GUSNA's future looked bleak this week with a number of members nearly laughing themselves to death at the Calman Commision/ Review/ Committee.

Given the leader of this committee is none other than our dear university's chancellor and that a prominant GU scholar also occupies a position on it, gusna members were delighted to see the rug pulled out from under the feet of this parcel of rogues. Despite being the brain-child of Wendy Alexander, her maternal instincts seem to have dissappeared this week when she called for an independence referendum.

A GUSNA member said: As this dubious committee is so closely associated with Glasgow University it is great to see it increasingly isolated and weakened.

The committee always was a political stunt, as the make-up of it shows: five members of the house of lords and two knights of the realm are on it, hardly a cross-section of the country.

It is an intellectually bankrupt spun exercise. Why if its reviewing the powers we have in Scotland, does it insist on this Independence - 1 position. Why can't they conclude Scotland needs full powers for the parliament.

The people of Scotland voted for an SNP government. All the parties had different positions on what powers should go to the parliament in their manifestos. The most popular position was independence- this ailing commision is morally bankrupt as well. It should be shut down and stop wasting tax-payers money.

Alex Neil MSP was the outstanding speaker at the cross-party political debate in the GUU. The event, which took place on the 3rd of March, was relatively well attended for an inaugural event.

Mr Neil managed to highlight the hypocrisy of the Liberal-Democrats calling for a referendum on Europe while denying self-determination to the Scottish people. When pressed, Liberal-Democrat Alistair Carmichael MP admitted that they would only hold a referendum on Europe as they thought they would get the result they wanted. Similar political numtyness was expressed by their leader Nichole "who?" Stephenson MSP prior to the last election when he called a referendum on independence, "independence by the back-door."

Anas Sarwar, the son of the hereditary MP for Glasgow Central, excelled in using his own youth and inexperience to his disadvantage. After clearly not recalling which way his party voted on numerous issues, arguing against that terrible right-wing policy, a progressive income tax and apparently forgetting he was in the GUU, Mr Neil put him out of his misery by "Confusing him with some facts." Credit must go to Mr Sarwar though. A last minute shoe-in for the debate itself he was told to come in by a typically rude, disorganised and unprofessional John Smith House and the researcher for the local MSP, who appears to think himself the villain from the Matrix. New Labour, Old Tories. Glasgow University Labour Club also appear to be well on their way to winning the Most Unpopular, Redundant Society of the Year Award which takes places at the University of Strathclyde in May.

But lets save a thought for the young last minute Tory Councillor who came instead of snow-trapped Jackson "Hudson Bay Company" Carlowe. That the audiance were actually listening to what this wee man was saying was clearly emphasised when half of them clapped enthusiastically his proposal to tax them thousands of pounds for their education. Whilst the reported instigator of this clapping frenzy is known to viciously, verbally abuse poor young nationalists in the not-so-early hours of the morning it is no excuse for such irrationality. However given the Councillor who made the statement has all of no political colleagues we can forgive him for insulting pretty much his entire audience.

Patrick Harvie also said a thing or two about something at some point.

SNP MSPs across Scotland on Monday were joining Scotland's students in
challenging opposition parties to vote to scrap the Graduate Endowment
– a £2,300 levy on graduates. The Graduate Endowment Bill was
published last October and the final vote will be on Thursday.

The campaigning will be the beginning of a mass campaign across
the country to scrap the Graduate Endowment which will culminate with
a lobby of Parliament by students on Thursday.

SNP MSPs gathered at Glasgow and Abertay Universities on Monday.

Speaking at Glasgow University, Bob Doris MSP said;

"The SNP have always believed that education should be based on the
ability to learn and not the ability to pay.

"There are nearly 10,000 students who are liable to pay the £2,289 fee
and removing that will be a welcome boost to both them and their
families"

"Too many of our young people start their adult life snowed under with
debt and I hope the Parliament sees sense and gives them, and
Scotland, a hand on Thursday"

"For years Labour have been banging on about "Education, Education,
Education". Now they talk about social justice. On Thursday they can
show that they believe in both, support the Scottish Government and
vote to scrap the Graduate Endowment."

In Dundee Joe FitzPatrick, Dundee West MSP, is meeting with students
at Abertay University where he, Students Association President Andy
Love and students from Dundee's two universities are calling for the
abolition of the Graduate Endowment Fee.

Mr Fitzpatrick said;
"Labour has twice voted against the abolition of the Graduate
Endowment. They seem determined to force students into more and more
debt with out even a good explanation.

"With the final vote only days away, Labour has failed to explain why
they want students to continue to pay £2300 each in order to graduate,
when they claim to have abolished tuition fees during their
administration."

Andy Love, President of University of Abertay Students Association, said;

"Given the current financial pressures heaped on students nowadays,
and the fact that many are faced with Student Loan repayments once
they graduate, it is important that the Graduate Endowment Fee is
abolished.

"It will help ease the ever-increasing financial burden placed on
today's students, and ultimately help with their transition from
education, to full-time employment."

GUSNA's candidate Hardeep Singh Kohli is leading the way in terms of issues in the rectorship race. Already the Guardian has highlighted some of the concerns students and staff have raised with him.

The vote takes place on the 26-27th of February. Vote on a campus computer.

Hardeep Singh Kohli -1

Websites:
http://www.votehardeep.com

http://glasgowuni.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7596632692

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie tonight welcomed the vote in the Scottish
Parliament to support the abolition of the Graduate Endowment as she
accused Labour of losing their principles.

The SNP bill to abolish the £2300 fee passed its first Parliamentary
test today, despite the continued opposition of the Labour party.

Ms McKelvie said;

"Students across Scotland will welcome the Parliament's support for
this bill. This decision restores the long standing Scottish principle
of free education.

"At Christmas it is right that we give students and this year's
graduates the security that they will not face this tax on their
education.

"Labour's policies since 1997 have been disastrous for Scotland,
removing grants, imposing student loans and tuition fees, and leaving
our graduates with massive debts.

"Labour had the opportunity to learn from their election defeat, to
find some of their lost principles and ensure that everyone has an
equal chance in life. Education must be based on the ability to learn
not the ability to pay.

"The weasel words and poor excuses from Labour betray the fact that
Labour and the Tories no longer see education as a right, but as a
commodity you must pay for.

"Labour have plunged Scotland's students into thousands of pounds of
debts. Today the SNP takes the first step to alleviating that debt.
I know students and their families will welcome this decision."

Question: The SNP have recently outlined their plans for a possible
referendum on Scottish independence in future. If such a referendum
were to be held tomorrow, how would you vote?

Agree: 51%
Disagree: 32%

The poll was carried out by TNS/System 3. A sample of 983 adults aged
18+ was interviewed face-to-face in-home in 42 constituencies across
Scotland over the period 21st November - 2nd December 2007.

SNP MSPS today condemned the actions of Labour and the Conservatives for abandoning Scottish students as they voted to continue the £2289 Graduate Endowment fee. Labour MSPs Karen Whitefield, Richard Baker and Mary Mulligan, along with Conservative Liz Smith voted against the SNP Government bill that would abolish back end tuition fees for all students including 2007 graduates. SNP members formally registered their dissent from the decision of the Education committee. Rob Gibson MSP, Deputy Convenor of the Education Committee said; "Labour and the Conservatives have abandoned Scotland's students. They are unwilling to take even the first step toward reducing student debt. "At a time when we should be working together to deliver the best possible future for our students this is a cheap political move that will do Labour and the Conservatives no favours." "The Labour party had the opportunity to bring some redress to students after plunging them into debt. They have failed."
Fellow Committee member Aileen Campbell MSP said; "Labour's decision is a disgrace. Students have spent the last 10 years under a Labour administration being pushed further and furtherinto debt. Despite losing the election it seems Labour are refusing to change their ways. "I was astonished that Richard Baker voted against the bill. As a former President of the NUS who called for free education himself he should have supported the current NUS President in welcoming the bill. "Yet again we see politicians who benefited from free education trying to inflict debt on the next generation. I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to meet student debts and I can assure all students the SNP will see the graduate endowment abolished."

Scottish National Party MSP Christina McKelvie today welcomed a
parliamentary answer from Fiona Hyslop stating that student grants
will be re-introduced, starting with part-time students in 2008.

Ms McKelvie, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Education Committee said;
"The SNP is bringing back student grants.

"Today's announcement that, from the start of the new academic year,
part time students will be relieved of the burden of student loans and
will instead receive a £500 grant is a welcome move.

"Alongside the Abolition of the Graduate Endowment for full time
students the introduction of grants for part time students will see
all students benefiting from the SNP's commitment to reduce the burden
of student debt.

"For part-time students finding the financial support for college or
university education is far harder than for full-time students.
Bringing back grants for part-time students is the right thing to do
and I will lead to more people considering returning to education and
training to improve their skills and careers.

"That there will be further funding available for colleges and
universities to support students in need of financial help for costs
such as child care or transport will be a relief to many part-time
students who balance work, study and family life.

"The SNP Government is taking real action to improve the lives and
opportunities of Scotland's students at all levels and I hope all
parties will support this move."

On a cold and crispy lunchtime, GUSNA launched their rectorial bid with our candidate Hardeep Singh-Kohli, by holding a soup kitchen for students. The Celebrity Masterchef finalist had made three pots of cock-a-leekie soup that morning, with help from GUSNA, and this was well received by hungry students. The candidate himself was well received and GUSNA look forward to a hard-fought campaign.

GUSNA recognise the need for a rector with a wide base of support. We chose Hardeep as we recognise in him someone who is willing to engage with the Independence question but is not overly party political, who will work hard for Glasgow's students and who has a genuine love of the University.

Labour have forced Scotland's students to continue paying off large amounts of debt. Despite the SNP having planned to service the debt, the fact they had insufficient support in parliament as a minority government means they had to leave it out of their proposed budget. That, added to the fact that Labour have insisted on ludicrous trams in Edinburgh and given Scotland the worst budget deal since devolution began meant the SNP had to compromise to try and get their budget through Parliament. Despite opposition, the SNP have continued to try and better support for students, the scrapping of the graduate endowment being the first step in making sure students don't end up up to their ears in debt in the first place.