27 June 2011

CT the new Woroni while student ineptitude fuels dispute

| creative_canberran
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The dispute over the ANU library mergers continues, reaching farcical highs now that The Canberra Times has run more stories about it than the University’s on campus rag Woroni. Curious though is why the article doesn’t mention why the dispute is continuing. Perhaps in copy and pasting the media release writing the article, CT forgot to add the key fact that the University is still waiting for students to make a submission on the proposal, as the Vice Chancellor invited two months ago. Instead, students offer a video of the library merger – “the crime of the century“.

The proposal in its current form will create appreciable disadvantages for students campus wide in terms of library capacity. Further, it does not represent a sensible, medium to long term solution.

It’s a quick fix.

This is an ideal opportunity to negotiate with the University, accepting the advantages of a merger but working to undertake it in a form with greater longevity that can actually benefit students.

Yet, students are not making a submission and not negotiating.

If the University provides an opportunity to participate and have a voice and instead students choose to stand on the periphery shouting blankly “no”… so be it.

The library merger will go ahead and students will be to blame for their own disadvantage.

music li-ber-ee

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” I would call on those students involved to spend the next four weeks of non-class time……” you think you’re pretty important don’t you “creative Canberran”? This is the Riot Act, not the legislative assembly.

creative_canberran2:13 pm 28 Jun 11

UPDATE: The documents containing correspondence on this matter were finally posted on the ANU Music and Art Libraries Facebook group today along with this message:

“Apologies for not posting these up earlier, was a bit caught up with end of sem exams/assignments. Needed some prompting.”

You can now view the correspondence here if you’re interested, with particular emphasis on the final four images: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.103914599689821.8195.101631686584779

The documents confirm that my article above is accurate. The student submission has NOT been made yet. Instead, students submitted a very brief letter to the VC consisting of dot points and bold typed sentences saying the proposal was too abstract to make a submission on. The letter seeks confirmation on a number of points. The VC responded (in the final image in the above link) essentially saying hurry up and make your argument, the detailed planning you want is done after an in principle decision is made.

So because students have stalled in making a cogent submission, their ineptitude is continuing this dispute. I would call on those students involved to spend the next four weeks of non-class time to make a considered, mature and forward thinking submission that the University will take seriously and will propose measures to benefit students in the long term.

They should rename it ‘Moroni’…

creative_canberran11:34 pm 27 Jun 11

richardstrauss said :

Can Creative_Canberran explain how closing one library and moving all its materials to another location will be better for library capacity?

I never said that, in fact I clearly say the following in the article:

“The proposal in its current form will create appreciable disadvantages for students campus wide in terms of library capacity.”

“disadvantages”… try reading, it’s not hard.

richardstrauss said :

The submission was written by a group of students who responded to a message on the facebook group (which anyone is free to join). The response was posted around the school and was the subject of much discussion.

Please post a copy of the submission and the response from the university to the ANU Art and Music Libraries Facebook group then: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ANU-Music-Art-School-Libraries/101631686584779

You’ve had no trouble posting scans of CT articles and links to news stories about other library restructures, seems odd you wouldn’t post a copy of the submission and the ANU response. Crucial documents wouldn’t you agree.

richardstrauss said :

Perhaps the biggest flaw in CCs argument is the constant description of the “students” as if they were actually one person

I had assumed given that a student rep had told me via email in May “the students are meeting…” that it was appropriate to refer to “the students”. I note that the article in the Canberra Times also uses the phrase “the students” along with “music students”. How else does one refer to a body of people with a common cause?

richardstrauss said :

What is CCs reason for engaging in this debate? I am quite prepared to say that I am an honours student (and heavy library user) at the School of Music. Who are you?

Honours student and your user name is of a classical music origin. Sounds like you may well be the Music Rep, which means you should probably give some disclosure if you are.

My interest is that campus libraries are already packed at peak times. Shrinking these two libraries will only add to that problem. Impacting my use of the other campus libraries which are identified by ANU as overflow. So this directly affects me and I want to make sure that what happens is a sensible, long term solution for all campus users.

When I asked the Arts rep whether she had considered and whether the submission would address the impact of the merger on other campus libraries, she replied “what do you mean impact on other campus libraries?”

So post the submission and the reply on the group. Put your money where your mouth is.

Two libraries getting amalgamated as ‘the crime of the century’.

Read a book guys.

richardstrauss5:02 pm 27 Jun 11

I’m not sure what library protest the Creative Canberran has been following, but s/he should really check some facts. The submission was written by a group of students who responded to a message on the facebook group (which anyone is free to join). The response was posted around the school and was the subject of much discussion.
Does Creative Canberran actually talk to students, or does s/he just make things up to suit his/her pre-established beliefs about creative arts students.
Can Creative_Canberran explain how closing one library and moving all its materials to another location will be better for library capacity?
Perhaps the biggest flaw in CCs argument is the constant description of the “students” as if they were actually one person, with one agenda and one set of ideas. Both schools are home to hundreds of students who all have individual opinions, and a large number have voiced these directly to the university management. What is CCs reason for engaging in this debate? I am quite prepared to say that I am an honours student (and heavy library user) at the School of Music. Who are you?

creative_canberran3:36 pm 27 Jun 11

UPDATE: According to someone on YouTube, a submission has been made by students. This apparently occurred in mid-may, which is curious given others said in late may nothing had been done yet. Put it down to poor planning and communication I would say. If this is true, then neither I nor the music students I’ve spoken to were made aware of it been submitted.

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