STIRLING'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
VOL.52 ISSUE.1
CHRISTMAS TIME BRIG'S CHRISTMAS MOVIES ROUND UP Page 13
1 DECEMBER 2021
EXAM SEASON
BRIG'S TOP TIPS TO AVOID BURNOUT Page 19
image: StirPod
STIRPOD RECEIVE STIRLING FUND GRANT
By Rhona MacLeod
The three day strike will be 'just the start' if employers fail to negotiate according to the UCU. image: Bury Times
STRIKE ACTION TO CAUSE DISTRUPTIONS Ben Waddell News Editor
STIRLING University will be hit with strikes from 1-3 December. The disruption comes after members of the University and College Union (UCU) voted in favour for the action due to a long-running dispute over pay and pensions. Commenting on the strike action a University of Stirling spokesperson said: “We are very disappointed with this outcome and want to see a sustainable solution to this national dispute.” The spokesperson continued
to say: “We will continue to do all that we can to ensure there is minimal overall disruption to the learning and teaching experience of our students, and to our staff. “Campus facilities and services will remain open during the strike period – including the Student Services Hub, Library and Sports Centre.” “Any changes will be communicated directly to students.” It is not only Stirling the strikes will impact, 58 universities across the country will also be affected by the disruption. UCU have also warned “the three day strike will just be the start of sustained disruption for the sector if employers fail
to negotiate.” In a statement, the Stirling Students’ Union Executive Council said they “support the right of staff to strike and recognise the challenges staff have been facing.” “We understand staff do not wish to impact students negatively and that this is not a decision UCU members have taken lightly.” The Union Executive Council continued to say: “As required by Union policy which has been proposed and passed by students, the Students’ Union supports UCU during the industrial action.” “However, we do anticipate that there will be a direct
impact on day-to-day teaching activities at the University, particularly at this time in the semester and during a challenging time for students due to the global pandemic.” "The council therefore recognises the consequences strike action will have on students, and as such we urge the University to take corrective action for the benefits of staff and the students.” “As an Executive Council we would like to emphasise that student welfare is paramount to us during this time and the best interests of our membership will remain our priority.”
THE Stirling Fund awarded a £973.68 grant to the University of Stirling’s Podcasting Society, StirPod. The fund is made up of donations from University of Stirling Alumni, which is the focus of funding important university projects in order to aid the student community. The grant will be used by the StirPod Lending Library to fund their activities and will be put towards updating their equipment in order to help students to produce their own podcasts. The StirPod Podcasting Network is a Stirling University-wide society, which helps members and other student organisations host their own podcasts. Edmund Conroy, StirPod’s President, said: “This grant will enable the society to facilitate collaborative working across the University and wider community of Stirling.” “This funding will allow us to amplify the voices of the marginalised and empower the disenfranchised.”