Students call for president to stand down
MORE than 1,000 students have joined an online campaign to force the president of Staffordshire University's student union to resign.
It comes after student union president Assed Baig posted an article on the union website, containing a link to a site identifying 30 BNP members living within two miles of the University's Stoke campus.
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'A STEP TOO FAR': Student Union president Assed Baig.
It was removed less than 24 hours after it had been posted once The Sentinel contacted the union, which stressed the article expressed the views of an individual and not necessarily its other members.
Following the actions of Mr Baig, BNP Councillor Michael Coleman made a formal complaint to Staffordshire Police.
Mr Coleman said: "We're supplying the police with information and they are continuing to look into the matter.
"What Mr Baig did was dangerous because it will bring a reaction.
"He has the right to his opinions but what he did was a step too far."
The group has been created on social networking site Facebook and has 1,041 members – with hundreds of comments on Mr Baig's decision to direct students to a list of names and postcodes of BNP members.
Students have also commented on Assed Baig's decision to ban university liaison officer PC Keith Emery from the student union offices at the College Road campus.
PC Emery, pictured below, who has an office on campus, told The Sentinel he was asked to stop going into the student union offices as they were a safe zone for students to relax.
He said: "I was told that some students didn't feel comfortable with me being in the student zone. I respect the union's decision so I haven't challenged it but I do feel disappointed I have been excluded from the offices."
Sports journalism student Shaun Staff, who is a member of the Facebook group, said he couldn't believe it when he heard PC Emery had been banned from the offices.
The 21-year-old, who lives in Shelton, said: "It was a ridiculous and reckless decision.
"If people feel uncomfortable when a police officer is around then they must have something to hide.
"Assed Baig has the right to his opinions but what he has done is wrong and I think the best thing for him to do would be to resign."
A union spokesman said: "The union has a very good relationship with the police.
"The decision to exclude PC Emery from the student offices was based on experiences by a number of students who said they felt uncomfortable with a police officer around on a regular basis."
Mr Baig was unavailable for comment.
13 Comments
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by matt, shelton
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 2:02PM
“notice how my last comment has been edited so that there are no criticisms of a particular person. there was not a single racist or abusive word in that comment, all that was said in the section that was edited was that anyone that disagrees with assed seems to be branded a racist and that assed himself seems to be showing signs of racism by claiming that he does not care that much for write people and a quote from him to back up that allegation (correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't racism go both ways!)”
by william, blyth bridge
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:16AM
“IF the spelling is anything to go by you've a hell of away to go yet”
by matt, shelton
Monday, November 30 2009, 4:17PM
“the facebook group that was set up ( for assed baig to step down) got reported for being racist
however the group has been re-setup with a diffrent name "a valid group based on political ideals not race issues. take two" (to make it clear that it is not a rasist group)”
by Raymond, Staffs
Monday, November 30 2009, 3:35PM
“Proof reader, you are correct, if you go to the website, which I just copied and pasted that quote from, there are erroneous spelling mistakes.”
by Proofreader, Bentilee
Monday, November 30 2009, 2:41PM
“Staffs Student. I think David was making reference to your grammar, spelling and punctuation.”
by Proofreader, Bentilee
Monday, November 30 2009, 2:33PM
“Raymond, if that quote is attributable to Professor Christine King and was copied and pasted, then I hope you have a copy and paste malicious virus on your computer because she has made two spelling mistakes - "acheive" and "you" (role).”
by Staffs Student, Stoke on Trent
Monday, November 30 2009, 1:30PM
“David
What was that comment supposed to mean? I go to university to learn and do work. Not to campaign. This whole matter annoyed me quite a bit though becuase this year has been a complete mess, with all sorts of problems caused by the University, and we have a president who doesnt seem to care less about them.”
by Raymond, Staffs
Monday, November 30 2009, 1:18PM
“Don't Staffs University run the Respective Diversity Course, for all new students and Employees to attend when they first start in the University system? Yes they do.
Quote from the Staffs University diversity website.
"Our aim is to ensure that anyone who studies, or works at, or interacts with, the University will experience a culture of openness in which everyone is valued equally and can participate with confidence.
We are committed to go on building a culture where we celebrate diversity and where all individuals are valued and respected. We know this brings benefits for all of us and helps us all to acheive our full potential.
Whatever you role within the University, you have an important part to play in creating a community that values every contribution and respects every individual.
Professor Christine King
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive"
Kick him out, just a trouble maker....”
by Uni Student, Stoke
Monday, November 30 2009, 12:52PM
“Assed is only interested in other Asian students and seems to stir up racist issues where none exist, the sooner he is removed the better for all.”
by David, Hanley
Monday, November 30 2009, 12:37PM
“Re Staffs Student
Good to know that you are still being educated. You have some way to go yet.”