Monday 25-07-2022 - 10:20

Declan Merrington reflects on his year as Postgraduate Academic Officer

I came to Durham in 2017, having had no knowledge of what to expect. Finishing my time here at Durham as a sabbatical officer has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding. I just wanted to reflect on a few things during my term.

 

UCU Strikes

Coming into the role, I received the news of potential UCU strikes from Sarah as she handed over. I had experienced strikes on-and-off since I started at Durham and have always wondered why so much of the time it has devolved into “staff vs student” rhetoric – even though a lot of PGR students are themselves members of the UCU. I wanted to make sure that the PG voice was not lost in this bout of UCU strikes, and I would like to thank PG members of the UCU for helping me achieve this. I was extremely proud when DSU Assembly voted to support our staff. Whilst I think I would have done a few things differently in retrospect, namely how we approached the potential of a marking boycott, I believe that the SU in meeting with both University management and the UCU did as much as we could throughout the situation, and the fact that both the University and UCU referenced our multiple statements in this time to achieve a settlement which avoided a marking boycott leaves me feeling happy that we were able to best represent our students.

 

Postgraduate Participation

Being able to set up a participation fund specifically for postgraduates has been one of the things I have been most proud of during my time as an officer. Securing a fund from the university to the tune of around £20,000 specifically dedicated to helping students participate in some of the hidden costs of postgraduate study such as conferences and publishing fees, is one of those things that tangibly shows students what a Union can do for them. I hope that this sets a precedent for accessibility and participation at a postgraduate level to be considered by the University going forward, and for it to be a focus that Durham can lead on.

 

Covid-19

I was naïve to think that the pandemic would be over by the time I assumed my role. Covid was absolutely devastating – but it did provide opportunities to rethink education and academia. Lobbying the university alongside Charlie to allow departments to decide on the return to in-person exams, or to continue with online exams, was a lot of work: but we got there. It does make me sad to think it took a global pandemic to get universities to listen to what disabled students have been asking for years, and I hope that going forward we don’t forget the level of accessibility that can come with online platforms. I am thankful that the tenant of “choice” was kept this year – and I hope that choice remains an option in the coming year.

Returning in January to a “soft start” was difficult, and helping the University and library maintain the balance of safety alongside the feeling of wanting to return to normal was tricky. I think it was something myself and Charlie got right, short-term inconvenience for two weeks with assurances that it would not last longer was the right way to go about things. I am so glad that I am able to just pop into the Billy B now without having to book a space!

 

The Daily Mail's Obsession with Students

I couldn’t reflect on my time as an officer without mentioning The Daily Mail, the Spectator and the rest of the media’s obsession with students, especially our students. Waking up to an article from the Daily Mail with comments accusing myself as being a fascist, a communist, a member of the “Wokerati”, and someone who in absolutely no circumstances should ever be hired by any company, ever (and those are just the comments that aren’t hate crimes) was not what I signed up for when I ran for this position. I make absolutely no apologies for sticking up for my students when they are being told that they are not welcome in their own college, and no amount of far-right newsletters sent to my email address or hate-filled comments from people hiding behind the safety of anonymity will convince me otherwise. The only thing I have to say, really, is that these journos need to stop obsessing themselves with Durham students and the SU in their pathetic attempt to manufacture a Culture War.

 

Working as a Team

I don’t think students realised that there is a huge difference in the background and approach of every individual member of the Sabb team. I think that this diversity of opinion was our strength, and the fact that we could put things aside to reach a common goal. I’m thankful to Charlie for reminding me to not be too serious and cynical about everything and for being a great laugh. I’m thankful to Jack for putting up with my bad habit of trying to explain myself to a crowd of anonymous people online parroting half-truths and nonsense as I try to not lose my temper, and for always being willing to listen to my own half-truths and nonsense. I’m thankful to Jonah for always caring and checking in during the hecticness of everything. I’m thankful to Seun for putting up with my bluntness and sarcasm, and for being an experienced voice I could turn to when I ever felt out of my depth.

Finally, I’d like to thank the SU staff, both those currently still at the SU and those that have moved on to pastures new, for their guidance, support and helpfulness during my time here. A lot of their hard work may not be something the average student is aware of, but it definitely has an impact on their time as a student at Durham, whether that be through student societies, the advice service, or even just using the space in Dunelm House. It wouldn’t be possible without them, and for that I am thankful.

 

I want to finish my reflections with the most important thanks I owe. To everyone that has ever poured me a post-work Guinness, your service is appreciated, and I am forever in your debt.