Grace is out: has the student body spoken?
Raging apathy and a marginal vote does not mean that students have really made themselves heard.
The divisive campus furore finally reached its climax, and outside of the realm of facebook’s virtual sparring ground we’re left with the reality of having no academic and welfare officer, although the outcome would indicate that it’s better to have nothing rather than Hackwood. But lets not get carried away, yes, the student body has apparently ‘spoken’ in the words of Dan Taylor, but this wasn’t an overwhelming landslide in favour of her dismissal; the margin of 8 votes shows the indecision surrounding the whole issue. The fact that the debate became a Punch and Judy affair, (Taylor being the latter), rather than a calm and collected analysis of the underlining nature of the action itself and its consequences, belittled the whole process.
Although the UGM saw an unprecedented turnout of 1440 votes, that’s still only around 10% of the student populace who actually appear to care and unfortunately most won’t notice that she’s gone. Say the name Grace Fletcher-Hackwood and a lot of students will respond with a bemused expression, and such apathy is probably more indicative of indifference, if not ignorance, towards the fateful Chav D incident, than of a democratic York motion for her to take a swift exit.
Inflamed by Dan Taylor’s crusade for ‘justice,’ the microcosm of campus drama can distort most events out of proportion and by the end of the Chinese whispers it seemed Hackwood had launched a Rocky Balboa style blow to Taylor’s head. Students do stupid things when they’re drunk, but Hackwood is not a student, she is (or was) ironically the welfare officer and undoubtedly she behaved unacceptably. Transfer this situation into the ‘real’ world and any paid employer in such a position of authority would have been reprimanded but probably not removed.
Despite the sensationalist tactics used to promote the anti-Hackwood camp and its self-motivated goals, the UGM attempted to show a spectrum of debate on the issue. Not simply an ‘inappropriate’ mistake, the fact that one of her own sabbatical officers emotionally pressed for her dismissal, showed the extent to which Hackwood lost her credibility. But is having no welfare officer a better situation? Even Canning’s worried because we won’t have a welfare officer until July. The university needs and should have a strong independent welfare unit, which can offer more than the college welfare teams. So what it boils down to is that it is the students who are going to lose out, when the students have barely spoken.
Miranda Thomas
‘…what it boils down to is that it is the students who are going to lose out, when the students have barely spoken.’
Hear hear.
Joseph Burnham
We should let it die. Whether or not we agree with the choice, it has nothing to do with Dan Taylor and everything to do with the students at this point. They voted, not just him, and collective responsibility needs to be taken for the actions of the student body. A surprising number of people I met had seriously considered the issue, had even read debates, and - for the most part - were able to isolate the incident so that it was outside personality wars. I think it’s most important that me look ahead at this point, even if we never wanted Grace out.
Dan Taylor
I think this is the most one-sided and poorly judged article I have ever seen- even from Nouse. I shall address one or two points:
- Clearly the student body has spoken- it was an unprecedented turnout for a UGM vote and smashed all previous internet voting records. The 10% turnout for voting is actually very high (highlighting you distinct lack of knowledge in this area) for a student vote.
- 8 students in a majority. A small one, but nevertheless, a majority. The US Presidency was decided by a lesser margin that 0.5% in 2000. This I am afraid is how democracy works. What I find most amusing is how its biggest advocates become its biggest critics when it does not go their way. Incidentally, if ONE student feels they are unable to go to their A&W Rep. post-incident that is evidence enough that she should have resigned. Imagine if a student had been assualted and had to go and see her…that would have been ironic.
- Finally- frankly I am sick to the teeth of arguing this. Grace hit a student. For someone in her position, that is wrong and the students DID speak- like it or not, and they got rid of her. I am proud they had the chance to vote on it and regret nothing about it.
Your article is ridiculously biased and misleading. It ridicules you personsally and discredicts the newspaper for which you write. I suggest you read more into your facts, speak to students and see what they think on the matter.
Dan Taylor
Chris Northwood
Dan, for the love of God, it’s done. Grace has left. Can you please leave it now? Secondly, this is posted in the “Comment” section, so the author is perfectly entitled to be biased and to make her opinion.
James MacDougald
Dan,
How many ‘final words’ are you going to have on the matter? I count two before this one, both of which you followed up with further posts on the same subject - or were they just ‘post scriptum’?
Stop trying to close the debate. If, as you claim, you are ’sick to the teeth of arguing this’, then go away! No-one’s forcing you to engage with the matter any longer. The argument rages on because a lot of people, regardless of the rights or wrongs, legitimacy or otherwise of democracy, think that the students made the wrong choice! Like the Germans in 1933, like the Gaza Palestinians in 2006, like the Italians might this year (arguably).
Stop trying to force a consensus, and stop appending exhaustive, intolerant and boring paragraphs about how tired you are of the issue to every comment you make. Either debate constructively or spend the time elsewhere, elsewise.
I love Uni!
“Imagine if a student had been assualted and had to go and see her” - Dan Taylor.
It would be no different to a female student finding it impossible to talk to a male Academic and Welfare Officer - they could go and see the SU staff Welfare Adviser.
BP
a smal margin does not indicate indecision, but rather split opinion. The high number of voters suggests many people felt strongly.