Comments for STANDF1RST

Comment on Geo’s story by Verity

Verity — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:49:57 +0000

I am proud to call you my friend.

Comment on Geo’s story by Liisa Rohumaa

Liisa Rohumaa — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:13:21 +0000

A super article – and your website is pretty cool too!
The Third Word at http://geoswillis.wordpress.com/

Comment on Geo’s story by Sam Teckman

Sam Teckman — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:14:53 +0000

Geo, i have to say that you are one of (if not THE) wisest and well read people i know.

you’re an effin genius and i love you xxx

Comment on Reporting silence by M Green

M Green — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:49:38 +0000

Of course the staff don’t want to talk to you about John Vinney, there’s a climate of fear operating across the University. Vinney wants lecturers to spend more of their time doing research and less time on teaching so those lecturers who are good at teaching students but weak on research will be handed their P45s. The money to fund all this research time is taken out of student fees and the HEFCE teaching grant which should be spent on teaching students not on research. This has to be the case because only a pitiful percentage of the university’s income comes from research grants, almost all the money comes from teaching students. So students are being short changed by BU’s management. Of course Vinney will say that teaching is enhanced by research but we all know that that’s a crock particularly when students can’t get to see their lecturers because they are off doing their research or attending conferences. Many staff who excel in research are poor teachers because the two activities require different skill sets. So student money is not being spent on students, it is being used to develop the University’s research profile. That’s where the real story is so why doesn’t Standfirst investigate it?

Comment on Big is beautiful by Hannah

Hannah — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:43:27 +0000

I often struggle finding sunglasses especially ones that are reasonably priced as I too am a student. I will definetely be snapping up a pair of those 17 sunglasses

Comment on Boys, it is denim! by Hannah

Hannah — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:34:48 +0000

Loving the look and great tips, will definately be passing on these on to my fella

Comment on Maxitime! by Jo Payne

Jo Payne — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:05:49 +0000

Love those photos, had to go out & buy one after reading this

Comment on Geo’s story by Chris

Chris — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:00:48 +0000

Since the day you were born I have loved you. As you struggled through your teenage years we had our problems, but I always loved you. I’m so glad to know that you understand now why I let you go. I knew it was the only way, and that, when you were ready, I would get you back. I am so proud of you, and of how you’ve turned your life around. You are an inspiration to many people, to me you are my beloved daughter

Comment on Vinney appointed VC by Paul Anderson

Paul Anderson — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:35:52 +0000

Let’s face it John Vinney’s selection was stitched up long before the interviews took place. The Chairman of the Board said as much when he said that he was looking for a Curran clone to replace the outgoing VC. It wouldn’t have mattered whether there were 80 or 180 students and staff involved in the cosmetic exercise as the selection was actually made by a panel of 6 people headed by the Chairman of the Board. The 2 staff ‘representatives’ on this panel are management stooges. Vinney was responsible for sacking a large number of lecturers in DEC just 2 years ago leaving students with savagely cut contact time and shoddy assessments which have produced many student complaints. The SU needs to stop cosying up to the VC and start representing students in an effective way. Vinney has played a key role in implementing cuts in student provision at BU while presenting it students as a set of positive improvements. As students we need to see through all the spin and propaganda and recognise that we are being conned by the BU management. Vinney may be a quiet man but he’s a quiet man with blood on his hands – so its no surprise that none of the BU staff want to talk to StandF1rst about him

Comment on Geo’s story by Marian

Marian — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:42:10 +0000

I too would be immensely proud of you if you were my daughter Geo – you are amazing. It is easy to forget that the students we meet every day have their own stories, some of which – like yours – are both heartbreaking and inspirational.

Thank you

Marian