Sheffield University ignores student opinion regarding army recruiters!

This is the text of the email that has been circulated:

By:  careersdiary@sheffield.ac.uk
Date: 25 Feb 2009

Being an Army Officer is unlike any other job! Come along to these interview sessions on Wednesday 11 March, to secure your career!

The Army can offer unrivalled training and development to graduates of all disciplines, enhancing management and leadership potential and providing the skills and self-confidence to excel in the Army and, later on, in civilian careers. Beyond the many career-enhancing qualities in which graduates become skilled, there are many personal rewards for most officers - they will find it incredibly satisfying to discover what they are capable of under different kinds of pressure. After just one year of training, Officers can be responsible for over 30 soldiers and several million pounds worth of equipment. Graduates start their Officer training at the Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst where they learn all aspects of soldiering, management and leadership training. On completion, they will join their Regiment or Corps where they will undergo specialist training for their chosen occupation. Subsequently, Officers may study for Army-sponsored or
vocational qualifications.

For more information see:  http://www.army.mod.uk/

Appointments will last 45 minutes. You will need to dress casual/smart.

To secure your appointment please visit the Careers Service. The Careers Service is located at 388 Glossop Road and is open 9.00am - 5.00 pm, Monday - Friday, except Tuesday when opening hours are 11.00 am - 5.00 pm.

Please note: The University of Sheffield Careers Service regrets that we are unable to respond to any email relating to this message. If you have any queries please visit the Careers Service where our staff will be happy to assist you or use our website for further information:
 http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers

If you are not interested in the subject of this email we apologise for any inconvenience that receipt of the message may have caused you.


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What is even more frustrating than the message itself, is the arrogant note added by the University staff members: "The University of Sheffield Careers Service regrets that we are unable to respond to any email relating to this message."

It is like saying: We know many of you will be angry and annoyed, but this is business, we do not care about what our students think or to what extent they are represented by the actions of the University.

This attitude is confirmed by the disclaimer in the end: "If you are not interested in the subject of this email we apologise for any inconvenience that receipt of the message may have caused you."

This matter however, in the minds of most politically minded people, is not just business. This is political. The University wishes to retain an authoritarian attitude, blatantly ignoring any opinions it does not support. Once more, it proves that it is unable to put a foot down to the requests of the government. This is a good lesson to all the students who support this institution by paying their tuition fees. Pay, and you will be disrespected. They only want your money, they do not care about the educational side. Education is not just what happens during lectures, education is supposed to be everywhere within an academic environment, in all aspects of student life.

Furthermore, what amazes me is the attitude of the University staff. Students are young and some have not formed a solid political opinion yet. Some might be too busy with their coursework. Some might not even check their emails. But what is the excuse of the staff members? Are these really the people we want to control the flow of knowledge to future generations, to our children? People who do not dare to voice their opinions just so they can rest assured that they will have a good income? People willing to sacrifice their dignity for their payslip? We need people with a well-formed, strong opinion, who are willing to stand by it. We do not want traitors to act as role-models for our children. We do not want a generation of traitors coming out of our Universities.

Read the text of the email, you know what to do next.. See you all on the 11th of March!