Quoting BenEsq from 03:00, 26th Apr 2005
Whilst I agree that it's important that the Association provides for students, might I point out that it is a Students' Association - aiming to be run for students by students. I'm glad it's been pointed out that it isn't a matter of professionals making profits, but employing a professional limits Student participation to an unacceptable level. Focusing on Services (although the only reason Associations exist in Scotland is that they were created by Victorian legislation to provide a means for Student Representation), if the Association is to be meaningful and useful and fun for students a staff DoS might have more experience but would deny students:
the ability to get experience and skills of their own,
accountability (staff are accountable to the Staffing Committee),
and cost a lot more.
As you write, the Education Acts (fascinating reading...) provide for the SRC, not the Students' Association per se. Thus the Associations have no origins in them whatsoever.
I disagree with your assertion that student participation would be lessened to an unacceptable level. If the Union is to be "meaningful and useful and fun", who meets this best: someone with no prior management experience, or someone who has risen through the ranks of the Union? There are dedicated officers in the Association, but we have changed quite dramatically since the formation of the Unions, with more commercial ventures, more bigger-budget events, and greater legal and financial responsiblities. Where is our Billiards Convenor now?
We are not here to build up Officers' experience for their own benefit. There is nothing more to add to that.
Accountability is diminished in any case, by positions being altered with such frequency and no consultation. But we, as Officers, are chosen to make such decisions, and are accountable. It would be lunacy to suggest otherwise.
Was a balanced cost-benefit analysis carried out? Would the costs outweigh any savings or profits made? A short-term decrease in income may be easily justified in terms of long-term planning and strategy, and profit gains.
As for sabb annointed sabbs...
I'm no fan of dynasties nor incest, just look at the genetic stagnation of the Royal Family to see the dangers (sic). New thinking or rather...radically different/conflicting thinking is denied by a sabbatical choosing a successor, but I beleive that students aren't naive and won't vote for someone who is incompetent.
Unfortunately, there is still a culture of entitlement within the Union; and competency at one level might translate to incompetency at a higher one.