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NEWS: EMC meeting sees VP McGreevy hit out at Gown’s presence in the Union
The Executive Management Committee’s weekly meeting took place today. After apologies from 3 people and a few late arrivals, a room comprising ten committee members got proceedings underway. The ‘open meeting’ (open to students and public alike) included only one non-committee member – the present writer – in addition to the Executive. The Gown’s presence resulted in VP Gareth McGreevy criticizing our publication.
BY THOMAS L MUINZER
The monthly QUBSU “entertainment report” sparked the meeting’s most ardent discussion, the report and consequent debate illustrating how a recession-hit Union would fight back against an economic downturn through drinks promotions and broad strategic plans. Feedback from Community Forum meetings suggested that nearby residents have become aggravated by what they see as the Union’s raucous, boozy image; however President Shane Brogan, who expressed concern both for the community and the Union’s image itself, stressed that in fact competitor bars and clubs are to blame for much of the negative perception.
“We’re taking the brunt for other bars,” he argued.
The collective Vice Presidents of the Executive were challenged on a failure to attend certain courses they had registered for, co-committee members stressing that such skills-based courses are a privilege of their job that must be respected. The President and VPs present argued that many had sent apologies for their absences, that they had genuine reasons for missing the events, and that their salaries had been significantly docked as a consequence.
The presence of The Gown inspired direct Executive criticism of the publication’s decision to advertise on flyers promoting Rain earlier in the semester. VP Campaigns and Communications Gareth McGreevy declared that, since The Gown has offices on Students’ Union premises, it shouldn’t associate itself to such a degree with the Union’s high-street competition. McGreevy also attacked what he perceived as The Gown’s disloyal portrayal of his Campaigns/Communications Plan meetings. President Brogan dismissed the topic and said, “The Gown is in our building, but it’s an independent paper. There is nothing for us to do in that line.”
More modest agenda items included: discussion of next year’s Fresher’s Bazaar, where 13 recommendations have been put forward in advance, but operational contradictions have been discovered that need to be ironed out; the canoe club has been temporarily closed for undisclosed reasons; new menus at Cloisters are underway, rotating in 3 week cycles with trial late-night food opening.
Tags: EMC, Gareth McGreevy, Gown, newspaper, qub, Queen's, queen's university, shane Brogan, student, The Gown, Thomas L Muinzer
This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 6:47 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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The Gown isn’t good at all. SU Mag is so much better. And it’s out now!
Why would the exec not attend courses that they’re meant to/advised to attend? what were their reasons? Also, I’m not entirely sure how The Gown is funded but surely “independent” would suggest that they can associate with whoever they want within reason? Could The Gown clarify how they’re independent and if they’re funded by QUB?
To clarify,
The Gown is based in the Students’ Union building, but is independent of both the Union and Queen’s University Belfast:
The Gown functions completely though voluntary student participation. We are funded entirely through advertising, which is secured by students.
The main aim of The Gown is to hold Queen’s University and its Union accountable to QUB students, and to best represent the issues students feel strongly about. We strive to maintain independence as we feel this aim would otherwise be compromised.
Brendan Hughes
Law and Accounting student
advertising@thegown.org.uk
My STD is starting to itch. Must be the strain of all these cheap shots. Oh well!
“McGreevy also attacked what he perceived as The Gown’s disloyal portrayal of his Campaigns/Communications Plan meetings.”
Its called scrutinty and comes with elected office.
How can an independant paper be disloyal?
Hear hear Aldous Duke. QUB is my second university (my first was without an independent paper), and I find it so refreshing to read something that isn’t afraid to say what it wants. SU Mag has its place surely, I had a look through it last week, but an independent paper is essential! We are lucky to have it in a world run by big bucks, and the student exec
Looks like some people want The Gown out! Do you smell fear? I do. And I know who’s fearing who!
Couldn’t agree more with the views of Jedwards mother! Although, after general reflection on Mr Mc Greevys point, maybe the gown were a tad harsh, id like to extend the olive branch to the SU Magazine and rectify this…So,Jedwards mother..could i possibly have an exclusive on how your boys are feeling after being booted out of the xfactor? its just that i’d really like to do an article and forward it on to the SU Magazine as this is something the student body of Queens are passionate about..honestly..its on power with our views about tutition fees and follow up is necessary in decembers issue! ahem! loyalty demonstrated!
Hiya,
Yeah, loike, we’ll totally do the interview.
Jed
xox
Thats great boys!
Thanks so much..the SU mag team and the entire Queens Student body will be so pleased!
here, could we get a picture of you with Miss NI to make it extra special!
xx
You are all so petty! The SU Magazine was excellent and this childish behaviour is ridiculous! Also being present at the inaugrual meeting of the Students Union Council, I notice the gown didn’t highlight the real reason why the Vice President ran for election…but off course the gown love their inaccuracies! If you would all wise up and maybe take a look at the work that is actually being done by the sabbatical team and read their reports, you would soon be eating your words!
‘Larne posts’…
Mmmmmh… I think we all know who that is!! Editor of a certain magazine…ooooh yes!
My mate is on council and keeps me informed on the goings on in student politics etc. I heard one VP’s report was so detailed that he did everything but record when he went to the toilet, hahaahah!
The gown love their inaccuracies?
Mmmmh I don’t think the magazine can talk! Maybe SU Mag were being ironic and trying to do an Ulster Museum “gareth fitzgerald” joke….but BaRRack!?!?
I read the officer reports online in the student roundup, they were prity impressive and to attack the amount of detail that any officer has put in is laughable – you would be complaining if it wasn’t done! Some seem to be doing more than others. And the magazine was prity good if you want an international’s opinion plus at least it had some light and interesting material rather than all bad news like other publications. Danke!