charliecharlie

Hey Loz your PM inbox is full... http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/50489525.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=E41C9FE5C4AA0A1418C5490F5B75E953595C380EC9347031E03C4BF36B00BBCBB01E70F2B3269972

THAT piece of music that just hits the spot... http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8du__Wxp8q4/SmXg-3-RzWI/AAAAAAAAAAw/t_jlGkPfXIM/S1600-R/no_music.png

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Books/Pix/pictures/2008/03/28/spring460.jpg gives me irrational joy that this posts seems to rekindle its activity each year around Springtime.... hhhhmmmm... I wonder why????

Graduate tax system seems to work pretty well for Sweden, Huguenot.... and in the UK, the current SLC (Student Loan Company) seem to be pretty sharp about keeping tabs on graduates (and payment arrangements) when graduates choose to work overseas?

I think the idea is a fixed percentage top-up tax (in addition to the standard tax), with a maximum payback figure... [quote name=What are the arguments for a graduate tax? Supporters say graduate tax is progressive' date=' arguing that those who have benefited most from a university education would pay most. They also say this would remove the spectre of graduating with large debts, which could deter those from poorer backgrounds from going into higher education.] If a graduate tax were to be applied the details of the system would obviously need to be defined... [quote name=What is graduate tax? Under this system' date=' graduates would start paying the costs of their university tuition when they start earning, in the form of extra 3p or so on income tax. This would mean that the more you are paid the more you pay back. There is still discussion need to define at what point in their career, or at what total repayment figure, a graduate would stop paying, and whether there should be a minimum salary before the graduate tax is triggered.]

New threshold is ?21,000 Old threshold was ?15,000 the difference between the two is only in line with inflation there is nothing "progressive" about the scheme I have bright students who (after taking one week off between end of studies and starting work) are now in their 30's, have never been out of work and are still paying off their loans. For example, I was discussing the issue with one of our Alumni on Thursday (who is 32), her interest is still ?1,000 a year and she feels that she was sold the whole loan idea on the basis that "you will never get such a great deal again, the interest rates are so low" etc and now she feels it was somewhat mis-represented. She is a Senior member of the design team for one of our major retailers, has been working consistently hard since she left college. She is still saddled with debts (think she pays 9% of her salary each year towards her loan repayments) and her fees were only ?2250 pa. Try to imagine what it would feel like to have 4 times that amount (?27000 as opposed to ?6750) round you neck!!!! when you are only 21. I am very pro the graduate tax scheme where graduates pay an addition % tax on earnings (the more you earn the more you pay, just like any other tax) with a maximum pay back figure. That way you pay for your education but you are not saddled with debts or tied to the bloody BANKS!!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11946585 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/8194206/How-much-will-you-pay-for-a-university-education.html

oh yes... and the next generation of bright, educated people being beholden to the banks till they are 40 or 50 yrs old... hhhmmm.... I wonder how well they will mark themselves on that marvelous 'Happiness' index that we will all be using to gauge our moods.... (thank you David C for all your lovely patronising ideas... Big Society my arse... we are not Tellie Tubbies you know...) I smell trouble brewing BIG time!!!

ref the downward spiral.... it started with Mrs T, a very nasty weasley piece of work if you ask me... http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/images/2009/04/07/mrs_thatcher_1984_getty_350x250.jpg we can thanks her for pumping up materialistic values and selling/breaking up anything state owned she could lay her hands on... that was the begining of the debt ridden hole we found/find ourselves in!!! *They all are all a bunch of lying, cheating little shits... think I better get my black balaclava out.... *(and I am not talking about students...)

cross posted Pearson... was referring to giggirl's post

eeeerrr... I think the post is about Shoreditch House, isn't it... or have I been taking too many drug???

maybe, maybe... gets better by the moment!! [quote name=Our suave salonniere is Damian Barr' date=' Times journalist and Radio 4 playwright. The whole affair is lubrcated by free servings of the delightfully peculiar Hendrick?s and Tonic with cucumber. You, of course, make the event very special indeed.] ...

[quote name=is it as crap' date=' pretentious and full of coke hounds and wanabees as SohoHouse? ] maybe Quids... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62350305595

http://www.themaritimegallery.co.uk/Assets/Assets%20ILN/IMGP4479.jpg and still a good view today... xxCC

and no... I am not wasting government money by being on the forum while I'm at work, before anyone asks... I am a .5 member of staff and never use the forum while I am at work!!!

as far as I understand we are being asked to offer the same or more places, despite the 40% cut in funding... hhhhmmpph... not in a good mood about it http://www.myspacetuning.com/gfx/funny_pics/animals/angry_ostrich.jpg

I never suggested we should be immune DaveR... but a 40% cut in teaching funds? ??*@&!*>? we already do hours and hours and hours of additional unpaid time 40%.... ouch ouch ouch... that is very very harsh feels like the cuts are being landed on a soft target... the only people who suffer if we strike are the students, so we will not do that.. feels like our hands are tied... and I have yet so see any clear rationale from government (in fact forget 'clear' just any justification) explaining how the decision has been made... http://rlv.zcache.com/bound_records_hands_tied_poster-p228277985603209237tdar_210.jpg

I was going to type "my students" but I thought someone would jump on me for making them sound like a possession.... sorry if a bit tetchy today... just really upset about the whole thing

oh yes I forgot t say Keef... it's pretty hard for me to "chill out" when everything I have worked for over the last 15th years is about to be flushed down the pan thanks to the bankers and a greedy society driven materiel values... what did we (teaching staff) do wrong??? http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/111730567_0e49c02f7e.jpg

peace to you too Keef http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__zM2dq4hAxk/TCEVYayagdI/AAAAAAAAAVA/DjoXvwnGTCs/s320/churchill_v_sign.jpg oh lordie me... is that imgae maent to be the othre way round... am dyslexic so can't tell..

guess you got yourself onto the wrong course then...

hey chill out Keef I was only trying to wind you up http://rlv.zcache.com/rizla_result_tshirt-p235165090942598517q0a0_400.jpg but I also meant it too.... I am very protective towards students

[quote name="F**K FEES. FREE EDUCATION NOW". It would appear this person never attended secondary' date=' let alone uni! If you're going to hold up a sign, at least make it witty! ] Keef.... these placards were produced by the Socialist Worker Party, not the students or the NUS or the UCU... do your homework before you take a pop at University students please... http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2009-03-01-duncecap.jpg

I thought the idea was that you do some work in return for the money given to you as unemployment benefit... I guess it would have to be at a rate that was not below the minimum wage...

look like a bunch of sweeties to me...

and another...