Old members
[...]
backwards. The only reason that the IFIS library has existed in the form it
has done through the (15? 20?) annual changes of leadership in the SU is
because IFIS has more continuity than the SU, and can therefore solve
problems that the SU would "solve" by leaving for next year's sabbaticals.
The problem here is not "insurance", the problem is how to maintain an IFIS
library. Libraries need continuity, floorspace, a public connection and
stable management. The Union has not, in the past, been willing to commit
these resources. Ex-students have, which is why there is a library to argue
over.
Don't forget that, before we adopted it for three years, the library was at
Colin's, in storage. (So next time you see Colin, don't forget to thank (or
blame) him for the fact that we have a library to fight over.) It went home
with Colin to save it from the pilferage that was occurring in Union
storage.
The problem, if you are looking for a problem, is that the SU has not,
historically, taken IFIS seriously. Ex-students have. The response shows, I
think, that they still do.
theoric is paltry, the social fund is never spent anyway. Simply charging
annual fees for students UK2, ex-students UK10, "life members" UK1000 :-)
would cover all our expenses, up our budget by a factor of 10 and get each
succeeding committee to Rio on a one-way ticket when time came to abscond
with the funds.) I guess it is only the library that makes it worth keeping.
And the library ... no, that's quite enough of that. I'll restrain myself,
and set a good example. :-)
NCCF seem to do OK when not in the SU. Shall we become an evil
brain-twisting cult? Is this the way forward? (Sorry, got carried away
there.) But somewhere in all this, I do actually mean it.
bit. :-)
considered outsiders, and must be on their best behaviour. No cheeky
arguing or trying to help now. :-P
by a company whose directors are another two ex-students. Just as soon as
he can get it on disc from the ex-student that actually typed up the mag
this summer. That "ex-students" word just keeps cropping up, doesn't it?
one or two. It looks like news on this site, and as news goes, it's tiny.
calling it "funny", I thought. So, if us ex-students are to defer to
current students, let us concentrate on "entertaining" them, as suggested by
the current committee, with lots of flameage.
Or maybe not.
Simon
---
"This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind" -Ecclesiastes 4:16
simon@ | Not affiliated to any religion
simon@ | Not affiliated to any politics
H (+44/0)1784 431998 | Not affiliated to any ideology
W (+44/0)1784 434568 (GMT/BST) | What does that make me?
"I have been asked to point out, as if you couldn't guess, that my rantings
are not the opinions of One Chip Solutions. So now you know, don't you..?"
But There has been a recurrent theme here that does perhaps need addressing.
Namely ex-students. As such IFIS is a RHBNC society (Though the student union
deny it, until you mention the words "AKA the Sci Fi Soc") and exists to serve
students. There are a lot of non students involved (Interfering :-) ), some
heavily, some not. This has caused problems (The SU insurance thingy being
just one) over the years.
I think to call the "insurance" thing a problem is actually looking at itNamely ex-students. As such IFIS is a RHBNC society (Though the student union
deny it, until you mention the words "AKA the Sci Fi Soc") and exists to serve
students. There are a lot of non students involved (Interfering :-) ), some
heavily, some not. This has caused problems (The SU insurance thingy being
just one) over the years.
backwards. The only reason that the IFIS library has existed in the form it
has done through the (15? 20?) annual changes of leadership in the SU is
because IFIS has more continuity than the SU, and can therefore solve
problems that the SU would "solve" by leaving for next year's sabbaticals.
The problem here is not "insurance", the problem is how to maintain an IFIS
library. Libraries need continuity, floorspace, a public connection and
stable management. The Union has not, in the past, been willing to commit
these resources. Ex-students have, which is why there is a library to argue
over.
Don't forget that, before we adopted it for three years, the library was at
Colin's, in storage. (So next time you see Colin, don't forget to thank (or
blame) him for the fact that we have a library to fight over.) It went home
with Colin to save it from the pilferage that was occurring in Union
storage.
The problem, if you are looking for a problem, is that the SU has not,
historically, taken IFIS seriously. Ex-students have. The response shows, I
think, that they still do.
Should we ex-students back off and completely let
current students mind, what some see as, our baby ? Should the society
formalise how it deals with ex students who have are not members but do
"participate" Certainly, imho, we shouldn't (couldn't) prevent ex-students
being involved BUT the Day2Day running of the society should be by CURRENT
STUDENTS for the benefit OF CURRENT STUDENTS, with their needs given priority
over those of all the old hacks (and hackers) out here. Certainly we can offer
our advice, and services (such as this mail list - ta nick, the running of
campaigns (more a gamesoc thingy but.....) and the Videos recently brought to
Egham) but pressing our views on "How it was done in the good old days" and
trying to do it our way is frequently not helpful.
An alternative might be for IFIS to secede from the SU altogether. Thecurrent students mind, what some see as, our baby ? Should the society
formalise how it deals with ex students who have are not members but do
"participate" Certainly, imho, we shouldn't (couldn't) prevent ex-students
being involved BUT the Day2Day running of the society should be by CURRENT
STUDENTS for the benefit OF CURRENT STUDENTS, with their needs given priority
over those of all the old hacks (and hackers) out here. Certainly we can offer
our advice, and services (such as this mail list - ta nick, the running of
campaigns (more a gamesoc thingy but.....) and the Videos recently brought to
Egham) but pressing our views on "How it was done in the good old days" and
trying to do it our way is frequently not helpful.
theoric is paltry, the social fund is never spent anyway. Simply charging
annual fees for students UK2, ex-students UK10, "life members" UK1000 :-)
would cover all our expenses, up our budget by a factor of 10 and get each
succeeding committee to Rio on a one-way ticket when time came to abscond
with the funds.) I guess it is only the library that makes it worth keeping.
And the library ... no, that's quite enough of that. I'll restrain myself,
and set a good example. :-)
NCCF seem to do OK when not in the SU. Shall we become an evil
brain-twisting cult? Is this the way forward? (Sorry, got carried away
there.) But somewhere in all this, I do actually mean it.
Do you know I've been DYING to say some of that since I was a student.
Yes, but now you've seen both sides, your opinions seem to have softened abit. :-)
Old students do feel a need to keep in touch (IS Friday the 1st Friday ? Where
(is there still) a 1st Friday ex students meeting ?
Yes, yes, the Beehive (yes) this Friday. Current students will be(is there still) a 1st Friday ex students meeting ?
considered outsiders, and must be on their best behaviour. No cheeky
arguing or trying to help now. :-P
How about distributing the
mag via email for those who can't get it on paper ?)
One of those ex-students is arranging for the mag to go on a website ownedmag via email for those who can't get it on paper ?)
by a company whose directors are another two ex-students. Just as soon as
he can get it on disc from the ex-student that actually typed up the mag
this summer. That "ex-students" word just keeps cropping up, doesn't it?
I had gone for the 1 list
option. I'm now tending more towards IFIS announcements (For all members & ex
members on email) and IFIS chat (for those who want it)
I am happy with one list, but don't consider it terribly important if it isoption. I'm now tending more towards IFIS announcements (For all members & ex
members on email) and IFIS chat (for those who want it)
one or two. It looks like news on this site, and as news goes, it's tiny.
Though I would urge actual chat and flaming to be kept on a personal email
level.
I thought that at least one committee member had actually approved it -level.
calling it "funny", I thought. So, if us ex-students are to defer to
current students, let us concentrate on "entertaining" them, as suggested by
the current committee, with lots of flameage.
Or maybe not.
Simon
---
"This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind" -Ecclesiastes 4:16
simon@ | Not affiliated to any religion
simon@ | Not affiliated to any politics
H (+44/0)1784 431998 | Not affiliated to any ideology
W (+44/0)1784 434568 (GMT/BST) | What does that make me?
"I have been asked to point out, as if you couldn't guess, that my rantings
are not the opinions of One Chip Solutions. So now you know, don't you..?"