Union General Meeting (30th Jan 2007)
PORTERING ON CAMPUS
Proposed by: Amy Foxton
Seconded by: Colin Hindson, Rich Croker, Ryan Bennett, Louis Wihl, Alex Clark, Jamie Tyler and Won Youn
This union notes:
(i) The temporary reduction in the portering services across campus, especially in the residential colleges, that have been introduced by Security and Support Services due to a staff shortage for the period 21 January-28April 2007.
(ii) That the closure of Wentworth, Vanbrugh and Derwent lodges is proposed as a temporary solution to the current crisis.
(iii) Recent history suggests that the University is likely to want to make permanent cut backs to 24 hour College portering.
This union further notes:
(i) Keith Lilley, Director of Facilities Management, and Ken Batten, Head of Security and Support Services, informed a Union Senate meeting on Wednesday 17 January that it was their intention to recruit to the vacancies and restore portering to the staffing levels of October 2006.
This union believes:
(i) Porters provide an essential service to students, staff and visitors who require assistance in a number of areas.
(ii) Porters have a major role to play in the welfare of students at York, which is often unquantifiable.
(iii) The University does not place as much value on the role of college porters as the students at the University.
(iv) That any potential closures of porters lodges, coupled alongside the recent bar closures, could result in irreparable damage to the college system which is a major strength of the University of York.
(v) That the cuts in facilities, including portering, could have a negative impact on future admissions.
This union resolves:
(i) To mandate the President and Policy & Campaigns Officers to engage with the necessary members of Facilities Management to ensure the impact on student safety and inconvenience is minimalised during the period of staff shortages.
(ii) To mandate the Executive Committee with the assistance of the JCRCs, GSA and OSA to actively campaign to highlight the need for porters during the period of closure for as long as the Union Senate feels is appropriate.
(iii) To campaign against any decision which would mean a cut in the number of hours residential lodges are staffed in relation to the staffing of October 2006.
(iv) If portering does not return to the staffing levels of October 2006 after the period of temporary closure, to boycott University Open Days and, if felt necessary by Union Senate, actively campaign against the University on any such days.
(v) Should portering levels be cut, to contact any groups who are involved in University admissions informing them of the facilities cuts over recent years and the dissatisfaction of the student body in regards to these.
(vi) To involve local and national media in any campaign or action taken against substantial cuts.
