Raper leaves OUSU Exec "on a wing and a prayer"
VIVIENNE RAPER, OUSU Executive Officer tendered her resignation this week to OUSU President Ruth Hunt. Raper had served two terms on Exec, having been elected on the Labour Club endorsed Access & Free Education slate in Michaelmas 2000.
In her letter of resignation, Raper says that her previous balance of work and the "perpetual distraction of e-mails, meetings and compulsory time commitments" had meant that she had been forced to "live on a wing and a prayer" as far as her work had been concerned, and felt that she now needed to "give her work 100%".
Raper used her resignation letter as an opportunity to outline to the OUSU President what she saw as the fundamental problems of the Student Union. Now free from the risk of being censured or no-confidenced Raper states, "the good work of committed and enthusiastic people is eclipsed by the glaring problems of the student union". Raper claimed that in her time at OUSU she had seen "multiple injustices and blatant abuses of democratic processes" to the point that she often felt infuriated with OUSU.
Raper claims that there is a clear dichotomy in the way that OUSU deals with executive officers that are seen to be an impediment, which is determined by whether their political beliefs coincide with the left-wing majority of Exec, rather than on their abilities and performance. Raper dismisses however claims previously levelled at OUSU by others that these problems had arisen because of a conspiratorial force within OUSU, but rather pinned the blame for the problems in OUSU on "a small group of people whose views are unrepresentative of the student body."
Ruth Hunt said of the resignation "I am glad that Miss Raper offered her criticism of OUSU and her contribution will be sadly missed. Her points will be taken into due consideration and I hope that her academic career is highly successful." Raper bows out by offering warm words and thanks to all those who had been tolerant of her views, and those who had shown steadfast commitment to their beliefs.
A new Exec officer will be elected in 3rd Week OUSU Council.
11th Oct 2001