3 Things that would improve the union are...

[nicolafoister]

Complete the sentence:

3 Things that would improve the union are....

[Rilla]

Oh, come on postgrads! LEt's get some discussion going.
Let's make it more general - what could improve the University experience for postgrads?
More access to more journals?
Later library opening hours?
A postgraduate club?
A room we could hang out in?
Better access to more pg accommodation?

Personally, I'd like more hours in the day and more money.
Unfortunately, I doubt the Union could help with that.

Has anyone got anything sensible to say? (Unlike me?)

[hr]

Be good to yourself because nobody else has the power to make you happy.

[Rilla]

more opportunities to teach? gradskills?
anyone?

[hr]

Be good to yourself because nobody else has the power to make you happy.

[munchingfoo]

A smaller bar(about the size of venue 2) that resembles a proper bar, is open all the time, and isn't on the top floor.

I think the venue 1 bar would do well with the right lighting, music and seating.

[hr]

Tired Freudian references aside - your mother played my mighty skin flute like a surf crowned sea nymph trying to rouse Poseidon from his watery slumber!

[nicolafoister]

The reason I ask specifically about the union is that with the formation of a strategic plan taking place PGs have a chance to make a real difference in the services provided by the union for PGs.

Having said that, it is about time PGs started speaking up about all the issues which face us throughout our degrees. Like library hours and accomodation.

It may interest some of you that 2 SRC positions are up for election in this months elections which are directly relevant to these issues. SRC for PG accomodation and SRC for PG taught courses!

[Rilla]

Yes, do any other pg's actually ever read this board??
Ever???

[hr]

Be good to yourself because nobody else has the power to make you happy.

[nicolafoister]

I very much doubt it but I keep putting things out there to encourage some PG interaction! One can live in hope!

[lauremw]

Get rid of Gradskills. Seriously. They're a waste of time - I don't need hand-holding whilst doing a PhD. Either that, or offer something useful. Advanced archival work (aka. how to get cranky archivists to hand over the documents you need, or copies thereof), Paleography for 17th Century Venetian Notary Script (aka. Is that a Z? or a blob of ink?), etc. would have been helpful, but these are often too specialised to be of any use to a wide audience. Offering general courses really isn't helpful beyond the first few months. And even then, some of them are just laughable. So until they can offer something helpful for me - don't put spaces for them in my logbook, it's a waste of paper.

On that note, just get rid of the logbooks full stop. I haven't filled in a workbook/progress chart since I was about 12. Do I get a gold star when I'm done?

More money for arts students would be nice as well.

Wow, I sound angry today - must be a lack of coffee (or good coffee, anyway). hehe.

[hr]

~*~*~*~
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

[nicolafoister]

GradSkills!

The PhD students worst nightmare!

I totally agree there are some serious problems with the system. I was thinking of asking the SRC representatives to organise a GradSkills forum.

Would you be interested in taking part?

[lauremw]

Yeah - I'd be interested, just depends on when it is (as I tutor and have other time committments).

Let me know!

[hr]

~*~*~*~
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

[Guest]

More cheap accommodation for postgrads. Get rid of the ridiculous Gradskills sessions that only state the obvious. A BETTER GYM with a satellite branch in town (it wouldn't take much to fit up a room in the Union with exercise bikes and treadmills).