Volume 16 Issue 1

bathimpact The University of Bath Students’ Union Newspaper

Volume 16 Issue 1

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Saturday 20th September 2014

Kyle Nishioka

Chancellor’s Building too ‘bathroomy’ ~ page 4

Accommodation delays continue Ramiye Thavabalasingam News & Comment Editor impact-news@bath.ac.uk

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here are to be further delays in the completion of part of The Quads, the new accommodation at the University of Bath. The latest developments - or rather the lack thereof - in the construction work have resulted in twenty-nine of the rooms in blocks A & C being incomplete in time for arrivals weekend, leaving some Freshers left to stay in temporary shared accommodation.

The five blocks of The Quads were originally set to be handed over last Spring. Yet continuous delays throughout the last year have led to the new halls of residence’s completion date

being pushed closer and closer to the start of the new academic year. To top things off, the university notified the affected students just over a week before they were set to move in.

According to the University, supply chain issues in an ‘unstable market’ and ‘a very wet and windy winter’ are some of the reasons behind the delays. Whether or not this is the case, it does not excuse the lack of notice that the affected students were given.

However, the University has still been able to secure these new students with a campus experience for Freshers’ Week, albeit in a slightly different living arrangement than expected.

The temporary accommodation being provided consists of shared bedroom and bathroom

science

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: Ice ice maybe? ~ page 7 facilities in Woodland Court, compared to the en-suite bedrooms that the students had signed up for. Students are set to be paired with others on their course, from their faculty, and/or from their future kitchen group in the Quads.

In terms of compensation, no cash will be given except in the form of additional catering credit, an old favourite of the University, despite students living in the Quads already contributing £25 a week to a compulsory Eat and Drink student card.

These delays also mean that those students living in the blocks in The Quads, as well as other halls of residence, will be affected by further building work, including hard and soft landscaping.

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“As the priority has been to ensure student bedrooms and communal spaces are completed ready for induction week, there will also be some ongoing external landscaping work in the first couple of weeks,” the University has said.

The students affected by this situation will hopefully be able to move into the accommodation they were promised within just a couple of weeks of arrivals weekend. As for the new buildings that are ready and raring to go, students are now able to go to the Lime Tree refectory, which includes a new bar and café.

This student area can seat up to 350 people. So whether you are a Fresher or a returning student, there will something new to discover on campus.

bite

e 18 pag Prof. Science answers your questions

pag Election fever drives Brazil nuts

pag Review - Southern Reach Trilogy

The Professor returns to talk about the effects of alcohol on sex and why drinking makes us so horny. In the words of Shakespeare, “it provokes and it unprovokes”.

Deputy Editor Benjamin Butcher looks at what the upcoming elections could mean for Brazil, with a particular focus on the rise of Marina Silva.

Annayha Prosser shares her thoughts on the lastest series of books by Jeff VanderMeer, concentrating on the first novel in the trilogy Annihilation.

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Saturday 20th September 2014

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Editorials

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NUS oversteps once again A

s images of homes flattened by bombs and families ripped apart by seemingly meaningless acts of violence filled our screens this summer, the on-going Israel-Palestine conflict felt more real and more futile than ever. For the first time people detached from the issue were drawn in, horrified by stories of barbarism committed by both sides, and a strong, yet often self-defeating, discussion filled both the old and new media.

The news became a regular sight on social media, with some criticising the Palestinian-based Hamas group for provoking Israel, with others calling for a more proportional response to the acts of aggression. Overwhelmingly, however, our generation acted vehemently in support for an end to the persecution of Palestinians; something no minor act

of terrorism against Israel could possibly justify.

It would therefore not be an irrational statement to suggest that as young, generally liberal and well-educated people, most students at Bath – and across the country – would find themselves against, albeit at various different shades, the actions of Israel.

It might seem justifiable therefore that in June the National Union of Students, which represents “over 7 million student voices” in higher education, called for a boycott of the State of Israel whilst reiterating their “support for a two state solution”.

However, whilst the NUS’s endorsement of the Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement might fit into the personal ideologies of most students, bathimpact asks whether such a position oversteps the remit

of the NUS. As students at the university, we are automatically members of both our Students’ Union and the broader NUS. By attending the University of Bath you as an individual are a statistic within one of the UK’s largest unions. Whenever the NUS speak, they speak for you, regardless of your political stance, race or creed.

Obviously, most of this falls within what we would expect from a union representing our needs: tuition fees, graduate jobs, help for disadvantaged students etc.

Effectively, the aim to “promote, defend and extend the rights of students”; is a mantra we can all agree on. bathimpact believes however that sometimes the line of what is within that basic, realistic and reasonable mission statement can be badly blurred.

Making statements in support of

the highly politicised BDS movement is one of those times. bathimpact believes that the NUS must remain an apolitical voice for students on student issues and stray away from topics which breach this agenda. Support for the plight of the Palestinian people is a noble cause but one which must be personal.

What must not happen, however, is for those within the NUS to hijack your voice and use it for a cause which does not directly impact your life as a student. This may sound drastic, but it is what you pay membership for.

For those wishing to take a more active role in Israel-Palestine, there are a range of organisations which deal with the issue based on your personal opinion.

We are entitled to form our own opinions, not have them decided for us.

Love women, not donkeys

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magine a donkey. Not a smelly, fly-ridden, mattedhair kind of donkey that you would might see at a dodgy circus, but a glossy, hay-munching braying one, meandering across a field.

These are the donkeys you might find at the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, which received, at one point, £20 million in funding. In context, this figure was roughly £3 million more than Refuge, the Women’s Aid Federation, and Eaves Housing for Women combined, according to the New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) organisation’s report.

To put this into perspective, the Donkey Sanctuary caters for 12,000 animals, which, although a lot of donkeys, pales in comparison with the 280,000 women victims that are supported by

these organisations on a yearly basis across the UK. The same could be said for the recent burning down of the Manchester Dogs’ Home. bathimpact is not denying that this was a tragedy. It is a testament to the public for raising a remarkable £1 million to donate to the Manchester Dogs’ home after the suspected arson attack killed an estimated 60 dogs, which will help rehome the 150 canine survivors. It is, however, an intriguing insight into the British psyche that such an event would raise so much more money in comparison to those forced out of their homes by domestic violence.

According to the NPC, the emotional cost of abuse of women is an estimated £30 billion a year, which is, in bathimpact’s view, debatably more worthy of nation-

al sympathy than 12,000 donkeys or 210 dogs. In addition to this, it costs the UK economy in sexual and domestic violence £26bn and £20bn respectively. This is not just necessarily a question of money, but also one of self-preservation. Is it not in our interests to protect our own over others?

But whilst the Manchester Dog’s home has stuck a chord with the people, it would appear the issue of domestic abuse has failed to do so. Mary Pacey, Director of Policy and Campaigns for the Institute of Fundraising, is also in agreement, blaming the branding of domestic violence “unsexy” in the eyes of the British public as a reason for lack of funding in the women charity sector.

People generally do have affection for animals. It is also well

known that animal charities do not receive much in the way of government funding, with many of us taking the view that they are helpless and are in need of our protection.

But the results of such thinking can prove dangerous; a third of men think that domestic violence is acceptable if their partner has been nagging them. bathimpact believes that the British public needs to take advantage of the education that women charities have to offer, and whilst we do not discourage donating to varying charities, it is important to put things into perspective.

The British have an international reputation for caring for animals (something we should cherish), but often when you look at the facts they present a more cynical story.

Play the game, not politics I

f 2012 was the summer of sporting excellence, the peak of the wave, then 2014 is the trough. England’s World Cup campaign was poor and this time people couldn’t even muster up the energy to be annoyed about it. Cricket happened and it wasn’t very good. Tennis failed to live up to the highs of 2013 and the Commonwealth Games came and went without the buzz and feel good factor of the Olympics. However, what sport in 2014 did have was an abundance of overlapping political narrative.

FIFA has generated the most discussion. The World Cup was marred by political protests in Brazil, whilst FIFA President Sepp Blatter remained a hidden figure for most of the tournament after receiving, at best, a frosty recep-

tion at the opening ceremony.

When Blatter did reappear publically for the final he was sat next to 2014’s least controversial world leader, Vladimir Putin. After a year of homophobia, a botched Winter Olympics and the invasion of Ukraine, the fact Russia is due to host the 2018 World Cup has also been widely discussed, with David Cameron recently stating he believes the country should be stripped of the tournament. Add to this the suspected corruption, human rights abuse of workers and political abductions in relation to Qatar 2022 and FIFA appear more like the villainous corporation of a Kurt Vonnegut novel than the governing body of the biggest sport in the world.

Closer to home the Commonwealth Games inspired a discus-

sion on whether or not Scottish success would increase the chances of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum in the same way that the Olympics caused a big uplift in British Nationalism. Politicians on both sides clambered to say the silliest things about how shot-putting could potentially decide the fate of a nation and journalists decided that being able to run very fast meant you were qualified to voice your opinion on important political events.

Andy Murray continued to prove why he’s Britain’s greatest sporting asset by declining to comment because his opinion shouldn’t influence others. However, he could have seen the furore caused by Moeen Ali simply expressing an opinion and wearing a ‘Free Gaza’ wristband whilst playing for England and thought better of it.

bathimpact is of the opinion that international sport will always have a political element due to the nature of international relations and that organisations such as FIFA should make a greater effort to recognise and react to political issues that arise. However, politics and sport should also remain separate and politicians should not attempt to use sporting events to generate media spin. Similarly, sport stars should recognise their public image and influence and should refrain from making uninformed comments. Sport is a way of life for many people and has taken on an almost religious element in modern society, and whilst the separation of Church and State is a well-established principle, perhaps we should recognise this in other walks of life.

The bathimpact team Matt Powell Editor-in-Chief impact-editor@bath.ac.uk

Benjamin Butcher Deputy Editor-in-Chief impact-deputy@bath.ac.uk

John Barlow bite Editor impact-bite@bath.ac.uk

Ramiye Thavabalasingam News and Comment Editor impact-news@bath.ac.uk

Alexandra Egan Features Editor impact-features@bath.ac.uk

Michael Powell Sport Editor impact-sport@bath.ac.uk

Pedro Gomes Photography Editor impact-photo@bath.ac.uk

Thomas Gane Online Editor impact-it@bath.ac.uk

Connor McGregor Morton Publicity Officer impact-publicity@bath.ac.uk

Siân Maria Morgan Design Editor impact-design@bath.ac.uk

Elliott Campbell Media Officer su-media-officer@bath.ac.uk

Advertising Enquires Helen Freeman H.Freeman@bath.ac.uk 01225 386806

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bathimpact Students’ Union University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY 01225 38 6151

The opinions expressed in bathimpact are not necessarily those of the bathimpact editors nor of the University of Bath Students’ Union. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct and accurate at the time of going to print, the publisher cannot accept any liability for information which is later altered or incorrect. bathimpact as a publication adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Conduct.

Please contact them for any information.

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expressimpact

“

Alex Salmond on the Scottish Independence referendum.

updates & events UPCOMING EVENT

photo of the fortnight

“

No one, absolutely no one, will do a better job of running Scotland than the people who live and work in Scotland.

News Lite

LASZLO ILYES

A photo of Stonehenge, taken by photographer Laszlo Ilyes. It was recently discovered that the historical monument was not a single piece, but actually part of a series of shrines.

Archaeologists have created a detailed map of the earth underneath Stonehenge and the area surrounding it. They found traces of what appears to be a ‘super henge’ around the monument. Coincidently, Barack Obama made a trip to the historical landmark on his way home from the NATO conference earlier this month.

The Toga Party. A University of Bath tradition for Freshers’ Week, the Toga Party will feature performances from Beat-a-maxx and BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James. So finish off your Freshers’ Week by doing as the Romans do and wrap yourself in a bedsheet!

Where: Main Arena.

When: Saturday 27th September, 10pm.

NATIONAL Almost half of students in the UK gain weight during their first year at university. Students across the country gain around ten pounds, with Bath Freshers gaining 11.7 pounds on average. According to the report carried out by Upbeat, 47 per cent of students surveyed went to university with the intention to live off a diet of carbs such as pasta, pizza, and doughnuts.

INTERNATIONAL Jean-Claude Juncker has given the UK significant roles in the EU economy. Jonathan HIll, the former leader of the House of Lords, will be overseeing financial services in the European Commission. Juncker, whose position as President of the Commission has been controversial, has said he wants Britain to stay as an ‘active constructive member’ of the European Union.

Figures of Fortnight

23%

The percentage of students worried they might have to give up studies due to their finances

37%

LOCAL

The percentage of female students who have faced unwanted sexual advances

Palestinian civilians have been killed in the conflict with Israel in 2014. The larger grey circle to the right represents those casualties, whilst the smaller black circle is proportionate to the 6 Israeli civilians killed by rocket attacks in

Palestinian civilian deaths

2014.

Israeli civilian deaths

graphic of the fortnight

According to UN Estimates, 1,473

Follow us on twitter @bathimpact

The Roman Baths have been listed as one of the top three museum attractions in the country by TripAdvisor. The historic attraction was the only one in the top five that was not based in London. It has also been named 15th in Europe in the Travellers’ Choice Awards for Museums, with the Art Institute of Chicago receiving first place.

HEALTH The United Nations has said the $1 billion is needed to contain the ebola outbreak in West Africa. The epidemic has spread across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and there are growing concerns that the disease could infect 20,000 people by the end of the year if nothing is done to relieve the situation.

UPCOMING EVENT ‘Seeing with sound? How technology can help blind persons see.’ Dr Michael J Proulx, Senior Lecturer in Psychology will give some insight into the sensory substitution devices used to convert images into another format such as sound.

Where: 8 West 1.1 When: Wednesday 1st October, 5:15pm.

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Tommy Parker SU Community Officer SUcommunity@bath.ac.uk

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xperts have called for housing standards in the private rented sector to be more strictly enforced to protect vulnerable tenants.

A recent report published by the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Resolution Foundation concluded that rogue landlords are exploiting tenants’ lack of options.

The Charted Institute of Housing, which represents housing professionals, and the Resolution Foundation, who campaign for better living standards for low to modest income families, stated that a third of privately rented homes failed to meet modern standards.

They also called for incentives for landlords performing well in the form of tax breaks to encourage them to reinvest in their properties.

“These are people’s homes we are talking about,” said Grania Long, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing. “I want to see a situation where all landlords understand their obligations, meet their obligations, and are committed to professional standards.”

The National Landlords’ Association have also backed their calls. A representative from the association, Richard Blanco, said the organisation would welcome a tougher action against exploitative landlords.

“Rogue landlords ruin our reputation and we want to drive them out,” Blanco said.

“Landlords run businesses and anything that encourages us to reinvest our profits or improve our properties is to be welcomed”.

This comes after a study by the National Union of Students on the state of student accommodation was published. The report, ‘Homes fit for study’, has made several recommendations on improving student accommodation, both in university managed accommodation and in the private rented sector.

The research revealed that over three quarters of students have a problem with the condition of their home.

Colum McGuire, Vice President (Welfare) for the NUS has said that there needs to be more effective enforcement of standards.

McGuire stated, “Although there’s a commonly held perception that poor quality student housing is a rite of passage, it is both disgusting and unacceptable that students should live in vermin infested housing in this day and age.”

“Our research has raised alarming health and safety issues and we are calling for more effective enforcement of standards to ensure student homes are fit for study”.

The study found that over half have condensation; almost half have mould, and a quarter have slugs, mice or another infestation.

Kosala Bandara

Experts call for regulated housing

NUS Vice President for Welfare Colum McGuire wants more effective enforcement of standards Homes fit for study also stated that there was a high financial burden on student tenants, finding that a third of students are getting into debt to meet the upfront costs in securing a property.

NUS have stated that as a result of this research, initiatives such as accreditation schemes can “make a real difference to students’ experiences [in private accommodation]”.

Campbell Robb, the Chief Executive of Shelter, a leading charity on homelessness and tenants rights, has said: “No one should be forced to live in a home that is a danger to their health and wellbeing - so the [homes fit for study] findings are shocking. We hear from young people every day living in unsafe

rented homes, dealing with rogue landlords, struggling to pay sky high rents, or paying out hundreds in unfair letting fees.

This can’t carry on. The government must do more to improve our broken rental market, and make sure that every landlord provides the safe and decent home we all deserve” Shelter have started a campaign asking for local councils to stamp out rogue landlords and say that they are “causing a misery in our communities”. More than 100 councils have signed up so far.

Earlier in the year, councils called for new powers to deal with rogue landlords, and some MP’s have said that rogue landlords

should face nationwide bans after a cross party report entitled “Creating a better private rented sector”.

The report set out a number of recommendations, such as a nationwide license, more training for those letting properties, and nationwide banning orders.

Oliver Cole, the group’s chairman, has said that the report provides a number of ideas to ensure that it is fit for the 21st century.

“Given the growing importance of the private rented sector, it is important that consideration is given to how it should be run to provide sufficient protection to tenants and support and encourage the majority of good landlords while rooting out those who reap misery for tenants”.

The Chancellor’s Building bungled Well satisfied

Hollie Christian-Brookes bathimpact Reporter

year.

The Chancellor’s Building was nominated for the Carbuncle Cup by readers of architecture magazine Building Design alongside numerous other constructions.

The building, which has a 2,000 student capacity, was shortlisted for the annual award but lost the title to Woolwich Central shopping centre and flats.

The reader who nominated the building said that “the footbridge linking the building’s rear end to the rest of the campus has all the marking of a desperate afterthought,” and that “any attempts at architectural cohesion are further hampered by the bathroomy material palette”.

Built by local company Stride Treglown, the building was opened last November by HRH the Earl of Wessex as part of his installation ceremony as Chancellor of the University.

Regional director for Stride Treglown, Phillip Fawkner-Corbett, described the University’s requirements for the building as ‘challenging’ particularly in reference to the level of accommoda-

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building on campus has avoided an award for the worst building of the

The Chancellor’s Building lost out to Woolwich shopping centre A spokesperson from the Unition required and the timescale.

He said, “They knew exactly versity went on to defend the arwhat they wanted and we deliv- chitecture of the building, stating ered exactly what was asked of that it reflects “the university’s desire to use materials which are us.”

“Whilst this nomination hard- not associated with a high carbon ly fills us with delight, we would footprint and also have low mainbe much more concerned if we tenance and whole life-costings”.

Other buildings nominated didn’t know how positively the building has been received by our for the award included Vauxhall Tower riverside flats in central client.”

Mr Fawkner-Corbett went London and QN7 appartments on to invite people to come and near the Arsenal Football Club visit the building for themselves, stadium. The judges described deeming the basis for the anony- the winning construction by mous nomination on the analysis Sheppard Robson Architects as of the rear of the building as ‘dis- “oppressive, defensive, arrogant and inept.” appointing’.

Nick West bathimpact Reporter Are you guys stoked to be studying at the University of Bath? Well, you should be - as part of our, what is becoming yearly, ego-massaging period, the University of Bath has once again been named Number One for student satisfaction (excluding small and specialist Higher Education Institutions, specifically Courtauld Institute of Art and Brighton and Sussex Medical School). Because, y'know, we are just that good.

This comes from the National Student Survey, commissioned by HEFCE (the Higher Education Funding Council for England), which is about as trusted as any institution can be in this. Around 321,000 students responded across the country in the most recent survey, which represents a seventy-one per cent response rate - the highest received in the ten years that the NSS has been running.

The University of Bath received an average of ninety-

three per cent for student satisfaction which is significantly higher than the national average of eighty-six per cent. To top that off, we are ranked as the absolute best in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Psychology, and Business Studies - even including the specialist institutions we ignore so we can say we're number one overall.

To add to this rare outpour of pride for our alma mater, our Students' Union continues to be in the top ten of the country and, according to the university, we have been ranked in the top ten of every university league table in the country. We have also got the best campus according to the Times and Sunday Times, with the latter also saying that we are number three for graduate earnings. To top this off, we’ve been labelled one of the most welcoming universities by Times Higher Education.

You're getting a top notch education with a top notch experience, all assisted by a top notch Students' Union.

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Nick West bathimpact Reporter

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stablished in 1978, Moles Club has always been the heart of the indie and dance scene in Bath. In the 35 years that it has been around, it has hosted some of the biggest names in music, from the Killers to Mumford and Sons, from Ed Sheeran to Eurythmics, and from the Cure to Oasis. The list of all the bands and DJs who have played there is on the website (www.moles.co.uk) and is way too long to list here.

But on Saturday 8th March this year, just before 9am, fire crews were called in to tackle a fire that

“

We were heartbroken when it happened” Tom Maddicott

broke out close to the front door of the legendary club. The cause of the fire is still awaiting confirmation from forensics, but it seems that the blaze was allegedly started by the electrical company’s main power supply to the building.

While the damage of the flames was mainly limited to the ground

floor, smoke and water damage has permeated the entire building.

The date for the expected reopening this August has been and gone and, according to management, the best guess is between December 2014 and January 2015 (although hopefully once contractors have finished their assessment a more firm date can be realised).

Owner Tom Maddicott told bathimpact, “we were, of course, heartbroken when it happened and it has unfortunately taken longer than we had hoped to get everything fixed. But we will definitely be back and on the plus side the club will be the best it’s ever been with a total refurb, brand new sound and lights and of course the best music anywhere in Bath.

As soon as we have an exact date we will be shouting about it so follow us on Facebook or Twitter and check the website for all the latest news - plus watch out for some very special guests for our reopening.”

So where does this leaves Moles? Apart from seriously depriving the new freshers’ from experiencing one of the most individual clubbing and musical experiences of Bath (and depriving the heartbroken returning students), their famous Tuesday night out,

shrinkin’violet

Moles reopening pushed to 2015

Your favourite cheesy night won’t return to Moles until January after repairs were delayed ‘The Big Cheese’, has moved to Ko- Weir Lounge’s Cheeky Tuesday night and of course the fantastimedia as ‘The “Very” Big Cheese’ which brands itself, apparently cally talented DJs at the weekends, on the occasional Friday (the next unironically, as, ‘Bath’s cheapest, but all of this will be back and apbeing the 24th October) for those latest, sexiest Tuesday ever!” and, parently it will even be bigger and who want to get their cheesy fix of course, you’ve got the rest of better than ever.

But you’ve got plenty to keep Bath’s vast and varied nightlife. sooner.

But Moles wasn’t just about ‘The busy within Bath until Moles reoSo apart from drinking on your own and feeling sorry for your- Big Cheese,’ although for many pens so don’t despair, and you can self, what can you do in Bath on this was the main attraction. We’ll be sure that bathimpact will report a Tuesday? Well the pub quiz at also be missing seeing tomorrow’s on any news on this as soon as it’s the Plug is always a good start; big names on the Thursday Indie available.

Upcoming Academic Rep elections Paul Goodstadt SU Education Officer SUeducation@bath.ac.uk

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gives you a great opportunity to meet new people and work with your department to make a real difference to your course. For others it is the experience that they can talk about in job interviews, as you can mention everything you have achieved.

On top of this, Academic Reps get a free hoody, a free lunch during Academic Council meetings, and are given great training opportunities at the Academic Reps Conference.

Bath SU

ave you ever wished your lecturers used a variety of teaching methods to keep things interesting? Ever wished more core resources were available? Want to have your say in the development of learning and teaching within your department?

The Students’ Union prides itself on having one of the best rep-

resentation systems in the country, giving all students at Bath the opportunity to represent their peers on academic issues, and ultimately improve their learning experience. Over 300 academic reps are elected each year, who form the cornerstone of the representative system.

But why should I stand to be an academic rep?

Everyone has a different reason why they want to stand to be an academic rep. For some, it

Academic reps receive a free hoodie and (sometimes) pizza once they have completed their training

But what does an academic rep do?

Academic Reps work hard to aid course development, and to inform the staff who make the decisions how your course could be improved. Reps do this by gathering the views of their peers, and discussing them at their department’s Staff/Student Liaison Committee (SSLCs) and other departmental committees.

The Students’ Union also holds Academic Council meetings and Faculty Forums, which give reps a platform to discuss common issues together in a safe environment, as well as feeding back these issues to the Students’ Union Education Officer.

Academic reps are fundamental to the development of learning and teaching, as they can inform staff of the reality of studying a particular programme at the University of Bath.

OK great, so, how do I stand?

On Monday 29th September nominations will open for all Academic Rep positions across the University. That includes all undergrads and postgrads, whether you are taught or are doing research. All you have to do is sign into bathstudent, submit a picture and a short manifesto/statement to encourage people to vote for you by midday on Sunday 5th October.

Only the positions you are eligible to nominate yourself for will

be visible to you. Nominations for Academic Rep elections open on Monday 29th September and close on Sunday 5th October, with nominations for Council, Senate and SU reps as well as NUS national delegates opening on Monday 13th October and closing on Friday 17th. Postgraduate positions including Faculty and Senate Reps will also need to be nominated in the same week.

How do my mates vote for me then?

Voting is done online at www. bathstudent.com/elections in the week following nominations and will close at midday on Friday 10th October. After this the votes will be counted and everyone involved will be informed whether they have been elected or not.

This is by a discreet email, so no public humiliation!

Once elected, you will receive information regarding training and your department will also be in touch.

If you are unsuccessful, don’t panic, there are plenty of other opportunities to represent students at the university. We elect Council, Senate and Students’ Union (CSSU) reps, NUS delegates and more postgrad specific elections such as the Postgraduate Association (PGA) elections and our postgraduate NUS conference representative.

More details for all of these elections can be found at www. bathstudent.com/elections.

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Israel and the bias of the media

Jac Heanen bathimpact Writer ou live in an unrecognised geographic region in Western Asia found between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Many of your people are refugees living in camps. Day proceedings consist of withstanding life under occupation which involves a lack of control over border crossings, airspace, territorial waters and the movement of people and goods. In 1987 and 2000 your people protested against these conditions but failed to secure

did not consistently vilify your state for their actions towards a terrorist organisation. You long for peace.

These are the realities which define the crisis; two dimensional suffering which the media much too often fails to reflect.

The blurred perception of the conflict seems to be primarily pioneered by writers on the left. Reporting from Owen Jones is a perfect example. In a recent column for the Guardian, Owen wrote that one feature of the conflict was the ‘[Israeli] government’s complicity

Takver

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change. You long for freedom and independence.

You live on a plateau in the Judean Mountains located between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, in one of the oldest cities in the world. You have access to food, water, safety, and live in a democracy where your voice can be heard. After a history of antiSemitism this would be an ideal if it were not for the hundreds of rockets which pour into your city, if you were not traumatised by the prospect of terrorists popping up from underground and if the West

Protests against Israel continue as the crisis worsens but has the international media taken sides?

in the massacre of children’.

A massacre of children? The problem with Jones’ diction is that it draws a picture so far askew from the reality. Owen pitches in the word ‘massacre’ when talking of Israeli rockets that have very much unfortunately killed a number of children in the Gaza. The facts however suggest it’s difficult to understand how Owen thinks this meets the criteria of indiscriminate slaughter. Israel is actually very picky about where they choose to bomb. The IDF are carrying out an exceptionally careful campaign, targeting Hamas, Jihad’s rocket launch sites and terrorist leadership, whilst distributing signals to citizens prior to a bombing. All of which does not constitute a massacre. Let’s be clear; there is no indiscriminate slaughter, but if Israel really wanted to murder children en masse they surely could.

So the worst part of this is that whilst Owen is wrong, people may buy into his sensational view of the facts. This distortion does nothing but fuel the crisis; accountability must be recognised on both sides for a solution to be made.

But unfair spin is common custom. Both The Economist and Fareed Zakaria have suggested that the continuation of this crisis can be attributed solely to the state of Israel. In July the Economist stat-

ed “the catastrophe befalling Gaza stems from the refusal of Israel to negotiate in good faith”. In 2012 Zakaria wrote in the Washington Post that “Peace between the Palestinians and Israelis will come only when Israel decides that it wants to make peace”. Both writers neglect that this conflict is a binary product. The requirement for peace is a two way street, both parties must be consulted in negotiations and it is unfair to blame a single side.

If the answer was as the writers suggest, than the conflict would’ve remedied 9 years ago, when Israel disengaged from Gaza.

It is important that this is addressed now more than ever before because the global dynamic has changed. The Islamic State has raised its head from the fog of war in Iraq to commit support to the Palestinians. ISIS recently stated it was a “matter of time and patience before it reaches Palestine to fight the barbaric Jews.”

This must warrant change.

Negotiations must re-open, and stability, not necessarily a solution, must be achieved in the region. Western media can stem the flames by approaching analysis with a level head, choosing to report rather than elaborate. The situation must be pacified, because both sides should fear when ISIS take their first step forward.

Tommy Parker bathimpact Writer

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new year and a new fad, this time in the form of pouring a bucket of ice water over your head. Social media always has a way of promoting people to do silly and strange things but I want to touch on an interesting angle this fad has created, and that is the anger it generated.

Charity fundraising has always employed quirky gimmicks to raise money, from taking a picture without makeup to sitting in a bath tub of beans. You would think by now, therefore, we are used to people doing something out of the ordinary to fill the charities coffers. However, never before have I seen such interest and such backlash that the ALS ice bucket challenge has had. People refused to do it because they didn’t want to give money they felt obliged to (even though they probably donated money anyway, which is literally the definition of obligation) or they refused to do it on the grounds that some people have to live without clean fresh drinking water.

Giving money to charity is an interesting concept; the cynics among you will probably think that people only donate because they feel guilty whilst the optimists will probably think that they do it because people in their hearts

Kyle Nishioka

A novel way to increase awareness

Millions of pounds have been raised for MND this summer but some have been critical of the methods I also noticed in between the are compassionate. I like to think The world is a large and terrible that the world is more complex place, and there will always be hundreds of short videos showing than that; yes some probably do people or causes that need help in people getting wet, while encourgive money because they feel bad one form or another. Just because aging more people to get wet, that about all the privilege they have there is an obligation or expecta- some refused because it wasted and some donate because they tion doesn’t mean that it should water. I understand the premise, want to give back, but people have stop you from doing something the idea that if we waste water for complex thought processes and good, and that’s what donating this charity it is insulting or dammultiple motivations on anything does to some extent: it does some aging to all those who have to live they do. Whether people are giv- good. That good may be little, but without water. I do empathise with ing out of obligation, guilt or want, a tiny step forward can mean big this point of view. Having that living situation is terrible, I just don’t the fact that they are is important. things to some people.

like the undertone this gives off. So often charities are seen as competition with each other; all are trying to scrabble for the same chunk of money. However, this usually isn’t the case. Giving to charity isn’t a nuclear thing. Just because you donate to one charity doesn’t mean you won’t donate to another, and that’s the beauty of things like this. If you don’t want to donate to ALS, you can donate to anything you want to. If you prefer to give it to a water based charity then you are more than welcome to do so. If you didn’t want to waste water but still wanted to donate, heck you can also do that.

Actively encouraging others not to do it because some people don’t have access to clean drinking water is only going to do more harm than good. At least this bucket of water is an avenue for creating positive change in the world as opposed to being sprayed over someone’s tulips somewhere. Why turn something that has raised over 98 million pounds for a cause that was completely ignored by the wider populace into a negative thing. Charity at its core is a progressive step to a better world.

We will not fix every problem in one night, but these kind of small steps are improving the quality of life for so many people and I for one would rather celebrate that fact rather than detract from that betterment.

Saturday 20th September 2014

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Politics

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Could nail varnish prevent rape?

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our students from North Carolina State University have developed a new nail varnish that is not only stylish, but will also revolutionise the way people will approach both one another and ‘nights out’ themselves.

The four male undergraduate students have focused on the idea of prevention of rape in creating a nail varnish that detects common ‘date rape’ drugs when the wearer dips their fingers in the beverage concerned. This unique nail varnish can suss out the likes of Rophypnol, Xanax and gamma-hydroxybutyric (GHB) in liquid substances, known commonly as ‘roofies’; such drugs incapacitate victims, effectively paralysing them, prohibiting them from resisting and calling for help. As well as this, roofies usually result in amnesia; possibly causing the victim to confuse it with any alcohol they may have previously consumed, and usually do not stay in the system long enough for the victim to visit a doctor.

Date-rape-detecting nail polish could prove to be extremely useful in circumstances such as clubs where it is often difficult to keep an eye on your drink. These situations arise more often that the majority believe; in the UK, as many as 1/10 people have had their drinks spiked, with

many cases involving someone the victim actually knows.

The undergraduates, Ankesh Madan, Stephen Gray, Tasso Von Windheim and Tyler ConfreyMaloney, who have labelled themselves as ‘Undercover Colors’, explained: “while date rape drugs are often used to facilitate sexual assault, very little science exists for their detection…our goal is to invent technologies that empower women to protect themselves from this heinous and quietly pervasive crime.”

The nail varnish quickly became viral on social media, promoting the ideal that instead of victims being concerned with the fear of being raped there will be a shift, resulting in the perpetrators fearing getting caught. This was confirmed on ‘Undercover Colors’ Facebook page by co-founder Tyler Confrey-Maloney.

The use of prevention will not only aid in detecting potential rapists, but also protect potential victims from the possible psychological and physical trauma after being violated, enabling the wearer to protect themselves from attackers and report any suspicious activity.

However, the new easy-to-use date rape detector has received negative backlash from various people, including Katie Russel from the Rape Crisis England & Wales charity, explaining that it will not support the initiative due to gender bias. Russel explained: “whilst ‘Un-

dercover Colors’ initiative is wellmeaning, on the whole, Rape Crisis does not endorse or promote such a product or anything similar. This is for three reasons: it implies that it’s the woman’s fault and assumes responsibility on her behalf, and detracts from the real issues that arise from sexual violence.” The charity’s representative also went on to explain that by forcing the person to wear the nail varnish they could be deemed either irresponsible in not wearing the varnish at the time of the attack or, even worse, responsible for the attack themselves. “For us, we work with victims to make them

realise that they did nothing wrong… products like this suggest otherwise.

The emphasis must be placed 100% on the perpetrator.” The Guardian columnist, Jessica Valenti, also criticised the product, supporting Russel, stating that “prevention tips or products that focus on what women do or wear aren’t just ineffective, they leave room for victim-blaming when those steps aren’t taken.”

However, although the nail varnish could be labelled as a possible sexist product and could lead to judgements with regards to responsibility, it is an indispensable tool in the effort to reduce sexual abuse. It

is not the sole product available and the idea promoted by the innovative team of students is to use it alongside other date rape prevention products. ‘Undercover Colors’ has already caught the attention of Kickstarter, an American company that funds creative products worldwide.

The product gives the consumer back control in potentially dangerous social situations, which is lost when such circumstances involve intoxication. ‘Undercover Colors’ have landed themselves in a media storm and many are hopeful that Kickstarter will fund the initiative to prevent sexual abuse in future situations.

Keith Williamson

Alexandra Egan bathimpact Features Editor impact-features@bath.ac.uk

Some are claiming that the varnish could help reduce ‘date rape’, but it isn’t without its critics

Crisis in Iraq raises old questions As the Islamic State rises in Iraq, Cameron Wells looks at what’s next It is also recognised as a Middle Eastern terrorist group by the United Nations, amongst other key actors across the globe.

The West has concluded that Iraq is undergoing a civil war with extremists on the one side and the Islamic community on the other.

The problem occurs when the Caliphate – the succession of Sunni Muslim Empire within a state - declares systematic Sharia law, derived from the actions and words of the prophet Muhammad.

The number of countries that adopt elements of Sharia law con-

tinues to grow across the globe, as does the depth of its integration in the countries that have already embraced it. Aspects of Sharia law have been incorporated into the British legal system with few problems, for example, to settle disputes amongst Muslims who specify their devotion to Sharia law. As for Muslims under the Caliphate, Sharia law is absolute.

“When you meet the unbelievers, strike the necks…” (Qur’an 47:4).

It is possible that the murder of two American journalists James U.S Army

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n just two years the Islamic State, known as ISIS, has gone from being a vicious coalition of Islamist rebel groups to a formidable fighting force that controls areas of both Syria and Iraq.

The US’s involvement in combatting ISIS comes in the form of limited air strikes, bolstered only because of preliminary Kurdish losses in the north of Iraq. From a historical perspective concerning the Middle East, the West may decide that air strikes alone are simply not sufficient when hoping to achieve complete annihilation of ISIS forces, whilst causing unnecessary collateral damage and thus potentially proving to be instrumental in ISIS support in the region.

Nevertheless, President Obama continues to rule out putting boots back on the ground in a post-Bush era, mainly due to the lack of public support for another war in Iraq. According to Obama, it is “ultimately up to the Iraqis to bridge their differences and secure themselves.”

Western leaders disagree with regards to the handling of a newly formed state. It is clear, however, that they are in complete agreement over one key aspect: the Islamic State has nothing to with Islam. Obama proclaims that “ISIS speaks for no religion”, as the majority of their victims are Muslim.

Some are already seeing the crisis as a repeat of the past conflict

Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as British aid worker David Haines’ has represented the stated phrase from the Qur’an, which remains open to interpretation by its readers. The magnitude of their violent murders in beheading the two as well as filming the killings that then went viral across media outlets has shocked the world. The fact that ISIS ran ragged over northern Iraq and Syria months before Foley, Sotloff and Haines’s tragic deaths have also been duly noted.

It could be argued that the failure to condemn ISIS’s preliminary acts of atrocity from both the international community and al-Qaeda is a direct cause of their fundamentalism within Iraq and Syria. The ideals that ISIS represents and its power have become all too familiar to the West over the past twenty years. Their response to the deteriorating situation cannot indulge in supporting the most moderate party, nor can it entertain the notion of working with Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad.

However, the US has agreed to jointly campaign with ten Arab nations to work together in the effort to combat the Islamic State. This will help the effort considering few European allies, excluding the British, are willing to contribute. However, Foreign Minister Philip Hammond announced that the United

Kingdom’s aid would be limited “let me be clear: Britain will not be taking part in any airstrikes in Syria” and Germany has outright rejected any idea of participation.

Talks between Secretary of State, John Kerry, and regional leaders in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, resulted in the US-Arab agreement, a coalition of Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite Obama labelling Turkey as “absolutely indispensable” in the fight against ISIS and being present at the Jeddah meeting, the country has been noticeably quiet in its desire to join the coalition, mainly due to fear for Turkish nationals being held hostage by the terrorist group.

Tackling the Islamic state continues to be a moral, logistical and political nightmare, with problems concerning legitimacy, nationals’ safety and former agreements.

However, these state actors now view a common enemy within an area of many opposing factions, potentially encouraging closer political relationships not only locally, but also between the Middle East and the West. The battle against the terror group that is ISIS is widespread. Unless it is dealt with correctly by the Western and Arab powers, an even more radical force could take power.

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Election fever drives Brazil nuts Benjamin Butcher looks at what the elections could mean for Brazil pectedly reopening the election to the chagrin of the two leading parties.

The PSB’s obvious choice – and perhaps easiest – was Campos’s running mate and former government minister, Marina Silva. An unconventional environmentalist, Silva is also renowned for her anti-establishment credentials and strongly evangelical convictions. After running for the Greens in 2010, after a highly-publicised split with the increasingly corrupt Rouseff administration, her nomination has been treated with both excitement and caution.

The greatest amount of caution comes from those with vested

interests in getting the Brazilian ‘miracle’ back on track. With growth figures hitting 7.5% just four years ago, some are questioning if the much lauded, creative development projects, which helped cut poverty by almost a half in the past decade, are no longer sustainable. The subsidisation of consumer products has become a norm, but their untouchable nature has spurred inflation; an increase of bus prices last year led to over two million protestors heading to the streets in anger.

For those who believe Rousseff’s policies are seemingly failing to control an out-of-control economy and believe that Neves will merely cut subsidies (seen as a vital safety net against Brazil’s increasingly expensive cost of living), Silva is seen as the third way.

It is this which represents the greatest issue for Rousseff’s hopes of re-election. Brazilians are keen for change. In an interview for the newpaper, El Pais, Renato Meirelles from think-tank Data Popular, said that her appeal attracts “the angry, the young and the educated”. Her “third way” can be seen as both a protest vote and a logical approach for those fatigued with ingrained corruption from the leading parties.

As 5th October quickly approaches, Silva will have to work hard to win over detractors from the two main parties and reassure Brazilians that she has a realistic solution to reinvigorate the country’s economic potential, whilst reiterating her rhetoric of lessening the power of political hierarchies.

Potential voters are eyeing her candidacy with optimism. Silva knocked Neves out of second place within two weeks, closing in on Rousseff with polling figures of 26% to 37% in mid-September. In the likely scenario of the election heading to a second round, Silva will secure enough votes to take the Presidency.

However Meirelles warns that

President Dilma Rousseff’s future is looking continuously at risk “her image, the myth of Marina, is will use the time to dispel the myth superior to her as a candidate”, the or the voters will decide she is the question is whether the opposition real deal.

area, enabling civilians to promptly benefit from food and water supplies amongst other necessary commodities.

It is not necessarily the nature of Lavrov’s announcement that is perceived as provocative, more its timing, being announced just days before the first official, direct talks between Presidents Putin and Poroshenko were scheduled to begin in Minsk.

At the time, Russia was fully aware that it should be walking on eggshells when discussing the potential arrival of additional Russian troops

on Ukrainian soil, given the nature of the conflict. As a matter of fact, the Ukrainian government had complained of Russia’s behavior, describing it as a “direct invasion” of their territory. The presence of Russian troops in Ukraine violates the latter’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, an act condemned by international law.

However, the accusation seemed to have no impact on the decision to send a second convoy across the border. Russia refuses to recognise both Ukraine and NATO allegations of its

intervention actually constituting invasion as true, and is convinced that further intervention is necessary.

On the one hand, there is some basis behind Russia’s decision to intervene once again with a second convoy. The first was relatively successful; reports say it arrived safely back in Russia and its contents continue to be delivered to rebel-held cities in eastern Ukraine. In addition, Russia claims it has clearly informed the Ukrainian government of the second convoy’s arrival outlining that it is a necessary move considering the situ-

“

Silva’s appeal attracts the angry, the young and the educated” Renato Meirelles

Ministerio de Ciencia

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s the eyes of the world slowly drift away from South America and the dust settles on what, after much scepticism, turned out to be an exciting, smoothly run World Cup, Brazil has little to celebrate.

The once rosy economy entered recession at the end of August and inflation remains at a discouraging 6.5%. A series of high-profile scandals and evidence of increasingly sadistic policing brings into question its improvements in democracy and human rights. Its coming of age moment is beginning to raise concerns; their humiliating defeat in the semi-finals merely echoing the sentiment of a country failing to live up to expectations.

In this backdrop of uncertainty for the world’s seventh largest economy and with an equally disenchanted population to match, Brazil holds its Presidential elections in a campaign certain to define how the country approaches the next four years.

On paper, the election will see the incumbent President Dilma Rousseff and her left-wing Worker’s Party (PT), pitted against the leading opposition centrist Brazilian Social Democrat Party (PSDB), led by the financially cautious Aecio Neves.

However, a tragic plane crash in August killed the third party candidate, Eduardo Campos of the Socialist Party (PSB), forcing the nation into mourning and unex-

Marianne Gros bathimpact Writer ensions are high in eastern Ukraine since separatists began fighting the Ukrainian army in April 2014. At the time, pro-Russian activists had taken more than three eastern Ukrainian cities, including Donetsk, and called for independence.

The Russia-Ukraine crisis is now considered critical and its consequences are most severe on the humanitarian front. Months of fighting have allowed for significant material damage, leaving civilians homeless, injured and traumatized, with little access to necessary goods and utilities. Since the beginning of the conflict, an estimated 3,000 deaths have been recorded.

The situation was described as “deteriorating” by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a press conference on 25th August, in which he justified Moscow’s plan to send a second humanitarian aid convoy to eastern Ukraine. Despite the controversy surrounding the Russians’ first convoy, equating to an “invasion” according to Ukraine officials, Lavrov has accused the Ukrainian government of deliberately delaying trucks with support to eastern Ukrainian civilians. According to the Foreign Minister, a second convoy would arrive quickly at the targeted

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Sasha Maksymenko

Ukraine crisis raises old tensions

The future of Ukraine’s east remains undecided as fighting still continues despite ceasefires

ation. According to Russia, there is no time to waste on the humanitarian front, as if further delays occur, there will be no one left to help eastern civilians.

Internationally, the situation is also a cause for concern. Russia has been faced with sanctions and isolation from both the EU and the US. Its relationship with both unions are already fragile and relations are turning increasingly sour. Furthermore, Russia’s reputation internationally, particularly with its Western economic partners, is currently at stake. It is considered responsible, by many, as the actual culprit for the humanitarian disaster that has unfolded, which culminated in a Ukrainian civil war.

As Russia appears to continue funding, arming and training separatists, Ukraine may have reason to be suspicious concerning Russia’s true motivations with its trucks crossing the border. Politically, however, denying aid to a country on the brink of civil war could prove risky for the Ukrainian government.

Given the circumstances, the path towards stability in eastern Ukraine will not be easy, but the consequences on the humanitarian front are not to be ignored. Compromises must be made in order to find the middle ground between the two countries and spare millions of innocent civilians.

Saturday 20th September 2014

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15

Business

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Is the British economy in a better state now than pre-crisis 2008? mean that it is in the same health full UK economic recovery.

This is essentially the reason as it was back then. Since 2008, the population has increased by why the UK’s central bank, the 2.5 million with the number of Bank of England, is delaying an people in employment increasing increase in the base interest rate by 1.1 million. As a consequence, from its historic low of 0.5%. DeGDP per person and per worker is spite the economy’s growth and lower, partly indicating why wage the inflation rate of 1.6% nearing growth has not followed in the its 2% target, the bank is wary of footsteps of relatively high eco- potentially choking off its recovery by raising the interest rate nomic gains.

Furthermore, economists be- while people’s spending power lieve there is still slack (unused remains constrained.

Ultimately, the recent ecoresources) within the economy and are pointing to lower levels nomic figures encourage cautious of productivity amongst workers. optimism. There is, however, still While this is the case, there is far room for improvement before less incentive for employers to individuals can generally claim raise wages, implying that there to be reaping the benefits of the is certainly some way to go until a recovery.

The Burger Kingdom

Michael Aroean bathimpact Writer urger King announced its plans to take over Tim Hortons, a Canadian-based fast food chain that is well known for its coffee and doughnuts. Both parties confirm that the drive of this deal is growth, where the combination of both restaurants will create the world’s third largest fast food restaurant, with more than 18,000 restaurant locations in 100 countries.

When it comes to numbers, the deal is worth an estimated $11 billion, with 25% of the deal being financed by the world’s richest investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in the form of preferred shares. To put things into perspective, Burger King has a market cap of $11.4 billion, while Tim Hortons’s market cap is $9.9 billion. However, Tim Hortons’s annual profit is $0.39 billion, as opposed to Burger King’s $0.23 billion. And with annual revenue of $1.1 billion for Burger King and $4.9 billion for Tim Hortons, the deal demonstrates the merger’s intention of both driving growth and ramping up sales.

The response by investors was positive, with shares in both firms

B

rising more than 20% on 25 August when the news first emerged.

However, this deal was heavily criticised by the public, accusing both companies as partaking in a stunt on ‘tax inversion’, a term used to defend deals in search of lower taxes. President Barack Obama himself has criticised inversions

“

We don’t expect there to be any meaningful tax savings nor do we expect there to be a meaningful change in our tax rate.”

David Schwartz

as they lead to lower tax revenue for the US government. The US public appear to feel cheated by the move as shown by the 4,500 negative comments on Burger King’s Facebook page on the first day after the announcement.

A report by KPMG reveals that total tax costs in Canada are 46.4% lower than those in the US and Burger King seems to be taking full advantage of this by moving its headquarters to Ontario, Canada.

However, Warren Buffett, who has a

25% stake on this deal, defended it stating that Tim Horton’s main roots are in Canada, which more than justifies the headquarters’ move.

Daniel Schwartz, Burger King CEO, reasoned that the deal aims to increase competition in the fast food breakfast market, which is currently dominated by McDonald’s. At the age of 34, Schwartz is a partner of 3G Capital, a Brazilian private equity firm that owns more than 70% of Burger King. With Tim Hortons under his wings, he will accelerate its international growth in a similar way to what 3G did to Burger King’s previously. The 3G model for Burger King includes: using Skype for calls, communal use of printers and franchising Burger King Restaurants. This has led to an increase in Burger King’s profit margin from 7.5% in 2010 to 20.4% in 2013. Mr Schwartz hopes the same can be replicated to Tim Hortons to dominate the breakfast market.

However, Mr Schwartz has confirmed that he plans to leave both Burger King and Tim Hortons day-to-day operations separated, meaning that the UK, especially Bath, will not have exposure to Tim Hortons’ Canadian doughnuts and coffee anytime soon.

hangovers

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e’ve all done questionable things when we’re drunk. Take the time I woke up in a moistened bed nestled between an unknown man covered in blood and an inflatable goat. The situation was only worsened when, as I leant over his sweat-drenched back to check my phone, I discovered a £600 one-way flight to Cuba. As I bit my fist, picturing my selfimposed exile in Havana, I had to ask whether drinking is ever a good investment when the hangover is so painful.

Getting pissed has continuously been a concern for governments, not necessarily because they care about our health, but because of its enormous cost to the economy. It is not surprising that, with the exception of depressed French poets, drinking greatly reduces our efficiency. Try working the night after two bottles of wine and you will appreciate this. The problem, however, is far greater than just a hung over anecdote by the water cooler about ‘the night before’.

Each year hangovers cost the UK economy around £2.8 billion, a figure roughly equivalent to the government’s spending on A&E. The research carried out by Reed recruiting found that, on average, workers spent 2.5 days a year hungover on the job. One-inthree employees admitted to taking five days off. Christmas parties alone cost the economy £216 million in 2012.

In pure monetary terms, a research group in America calculated that each drink consumed has a $1.90 cost on lost productivity.

Hangovers are an ordeal, but are made even worse when you consider that the UK loses as much from them as we give the entirety

of Africa in aid.

So are there any economic advantages to the hangover? According to Men’s Health, the top five hangover cures involve putting something back into our economy. By eating delicious, fried bacon rashers you are supporting the UK’s dwindling agriculture sector, whilst taking a couple of painkillers fund the countries significant pharmaceutical industry, which in turn will be reinvested in new, vital drug research (including, with any luck, a much needed hangover pill).

Of course, you can’t talk about hangovers without briefly mentioning drinking. I’m not saying the Government has a vested interest in us boozing, but to take away that revenue would leave a considerable gap in our economy.

Taxation and alcohol duties bring in a healthy £14.6 billion every year whilst it costs the NHS directly – through abuse and alcohol related accidents – roughly £3 billion. Add on top of this the lost ‘hangover’ productivity and alcohol is an investment which has a threefold return for our country (not to mention the amount of jobs supported by breweries and pubs). Perhaps it is worth the hangover after all .

As Freshers you will no doubt experience the dreaded hangover on a regular basis, but do not fret! As long as you don’t discover you have invested your student loan in a Ponzi scheme, you have made a contribution to keeping our country running. Of course, the best thing you can do is drink and not go to hospital, therefore chipping into our economy without costing it a penny! So have fun, happy hangover and drink responsibly!

Ray Nata

Aran Gnana bathimpact Writer ver the course of the summer, the Office of National Statistics confirmed that the UK economy is at a higher peak than pre-crisis 2008, and that it is growing at its fastest pace since late 2007.

This comes after the publication of an annual GDP growth of 3.2% between April and June of this year. The UK economy has also been ranked 9th in the 2014-2015 World Economic Forum report.

So, is that it? Are the long and arduous troubles of this economic crisis behind us?

Unemployment figures seem to suggest yes, given that the figure is at its lowest since late 2008 at 6.4%. However, if people were asked whether they were feeling better off for it, they would probably give a mixed response, largely due to a poor wage growth. Since the onset of the crisis in 2008, wages have, on average, grown at a far slower rate than inflation. In other words, people’s pay is not keeping up with the rising cost of living. Unfortunately, this has not improved with the upbeat statistics concerning economic growth. For the first time since 2009, average weekly earnings actually fell by 0.2% between April and June, compared to the same period last year.

So what conclusions can we draw from these seemingly contradictory messages? Firstly, the economy being bigger than it was in 2008 does not necessarily

Rafael Matsunaga

British economy on the up Economics of...

Could a hangover be a consequence of economic investment?

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Science & Technology

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Prof. Science: why does alcohol make us horny?

Our trustworthy scientist takes a look at the effect of alcohol on sexual desire tion in the blood. Circulating ethanol affects the heart and causes the blood pressure to drop. As the dose increases toxicity symptoms progress from slurred speech, nausea and over delayed reaction time, to unconsciousness, coma and even death.

If it is so toxic, then why is it so irresistible, you may ask yourself?

Well, besides all those negative effects mentioned, it also triggers our brain’s reward system. At a low dose it makes us happy and relaxed, easing tension in awkward social situations and spreading an initial rush of relief.

Alcohol consumption also has a number of effects on sexual behaviour. These effects are two-way, as Shakespeare said: “it provokes and it unprovokes”. Firstly, it suppresses psychological inhibitions and increases lust or the desire for sex, and secondly, it limits sexual physiology and decreases sexual activity or performance. So you may be celebrating on a Wednesday night at Score after performing well on the field, but that is probably all you will be celebrating that night if you decided to drink your weight in snakey b.

In men, alcohol consumption reduces testosterone production as ethanol metabolism reduces the NAD+ in the liver and testes, both of which are essential in testosterone synthesis. A lack of testosterone may let you down in bed as it has deleterious ef-

fects on physical arousal and sexual performance.

In women, alcohol increases the feeling of sexual arousal and desire, even though the physical signs of arousal are lowered. Interestingly, in many women alcohol consumption can cause an increase in testosterone levels.

In both sexes alcohol acts as a psychoactive drug and intoxication is associated with lowered inhibitions and increased risk-taking behaviour, including sexually. Losing your inhibitions through moderate and responsible alcohol consumption may help you to overcome anxiety in social situations; you may also feel somewhat empowered to express your sexual desires – cue man at bar downing a shot before heading over to a table of three scantily-dressed women.

However, not knowing your limits or being pressured into drinking more than you intended can leave you vulnerable to the loss of your inhibitions and more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour. Intoxication is linked to unwanted outcomes, such as unprotected sex, date rape, drugfacilitated sexual assault, unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

So, have fun with it, but know your limits and stick to your morals before you regret your beer-goggle-blurred decisions the next day.

Darius N

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any substances have been said to induce sexual desire. Alcohol is one of the most widely used aphrodisiacs worldwide and has been throughout human history. Allegedly gifted from the Greek Goddess of love, Aphrodite, aphrodisiacs are powerful and in the form of alcohol may result in a walk of a shame from an ex’s house the morning-after or the stride of pride, depending of the person of course.

Technically speaking, the alcohol we consume in alcoholic beverages is ethanol (CH3CH2OH). There are other types of alcohols, such as methanol, that you certainly don’t want to mess with.

Ethanol is one of the oldest recreational drugs known to mankind, and animal-kind for that matter. As a psychoactive drug, its consumption, mostly as alcoholic beverages, but also fermented fruit and vodka jellies, induces a state of intoxication. It acts as a central nervous system depressant, and influences consciousness, mood, motor and sensory function to a varying degree depending on the dose. So when you end up face-planting after Klassing about all night, it is probably because your motor neurones are not working the way they normally would.

Ethanol is metabolized in the liver.

However, this process is slow, leading to a build-up of ethanol concentra-

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he World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus “a public health emergency of international concern.” The countries of West Africa most severely affected by the disease are Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where an estimated 1, 841 people are reported to have died, including more than 120 health care workers. There is no current vaccine or cure for the often fatal illness.

Treatment of the disease is based on preventing dehydration and fighting infections with antibiotics. However, the high number of fatalities and scale of the crisis have prompted the WHO to deem the use of experimental drugs on patients as acceptable.

There are promising signs that several experimental drugs currently in development may be able to successfully treat patients infected with the Ebola virus. Two American aid workers have since recovered from the disease after being treated with the experimental drug ZMapp. The first British citizen, William Pooley, to contract the virus also received and successfully responded to the ZMapp treatment. However, the effectiveness of the drug is still unclear. A Liberian doctor and a Spanish priest both died recently from Ebola despite both being administered the same drug.

There is an enormous demand for treatments that can fight symptoms of the Ebola virus. The majority of

The WHO sees Ebola as an ongoing “public health emergency” those in West Africa with the disease cine, whilst a Japanese firm has ando not know they have contracted it nounced plans to launch a new drug until symptoms appear in its later called Avigan, designed to fight the stages, and this can be several days virus. Despite the obvious need, exafter the time of infection. Recent perts believe that drug companies will studies carried out by the Canadian not want to invest in Ebola treatment. company Tekmira Pharmaceuticals The resources needed would be vast. showed encouraging results for their Pharmaceutical companies are not experimental drug TKM-Ebola. Mon- prepared to invest in drugs that will keys were infected with lethal doses be so infrequently needed by so few of the virus and were then given the people in the long run. Although the new drug at various time intervals. All virus can be very dangerous, it is less of the monkeys that were treated 72 contagious than flu and can be conhours or less after the time of infec- tained through quarantine. Whilst tion, survived. Two thirds of the mon- investment would be worthwhile, it keys in the experiment, given Tekmi- would most likely be to the detriment ra’s drug after three days of infection, of the pharmaceutical companies.

Many people in the medical world also survived. Human trials of TKM were put on hold earlier this month, remain appalled that the Ebola virus again casting doubt on the effective- continues to spread. There are promising signs that a treatment for Ebola ness of experimental treatments.

As the death toll rises, it is likely could be developed successfully, but that the demand for such experimen- it is likely that the world will hear of tal drugs will increase. A Canadian more outbreaks in West Africa in the company is developing an Ebola vac- not too distant future.

Nick West bathimpact Writer

Apple has once again brought to the fore yet more of their “hype machines”, nominally the newest range of iPhones. This year, however, there’s been a bit of a twist.

On top of releasing two new iPhones, the technology giant has also created a brand new payment system called iPay, as well as the much-anticipated iWatch, which they released in the famous Flint Centre; returning to the conference hall for the first time since the iMac, which many correctly understood as meaning they were planning something big.

The iPhone now comes in two flavours, both bigger than the current 5 and 5S: the iPhone 6, which comes in at a 4.7-inch screen size, and the iPhone 6 Plus, with 5.5-inch screen. Apart from all the regular new features (better camera, thinner, lighter, faster), the new iPhones come with NFC to work with iPay and the 6 Plus also has Optical

Image Stabilisation and brand new landscape views for some apps. They also come with new fitness tracking systems.

Then comes iPay, a contactless system that lets your iPhone work as a contactless card, secured by the fingerprint scanner, Touch ID. Some have heralded it as more secure than current card offerings, more convenient, requiring you to carry fewer, if any, cards. iPay also allows you to track receipts and overall spending and is able to work alongside the brand new iWatch, Apple’s answer to the smart watch phenomenon sweeping the mobile industry. With a digital crown and pressure sensing touch screen, fitness tracking and NFC for iPay, as well as a design praised by Vogue and other fashion experts, the iWatch is likely to make smart watches mainstream.

Pricing for the iWatch as well as the arrival date of iPay in the UK are yet to be confirmed, but iPhone 6 and 6 Plus prices start from £539 and £619 respectively.

Yutaka Tsutano

Harry Kennan bathimpact Writer

Eric Bilders

Ebola: a global emergency New iPhone launch

The new iPhone will introduce Optical Image Stabalisation

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Saturday 20th September 2014

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Activities

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Lucy Woodcock Societies Exec Publicity Coordinator

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he University of Bath has a diverse and wide reaching range of societies to offer its students. So, why should you get involved in one? Below are the top ten reasons to join a society: 1. New city - check. New course - check. New friends - check. Why not continue the pattern and try something new at university? All of our societies are very welcoming and are always looking for members. No previous experience required - just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved!

2. Even though you have flown the nest, you can still continue with your favourite hobby. Joining a society is the perfect way to follow your passion at university and meet those with similar interests.

3. Some of the best friendships that I have at university have been formed through societies. Mix with different groups of students and make life-long memories together.

4. All the societies at Bath are run BY students FOR students.

Who knows, you may well find yourself as the next Salsa Society Secretary or Chemistry Society Chair. Remember, future employers are looking for more than a

degree and these positions of responsibility will help to boost your employability and make you stand out from the crowd.

5. Joining a society at Bath could not be easier. Simply buy your membership online via bathstudent.com and you are ready to go. They are excellent value for money to join and some are even free.

6. Expand your skill set and enhance the 'Interests' section of your CV at the same time. Well-rounded graduates are highly sought after.

7. Acting, baking, chamber choir, debating... the list goes on!

With more than 80 societies at the University of Bath, there is a huge variety available and it is hard not to be tempted by something.

8. Although we hope that there is something for everyone, if what you enjoy doing is not provided then do not worry. If you can find 30 people who share your interest, then the lovely staff in the Societies Office will be happy to advise you on how to set up a new society.

9. What better way to relax after a long day of studying than to meet up with friends and do something that you all love? Whether it is rehearsing for a show, planning an upcoming charity event or learning more about other cultures, unwind

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Top ten reasons to join a society this year

There is a society for everyone here at Bath...so why not bring out your inner Games of Thrones? with your society and maintain a good balance.

10. There is so much fun, laughter and enjoyment to be had! Need I say more?

Want to find out more?

• Visit the SU Fête on Thursday 25th September. From 11am – 4pm, societies will be on Parade along

with volunteering, diversity & support and student media groups to showcase all the Students’ Union has to offer.

• Have a look around the Activities Fair on Monday 29th September. Each society will have a stand in the Founders Hall where you can ask questions, meet the committees

and find out about welcome events.

• bathstudent.com - all societies have pages bursting with information for you to explore.

• Drop into the Societies Office located just on the right as you enter through the main doors of the Student Centre where our great team will be happy to help you out.

Get creative! Melodically minded?

Issy Spence bathimpact Writer Are you creative? Interested in the arts? Play an instrument?

Sing? Dance? Act? Take photographs? Draw? Whatever aspect of the arts you’re interested in, the Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts (ICIA) is here for you. The ICIA is the University of Bath’s arts organisation and hosts a whole load of arty events, classes and shows throughout the year.

What does the ICIA offer?

The ICIA has music practice rooms on campus available for use by all members. You can learn or continue to learn an instrument with our music lesson scheme. If you want to pick up a new hobby or carry on with one you love, the ICIA offers many classes from photography and drama to ballet and contemporary dance. Improve your lifedrawing skills and even learn how to use the decks with the ICIA’s DJ Skills class. A lot of the classes and events are subsidised by the ICIA, meaning you get the best student prices.

Through working closely with all the other art societies on campus, entertaining shows are put on throughout the year with the help of the ICIA. These include a range of events such as artist talks, exhibition openings, theatre and dance performances.

The ICIA also supports other artistic projects beyond the student community and works with artists in residence who collaborate with the University’s academic departments providing interesting outcomes.

The new Centre for the Arts building, set to open in 2015, will house excellent teaching facilities, a theatre, gallery space, performance areas as well as rehearsal spaces. The new building mirrors the new, exciting opportunities at the ICIA. This is just a snapshot of the ICIA’s work. To make sure you don’t miss out on what’s going on you can follow the ICIA on twitter @ICIAArtsAmbass, like the Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/ICIAArtsAmbassadors or add the ICIA as a friend by searching ‘ICIA Arts Ambassadors’. All the information you need is available on their website: www.bath.ac.uk/ icia The ICIA needs you!

ICIA Arts Ambassadors update social media, letting others know what’s on, attend events, and write reviews on what’s been going on. So if you’re passionate about the arts, join the team and get yourself a fun, flexible job!

You can also make some friends along the way. You can find more information about how to apply at www.bath.ac.uk/icia (deadline 6th October).

bathimpact

Calling all artists & artistes...

MusicSoc gives Bath students the chance to learn something new and meet fellow muso mates Jonathan Archer bathimpact Writer or those of you musical people who either play an instrument, want to learn how to play one or even appreciate live music, MusicSoc is the society for you!

MusicSoc maintains a fullyequipped music practice room complete with full drum-kit, guitar amps, bass amps as well as a mixing desk and PA that is completely free to book for all of their members. Booking the room is easy enough and its secluded location makes it ideal for those who simply want to turn it up to eleven and have a good thrash about.

Playing in a band is both a rewarding and entertaining experience; whilst there are those

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amongst you who love to simply get together with some mates for a jam, some of you would also appreciate the chance to take your bands to the live stage.

MusicSoc caters for these two types of groups with a mixture of relaxed events, such as the annual covers night based on a ‘Stars in their Eyes’ format, and serious ones, such as the annual Battle of the Bands. MusicSoc also offers a large pool of members the opportunity to get to know each other and to create friendships through music. They also organise open mic sessions and even mess-around jam nights in bars throughout the city of Bath. ‘But how do people join such great bands?’ you cry out.

MusicSoc itself serves as a forum for musicians to meet others like

them, organise practice sessions and eventually form bands. Such bands can even compete in the annual Battle of the Bands.

Not everything within the society revolves around live music either. A few years ago, MusicSoc branched out into music production, holding a series of workshops on recording, mixing and mastering your music, as well as lectures on digital synthesisers.

Those of you who don’t play but want to learn how can also use their tuition list, where people can get in touch with tutees, and vice versa for those who enjoy teaching instruments.

If all of this sounds good, then check them out on bathstudent. com. It might be an idea to drop the committee an email too.Now get out there and get playing!

Saturdayday 20th September 2014

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ith a disappointing FIFA World Cup, most Brits’ summer of sport got off to a bad start. Despite this, a thrilling couple of months followed with many unpredictable results and plenty of controversy.

Rory McIlroy overcame the break-down in his relationship with Caroline Wozniacki to return to World number 1 with consecutive victories at the Open Championship, the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and the USPGA championship. The two major victories took the Northern Irishman’s career tally to four and leaves the 25 year-old just requiring the Masters to complete a career grand slam – a feat only managed by five golfers to date.

The Formula 1 World Championship title battle heated up following a controversial Belgian Grand Prix in which title rivals Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton collided. After strong words from the Mercedes hierarchy, Rosberg accepted the blame but saw his title lead to grow 29 points. Hamilton responded in emphatic fashion to reduce the deficit to 22 points at the Italian Grand Prix and with just 6 fly-away races remaining, the title fight promises to provide gripping drama until the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

England’s cricketers endured a tough summer with captain Alastair Cook receiving continued criticism and calls to resign. Following series defeats to Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game, the Three Lions fell 1-0 down to India in their next test series. With Cook’s job seemingly on the line, his players responded in emphatic fashion, winning the three remaining tests to take the series 3-1. The respite was short lived for Cook though as India raced into an unassailable 3-0 ODI series lead, once again highlighting England’s major shortcomings in the shorter cricket format.

On the domestic circuit, Yorkshire claimed their first County Championship title for 13 years with one game to spare whilst Warwickshire’s rebranding saw instant success with them claiming the Natwest T20 Blast title on another thrilling Final’s day at Edgbaston.

The Tour de France got off to a disappointing start with pre-race favourites Chris Froome and Alberto Contador both having to withdraw after crashes in the first week. That left Vincenzo Nibali as the class of the field but behind the Astana rider, the podium places were closely contested with Frenchmen JeanChristophe Peraud and Thibaut Pinot rekindling French interest in their own tour following years of disappointment. Froome and Contador both recovered remarkably quickly and competed in the season’s final grand tour, the Vuelta a Espana. Together with Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez, the Vuelta saw many ebbs and flows with Contador eventually coming out on top to claim the sixth Grand Tour victory of his career.

The World Cup in America Connor Morton impactsport Contributor

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Summer news

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he World Cup this year may seem like a distant memory, but I’ve decided to write an article on it anyway, hopefully to try and appeal to the same part of you that enjoys that Friends rerun when you’re watching it for the 45th time. To everyone at home, here in England, the World Cup will have opened and closed in the blink of an eye due to a piss-poor performance from a team that love to disappoint. Despite this, most people would agree that this year’s World Cup was one of the most unpredictable and interesting World Cups that they’d ever seen, with many of the favourites not making it through the first round. But many of you wouldn’t have seen all of this unless you really like football, right?

Anyway, I digress, the point I’m trying to get around to is that when the World Cup was happening, I was in the United States. Luckily for me, the USA team seemed to have decided to make a bloody good crack at it this year, and I thought “bugger it, if I’m supposed to support a team which is great on paper but play like shit and I’m let down, perhaps supporting the op-

Tim Howard was one of the top performers at this years World Cup love sport and their enthusiasm posite will do the job.”

Maybe it’s because of how this year was rewarded because young the team is, but the sheer the USA did far better than anyone enthusiasm and willingness to could have hoped.

If it wasn’t for the most ridicustick to it really got me into supporting them, not to mention the lous goal ever by Ronaldo in injury vast numbers of people in the USA time for Portugal, the US would who actually went to watch the have won the game like they degames in the local bar. Although served to. Despite this, they protheir chants may be lacking in orig- gressed through their group ahead inality, the atmosphere was still of Portugal and Ghana.

Watching them struggle with fantastic. Surprisingly, the 1994 World Cup that the USA hosted Belgium in extra time was the was the best-attended World Cup most gut wrenching experience of of all time. I guess the Yanks just the whole World Cup for me, with

each team fighting incredibly hard for the win which sadly went to Belgium. The room I was in for this had to be the most stifling bar of all time, and it is a testament to how enjoyable it was that I couldn’t take my eyes off of the tiny little TV in the corner of a room which was swamped by sweaty Americans. A funny thing that happened after this game was someone going onto Wikipedia and changing the US Secretary of Defence to the American goalkeeper Tim Howard for a fantastic shot-stopping display.

Which brings me, eventually to my point: have we in England lost our spirit when it comes to football? Watching the England squad, the team from the country with arguably the best football league in the world being smashed time and time again, when we should be winning, is awful. The contrast between the crammed enthusiastic bars of the US and the ill-tempered fed up masses in pubs in England is almost ridiculous and I think it’s the unbridled energy that the US squad put into each and every one of their games that separates them from us. We have a lot of star names, who all can’t be tossed to put in the effort in the games.

Well, roll on Russia, eh?

Dodge Time! Bath in brief

Zoe Kennerley SU Sport Exec Web & Publicity ith a new academic year upon us at Bath, a new sports club are joining the fun filled world that is Students’ Union sport.

The Dodgeball Club are welcomed as a sports club following their success as a 3:30 activity and having won the vote during the SU Sport GM before the end of last year. Dodgeball is fun, fast, simple and everyone can get involved. It can be a great stress reliever and some players find it surprisingly relaxing!

The sport found its way into life at Bath as a recreational activity accessible to all across campus. A group of players enjoyed the experience so much they decided to form a club and with word spreading fast about how much fun this sport is, turnouts quickly increased, with more and more demand for dodgeball to become a permanent fixture at Bath.

Dodgeball offers the opportunity for students to play

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sport on a weekly basis, make friends, keep fit and the BathStudent page even claims it makes players more attractive. The committee are planning numerous social activities, including inter-halls tournaments and of course the Wednesday night socials ending at the infamous Score.

They have a number of ideas on ways to get even more people involved in this exciting sport with their main aim being to offer an enhanced university experience.

It’s sure to be great fun, but truthfully, who knows where the Dodgeball club will take you! For more information club check out the Facebook page and explore BathStudent or if you have any questions get in contact by emailing dodgeball at studentdodgeball@lists.bath.ac.uk.

If you’re interested in playing some dodgeball, three free taster sessions will be running during Freshers’ Week 2014 on Thursday 25th 6pm-8pm, Friday 26th 11.30am1.30pm and Sunday 28th 5pm-7pm.

3:Thirty Club

Sport

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3:Thirty Club

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Michael Powell impactsport Editor impact-sport@bath.ac.uk

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he UK’s biggest bicycle race, the Tour of Britain, came to Bath on Friday 26th September. The riders started on the Royal Avenue before taking on a loop around the city passing well known landmarks including Bath Abbey. Many fans lined the streets around Bath to give support to all of the riders racing, including home favourites Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins. Following their loop of the spa city, the cyclists headed off on the 128 mile route to Hemel Hempstead with another Brit, Alex Dowsett stealing the limelight on the day. The Movistar rider formed the day’s breakaway with fellow Brit Tom Stewart and Swiss rider Matthias Brandle and following an error in judgement from the peloton, the three riders crossed the line 1minute, 51 seconds ahead. Brandle won the stage in a sprint finish but the trio’s margin of victory on the day was large enough to propel Dowsett into the race leader’s yellow jersey.

After two matches of the new Aviva Premiership season, Bath Rugby find themselves 2nd in the table following back-to-back victories over Sale Sharks and London Welsh. Bath secured a nail-biting 20-29 opening day victory away to the Sharks thanks to a late Semesa Rokoduguni try converted by fly half George Ford. Last year’s Premiership top point scorer Ford continued last season’s fine form with 17 points in total as he looks

to cement a place in Stuart Lancaster’s England World Cup squad. In their first home game of the new season Bath scored seven tries in a convincing 53-26 victory over newly promoted London Welsh in front of a record crowd at the Recreation ground. Rokoduguni and centre Jonathan Josep scored braces for the home side with Ford once again in fine form, kicking 18 points. Bath’s next home league game will be under the lights at the Rec with the visit of Saracens on Friday October 3rd.

Bath City FC’s season got off to a much slower start than their rugby counterparts with just one goal and one point from their opening four fixtures leaving them bottom of the Vanarama Conference South. City finally started to find some form though with a 2-1 victory away to table topping Boreham Wood thanks to goals from Ross Stearn and last season’s top scorer David Pratt. Another goal apiece from the strikers gave Bath a second victory of the season away to Wealdstone on September 9th before a 1-1 draw at Bishop’s Stortford.

This improvement in results still sees City languishing in the relegation places but with renewed hope of another positive season after last year’s seventh placed league finish.

Bath now face two cup games including an FA Cup second qualifying round fixture at home to Poole Town on Saturday 27th September at Twerton Park. City will return to league action on October 4th with an away trip to highflying Sutton United.

Saturday 20th September 2014

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Sport

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Kickboxers down new legislation

Elsa Reeve impactsport Contributor he University of Bath’s Kickboxing Club is one of the University’s biggest success stories. Since being founded it has gone from strength to strength and is currently the 3rd largest sports club at the University with over 300 members.

The club has very enjoyable sessions and allows all members to compete and achieve belts. There is a huge variety of members, with a 50:50 gender balance and anyone is welcomed regardless of experience level or ability. In fact, the club are notorious for attending a variety of competitions throughout the year and returning with a massive haul of medals despite many members having never done a martial art before joining. Despite this, many choose not to compete and just enjoy getting involved for the incredible fitness benefits and social aspects.

Every year the club hosts a Fight Night which is a show including 10-14 fights against a rival university. The fight night is enjoyed by over 500 spectators and raises money for charity. A kickboxing boot camp in Newquay was held for the first time last year and this provided 50 members with an action packed weekend away. The trip included top

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quality coaching, new adrenaline filled experiences, and the chance to meet other likeminded people.

This all culminated in Kickboxing receiving the Students’ Union’s Best Sports Club of 2014.

Despite all of this success, in the summer of 2014, it became apparent that the Kickboxing Club would no longer be able to continue due to new legislation. A club can only call itself a sports club and gain funding if it is recognised by Sports England. This means that a fun, competitive, successful club like kickboxing which provides a huge range of fitness benefits to over 300 members and has a brilliant reputation would no longer be able to function.

The club had far too many

passionate members to allow sessions and socials which they rely on to stop though and so they investigated finding a solution.

Originally the best plan seemed to be to rebrand the club as “University of Bath Model Aircraft and Kickboxing Club” with members taking it in turns to fly model planes for the sake of funding. Despite this being a popular idea the Chairman spotted that Chinese

Martial Arts are officially recognised by Sports England. Therefore, if the club could be renamed the Sanda Kickboxing Club, then it could continue.

Sanda is a martial art developed by the Chinese military, incorporating kickboxing with takedowns and wrestling which makes it perfect for self-defence. However, the club became popular by teaching a style of Kickboxing which was based upon the fast flashy kicks of Taekwondo and the punching and fitness of Western Boxing. Therefore, in order for the club to remain popular and keep old members happy it was clear that the club would need to continue to function in the same style as before, but with the addition of an extra session dedicated to Sanda. This session will be invaluable in adding to the variety and diversity of fighting styles which help create well rounded fighters and martial artists. It will also open up even more competitions to the club, allowing members to bring back even more medals this year.

The new committee have already started fighting to get Kickboxing recognised by Sport England. This will involve cooperation between many different Kickboxing clubs around the UK and so the ‘United Kingdom University Kickboxing Organisation’ has been started which will act as a platform for university clubs to communicate. The club are also signing up

Fight Night 2013 proved to be a great success for Bath’s kickboxers for the Bath SU Inclusivity Award which shows dedication to a culture of being understanding and inclusive within the club.

All in all this year is looking to be better than ever. The calendar is already filling up with the Kickboxing Winter Boot Camp 2014 in Newquay booked for the weekend of the 24th October and the annual

Fight Night will be held on the 21st November at the Pavilion.

For more information on the club, visit the stand at the Sports Fair, go along to a taster session during Freshers’ Week, or visit www.bathstudent.com/sport/ clubs/kickboxing or follow @uob_ kickboxing on Twitter.

Photos by Penelope Davis Photography

BUMC - more than just mountains

Alex Stoecker impactsport Contributor nteresting fact number 1: To qualify as a mountain in the UK one has to be over 610m in height. So although walking from town to university feels like you’re going up a mountain, the univer-

the outdoors and an appreciation for great views!

BUMC is one of the most active clubs in the University with trips in the great British wilderness running every other weekend.

On these adventures there are a range of outdoor activities includ-

Charlotte Jarman

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sity is only 195m above sea level.

Sorry folks!

Interesting fact number 2: To enjoy being part of Bath University Mountaineering Club, you don’t have to want to climb up mountains or be able to climb at all. All you need is enthusiasm for

Mountaineering Club members enjoying the stunning scenery during a trip to the Lake District

ing hill walking, rock climbing, bouldering and scrambling which ensures there is always plenty to do, regardless of experience.

Trips include Wild Camp trips, Trad climbing in the Peak District, coastal walks in the Gower, winter walking in the Lake District and Sport climbing at Portland.

In addition to all of these excursions, an extra special highlight in the club calendar is the Inter-semester break trip to the Cairngorms in Scotland for some snowy fun with ice picks and crampons. Alternatively, if you prefer a warmer climate, a week at Easter spent bouldering in the world renowned Fontainebleau with baguettes, cheese and wine might sound more appealing. Fontainebleau is perfect for any skill level with thousands of routes for beginners (Facile) to demigods (Extrêmement difficile).

Wednesday afternoons are used to brush up on climbing and bouldering in Bristol and on Saturdays and Sundays (when there isn’t a weekend trip running) day climbing and walking trips in and around Bath to places such as Cheddar Gorge and the New Forest are organised. The end of the academic year is finished off with a seaside barbecue, cliff climbs and coastal walks in sunny Cornwall.

However, experience is not needed and beginners are always welcome. There are a wide range of skill levels in the club from those who have just started, to those who climbed before they walked. If you fancy trying your hand at climbing or bouldering or want to know how to read a map and use a compass, the club are happy to teach and run taster sessions at the beginning of the semester. Free equipment hire is offered to members from walking bags and waterproofs to climbing shoes and ropes.

The club is friendly and relaxed with members returning year after year and some of the non-active highlights of the year include the “Freshers fry-up” and a Christmas meal cooked by the committee. On Thursdays, members meet in one of the many pubs in Bath for a pint or two and a catch up and socials are organised throughout the year.

Gear evenings are frequently held at Cotswolds so if you’re lacking any climbing bling, make sure you grab the discounts!

If you’re interested in joining the club, find more information at bathstudent.com/Mountaineering where you can also buy a £30 membership which includes BMC insurance, free gear hire and a host of heavily subsidised trips.

Tour of Britain comes to Bath page 22

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Pedro Gomes

Caleb Wheeler-Robinson

Saturday 20th September 2014

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A sporting welcome to university SU Sport Officer Ben Jessup discusses the opportunities available at Bath Ben Jessup SU Sport Officer susport@bath.ac.uk

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ello everyone! For those of you who are new to Bath, welcome.

For those of you who are returning, welcome back. I hope you all got your fill of sunshine over the summer. I’m Ben Jessup, your Students’ Union Sport Officer for this year, and it’s my job to represent you in all things sport related. This year I’m going to be writing little bits and bobs for bathimpact to keep you all up to date with everything that’s being organised and anything which might be going on behind closed doors.

With world class opportunities in sport at Bath, people generally associate sport

here with being elitist, but please don’t assume that this is the case; we really do have something for everyone. SU Sport incorporates 49 sports clubs, from American Football to Water Polo and includes everything in-between, so if you fancy playing it, we probably offer it.

During September there are lots of events going on with Sports Day, Sports Fair and Campus Challenge. Individual sports clubs will be running all of their trials and taster sessions throughout Freshers’ Week, so there is plenty to get involved with. These events are a great opportunity to try out various sports, have a chat to the committees about what their club offers and just learn a bit about what you might be able to get involved in during your time

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in Bath, so make sure you go and try everything out.

To get the most out of your time here, my advice would be to throw yourself into as much as possible, and more specifically, any sport you might be interested in. There might be something that you’re keen to try for the first time, a sport you played as a kid but then gave up or perhaps you just got collared by someone from a club at Sports Day and liked what you heard. Whatever the reason, and regardless of your experience, I really do encourage you to go for it.

Wednesday afternoons give you a great opportunity to get involved in competitive sport, to pull on your blue and yellow and represent Bath in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport). Many of the clubs

kickboxing get involved

New Academic Year = New Sport

Kickboxing overcomes legislation scare

SU Sport Executive Web and Publicity Coordinator Zoe Kennerley reveals all about how dodgeball has gone from a small activity to the newest sports club at the University of Bath.

impactsport’s Elsa Reeve talks about the recent success enjoyed by University of Bath’s Kickboxing Club and the Sport England legislation that threatened to end the their ability to participate in university sport.

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compete on Wednesdays, and get to travel all over the South-West, as well as further afield, to play against the likes of Exeter, Bristol, and Cardiff universities.

Those not competing in BUCS don’t sit idly by at all though. Clubs organize regular trips and tournaments, heading out to places all over the UK. Although competitive sport is big at Bath, if you don’t want to take sport so seriously, or if you just want to dip in and out of a few which you enjoy, there is lots of recreational and social sport to get involved in as well. Check out the inside of your SU Sport leaflet for a timetable of some of the recreational sport on offer and keep your eye out for the events that are going to be running throughout the year.

We’re always looking for writers, photographers, people to take part, or just all round sports buffs to help out.

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So if you are interested in sport and want to contribute, then contact impactsport Editor Michael Powell (impactsport@bath.ac.uk) to find out more about how you can get involved.