- Location
- Limousin
A bit like an academic version of a board of directors.
Edinburgh University today
- Thread starter Cowgirl
- Start date
A bit like an academic version of a board of directors.
- Location
- DD9.
That's ok, it'll be but a matter of time before those climate conscious campaigners want to ban the sale of alcohol on site. I mean alcohol production must be fairly a significant contributor to pollution for a purely recreational substance of no nutritional value. They are trying to ban beef due its emissions and alleged contributions to climate change so alcohol (especially cheap stuff) must be next on the list.........
n.w
Member
- Location
- western isles
My daughter a student in Skye sent me this on FB hope its not been put on already
Meat with integrity.. but sadly this ‘meet’ had no integrity??
Shocked to be writing this but as a student of the University of Edinburgh I cannot stand by and let this vote go through unanswered.
We received an email through EUSA (student association) to propose a motion for ceasing the sale of beef and beef products from university cafes/catered student accommodation. This motion’s aim was with the view of improving the climate crisis and becoming more ‘sustainable’.
In answer to this (since at the meeting we didn’t get the opportunity to speak):
Removing beef products from the university menu will help the aim of the motion in no way at all; 90% of beef supplied to university cafes is from Scottish beef farms and as an aside: all the milk and dairy used in university cafe is from a Bridge of Allan supplier from dairy herds all across Scotland.
Likewise the university catering ensures that food miles are at a minimum to reduce transportation emissions (see https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/for-students/our-cafes/good-food-guide/good-food-procurement/ )
The ‘for’ argument was weak and misinformed but sadly we didn’t get the opportunity to counter-argue.
However the more alarming part of the meeting was when more than 17 Agricultural students from SRUC- a division and association of the University of Edinburgh- attended the meeting to support the ‘against’ argument and were denied the chance to vote and voice their opinions during the debate since they are not matriculated directly with the university of Edinburgh DESPITE the majority of their teaching being held at King’s Buildings (UoE facility) and many of their first year students staying at Pollock Halls (catered). In the case of these students, the decision made by the vote, would directly affect them.. yet they were not allowed a say.
Furthermore mid way through the meeting, security was called to remove the Agrics from the hall, despite them politely listening to the afore arguments around the side of the room- making no fuss.
Personally I think it’s ridiculous that motions voted for during this meeting, directly affected them and they were denied to even listen as they were deemed ‘intimidating’.
Going by the amendment vote and the weakness of the ‘for’ argument, I feel confident that the vote will favour beef and beef products to remain in university cafes but I feel much more has been taken from this meeting- namely that meat products, and by extension farming itself, is greatly supported by vet students, agrics and other students of the university alike.
Not sure who to tag to get this opinion voiced but hopefully awareness is raised to fellow student and members of University of Edinburgh
???????
Meat with integrity.. but sadly this ‘meet’ had no integrity??
Shocked to be writing this but as a student of the University of Edinburgh I cannot stand by and let this vote go through unanswered.
We received an email through EUSA (student association) to propose a motion for ceasing the sale of beef and beef products from university cafes/catered student accommodation. This motion’s aim was with the view of improving the climate crisis and becoming more ‘sustainable’.
In answer to this (since at the meeting we didn’t get the opportunity to speak):
Removing beef products from the university menu will help the aim of the motion in no way at all; 90% of beef supplied to university cafes is from Scottish beef farms and as an aside: all the milk and dairy used in university cafe is from a Bridge of Allan supplier from dairy herds all across Scotland.
Likewise the university catering ensures that food miles are at a minimum to reduce transportation emissions (see https://www.accom.ed.ac.uk/for-students/our-cafes/good-food-guide/good-food-procurement/ )
The ‘for’ argument was weak and misinformed but sadly we didn’t get the opportunity to counter-argue.
However the more alarming part of the meeting was when more than 17 Agricultural students from SRUC- a division and association of the University of Edinburgh- attended the meeting to support the ‘against’ argument and were denied the chance to vote and voice their opinions during the debate since they are not matriculated directly with the university of Edinburgh DESPITE the majority of their teaching being held at King’s Buildings (UoE facility) and many of their first year students staying at Pollock Halls (catered). In the case of these students, the decision made by the vote, would directly affect them.. yet they were not allowed a say.
Furthermore mid way through the meeting, security was called to remove the Agrics from the hall, despite them politely listening to the afore arguments around the side of the room- making no fuss.
Personally I think it’s ridiculous that motions voted for during this meeting, directly affected them and they were denied to even listen as they were deemed ‘intimidating’.
Going by the amendment vote and the weakness of the ‘for’ argument, I feel confident that the vote will favour beef and beef products to remain in university cafes but I feel much more has been taken from this meeting- namely that meat products, and by extension farming itself, is greatly supported by vet students, agrics and other students of the university alike.
Not sure who to tag to get this opinion voiced but hopefully awareness is raised to fellow student and members of University of Edinburgh
???????
Last edited:
I'm not sure it is particularly wise for students at Edinburgh University to try to ban beef and beef products form their catering institutions, when Mince and Tatties is by far Scotland's favourite dish. Fish and chips would come next, then steak, then lamb chops. Haggis would be way down the list and would hardly register.
And it must be pointed out that Students, at best, are only half as wise and half as knowledgeable as they think they are. But they don't realise that until they reach the age of about thirty.
And it must be pointed out that Students, at best, are only half as wise and half as knowledgeable as they think they are. But they don't realise that until they reach the age of about thirty.
- Location
- Scottish Highlands
Given that Edinburgh isn’t representative of Scotland, culturally, I suspect that Edinburgh Uni isn’t close to being either.
averageguy54
Member
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
Sorry I've not been around, family emergency.
Yes you are right about the University being in the employer role. n.w. says his daughter reports this mess has showed up on media in her university in Skye, so it is spreading. People will be watching to see how it is responded to, and making decisions based on that response.
All Edinburgh University has to do is issue a notice to all students that their Student Union is going to no longer be allowed to conduct its business in campus because they failed to ensure a due democratic process at that meeting. The students will do the rest. It gets the University off the hook for accountability, because they have taken affirmative action in regards to this matter. It also shifts the responsibility to make it right back on the body that screwed it up in the first place, makes them clean up their own mess. Mess cleaned up, they get to stay on campus. University comes out a winner.
FonterraFarmer
Member
- Location
- Waikato, New Zealand
What aboot all the other unnecessary, recreational substances???
- Location
- Ledbury, Herefordshire
The University isn't ON any hook - the SU is.
If the University issued that notice there would be a riot. I imagine Edinburgh have just had, or are about to have their NSS - can't see that going well either, which would be a disaster for the University as the Government as well as the students use that as a measure of a universities performance.
I'm guessing that you haven't spent any time around students?
- Location
- Ledbury, Herefordshire
- Location
- Ledbury, Herefordshire
I think that's got more to do with the fact that wherever they are, the opinions of 18-21 year olds in higher education are not necessarily the same as other/older adults.
- Location
- South Wales UK
- Location
- DD9.
What’s the story with the 2ft Barbara Streisand sculpture that’s at the top of the article?
averageguy54
Member
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
I actually do spend a good amount of time around students, that's why I wrote what I wrote. I even talked to some about this specific situation and what I wrote is their responses. I also graduated from an agricultural college.
It would be interesting to see their results for their NSS. I would think you'd see some sort of drop. Since Cowgirl posted and started this conversation it's been posted in the Scottish Farmer, on a campus in Skye and now posted in a newspaper available in Wales. How many students are reading these articles whilst making plans for Uni next year? I wonder how many of them are going to be interested in going to a uni that allows people to disregard basic democratic principles like free speech?
Result in, motion defeated ?:
‘We are pleased that nearly six thousand students voted, showing a highly engaged student membership who want to have their say. The final result was that 58% of students voted against the motion, and as a result the Students’ Association will continue to offer beef products as an option in our cafes, restaurants, and shops.’
Just a bit surprising that 42% of them voted for veganism and the removal of choice.
- Students eh, they'll 'learn' eventually.... ?
‘We are pleased that nearly six thousand students voted, showing a highly engaged student membership who want to have their say. The final result was that 58% of students voted against the motion, and as a result the Students’ Association will continue to offer beef products as an option in our cafes, restaurants, and shops.’
Just a bit surprising that 42% of them voted for veganism and the removal of choice.
- Students eh, they'll 'learn' eventually.... ?
averageguy54
Member
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
- Location
- Carmarthenshire, West Wales
EU spending tens of millions of euros a year to promote meat eating
Campaigns to promote consumption of pork and veal labelled ‘indefensible’ in light of health and climate concerns
www.theguardian.com
Well I agree with some things the EU does, we need to continue that advertising here, well done EU