I could have sworn James’ post had more info when I read it last night. Did it really happen? Was I awake? Do I really exist? ...
Hi Chris,
According to the philosopher Descartes:
cogito ergo sum == I think therefore I am;
so since your posts show evidence of thinking you can infer that you exist!
Some more “good” news.... you didn’t imagine that James’ post had more info....it was there - I received it by email as a subscriber to this thread.
It would appear that James or one of our esteemed moderators has deleted James’ text since his original posting.
Shame I missed James’ post pre-deletion. (Like myself, I believe he was an EUer at the very beginning of this century.)
Back in my day, only 6 years ago really, the EU was one of the largest student union groups on campus (as far as member numbers were concerned). We paid no membership fees, but what we put in to and got out of it was priceless…
Perhaps this money-hungry sponsor demanding that EU not engage in its normal O-Week activities was just jealous of the numbers it attracted...or something..ramble ramble...sav lasav kav lakav…
Was reading my most recent EU Graduates Fund newsletter - reporting on how the EU at Sydney University coped with those changes that came in during O-Week two months ago.
I plan to post a few comments from that newsletter as soon as I can...just not now!
Those dear sisters going to Equip women’s conference at Sydney’s Darling Harbour tomorrow...look for an animated Asian girl, dressed rather unconventionally (ie not in the latest fashion styles), with her hair in a ballet bun. And say hello!
looked for”......an animated Asian girl, dressed rather unconventionally (ie not in the latest fashion styles), with her hair in a ballet bun. “ ...there were heaps like this, and I eventually got tired of saying hullo!
It seems to me that the original article could probably plead ‘guilty’ to a slightly sensational headline ("News flash!: Paper prints sensational headline!"), but beyond that they have been really quite even-handed in printing a response from a Rivcoll committee member, and providing a forum like this where Rivcoll’s decisions can be defended at length.
Just caught up with this old thread, and will make some further observations on what transpired at Sydney Uni a little later (just checking my info first), but in the interests of “even-handed"ness Gordon, I think it should be noted that not only the headline is misleading, but the first two paragraphs of the article which read:
An on-campus Christian group has been banned from making direct contact with students during orientation week in an unprecedented move by the student representative council (SRC).
The Student Christian Fellowship (CF) at the Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga campus is banned from having an on-campus presence during the university’s O-Week.
In fact, it is not until the 6th paragraph of the article that it becomes clear that this ban applies to all clubs, and not just the Student Christian Fellowship. Bearing in mind that i) opening paragraphs shape our understanding of what follows, and ii) some people only read the first part of an article, it was perhaps not the most well-written piece. I can understand the response of the Rivcoll representative who started this thread (Alex), even if many of the other issues raised by her may be legitimately disputed.
The Christian group was banned. the reasons are either unexplained or inadequate.
Six months later, we wait patiently.
Gordon
I agree that “the reasons are either unexplained or inadequate”. But on the face of it, the (potential) inference that the Christian group was somehow targeted - which is how the opening paragraphs of the article read - is not proved. It may be true, and many will no doubt have their suspicions, but it doesn’t appear to be proved at this point, unless there is other info that has come to light.
The story at Sydney Uni, however, is quite a different kettle of fish. I’ll say more on that when I’ve checked some details.
But on the face of it, the (potential) inference that the Christian group was somehow targeted - which is how the opening paragraphs of the article read - is not proved. It may be true, and many will no doubt have their suspicions, but it doesn’t appear to be proved at this point, unless there is other info that has come to light.
When I was a student at UNSW, it felt that rules were brought in targeting the Christian group, but applied to all groups. Which of course makes it hard to prove.
Of course - I was very one-eyed about the whole thing :-)
When I was a student at UNSW, it felt that rules were brought in targeting the Christian group, but applied to all groups. Which of course makes it hard to prove.
Of course - I was very one-eyed about the whole thing :-)
Mike
You mean we Christians aren’t always completely objective and without bias in everything? This is a blinding revelation . . .
Was reading my most recent EU Graduates Fund newsletter - reporting on how the EU at Sydney University coped with those changes that came in during O-Week two months ago.
I plan to post a few comments from that newsletter as soon as I can...just not now!
NOW has come! Sorry for the delay…
The following text excerpt is from the EU Graduates Fund news & prayer letter, which I received by post in April this year. It reports what happened on campus as a result of the restrictions imposed…
We had been on campus for just over a day when we were asked to stop approaching people. Frustration filled our hearts as we reflected on this surprising event. And yet God had been working. Nearly 400 people had indicated they would like to be part of the EU. Another 160 students wanted to find out about Christianity. Later that afternoon, a student who had just heard the gospel committed his life to Christ. God’s mighty arm of salvation was outstretched, above and beyond the barriers that had been placed in our path. Nothing could we boast in. To Him alone be the glory.
This was from the front page article written by a fellow called Roger Hokin, who is a staffworker with EU (the Sydney University version of an MTS worker - we used to call them “Howard Guinness Projectiles").
I understand that the Sydney Uni EU (which is the largest student group at Sydney Uni) was prevented from doing thier normal O Week thing yesterday by the Student Union because their presence up set O Week’s corporate sponsors and thus affected the commercial value of O Week.
Terry Gallagher - 29 February 2008 04:43 PM
I noticed that EU is listed on the Syd Uni O-week program, so was this a spur of the moment decision?
Hi All
Here’s my understanding of what happened at Sydney Uni:
As Terry points out, the EU was included in the O-Week Program, and indeed was present very actively on Day One. But one or more corporate sponsors complained to the Student Union because they felt that they couldn’t compete with the large numbers of EU members present who were talking to new students and letting them know about EU activities etc. (what one would have thought was a fairly core O-Week activity!).
In response the Student Union (or at least a representative of the Union) came and told the EU people that they had to stop - even though they had already been given permission and were not doing anything they shouldn’t have been doing. I understand that this message was not delivered graciously. EU reps could probably have argued their case for staying, but I gather they determined that to do so would not be in the long term interests of their work on campus or their relationship with the Student Union.
If someone who actually involved reads this, they might be able to give you better info than I have, and without all the cautious qualifiers that I have scattered throughout!
Bob
PS Sydney Uni EU’s Annual Conference just finished this afternoon - I’m told they had a bumper crowd. God is good!
The opinions expressed in this forum belong to the individual posting the message and may not represent the view of the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church. Click here to read the Posting Policy.
Everyone is welcome on our forums, but please keep comments on-topic and civil. Any flaming or general nastiness will be deleted. No unsolicited advertising is allowed. All comments, suggestions, bug reports, etc. related to the forums should be directed to Robert Moller. Click here to read our complete Posting Policy.
Kel Richards and Dean Philip Jensen
Get the latest Sydney stories, Culture and Indepth on your mobile device. Visit sydang.mobi
