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► FCR James Kean

The phrase ‘can’t organize a piss up in a student union’ comes to mind.

The Job description for Falmer Campus Rep. is to: consult with students and contribute to the development of policies, actions and campaigns informed by students’ needs and ambitions in order to extend the opportunities available on the campus they represent.

This is an unpaid position which should take a couple of hours per week to fulfil. As I’m up at Falmer four times a week doing Psychology and Sociology kicking up a bit of a fuss about the lack of a free cash point S.U bar and expensive student union café will not be a problem.

Any second years like myself or well seasoned third years will know that the promise of a free cash-point and cheap student union bar is one that has probably been unfulfilled countless times.

I will change this – apparently a certain amount of money must be withdrawn per month for any bank to see Falmer as a viable place for a cash-point. I believe that this is a poor excuse and justification for the £1.75 we poor students have to pay at present. I will petition and argue for a free cash-point to the bitter end. My point is how does anyone know how much money will be withdrawn if there has never been a free cash-point in a good location?

The problem with the lack of an S.U bar appears to be a sensitive subject at our University of Brighton Student Union. There was a use it or lose it campaign at the old retreat (now a building site) in which lost lots of money was lost. I know that in my 1^st year I was shocked to see the Holly-oaks dream shattered when the bar closed at 3pm in the afternoon.

I am also shocked to hear that this year’s RAG (raise and give) pub crawl was a flop. It was a great night last year and the fact that the student union cannot get a bunch of students to get pissed in the name of charity is shocking. The phrase ‘can’t organize a piss up in a student union’ comes to mind …. This is probably due to the fact that the retreat was not there for the fresher’s of 2009/10 to meet and greet.

The new café isn’t bad but is over-priced and should be run for students by students. No profits should be made – prices should be kept low and any profits should be pumped back into events at the café. At present I can’t imagine that there are any profits to pump back into events. This is because many a morning the café is sat empty. Why? – No Bar – No cash-point – No creativity – No Imagination – No LOVE….  I mean where o’ where were the Haiti Hot dogs. (P.S the guys in the café do a great job and are lovely – we just need an active studeent union to  shake it up.  Before I have to wade through a barage of attacks - I do realise the Brighton night life has a lot to offer and we don’t go to the ‘University of no where’ BUT we should have the option of enjoying the odd drink at Falmer with our fellow students. – The S.U staff could have flexible pay roll forms – stay if their busy – go if their not? I for one would stay for a quick drink to bitch about the S*** seminars and essays we all have to endure.

If you have trouble accessing Falmer or getting the bus to our fair campus it brings a few annoyances of its own … please see me so we can knock some ideas around and make a few petitions. I also realise some of us are more mature (unlike myself) for all you illusive mature students out there us fresh faced (ish) students need to be shown a good de-toxing non-alcoholic time as well – please get involved.  International cross-cultural events are also in need and let’s celebrate with our LGBT students as well! Student Pride should be for everyone! - not just the raving homosexuals (I’m allowed to say that as I’m gay my self – not quite sure what’s politically correct anymore????). Where is our LGBT by the way? Sussex?? Thats another story why are we funding the Sussex S.U by having to treck to their ‘east slope’ bar????

In short – If you want to smash the expensive vending machines in the Checkland building –Shoot the next bus driver that stops at Sussex campus  - cry when you wait in the bus shelter that doesn’t shelter– throw your wheel-chair at the idiot who put a set of steps with no ramp at every opportunity they could - want cheaper filter coffee, alcohol and food -feel the love and kick up a fuss – PLEASE VOTE FOR ME….. James Kean on student central.  

E-mail J.A.C.Kean@brighton.ac.uk