Tag: Stirling University

Democracy in freefall at Stirling Student Union

Leave a comment
By Peter Humfrey

 

Three weeks ago a motion was passed at the Stirling Student Union, exposing the crisis unfolding there for student democracy.

 

The plant-based commitment motion set a target of all Student Union food outlets being 100% vegan by 2025. Whilst this has prompted great debate amongst the student population over inclusivity; viability, and the ethics of such a move, the greatest point of concern should be what in fact has happened to student democracy at the University of Stirling.

 

In 2021, at the first round of voting for the Student Union president, just 1159 votes were cast out of a population of roughly 15600. That year Nela Cadinanos Gonzales was elected as Union President; taking 533 votes in the first round, and 546 in the final round. The turnout for that election was the lowest for at least the past 5 years, stretching back to 2017.

Worse was still to come when in March of this year the current Student Union president was elected with just 195 votes in the first round and a shocking 209 in the final round, beating Calum Brown into second place by a nail-biting 9 votes. The Union would go on to confirm this was the lowest turnout for a Spring election “in recent years”.

In a statement at the time a Union spokesperson said – “We note that turnout was low in comparison to pre-pandemic elections and we will be working with both outgoing and incoming Officers and students to further analyse this and establish how we can encourage both more candidates to stand and more students to engage in voting”

 

On another concerning and unusual note, a sabbatical post had not been filled, with no-one running for Vice President Education, despite it being a full-time paid role. The Union confirmed it was the first time on record no-one had run for a sabbatical post in the Spring elections.

In a by-election called on 26th April, incumbent VP Education, Calum Brown would win with just 99 votes. No-one else stood for the post.

In what was quickly becoming a farce, Brown resigned less than two weeks later on the 6th June.

 

Democratic representation had hit an all-time low, and now even a core position in the Student Union, could not be filled.

 

Taking a step back for a moment and it is worth putting into context turnout at Stirling versus the national picture.

Above are the percentages of the student body that voted in the Spring elections for Union President the past 2 years. An already abysmal figure of 6.92% fell to just 4.12% this year, but what does that mean stacked against the national average?

 

 

Well it’s not pretty reading with an already shockingly low national average of 11.7%, partially blamed on the pandemic, vastly exceeding Stirling’s turnout. The next year shows the scale of the problem though with no pandemic to blame as the world has begun to return to normal.

Stirling could not meet even a third of the national turnout. In an on-the-record interview in the run-up to the Spring 2022 elections, VP Communities, Alyson Mackay, was asked if the sabbatical officers could claim a democratic mandate off such a low turnout. In response she would go on to say the following.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think that we can accurately say we represent students when 6% [the 6.7% turnout figure for the 2021 election] of students voted for us”

 

Those words confirmed that even the core of the Student Union, those at the very top, had sat up and noticed the democratic crisis. The slump to 4.1% turnout in the election, just weeks after that interview, was the nail in the coffin for the Student Union’s democratic mandate.

 

There is currently a Union President of whom just 209 people voted for, from a population of 16,000 students. Just 1.3%.

 

In statistical terms that would be within the margin of error, of zero.

 

So where does this leave student democracy at the Stirling Student Union?

 

Voting turnout in terminal decline. Major positions with no-one running for them. Sabbatical officers admitting a lack of a democratic mandate.

 

Where this leads us is to just three weeks ago, when the Student Union’s general meeting on the 10th November voted through the plant-based commitment motion. Just 55.4% of those attending voted for the motion, and with 127 turning up that left 70 students from a population of 17,000, voting the motion through. That’s a microscopic 0.4%, and here’s what all that looks like.

 

 

The motion was proposed by the chair of the Stirling University Labour Society, and seconded by the secretary of the Vegan and Rights for Animals Society (VERA), along with three other motions. This meant two-thirds of the meeting agenda had been proposed by those two societies.

 

The reality is, that in a failing democracy only the most politically active remain, and their ability to shape policy and influence a system becomes greatly enhanced. The passage of that motion was the fault of neither the proposer or the seconder. They represented their agenda and political motivations as they should.

 

The fault lays at the feet of the Student Union for failing to adequately tackle student apathy.

 

The fault lays at the feet of Brig, the student paper that failed to report the motion when it was published on the Union website a week before the meeting.

 

The fault lays with the 16,783 students who did not attend that meeting.

 

Student democracy has died here, and what remains is a deafening silence.

Swimmers, Strikes, and Sashes: It’s Graduation Day!

Leave a comment
By Peter Humfrey

 

An eventful end to last week saw more than 1700 students graduate across two days that saw picket lines, a six-time Commonwealth medallist graduate, and controversy over solidarity sashes.

Graduation kicked off on Thursday against backdrop of historic strikes with UCU Stirling members picketing the University main entrance, along with 70,000 academics engaging in strike action across the UK. 

The strikes and graduation inevitably crossed paths in controversial fashion when two graduands were barred from wearing sashes expressing solidarity with UCU members, as they took to the stage to graduate. This prompted outcry on twitter with many raising questions of free speech and criticising the University for it’s stance.

On the Friday, 28-year-old Scottish swimmer, Ross Murdoch, graduated with an M.Sc. Sports Management degree marking an end to an astonishing journey through the University’s high performance program.

In this time he competed at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, and three Commonwealth games, amassing six medals as he became European, Commonwealth, and World champion at various points.

 

Ross Murdoch with his six medals, including three from Birmingham 2022. Image Credit – University of Stirling

 

When asked if he’d make a return to the pool, following last year’s comeback from retirement to win three medals at this years Commonwealth Games, Murdoch admitted, “I still dream about swimming every night.”

On his chances at returning for the Victoria [Australia] 2026 Commonwealth games Murdoch pointed out “I’ve not officially retired”. However cautioned against people getting their hopes up saying:

“I haven’t been training in the pool for several weeks. For me, if I still feel this type of fire in eight or nine months, I could consider the possibility of another Commonwealth Games. But training for a Games is a difficult job and I need to wait and see with everything else – and whether it balances with my life after sport.” 

Ross did seem open to the prospect of returning though saying, “A Commonwealth Games is a massive thing; it really does feel like a family – that feeling of swimming for Scotland, there’s just nothing else like it.”

 

Ross Murdoch taking a dip with his degree. Image Credit – University of Stirling

 

Beyond all the excitement surround swimmers; strikes; and sashes, the University welcomed a number of honorary graduates from across a number of fields, some literal in the case of World Hill and Mountain Running champion, Dr Angela Mudge.

Mudge overcame early childhood disability to shatter record after record on her way to winning four Scottish Hill Running Championships and five British Fell Running Championships.

 

Dr Wackernagel. Image Credit – University of Stirling

Alongside were honorary graduates Dr Malcom Fairweather, for his work as a sports scientist; and Dr Mathis Wackernagel, President of the Global Footprint Network and sustainability champion.

Billy’s back in new exhibition exploring Bremner’s Raploch roots

Leave a comment
By Peter Humfrey

 

Delving into the past of Scotland and Leeds international, Billy Bremner, researchers at the University of Stirling have worked with the local community to unearth new memories from Billy’s life.

 

The online exhibition features key details about a confident and gifted boy from the Raploch, born William John Bremner, in 1942. Billy was described as sure of himself, even “brash”, and this would translate into his skill with a football, and his no-nonsense play at Leeds United.

 

The exhibition is the sum of work from researcher, Professor Richard Haynes, who has worked closely with St Modan’s High, where he went to school, and the Raploch community Billy once frequented. The project also includes a heritage trail starting at the Raploch Community Campus passing through the streets Bremner used to call home before finishing near Sainsburys, where Gowanhill United used to be based. There is also a campaign to create a memorial here for Billy.

 

Haynes underlined Billy’s stardom in the 1960s and 70s and underlined how important it was to preserve local stories now as his friends and acquaintances  enter old age. He stressed that “ these memories were in danger of being lost for good.”

 

Gowanhill United 1957-58, Billy Bremner at the front on the left.
Image Credit – Fae Raploch to Elland Road Exhibition, University of Stirling

 

Bremner started off his youth career at Gowanhill United before eventually moving to Leeds United, racking up a massive 587 caps and 91 goals from midfield.

 

Billy’s decision to head south was surprising considering his love of Celtic but, in the exhibition, William McQuillian recounts how Billy’s French teacher, Mr Sykes, told Bremner not to play for the Hoops, but to “get yourself south”.

 

After his time at Leeds, Bremner would play for a few seasons at Hull City, before finishing his career at Doncaster Rovers.

 

Working his way up from the Scotland Schoolboys, Bremner would go on to rack up 54 caps and 3 goals over a decade of appearances for the Scotland national team. He is generally considered by many to be one of the greatest players to ever represent Scotland, and turned out for the famous 3-2 victory at Wembley in 1967. Billy would go on to captain his country in the 1974 World Cup, with the team coming within goal difference of getting out of a group containing Yugoslavia and defending world champions, Brazil.

 

In covering this exhibition The Stirling Scope has reached out on social media to Stirling locals for their memories and stories of Billy. Amongst the many replies it was impossible to find a bad word said by anyone, showing how loved Bremner was as a larger-than-life figure.

 

A former chief technician from the university, Bob Lavery, 69, attended St Modan’s and later worked there. He described how Bremner was looked upon as “a real hero” at the school. He went on to outline a funny story about Mr Sykes and some graffiti that said “BB is brilliant”.

 

Billy Bremner at a photo call for Leeds in 1960.
Image Credit – Fae Raploch to Elland Road Exhibition, University of Stirling

 

“He at first thought the graffiti was Brigitte Bardot [a famous French actress]. He didn’t approve but he said at least the pupils are interested in something French! He was relieved to hear that it was in fact Billy Bremner the graffiti was about!”

 

He went on to talk about how he’d seen Bremner play on a few occasions for Scotland and seen Billy score for Leeds United in the European Cup semi final against Celtic in 1970.

 

“He opened the scoring with a stunning goal! The crowd at Hampden was and still is the record crowd for a European match, Billy Bremner actually silence around 140,00 fans! The ground was silent after the goal. Fortunately Celtic back and won 2-1 to reach the final”

 

Another local, Neil Mcrobbie, 59, talks about how “When I was very young in the Cornton he srtopped and had a kick about with us! Always been my favourite non Celtic footballer!”

 

Bremner would later enjoy a career in management taking in two stints at Doncaster Rovers, seperated by a 3 year period, 1985-1988, as Leeds United manager.

 

In his final years Bremner resided in the village of Clifton, near Doncaster, where he sadly passed away from a suspected heart attack in 1997, days before his 55th birthday.

 

Bremner memorial flagstone at Riverside Walk on the heritage trail
Image Credit – Fae Raploch to Elland Road Exhibition, University of Stirling

 

A researcher from the project, Dr Karen Fisher praised the reactions and summed up what he meant to those who engaged with project.

 

“It was an honour to talk to people who knew Billy as a friend before he became the footballing legend, and to record their thoughts. Their pride and affection for him shone through as they spoke about his talent, his humour and sense of fun, his loyalty to his friends, his love of Raploch and the fact that he never really left this behind, even when miles away playing and then managing.”

 

For those wishing to find out more about Billy’s journey “Fae Raploch to Elland Road” [Leeds United’s home ground], you can find the exhibition and information about the heritage walk here.

McGill sends History Boys to 4th Round Tangerine Dream

Leave a comment
By Peter Humfrey

 

History was made earlier this week as the University of Stirling’s Men’s football team were drawn to play topflight side Dundee United away, in the Scottish Cup.

The side, who currently sit second in the Lowland League, made history after becoming the first University side in Scottish history to make the 4th round of the Scottish Cup.

 

Euan McGill celebrates win against Albion Rovers – Image Credit: George Vekic

Their place in the hat was assured after a weekend victory over Scottish League Two side Albion Rovers, 1-0, in a tense encounter, with midfielder Euan McGill tapping home a winner in the 111th minute.

They will now face 12th-placed Scottish Premiership side, Dundee United, nicknamed “the Tangerines” on the weekend beginning 21st January.

Former striker-turned manager, Chris Geddes has said he was “absolutely delighted” with the historic result. 

On the win he said “the players put in a phenomenal performance, their best of the season so far, and deserve all the plaudits they will receive on the back of this”

Ahead of the Fourth Round draw he was full of praise for their “outstanding performances all season” speaking on how they were “being rewarded for their efforts.”

The result, from a club in existence less than a decade, came against fourth tier side Albion Rovers, who currently sit 7th in the league above the University’s team.

Midfielder and Captain – Matthew Berry – Image Credit: University of Stirling Football Club

Speaking after the victory, captain Matthew Berry, hailed “the morale, the attitude and the work rate” from his teammates underlining the bond in team; “we are so together both on and off the pitch.”

Before the draw Berry said “To make history in the Scottish Cup is incredible”, going on to talk of the team’s anticipation for the fourth round.

“We can’t wait for the next round – a Premiership tie would be amazing!”

 

Following the draw, Geddes stressed there were a lot of games before that they need to focus on but that it’s an “exciting game for the whole club and University” and that the “boys will be really looking forward to it”

This marks quite the year for manager Geddes, who was named Scottish Student Sport Coach of the Year after leading his side to consecutive titles in the British and Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Premier North Division.

Manager – Chris Geddes (37) – Image Credit: University of Stirling Football Club

The fourth round tie will be played at the 14,000 capacity Tannadice Park, in Dundee. 

Whilst ticketing information has not yet been released, it is expected the team will take a small contingent of away fans and The Stirling Scope will keep fans up-to-date with any travel arrangements made by the club or the University.

 

The setting sees big change for the side who are more accustomed to playing at the 3,800 capacity Forthbank Stadium, who they share with Scottish League Two side, Stirling Albion.

Stirling Albion enjoyed their own magical fourth round tie at the beginning of this year, travelling to Ibrox, where they lost 4-0 to Old Firm giants, Rangers.

 

Students show support for striking lecturers and staff at Stirling University

Leave a comment
By Nikita Vance

 

Students at the University of Stirling joined their lecturers and other university staff in their three-day strike action over pay; pensions; and working conditions. The action, which is taking place across 150 universities, has been deemed by the University and College Union (UCU) to be “the biggest in the history of higher education”.

The strikes, which took place on November 24th; 25th; and 30th, came after nearly 400 University of Stirling UCU members voted in favour of the strike action. Senior lecturer in Social Work, Sara Hitchin described the need for further strike action – following several years of strike periods – as “a little bit soul-destroying” and added that “it feels as though we’ve been on strike every year for as many years as I can remember.”

Another lecturer at the University, Dr. Diane Critchley, shared this same frustration adding, “These disputes have been ongoing for all the time I’ve worked in academia… despite [previous strikes], we haven’t resolved any of the fights that have been on the table over that time.

“I voted for strike action as I felt like it was the right thing to do and hope this targeted approach will have some impact.”

Speaking to students at the picket line, there was a strong sense of support and camaraderie from the students towards the striking university staff. It became very clear that these students were willing to help in any way they can, in order to ensure that the demands of the University of Stirling’s UCU members are met.

University of Stirling NUS delegate, Ludovico Caminati, shared his view that “students need to take more action [by] supporting the lecturers and contacting the Uni, saying that ‘we are dissatisfied with the behaviour you have towards our lecturers, we think that you should give them better conditions, better pay, better pension, so that they can work better for us too.”

Caminati’s viewpoint was shared widely throughout the students in attendance at the picket line, and Stirling Solidarity Space have since released an informative video explaining the need for strike action and encouraging students to join their lecturers in their ongoing ‘conflict’ with the University;

Chair of the Stirling University Labour Society, Aaron Caulfield, was also very frank when asked about why students should support their striking lecturers. He said, “Students have to recognise that the striking staff are fighting not only for themselves, but for the community at large – there is a direct correlation between the pay and conditions of our teaching staff and the quality of the education we receive, and we should not let Universities exploit lecturers with this rollback of workers’ rights.

“Looking further into the future also these staff are fighting for improvement of the conditions we students will find ourselves facing if we enter academia.”

He was also very clear that “the only acceptable outcome of this period of industrial action is the acceptance of the UCU’s demands of an RPI+2% or 12% pay rise, whichever greater, and improvement to the working conditions faced by staff within higher educational institutions – Universities must engage in good-faith dialogue towards meeting these demands.”

Stirling University students deeply affected by UK wide student Housing Crisis

Leave a comment

By Nikita Vance

 

The lack of affordable private housing and spaces available in university accommodations has had a detrimental impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of students across Scotland.

Students in Stirling have been pushed to the limit trying to find suitable accommodation for the academic year, as prior to the semester starting in September the University of Stirling announced that in person attendance would be compulsory following two years of online teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facebook groups like “Rent a Flat in Stirling” have been brimming with posts from Stirling students begging for any accommodation they can get. Some have even been forced into blind bidding on flats due to the sheer demand for housing, as fourth year sociology student Matty Millar stated “There was either nothing or if we found something, it was gone within an hour,”

“We managed to get a viewing for one place and the landlord sat us down and said last year people offered to pay more and asked if we would be happy to do the same. We said yes and a couple of days later, an email went round saying they were doing a blind bid for the flat. At that point, we just backed out.”

Millar is currently having to live with his parents in Glasgow and commutes to Stirling each day via train, a debilitating and stressful task due to the ongoing train strikes since the summer which show no signs of stopping.

Nikita Vance speaks to the University of Stirling and VP of Communities, Jess Reid, to find out what they plan to do to curb the student housing issues.