Mark Ross, Co-Editor-in-Chief
With Fresher’s week finished and lecturers beginning, it is time to look at what students think about this week’s key issues, both on campus and beyond.
Picket Problems
UNISON Professional Services members were striking last week over a disputed three per cent pay rise – a pay cut, when inflation is accounted for.
Picket lines were manned across campus in protest to the move. The Arts and Social Sciences Library, Priory Road Complex and several spots on Woodland Road were all targeted.
This presented students with a conundrum: do they show solidarity with the staff and respect the picket lines, or do they access the university services which they have paid so much for the privilege of using?
The majority say yes to crossing the picket lines.
One reason for this could be a sense of futility. Why would the University care whether these facilities are used by students? If anything, respecting the picket lines would lighten the burden on a workforce hobbled by absent striking staff.
Perhaps students feel a sense of entitlement. With many of us paying extortionate fees for minimal contact hours, every university benefit is valuable. Therefore, boycotting libraries can’t be done lightly, even if doing so undermines the pickets.
No trust in Truss
A Conservative Party conference paired with an embarrassing policy U-turn mean that it would be remiss not to mention national politics.
After just under a month in office, how do students view the government? Is it the Conservatives, or another party, that inspire the most confidence when it comes to dealing with the key issue of today – the cost of living crisis?
On a lighter note, now that Fresher’s is over – what did students enjoy most about the welcome week?
That is all for this week. If you want to know what your peers think about a certain topic, send us your questions to be included in next week’s survey.
Let us know what you would like to see in next week's polls @epigrampaper_
