(Untitled)

[jennigan]

i was talking to a friend of mine who was helping one of the union candidates with his/her campaign. i asked him how much the candidate would've spent on the campaign, because it sounds expensive, and he said it would be a lot, but that he thinks the union gives them money for it

Comments

[zippydngstckngs]

its wrong to think that the unions money would be wasted on sponsoring these campaigns. they become annoying, not because of the campaigns themselves, but more likely because you dont appreciate their importance. dont blame the nominees for your own disinterest.

[somnistra]

What about all those paper flyers and paper posters on the noticeboards that are covered up in an hour or two by rivals'?

[xalciene]

hmm can anyone confirm this? The government gives money (not a lot, but still a nice little sum) to all political parties that receive over 5% (i think thats the number?) of the vote... and definately wouldn't surprise me if usyd union was wasting money on something like that as well

[angstypants]

can definitely confirm, double checked with union board director,

that candidates do not recedive ANY money from the union. regardless of political affiliations, or whatever. there are no such agreements in place, and it would actually be contradicting regulations put in place.

UTS is the university where the union or assoication gives money to candidates. many universities do it, however Sydney uni does not. in any circumstance.

[angstypants]

furthermore, student's campaigns are paid for by fund raising of a group, collective, or political party that supports them.

[jennigan]

oh, maybe that's what my friend meant... that the society gave them money. that sounds more likely.

[zippydngstckngs]

im not talking about the services, i agree that they are pretty shit, but the propoganda that gets spread around the university is a necessity so that i can be informed about electing people into positions that can change those things. sitting there and being overtly negative about the pollution won't change anything. maybe making a positive suggestion like having them expand the nominee pamphlets would be useful? maybe even trying to get on the union board to make some changes. oh, but wait, then you might have to do some photocopying.

and i at least know that the union photocopying is subsidised.

[jennigan]

okay, you know what's really annoying and wasteful? the stupid fucking leaflets and posters

[zippydngstckngs]

i know i know. i dont like it either. but how many people actually read the candidature booklet? how many people actually understand whats going on in those booklets. i would like to see those mailed to everybody in the university like the senate election notifications are, but that doesnt happen. people dont understand the issues. people are ignorant, arrogant and dont give a shit. so if there isnt advertising then nothing happens. i think they could do it a better way. but until they do i will support the right for them to advertise their nominations.

[jennigan]

it's not that i want to take away their right to advertise, it's just that i want them to do it in a less wasteful way. for example, why can't the union make a rule about the noticeboards? the last one i remember seeing had one side covered in rose posters. why can't they just have one poster for every candidate on every noticeboard, with a rule that no one is allowed more than one poster per side of noticeboard, and no one's allowed to cover up anyone elses? the advertising and message is still there, and less wasteful.

[zippydngstckngs]

i agree. but they dont do that, so we either vote with our feet or manipulate someone on board, or we put up with it. and nothings changed so id say we're putting up with it.

[jennigan]

oh, wait, i just read the comments a few replies up, and it *was* you.

re: my "disinterest". if i was disinterested, why would i care enough to ask about it?

[jenman_x]

good question jennigan. why would you?