No accounting for apathy

Over the last few weeks I have been desperately trying to put together two focus groups of postgradute students, to meet with the new Dean of the Graduate School here at ANU. Today is the day, and already one meeting has happened. Now, let me just say, I have been emailing and ringing some of these people for weeks, with polite reminders, and over the top thankyous. I sent the last one on Wednesday, and in a last minute panic attack, I nearly sent another reminder this morning. However, just before sending it I thought, "No, these people are postgraduate students, they are adults and I am sure they don't need me to send another reminder".

Only two of the six people turned up.

Being my first real task as chair of the social and outreach team of PARSA, I can't help but take it a little personally, as it unfortunately, directly reflects on me.

So it seems, there is no accounting for the apathetic student, even when they actually do put their hand up to help (which is also why the Voluntary Student Unionism legislation is such a threat to student associations like PARSA).

My next project is ANU open day, which is next Saturday (Aug 27) - needless to say, I'll be spamming the inboxes of all volunteers like you won't believe next week ;-)