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| April 2000 Student unions lacking in support By Carrie Chan RELATED ARTICLES: When The Student Union of The Chinese University of Hong Kong called for students to form a cabinet, less than 20 students were interested. Fortunately, a cabinet will be formed this year. There was no cabinet in 1995, 1996 and 1998. However, the situation is worse for student unions of the four colleges of the Chinese University — Chung Chi College, New Asia College, Shaw College and United College. None of them will have new cabinets this year. Mr. Parry Leung, president of The Student Union of The Chinese University of Hong Kong for the academic year 1999/2000, said students’ sense of belonging to student unions is fading. “In the past, we organized Open Day or Sports Festival by ourselves. However, due to the increasing number of students, we cannot but share the work among the committees,” said he. Mr. Leung added that the transformation of the 4-year university system to the current 3-year one in 1995 is another factor. Said he: “Most of the Year 1 students are unclear about student unions and their activities. When they know it, they have to devote their remaining two years to studying or other activities. “Also, students tend to care more about employment opportunities and practical skills than political events. To them, the pursuit of practical skills is more important than development of a critical mind.” Mr. Christopher Fung, president of the Student Union of United College, agrees. “We often see promotion of interview workshops in newsletters and e-mails sent by the University. But it is hard to arouse their concern for current affairs,” said he. They agreed that students have little idea of what student unions actually do for students. “It is hard to let all students know what we have been doing. “The situation has nevertheless gotten better with the use of e-mails,” said Mr. Fung. While few are willing to take a seat in the Chinese University’s Student Union, the situation at The University of Hong Kong is no better. According to Mr. Chris Chan, president of Hong Kong University Students’ Union last academic year, there were no Student Union cabinets in 1993 and 1996. He said the number of students interested in joining the Union’s committees never exceeds 20. However, they were able to form a cabinet this year. Said he: “The situation was much better in the early 1990s when secondary school students were politically sensitive because of the June 4 Incident.” Mr. Chan said the market-oriented nature of Hong Kong society overwhelmed students’ aspirations for social justice. Apart from political issues, student zeal in school activities is also cooling down. He said there is an overall decline in interest in student activities. He said the shift to a credit-based university system in 1998 was a major factor. “The shift has imposed burden on students. The workload of a Year 1 student increased from six and a half courses to 11 courses each year. “This hindered them from organizing activities,” said he. Moreover, changes of policies at The University of Hong Kong also had an impact on student activities, Mr. Chan said. For example, the University cut the budget for student activities despite the increasing number of students. “In the past, organizations could book lecture rooms to hold activities for free. However, a fee is imposed now and the priority is given to academic units,” said Mr. Chan. “Smaller subsidies by the Student Financial Assistance Agency also lowers students’ enthusiasm in organizing activities because many students have to engage in part-time jobs,” he added. However, according to the University’s student officer Mr. Patrick Tang, there are four amenity centres for students to hold activities. Students should not have to compete with academic programmes for lecture rooms or other venues. Mr. Chan said that apart from changes in policies, activities organized by the University distract students from original extra-curricular activities. “The University, with their vast pool of resources, organized workshops to increase students’ competitiveness in society and develop their etiquette,” he said. Some of the programmes are co-organized with big businesses. Business figures are invited to deliver speeches. “Also, the vice-chancellor gives awards to students who have outstanding performance in activities held by the University. “They are indeed more appealing to the students,” said Mr. Chan. In short, Mr. Chan said conditions have limited the room for student activities in The University of Hong Kong. At Lingnan University, however, it is a different picture. The Student Union of Lingnan University has been able to form cabinets for the past 32 years. Mr. Geese Chan, president of Lingnan University Student Union last year, said the high rate of student residence on campus contributes to the success of forming cabinets. “In Lingnan University, 75 percent of the students live on campus. We don’t have to rush back to home after lessons,” said he. However, he said the popularity of activities organized by the Student Union varies with the nature of events. “I guess students prefer activities that are more entertaining. “Political events like the June 4 Incident gathering would attract only 20 students,” said Mr. Chan. When compared with students’ involvement in Student Union, they are more committed to activities sponsored by the hostels, though committees of the Lingnan University’s six student hostels are not officially registered. Miss Tse Ka Yee, the president of a committee of Lingnan University’s Hostel A, said there are three cabinets competing in the election. Said she: “Students are more interested in their hostel’s activities. Many think that activities held by the Student Union, like forums on current affairs, are too serious.” She added that students’ ties with the hostels are stronger than they are with the Student Union and with the University. “Hostel committees and the Student Union are completely different in nature. They exist for different purposes. “None of them can replace each other,” Miss Tse concluded. At the Chinese University, while the students also showed indifference to the Student Union, they are more interested in the interest groups. While few are interested in the Student Union, many are interested in being officials of Shaw Photography Club. Mr. Wong Yiu Wah, president of the Shaw Photography Club for the past two academic years, said that out of its 150 members, more than 30 are willing to take a post on the committee this year. Mr. Wong regards the heavy workload of being a committee member on a student union frightens students away. He said, “Some students want to gain a better score in a hostel application; therefore they don’t want to bear a heavy workload.” However, even the nature between interest groups and the Student Union may be different. Mr. Wong regard interest groups and student unions are the same as both aim at serving the students. Though Shaw Photography Club organizes only four to five activities each year, Mr. Wong thinks that the club accomplishes its aim of promoting photography. |
(Samson Lam)
From left to right: Mr. Parry Leung (CUSU), Mr. Chris Chan (HKU) and Mr. Martin Lau (CUHK) (Carrie Chan and Samson Lam)
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