There has been a thread on the sinner's main message board on this subject with many views being expressed. One of the final posts said that this message board would allow Union reps to respond and so I am re-posting my suggestions here, all references are linked to the sinners thread at: http://www.thesinner.net/messageboard-v ... hread=8298
Couple of points...
1) I'm chuffed to have been included in Mohawk's email..I'm sure my JSA academic son will feel privileged (I know I'm crap at spelling) too.
2) DJ's arent being paid as the union wanted to take advantage of start up DJ's who want to learn the ropes and thus work for nothing for the experience. Surely making the DJ's name known on the night or on the promotional posters in advance will help these young DJ's make a name for themselves as well and perhaps convince them to carry on working for nothing at least for a little while.
3) No DJ pay from what I gather, was decided upon as beginners would be given time to learn the ropes, but now the experienced mentor's have left as well. To me this suggests a poor structure backing this decision. Did anyone consider paying one or two experienced DJ's to be a mentor to the newbie's who will work for nothing in order to gain the experience and lessons? Sounds reasonable to me and by paying your tutor's you'll maintain the experience whilst providing St.Andrews students with a chance to break into the DJ scene
4) A bit of a mad off the top of my head idea here but...Someone above says that set up is a problem in terms of time and manpower, and that the current number of ents crew mean that many of the things that people like cant be put up week after week (such as the DJ in the centre, which I personally havent seen but would definitely persuade me to come), I dont mean any offense to the ents crew, and I'm not questioning their way or organisation, but perhaps using the student populations strong want for a better union to their advantage in terms of recruitment might help things? I looked into joining the ents crew back in my 1st year but to be quite honest was pretty much scared off by all the technical details of the lights etc (I was given a taster at the freshers fayre) I really didnt know what I was doing, but if positions such as setter-upper are advertised more widely, giving the benefits of their participation (perhaps let them be allowed into the bop free, as the ents crew are allowed (or were 2/3 years ago)). Recruits may increase that way, allowing a timetable to be set up asking people to give up an afternoon twice a month or something to set up these stages etc. Granted this idea may be a bit far fetched and would need to be researched in terms of public interest, but its an idea none the less, and if taken to Ben (who from the above comments* about the state of the bop amaze me in terms of pure ignorance and lack of respect for student's values) the student association might do well to pull their weight behind the ents crew to make this happen....just an idea as I've said too many times now...
*
Mr.Comedy said:
I did mention these and other points at the start of the year, when I was the DJ convenor. However, these claims were rubbished by Ben Spiers, who said (and I quote) "The Union has always been full on a Friday, and always will be" and "People don't come for the DJ, they come for cheese". I think that this has been proven extensively wrong this year, as attendance has been steadily dropping.
5) Back home where I live in a small country village, our town hall held a bands night twice a year. For me personally I feel the whole atmosphere in venue 1 changes when theres a live act present, whether it matches everyones taste or not, but perhaps an event like this once a semester would stir up peoples interest in the bop and encourage bands to come to the union more often to get their names heard etc (for some reason I get the distinct feeling this has been done before...)
Bands night back home involved local bands coming to the venue and playing one after another, and a possible addition would be to put these bands in competition with each other by getting the boppers to vote (either proper voting or general loudness when asked)...possible reward could be a solo 'concert' at the union sometime?
6) I can see a suggestions box for music choices as being a bit tricky as you may end up with music that favours those who hang around the union all week compared to those who just turn up once a week for the nights entertainment...this isnt so much an idea as just a general warning that asking for music preference in the union alone might provide a minorities view on the matter...try the library as well maybe? Or even the internet (although the union's website isn't exactly the most widely visited site...)
Well I've run out of points there, thought there was more but I'm sure I'll come back if I remember them. I'm sure some people may find these controversial or 'impossible' but hey from what i see of this thread, its all about discussing possibilities and I hope that some of the points raised will make others think of even better alternatives, certainly the previous threads helped me form the above...
I hope someone on the board, or those running for next year take account of these points, and those who can comment on them please do, including further suggestions, but ultimately I feel a lack of structure and support to decisions made have resulted in the 'gym-hall disco' we have today...