Students criticise ‘lack of support’
STUDENTS have been “paying out of pocket” for outsourced studios after Covid-19 restrictions limited their access to the needed workspace.
Glasgow School of Art (GSA) students claim there has been a “lack of support” during the pandemic which has left one student feeling “like they are getting nothing” from their degree.
The student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “They recommended a lot of students go out and outsource their own studio space paid out of pocket.
“People who cannot afford that haven’t been able to have access to studio space.
A GSA spokeswoman explained that students have not been officially advised to seek space outwith the campus.
However, the student added: “All the lecturers are just saying to view this as an opportunity to think outside the box and it is they are basically justifying [the issues].”
Increased access to studio spaces had been planned from November but was put on halt when Glasgow went into lockdown.
An Instagram page named No Studio Stories has highlighted the struggles of GSA students without access to studio space.
Images demonstrate the dangerous set-up forced on students without access to suitable workspaces, including silversmithing students using open flames two feet from a bed and DIY kilns.
The student also claimed some degree have received barely any contact time with lecturers even via zoom.
“Assignments wise really they expect the same level of work, the same quality and we don’t have access to the expensive facilities which we are paying for. It just doesn’t really make sense,” she added.
A spokeswoman for GSA said: “As we all try to adapt how we live, work and study under the changing Scottish Government COVID-19 restrictions, we do understand the impact they are having on our students, particularly on their access to the campus, which we will provide as soon as the restrictions allow.
“In the meantime, all teaching and learning is being delivered online with access, during the current lockdown, to safe study and safe workspaces on campus for students who cannot work at home, as well as access to our Library resources and Technical Services bureau services.
“We are also offering IT equipment loans for students who need them.
“We do understand that the current situation is challenging, affecting all students in many ways, and the anxiety that this is causing.
“We encourage students to make contact with Programme Leader, Class or Lead Reps or the Student Support Service to share concerns. That way we can work together to sort them out and help make sure students can complete their studies successfully.”
It just doesn’t make sense
A LOCAL train provider has vowed to deliver nearly £93,000 worth of surplus food to people in need.
Over the last year, Avanti West Coast has donated nearly 40 tonnes of food from onboard its trains and first-class lounges that would have otherwise gone to waste. The rail company will join up with local charities, food banks and other organisations in Glasgow to distribute items of food including eggs, olives, crisps, fruit, sandwiches, soft drinks and porridge.
The Marie Trust, who have received packages from the operator, said donations allowed the charity to provide a variety of meals to the vulnerable.
Frances McKinlay, chief officer of The Marie Trust, said: “The donations we received from Avanti West Coast was incredible.
“It enabled us to provide a variety of meals to homeless and vulnerable house individuals during the pandemic who otherwise would have really struggled to have any consistency in their diet.
“The food we received went out the same day we received it as we had over 90+ people experiencing food poverty and insecurity presenting to The Marie Trust for assistance daily.
“Without this invaluable support, we would have struggled to provide a balanced diet.”
AHOMELESS man threatened to blind a police officer during a Boxing Day rant. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard of a string of offences by Hugh McInnes, from October to December 2020 around Glasgow city centre.
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges and was hit with a community payback order by Sheriff Jonathan Guy.
Prosecutor Chris McKnight first told the court of an incident in an office on West George Street. Cops were called to MBN Solutions around 10pm and found damage to an entry door.
Inside they discover McKnight hiding under a table and saw he had cuts on his hand.
He was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and then on to Govan police office.
Next, on October 19, 2020, McKnight began to kick off after being asked to leave Sainsburys on Buchanan Street.
The prosecutor said: “Around 7pm staff at the locus requested the accused leave, at which point he began shouting and swearing.
“He was shouting repeatedly then threatening to assault a member of staff. He was then escorted from the locus.”
And finally the court heard that on Boxing Day, McKnight was approached by two police officers around 2.15pm on Union Street.
They wanted to speak to him about a separate matter but he flew into a rage.
McKnight, originally from Manchester, began shouting and swearing and then started kicking a bin.
As cops tried to put him in the back of a police vehicle he fell and hit his head on the pavement.
He was taken to Glasgow Royal
Infirmary where he carried shouting and swearing.
Me McKnight told the court: “Whilst being conveyed to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary he continued to shout and swear.
“He was shouting, ‘I could take you both out easily,’ and ‘I’ll punch you right in the f ****** face and you will lose an eye’.
“The accused made no caution and charge.”
Sheriff Jonathan Guy sentenced McInnes to a community payback order with a period of supervision of 12 months.
The court heard he return to Manchester. reply intends on to to