Bookshare

We discussed at the course committee the fact that the department is only receiving a tiny budget for library books this year, so I thought it might be worthwhile sharing books between students in order to increase our resources!

Bookshare:
Here's how it works: if you have any books that are on module reading lists, or are relevant to Women's Studies then add a comment below listing your name, and the titles you would be prepared to share. If you see a book listed that you would like to borrow, message or e-mail the person who owns that book and arrange collection/return and how long you would like to borrow for!

To avoid confusion, keep a list of the books you have lent and who you lent them to.
Please print out a Bookshare label and attach it inside the book. Don't forget to write your name on the label! Click here to download the label.

London Metropolitan University and the Women's Studies department are not responsible for any books damaged or lost through book sharing.

The Rules:
1. Please treat each other's books with respect, if the book is not yours treat her with the utmost care.
2. DO NOT MARK BOOKS WITH PEN this is highly disrespectful to the book and her owner, and makes it difficult to read the book at a later stage!
3. Adhere strictly to the time limit agreed for borrowing. The book's owner may need to read her too you know!
4. Wherever possible, make photocopies. This will make referring back to information much easier, and will free up books for others to use.
5. Don't forget to write down all referencing info before returning. Remember to make a note of the date of publication, publisher and place of publication BEFORE returning the book!

Please adhere to the Bookshare rules! If you break the first three rules, I feel that it is fair that your name be flagged up by the lender, so that other booksharers lend to you at their own risk!

Remember, above all to have fun. Happy booksharing!

A few things to make you smile

Independent Student Metro - Sexist?

I received the following e-mail yesterday from one of the Londonmet librarians, and thought students might like to follow this up:

Dear Monty Sultan

I wish to complain about the inclusion of sexist material in the "Independent Student Metro" (ISM) magazine and to ask about your editorial policy.

The last time I picked up the magazine I was shocked to see that there was a feature inviting female students to enter the "Miss London Met" competition, a beauty contest. Although I consider this a completely inappropriate activity for the London Met Students' Union to be organising, I did not write to you at the time. However, having just seen the latest issue (Spring 2007), I am compelled to write to object to the inclusion of the article "The procedure of approaching women" by Moe Janssen, on page 11. This offensive article aimed at male readers wanting to seduce women is sexist and misogynistic and promotes gender stereotyping which insults both women and men. I draw your attention in particular to the sneering tone of the article and the paragraph entitled "The bitch factor".

There are two commendable articles condemning racism in this issue of ISM magazine yet sexism and misogyny appear to be endorsed and promoted. Please would you let me know how your editorial policy can justify this? Sexism has no place in a magazine which represents the Students' Union and it brings discredit on the university; although the magazine is "Independent" it does feature the university logo on the front cover.

Moreover, Moe Janssen does not appear to be a student at London Met. Having done a quick Google search I found that the article appears to be reproduced from the website "SoSuave.com" (the full text is available at: http://www.sosuave.com/quick2/tip486.htm). I trust that Moe Janssen gave permission for ISM magazine to feature the article. If not, there are serious implications regarding copyright.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Charlotte Hobson
Subject Librarian (Business and Politics)

Minutes of Women's Studies Course Committee 15/02/07

Women’s Studies Course Committee

15 February 2007

Minutes

Present: Irene Gedalof, Lucy Bland, Kathy Castle (Chair), Chris Fuller, Debbie Hardy, Rehema Ikusa, Isobel Swan, Samantha Torney, Inkeri von Hase

Apologies: Helen Crowley

There were no Chair’s announcements.

Matters Arising:

1. Problems with the Ladbroke House Undergraduate Centre.

despite passing on students’ complaints from last year’s course committee, it appears that the same problems have recurred, including conflicting information on assessment procedures and course requirements; PAAs not answering phone or e-mail messages, and problems with UG centre staff keeping no records of previous contacts, so that there is no institutional memory of students’ cases; rudeness; and failure to correct mistakes on evision.

Action: IS and DH to email IG with details, IG will then write again to John Broad with full details of specific problems.

2. Library Noise:

KC did write to head of media services about students’ complaints and was told that ‘there is a feeling that things have improved.’ Students confirm that the situation is slightly better on 1^st and 2^nd floors, although there is no stricter enforcement on the ground and mezzanine levels. No additional guards have been added. CF says that the planned moves of computers in to individual carrels may help reduce noise levels. The point is made that there are no clear indications of the correct procedures for making a complaint about noise.

Action: CF to suggest that signs be put up in the library explaining how students can make complaints about noise. Students are also encouraged to send e-mail complaints to Head of Library Services, Peter Bowbeer and Deputy V-C Bob Aylett.

3. Women’s Studies Closure

IvH reports that 1,300 signatures were collected on the student petition, and another 60 people were willing to sign a second form indicating interest in taking a women’s studies module. However, they never received a reply to their request for a meeting with the VC to hand over the petition and discuss the closure.

Action: Students to try once again to meet Brian Roper, if they still do not get a response, will contact Bob Aylett; Isobel and Debbie to prepare an article for The London Student.

Students’ Reports

Students expressed dissatisfaction with the service at the Undergraduate Registry. There seems to be no increase in counter staff at the expected high-demand times, and staff are often talking to each other rather than dealing with the long queues of students waiting. Staff do not appear to have been fully trained to do their jobs, with a number of students being given the wrong information about whether queries should be dealt with by the UG Registry or the UG Centres with the result that students are being sent back and forth between these two offices (eg re: mitigating circumstances). Documents prepared by the Registry for Council Tax exemption have had conflicting dates recorded, resulting in delays for the students.

Action: IG to write to head of Assessments with student’s complaints

Students remarked on the difficulties of getting errors corrected on Evision. It is suggested that it would help if there was some way students could flag up mistakes on-line when they find errors in their records.

Action: IG to make this suggestion to whoever manages E-vision.

There is a suggestion to set up a Women’s Studies blog, for announcements and information, and also so that students can share information about resources, eg. sharing of books, etc.

Action: IG to take advice on how to do this.

Welcome to the London Met Women's Studies Blog

This is a community blog for all current and past London Met Women's Studies students. Feel free to use it to share information, thoughts, links and resources relating to your studies or other relevant activities.