I think I may have already mentioned being elected to the University Student Senate at the beginning of summer, but last Friday we held our executive board elections and I’m now one of the three co-chairs of the student senate. This means I get to have a lot of meetings and receive a lot of emails for nothing more than the privilege of the title and serving the university community. But that’s honestly more than fine with me. I’m really excited about working with the administration, and especially our new president, and can’t wait to see what we accomplish.
(Two things I want to do this year: 1. community garden, 2. barcamp!)
This is likely my sole foray into politics (being the tattooed peace-loving vegan socialist that I am, and all — though some friends argue that should not be a barrier in the future), but I have high hopes of it being a really positive experience.
Other cool stuff I’m doing? Well, I’m taking 4 classes this semester — int’l law, post-colonial theory, refugees & migration, and French. I’m also volunteering with the IRC twice a week (as a tutor working with kids who have refugee status). And while not cool, I’m also still working in consumer research part-time to pay the bills. (Does anyone want to give me a more meaningful part-time job? Please?)
So, yeah, life is back to being all over the place. But I love this kind of madness because, generally (i.e., not the job that pays the bills), these are things I love and that really make a difference in people’s lives.
Also, I <3 my weird lefty university. (We just had the installment of the new president yesterday, which I managed to attend, and everyone gave really great speeches, so I’m feeling the love for my school right now.)
(Source: bringtheruckuss)
Britain’s parliament has approved plans to triple tuition fees paid by university students despite a rebellion by some members of the coalition government.
The lower house of parliament approved the plan by a majority of 21 votes, indicating that several members of the ruling Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition had failed to back it.
Earlier, hundreds of protesters had clashed with police in the square in front of parliament, with some students throwing missiles and placards as mounted police tried to break up the crowd.
The police said three officers had been hurt in the clashes, one with a serious neck injury.
Thursday’s vote posed a crucial test for the coalition government of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
The proposal to raise fees had cast an uncomfortable spotlight on Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, who like other Liberal Democrat candidates signed a pre-election pledge to oppose any such hike.Thousands of students mounted demonstrations and sit-ins throughout Britain on Thursday following weeks of nationwide protests.
In central London, demonstrators braved near-freezing temperatures as they protested outside Westminster, the location of parliament.
Police, who said they had been expecting 20,000 demonstrators, were out in full force, with barricades surrounding parliament.The government vote raises the maximum university tuition fees in England from about $4,700 to $14,100.
Reacting to the recent protests, the government has modified its plan by raising the income level at which graduates must start repaying student loans, and by making more part-time students eligible for loans.
Students say that under the current proposal, piles of debt will plague graduates and make a well-rounded education unattainable for many.
The government of David Cameron, the prime minister, has defended the move as a painful necessity to deal with a record budget deficit and a sputtering economy.
UK students protest against university fees
