UCLan’s Advisory and Counselling Centre head has denied claims over the fitness of the Multi-Faith centre.
In the last issue of Pluto, we reported that the Multi-Faith centre on St. Peter’s Square was branded “unfit for purpose” by Director of Student Affairs Ian McMillan at the SU Annual General Meeting. McMillan in fact said that the multi-faith centre was only unfit for purpose on Friday evenings, when the centre is needed for Muslim prayer.
John Dunn, the Advisory and Counselling head said: “The Multi-Faith Centre was refurbished over the summer of 2008 to ensure it is compliant with disability legislation.”
“The Centre is well used and is certainly ‘fit for purpose’ on every day except for about an hour each Friday afternoon when up to 200 Islamic students and staff want to pray as a congregation. Alternative arrangements have been agreed and last week prayers were observed in the university Arts Centre”.
He continued to defend the future of the multi-faith centre and promised that the University will continue to work to establish the best solution to benefit all who wish to use the facility.
The ethos of the AGM was to implement change and make facilities at the university better. Although many other issues were raised, the matter of the multi-faith centre remained the prominent issue.
With many students wishing to use the centre, it is necessary for it to be suitable. Following recent refurbishments the centre should hypothetically be better, but with increased demand, many students are still unhappy.
Mr McMillan responded to the issue very well, giving hope and providing a promised plan to reinstate the suitability of the religious institute. Although he said that there are difficulties regarding the matter, ideas to solve it were given.
The main issue raised at the AGM was about difficulties regarding the Islamic Friday Prayer. The University is said to be looking for an alternate space in which this could be practised. This space is said to be able to accommodate up to 200 people.
The future of the multi-faith centre on the university campus seems promising. McMillan also spoke briefly on a possible new build to raise the profile of UCLan as an international institute. If it goes ahead, the new build would be ready within the next two to three years. This new development would serve the rightful purpose of a multi-faith centre devoid of any complications.
The Director of Student Affairs has recommended that students can also use local mosques in Preston, as well as the multi-faith centre on campus.
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:01 am
Multi-Faith centre IS “fit for purpose”
Er, no, it is not, clearly. Ask anyone in the Pagan Society.
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:14 am
PR fluff.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Though the issue of Friday prayers was bought up at the AGM I would like to note that it was not the only issue. The other issue being that the multi-faith centre is no longer open for use by any society after 6pm. This is of course unless you happen to have a member of staff who has a key. The pagan society have been trusted with use and care of the facility prior to its refurbishment for six years. It now seems that we are not welcome within the university as no change in facilities has been provided for us and no response has been received from the issue raised.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
A further issue is the complete lack of notice many religious societies
were given that they were being denied access to the MFC after 6pm
Further the Universities pagan society were told outright that noone was able to use the facility after 6pm.
This completely denied them the right to even find a member of staff to help them with access at the beginning of the year.
The relevent issues that should have been communicated to exisitng users of the MFC were not properly communicated. (Namely that socieities may gain access with a member of staff with a key).
The MFC in making this information available only to those societies
it wants to allow in the MFC after 6pm is essentially discriminating
against all those societies who have not been fully informed of the
new arrangements.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I would also like to point out that in the pagan faith
many religous practices are performed at sunset, or other times later in the day,
the university have said nothing about the arrangements made to aid the pagan society in these matters now that they are denied access (without proper notice) to the multifaith centre after 6pm
November 5th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
A lack of consultation or very little consulatation has been excercised with the actual students of the university. The ‘new’ and ‘improved’ MFC was refurbished with little regard to the needs of the actual students. The university have provided a means for students to practice religious activities which is appreciated however the drawback has been with disregarding the needs of the majority.
An issue finally has been regarding Muslim students urged to use local mosques. This is impractical as the prayer times at the local mosques will conflict with study times for many students.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:28 am
I would like to say that i went for Jummah (friday prayers, and was asked to come back during the second session fro friday prayers, and still it was full! I just dont understand why they wont give us room, plus what if we have meeting set for after 6 pm due to classes being dragged out so long?? we cant go and pray? or have meeting with our societies…? We all might as well move into the library seeing as they have all the facilities we need (even a shower room?!?!)theyve spent money on such a silly thing…
November 6th, 2008 at 10:37 am
If their original plan was to mess up the mfc, why didn’t they just leave it as it was?? Waste of OUR money whilst not catering for OUR needs!
November 6th, 2008 at 11:10 am
The resources and facilities in the new MFC are certainly unfit for purpose. As a result, I strongly feel the multi-faith community that existed is disintegrating. Everyone tries to get by with the new build (attempting to work around it to fit their needs), giving no time to have the multi-faith dialogues that used to take place.
As a muslim I use the facilities daily, between lectures. Putting aside the fact that the prayer rooms have leaks from the roof, you have to line up to use the toilets and you have to line up to use the prayer room (to name a few); the ethos of different faith groups coming together is no longer visible, when it was apparent previously.
The Friday/Jummah prayer is by no means the only issue…(as people are being led to believe).
November 6th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
St Peters is sitting there going to waste and should be an open house for everyone to schedule thier prayer meets and rituals
November 7th, 2008 at 12:12 am
What a load of codswallop!
I, as a single Muslim student require at least 15 minutes in the prayer room upto twice a day.
Therefore, to me, it appears to be mathematically illogical to provide a space that can only capacitate five students at a time, all of whom require a considerable amount of time to pray.
On a personal level, I struggle to find the solace I seek in my prayer when I can sense there are fellow students waiting for me to clear the area, so they can pray.
What I could not believe was the fact that there is ONLY 1 toilet for the disabled which BOTH males and females use!
The MFC has only catalysed dilemmas and problems!
Serious action needs to be taken!
ASAP!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Indeed Fatima.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:22 am
K said:
If their original plan was to mess up the mfc, why didn’t they just leave it as it was?? Waste of OUR money whilst not catering for OUR needs!
Abso-bloody-lutely old bean.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I totally agree! I’m with you all 100%! So what do/can we do about it?
November 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I believe the multi faith centre is definetly unfit for purpose. The first issue i would like 2 mention is the fact that it is too small. This is not only the case for friday prayers but it is the same for daily prayers that take place during the week. There is not enough space. The second issue is regarding the toilets. THERE IS ONLY ONE! The problem is that it must be shared by males and females. Finally i belive the multi faith centre closes too early. It is ok at the moment but when prayer times change during the year it will cause a huge inconvenicence to users of the MFC. The only good thing to come out of the new MFC is the sofas.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
It needs to be sorted out. One TOILET for both genders and for people with special needs, Narrow corridors, Not enough SPACE for prayers. I agree with Fatima!
November 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
My main problem with the multifaith room is the size, it is far too small to cater for the muslim students. We were reasonably happy with the arrangements last year, but the changes have not proved beneficial. Lets hope common sense prevails and this gets looked at.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I believe that the MFC is defiantly not fit for purpose. The structure of the building is all wrong. The prayer rooms are extremely small, considering the amount of people who come to pray. The corridors are way too small and the fact that there is only ONE TOILET, which has to be SHARED by both GENDERS, is a major issue. I appreciate that the University has spent a lot of money behind this project; however they simply have not considered the outcome. i hope you take these issues into consideration. thank you
November 7th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I am very sad with the way the current prayer room looks. It is disgraceful.
November 7th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I don’t use the prayer room on fridays at all and I still think its unfit for purpose. There are many issues as has been stated above concerning the size of the prayer rooms, toilets etc. etc.
I hope these concerns are demonstrated in a future edition of Pluto so that its readers can see that these concerns are shared by other users also and not just the islamic ones and that they are not limited to fridays only.
I think the article was a little misleading to its rreaders (by no fault of the writer as she could only quote what she was told) but I think someone should voice the concerns of the actual users as well.
November 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Also, when different societies hold meetings in the MFC, its quite unreasonable that there is only one room that has to be shared or is available.
Infact i think its pretty unfair on the Christian Society who probably feel they have to rush the endings of their meetings/prayers to give way to the members of the Islamic Society waiting outside the room!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
IAN MCMILLAN, shame on you, the very essence of the MFC is for societies,MUSLIM, CHRISTIAN,OR PAGAN to get together in a place that allows us to share our views, discuss our differences and agree on our common values, a place for worship a place for reflection. as users of the center it should be able to accomadate all our needs and circumstances, ISSUES LIKE OPENING TIMES SHOULD BE DICTATED BY US,THE USERS OF THE CENTER,IF THERE IS ISSUES LIKE SECURITY, LET UCLAN CONSULT US, AND WE WILL FIND A WAY. DOES THE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT AFFAIRS WANT US TO SPEAK LOUDER, BEFORE OUR VOICES ARE HEARD.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Walking round MFC is like walking round a Maze. Honestly the corridors are so narrow. Then they brag about health and safety. What’s with the one-way system and using one door to enter and exit? Its causing congestion problems. Especially between the males and the females. There needs to be segregation due to religious beliefs especially if the university brags on about being diverse and being equal.
My visit to MFC
I walk through the doors and let me stop for the female that’s leaving. I stop in respect and let her go pass. I walk down the corridor and have to wait at one end to make sure the rest of the people can go past. Now I need the toilet!! I’m waiting in a queue of 5. Oh no there’s females in the queue, cant hang around. Can’t wait any longer. Let me rush to the library. I run back to the MFC, times running out. Now get to the ablution area. The water is cold but I have to make wudu otherwise I cant pray. My legs are hurting, don’t worry there’s comfy seats!! But then I can’t wash my feet. You know what!! Get use to it mate, its making wudu standing up for the rest of the year!! Now I get to the prayer room. It’s all-full!! There’s not much room. I rush downstairs and quickly pray. Not been able to focus proper in the prayers because I’m late for the lecture. Going through so many doors and still end up in the same place.
November 8th, 2008 at 12:10 am
ATM the mfc is just not practical for any of our societies. Students that live off campus and need to pray in between lectures etc have to wait due to lack of space and bathroom facilities.
The uni has done the complete opposite to what was asked for!
November 8th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I think the ablution facilities in the multi faith centre are also an issue. The water is absloutely freezing, The seats are so far back that you have to bend so far foreward to rach the taps. You have to keep hold of the taps becuase they go off so quickly.
The corridors are very narrow. Hardly any space to move. The prayer rooms are too small. UCLAN has approximately 3,000 muslim students on campus on the maximum amount you would be able to fit into one prayer room would be 25 – 30 peepz in that.
November 8th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Well, where can I start?
We have got to ask ourselves ‘What is the purpose of the recent refurbished MFC?’
If it is to drive those students away who use the facilities regularly then it “IS FIT FOR PURPOSE.” As we have seen, the Pagan Society are now seen as untrustworthy and are left choiceless for an alternative venue. They are being deprived from holding MF activities in the MFC, which seems rather absurd to me! As with the the Muslim students, as I was told yesterday, some had come for the Friday prayer at the MFC and had to be told politely to ‘peddle their cycle backwards’, and try again for the second prayer at 1:30, Kirkham Building, as there is no space left for you to offer your prayers! How dreadful would the person asking them have felt? I wonder what went through those students who may have had a lecture scheduled at that time.
If, on the other hand, the purpose of the refurbished MFC is to safely and indiscriminately accommodate ALL CONCERNED, then in my honest and frank opinion the University need to seriously contemplate how far they have got in fulfilling this aim because as it stands, there are a number of apparent undeniable reasons which brand the MFC “UNFIT FOR PURPOSE.”
Due to the lack of toilet facilities, the disabled students are having to witness their toilet being used by others.
It does not accommodate the the Pagan Society anymore.
The Christian Union has to round off the end of their Bible Study/meetings in a hurry as they probably don’t want to cause inconvenience to the members of the Islamic Society who are usually scheduled to use the room after them, who in turn, as it has come to my understanding, out of consideration are considering a possible venue outside the MFC for their meetings to allow the Christian Union some ‘breathing space’. God bless you all for the tolerance between you people. Therefore, it is acting as a stumbling block to accommodate the Christian Union and the Islamic Society comfortably.
It seems as though the segregation rules between the males and the females in Islam have no longer been taken into consideration which were previously observed before the rennovation.
As Fatima has indicated, the sheer size of the small rooms for the females are evidence that they don’t accomodate more than 7 at a time, to be generous that is.
Certainly, as Amina points out, “The Friday prayer is by no means the only issue” because I have come to understand that during the daily prayer in the afternoon for Muslims, it is as though they pray on top of each other (no disrespect intended).
As Ian McMillan did state in the AGM that this year the University has recruited more international students than expected, whilst accepting more, did the University consider the implications that this may have with regards to this aspect of student life? Furthermore, a relatively large number of these students are from the Arab States (majority Muslims I suppose) who would want to use the MFC facilities regurarly in the mornings and evenings, only to see that they are inadequate for everyone.
One such incident was a Friday prayer in the MFC, to which fire/health and safety officials had attended to observe whether the MFC complies with the fire/health and safety regulations. They had done a head count of a staggering 150 entering the small confinement. Little did the officials realise that they ought to take a stroll inside to see how exactly have the 150 heads managed to find space. As I am told, to my utter astonishment, and maybe to the shock of the officials if they had seen it, the one metre wide passage way upstairs had also been taken up by the people, that too after having filled up the store room, quiet room, upstairs females room, both meeting rooms, and eventually the coffee lounge too after having reluctantly broken up a gathering in the coffee lounge which had been kindly requested for praying space by a student from a group of females who had preoccupied it to enjoy a coffee together, all additional to the two prayer rooms already allocated for the males to pray! It did not end here. To give all present the chance to partake in the prayer, the chairs could be stacked somewhere temporarily, but where? The passage ways which lead to the fire exit doors! In case of a fire, people would be held up by the chairs before they could reach out for the fire exit doors. And I hate to think, but what if there was a disabled student present withtin the MFC at such a time? Whatever did happen to that fire/health and safety observation?
This is least to say that the alternative prayer space provided to the Muslim students for the Friday prayers lacks ablution facilities and students are to physically stand every week at the MFC to remind the attendees to make their washing rituals in the MFC as they are not allowed at the other building! And, last but not least, with the sports activities hall being an ideal venue for Friday prayers with regards to space and washing rituals, it is being denied to them this year even though it is usually free at the time they would like the hall for, I have come to find out.
Surely a rennovation of such scale and money must have taken all these issues into consideration? Or were they not?
In my opinion I think there are too many practicalities which are problematic to most students. I leave it with you to decide!
November 8th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
obviously we need to do something about the mfc. ONE toilet is not fit for everybody to use. plus there will be people who uses the mfc every hour. small area for many users are totally unfit for everybody, not just taking account for the friday prayers only.
we need separate toilets for male and female as we need to preserve the cleanliness of the toilets and to ease the mfc users. hot water and dryers are essential for these toilets as it is much needed to be used.
the uni has invested such a huge money just to waste its money by refurbishing a place that are unfit for use.
November 8th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
the current state of the mfc is totally unfit for purpose as it is too small and ONE toilet is illogical 200 people to use. we need a new place for mfc to satisfy everyone needs. in fact, the mfc are being shared with other religion too. ironically, its not logic a small place could fit everyone into it.
i think the university should take this issue into consideration as this issue is a serious matter to be deal with(university shouldn’t waste money on silly investments).
November 9th, 2008 at 2:35 am
THE MFC idea is so supportive and good however it need to be better somehow, about the prayer rooms, they are really small compaired to the number of muslim students in the uni, the water is extremly cold. we really need a better facilities in the MFC
November 10th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
wot a pallava…! hear hear to all who have already raised the problems that ALL users of the MFC face, not jus the Muslim students. At the end of the last academic year i was really looking forward to the new and improved MFC as were many others i assume. However on my return after the summer was shocked to find what had happened inside. i would greatly urge all those that can do something about the situation and are responsible for what has become of the MFC to take into account everyones responses. the petition the islamic society had seemed to fall on deaf ears, i jus hope this makes people wake up and realise that this is a problem that goes beyond “lack of space on a friday for half an hour”. i use the facilities every weekday atleast twice to observe my daily prayers, but like others have to wait ages, then rush my own prayers so am not restricting others and can make it in time to my lectures again. also in the females prayer rooms, there is just about space for 5 girls to pray thier namaaz but others cant sit to read a holy book at the same time.
i do hope the students and users view are taken into account as they are the main users of the facility. and again, what was the purpose of the new and improved MFC if the people who use it are restricted from getting the best out of it.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
as a muslim student at uni, all i wanted was a place to observe my prayers in my own time, without being rushed or cramped or having to be told to come back later as there is no space at the moment. also a place where i can make ablution with warm water and within a clean and safe environment. when beginning uni this year, i was told by many existing students that the MFC at uclan was an adequate area for me to observe my daily prayers while studying. however the refurbishments over the summer has resticted many others like myself allowing me to observe my prayers how i wish to do so. i hope soemthing will be done about this, as not only is it a problem for the Muslims at university but also for other faith users as well.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
ok
wr cn i start, when i first heard that we are going to have an EXTENSION i was dead excited and pleased with the uni. but when i seen it with my own eyes i was shocked to see this is a step backwards instead of frwd. the rooms are way too small it actually facilitates for less then it use to. the sisters have it harder than before coz the room they use is almost the same size. we have less toilets than we had before which is great. the ablution facility looks nice but is useless. we needed a separate entrance/exit for the male and female. this all in the name of an extension it was a waste of gov money without the approval of the people who really use this building. i am very angry disappointed and feel deceived.
1 positive was that it had good disability access but thats all i can think of wn it cms down whats good with it.
thanks ZM
November 12th, 2008 at 1:01 am
MUFC (Multi Unfit Facilities Centre):
“… As we have seen, the Pagan Society are now seen as untrustworthy…”
Really?…
Who is “we”, and further, would the party or parties constituting “we” as well as MFC management want to risk possibly infringing article 18 of The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Human Rights Laws (I gather now amalgamated into UK Law, is that correct Law students?) and possibly risk a Libel Class action?
As I said previously, the massive auditorium like St Peters is sitting there wasting electricity with floodlights and is suitable for everyone to schedule thier prayer meets and rituals. Why don’t people use that further it has great acoustics for prayers/chants/incantations and so on. I think you could fit 300 practitioners in there to do/observe whatever they want to do.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:55 am
“Multi-Faith centre IS “fit for purpose””
Headline should read
“”Multi-Faith centre IS “**it and useless” ”
Just quote someone saying so, instant story
November 12th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
The European Convention for Human Rights is amalgamated into English law by the domestic Human Rights Act of 1998,
Article 9 of the Convention grants freedom of thought conscience and religion,
by inhibiting religous practice of some faiths the university could be argued to be breaching this convention, as a public body, this law would certainly be applicable to the university.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
The facilities provided by UCLAN, after year’s of numerous negotiations, broken promises, and stress, are somewhat downright disappointing.
The fear that I have is that the university has quite a reputation amongst foreign students, with a vast number now coming from countries where the muslim population is quite high. Thus in the interest of the University it would be wise for them to take into account the troubles faced by these foreign students, who inevitably will go back and speak about their experiences at university.
The trouble is the university fails to acknowledge that this important stream of revenue come from a culture which is somewhat different to ours and the powerful tool of word of mouth is a means of communication which is very effective. As a result bad experiences will travel like wildfire and in the long run this will be an impediment to UCLAN to attract foreign students.
The University also fails to acknowledge that the ethnic minority composite of the University is largely made up by Muslims who come from the large muslim populated area’s of Preston, Blackburn and Bolton. Again the same issue applies, if people here about the troubling experiences muslims face at this university then the preferred destinations will change to that of Lancaster, Manchester, Liverpool etc (where prayer facilities are abundant and take into account the needs of muslims)
As a result I would argue that it is in the benefit of the University solely as a wise business decision as well as upholding its virtues of diversity and respect of cultures, to acknowledge the problem associated with the MFC and to draw up an effective plan immediately. It is time that we see some concrete results.
Regards.
Farhaz.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I see your thesis Farhaz. OTOH though, I would venture that a University such as UCLan requires, for it’s long term survival to:
Firstly, see itself as an Academic institution with standards of excellence, not as a business
And secondly it could be argued that a universities remit and prime directive is Academic and in not of religious affairs, which are matters for the individual.
While it is not the Universities bag to provide temples for every religious tom dick and harry, they could easily find seperate Rooms and empty buildings for all major Abrahamic, Non-Abrahamic, Theistic and Non-theistic belief groups you can think of – well, with the possible exception of the (actually existing) Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (CFSM).
November 13th, 2008 at 12:12 am
I’m the outgoing news editor of Pluto and I had planned to write a story about the reaction of this story. A couple of issues ago, we wrote a story following the SU AGM, which the university claimed was untrue. Ian McMillan had stated that the MFC was fit for purpose – but only for Friday prayers. We corrected this in the following issue (the article above), but judging by the response we have seen from the comments made here, it seems as though the original “unfit for purpose” statement was correct.
A few days ago, I contacted Chris Theobald (university press officer) about whether UCLan would like to make a statement regarding the vast number of comments on this article criticising the MFC.
Unfortunately, due to disputes between Pluto and the university over stories in the past few issues, they have not got back to me, and I doubt they will. I would just like to say on here that we have tried to get the university to respond to these comments, but have not got back to me due to some below-par journalism which I take responsibility for.
I am going to suggest to the editor and next news editor to consider launching a campaign to improve the MFC.
Would students back this?
November 13th, 2008 at 12:34 am
An online driven campaign would be vastly supported if this story is anything to go by. I would be happy, as Digital Editor, to set up the platform for this to happen.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Hi,
In response to Jonty, yes I do understand that UCLAN should position itself as a centre of Academia and unfortunately it doesnt. Thus coming from the angle of the University I had made my statement. Also a place of Academia must provide the spiritual rectifying sanctuary which many students can and do make use of to help them through stressful times at Uni and thus in my opinion the the requirement for their to be a larger multi faith centre is an imperative one.The multi faith centre is inadequate because of the requirement of congregational prayers which at most times exceeds capacity. The facilities at competing Universities such as The University of Manchester have abundant and very large prayer facilties in different sites.
I had raised the issue myself at the SU AGM about the Multifaith Centre and the response of Ian McMillan was that he stated that ‘a new build larger multi faith centre will be built within 2 years’. Indeed he did state that he spoke to the foreign students as to whether they were willing to make use of prayer facilities in the nearby mosques (nearby meaning the closest mosque is 15-20 minutes walk away) and we did not get a response to what the foreign students had to say about that.
Secondly when the question to Ian McMillan was put as to whether he thought the current facilities were adequate (note that I am in my final year and have heard the broken and false promises of the past 3 years) he seemed to diverge away from the question.
Simply put, as you can see from these responses, that the MFC is inadequate, small, cramped, condensed, claustrophobic and a downright disappointment. This issue needs to be sorted out once and for all. I agree with James and Ben that a concerted online driven campaign would be effective but I also urge Pluto Magazine to highlight this issue on the front page of the Pluto Newspaper. Pressure needs to be applied to address this problem.
Regards
Farhaz Miah.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
*takes a deep breath*
…
The corridors are too narrow.
The toilets are too few.
The prayer rooms are too small.
The washing facilities are VERY badly designed and the taps are stupid.
Men and women are mixing.
The floor is so hard its like smacking your head onto a wall when you’re praying.
The couches are so comfortable you don’t want to leave.
People can see into the women’s prayer room if the door is open when they walk past.
The place is like a small, cramped maze.
The place is too small! The only part of it that is big is the disabled toilet!
There are over 50 places to put people’s shoes upstairs but only 4 or 5 places to put the coats..
The stairs are too steep.
The wall colours hurt my eyes.
My foot hurts.
I’m tired.
I’m hungry.
Are we there yet?
The End.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
“The facilities at competing Universities such as The University of Manchester have abundant and very large prayer facilties in different sites.”
Indeed Farhaz old chap indeed, and like you say these institutions manage to find decent size rooms for belief groups to meet, so why can’t UCLan??
November 13th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I dare say I speak for all of the commentators here in summarising that the new unimproved MFC is something of a white elephant?
November 14th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
thought i would drop my 2 pence worth in here. as sam has already said, we of the pagan society have been trusted with a key to the multi faith centre for the past 6 years. we were told there were to be renovations but nothing more and we came back after the summer to find that our key no longer worked. when i spoke to the people at the MFC i was told that that door was no longer in use and now NO ONE was allowed to use the MFC after 6pm. that it would be locked and allarmed and no one would be getting in. we then walked past the mfc at around 9pm one night to see lights on, and were told by the security men at harrington that another society have been holding evening meetings in the mfc. the following night the same thing.
we then approached the MFC to ask and they then changed their story to say that the mfc could be accessed after 6pm if you have a member of staff who can have a key.
call me crazy but feels like we are being jerked around. information is being witheld until we stumble accross it but then another road block is put in our path.we are currently having to hold our meetings in harrington 115, which we hate, and have lost many regular members because of how uncomfortable they feel there, we have also been forced to remove spiritual journeyings and meditations from our schedule as the guest speaker refuses to do them in a room so unsuitable.
we have been thrown out naked in the cold with nowhere to go, and our society and members are suffering. im sure it is very nice for them to have a shiney new building there, but how is it helping us who cant use it?
someone at the university must be able to help us, c’mon pluto fight our cause!
November 15th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Don’t expect the SU to fight the cause, they are paid by the University itself, why bite the hand that feeds you?
November 18th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Hello to everyone commenting on this story. I’m opinions editor on Pluto and looking for anyone who would like to write an opinion piece on the MFC for the next issue of Pluto. Contact me at popinions@uclan.ac.uk if you’re interested.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
“when i spoke to the people at the MFC i was told that that door was no longer in use and now NO ONE was allowed to use the MFC after 6pm. that it would be locked and allarmed and no one would be getting in. we then walked past the mfc at around 9pm one night to see lights on, and were told by the security men at harrington that another society have been holding evening meetings in the mfc. the following night the same thing”
This kind of sounds like Xist policy by the back door to me (eg. bias on the new notice… “MFC ‘and chaplaincy’ “) and discrimination of sub-cultural alternative belief systems.
This is not new in fact it is endemic to UK public policy and society.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
“The washing facilities are VERY badly designed and the taps are stupid.”
You mean those new ‘Armitage-Shanks’ ones that are designed with a smooth disc on top instead of an ‘X’ (like taps are SUPPOSED to have) that you can’t turn.
The facilities manager and/or brain dead ‘PC’ Committee who thought of putting these in the library and Media Factory is clearly incompetent – please resign or justify these idiot taps along with your idiot designs for the MFC here, better still put in proper taps for a start.
Maybe a petition demanding the resignation of those responsible would be an idea?
November 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
G said,
“The MFC in making this information available only to those societies
it wants to allow in the MFC after 6pm is essentially discriminating
against all those societies who have not been fully informed of the
new arrangements.”
Indeed, and it would not surprise me if the party or parties responsible for making those descisions were over-represented by christian interest groups.
November 19th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I am not a student of the university, but a member of the wider pagan community within Preston…
I would add my voice to those with issue against the University about this matter. As a member of the public I find it utterly reprehensible that the University is being so close-mouthed about this, and is blatantly not acknowledging, what seem to me, extremely valid and key points.
The discrimination shown by the university and those that run it, and its unwillingness to embrace the diversity that it pompously claims to have leaves me feeling ill at ease.
Pluto and students, you have the backing of the public at large, and Pluto? take heed… bad journalism or not, the University HAS to respond, and looking at these comments, I can suggest that, should a campaign be launched, you would have no short supply of volunteers.
To this end at least… there is now a facebook group up and running that I have started and would be happy to help organise…
Search for it…
Group against UCLAN’s discrimination of religion’s and their societies!
Be Well,
Dean
November 20th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
For those of you who use facebook, there is now
a facebook campaign opposed to the Mutli Faith Center situation
just search on facebook for
Group against UCLAN’s discrimination of religion’s and their societies!
November 26th, 2008 at 12:58 am
I don’t know but Will facebook make a difference? How will this help improve the centre? There needs to be some kind of protest or a campaign which will drill this important message in their ears.
I think their needs to be a protest or a petiton in removing the responsible persons of the centre from their position. We want people in charge who care for our needs.
I missed the old centre. our meetings fitted perfectly in there.
By the way folks! can anybody tell me who are the people responsible for the advancement of the centre? We can go directly to meet them.
November 27th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Better for the whole executive to resign, it needs fresh blood!
November 27th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
the facebook group is a place to get the issues sorted into a coherant list. and yes it works, the pagan society has already had a very productive meeting with the compaigns officer because of it (who is a really nice guy and actually cares) we are making progress and we urge the rest of the people who have issues with the MFC to join the group and we can help eachother get our issues sorted. lets have some interfaith support here people, fitting behaviour for the topic i think. especially society commitee members, and we can all work together. what do you say?
November 28th, 2008 at 12:00 am
which facebook group? because I’ve seen several groups about similar issues…. Didn’t know which was the ‘official’ one…
November 28th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=520516282&banter_id=558836076&show_all#/group.php?gid=36392645325&ref=ts
This page is attempting to get as many different faiths and concerned peoples on board
November 28th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I think that you need to already be logged into facebook for the link above to work
November 28th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36392645325&ref=ts
November 28th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I am of the opinion that joining a facebook page is a good idea,
obviously the more people we can demonstrate are of the point of view that the current situation is far from satisfactory the better.
Also it gives a means of getting more people involved than those happening to infrequently check this page,
and lets face it Pluto is failing to highlight all the important issues to the societies, so we really do need to start speaking out for ourselves.
November 28th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
“and lets face it Pluto is failing to highlight all the important issues to the societies, so we really do need to start speaking out for ourselves.”
And what would those be exactly? Do ALL societies have important issues like this that need to be printed?
November 28th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
My point really was Plutos extraordinarily one sided reporting
read the current edition of pluto, all of the opinions in pluto are about the suitability of the MFC to Muslims, i think there are three or four lines about other religous societies.
The way Pluto has portrayed it i think damages both the problems the Muslims are having and the other societies as well.
Firstly by printing mostly the muslim issues, pluto risk making it look like the issue is just Muslims trying to get the MFC to change for them alone, which is not the case. Their are some very genuine grievences across a number of faiths, the Islamic society being a very important group airing grievences, is hardly the only one.
Secondly by not reporting the grievences of other societies or by burrying them in a few lines on a big page, the other societies issues are represented as minor issues.
You ask for specifics?
Well, what about those societies who were locked out of the MFC without being told that the locks were being changed, many societies who had had access for years. Locked out without a word.
What way is it to treat societies that have held keys for months and in some cases years without incident, by just changing the locks on them without telling them?
Why arent pluto printing that societies were locked out of the MFC without notice? or at least asking questions about it?
Am I missing something or getting something wrong? If I am by all means correct me and i will withdraw my statement
November 29th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
My name is Lauren Oldland and I’m the News Editor for Pluto.
I’m sorry to hear that some of you have thought our coverage of the Multi-faith centre fiasco hasn’t been balanced enough.
We recognise that the centre is used by all faiths and not just Muslims and have tried to incorporate this into our stories. If you feel like you have been left out I can only apologise.
Pluto is the student’s paper and voice to express opinions on topical issues. We are a part of the student union which is completely independent to the university itself and DO take it upon ourselves to cover stories which need to be covered, irrelevant of the university.
If you wish to hold a protest or something of this nature as I have read from a previous comment, Pluto will be behind you 100%.
I am pleased to announce we are in the midst of starting a campaign, as this situation is something which is very important to Pluto, as it affects students directly and is obviously what many feel passionate about.
As soon as I know more, I will let everyone know.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on pnews@uclan.ac.uk
Thankyou.
Lauren Oldland
Pluto News Editor
November 29th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
that’s better.
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:45 am
There needs to be action…action….and action….we need to move foward now and actually sit down with the right and correct people…we need to make a move on…First semester is over…our voices have been heard but no ACTION!! We need to all meet together..may be book out a lecture theatre and push our ideas foward…i think enough has been said…!!!!
December 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Does the Lancashire Evening Post know about this situation? We really need to inform them so that the locals can to be aware of it. Especially the churches and the faith organisations in Preston.
Pluto…Any chance the LEP be involved in this?
December 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I like how Plutos comments that they were going to
start a campaign, and all posts asking what the campaign was going to involve seem to have been removed from the comments list
either it was a prank post to begin with
or pluto have decided that reporting UCLANs discrimination against certain religions and there societies isnt important
December 11th, 2008 at 11:33 am
With regards to the comment about the LEP:
They have currently not been informed of the situation, however I do have some close connections with them so if any action was to take place it would definitely be covered in the LEP.
With regards to GHHawden:
I am unaware of any comments being removed about the campaign.
Like I said previously, if anyone has any questions or ideas please feel free to email me at pnews@uclan.ac.uk
I’m not too sure what you are referring to as a ‘prank’ post but I will reiterate that Pluto feel very strongly about the circumstances and making the voices of the students heard.
As someone above has said, it is the end of semester 1 so perhaps a meeting as soon as we start back in the new year would be sufficient?
Lauren Oldland
Pluto News Editor
pnews@uclan.ac.uk
December 11th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
For some reason your previous post Lauren wasnt appearing on the web site, it appears to be back now, maybe it was just some technical glitch, but it wasnt appearing for several days
the comment missing was the one pasted below
Lauren Oldland said:
My name is Lauren Oldland and I’m the News Editor for Pluto.
I’m sorry to hear that some of you have thought our coverage of the Multi-faith centre fiasco hasn’t been balanced enough.
We recognise that the centre is used by all faiths and not just Muslims and have tried to incorporate this into our stories. If you feel like you have been left out I can only apologise.
Pluto is the student’s paper and voice to express opinions on topical issues. We are a part of the student union which is completely independent to the university itself and DO take it upon ourselves to cover stories which need to be covered, irrelevant of the university.
If you wish to hold a protest or something of this nature as I have read from a previous comment, Pluto will be behind you 100%.
I am pleased to announce we are in the midst of starting a campaign, as this situation is something which is very important to Pluto, as it affects students directly and is obviously what many feel passionate about.
As soon as I know more, I will let everyone know.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on pnews@uclan.ac.uk
Thankyou.
Lauren Oldland
Pluto News Editor
December 21st, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Once again Plutos newest edition
fails to make any mention of
how many societies had the locks
changed on them without notice.
Fails to mention that some religous
groups are allowed to meet in the MFC
after 6pm while others are not
The key elements of religous discrimination
within UCLAN continue to go unreported
after well over 3 months.
If Pluto really were the students paper
it would have either printed these issues
or posted its reasons for not doing so on
this opinion page.
December 27th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Is there a reason pluto hasnt published anything about how some societies werent notified about the locks changing?
January 12th, 2009 at 12:42 am
A statement by Lauren Oldmand:
“As someone above has said, it is the end of semester 1 so perhaps a meeting as soon as we start back in the new year would be sufficient?”
So when is the meeting going to take place?
We are waiting……….
January 12th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Haha, I love how this has now strayed from you lot demanding your rights back, to bashing Pluto for not putting in everything you’d like. Of course, Pluto is a much easier target than the uni. Keep it up guys.
Get over it and fight the cause.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I think that getting pluto to publish the grievances
is a very good way of protesting whats been done,
In student body terms it has quite a large audience,
and it is supposed to represent the student views
The fact that many religous societies were locked out of the MFC
without notice via them changing the locks, in theory should be front page news.
If some protestors of the MFC saga feel the best route to protest is by pressuring pluto to get the message out then i think thats quite a sensible and mature step forward.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Yes I agree with GHHawden and thats 100% correct. We need these issues on the front pages of Pluto… I still dont think Pluto will publish on the front pages. Doesn’t matter how many times you tell them.
Since this mfc issue has become one of the biggest concern for a large amount of religious students, Pluto, after the first issue, has continously ‘squeezed’the subject inside the ‘last few’ pages of the paper! It seems like they’re with the unfaithfuls!
Come on Pluto! This situation has effected many students. If you want people’s words and support, you need the issue on the front pages!
We are 100% behind you.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:01 am
I agree with GH Hawden
January 19th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Would it be at least possible to get a message on this forum from pluto explaining why
“Faith groups were locked out of the MFC without notice”
has yet to even be mentioned in the paper?
January 21st, 2009 at 2:49 am
Don’t expect any help from either the SU President or Pluto, If you follow the money, both are funded by UCLan. So what does that tell you? Much as they are all lovely folk at the SU or pluto, they’ll just get leaned on.
In anything, follow the money, that gives you the answer.
I can only suggest a legal class action or lots of bad publicity in the LEP that would embarrass the “equal opportunities” ethos mouthed by the executive.
The problem is wit a lot of top heavy modern universitirs today is you basically got to make yourself a complete thorn in the side of them (as is your SU constitutional right), almost a pain in the ass to get anything done.
January 25th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
With all due respect Jonty, you are being extremely rude.
It seems Pluto is being used as a scapegoat, rather than anyone actually taking action.
News is about reporting events that occur rather than instigating them.
Has anyone emailed Pluto about ideas? Has anyone elected themself to start a protest? Has anyone took it upon themself to do any action?
The answer is no.
As for our relationship with the university at this current time, it doesn’t exist.
Lauren Oldland
Pluto News Editor
pnews@uclan.ac.uk
January 25th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I actually agree with Laura there sorry jonty,
that was OTT,
all people genuinely want i think, is to know the reason
why key holders to the MFC had the locks changed on them
without even telling them that it was happening.
Many societies finding out for the first time when they tried to unlock the door,
Im sure if there is a genuine reason that Pluto couldnt print this story people will accept it and stop bothering pluto
January 25th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
sorry i just realised what i wrote didnt make much sense there
it should read
that all ppl want to know is why pluto havnt printed the story of …………
Personally i think the locks being changed without informing the societies with keys was an event, one very worthy of publication.
But if there is a reason pluto feels it cant print this event im sure people will accept this and attempt other avenues to get the message out
January 26th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Some of the comments and suggestions posted here are not only off topic, but wildly misinformed.
The notion that Pluto acts as a lap dog to the University is ridiculous. No part of the University has control over editorial content or team. If Pluto was gagged, we would have been unable to print anything remotely questioning of the University. In short, the stories concerning the University’s reputation being damaged over homeopathic medicine, the student receiving a sandwich voucher in place of funding, accommodation faults, safety bus operation complaints, Foster leaks, and student opposition to studio fees, along with many other stories, would never have been printed if Pluto was controlled by the University, as had been suggested. The numerous pieces in the Opinion pages also back up this fact. I am amazed that someone remarked that Pluto reported the story in a one-sided manner. Comments from users of the MFC have always been included, and I feel this claim has no basis whatsoever.
Neither Pluto nor it’s editor is funded by UCLan. The Union’s commercial services (53 Degrees, Source, Essentials, Atrium, Print Shop, Print Studio and Coffee Cart) are all needed to keep the building and membership services operational. Pluto, and all other ways students can involve themselves with the Union are funded by the Union’s commercial activities, and would certainly not be able to support itself if the Union had to rely only on external funding. Pluto would have been brought into line long ago if University directorate were controlling it.
To move on to the MFC, I am surprised by the way Pluto has been attacked over it’s handling of the story. What started as grievances toward the centre and it’s operation, has now somehow been turned into whether to not Pluto mentioned that the locks had been changed. Anybody reading from the University must be laughing. In Pluto 198, it was included in the article that students were unable to gain access to the centre unless accompanied by a key-holding staff member. Aside from this, it is important to remember that Pluto is written by a team of student volunteers. Just in the same way as we don’t expect our football team to replicate the form of Manchester United, it is unfair to expect the student newspaper to replicate the Guardian.
Personal attacks against the editorial team are completely unacceptable, and anyone posting these comments will be banned from commenting in the future. Volunteers give up their free time to work on Pluto, and the aggression contained in some posts will not be tolerated.
Pluto is not, and will not be used in a way to instigate news. A number of comments have been demanding action from Pluto, but this has not been backed up with any offer of support or effort from those posting. As an organ to cover events and news relating to students at UCLan, Pluto will of course report on any protest or action from the aggrieved users of the MFC, but cannot be expected to organise such a movement off its own back.
Andy Squire
Students’ Union Media Officer
sumedia@uclan.ac.uk
January 26th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Firstly i wholly agree that personal attacks against
members of plutos staff are wholly unacceptable,
i think all anyone wants to know is why
the fact that many societies were turning up at the door to find the locks changed without the slightest notice, wasnt mentioned.
While pluto vaugley referenced that societies can only gain access with members of staff who have a key
Pluto mentioned nothing of the societies who had had keys for years having the locks changed on them without notice,
Pluto has not printed this issue, or indeed stated whether or not it was going to be mentioned at any point.
I think one mention on here was correct, a simple statement on here letting us know what pluto intended to do about our requests to print this issue. is all that was ever really needed.
If pluto feel unable to print this issue then by all means let us know. Post this fact on the forum,
Im sure that any over the top comments made by anyone are in the vast minority, and that all the majority of posters on here want is an answer to the question.
Will the story be printed or not,
If its not then fair enough and campaigners can look into other methods of getting this story out.
I hope that no one will take offence or confuse any minorities off topic posts, with those who are simply trying to ask questions,
so that they can effectively protest the situation with the multi faith centre.
I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT THE PROBLEM HERE IS WITH THE WAY SOCIETIES WERE TREATED IN RELATION TO THE MFC,
while seeking an answer to the question of whether or not pluto would print related issues is fine, i think attacking the editorial team only damages the pursuit of airing legitimate grievances.
January 26th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
The first issue of this year, and this academic semester, will be out on 6th February. I’m afraid the issues were cut short and changed due to certain circumstances, so the original issue date of 30th January has been extended.
At the time of publication of the last article about the MFC, we were unaware that societies who had keys for years were not aware of the locks being changed. And that is why it wasn’t mentioned.
I hope that clears some things up!
News Editor
pnews@uclan.ac.uk
January 27th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I agree wholeheartedly with GHHawden who said that
“…I wholly agree that personal attacks against
members of Pluto staff are wholly unacceptable…”
and that,
“…attacking the editorial team only damages the pursuit of airing legitimate grievances.”
Granted and no-one would promote that as part of , that should not mean that students cannot feel that they are unable to call the SU and Pluto – which are deigned to reflect student concerns – to account, or the answering of questions.
I’m glad that you have clarified the original question Lauren Oldland and thank you Andy Squire for clearing up the matters of funding.
The beef we, and many students have – and I’d like to underline that this is NOT to do with Pluto itself or the MFC in particular – is, since being part of this Institution, this University since 2005 as a student, the overall feeling I pickup from a broad spectrum of students is a generalised malaise of
WE ARE NOT BEING LISTENED TO!
Now, as the Editor of Pluto states that it is not affected by UCLan Management, then perhaps it would like to publish the salary packages and perks of it’s executive and management, together with the person or persons directly responsible for the new MFC, under the Freedom of information Act?
The final analysis I think, lies at the door of the insular, cosseted, celeb schmoozing world of the executive. The future of this University and the success of us, its students students is affected by their decisions and I feel Pluto needs to be considerably more robust and investigative in holding them to account. There’s too many chiefs and not enough Indians, the MFC, or WASP faith Centre being a result?
A concern in the way it appears to bulldoze it’s way through our needs (eventually filtering through to academic purity) with half-hearted consultations for new buildings and/or refits of existent ones: The MFC and library. The shoddily built new buildings of recent years: Media Factory, Harrington etc in addition to the security breaches and constant theft of stock from the new ‘Computer Suite’, sorry, LIBRARY, being good examples.
UCLan does this WITHOUT asking, or meeting with,
students first!
Sometimes it seems they only care for their own interests, that they line their pockets with our fees and govt. kickbacks while granting us their own little protest over things like the MFC, via a safe segregated ‘playpen’, if you will:
This ‘illusion’ of representative democracy that we have means that innumerable white elephants such as the MFC will continue to happen due toa toothless SU. Yes, they will let us talk, discuss and debate with our wee locums of talking-shop student councils, and, with repect Andy Squire, sound off via our little newspaper including this forum till we’re blue in the face.
Do you see what I’m getting at?
Does anyone think Malcolm ‘Chelsea Tractor’ MacVicar and his Mandarins Take notice of the SU, ever come to SU or Student council meetings, or even read Pluto or it’s online version? No, they are too busy schmoozing with Alexi Sayle at UCLan to plug his new book and Bigwigs in corporate hospitality events with with canapes and string quartets in the shiny TV lounge of the Library.
Does anyone think UCLan anagement Apparatchiks asked students who USED the MFC what WE thought of their plans BEFORE they decided to go ahead?
No.
When’s the last time you saw the people you pay for out of your own pocket…
In the SU building?
doing a ‘surgery’?
Taking a lecture?
getting involved in volunteering?
Become part of the Give It A Go?
We as students even with our Unions and newspapers, are in a position to demand nothing. UCLan are in a position to grant everything.
It is for this reason that issues like the MFC continue to happen.
January 27th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
What do we Want?
A NEW MFC
When do we want it?
NOW NOW NOW NOW
January 27th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Lauren Oldland said:
The first issue of this year, and this academic semester, will be out on 6th February. I’m afraid the issues were cut short and changed due to certain circumstances, so the original issue date of 30th January has been extended.
At the time of publication of the last article about the MFC, we were unaware that societies who had keys for years were not aware of the locks being changed. And that is why it wasn’t mentioned.
I hope that clears some things up!
News Editor
pnews@uclan.ac.uk
Re Above: yes thankyou for taking the time to let us know these details Lauren it is very much appreciated.
January 28th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
“Now, as the Editor of Pluto states that it is not affected by UCLan Management, then perhaps it would like to publish the salary packages and perks of it’s executive and management, together with the person or persons directly responsible for the new MFC, under the Freedom of information Act?”
You can submit FOI requests yourself, Jonty.
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/
Also, wage bands from last year are published here:
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/services/finance/accounting/2008/statutory_accounts_2008.php
January 30th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Thanks for those links Ben. very useful…
January 31st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I have charged that Pluto newspaper’s relative quiet in covering the MFC debacle was part due to its possible financial ties to UCLan itself.
I was wrong.
After assurances from both its Editor and Head of News that this is not the case, I am happy to withdraw any suggestions to the contrary and will stand them both a drink the next time we meet.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Our voices have not been heard…everytime the students address a issue to the facilities management team there is no response..
**********URGENT*************
The University built an Unfit MFC then on top of that they have the cheek to give is COLD..What is this??? Its Cold outside and then studetns are faced with cold water inside..We have had Students off SICK because they have fallen ILL using the COLD water…Over 200 International Students use the MFC a day…they are finding it hard to adapt to the current Climate here in the U.K…they are absolutely freeezing..then when they come in to the MFC the Water is even Cold…Not only that the Friday Prayers is becoming a even bigger issue…I only have these words to say ” There is NO room at all to Pray on a Friday” The females room is another Issue in its self…then theres the toilets…arghhhh the list is endless…
Hope the University take all this into consideration….enough has been said We need Action..!!!!
What do we want?
A new MFC
When do we want it?
NOWWWW NOWWW NOWWW
April 7th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Pluto….why have the latest posts been removed???
April 26th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Thats true…..where have they gone? It’s just shameful that Pluto does nothing after all thats happened. No meetings, no protests, no campaign, no NOTHING! so WHY IS PLUTO THERE FOR?
April 26th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Yes Thats true….. I agree with Jessica. where have they gone? It’s just shameful that Pluto does nothing after all thats happened. No meetings, no protests, no campaign, no NOTHING!
so WHY IS PLUTO THERE FOR?
May 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
to be honest its not really up to pluto to organise protests
its up to Pluto to report protests
the problem is that despite being given information a number
of times that societies were locked out of the MFC without a word
having the locks literally changed on the key holders without notice.
And pluto thought this was not important enough to report.
In my mind it was the most important point to be gotten accross.
And as soon as it wasnt it became very difficult to organise any protest, as the real message and issue had not been gotten accross to people/
August 6th, 2010 at 11:04 am
3 rd year running still nothing done about it, it is the holidays and the muslim students face problems on a friday in mfc i wonder what will happen when students arrive!!!!