Ex Sheffield Uni SS (SUSS)

[biffa]

Hi everyone

I'm sure everyone knows about the troubles SUSS has been having with the uni. Following a meeting with all concerned we (the SUSS committee) have decided to deafilliate from the university (so you're all free to join us now!)

Main reasons for this were:
1. We feel we would be setting a dangerous precedent by agreeing to pay for safety advice.
2. Although we could have had a workable agreement negotiated at a small cost it was still at a cost and the head of safety services was wanting us to get NGB qualifications (LCMLA/CIC) and went on to recommend that we carry personal as monitors if we suspect bad air could be present. He was also not happy with the 'self assesment' in the club, something I consider one of the clubs biggest strengths.
3. Lack of support inside the students union. The sports sabbatical officer told me in a meeting with her that she had no opinion as to whether £400+ a year for safety advice was good value (in comparison to it being done for free) and that she represented only the majority of students [i.e. not us]

As for the running of the club we envisage a slight name change, a new constitution and many years more happy caving

 

[George North]

Good luck! Viva la revolution! :wink:

It sounds as though you've made the right decision - I'm sure a club as strong as SUSS will be able to survive on its own.

George - DUSS (the club formerly known as DUSA (bastard SU's)

 

[SamT]

so if DUSA has become DUSS is SUSS going to become SUSA.

I too think you have make the right decision. Although Im sure you should keep at least the Acronym the same i.e. SUSS.

Clubs as active as SUSS over the years have a lot of heritage around the place - surveys - write ups - reports - mentions in guidebooks/magazines etc.

To suddenly loose that name (SUSS) would severe those ties. Fine for anyone in the know now, but for generations to come, its imortant that those links are not lost.

I take it you will still act as a 'university' club so to speak e.g. recruiting during freshers week etc.

 

[pisshead]

i think the idea is to keep SUSS, but think of a new U

 

[SamT]

Underground?
Undergrad?
Underpants?

(I think this has milage )

 

[George North]

How about 'Sheffield Universal Speleological Society'? Obviously generally shortened to Sheffield Uni SS :wink:

 

[AndyF]

"Unfunded" ...?

 

[Rob]

Unstoppable !!! :rocker2:

 

[tiggs]

unforgetable?
unmissable?
unmistakable?
unofficial?

 

[graham]

Personally, I feel it extremely poor that no-one on the BCA (NCA, whatever) training committee took this up and hammered some sense into the Students Union.

Isn't that what we have a National Body for?

 

[mudmonkey]

Graham

All relevant national and regional bodies have done what they can and their support must be acknowledged - they have been writing to the relevant people etc. However their actual power to change the (tiny?) minds of suits is pretty limited.

Many outdoor sports are threatened in UK Uni's at the moment because of a paranoia about litigation and a lust for measurable results (medals). Our funding was withdrawn along with that of several clubs after a Uni review.

That means the only thing they'd be giving us was hastle - they've tried several times in the past to shut us but if they try when we have a weak year, we'd be shafted. The club now is strong enough to launch independently so the best long-term solution is to do that. Once again, I think we should acknowledge the BCA, BCRA and DCA for their support.

 

[rich]

Lack of support inside the students union. The sports sabbatical officer told me in a meeting with her that she had no opinion as to whether £400+ a year for safety advice was good value (in comparison to it being done for free) and that she represented only the majority of students [i.e. not us]

Did you get any support from other students? E.g. put a motion in condemning the decision and lack of union suppot at a GM?

 

[graham]

Graham

All relevant national and regional bodies have done what they can and their support must be acknowledged - they have been writing to the relevant people etc. However their actual power to change the (tiny?) minds of suits is pretty limited.

Many outdoor sports are threatened in UK Uni's at the moment because of a paranoia about litigation and a lust for measurable results (medals). Our funding was withdrawn along with that of several clubs after a Uni review.

That means the only thing they'd be giving us was hastle - they've tried several times in the past to shut us but if they try when we have a weak year, we'd be shafted. The club now is strong enough to launch independently so the best long-term solution is to do that. Once again, I think we should acknowledge the BCA, BCRA and DCA for their support.

Acknowledged.

I also wholly accept your rationale for upping sticks in a good year rather than a bad year. I'll be interested to see what you are going to do about recruitment - are you going to try to recruit students?

I'm also interested to see how you deal with minor issues such as tackle storage etc.

 

[Cave_Troll]

Tackle used to be stored in various people's cellars. Previous "tackle stores" provided by the University/union ran into problems with Access.
a couple of years ago the Uni offered another store room. problems with this were union "spying" on what we had, and lack of security. Once we found out we might be shut down, we rapidly emptied the tackle store.
None of the people available to do the work were "authorised" on one occasion they couldn't remember the combination on the internal wall and climbed over. - hardly secure.
Once they noticed everything had gone they started asking questions. since they knew what we had they asked for it back. "we bought it for you" was their argument.
Actually they didn't, as they hadn't given us any money for years, and a lot of it was 'aquired' (scaf bars, my old climbing rope, PFDs etc)

so to some it up we're back to peoples cellars.

 

[speleo]

I am sick to death with this constant beurocracy for basically a simple, uncomplecated sport. :twisted:
More power to your new club and long may you prosper.

 

[littletitan]

unfathomable?

 

[littletitan]

...underated of course!