Student Association Fee Raised to One Pound Five

At Special General Meeting of Stud. Ass. General Business.

There was a record attendance the General Meeting of the V.U.C. Stud. Ass. held last Wednesday evening. In his introductory remarks, the President, Mr. H. R. C. Wild, pointed out that it was part of the Exec.'s policy to call a Special General Meeting every term.

The minutes of the last Special General Meeting held in October of last year were read and confirmed. The sequel to motions passed at that meeting seems to show rather an obstinate and unfair attitude on the part of the Professorial Board. Mr. Wild said that he had approached the last year's Chairman (Prof. Rankine Brown) and this year's Chairman (Prof. Miles) with a view to having the procession reinstated and the services of the Commissionaire dispensed with, but both gentlemen had declined to take the matter before the Board. (We noticed that the Commissionaire was on duty at the Dramatic Club's show on Friday night.)

An amendment to the Blues Regulations moved by Mr. J. C. White, was carried. The amendment is that candidates for blues in winter sports shall be required to have attended lectures in the year preceding the award of the blue instead of for two years preceding the award.

The main business of the evening was to determine whether the Stud. Ass. fee should be raised to 25/-. An amendment to the constitution to that effect was moved by Mr. J. Aimers. Mr. Aimers said that moving the amendment was not a pleasure, but a sheer necessity. The proposal originated from the Building Committee of which Mr. Aimers is a member. He pointed out that the Stud. Ass. must aim at £40.000 whether it takes five years or fifty years! (A voice: A hundred years!)

The Committee intends at Capping time to launch a big public campaign for funds. It feels, however, that it must be able to show the public that the students are themselves contributing a healthy amount each year. The figure the Building Committee has in mind is £550 per annum. present, practically the only accession to the fund is the £200 per annum allocated from the Stud. Ass. funds. The remaining £350 the committee hopes to raise from profits on the sale of Varsity publications, from the proceeds of club functions, and from the increase in the Stud. Assn. fee. The Building Committee it first considered making the contribution from students voluntary, said Mr. Aimers, but it was thought, after deliberation that the finest scheme would be to make the contribution compulsory by raising the Stud. Ass. fee.

Government help would be essential, but it was considered that before approaching the Minister for a grant or a subsidy, it would be essential to be able to point to substantial efforts on the part of the student body.

The motion was seconded by Mr. S. P. Walsh.

All the subsequent discussion in support of the motion, or suggested amendments. Mr. It. S. V. Simpson on rising to speak was urged to the stage by vociferous cries, and pointed out in heroic tones, that we must regard the sacrifice as a duty to ourselves, our colleagues and our children. (Voice: Speak for yourself.)

Mr. R. E. Jack suggested that the fee be raised to £1/10/6, but Mr. Macaskill pointed out that such a heavy increase would reduce the takings at Club functions and so defeat its own purpose.

Mr. A. A. Scotney moved an amendment: "That all such moneys to the extent of 4/- per head" be used exclusively for swelling the Building Fund.

Mr. Aimers and his seconder agreeing to the amendment, the original motion was then put and carried with few dissenting voices. Subsequently Mr. Ellingham moved that a request be made to the Prof. Board that the increase be made operative in the current session. This motion was carried.

Mr. M. J. Mason suggested that a loan be raised so that posterity as well as present students should contribute to the Building Fund. The chairman, Mr. Wild, replied that this aspect was covered by the life insurance endowment plan. These policies would be taken out (we hope) by well-wishers of the Stud. Ass. and handed over to the Building Fund. At the end of five years they would be good security for a loan.

Mr. Scotney moved that the Building Committee ask the Council for permission to approach the Minister of Education. (On one previous occasion this permission had been refused). This motion was passed.

The next business was a motion by Mr. Aimers that as there were to be only two club balls this year, they should be held in the St Francis Hall, as balls in the Gym. tended to become brawls through overcrowding. Mr. Macaskill pointed out that the Bolton Street cemetery, although not so handy was very spacious. The motion was carried on a division by a very narrow margin.