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C&G: planning for the end

Nov 20 2001 12:02

Simon Scrapmetal

City & Guilds College Union has been formulating contingency plans for its own abolition.

C&G Officers: Don't count them out yet. Or do. See if I care.

Ahead of tonight's ICU Council meeting which has set itself the task of deciding the future structure of Imperial College Union Simon can reveal that C&GCU has been creating contingency plans for its own abolition.

Although it is expected that some group will continue to exist at the faculty level (and the Faculty of Engineering is almost identical to the old City & Guilds College) the possibility exists that ICU will not opt for full 'Faculty Unions' but rather a stripped down faculty society (or simply an educational representative). Although C&GCU hopes to become the Faculty Union for Engineering several members of the Executive Committee have been involved in planning for the eventuality where the Union ceases to exist.

Exact details are (naturally) a bit thin on the ground, but it is believed that the requirements to close down several areas of the Union's operations were discussed - including the Internship Centre. Contractual obligations from sponsorship deals and departmental donations to the Centre which have not yet been spent are believed to be particular areas of concern, and rough guidelines have been drawn up for returning departmental funds proportionately to various departments.

When asked about the plans, one member of the C&GCU Executive said "that's completely misleading," stressing that "preliminary discussions of a hypothetical nature are all that has taken place." Another member stressed that people should not be counting C&GCU out yet - "we've already picked a date for the EGM," a third added darkly.

Some C&GCU officers are actually rumoured to be hoping that the issue does go to an EGM - where they expect that the presence of 'normal' students will balance out the aggressive power-mongering Union hacks. Maybe.

ICU Council is tonight at 6pm in the Main Dining Hall.

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Discussion about “C&G: planning for the end”

The comments below are unmoderated submissions by Live! readers. The Editor accepts no liability for their content, nor for any offence caused by them. Any complaints should be directed to the Editor.

1. Sam Sharpe

Nov 20 2001 13:51

does that mean i won't have to chair any more CGCU councils?

2. Dan L

Nov 20 2001 14:00

It seems sensible to consider all options, but I suppose we just wait and see what happens tonight.

3. Andy Heeps

Nov 20 2001 15:33

*thud* *thud* *thud* *thud*

(head banging against brick wall)

4. Lorne

Nov 20 2001 15:50

Doesn't anybody care about students anymore?

5. Atul Rana

Nov 20 2001 17:05

The Internship Centre is an extremely valuable service to all Imperial College students and the internship jobs have been created by the kind offers of the CGCA Alumni. Suspending the service would be a big loss to students as it provides a one stop gateway for summer jobs. We have only begun to form relationships with employers which we hope that in time will strenghten industry/university links. The lack of expenditure is not because the Internship Centre is not active but it is because mailshots and events etc do not cost as much money. However, the internship centre is growing with departmental careers offices wanting to use it too. A lot of work has been put in by a lot of people to get the Internship Centre up and running and it needs to grow and not get entangled in union politics. Lets not blow it at this stage already!

Atul Rana

Internship Centre Co-ordinator

6. Sunil

Nov 20 2001 20:07

I don't see what effect an abolition of the CGCU will have on the running of the Internship Centre.

After all, the CGCA itself will still exist and will maintain links with whoever representing the Engineering and Management students of Imperial in the future.

7. Oliver Pell

Nov 21 2001 09:33

Assuming anyone is representing the engineering and management students in the future, and assuming that there is enough of a structure at that level in place to organise and manage such a complex project.

8. Hamish Common

Nov 21 2001 10:21

Are you lot going to do do a single bloody thing for your members? There isn't one news article link anywhere on this page that's related to student activity, events, issues etc. All the news stories are constitutional (or just weird). Do something useful with your time!

9. Mustafa Arif

Nov 21 2001 13:48

Hear hear!

Closed This discussion is closed.