Principal Richardson talks NUS, Kate Kennedy, Tuition Fees and more
Professor Louise Richardson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, joined STAR's Kate Reid and Francesca Vaghi in studio for a live interview on Tuesday, May 1st.
Professor Richardson addressed several controversial issues, including tuition fee increases, the Kate Kennedy Club and the NUS referendum.
Speaking about the NUS, the Principal stressed that the decision is up to the students but praised the delay of the referendum.
"I have to say that I am delighted though that this has been postponed so that we can have a really good debate, because there are so many unknowns about this."
"I was very worried about having a referendum with so little time for debate. We still didn't actually know how much it was going to cost: we thought it was going to cost £26,000-30,000 a year which was the figures that were being thrown around, and that is money coming out of societies. I really thought there needed to be time for a debate."
The Principal also addressed the tense relationship with the Students' Association this year.
"It's no secret that it has been a difficult relationship this past year, and that is I think partly because of the issue of fees. That was inevitably going to, if you like, pit the Students' Association against the University."
"Historically if you look back, I think this relationship doesn't have to be a conflictual one at all."
The University and Students' Association have allied on some issues, including plans to build a wind farm at the Kenly site. In March, a group of students that included Association President Patrick O'Hare walked out of a community rally against wind power in protest.
Richardson reiterated support for the planned build and was optimistic about the proposal's future.
"I'm really disappointed in the public reaction. I'm not convinced it's broad-based."
"I hope we can simply persuade people that they have nothing to fear and much to gain from renewable energy."
"I hope we can persuade people that this is the way of the future."
Listen to the full interview below:
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