

We were both shocked and appalled to hear last week that the University had been complicit in allowing members of their staff to be intimidated, detained and deported whilst working at SOAS.

The fact that the University targeted underpaid cleaners many of whom are active in working to fight for better widest is outrageous.

As students and researches at the University of Bradford we feel that our Universities has a duty to protect all members of its community. The fact that the your school not only refused to protect its staff but was complicit in deporting ill and pregnant staff is outrageous.

We fully support actions such as the present occupation to fight for the rights for these workers. Students and staff must unite to work together in creating a community that is safe and secure for each other.

We send our solidarity with those who have been part of the campaign to stop deportations while out thoughts are on those who are being deported and other staff who are being intimidated by these kind of actions. We wish the occupation all the success.

We want to make it clear to all Universities but particular to SOAS that the behaviour of senior management not acceptable and have called for them in a separate letter to support their staff and the occupation.

Yours, in solidarity and friendship.
For and on behalf of the University of Bradford Union



Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Union Secretary – Treasurer 2007-09
Vice President (Societies) 2009-10

Labels: Education Not for Sale, ENS, International Politics, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

On a cold February morning about 60 students from Bradford set off to London to make their mark in the start of the free education ahead of the government review on University fees.

Labels: education, Education Not for Sale, ENS, National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

On Monday 9th March about 40 Students gathered to hear Tamar Katz talk about her experiences being jailed for refusing to fight in the Israeli army. Tamar, a high school student, was drafted in to the army but told her story about how a group of school students and her joined a small but growing movement of conscientious objector in Israel.

Following massive demonstrations and a wave of student occupations against Israel’s war in Gaza, the University of Bradford Union, supported by Education not for Sale (a student anti-capitalist lobby group) joint up with other Unions and also Alliance of Workers liberty to host part of the national tour with Tamar, one of the Shministim, Israeli high school students jailed for refusing to fight in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Tamar said “I was 16 when the second war in Lebanon began and this made me re-consider the prospect of fighting in the IDF after I graduated from school. My family were “ordinary” — not political, and we did not talk about these things at home. I wanted to find out more about the political situation and to think through my ideas. I began to work for an organisation which ran educational initiatives in working-class neighbourhoods. This was my first time in a politicised environment. Through it I met many left wing people. I moved into a collective house and began to get involved with a group called New Profile (an anti-militaristic feminist organisation).

She spoke about her experience in jail, how her family reacted and the pace of change in Israeli. There was much debate about boycotts and their effectiveness and most people reported a successful event. Tamar talked about their work with other organisations such as Combatants for Peace

The Union, with the Peace Studies department is working to bring Bassam Aramin, Co-Founder of a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization, Combatants for Peace to Bradford in the next academic year. He has been accepted at the University to study a masters but needs the fund to come to the University. We will keep you updated with information and whether the University agrees to a fee waiver for Bassam.

Labels: Education Not for Sale, International Politics, Israel, Palestine, Peace Studies, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Now, more than ever, the right to education is important and it’s not just about giving people a fun few years at University. It’s about the “economy, stupid!” (As Bill Clinton once said) and most of all its about giving outcomes that achieve justice and equality.

In this article I will explain why free university education is important. I want to dispel the myth that free education is unachievable, and call on Bradford University to be the leader in moving the debate forward. Apart from the fact that education is a right (under the UN articles of

Human Rights), apart from being something that drives the economy, it is something much more important – it provides a more stable society. As more people achieve higher levels of education our communities become more. I’m not saying that with a University education racism, sexism and homophobia are abolished, but that through greater life and educational experience people have a greater understanding of the world and themselves and are more likely to accept others.

Ignoring that, the question comes down to whether students should themselves “contribute”. After the shambles that was up-front fees, the government changed the system so that either you qualified for free University Education based on your parent’s income or you took out a loan and you paid it back later on. This continued the relience on not only parents but also assumes that everyone receives support from parents.

This whole idea was based on a piece of flawed research, which suggested that your income “potential” was greater after you had gone to University. Infact, it now looks like most people will never pay back the loan which now has higher interest than a high street back loan (most students will pay something like £60 a month just on interest). If everyone benefits through a better society surly everyone should contribute? Many students will leave University with over £20,000 in debt and even if you have stayed at home to reduce your costs you could end up with over £10k to pay back.

How can it be fair? Something that is a human right, something that makes society more peaceful and most of all gives us doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers to name but a few, surely should be available free to everyone.

The system is clearly not working – it needs to change. The government agreed to review the system of fees in 2009 and now the review is about to start. Some Universities are calling for the fees to be increased to whatever level they want, while others are keeping quiet.

Bradford Student Union has a long history of standing for justice, standing for free education. When fees were introduced we supported people who protested and refused to pay; we marched, and by our side was our Vice Chancellor Colin Bell - the then VC - who spoke in the media. He stood up for justice and history will prove him right.

So here’s the challenge to our Vice Chancellor now (Mark Cleary). He says he has his “personal opinions” but wont speak up for free University Education. He says, “the debate is about what level they should rise to” and “a new system isn’t on the table”. Recently I challenged him to set the agenda, put free education on the table. So far he has declined; he doesn’t want to stick his head above anyone else.

The question surely should be ‘what will Bradford lose for speaking out’? The answer is, nothing (apart from keeping the Government and the VC’s chums in other Universities happy). What will Bradford gain? Everything! We would keep our reputation of being a University that leads, that doesn’t just let the big boys boss us around.

In the VC introduction speech to students he says, “it’s the mavericks, the eccentrics that change the world and that’s what we want to foster at Bradford”. Quite right Mark, so lets have a little more of the maverick from you and a little less of the sheep.

On the 25th February students are invited to London for a national demonstration against fees, for grants and for better paid and resourced lectures. That’s free for all students, home, international, well off or not, paid through tax from those who can afford it. Just a small amount that has been given to the banks could pay for it! I will be marching and making a difference, and I invite every student from Bradford to join me. At only £1.50 for a return ticket to London you can’t refuse.

This is a global movement and we are achieving change. Education should be free from the Gaza Strip to the Rocky Mountains. Students are starting the fight back. In France they fought and won against laws that discriminated against student workers. In parts of Germany, Universities, this year, are again free after students took to the streets and fought for free education. In Greece, after student unions battled to get accommodation and food subsidised, victory was declared last year.

So now that we know why education should be free, that it can be free and Bradford University has a history of calling for free education, why don’t you become part of a movement that changes history? Come and join us. Students, lecturers, staff and even Mark Cleary the VC are welcome to make education better.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Tickets for the Wednesday 25th National Demonstration can be bought online at www.ubuonline.co.uk/demo or at the Union reception. or for local contacts cheek out http://studentdemo2009.org.uk

Labels: education, Education Not for Sale, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Last night I want to the Topic Folk Club, the oldest surviving folk club in the world. It was a great night, as always, and enjoyable. I would recommend that anyone around on a Thursday head off to the IDL - Bradford Irish Club and enjoy the night.

At the night, John Waller sang a song in the intermission about Palestine, having lived in Lebanon only a few miles from a refuges camp in 1969, John had written the song then about how he saw the issue, and although trying to look at both sides, it was clear to him that there was a political perspective that had to be taken.

40 years on, and now 60 years since the start of the occupation, John sang that same song again, nothing had to be changed. The attacks, the deaths, the injustice - still rife.

Many people can see that what has been happening over the last 60 years isn't right and that it must end.

One state, two state or what ever is the academic question, what I clear to many, an especially to those who took part in the student occupation on Tuesday and Wednesday is that the killing must stop and we must show solidarity to those who are suffering, quite clearly the Palestinians.

Those who inflate the whole debate in to a Jew, Muslim, Christian conflict, are not only trying to use religion, race and racism to win the argument, they are mistake. This is not an issue of your background, but one of an occupier, an imperial force (IDF) and justice and peace.

Labels: International Politics, Palestine, Peace Studies, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Yesterday after a peaceful demonstration outside the library and a walk to the Vice Chancellors office just under 100 students (see in the photo on the right) decided to occupy the University Boardroom.

This action was taken by the students after they felt that the University had not fulfilled the demands laid out both by the Union (UBU) and the same group the night before.

The demands (which can be seen on the bolg of the occupation) were given to the VC the day before.

During the day the University of Bradford Union officers supported the protesters but where unable/unwilling to lead any part of the demonstration. As an officer I felt that it was important that students themselves spoke with the VC and the University management.

I have always felt that my relationship with the VC and other managers is very good, and the stronger message of students speaking out against something came from them, and from their hearts.

The VC wasn't in at first, and the group spoke first with the Deputy VC and then later with the VC and Chair of the University Council together. The students where very acutely aware of the problems that where facing them in Gaza on the day that Israel had conducted further air strikes against Gaza.

I am very proud of students who take part in direct actions and feel that it is partly my duty to help and assist with this, however, where to the actions stop and the negations start.

The day went with meetings about the demands, refining them and making them better for the University. I was in and out talking to both "sides", and also keeping an eye on the open space.

After a few false starts the university management came to the table with what I would describe as a very good offer. I laid out to students what I thought about it - "if you care about Gaza, if you want to achieve change and keep a positive dialogue with he VC then this offer is good, my brain said accept it. If however, your purpose is different, is to show how long you can last, turn this space in to something different then then would be exciting and my heart says don't accept. If however you go with my heart, I think that we will be letting a great opportunity pass by to work positively with the VC"

The meeting voted by a majority vote to stay - ironically, many of the people that voted to stay then left and the others (bound by the later decision), who had now nothing on the tabled where forced to stay though the night so that they were able to start it all over again.

Bradford students are doing the right thing, but when does an occupation stop, when do we say ok, that's enough go home? I think that we are nearly there. Over the night a number of people worked on a new statement, trying to get some agreement and move closer to something that University could agree on. Lets hope that it all works out.

Labels: education, Palestine, Peace Studies, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Well what a year it has been, we have had a stronger Welcome week, a packed programme and more engagement. I want to draw councillors attention to three things.

National Union of Students and Elections

We have just had the elections of the National Union of Students Delegates as well as other positions, I think that these went well and I want to extend my thanks to the fantastic team that ran the elections.

From the elections it was quite clear that most of Bradford’s delegates are sceptical, if not out right against the recent proposed changes. I would like to make sure that council is aware of this and when the time comes is prepared to put in amendments to make the proposals better. I hope that council will support our delegates in putting these changes forward.

I also note that after the Extra-Ordinary Conference we will have a referenda for NUS, I intend to convene an elections committee to help run that elections and expect to hold it before the new year.

Trustee Board and Honorary Treasurer

The Union has been re-modelling the way it run so that we are more efficient. I have been very keen to make sure that we make no statutory changes to how we operate and that we enshrine the principle of Students running the Union. We have moved towards the executive holding monthly meetings which deal with staffing and strategy issues. These minutes will be presented to you and are put with the executive reports. The meetings are held under the rules for Executive meetings but with particular agenda items.

It is however the case that we have an external Hon. Treasurer, this is so that there is internal and external controls. At present it is Nick Buck is due to retire at the end o f the year and the Union has put two names forward they are Simon Croll (former sabbatical of UBU and now head of the HUB) and Graham Hill (Friend of the Union and Lead for many project boards). The University will present the agreed candidate and these will have to be agreed by both the Union and University Councils.

Financial Control

Over the last few years the Union has been lax with its financial controls, due to fire fighting. This year is no different but we are expected to make short fall. It is therefore vital that we make cost savings as well as keeping a strong control on the Budgets. This year I have set up a process of budget setting, trying to devolve the setting down to departments who will report back to the Finance and Scrutiny committee for final approval.

Our accounts are in the process of being signed off and by the end of the year Council will have then to ask questions and present before the next General Meeting.

If you have any questions then please either phone me on 07899 785 265 or email ubu-ust@bradford.ac.uk”

Labels: National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

As the Bradford welcome week comes to an end for another year I look back at a set of events that set the mark for development.

Many of us here like to think that Bradford is unique in its make up of students and also the style it runs the Union. From having no president (we have a flat executive of 6 full time and 6 part time) to having almost 50% Muslim students UBU is one that leads the way in alternative ways of working.

During the week we held two free Iftaar events open to all students, a ceilidhs, the Trans tea party and much more we made a programme second to none - so why do I think more can be done?

I truly no longer believe that Unions can rely on their traditional commercial services. We need to be entertaining our students in different ways. Every day pubs across Britain are closing and Student Unions cannot and shouldn't be amune to this.

Apart of diversifying the services that Unions offer, I believe that they need to be exploring mutual solutions to expansion and governance of their commercial activities.

A Union in it's very core should be to protect, defend represent and support their members (in this case students). The problem is that so many SU's and officers get bogged down in the administration and running of the commercial activities.

NUS's recommended solution to this is getting in "externals" to run the whole student union and setting up trustee boards. However this is quite the wrong direction. Apart from undermining the very principle that unions should be controlled by their members it is dangerous giving such poer to an unknown external. When the modal of externals, boards and capital is falling around us the cooperatives provides the modal that we should follow.

This is member lead, member run - but what are members?

I would challenge that for commercial services they should be run by workers cooperatives with managements boards made up of equal workers and students (as most of the workers are still students, students have the majority). It is workers cooperatives that meet the ethical needs of their memebrs and treat employees well.

With this model, the services are kept mutual, the Union still have "control" in terms of its memebrs are the commercial services members (on the whole) and the services are run for and by students - not officers, bureaucrats or externals.

There are so many other examples of how alternative solutions could be used but not one suggestion of the like from NUS - only the same old tired mantra about external trustees - something that will eat away at our credibility.

Labels: education, National Union of Students, UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

I've just come out of the University Council meeting where the Union presented it's way forward for both services and finances.

It was I would say a success but it still has its dangers along in the process of greater collaboration for the Union and the University. I have always believed in reform I think that our Union need to be changed to reflect the students of the future, I believe that we need to fashion a new world.

But this is different from the NUS proposals for their internal reforms and this is why:

Five years ago an organisations which I had been one of the founding members of was going though many changes - as members we voted a no confidence is some of the leadership and the AGM had t be cancelled as it fell in to farce. The Trustee's had asked the membership to approve the auditors, accounts and them without any prior documentation.

This was due just as much to neivaty as it was to democratic deficit, our organisation was only 3 years old and we where still finding our feet. That year we sent through some real hard reforms, things changed, they still are not perfect but the members became part of the governance, they controlled the organisation.

Meanwhile a year later the other national youth body (British Youth Council) was going under an equally difficult reform. Reform that was pushed through by the chair of the organisations. Now I have a lot of respect in what they did in re-forming the BYC, but there is a big problem. At first the measures where needed, the organisation had lost staff, moral and could even end up shut. Members spent their time arguing over petty issues rather than achieve change.

Neither situation was great, but as a member of both we felt like we had made a difference to the UKYP - we had set it up and would run it with our youth workers. At BYC the reforms where different they weren't from a ground swell of people, its wasn't a grass roots movement it was an academic exercise in "good governance".

five years later and if you went to either board they would have the same "power" they are as undemocratic as each other (the UKYP got a little more democratic and the BYC a little less). but one was lead by the members and one wasn't, its the direction that we must look at.

Its the same with NUS, a project developed in a office will always fail, a plan in board meetings will never succeed if its not brought to the members to bring them along. NUS governance needs changing, a "review" is needed, but it should sent NUS on a direction of opening up, becoming less centred on the head office and more on the students, instead we have something that cements power, decides policy by officers not members and sets the agenda on what will get people better jobs not members better lives.

Yes reform is needed but only when its done with the membership not without.

Labels: Education Not for Sale, ENS, National Union of Students, Participation, UBU, UK Youth Parliament, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Well this was almost the accusation that Security put against me when they tried to take me to disciplinary at the University of Bradford. I have been to out spoken about appalling figures of security guards on petrol against sitting in the video room. I have not cooperated when they have tried to shut down Amnesty International on campus and have stood up to them when they have called the police - wasting their time.

But on the may bank holiday while I stood up to them for shouting and intimidating students they made me loose my rag. I was protecting students against a security who are out of control, they expect me to give them details of everyone and hand in my id without any reason. They think they have more rights then the police (The police must have a resason to stop and take you details.)

They then went to accuse use of distracting them making people safer, accusing two WOMEN of being responsible if anyone was raped on campus that night.

At that point I lost it - I shouted at them and refused to cooperate. In the tribunal in which they put against me the charges where breaking three university regulations each with a £150 fine each. They said that I was arrogant and didn't care cause i was part of the union. Well i do care, but because I'm part of the union its my duty to stand up.

In the judgement I was found not guilty with two count thrown out and the other not proven! The judgement which I accept said that I should have in my position have stood back and not refused to cooperate even though they where being out of order. This was due to my position not despite of it.

So although the accusations where thrown out, you cant get any Bradford Student because they are part of a strong Union.

Labels: UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

Well, what lovely weather we are having at the moment! So in a glee, hop and a skip students have been heading down to the University of Bradford's Amphitheater (seen here on the right had side)

Students traditionally have always enjoyed a BBQ, camp-fire and playing football, cricket or other sports during the day. It's one of the only places that really brings students together in the summer around the University.

Students from all backgrounds, students from all departments, students from everywhere, come together and its a great feeling when hundreds of students can be seen interacting together.

However in the last year or so, the security have increasingly begun to "crack down" on student activity in this space. As the usual policy of gentrification, and also control, the kind of BBQ, the size of the flames, the materials burnt are now monitored.

This hap hazard control (its not regular) has gone to cause problems for students.

When students get attacked, raped and mugged on campus it's interesting to see were security's focus is. The University of Bradford - Student focused or image focused as always getting it the wrong way around.

Labels: UBU, Universy of Bradford, Universy of Bradford Union

I'm finishing of my reflection of my conflict resolution course which I take. Does reflection work? The course that uses many of the methods that would be used in traditional non-formal educational systems.

My content thought is can you use non-formal methods in the formal systems of University or structured state education. Does formalising non formal kill it?

My feeling is that although the surface part of many of these methods works in any setting as corporate trainings who use them for business men and women would should, the basic transformational, socialist and radical elements of non-formal education cannot be true in these oppressive systems.

Liberating education can only take place in a liberated surroundings otherwise surely it just becomes a tool for the oppressor the oppressed better - this surely isn't the point.

In the European Youth Forum, for which i am the representative from the British Youth Council, we have recently received a paper to adopt which looks at putting a frame work of education for the non-formal sector.

I have my major concerns about this kind of formalising. inspections, quotas, and state intervention is surely just another way to prevent eduction to be truly transformational and liberating for the young people it is used with.

We will put, with other youth organisations, admendments to remove the "inspections" element the paper. However as European states move towards formalising and structuring will this just be a loosing battle?

Labels: British Youth Council, education, european youth forum, Peace Studies, Universy of Bradford, yfj