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2008 Goals We have specific goals from which new ideas can grow, to ensure the 2008 guild is proactive.....
About us In 2008 we need an active student focused Guild, which provides something for all students on campus...
Skills in the art of communication are crucial to a leader's success. They can accomplish nothing unless they can communicate effectively.. Sitting back and reflecting after my fist semester as a student representative, communication seems to be exactly what student representation at Murdoch lacks. That’s not to say it that communication between the student body and student representatives does not occur, but two monologues do not make a dialogue. The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
Just look at the results of one of most popular form of communication at Murdoch University the use of blogs and forums. The articles and comments posted on blogs are often personal attacks or negative commentary with little positive recommendations. Though they can sometimes bear useful insight into how a student representative’s actions are viewed. Many students’ representatives view the comments as unfair, uninformed and below their notice, refusing to respond. This style of communication is ineffective and destructive to student representation, creating a cycle which never ends. If you start a conversation with the assumption that you are right or that you must win, obviously it is difficult to talk
My argument is not new, it has all been said before, but studies have shown there is something to be said for the power of repetition. As a student representative myself I fully understand and the isolation that often comes with the position. With the constant badger of budgets, staffing and policy changes student representatives often see themselves more like business managers than students. I have heard more than once the comment from guild representatives that they no longer feel like students. How then can they act in the best interests of the student’s body. To solve this dilemma student representatives need to take to heart an old argentine proverb; Who speaks, sows; Who listens, reaps. Abandoned
Speaking and listening form the essential elements of successful communication and need to take place. Student representatives need to speak by informing students of issues whether they be the university restructure, guild policy changes or community wide issues such as the Oxfam close the gap campaign. They also need to listen to students by getting out there and asking for student opinions. One of the shortest words in the English language which contains the letter abcdef is feedback, its one of the essential elements of good communication.
On Saturday, I spent 45 minutes in standing in the rain on Bush Court talking to a student about Walters café and the general lack of hot food on campus after hours. Listening to this student gave me a better understanding of the issues facing students then anything I had read or discussed at the guild. It also revealed the complete lack of good communication between student representatives and the student body. The student was not informed that the guild was aware or dealing with the issue, I was not aware of the high amount of interest in serving hot food on campus after hours.
Somewhere between the budgets, political bickering and policy, student representatives need to return to the most basic requirement of a successful guild- communication. There are many solutions to this communication standstill. We need to see encouragement in the exchange of information between student reps and students on campus through, written and spoken word. Surveys, email newsletters, posters and simply talking on bush court are all ways to achieve this. I would like to encourage all student representatives whether on school committees or the guild sec to start building this relationship. Similarly all students should feel free to approach the guild with any comments or criticisms they have. In the world of increased media we live in, it is not that hard to do.
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Neil GoldsboroughI am studying Environmental Restoration and in my third year, I served on the Guild Secretariat this year. I have been very active in promoting Environmental issues...more
Brodie Lewiscoming soon....