Concrete 324

Issue

13.05.14

298

Concrete online Scan for all the latest news, sports & society blogs!

concrete-online.co.uk

UEA to raise fees for rented campus accommodation

@Concrete_UEA ConcreteNewspaper

• Average rise of £156 a year • Student union not consulted

05

The underlying dangers of nationalism

08

Eurovision: beers, beards and bodices

13

Getting a degree versus getting experience

Elliot Folan News editor Concrete can today report that the University of East Anglia plans to increase the rent students pay for campus accommodation, despite objections raised by the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS) and concerns expressed about an alleged lack of consultation.

The fee rise will see rents go up by an average of around £16 per month, or £156 a year – an average increase of 4.2% on 2013-14. Students in en suite accomodation such as Britten House, Colman House, Constable Terrace, Kett House, Nelson Court and Paston House face the biggest rise at £340 per year (a 7.5% increase on 2013-14). Students in Mary Chapman Court will not face the fee rise, with rents remaining the same as in 2013-14. See the table on this page for full breakdown by residence.

Although the university argues that the rent increase is needed for “essential maintenance, refurbishment and utilities costs” student union officers have opposed the increase, pointing out that that the expected £1m profit raised from the increase will go into “general university funds” and not specifically into any accommodation investment. Union officers argue that the fee rise comes at a time when student support grants are being cut, and say that “there is Continued on pg 3

incluvise Building an ign campa >P13

Flickr: brownwindsor

UEA accomodation fees 2014 – 2015 Accomodation

Yearly cost 2014-15

Fee rise (£)

Change (%)

En-suite campus

£4,878

£340

+8%

Two bedroom studio

£4,280

£205

+5%

University Village

£4,179

£122

+3%

Norfolk/Suffolk, single

£3,830

£184

+5%

Standard campus

£3,040

£117

+4%

Mary Chapman Court

£2,923

£0

-

Norfolk/Suffolk, double

£2,620

£125

+5%

Marking boycott cancelled as university staff accept 2% pay rise

Roald Dahl at 100 >Venue

feared that a boycott would lead to a delay in students graduating from university.

However, after a 2% pay increase for next year was offered by universities the UCU postponed the boycott until the 6th of May to allow its members to vote on the offer.

Almost 84% of the union’s members took part in the vote and only 16% voted to reject the new pay increase. Speaking on the issue, UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt said: “UCU members have made it overwhelmingly clear that they wish to accept the 2% pay offer and call off the

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced its decision not to boycott marking student exam papers after its

Christmas with Concrete

2016 took a vote on new pay deals members 23rd February e 322 Issu being offered by employers.

spaper

ConcreteNew

is off. My thanks go to UCU members for their support in this dispute”.

The 1% pay increase given to university staff for the current year has been the cause of much anger among university staff with several strikes being Frontier, held by higher education union members since last Concrete’s October. The 2% increase, which universities said was their “full and final” offer, followed a fierce standoff literary

ALSO

>P14 Homeless at Christmas >P16 Budget Christmas dinner >P18 Quiz of the year pullout >Venue Christmas TV Issue 296 • Free • Tuesday 25 March

The UCU originally decided to call a marking boycott from 28th April after e.co.uk concrete-onlin universities chose to offer their staff just a A 1% increase in their pay for next year. It was _UE rete onc

@C

proposed marking boycott.

“We shall be informing universities of UEA’s Student Newspaper their decision and that the marking boycott

Dan Falvey News editor

between the employers and their staff, with universities threatening a 100% pay reduction to all employees who took part in the boycott.

Following the UCU’s choice to call off the protest, Professor Neil Ward, Pro Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UEA spoke of his delight that the dispute had been resolved: “We have assured finalyear students that graduation will proceed as usual and are pleased that this situation has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion for everyone involved”.

Frontier

Take the drugs and alcohol survey >online

Flip to Sport for a five page Derby Day special!

Frontier

1st December 2015 Issue 318

UEA claim historic Derby Day win concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA

ConcreteNewspaper

Exclusive interview with ‘Eddy from Pool’ and captain Nikolas Charalambous

Union snookers Pool society

Billy Sexton Sports Reporter

Derby Day 2014 will go down as a memorable day, not only for those involved competitively, but for spectators who followed the event, be it in person or via the extensive online coverage provided by UEA’s media societies.

Derby Day has taken place annually EXCLUSIVE since 2001, Dan and Falvey the 2014 contest was undoubtedly Editor-in-Chief the closest encounter between UEA and the University of Essex.

UEA Pool club is facing Since 2005,The the home teamand hasSnooker traditionally existential crisis strolled to an victory and the last after away vital win facilities by the Union of UEA Students occurred inpromised 2004 when UEA beat Essex in (UUEAS) never materialised, following the Colchester.summer Organisers decided to move the House. redevelopment of Union competitionIntoana email Sunday in the seen hopeby that it exchange Concrete, the hasclosely admitted responsibility for the lack would yieldunion a more contested event of facilities, claiming that that and their epiphany did not disappoint. there was a “miscommunication between [UUEAS] and It was clear that Derby Day 2014 was the architects” and that “there are no excuses”. going to be different fromSnooker recent club, yearswho won The Pool and as UEA put much Derby more of a fight to theupannual Day tournament for against in 2014,were is onetraded of UEA’s oldest the home UEA team.

As blows sports clubs.

It has throughoutstudent the day, Essex took firstexisted bloodever since the university was established in 1963 and with a dominant win in the Futsal, but members have always had access to two fullUEA fought by tables recording victories sizeback snooker to practice on. However, in Women’s Korfball, Ultimate theLacrosse, snooker room, previously located upstairs in Union House, was demolished during the Frisbee, Men’s Table Tennis and American the building the Football torefurbishment name but aof few.

Indeed, during it summer leaving club with nowhere to appeared that UEA werethe easing toward train. victory only for Essex to pounce back and Nikolas Charalambous, President of Pool narrow theand gapSnooker by emerging victorious in captain, and Bucs England expressed his frustration at the club’s Men’s andhas Women’s Athletics, Women’s situation,Squash arguing that a result of their lack Hockey, Men’s andas Women’s of facilities the club has seen membership Tennis, amongst others.

Essex tookits the drop by that 45% since the last academic year: Joshua Edwards, formerly of the UEA Pool society, whose victory clinched Derby Day 2014 for UEA Photo: Will Cockram Will Cockram lead early “Only intoves the evening, but grit and in the UUEAS belie epast five years the club changed madboth be zing staff pay. situation before he entered the has frame said the Nik, whoyou won five some out of time the six frames club had sent somebody to the BUCS determination from UEA’s Netball provided a great environment”. when have free...

Team Pool “The lack of facilities effected from Pool,ent to Poolofand Snooker and this year savings can less or free significantly stud er efficiency and ices that tomembers take ‘theweopportunity to The he played, that the Derby Daywith winthe snooker tournament. illustrious teams and Waterpolo meant the The union did not notifyNik’s the club that they morale hopes has of course been affected, number of have at the club. we are going to be playingthat in Bucs for the firsthe wanted , leaving it with latest monetary no furth tline serv cash reserves harming fron the out with after with d rtin on .Ma ciate would not be able to provide thehe promised opportunity to not practise as much as we had snooker tables were such a good opportunity time in the team event.

To lose such a valuable get a bit of glory’ . Eddy also notes that can serve as a catalyst for growth of the Pool background in snooker, where ranked overall victory would s asso fall back ember be decided by the Photo: Flickr, Sept nditure. Cost ntly cash to activities. previously, I helped some the of our 7th in the country for under 21s players, for people towas play great, at a great rate of £15 andclub, to done part of our club tables. that offers members ented last unfunded expe the LCR were “significa pres ‘Thean atmosphere the football particularly given thatcoach clinching which are n’sPool ongoing contest the unio the at Documents get loss. n meetings, ts in is h bud unio even s whic members last year on the snooker tables as it be able to play on campus between lectures incentive to join has affected us dramatically”. inal ing Continued on page 5 – from rd The rest, as they host en losse Minutes when the orig The union say, is history. As UEA team came down, that made things really victory for UEA at Derby Day was merely helped him on his way to reaching er charities ate unforese the Trustee Boa king ted” und r Sheehan y to indic , tima bod Pete rol eres lable and cont und avai summer. red side Dan Falvey ate decision-ma brilliant. We got a lot of support from the tip of the iceberg of a highly successful the BUCS final, only to lose narrowly. “con get, publicly from poor cost uty editor students sat on the edge of their seats has ultim ared over the bud Dep stem AS prep coand even that UUE ef k was that a brea ding union that in 2014-15 inclu Editor-in-Chi law – indicate ned to run agreed,asand he’d ‘never season.

Indeed, theworld-class club reached the final theoffered tournament saw branch of the ent activityin and their masses to ensure them.’ Nik for the year year, aftergiven coursesthat being for only four as attract more academics and to However, announced partsaid of thethat university’s 2030 vision, studtweeted s to ts.

Events, the ) is had plan crete it nor a loss, and club nigh actual reduction that ever, the in ents (UUEAS neither a prof ts clubs”. Con the years. enhance university’s teaching andand research. a tournament where you’ve BUCSthePool championships it 128 players take part, finishing in the top to increase student numbers by up togot 20% inofa the trended nationwide played in of spor#DerbyDay2014 the union’s July 2016. How this in ordinates gigs, bars of UEA Stud culty after it making resulted in reported on the reduction The Union July 2015 and thereachievement have been questions to Richardson that he wanted to maintain move thatbetween would seethe up pool to 3,000 new students exerciseMatch tables.

It was there that stressed they experienced the most two isHowever, a fantastic for Nikasand financial diffi costs now puts that this Concrete first in 2012, when it was get between alongside ofwhic thehDay and The Only three bouncers understands experiencing y of the missing sports clubs July 2015-16 bud il on culty its over whether this aim to increase student numbers what makes UEA “so special” and stressed joining the university in the next few years. reta in diffi s disc sure cost from cial pres has theypool team member was almost like a home and away fan base. pressure they’d been under all season, the club. ing Way Is Essex (thehow irony), overed finan underestimated Concrete investigation to show falling revenue doubt. n union putt These proposals are a part of the university’s that the vision would focus on investing and in such a short time span is achievable. A report 30 members h was disc a overed that get, serious ted to the unio bership; ground.’

When quizzed on having won twothe tiebreakers in two playoffs Withby it the costing just £10 to join the club, Edwards, now affectionately known Like a football had fewer than Josh blunder, whic headache for the disc by £160,000, their mem had contribu sight in the bud d The issued School of Biology states that one developing Norwich campus, rather than ease 15-year vision, which is due to be unveiled in emic LCR over incr the and acad to e ts -12 is another cial outle were planning as ‘Eddy from Pool’, kept his cool to clinch whetherthehe deficit in 2011 uncovered. Sinc ened students with increase enjoyed the fiveto reach the At ofDerby Day, Eddy and Nik encourage even those with a of the operational problems, which the School looking intofinal. options other campuses in the Eddy New Year. Thisplaying will be theunder first of three in October, been in finan has voted 6 ing a £250,000 ed on page Union Council UUEAS has burdoutlets, considered reducing organisation which has Losses in the 2014- runn ing pressure, mentioned he was ‘knewUKsomeone else I had small interest in thewith game has had to contend overgetting the past involved year. The or around thecould world.win “In it ourif planning, Continu yearEddy plans and follows on that from record-breaking an overall victory for UEA. Since then, n tion from mak ng of not giving , of year. several years. prices in unio the organisa reportthe argues that the highofnumbers weit are mindful of later the opportunities recruitment the current academic year, with difficulty for d to £712,000 that he inthrived in the situation; lost so wasalso a win or win situation.’ for given ‘big mix’ abilityof students present has accused UEA Speaking to Eddy and his captain ‘surprised’ to prevent from either cutti year amounte sports clubs and the organisation. are a “testament to BIO’s teaching and research expansion which areseason not purely location based, UEA accepting 900 more new pressure students than in Additionally, geted for. This further redundancies, and 15 academic bud to the ing not ‘I thought it would put a lot more this marked the already.

At the end of the day ‘anybody can for fund was Nikolas Charalambous, g enough Jessica Frank-Keyes Concrete & Joe Jameson the union’s but which can be offered via online and flexible reputation”, but that it “has put a huge strain on 2013-14. which £261,000 when budgetin depletion of I could handle.’ first time in over 10 years that the UEA win’ in pool.

‘It’s eight balls.

That’s all it is.’ resulted in Errors made discovered that Eddy aware of the on me thanSpeaking News editorwas & Editor-in-Chief esented a 46% teaching resources”.

The School of Biology’s at the launch of UEA’s 2030 vision, learning.” year have

EXCLUSIVE

Save our union

... from its own

financial blund

>> No sign of special new facilities promised by union

>> Membership declines by half

ers

UEA plans to recruit 20% more students by 2030

of emic 2015-16 acad ning £160,000 ittingly plan the union unw

repr

The University of East Anglia is preparing to announce its expansion plans to recruit thousands more undergraduate students.

The Vice Chancellor, David Richardson, has

professor Richardson said “There is no doubt that as a university we will need to grow our student population in the coming years”. He argued that growth was essential if UEA was to retain its position in global standings as well

The Vice Chancellor’s remarks that the 2030 vision will focus on the Norwich campus is confirmation of a move away from a previous strategy which had seen the university open a campus in London in 2010 which closed last

own data allows for it’s intake to mirror that of this year, even though that will mean the school will have 100 students more than they think is manageable, putting BIO’s intake up to an approximate 332.

2016

Best Publication

A student newspaper is a collective endeavour. People who write just the once, who take the odd photo or who pop in to help with copy editing; people who write for most issues, draw beautiful illustrations or who edit and lay up articles; people whose degrees go down a classification, for such is the time that they spend hunched over computers in the media office: it take so many people to run UEA’s student newspaper.

You can be the best student publication in the UK and the Republic or Ireland on the work of one person. This award is for everyone.

Thank you.

In the end my decision came down to a mix of things. I selected this paper, as it offered a strong mix of content, design, strategy and passion for the project.

An important story generated off the back of a Freedom of Information request seemed to galvanise the team who have been breaking exclusive stories all year. The Eastern Daily Press, Huffington Post, the Sun and the BBC all agree as they have run with stories that were originally broken by this paper.

Visually, both this paper and its culture supplement are consistently strong. This year they have been improved by including cartoons and illustrations produced by the university's creative talent.

Efforts have been made throughout the year to link up with other societies to make the title even more inclusive. This has paid off as has the social media strategy.

Press Association

Derby Day 2015

5

Derby Day Preview >P24

America’s most dangerous politician? >P17

12th April 2016 Issue 324

concrete-online.co.uk Photo: Billie May Jones

@Concrete_UEA

Football: mens 2nds cut down by the Blades ConcreteNewspaper James Chesson Sport writer

each other from the kick-off. The desire to overcome their rivals was clear in the attitude of every player on the pitch: this was not an occasion in which appearing disinterested could be at all acceptable.

For all the full-blooded tackles and fiercely fought aerial challenges, it took over ten minutes for the first shot to be unleashed, a powerful 20-yard drive from an Essex midfielder that was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the UEA keeper.

With the game crying out for more excitement, Essex managed to put the ball in the back of the net a few minutes later, when a cross into the penalty area put three away attackers behind UEA’s defence, but the celebrations were curtailed immediately as the goal was ruled out for offside (in truth, it was most likely also a foul on the goalkeeper).

The home goalkeeper did not enjoy much respite though, as minutes later the game’s highest quality moment brought about the first – and so it proved only – goal. In a match littered with individual errors it was

fitting that the sole goal stemmed from such a moment. That brilliant strike into the top corner, beyond the UEA keeper’s despairing reach brought about rapturous applause from the visiting fans, and momentary despair for the UEA supporters.

There was no time for UEA to feel sorry for themselves though, and they responded positively, finally managing two shots on target before the break. They were presented with a golden opportunity to equalise when a long ball into the box was flicked on, but from less than six yards out, the miss hit effort somehow went sailing over the bar.

Early in the second half it was Essex’s turn to miss a sitter, when a corner was cleared poorly providing an away forward with a free header four yards from the goal, which he duly sent over the crossbar.

With the home fans’ unrelenting cries of “Yellows!”, UEA rallied again and improved their build up play significantly with increasingly patient and accurate passing posing a greater attacking threat than had

Severe underfunding of Dean of Students – FOI UEA Men’s 2nd team fell to a narrow 1-0 Derby Day defeat to Essex in a hard fought contest.

The game’s only goal came midway through the first half, when UEA gave the ball away in a dangerous area, allowing an opposition midfielder to play a forward through on goal, who composed himself to curl a left-foot shot into the top corner from just inside the box.

Both sides went into the Derby Day fixture on the back of difficult Bucs seasons, in which each side finished fifth out of six teams in their respective leagues. UEA had not kept a single clean sheet at home in the league this season, while Essex had failed to register any away clean sheets, so the fixture appeared to promise goals.

A tight start to the match soon quashed those hopes, as the two sides got stuck into

been mustered in the first half. The chances remained few and far between, but UEA did come close when a winger skipped past two defenders before blasting an effort just over again.

The match was largely played in good spirit despite the intense rivalry, although the frustrations of the home side resulted in a cynical challenge on a flying Essex winger.

The defender responsible was perhaps slightly fortunate that the referee opted not to brandish a yellow card.

Ultimately, UEA failed to find a goal in spite of their tremendous effort, but there was time for a moment of real excitement at the very end, when the home keeper went forward for a late corner. In a desperate attempt to salvage a draw, the keeper even managed to get his head to the cross, and was unlucky to see it drift wide of the target.

On the balance of play Essex just about deserved their victory, though because of their inability to convert chances, the encounter could easily have gone either way.

EU students contribute £3.7bn to UK economy Joe Jameson Editor-in-Chief

According to research conducted by Women’s denied late equaliser >> Students using mental health support up by overfootball 50% in five years by Universities UK, the organisation which Lucas reports on Essex’s claim to a share of the Derby Day victory spoils. represents UK universities, students from EU >> Funding has increased by less than aKatfifth over the same period member countries generate £3.7bn for the

U

EA Women’s Football were left disappointed by a late Essex equaliser, but nonetheless put in an impressive Derby Day performance.

Essex had the first chance of the game, but Helen Gibb pulled off a difficult save to keep the scores level. The game was disrupted several times in the early stages after two Blades players went down injured. However, it was UEA who would suffer the most through injury, with three knocks in the opening 15 minutes.

That left the Yellows with a makeshift defence, several of whom were playing out of position, but were aided by Essex missing two sitters. Essex’s Number 9 first missed an open goal, before her strike partner blazed a header over.

With UEA still in the game, Abbi Knell was full of pace on the break and made several chances. Jess Keeling was also unlucky with a speculative shot that Essex’s keeper handled well. Keeling later came close again but was unable to get her name on the scoresheet.

Evidently, the pressure was mounting as UEA launched three successive corners. One

EXCLUSIVE Jessica Frank-Keyes News editor A Freedom of Information request submitted by this newspaper has revealed the extent of the serious lack of funding to the Dean of Students Office over the last five years. From the academic year 2010-11 to 2014-15, the amount of funding the service receives from the university has increased by 18.03%, from £1,483,313 to £1,750,793. Throughout this same period, the number of students using the service has increased by 52.2%, from 636 to 968.

An anonymous second year medical student commented on her experiences with accessing mental health support from the Dean of Students Office, stating that “after an initial appointment with a counsellor in May 2015, I didn’t hear anything until June when they finally had a space for counselling sessions but I had gone home by then so it was pointless. I hadn’t heard anything for months so it took me getting in touch again and explaining how I really needed some help to finally get counselling sessions by around November”.

She explained that “you get 6 counselling Continued on page 6

fell to captain Sammy Algar, who managed a near miss. Yet, a goal was clearly coming, and it would fall to UEA’s Helena Soteriou to open the scoring. Soteriou made it 1-0 from just inside the area, and nearly made it two moments later when she came close to breaking through Essex’s defence.

Essex’s equalizer came in the final five minutes after a cross from the left found the feet of Mikaela Klevoulou. The Blades went on to push for the winner, but UEA held on for the point.

Captain Sammy Algar lamented Essex’s late goal: “We’re a bit disappointed with the draw – we were winning going into the final five minutes.

“We created a lot of chances and we deserved our lead. It’s a shame we couldn’t hold on to the lead.

“It seemed like we were on course for the win. We’re particularly proud of the girls who came in after the injuries. Overall it was a great team performance”.

Coach Lee Hamilton added: “We played well but we didn’t have the luck right at the end”.

UK economy, and support over 34,000 jobs throughout the country.

Based on student numbers from 2011-12, the research showed that on-campus spending of £220m, on fees and course costs, generated £1.44bn, whilst an off-campus expenditure of £1.49, on goods and services, generated £2.27bn. UUK also claim that through their combined on and off campus expenditure, EU students supported or created 34,250 jobs throughout the UK. The data revealed the region which benefits the most from the roughly 125,000 EU students who study at UK higher education institutions, is London, which receives Photo: Natalie Casey £788.9m in income and support for over 7,500 jobs, whilst Northern Ireland receives the least, at only £78.1m in income and 841 jobs.

However, this news comes at the same times as Vote In campaigners suggest that a vote to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum would negatively impact the number of students from the EU who would come to study in the UK. Jo Johnson, the Universities Minister, said: “It would be reckless to cut ourselves off from the rich sources of EU funding, the access to valuable shared research facilities and the close institutional ties that provide so many opportunities to British students and academics. UK students benefit from their ability to study across the

Photo: Flickr, David Terrar

Continued on page 3

Concrete success at Student Publication Association’s national conference Writer’s Name News reporter Concrete has been the recipient of five awards, including Best Publication at this year’s Student Publication Association (SPA) awards ceremony, at the SPA national conference in Loughborough, on Saturday 9th of April.

The awards ceremony took place during the three day annual conference of the SPA, which featured talks by industry personnel from organisations such as ITV and the Press Association. The event was attended by delegates from student publications from newspapers, magazines and specialist

publications based at universities all over the country. This year’s conference saw a record breaking 1,035 nominations from 21 different publications for 16 award categories, including Best Magazine Design, Best Photographer and Outstanding Commitment.

Dan Falvey and Peter Sheehan received Highly Commended in the Best News Story category article on Special Branch questioning a UEA student over their course reading. Jonn Ellege, editor of City Metric, who judged the award said that the article was of particular interest as “it was picked up by so many national publications. Has implications for both course teaching and national security policy (and how often can you say that about

student journalism)”.

Concrete was also Highly Commended for Best Newspaper Design, Best Sports Coverage and a Special Mention for Venue’s art supplement, Frontier.

Jem Collins, outgoing chairperson of the SPA, said that “'This year has been our biggest awards yet - we've had more than 1,000 entries and the competition has been incredibly tough Concrete have done an amazing job this year and should be extremely proud of themselves”.

Roberta Cohen, Lead Tutor in Postgraduate Diplomas in Multimedia Magazine Journalist at the Press Association, who judged the Best Publication category

said that “In the end my decision came down to a mix of things. I selected this paper, as it offered a strong mix of content, design, strategy and passion for the project.

“An important story generated off the back of a Freedom of Information request seemed to galvanise the team who have been breaking exclusive stories all year. The Eastern Daily Press, Huffington Post, the Sun and the BBC all agree as they have run with stories that were originally broken by this paper.

“Visually, both this paper and its culture supplement are consistently strong. This year they have been improved by including cartoons and illustrations produced by the university's creative talent.”

12th April 2016

2

Editorial 8th-10th April

SPANC16

The University of East Anglia’s independent student newspaper since 1992 Tuesday 12th April 2016 Issue 324

Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 www.concrete-online.co.uk

Editors-in-Chief Dan. Falvey Joe Jameson concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy Editor Peter Sheehan concrete.deputy@uea.ac.uk

Photo: Geri Scott

Mental healthcare provision is an important issue It’s good UEA are acting to improve student services. But nationally, the government needs to do the same.

Dan Falvey Editor-in-Chief

T

his weekend we had the pleasure of representing Concrete at the Student Publication Association National Conference, sharing all of your hard work with over 20 other student publications. We were shortlisted for nine awards and had the joy of coming away from the weekend with a total of five awards, crowning the year off with Best Publication.

Both Joe and I couldn’t be more proud of our editorial team, who have all worked incredibly hard organising content, conducting interviews and laying up their brilliant pages (by no means an easy feat, so winning Highly Commended Best Newspaper Design is an incredible achievement).

Writers, contributors, illustrators have all been responsible for making Concrete a fantastic success over the last year and we are truly grateful for their commitment to what we can now officially say is the best student publication in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Over the past year Concrete have produced a number of exclusive news articles; from our first issue in September which revealed how much profit the university was making from halls of residence, to our online piece about a UEA student being questioned by Special Branch, to last term’s article highlighting the financial problems faced by the Union of UEA Students. Almost every front page of Concrete has been home to one exclusive

or another, providing UEA students with interesting and important news about their university. This issue is no different.

Our front page article written by our News Editor, Jessica Frank-Keyes focuses on the Dean of Students and reveals that over the past five years, the number of people using the service for mental health help has increased by just over 50%, while the amount of money the university gives to fund the service has only increased by 18%.

As more and more research is conducted into mental health and the true extent of the matter becomes better known, there are constant calls for better funding of mental

“Improving mental health funding has been something long campaigned for at a national level and yet is still an issue which is in so many ways still being overlooked”. health services. UEA must accept that they have a duty to look after any student studying at the university looking for support to deal with any mental health issues that they have.

It is clear that under the current structure of Dean of Students the university is unable to continue to provide the help that many students need.

It is therefore welcome news that the university is planning to completely change the way they provide these services to students by getting rid of the Dean of Students and replacing it with the Student Support Service.

While at first this may look purely like a

rebranding exercise by UEA, the university is also planning to restructure their student services so that problems such as insufficient mental health funding can be overcome. It is a breath of fresh air to see the university admitting that there are improvements to be made in its mental health support and looking at ways they can improve their services; improving mental health funding has been something long campaigned for at a national level and yet is still an issue which is in so many ways still being overlooked.

Local MP, Norman Lamb, who represents the neighbouring constituency of Norfolk North, was minister responsible for mental health during the coalition government and was largely responsible for getting the government to pledge to spend £1bn extra a year on mental health by 2020. However, since the 2015 election he has argued that the Conservative government have broken their pledge claiming that the money would not cover the implementation of new waiting time standards.

While he has said he is sure Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, is serious about wanting to continue to improve mental healthcare provision, he has argued that “you can’t do it without the money”. As demonstrated both

by UEA’s Dean of Student struggles and by Lamb’s comment on national mental health care provision, finances really are the biggest problem when it comes to ensuring that quality support is offered.

I am pleased that UEA have taken the issue seriously and have acted to try and rectify the problem; I hope that the government will take a look at their own problems with providing public mental health care and also announce plans to try and improve the national situation.

Online Editors Rob Drury Tom Etheridge concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News Jessica Frank-Keyes concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Global Caitlin Doherty concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features Olivia Minnock Alice Mortimer concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Comment Megan Bradbury concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Science&Environment Jacob Beebe concrete.scienv@uea.ac.uk Travel Dahlia Al-Abdullah concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Sport James Chesson Tom Gordon concrete.sport@uea.ac.uk Chief Copy Editor Tom Etheridge concrete.copy@uea.ac.uk Principle researcher Sam Naylor email TBC

Editorial inquiries concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.venue@uea.ac.uk Complaints & corrections concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk

Front page credits Top bar, left: Flickr, Gage Skidmore Top bar, right: Concrete photography, Billie-May Jones No part of this newspaper may be reproduced by any means without the permission of the Editors-in-Chief, Dan Falvey and Joe Jameson. Published by the Union of UEA Students on behalf of Concrete. Concrete is a UUEAS society, but retains editorial independence as regards to content. Opinions expressed herin are those of individual writers, not of Concrete or its editorial team.

News 12th April 2016

3

UEA seventh for student satisfaction in Times Higher Education Student Satisfaction survey >> Page 5

NUS pass controversial LGBT+ motion COMMENT Tom Sellars claims the motion is everything he has come to expect from the NUS

Jessica Frank-Keyes News editor The National Union of Students faces controversy after passing a motion at its 2016 LGBT+ campaign conference that aims to limit the number of gay men represented in committee positions.

Motion 408, which states that “gay men do not face oppression as gay men within the LGBT+ community and do not need a reserved place on society committees” has been widely criticised by students and the LGTB+ community, as it calls on UK universities to abolish LGBT+ society committee positions reserved for gay men.

The same societies may hold reserved places for lesbian, trans and bi sexual officers. The annual conference, held in Sheffield from the 15th to the 17th of March and was attended

by NUS delegates from UK universities. This latest controversy comes in the wake of the NUS being accused of “no-platforming” the prominent gay rights activist Peter Tatchell.

Strong opposition to the passing of Motion 408 has come from the LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall. A spokesperson said: “we believe that LGBT societies should represent the full diversity of the LGBT movement, including the multiple minority diversities that exist within it”. They also state that “gay men experience homophobia and depression daily, both inside and outside the LGBT community… the fight against homophobia isn’t over yet”. They argue that “the best way to reflect diversity is to proactively engage with and encourage others to apply for positions… rather than excluding specific parts of the community”.

The NUS has responded in defence of the motion, stating that “the NUS itself does not have any committee places reserved solely for men, because we recognise that the LGBT community is far wider than just men”.

The union does, however, reserve places for women and employs a full-time women’s officer. Opposition to the motion consisted of arguments that men in sexual relationships with other men are disproportionately at risk of both violence and HIV. The seven delegates to the conference from the University of East Anglia all voted

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Megan Dunn, president of the National Union of Students Photo courtesy of the NUS in favour of passing the motion. Lucy Auger, the Women’s Place delegate, said that: “In LGBT+ societies, gay men face oppression… [but this is] not due to being male. I believe it is important to replace positions reserved for men, with ‘open place’ positions on LGBT+ committees”.

Elliot Folan, the Trans Place delegate and Chair of the LGBT+ Caucus, added that “men are often over-represented on LGBT+ Society committees. There are limited spaces on those committees and we should represent BME people, trans people and women, not men who hold lots of leadership positions within our movement”.

The Black Place delegate Rhys Purtill, who is also Deputy Chair of the LGBT+ Caucus, also outlined his reasons for voting in support of the motion, explaining that “there is a difference between the need for representation and the need for support”.

He described gay men as “overrepresented within the LGBT+ community,” however he acknowledged that “everyone needs support and we must continue to provide that”.

Charlotte Earney, Students with Disabilities Place delegate, said: “The rep positions in Pride societies are for those oppressed in these LGBT+ spaces, which have for years been dominated by white cis gay men. When there is rarely any representation of ace, non-binary, pan and even bi and trans people in these spaces, I am not convinced that we need a reserved space for gay men”.

The seven delegates will be holding a round-up of the conference at the next meeting of the UEA LGBT+ Caucus, which will take place in the Green Room, Union House, at 5.30pm on 13th April.

UEA’s remaining three NUS LGBT+ delegates, Chris Jarvis, Jo Swo and Jack Robinson, were unavailable for comment.

hen I read the motion, my initial reaction was an outburst of profuse profanity. However, upon reflection my reaction has shifted.

I thought I cared; I was wrong – I don’t.

It’s exasperating watching the infighting and hostility rage within the NUS. It is not possible to take the NUS seriously – this should be no different.

Proposing to drop gay representatives is simply another reason why the NUS is not a seriously credible organisation.

Motion 408 explicitly states that “Misogyny, transphobia, racism and biphobia” are more likely to be present in LGBT+ societies which are “dominated by white cis gay men”.

Moreover, “Gay men do not face oppression as gay men within the LGBT+ community”. Basically, the NUS are glibly dismissing individuals on a collective basis. Isn’t this the very thing that they supposedly fight against? Apparently not. They are so astute in their assertion of a direct correlation between forms of prejudice and being homosexual. It is the utter wisdom of the NUS to suppose that oppression against homosexuals is offset by their sex.

Once again, the NUS have proven themselves utterly incompetent. Motion 408 is a pathetically puerile proposition, but it proves one thing: the pernicious infighting and oppression-Olympics is only preventing progress.

Turning against one another in a bid to claim the title of ‘most oppressed’ only serves to diminish the wider cause of equality. It is, quite simply, a race to the bottom. The NUS are reiterating their core principle: you have a penis so shut up.

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23rd February 2016

UEA VC: “UEA and UK Universities are in the Remain camp” ews Continued from front page

EU, while EU students generate billions for the UK economy, support thousands of jobs and enrich university life”.

President of UUK, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, Julia Goodfellow, commented that the data not only shows that EU students provide a financial contribution to the economy, but that “EU students also make a very important academic and cultural contribution to university life, creating an international, outward-looking culture on campuses which, in turn, benefits UK students.

“Leaving the EU and putting up barriers to work and study makes it more likely that European students and researchers will choose to go elsewhere, strengthening our competitors and weakening the UK’s universities”.

However, Vote Leave campaigners, insist

East Anglian voters would take the UK out of the EU, survey reveals >> Page 7

that Brexit would have no negative impacts on the number of EU students coming to study in the UK, and that it would allow UK institutions to create stronger links with universities outside of Europe. Angus Dalgleish, professor of oncology at St. George’s, University of London, argued that the £3.7bn figure quoted

by UUK does not take into consideration the amount of money lost “from EU students taking out student loans and not paying them back”.

Professor David Richardson, ViceChancellor of UEA, said: ‘[These] figures reveal that the university and region have benefited enormously from the EU students who come to study here. I am proud that students from across Europe choose to study at the UEA. Around 10 per cent of our staff and students come from the EU, they make an enormous contribution to academic life and to the student experience. UEA currently

Photo: Will Cockram for Concrete

has 60 ongoing research projects with EU partners worth £20 million. EU students and research partnerships support our economy by boosting regional growth and creating jobs for local people”.

Last month, Richardson announced that he advocated the UK voting to remain in the EU. Writing on his blog, he said: “Leaving would mean cutting ourselves off from unique support and established networks and would undermine the UK’s position as a global leader in science, arts and innovation.

“It is more important than ever that we break down barriers to working with international partners to share expertise and knowledge.

“Both UEA and UK Universities are in the Remain camp. The evidence shows that our universities will be significantly stronger and more effective at meeting global challenges if we stay in the EU”.

David Richardson, the vice chancellor of the University of East Anglia, whose salary increased by 6% between 2013-14 and 2014-15 Photo: Will Cockram for Concrete

12th April 2016

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News

decline Home office wrongly deported “Sharp” in number of 48,000 students, rules tribunal international business students

Lucas Cumiskey News reporter The Home Secretary wrongly deported 48,000 students and 70% of those affected are of Indian origin according to a tribunal.

The scandal began with a BBC Panorama programme in 2014, which investigated the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) that was run by ETS from an East London school. Panorama’s revelation was the catalyst for May revoking 60 educational licences and authorizing mass deportation of past TOEIC certificate holders. In 2014, Immigration minister, James Brokenshire, told the House of Commons that Panorama’s investigation had led to the discovery of “invalid and questionable” tests.

However, on March 23rd 2016, the case was revisited - prompting a contentious ruling by an Upper Tribunal. The Jury found that there had been a disregard for evidence based scrutiny by the government and highlighted the “multiple frailties and shortcomings” of the Home Secretary’s evidence. Furthermore, the tribunal boss, Mr Justice McCloskey, said: “The evidence adduced on behalf of the Secretary of State emerged paled and heavily weakened by the examination to which it was subjected”. This has now established a legal president for victims of wrongful accusations and deportation to come back to the UK and claim compensation from the government due to the disruption this has caused.

Controversially, there have been allegations about the Home Secretary’s political motivations for the mass deportation of students, having been tasked by Prime Minister David Cameron to reduce the immigration quota, but being unable to curtail migration from Europe due to E.U regulations.

Speaking anomonously to Politics.co.uk, a Managing Director at a well regarded higher education college, said of the government’s actions: “its the arbitrary and intimidatory

Laura Rose News reporter In March earlier this year, the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS) revealed figures demonstrating “the sharpest decline” of almost 9% in international students studying business from 2015.

Accounting for a contribution of £2.4bn, international business students present not only significant financial benefit for universities and local economies but aid in building global links and developing the UK’s future talented workforce.

Phil Baty, editor of the THE European University Rankings said: “Not only are our restrictive immigration policies and noisy rhetoric leading many students to perceive they are not welcome in the UK, we are also seeing the increasing popularity of European universities which are often just as highly ranked as their UK competitors but also much, much cheaper to study with.

He went on to say: “[International students] spend about £4.5 billion on tuition fees and accommodation alone, but they also add much to the overall student experience by supporting a rich, multicultural campus life for all students”.

The Times Higher Education (THE) European University Ranking showed that other countries, particularly Germany, have seen a rise in international student numbers as people are opting to study elsewhere to avoid Photo: Wikimedia, ST BT aspect of it. They’ve done nothing wrong... they were treated like criminals”. Echoing such sentiment, Labour MP Keith Vaz argued: “there are many people who speak impeccable English, and who have broken no laws, who

have been denied the right to live in the UK”.

In the aftermath of the Upper Tribunal verdict, a Home Office spokesperson, said they the Government was “disappointed” with the ruling and would “consider… an appeal”.

student transformation awards nominations open now ueastudent.com/awards until 27th April

£4.5

bn

The sum that international students spend on tuition fees and accommodation

the UK’s strict visa rules. One business school dean has said: “The UK, as a destination, has become less attractive than the US, Canada, or Australia. This is largely the consequence of post-study work visa issues”.

Chair of CABS, Professor Simon Collinson, described how despite business schools in the UK representing some of the best education in the world, immigration regulations are making this country difficult, or unattractive to enter.

These new government policies, confirmed by the Home Office last July, were designed to better tackle visa fraud in the UK and “control immigration for the benefit of Britain”.

The CABS also highlights the national interest in harnessing the “brightest and best” students to stay and work in the UK. Professor Simon Collinson also expresses how damaging UK visa policies are to our economy: “not only are we turning away investment, we are turning away international talent”.

However, it’s not only international students affected by these policies. In March this year, the NUS released data which showed student numbers across England have fallen from six million in the 2012-13 academic year, to 5.2 million in 2014-15.

Now, CABS and its members are calling on the government for change, claiming a reformation to student visa policies will be the start in making Britain “a more attractive place to study again.”

12th April 2016

5

News

Government blunders over 71,000 expired student visas Amy Rust News reporter

UEA seventh best for student satisfaction – Times survey Sam McKinty News reporter The 2016 Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey has revealed that UEA has been ranked seventh for student satisfaction by students.

The survey, which was taken by 15,000 students across the country, asked students for their feedback and opinions on 21 aspects of university life. These included quality of staff and lectures, quality of extra-curricular activities and quality of welfare and support provisions.

The THE survey is an important part of the UK university landscape. John Gill, editor of Times Higher Education, said: “Increasing competition between universities and an intense focus on the student experience are still top of the agenda for the higher education sector. Our survey is perfectly placed to track what this means in practice, and which universities are performing well in specific areas, whether in teaching and learning, or areas such as the standard of facilities, in which many institutions have been investing heavily.”

The survey, now in its 11th year, showed a positive overall picture for UEA, with the university maintaining a top-ten position for

the seventh consecutive year, and coming top in the country for the quality of “environment on campus/around university”.

Commenting on the results, UEA ViceChancellor Prof David Richardson said: “Students rightly have very high expectations when they come to university, so for UEA to perform so consistently well across all measures of the survey is great news. We’re among esteemed company in the top 10, and it’s testament to our thriving campus that it has been recognised as the best environment for students in the country. UEA does have something really special to offer to students and we will ensure this continues.”

UEA SU’s welfare, community and diversity officer Jo Swo added that “Students here are thrilled that we’re again in the top ten at UEA. Whilst there’s always room for improvement we know students love the University, love the teaching, love the campus and love Norwich. There’s always something going on and students enjoy a rich partnership with the University which means that when something needs improvement, we work constructively to get things done.”

However, the university has seen a one place drop from last year’s survey, and a four place drop from 2013 when the university was ranked third in the country for overall student experience.

ANALYSIS News editor, Jessica Frank-Keyes, looks at whether the THE survey is representative

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he Times Higher Education (THE) Student Experience Survey, now in its 11th year, asks students to rate their university on 21 different measures, which range from the quality of the teaching and course structure, to their campus environment and social life. The institution’s ability and willingness to cater for students’ individual needs is also considered.

The survey approaches the question of student satisfaction in a very different way to the National Student Survey. It claims to focus on the issues that “students themselves have told us they value the most”. However, the methodology of the survey shows that 15,000 students, all full-time undergraduates, took part in providing the 2016 data. While this is a 4% increase on the previous year, it’s a number

The government has admitted Home Office staff have lost track of over 71,000 people who had their student visa expire in 2015.

Currently most international students apply for a Tier 4 visa before studying in the UK and there is no limit on the number of student visas that can be issued.

The figures were revealed in a report by immigration chief, David Bolt. In his report, Bolt claims there is a lack of process to monitor cases to check whether individuals with expired visa have departed the UK, whether voluntarily or via enforcement action. The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has come under scrutiny for her handling of the escalating situation.

This comes after NUS leaders and politicians won a case last month against the deportation of Glasgow student, Lord Elias Mensah Apetsi. A current MA student at University of Strathclyde and elected Asylum and Refugee Officer on the NUS Scotland’s executive committee, Lord received support from students and MPs across the country to halt his deportation. Although the Home Office do not comment on individual cases, the NUS released a statement claiming this was due to “human error” in the home office and Lord was not to blame.

Furthermore in the past few days, pressure has been placed on the Home Secretary to reconsider the deportation of an Australian family in Scotland, after the student visa they rely on expired. The parents are both currently teachers in local institutions with their son exceeding in the local school. Ian Blackford MP for Ross, Skye & Lochaber- where the family are located, has joined local leaders in preaching the contribution the family have made to the local community.

equivalent to the student body here at UEA – but spread between 21 institutions. This is less than 1% of the total UK undergraduate full-time student population. Can this really provide a representative and conclusive set of results?

THE certainly think so. They state that “as before, the respondents were not told the purpose of the survey and were not

“Less than 1% of UK undergrads take the survey allowed to complete it more than once” as well as favourably comparing their sampling fraction with typical political opinion polls or large-scale government surveys. The sample size is also intended to limit the potential for data error. Only institutions with 50 or more respondents were entered into the survey, and 94 of the 117 institutions that met this requirement had over 100 respondents, representing an increase from 113 universities in last year’s survey. Each university’s score is also given a percentage of the maximum attainable score, which allows for better comparison between different institutions.

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12th April 2016

News

UEA announces plan for restructurin

694

736

841

968

755 To February 2016

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

The number of students using DOS mental health support

636

sessions overall and to be honest, I didn’t find them helpful until the end when we had to plan what to do next, as we couldn’t continue the sessions… I guess once you’re in the system the Dean of Students is quite helpful but you’ve got to be very proactive. At first though, I felt that they didn’t take me very seriously. I could have been in a really dark place for all they knew but they’d still have stuck me on a waiting list that’s months long”.

The University announced a restructuring of the service in an email to postgraduate students over the Easter break. The statement read: “A recent review of the Dean of Students’ Office has led to a plan of proposed changes to the structure and working practices of the division. From August, the Dean of Students Office and Learning and Teaching Service will be combined to form one service providing academic and nonacademic support to students. A new name will also be created for DOS, which will be confirmed in the coming months”.

The University described the ongoing issues with the Dean of Students service as “a number of opportunities for improvement”.

They also plan to introduce a “new vision statement for mental health in partnership with the Students Union, and in consultation with the University Medical Service and mental health specialists in MED, to clarify expectations around mental health services”.

Finally, this restructuring will include the recruitment of a new Head of Wellbeing, who the University state will be a clinically qualified psychologist. “Recruitment for a new Director of Student Services, to lead DOS, will be commencing imminently. Jane Amos will continue in her role as Acting Dean of Students until August”.

In response to our request for comment on this restructuring, Dr Andrea Blanchflower, Director of Learning & Teaching Services, said: “Following the retirement of Dean of Students Dr Annie Grant, we have taken the opportunity to review the structure and services provided by the department and we are working closely with the Students Union to improve service delivery”.

“The university is committed to providing the best possible support to ensure the wellbeing of our students. Identifying improvements to service delivery in response to changing patterns of demand have been at the heart of the review”.

“The Dean of Students’ Office is likely to be re-named the Student Support Service and the building re-named the Student Support Centre. A Director of Student Services will be appointed to lead the department and the recruitment process is underway”.

The outgoing president of the confidential student-run listening service, Nightline, Sean Harbottle, spoke to Concrete about his concerns over mental health support on campus.

“I feel that sometimes people only talk about supporting mental health as opposed to putting it into action. The SU’s “Don’t drop out, drop in” advice campaign is a good start, and Nightline and the SU Advice centre have begun a working partnership that can help a lot of students in those immediate crises where booking a counselling appointment far in advance may not be adequate”.

“However, Nightline are seeing more and more students using the service which means that our visibility is increasing but also that people are struggling more and more with mental health issues, our main reason for callers coming to Nightline. We’re a very unique service. We could never do what

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the Dean of Students counsellors do, nor what the SU Advice workers do, as we work during the night and give non-advisory and confidential listening support”.

“Norwich Nightline is a service the University can and should be proud of (having opened every night of term time for the last two years and offering necessities such as condoms and sexual health kits) yet our current office is not signposted on the square map nor the blue signposts. I feel if DOS or the SU wanted to strengthen their support of mental health awareness and support on campus, then continuing to support and strengthen Nightline is a good start”.

Commenting on the issues, SU Welfare Community and Diversity Officer Jo Swo said: “For a few years now pressure has been building on the University to meet the growing demand for mental health services on campus, and since a motion on the issues was approved at Union Council earlier this year we’ve been lobbying Uni bosses on the need for a proper strategy and real investment.

“We’ve called on the University to consult and collaborate with students with mental health difficulties, to put in place tangible arrangements for those on placement or on year abroad, to get waiting lists down and to have a proper plan to prevent problems as well as “cure” them” “The good news is that since Christmas there have been clear signs that the University is listening and has responded really positive to the ideas, feedback and suggestions that we have been putting in on students’ behalf about both mental health services specifically and the Dean of Students’ Office generally. We’re particularly pleased that this partnership approach has seen real action on PGR mental health and we expect to see a wider UEA wide mental health strategy published later this term”

Photo: N Chadwick, Geography.co.uk

Photo:Wikimedia, Tungsten

UK world best for Maths and English Olivia Minnock News reporter According to a recent QS league table which ranked universities by subject, UK institutions came top in Maths, English and six other subjects. QS World University Rankings are published each year by Quacquarelli Symonds, a UK based researcher into higher education and study abroad.

The most recent results, made available on Tuesday 22nd March, showed Oxford and Cambridge first and second respectively for English literature and language. Making up the top five were Harvard, Yale, and the University of California, Berkeley. Other UK institutions in the top 20 included Edinburgh and UCL. In total 13 made it into the top 50.

In mathematics, the top five included Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Oxford, with Imperial College London also making the top 20. Others in the top 50

included Warwick and Edinburgh. Oxford and Cambridge topped four and three tables respectively, with both tying for first place in History.

The QS survey ranks universities worldwide in 42 different subjects, based on academic reputation, employer reputation (employers are asked to identify which universities they commend), research citations per paper and where universities place on the H-index, which measures “the productivity and impact of a scientist or scholar”.

The results are a triumph for the top universities in the UK, with Oxbridge topping both tables, but it is clear that the country is still competing with more dominant world-famous US institutions to make our way into the top 20.

UK universities feature in the top 10 in 41 of the 42 subjects surveyed. UEA did not make the list for either English or Maths, however, the institution did come 12th in Development Studies and 239th overall in a list of 800 top higher education institutes.

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12th April 2016

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Ucas clearing not fit for purpose, claim students Stephen Cole News reporter More than half of all students want to see the Ucas clearing system abolished. A survey of 6,300 students found that the majority view the rocess in a negative light, reveals a survey conducted by university website and forum The Student Room.

60% of students would like to see the end of clearing, whilst 52% believe that clearing has a bad reputation.

Further statistics on the system indicate that 48% of those who attained a university place through clearing that they would not tell their peers the route they took to university in fear of being perceived “stupid” or “inferior”. Moreover, 19% said that clearing is “for people who are desperate to still get into university”.

A change to the Ucas clearing system would have a significant impact upon many prospective students. According to Ucas, in 2015, 64,300 students were given a university place through clearing in 2015, 12% of the total student intake. The figure also represents a 5% increase from the previous year in 2014.

The system allows students seeking a university place for that year a second chance if they didn’t quite make the grades for their firm or insurance choices. The system also allows prospective students to apply for a

different course should they have a change of heart.

Significantly, the removal of the cap of university places that began at the start of this academic year has led to 80% of those students surveyed believing that, as a result of increased competition, there is greater flexibility with regard to grade requirements

60

%

The percentage of students who would like to see the end of clearing, according to the Student Room

to gain a place a university. It is understood this would significantly reduce the number of students using Clearing.

Hannah Morrish, Education Community Manager, at The Student Room has said: “Clearing reinforces that, despite their best efforts, they weren’t good enough and missed the goal they’ve been working towards over the last year. That can be really disheartening.

Universities and schools must work together to reassure students about clearing.

“Students have picked up on the increase in offers that are lowered on results day which is making them question the value and honesty of the offers they’re receiving. Some students are asking their teachers to predict higher grades so they can apply to higher tariff universities that are known to discount offers at the last minute.”

News COMMENT Dan Jeakins calls for a more streamlined process

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s if failing to obtain the grades to meet your university offer isn’t stressful enough, the hectic freefor-all that is the Ucas clearing process is sure to leave you tearing you hair out in despair.

You’ll wait on hold for hours trying to get through to universities only to be told either your grades aren’t good enough or the course you’re looking to get on is full.

Of course, institutions need to fill their places, but in all the mayhem of results day it’s easy for students to panic and make the wrong choice. With no guarantee you’ll be able to find anywhere else, it’s highly possible you’ll be tempted into making a rash decision in what is the most important choice of your academic life.

It’s hard to imagine those that arrived at UEA through clearing are filled with regret, we are wonderful after all, but it would be interesting to see what percentage of university drop-outs obtain their places through clearing.

A more streamlined process, in which students are given more time to select which university is right for them and not panicked into making a quick decision amidst the stress of receiving disappointing results, would be beneficial to both institutions and sixth form leavers.

It feels like a strange anomaly in what is otherwise a quite fair application process for higher education. The clearing process is in real need of a clear-up.

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12th April 2016

8

Global ELECTION COUNTDOWN

A

s the American Primaries continue to unfold, it looks like it’s going to be a choice between Hillary Clinton (who has 1,749 out of the required 2,383 delegates) or Donald Trump (who has 743 yet needs 1,237 supporters) for the next president.

Change is what Barack Obama famously promised the American people, before being swept to power by his grassroots campaign - individual donations bettered only by Sanders’ $73 million and counting. Two terms later, and in the wake of one of the final events to be hosted by the Obama’s at the White House - The Annual Easter Egg Roll, held at the official residence on every Easter Monday since the Presidency of Rutherford Hayes in the mid 1800s - it seems appropriate to look back on legacy of the first African American president’s tenure at the White House.

Indeed, should the worst-case scenario be realised and the racist, chauvinistic, xenophobic and isolationist Trump be elected - a scenario which coincidentally is ranked by The Economic Intelligence Unit as a greater risk to global security than the Jihadi ascendency - then the contrast between Obama’s ‘change’ campaign and Trump’s hate campaign will have become blatantly obvious.

Notably, Obama failed to close Guantanamo Bay within in 12 months of his inaugruration, a key campaign promise.

While many will argue this is down to Obama not fighting hard enough to close it, we should remember he has faced seven years of staunch GOP opposition. Obama also promised that he would end the US’s war in Afghanistan by 2014, which did not happen. Furthermore, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism revealed in 2015 that “2,500 [people have been] killed by covert US drone strikes since Obama inauguration”, which they argue includes “nine times more strikes” than Bush Jr in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.

However, notably, this data fails to take into account the rise of Isis in the Levant or Obama’s successful assassination of Osama Bin Laden in May 2011.

Conversely, Obama has saved the American automobile industry, steadied the economy during a financial crisis that occurred partly because of oversights of the Bush administration and done more for gender pay equality and homosexual rights than any president before him. It should also be noted that Obama has used his presidential authority to commute the sentences of 245 ‘offenders’, many of whom are victims of the right-wing and often racially prejudiced ‘war on drugs’.

As Obama reaches the end of his Presidency, commentators on both sides of the political spectrum will be quick to criticise his apparent failures over what has been almost a decade of national and international turbulence.

However, despite neglected manifesto promises and an international war that is deepening every day, we should remember his remarkable successes,; the negotiation of the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression and the implementation of America’s first universal healthcare system amongst improved university attendance and various other social success leave Obama with a legacy of which he and the entire Democrat party can and should be proud of.

Lucas Cumiskey

Nicky Morgan voices raises fears of Brexit impact on young people Beth Fisher Global writer Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has warned “if Britain leaves the Europe, it will be young people who suffer the most”.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast on 29th March, Morgan argued that the younger generation are already struggling to find jobs as companies are suspending vacancies until the EU referendum result is announced on the 23rd June.

She also highlighted the international nature of young people’s lives – “the generation of Instagram, Easyjet and eBay. They don’t want to see Britain cut off from the world…Young people today want to see

the UK working internationally”.

In a related vein, Morgan cautioned older voters in favour of voting to leave the European Union to take the younger generation into consideration when placing their vote. “If parents and grandparents vote to leave, they’ll be voting to gamble with their children and grandchildren’s future.

“At a time when people are rightly concerned about inter-generational fairness, the most unfair decision the older generation could make would be to take Britain out of Europe and damage the ability of young people to get on in life”.

“If one thing is for certain it is that young people have the ability to tip the balance of votes in the referendum”.

However, her comments conflict with official figures on job vacancies released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which has reported that the number of vacancies between December and February was in fact marginally higher than it had been during the previous three months.

Equally, neither the ONS, nor the jobs website Adzuna, which compiles monthly indexes of job vacancies, have suggested

that there is a link between the upcoming referendum and the number of vacancies.

Nevertheless, the National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs has backed Morgan’s views, with Chief Executive Johnny Luk corroborating: “We have the best of both worlds. We do not need to bail out any Eurozone countries, we have our own currency and have a strong stay in an important member’s club”.

In contrast, Vote Leave’s spokesman, Robert Oxley, criticised the Education Secretary claiming that her words were blind support for Cameron’s campaign to remain In. According to the spokesperson, Morgan is “so willing to do down the chances of young people as part of Number 10’s desperate bid to win the referendum. The EU has not been good for young people, driving up costs and forcing down wages”.

If one thing is for certain it is that young people have the ability to tip the balance of votes in the referendum. A recent poll conducted by the Observer has revealed that 53 per cent of those aged 18-34 will vote to remain in the EU, whereas only 38 per cent of those aged 35-54, and 30 per cent of those aged over 55, will vote to remain.

Therefore, if there is a low turnout of young voters, it is likely that the eventual result will be a ‘Brexit’, propelled by the disproportionate number of middle-aged and elderly voters in comparison to their younger counterparts.

Palmyra: the beginning of the end for Isis?

Photo Credit: Wikimedia, James Gordon Caitlin Doherty Global Editor After more than five years of civil war in the country, Syrian forces led by President Bashar al Assad have recaptured the Northern city of Palmyra from Isis control.

On Easter Sunday, March 27th, Syrian forces, supported by the Russian military, regained control of the city and its world famous complex of ancient ruins that had been under the control of Isis since May 2015.

According to the Syrian Observatory on Human Rights, a UK based organisation, approximately 280 people were executed by Isis during their time in control of the city and damage was caused to the World Heritage protected historical ruin sites. However, there are renewed fears that the damage and death toll could be far greater, as a mass grave containing the shot and beheaded bodies of more than 40 men, women and children was uncovered by Syrian troops, along with several ‘booby trap’ sites in the city. Bombdisposal teams from Russia have been called

in to assist with the examination of the area after the discovery of several landmines and various other hidden traps left behind by the militants, meaning that the investigation and subsequent restoration will probably be quite slow.

Nonetheless, many international political analysts believe this to be a remarkable victory for the Syrian army and their supporters and the greatest setback for the Islamic State since their power grew exponentially in 2014; a reasonable assumption given the symbolism and literal political power elicited in the reclamation of a town with such Syrian cultural significance. There has been further encouragement after the initial examination of the aforementioned ruins. Approximately 80 per cent of the artefacts appear to be largely intact, according to Syrian national archaeologist Maamoun Abdelkarim speaking to the Los Angeles Times; many of the iconic columns, temples and monuments remain upright, whilst fences and streets bear most of the scars. He believes that the majority of the restoration will be done in just 5 years.

However, the news is not necessarily all good. Isis are still in control of a significant proportion of Syrian land. Just outside Palmyra, to the South West is al-Qaryatain and to the North East lies Sukhnah, two towns still held by Isis militants. Syrian military sources point out that they are now focussing their attentions on these towns close to Palmyra to try. However, the number of remaining Isis strongholds in the country, approximately one third of Syrian land, means that re-congregation of the militants in other, densely populated areas is a distinct possibility. Furthermore, the discovery of the mass grave and the revelation of the booby traps left behind suggest an unavoidable ignorance towards the group’s activities: Syrian, Russian, and other Western, anti-Isis forces are having to confront the idea that they are perhaps not fully aware of the extent of Isis’ activities.

Whilst the recapture of Palmyra is an obvious victory for Western forces the inability to predict the entirety of the group’s movements means that, for now, Isis remain a threat.

12th April 2016

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Global Eurovision Song Contest launch campaign in support of the refugee crisis Next month’s Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Sweden, will have a ‘Come Together’ theme, intended to draw attention to the international refugee crisis, it has been announced.

The decision was confirmed by last year’s winner, Måns Zelmerlöw, who said “it is more necessary than ever that we unite and join together, and that is literally what we do in Eurovision, where most of the countries in Europe meet [in one place]. We obviously want to touch upon [the issue]: anything else would be to bury our heads in the sand”.

According to the singer, the show will include a thought provoking dance routine centred upon the crisis, but despite this public appreciation of the crisis believes that Swedish lawmakers could be doing more to help: “we have shut the borders now, so I don’t think that we have much to be proud about”. Sweden has taken a tough stance on immigration in light of the emergency plans earlier this year to deport more than 80,000 asylum seekers.

The song contest has never been one to shy away from political involvment, and regularly advocates entries singing about social and political issues within their home nations.

Caitlin Doherty Obama warns of nuclear terrorism US President Barack Obama has stated that the threat of a nuclear attack by a terrorist organisation has increased “exponentially”.

He stated that such an attack would “change our world” at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington this April, describing the danger posed as “real” and “one of the

ROUNDUP

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greatest threats to global security”.

Over 50 nations gathered at the global nuclear convention that was the current US leader’s final opportunity, since the first summit six years ago, to discuss the both the progress made in nuclear disarmament and the challenges still ahead. These challenges not only include the risks of “madmen” obtaining the use of nuclear power but also high on the list of concerns were North Korea’s weapons programme and Russia’s choice not to attend the summit at all. The Prime Minister of Pakistan also chose not to attend, after the deadly bombing in Lahore, Pakistan.

While Obama acknowledged the progress that has been made, stating that enough material to create 150 nuclear weapons has

been secured or removed within the last six years, he focused on the persistent threat still posed by terrorist and religious extremist groups seeking nuclear capability. Al-Qaeda have long sought nuclear materials and Isis have recently utilised chemical weapons, including mustard gas, in Syria and Iraq.

Jessica Frank Keyes

Cases of the Zika virus begin to decline in Latin America The Zika virus appears to be in decline in parts of Latin America. According to data released by the World Health organisation, the infection rate is slowing after having peaked at the beginning of the year.

As a result, some of the affected nations, including Colombia and El Salvador, are planning on ‘significantly’ scaling back the projects and procedures implemented to try and fight the disease.

However, epidemiologists - experts in the study and analysis of the patterns, causes and effects of health and diseases – have warned against complacency and argue that this trend should not be interpreted as the end of the infection across the Americas.

According to Sylvain Aldighieri of the PanAm Health Organisation “it’s possible that there will be a second wave of infection…Zika has not reached its peak yet in Central America and the Caribbean”.

Response plans will remain in place over the upcoming summer months, the most active season for the Aedes Aegypti mosquito that carries the virus.

Niamh Jones Photo credit: Chuck Kennedy, Wikimedia Graphic: Wikimedia, US government

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Features 12th April 2016

11

Non-binary genders and the rise of genderneutral clothing >> Page 13

Just how charitable are charities?

Lillie Coles examines the legitimacy of some charities, and discusses the importance of doing your research before you donate

Photo: Flickr, fhwrdh. Right: the Sun

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very year, we tune in as a nation to watch huge charity showcases such as Children In Need and Comic Relief from the comfort of our own homes, while a band of celebrities volunteer to tug at the heartstrings to raise money. From One Direction performing their latest single, to comedians stripping off their funny personas to visit underprivileged people all over the world, we watch and donate without thinking.

While we accept that donating to charity is one of those unequivocally right things to do, figures have shown that charities might be deceiving us. With over a thousand UK charity employees being paid six-figure salaries, and questionable investments being made with our hard-earned and selflessly donated cash, we must question how charitable charities really are.

Our everyday lives are swarmed by charity pleas, with adverts during every television programme, and campaigners lining our streets – but are they also lining their own pockets? Cancer Research is one of the UK’s highest-earning charities through donations alone. However, CEO Harpal Kumar earns over £200,000 per year – £50,000 more than the Prime Minister. Kumar studied at Cambridge and Harvard, and is the CEO of a large and necessary organization, so his salary could be justified. However, the image of charities being selfless and philanthropic seems overshadowed by the image of their leaders enjoying champagne on a roof terrace.

Peter Wanless, the CEO of the NSPCC was subjected to scrutiny for posting a photo of

exactly that, a life of luxury on a six-figure budget – forgetting it is funded by the pennies and pounds of donators.

The most ironic case of charity misconduct is Comic Relief’s investments. The charity makes large donations and offers support to charities helping those suffering at the hands of drugs, alcohol and violence. However, what they fail to show on their huge charity gala night is the investments and shares they have in companies such as British American Tobacco, alcohol manufacturing firm Diageo and one of the world’s biggest arms producers, BAE Systems. Reports even revealed that in 2009, the charity made amends to its publicising policy, so that the general public cannot find out where the money they donate actually goes. This information highlights that large charities can be more of a business opportunity, concerned more with money than the causes they supposedly support.

Even charities trying to protect endangered species spend more on advertising and incentives. In donating, are we looking out for ourselves, or the people and animals that need saving? Donating to charity should be a compassionate and generous action, without any reward other than feeling as though you have done something good. But, sign up to adopt an endangered animal, and you’ll receive calendars, plush toys, letters, updates and much more. The cost of a soft toy alone detracts from your donation from the get-go.

Advertising also requires funding, and instead of donating freely, we are paying for all the extras that the beneficiaries of these charities

will never see.

Nowadays, the charities we think we can trust are slowly proving us wrong – but what can we do?

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he importance of researching where your money will go cannot be stressed enough, or instead we should make the choice to donate directly to smaller local charities and grass-roots organisations.

While the larger charities make questionable investments and spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on paying its employees, local charities are suffering. On our doorstep, many charities are struggling to stay afloat or find enough volunteers. Norfolk’s own Broadland Riding for the Disabled Association struggle to recruit enough volunteers for the facility to continue to run, and the charity support network VolunteerNorfolk released statistics that 28% of local charities did not have enough resources to respond to increased interest.

In March, 140 Easter eggs destined for Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund in Norfolk were stolen from the courier’s office before they ever reached the sick children. This heartbreaking news may seem like a shame, but there is so much we can do to help make a difference in our local community, where we would be able to clearly see the impact. Small donations of time, money and even chocolate mean so much to these smaller local charities, yet they are often overshadowed by the

money-guzzling corporate charities with more media attention.

UEA itself is aligned with several charitable organisations, with our own union being a charity too.

FoodbankSU is a new initiative to help end student poverty, and you can donate via money collection pots around campus, or in the SU shop. Many successful student-run events such as the Kaos fashion show and Livewire Jailbreak (among many others) also provide a local opportunity to make a difference at home and abroad, while supporting our own students.

Donating to charity is one of the most rewarding things to do, yet it seems unfair that certain individuals are reaping the rewards more than the intended beneficiaries.

It has never been more important to research charities and where your money will go, and to try and support organisations and fundraising events closer to home, where the impact you could have is unparalleled. The totals raised by televised charity events are always astounding, and it is heart-warming to see us banding together as a nation to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Despite this, it is important to note that some of the pennies we donate go towards funding some less-than-charitable activities.

All in all, charities should not be out-of-reach businesses, but should make a clear difference to homegrown communities like UEA and its local city and county.

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12th April 2016

Features

LGBT+ clubs Who are they for?

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hether you’ve been to one, heard of one, practically live at one or think they’re not for you, LGBT+ pubs and clubs, or gay bars as they are often referred to, are one of many options for students on a night out in Norwich. Clubs such as the Loft and Flaunt are popular among UEA students, and norwichpride.org.uk also lists many establishments popular among students as “gay- or LGBT- friendly”, including The Birdcage and Norwich Playhouse, as part of its LGBT Directory. Such venues boast a welcoming atmosphere, are student-friendly, safe, and often have cheap deals on drinks and entry directed at students.

For this reason, they have become popular among straight and LGBT+ students alike, but it’s left many of us wondering what the right thing to do is regarding straight people spending nights out in gay bars. Of course there’s no question of “banning” this: it would be as impossible – but would it be as unreasonable? The question on many people’s lips is not necessarily about whether straight people should be allowed to visit some establishments, but whether they should chose to, particularly if doing so risks over-running the venues by those who are not part of the LGBT community. This could defeat the purpose of having an LGBT club or bar altogether. It’s become somewhat a moral argument that those of us who frequent gay bars are beginning to worry about: obviously such people are supportive of the LGBT community, but what’s the best way to show this? Is it by leaving well enough alone and moseying on over to Mantra or Mercy, which have been described as notoriously “straight” oriented?

One argument for many members of the LGBT community is that if straight people were discouraged from, or decided against going to these places, half of their friendship group would disappear. Why shouldn’t straight people be allowed to accompany their friends on a night out, and why can’t a group of friends have a good time together in a safe place for all, regardless of sexuality?

However, this reasoning could promote a rather awkward scenario if, when questioned why you choose to come to an establishment, you exclaim “Oh my friend is gay… Look…

Look he’s over there…” Even if this is miles from the truth, the feeling that you’ve “used” your friend as your ticket into a club, so you can take the moral straight high ground, is a little uncomfortable to say the least.

An argument against straight people frequenting LGBT bars is of course that the bar is there for a reason. Gay bars aim to create a safe space for members of a certain community, and should be protected as such.

In what might be called for the sake of argument a straight bar, there is always an assumption of sexuality. It’s safely assumed people are straight, and for example if a member of another gender were to “make a move”, as the kids say, on a gay person, it would be up to them to say “actually, I’m gay” – because of course, we all have to give a reason for not wanting to have sex with a random person we meet in a club. In addition, if one were to make similar advances on someone of the same sex who turned out to be straight, they might risk aggression o r ridicule, particularly in an alcoholfuelled environment. Gay bars provide an environment where no such sexualities are assumed, and therefore people feel safer to dance with whomever they choose without worrying about the unreasonable, but nonetheless expected, issues which would arise in a “straight” environment. It also becomes the turn of a different group of people to clarify, “actually, I’m straight.”

For many in the straight community, a gay bar therefore gives us a taste, perhaps not of the discrimination faced by LGBT+ people, but at least of the necessity to clarify our sexuality which we have never experienced before. This can’t be a bad thing, can it?

But for many, it appears that if gay bars do provide this exclusive space, then by default they should not be enjoyed by straight people as there are so many clubs and pubs already there to facilitate the needs of that group?

This is certainly an interesting argument and one which plays on the consciences of many of us who frequent the Loft or Flaunt, whether in exclusively straight groups or not. Are we simply enjoying a night out with friends, or does our very presence there make some kind of statement? Are we showing support through our custom at these venues, or do large groups of us change the atmosphere altogether and take away from the original purpose of the venue?

Whatever your view, a positive point to come from gay bars is that we can at least hope anyone who was going to, for whatever imaginable reason, take issue with or behave inappropriately toward members of the LGBT+ community, probably wouldn’t bother going there. Surely homophobes, transphobes and other such bigots would turn away at the sight of a rainbow-coloured flag? This is certainly the idea, and it’s something Levi Solomon, manager of Flaunt nightclub, feels is more or less effective in protecting his club as a safe, LGBT+ friendly establishment. “We do inform people it’s a gay bar. My door staff say before people enter: “Just to let you know, we are the most fabulous gay bar in Norwich”.

Olivia Minnock asks if straight people are right to use LGBT+ clubs, or if they should be left exclusively for their intended community It’s said in a friendly, humorous way, and that’s important. Anyone who hesitates or reacts badly to that may not end up coming in. We get people who react positively, saying “Oh, I hadn’t realised, that’s great”, and we have had people literally running away too”.

According to Levi, advertising the fact that Flaunt is a gay bar is very important to maintaining a safe atmosphere, as is being selective on the door, like any club: “We don’t tend to have any trouble, as we are so selective. Not if people are gay, we let everyone in and all is welcome, but we are selective based on other things like every club has to be, particularly on Prince of Wales road.

Flaunt isn’t hidden away like some clubs. I work closely with security – we just don’t want people stumbling around… we want everyone to feel comfortable here. If I let everyone in I’d be jam-packed every night, we turn away so many people. We like to look after everyone.

I would honestly rather lose a grand a night than someone have a bad experience”.

I

s running a gay bar similar to any other club then – is it just about not letting in rowdy or offensive people?

Not quite, according to Levi: “It’s tricky coming from running a straight bar to a gay bar, it’s a lot harder work but a lot more fun”. It’s not always easy to please everyone, “Some people get offended by a lot, for example if we play too much mainstream music for example there are comments about it turning into a straight bar, but it’s up to the individual. Many don’t care”.It’s important to Levi to look out for offensive behaviour, even after people have been let in: “the other week a guy upset a few people by what he described as ‘dancing gay’, so he was removed. It’s important that everyone can just be themselves in Flaunt”.

What about large groups of straight people, or clubs and societies who have been described as “taking over” clubs for their socials? “I’ve never heard of any societies at UEA having a bad reputation, so we’d welcome those groups”. Surely, as mentioned, no society with offensive intentions would plan a social in an LGBT club anyway?

Perhaps gay bars in Norwich, as a cheap, friendly and safe option for many students, run the risk of becoming overtaken by predominantly straight people. But it seems at least they do promote a positive atmosphere and hopefully, as Levi suggests, are a place where no matter what your sexuality, homophobia and the like will be left at the door.

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12th April 2016

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Features

the binar y

Lillie Coles asks whether enough is being done to raise awareness about non-binary identities in fashion and popular culture

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on-binary is a term that many of us are familiar with, yet it seems to remain misunderstood, both in everyday life and the media that documents it. Nonbinary is defined by Practical Androgyne as “an umbrella term for any gender (or lack of gender) that would not be adequately represented by an either/or choice between ‘man’ or ‘woman’.” This definition requires us to question the gender norms we have grown to accept; with at least one in every 250 people in the UK identifying as non-binary, now seems a good time to disregard the binary boundaries of gender and be more inclusive.

Fashion retailer Zara has done exactly this by recently releasing a new Ungendered’clothing line, so that nonbinary people can explore fashion without having to define their gender as male or female. UEA’s own union introduced genderneutral toilets for a similar reason – so that all people of all genders and identities can “pee in peace”. Facebook even recognises 71 gender options on its site, showcasing the wide variety of identities that lie outside of binary male and female categorisation.

The list even includes the term Two-Spirit, which is used mostly by indigenous NativeAmerican individuals who feel they have a balance of masculine and feminine spirit.

This list seems pretty comprehensive, but are these actions really enough to remove the stigma and clouded misunderstanding of what it means to be non-binary?

Zara’s clothing line is a collection of lacklustre, baggy clothes, which seems to dress women in masculine garments rather than being a completely genderless line. Although the line is unisex, it fails to contain any traces of colour, pattern or traditionally feminine cuts, such as skirts or blouses. This masculine reflection of non-binary identities appears to avoid femininity and seems to suggest that a non-binary person would not want to wear a skirt, or something pink. This range seems to cater to a skewed idea of non-binary identity by not encompassing a mixture of clothing taken out of its gendered context.

This binary, gendered context is something that exists all around us, and is so ingrained it is often difficult to recognise it. In McDonalds, I witnessed a family with two young boys enjoying lunch. Both boys were contentedly playing with the toys from their Happy Meals, yet one was disturbed by their father, who said: “You can’t play with that, it’s a girl’s toy”, and the child’s toy was replaced with a “boy’s toy”. This everyday example of perpetuating gender norms from a young age shows how a lack of non-binary acceptance surrounds us.

US superstore giant Target removed gendered labels from toys in the hopes that children could have free choice, regardless of their biological sex. True, toys are mere childsplay, but the binary values inherent in our daily lives make it incredibly difficult for non-binary people to be taken seriously, as they lie outside the “norms” we know. In the same way any gendered child can play

with barbies or toy cars, non-binary people do not have to identify as female to wear a skirt, and do not have to identify as male to wear a suit and tie.

The constant need for categorisation and classification when it comes to gender is being dismantled slowly all around us. The University of Calgary is implementing a third gender option on its application forms, and it is hoped that more institutions will follow. The recognition of non-binary identities is one way to generate acceptance of them, as it begins to remove the stigma of not fitting into one of two categories.

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ne of the more radical statements perpetuating a breakdown of gender norms and binaries is Louis Vuitton’s latest womenswear collection, modelled by a male. Jaden Smith is the face of the campaign, despite him not being non-binary. Although many have deemed this a publicity stunt, and have criticised Smith for wearing the outfit of a transgender or non-binary person without identifying as one, it seems more important that he is helping to dismantle the gender binary. By using a straight, cisgender male to

“Zara’s non-binary line is a collection of lack-lustre, baggy clothes”

Tilda Swinton, who has spoken of her non-binary gender identity: “I don’t know if I could ever really say that I was a girl” Photo: Wikimedia, Yannick JAMOT

model female clothing, Louis Vuitton confirms that fashion is fluid, and so is gender. Despite celebrities such as Ruby Rose and Miley Cyrus addressing their non-binary identities, there still seems to be a lack of role models and media presence for those identifying as non-binary. Perhaps Smith’s indifference to how he is perceived based on his clothing is a liberating message, and he stands up as an unlikely yet effective icon for non-binary people. In modelling womenswear, Smith helps to remove clothing from its gendered context, and in doing this, he paves the way to a more accepting public when it comes to nonbinary gender identities.

Why is this our problem? Regardless of your own gender identity, it is important to champion the comfort and acceptance of others. UEA’s gender-neutral toilets are widely accepted by students and staff, high-end fashion brands are acknowledging the issues with the gender binary, and it is safe to say that the need for acceptance is definitely present.

Non-binary people should be able to identify themselves as they are on application forms and on social media. The long list of gender identities on Facebook may seem extreme, but it is necessary to recognise the need for awareness and acceptance of any gender identity. Though Zara may have slightly missed the mark with their Ungendered clothing, and Louis Vuitton used a cisgender male instead of a non-binary person to enter the gender politics debate, these are all steps in the right direction to acknowledging that not everyone is exclusively male or female, and it is time we started realising and accepting it.

12th April 2016

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Features

Ending extreme poverty: a big aim, but it will happen A

s a Youth Ambassador for Bono’s, The ONE Campaign I know there is proof that extreme poverty can and will vanish. Between 1990 and 2012 the proportion of people globally living on less than $1.90 a day dropped by over half from 37.1% to 12.7%. It is estimated if we continue on this path we will reach the zero zone on extreme poverty before 2030.

These figures give hope in a world that is riddled with terrorism, death and destruction.

However our work is not done. I believe it is our responsibility as the privileged few who enjoy freedom of speech and easy access to education and healthcare, to speak up for those who don’t. That is why I am so excited about being a youth ambassador for The ONE Campaign: my voice has become one of the seven-million-member strong campaign.

Funded by a combination of foundations, individual philanthropists and corporations at ONE, “we don’t ask for your money, but for your voice”. It is through seven million voices becoming one that pressure can be out on governments to support effective programmes that spur development – and as figures show seven million voices are making a real, measurable difference in the fight against extreme poverty.

2016 is a big year for ONE’s Poverty is Sexist campaign. Nowhere on Earth do women have the same opportunities as men, and this campaign focuses on how debilitating simply being born a girl is in developing countries.

We all know gender inequality exists but this campaign really shows how gender inequality and poverty go hand in hand.

Even today, half a billion women cannot read, and 62 million girls are denied the right to an education. As an educated female who loves learning and has been privileged to be part of a family who encouraged me throughout my education I find this very disturbing. Stripping away education would be like stripping away an invisible shield.

Without it we are vulnerable. Vulnerable to

Photo: supplied

Emma Chestnutt, a youth ambassador for the ONE Campaign, discusses how ending poverty is simply about raising your voice

poor health, abuse, manipulation and even death. This vulnerability traps many women in the circle of poverty that unless broken will continue throughout her life and into her children’s lives. This cycle of poverty is shown in the fact that, in 2013, out of the 268 million children enrolled in lower secondary school, only 128 million were girls. This is because many girls drop out of school due to safety concerns, lack of appropriate sanitation facilities, and increased responsibility for household chores. But more generally, girls’ education is less valued than boys. This mindset needs to change. But it will only begin to change through leaders tackling the injustices of females and implementing funding and policies that will unlock female potential.

Unlocking female potential is a step towards ending extreme poverty. For example by increasing educational opportunities to ensure all students in low income countries, including girls, leave school with basic reading skills could globally cut extreme poverty by 12%. ONE want females to be a primary focus in 2016; investing in females not only improves their lives but the lives of their families and communities which will improve the lives of females throughout the world.

This year ONE is focused on two key political opportunities: the Nutrition for Growth Two summit being held in Rio de Janeiro in August, where historic increases in new and additional money are needed to meet the gap in global nutrition funding, and the replenishment of the Global Fund to fight aids, tuberculosis and malaria, which is aiming to raise $13bn to fight these epidemics.

A female’s health is central to her ability to learn, develop and thrive in the world. Therefore, ONE is focusing on a core

element to health: nutrition. Nutrition is important throughout the life cycle with the first 1,000 days between conception and the age of two considered to be the most important in a child’s life: it is during this time that their physical and mental future can be unleashed, or brutally curtailed. Thus if a mother-to-be in the developing world lacks access to the right nutrition, her children are born with life chances that are already cut short: their bodies often will not develop to their full potential and, crucially, neither will their brains. It is this – and in the case of mental development – invisible impact that is robbing families, communities and entire economies of their potential.

In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and a climate deal at COP 21 in Paris being agreed on. These agreements include targets on women’s equality: G7 leaders agreed to increase vocational training of women by onethird and committing to improving women’s access to finance and the banking system.

However simple agreeing is not enough.

At ONE we want action and 2016 is the chance for that action to happen. We want policy makers and governments to live up to these commitments involving investing in females to help bring the end of extreme poverty.

It is through seven million voices becoming one that in 2016 pressure can be put on governments to support effective programmes that abolish female inequality and spur on development. As ONE have already helped to develop, pass and secure funding for historic aids initiatives, such as the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria, through seven million voices simply raising awareness and contributing in the fight against extreme poverty. It’s simple: sign a petition, write to your local MP or just talk to someone.

Don’t let your voice go unheard, join the seven million and together we will move forward as one.

12th April 2016

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Comment How has David Cameron managed to distance himself from the Conservative’s poor public image?

Phoebe ArslanagicWakefield

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avid Cameron should be in a seriously painful public position, the knife of public opinion scraping viciously against his ribs, searching for his heart. But this isn’t happening, why not? The electorate hate disunity, infighting and squabbles, it looks especially bad in the Tory party because of the ‘nasty party’ image that still follows a few steps behind like Captain Hook’s determined crocodile. They are currently contending with EU splits and budget bickers. The answer is God’s gift to Conservatives, Jeremy Corbyn.

Earnest, rambling Corbyn is no crocodile. With all the killer instinct of a flamingo, during the Prime Minister’s first appearance in the House of Commons following Ian Duncan-Smith’s shock resignation, Corbyn made no mention of the event. Failing to notice or capitalise upon the gaping Tory wound to the weary derision of Labour MPs, he instead launched poorly projected, low damage budget-based projectiles at Cameron. Cameron is a political heavyweight and they did not bring him down.

Labour MPs asked if Corbyn’s leadership was responsible for the chaos in the Tory ranks were quoted in the Telegraph describing the idea as “laughable”.

The EU referendum is a trickier animal.

Had Cameron known he would walk the 2015 General Election as easily as he did he would never have promised it. Cameron doesn’t want to be at the helm if Britain votes to leave, he doesn’t want that as his legacy. He will resign in Britain leaves and if the result is a whisker in favour of remain he may still do. He’s had a fairly easy few years in office, a Tory success without much to prove but a vote to leave would be a blow to the expert political reputation Cameron has fostered and that has been so kindly incubated by the ineffectual consecutive oppositions of Miliband and Corbyn. Perhaps I do Miliband a disservice by tarring him with the same brush as Corbyn but who can forget Miliband’s embarrassing pledge stone?

The jostling of the Tory big beasts, Osbourne, May, Johnson and Morgan to name a few do not seem to have disturbed Cameron, high on his dais. By giving his premiership a sell-by date when he announced that he would shun a third term and stand down in 2020 Cameron has, counter to all established political thinking, managed to insulate himself as opposed to becoming a lame duck prime minister. Cameron’s secret may simply be that he is generally well liked by his party.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown brutally and permanently bruised each other with vicious infighting that marred both their premierships.

With an ineffectual Tory opposition for most of his time in Downing Street, Blair’s biggest opponent was not opposite him in the House of Commons, he was gloweringly sitting right next to him. Cameron is on a cake walk.

With his party’s respect the Prime Minister has few political messes to worry about and he keeps himself out of the rough and tumble of speculation about who the next leader may be. Boris Johnson, the machiavellian bumbler?

George Osbourne, apparently very likeable but spat upon by the public? Theresa May, the steely style-updated Thatcher? Or maybe Nicky Morgan, the sweet faced innocent?

The next leader is likely to be the next Prime Minister as the Labour grass roots will probably prevent desperate Labour MPs from pushing out Corbyn before the next election. If the next Tory PM does as well as Cameron and maintains a reputation this good this late in the game, then they have done well indeed.

Is the government’s drive to increase the number of acadamies coming at the detriment of students’ education?

Charlie Dwyer

that a great deal of regulation is necessary if the academy system is to prove sustainable.

That said, the fact remains that academisation, when implemented correctly, does appear to have improved both GCSE results and the quality of facilities in many schools which would otherwise have likely languished at the wrong end of the league tables for many years.

ver since Tony Blair’s government established the first string of academies with the Learning and Skills Act of 2000, and particularly since the Conservative party’s return to government in the 2010 election, the shift towards academisation of England’s schools has proceeded at a startling rate. Almost two thirds of the country’s secondary schools now either operate as academies or are in the process of achieving academy status, and the number of primary schools in the same situation is rising year on year. When the original arguments for the introduction of the academy system are considered, this may not seem, on the face of it, the most lamentable state of affairs. Traditionally, it was the duty of local councils to ensure that underperforming schools received the help they needed to maintain the standards of education we as a society had come to expect, in addition to providing everything from payroll services to psychological help for put-upon teachers.

To many, this arrangement was perfectly reasonable; parents concerned with the quality of their children’s education could, if a school’s management proved unresponsive, hold democratically elected councillors to account, and furthermore as Local Education Authorities (LEAs) had power over both admissions and the expansion of schools under their jurisdiction meant that the task of finding a place for every chid within a given area could be handled effectively, along with any other issues a more remote authority would have difficulty resolving. The problems, arose when these LEAs proved just as inept as the schools they oversaw, or, perhaps more frustratingly, when a school’s senior staff were perfectly competent but were hindered by ineffectual local authorities.

Inevitably, it was the country’s deprived areas which disproportionately tended to suffer the consequences of mismanaged education, and so the academy system was introduced to provide an escape route for schools in the

his fact does not, however, make George Osborne’s recent announcement that every school in the country is to be converted into an academy by the year 2022 any less baffling. This blatantly ideological project is estimated to cost around £600m, far in excess of the £140m allocated in Osborne’s budget. It also gives no thought to the issue of where so many willing, credible and principled trust leaders are to be found. More reckless is the fact that such a radical structural change will be applied not only to schools which are failing or seeking an alternate route, but to the many thousands of schools, mostly primary, which are functioning perfectly well under the old system. The policy has so far been framed, as expected, as a way to improve standards of education for England’s children. A commendable goal, but why would any government which truly cared about education endanger the schools judged to be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by forcing them into a model which has by no means earned the right to be considered the unquestionably superior one?

Ultimately, it is likely that academisation will prove to be the best course for some schools, but not others. This is all that our experience over the last decade or so can tell us for certain, and no reasonable person would presume to know better without further investigation and observation. Our education system, particularly the curriculum and teaching style enforced by Ofsted, is a patchwork relic of the nineteenth century; a product of the mindset which put dozens of generations through a classical syllabus so far removed from everyday life as to be utterly irrelevant to all but a tiny enclave of academics. Abstract notions of restructuring the way in which schools are governed only distract from the more pressing issue of engineering an education which will produce a generation of thoughtful, mature children who know exactly what awaits them in the wider world, and exactly how to face it.

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greatest need.

The idea is fairly straightforward. Under this system, underperforming schools were placed in the care of government approved trusts, to be funded directly by the Department for Education with additional support being provided by private sponsors.

Though these schools are often presented by detractors as autonomous entities unbeholden to the national curriculum and free to teach in whatever innovative, unconventional manner they think best, this is only technically correct. There is no obligation to adhere to the syllabus taught in state run schools, but students are still required to pass the same Key Stage 3 and GCSE exams as everybody else, and teachers are still subject to the same uncompromising Ofsted appraisals as their LEA-employed counterparts. There are problems, of course.

“The public has become so accustomed to the Tories breaking their promises... that there is the risk of meek acceptance.”

Handing over control of our education system to unelected, unaccountable organisations whose governing bodies and corporate backers may or may not have ulterior motives has the potential to allow some troubling corruption to creep into the system. Whether dealing with the likes of Sir Peter Vardy, the evangelical chair of the Emmanuel Schools Foundation accused of allowing creationism to be taught alongside evolution in his schools’ science classes, or with ethically questionable sponsors entering their schools into licencing agreements which prevent them from purchasing the resources and services of any other companies, it is clear

Alice Spencer on why David Cameron should be cautious of labling Britain a “Christian country”.

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n his Easter message, David Cameron again opened the debate on religion and its role in our national identity by urging the British people to “all stand together” to defend Christianity. Not the first time Cameron has championed Britain’s identity as a Christian country, much of this year’s message was regurgitated from Christmas and Easter addresses of previous years, with only the reference to the recent Brussels terror attack to deflect any accusations of a half-hearted copy-and-paste effort. We’ve heard it before, and this year David Cameron didn’t hold back, saying we should be proud to stand up and say, “we are a Christian country and we are proud of it”.

There was no public furore, most likely because Easter is technically a Christian celebration. And yet, a recent YouGov poll has revealed British people are more likely to believe in ghosts than in God. A survey of 23,4441 adults found that 46% of people regard themselves as not belonging to any religion, a figure that equals the percentage of Britons claiming to follow some form of Christianity.

Why then, when as many people identify with Christianity as do with agnosticism and atheism, is Britain still labelled a Christian country?

For most people, Easter nowadays means little more than a long weekend off work and indulging in chocolate. Nowhere in the Lindt Gold Bunny is there represented the story of how Jesus died in agony for people that had betrayed him. No one wants to hear that, and quite frankly no one wants the guilt.

It probably isn’t fair to hold today’s Christians up against the slightly uncomfortable implications of a text written 2000 years ago. As is now being seen with the media attention given to Isis, it’s often extremist factions that misrepresent the religious community as a whole. There were, after all, many British Christians supportive of the legalisation of same-sex marriage back in 2014, despite the resistance of many religious institutions. However, part of the reason the label “Christian country” sits so uneasily with many is because it isn’t entirely clear what Christianity today means. The

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Prime Minister’s “Christian values” of “hard work, responsibility, charity, compassion” and “honouring social obligations” are so vague they could just as easily be applied to any other religion.

So, if we don’t know what it means to be a Christian nation, why do we persist in viewing Christianity as inseparable from ‘Britishness’?

‘Because that’s the way Britain has always been’ seems the easiest answer, and the argument most drawn upon in the face of a ‘flood of migrants’ that for many threaten to change our way of life. And maybe because we’re not entirely sure on what ‘Britishness’ is either. Historically defined by its dominance over nearly the whole of the globe, Britain has long lived in the shadow of its Empire.

Christianity was very much a part of this, albeit largely as a cover up to disguise exploitative capitalism as a ‘civilising mission’. As Britain comes to terms with forming a new identity, Christianity at first seems to offer a semblance of continuity in an uncertain future.

Yet, in calling Britain a “Christian country’” there runs the risk of being dismissive of the past of which we should be very careful.

Britain is very much in a transition phase, and until we work out what it means to be British and the part Christianity should have in this, maybe David Cameron should leave Christianity out of his political rhetoric for the time being.

12th April 2016

17

Comment

Jessica Frank Keys argues that Trump is only one of many challenges to women’s rights in the United States.

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onald Trump’s remarks on abortion were ignorant and misinformed, and those claiming they reveal the dark and dangerous illogic at the heart of antichoice rhetoric in the United States aren’t wrong, but they aren’t looking closely enough.

Cruel, thoughtless and misguided yes, but the suggestion of punishing women who obtain an illegal abortion demonstrates not only reveals Trump’s inherent unsuitability for office, but how he is poorly attempting to fit in to the broader narrative of Republican and conservative attitudes to reproductive rights.

Speaking at a town-hall debate in Milwaukee last month, in conversation with MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews, Trump was asked to expand on his views on abortion.

While discussing them - which is putting it politely; he floundered hopelessly around the subject for several excruciating minutes - what is undeniably a controversial and sensitive topic, Trump mistakenly, we can only hope, came out in favour of “some form of punishment” for women who obtain an illegal abortion. He declined to specify whether the man involved, who is of course responsible for half of the embryo’s DNA and - in cases of rape or coercion - entierly responsible of the sexual encounter, would also face criminal responsibility for his actions.

The video of the interview, when watched closely, indicates Trump mouthing the word: “no,” when asked this question but reconsidering and choosing instead to wave the query away with the vague response: “different feelings, different people.” One can only assume an unwanted pregnancy, in Trump’s opinion, is solely the fault of the promiscuous and thoughtless woman, however, his awareness that this instinctively misogynistic view was not one appropriate

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he junior doctors held their fourth strike on Wednesday 6th of in protest to the Conservative government, who are extending the Doctor’s working week to include Saturday’s and overseeing a ‘top down’ reorganisation of the NHS. Furthermore, The British Medical Association has announced there will be a “full withdrawal of labour between the hours of 8am and 5pm on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 April”.

The statement comes following Jeremy Hunts’ threat to impose a new contract on 45,000 medics, despite it being unanimously rejected by medical professionals in the public sphere. The full walk out on the 26th and 27th is historic in that there has never been a withdrawal of labour on this scale in the 71 years since Atlee’s government introduced the modern welfare state. Needless to say, the doctor’s do not strike lightly, they have taken medical oaths and have families to feed.

The truth is, the same hands which perform emergency surgery have been forced to industrial action by a government, which threatens to destroy the welfare state as we know it.

The rhetoric of coercion has become more commonplace for the Conservative government than democratic dialogue and this is exemplified by Hunt’s threat to impose his draconian contract. The argument is

for a televised debate demonstrates that he understands very well the political game he – and we all – are playing. Charming, but coming from the candidate who has described women as “sluts,” “pigs” and “dogs,” not entirely unexpected.

Trump later retracted his words and clarified that his position was that doctors, not women, should be the ones receiving the penalties, a clear and revealing indictment of the unexpected severity of his latest misstep.

While Trump is unarguably the loudest Republican nomination candidate a n d

Lucas Cumisky takes a look at the government’s handling of industrial relations and asks where these conflicts will end.

certainly has never before sought to hush the controversy he has repeatedly stirred up, this particular gaffe isn’t the most telling insight so far into his candidacy, far from it; his retraction is. Repulsive as the sentiment he expressed was, Trump isn’t the biggest threat to American women’s right to choose.

He simply horrifically misjudged the public reaction this extreme statement would have.

His speedy disavowal of the position he took shows only that he had no idea of the impact of his words and the strength of those who oppose such a policy. His closest rival for the Republican nomination, Ted Cruz, is one of many conservative US politicians who have stood in the way of safe access to reproductive healthcare in the name of the ‘sanctity of life.’

Trump attempted to join this Establishment club of anti-choice politics. At this point in the election he is seeking the vote of right-wing, religious Republicans and appearing tough, but moral, on abortion is one of the best ways

to indicate his suitability. Whoops.

Cruz is in fact far to the right of Trump: he would criminalize terminating a pregnancy even in the case of rape or incest, a position 76% of Republican voters oppose. Cruz would also prohibit specific methods of contraception, namely those that prevent the implantation of an already fertilized egg in the lining of the uterus. This includes the intrauterine device (IUD) which is proven to be one of the most effective and safest methods of preventing pregnancy. The fact that a man who clearly either loathes women or received some of the worst sex education that America has to offer gets to score brownie points for appearing more moderate on abortion than his rival, is all the sign you need that Donald Trump couldn’t have got this one more wrong.

further advanced by the Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, who told teachers “there will be no pulling back” over the government’s misguided plan to turn every school in the country into an academy by 2022. Morgan said; “Teaching unions have a choice spend the next four years doing battle with us…’” or what? Submit to demands the teachers are morally and professionally in opposition to? The truth is neither Cameron, Hunt nor Morgan are offering a choice, rather, demanding compliance and using intimidation and threats such as the way Hunt has sent junior doctors individual contracts to undermine the union’s solidarity to bully the public sector workers into compliance. The militarised language “do battle” is appropriate because the Conservative’s have declared war on the welfare state.

It’s worth remembering that the Conservatives promised there would be no “top down reorganisation” of the NHS before the 2010 election. Why? Because it’s an extremely unpopular topic amongst voters.

Even Michael Portillo, a former Conservative MP who once ran for leadership admitted: “they {the Government} did not believe they could win an election if they told you what they were going to do because people are so wedded to the NHS”.

The public has become so accustomed to

the Tories breaking their promises by raising VAT, increasing front­line public service cuts, and reducing child benefits and so on, that there is the risk of meek acceptance. What’s clear is that the PM, who in his first term appointed Lansley (a man with strong links to private healthcare firms) and in his second term appointed Jeremy Hunt as Health secretary, had every intention of dismantling the NHS. For instance, Cameron knew that Hunt had co­ authored a book called Direct Democracy the principal author being the Ukip MP Douglas Carswell but was also co­ written by Theresa May and Michael Gove) A book which stated, that the “NHS fails to meet public expectations” and “is no longer relevant to the 21st century”.

We cannot let our doctors and our teachers strike alone. We must stand stand shoulder to shoulder with professionals who safeguard our nation’s health and education because if they stand alone then they will likely be crushed like the mining community was thirty years ago. We cannot allow ourselves to be divided by the Tory propaganda machine.

We need to support the striking doctors and teachers and mobilize support for a general strike before the Conservative’s completely decimate our welfare state. If united we stand, in the spirit of 1919, then perhaps the Conservative Government can fall.

Photo credits above and left: Flickr, Gage Skidmore

12th April 2016

18

Science&Environment

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ustralia’s Great Barrier Reef, a popular tourist attraction, is currently experiencing its worst coral bleaching on record. This has renewed calls for the UN to list the area as being “in danger”. It would be tragic for Australia to lose this national treasure, so action must be taken to prevent further damage.

The National Coral Bleaching Taskforce reports that 95% of reefs from Cairns to Papua New Guinea are now severely bleached. This emphasises that we need to become more aware of conservation. Only four out of 520 reefs have no evidence of bleaching, which is a staggering statistic.

Last year, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization had the opportunity to put the reef on its World Heritage In Danger list. Clearly this oversight was a mistake, as the reef has suffered from humanity’s lack of care towards the planet.

Coral taskforce convener Professor Terry Hughes spoke to the BBC, stating that his team was yet to find the southern border where the bleaching finished: “Tomorrow we will continue further south from Cairns to Townsville about 400km (250 miles) and spend the day scoring another 150 reefs”.

The causes of coral bleaching stem from increased water temperatures, resulting

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/520

The proportion of corals that show no evidence of bleaching.

from two natural warm currents. However, it is worsened by man-made climate change, because oceans are absorbing 93% of the increase in the Earth’s heat. Bleaching occurs when corals under stress drive out the algae known as zooxanthellae that give them colour.

There is a small ray of hope here, as corals can recover if normal conditions return, but this can take decades to achieve. The underlying causes behind coral bleaching are climate change and the effects of El Nino.

Professor Justin Martin (University of Queensland) commented to ABC that: “What we’re seeing now is unequivocally to do with climate change”. He added that “[at] the Paris climate change meeting, essentially the whole world has agreed this is climate change, and we’re seeing climate change

Photo: Wikipedia: Toby Hudson

Sophie Christian on the impact of climate change on the great Barrier Reef

play out across our reefs”. Surely this is enough evidence to encourage the public to battle climate change? The smallest acts, such as remembering to switch off a light, can make big impacts.

There have been efforts to save the Great Barrier Reef over the years. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) spokesperson Nick Heath commented that the unspoiled northern section of the reef had acted as a crucial bank

Antarctic ice melt could double sealevel rise

ice sheets: “Today, summer temperatures approach or just exceed 0oC on many shelves, and due to their flat surfaces near sea level, little atmospheric warming would be needed to dramatically increase the areal extent of surface melting and summer rainfall”.

This is not the first study to predict rapid melting of the Antarctic ice sheets. Just last month a study found that sea level rose faster in the 20th century than at any time in the past 2,800 years, and the most likely cause was fossil-fuel emissions.

Louise Fitzgerald Sci&Env writer New research suggests that without rapid reductions in fossil fuel emissions, Antarctic ice melt could double the current estimates of global sea level rise.

The modeling study forecasts that Antarctic melting alone will increase global sea levels by one metre by 2100 and up to 13 metres by 2500.

In a 2013 report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted that if carbon emissions continue to grow global sea levels would increase by up to 98cm by 2100. However, the IPCC assumed a minimal contribution from Antarctica.

The research has been based on an improved computer based model of Antarctica, which now includes fine details about the landscape such as the locations of rocks and glaciers. The study was the first time key ice melting processes could be modelled in the Antarctic region.

Scientists suggest three key processes are responsible for the rapid melt. First,

of genetic material to reseed areas further south. This has proved unsuccessful as the reef is now “cooked to an inch of its life”, Mr Heath said to the BBC. The government is playing a pro-active role in preserving the reef. The Department of the Environment as well as state and federal governments were investing a projected AUD 2bn ($1.5bn; £1bn) over the coming decade to conserve the reef.

many metres sea levels 13 How could rise by 2500

Photo: Wikimedia, Jason Auch as the ocean warms it melts floating ice from below causing it to thin, weaken and eventually collapse. Second, as the atmosphere warms up the ice is melted from above causing meltwater pools. These pools eventually become crevasses that help to break the ice apart. Third, the seafloor slopes down towards the centre of the basin causing an even larger ice face to become

exposed to the warm water, accelerating melting.

The model also allowed scientists to explore past sea levels. Around 125,000 years ago sea levels were six to nine metres higher than today.

Robert DeConto, lead scientist said that even minimal increases in temperature would have a detrimental effect on the

The research tested a number of fossil fuel emissions scenarios and found that the most aggressive action on climate change – net-zero carbon emissions by 2100 would result in negligible sea-level rise and could save the West Antarctic ice sheet from collapse. The recent Paris Agreement which calls on countries to limit temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 would make this scenario feasible.

Achieving such a goal may be easier said than done. Levels of warming are fast approaching the 2°C threshold. February was one of the warmest ever recorded at 1.2°C above the global average for February in the 20th century. Even if temperatures are kept below 2°C there could be unknown impacts on the ice sheet which will have global effects.

12th April 2016

19

Science&Environment

Zika virus did not arrive during 2014 World Cup

What’s new in science

Nick Brown Sci&Env writer Since the Zika virus broke out across the South American continent, scientists have been trying to pinpoint its origins. Many popular theories have sprouted over the last year, including the World Sprint Championship canoe race in 2014. In a recently published article from the journal Science, the theory that the Zika virus was brought over by fans from all over the globe has now been dismissed.

The findings suggested that the virus arrived in the months between May and December 2013, which is a year prior to the finals being held. It is also long before any cases were detected in Brazil and the surrounding countries.

This assumption of the South American origins of the Zika virus will take a feat of genetic genealogy. To trace the origins, Brazilian and British scientists analysed the genetic code of seven samples of the Zika virus from across the nation. The results showed that all seven cases were related closely to one another, suggesting that the virus was brought into the country by a single person. As the virus mutates rapidly, the small differences between samples made it easier to construct a family tree and estimate when the common ancestor arrived in Brazil.

Lab-grown skin in Japan has sprouted hair and grown glands

The global obesity incidence continues to climb to over 640 million people

Thanks to warmer winters, small garden birds are thriving in the UK

It has been discovered that many UV-filtering chemicals commonly used in sunscreens may disrupt sperm cell function

A new study claims depression is not governed by genes, and concludes that environment is a major factor when it comes to being happy

Photo: Flickr, IAEA Imagebank The virus has since spread to 34 more countries and territories, including France, New Zealand and the USA, which was thought to have been sexually transmitted as these countries lie outside mosquito vectors.

The number of passengers embarking from countries that have recorded Zika transmission in the past few years, and who disembarked in Brazil, was looked at. A rise by 50% in this number of passengers was recorded, which could explain why it appeared when it did.

The virus that is spreading throughout the Americas is closely related to an outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013, which showed similar rates of infection and spread amongst the archipelago. While this may be a possible source of the latest outbreak of the Zika virus, researchers have stressed that due to a lack of samples, from South East Asia in particular, they cannot be totally sure of this theory.

New research shows honey bees can communicate danger better than any other insect

Going vegetarian could help reduce emissions and prevent eight million deaths a year A charity claims that ducks prefer to be fed “trendy” kale

Scientists warn climate change may ruin wine production Scientists have mapped the Zika virus structure for the first time, offering new clues on how to combat the virus It has been discovered that nerve cell links are severed in the early stages of Alzheimer’s A newly discovered ancient arachnid was almost a spider and could offer clues to the origins of the species

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The wipe out of early Americans

by European settlers can be seen in ancient DNA samples

Photos Top: Wikimedia Ernst Vikne.

Bottom: Wikimedia, Ian Kirk

12th April 2016

20

Travel

Volunteering to make real change Mary O’Driscoll Travel writer There are so many opportunities to volunteer and travel that were not available 20 years ago. Companies constantly spring up offering you the opportunity of a lifetime, convincing you of the positive impact you will be making and failing to mention the ethical implications of volunteering overseas.

On the surface, it seems altruistic: a group of young people go abroad because they want

“By taking local volunteering opportunities you can still have a positive impact and become acquainted with new cultures within your own town or city” to help people less fortunate than themselves.

However, there are so many people suffering within the UK that could benefit from the help of enthusiastic young people, so why go abroad? Volunteering overseas seems like an appropriate option if you want to improve your knowledge of other cultures; however there are schemes, even within Norwich, that aim to improve the integration of refugees into our community such as New Routes. By participating in local volunteering opportunities you can still have a positive impact and become acquainted with new

Photo: Wikimedia, Lance Cpl. Diamond Peden

cultures within your own town or city. Taking action in this way has limitless benefits as you’ll be able to save money on plane tickets and you help the environment as you won’t be travelling thousands of miles to ‘volunteer’ in an impoverished African or Asian town for a few weeks. Volunteering locally, you can make changes that last and create relationships that you could maintain for years.

The first thing to consider is whether you have made an impact within your own community in the UK. Moreover, volunteering locally gives you a chance to gain experience in a particular area of voluntary work that you could then use to have a genuine positive impact in a country overseas.

Westerners often suggest that they are volunteering purely to benefit others. This has undoubtedly motivated them to an extent but a volunteering experience can benefit the volunteers themselves in so many ways that it raises questions over who benefits the most. Volunteering abroad arguably benefits the volunteer more as it is a chance to improve their CV; it enables them to immerse themselves in another culture, it makes them a more enriched, knowledgeable, and interesting person, and it could be something that they have always wanted to do so it can be an opportunity to fulfil a personal goal.

When considering overseas voluntary work, it is important to have an awareness of voluntourism and how to avoid it. An example of voluntourism is if someone went to an impoverished area overseas for three weeks,

with a company rather than a charity, building a school with no prior experience of manual labour, doing an awful job because they are unskilled, and then the community may need to knock it down in order to make a better school. Not only have they wasted resources such as bricks and cement, but they have gained skills in building-work that they will most likely never need to use again when there are people from the host country who could have gained building experience instead and it might have been much more useful to them.

A few ways that you could avoid voluntourism would be to go overseas with a charity rather than a company, this way any profit they make goes towards their cause and so it is beneficial to everyone

“If there are a lot of fun excursions planned for while you are there, it is more of an experience for you than a project designed to benefit the host country” involved. You could possibly also go with a charity that have a selection process to ensure that the volunteers are suitable and selected for their specific abilities.

If you have a particular skill or any specialist knowledge that you can use whilst you are there, then make the most of it by finding a programme that uses these skills in a way that you can provide.

Perhaps even making sure that the charity you work for is partnered with another charity in the host country, or that there are figures of authority within the charity that are from the host country. This way, it is not just a group of Westerners imposing their ideas onto another country but a diverse two-way sharing of ideas and approaches.

It is important to note, when choosing a volunteering programme, that generally, three weeks of volunteering is not enough to make a positive impact. Consider the length of the trip, and make sure that you will be there long enough to make change and help.

Also, normally if there are a lot of fun excursions planned for while you are there, it is more an experience for you than a project designed to benefit the host country.

In September 2015 the United Nations created a set of Sustainable Development Goals that they aim to achieve over the next fifteen years; these include targets such as Clean water and Sanitation, and Responsible Consumption and Production. Many overseas charities such as International Service -which is a charity under the umbrella of International Citizen Service- work specifically towards a few of these goals. When looking at overseas volunteering, you could consider which of these goals you want to achieve and with which charities you can achieve them, whether that is at home or overseas. This would be a brilliant way to guide yourself towards what matters most to you as an individual, and incorporating that within your travel life too.

12th April 2016

21

Travel

Photo: flickr, Hannu Makarainen

The unexpected Life in the bus lane hospitality of hostels Photo: pixabay; wikimedia.

Mary O’Driscoll Travel writer Young people often choose to stay in hostels when travelling as it is less expensive than hostels. However it can benefit you in ways that aren’t financial, as it provides an opportunity for you to develop as a person as you talk to new people and experience life more fully. This opportunity arises with dorm sharing as it is such a fantastic chance to meet like-minded people.

An example of this was last summer whilst I was Interrailing through Europe with my friend and twin brother. After walking in the

“Meeting strangers and realising that they are in fact just like you builds your trust in other people and teaches you to approach new people” wrong direction for an hour, we got a lift to our hostel from a man who we had approached while he was washing his car -so, not as cool as hitchhiking. We had a burst of energy after his random act of kindness but before long we were feeling tired and a little downhearted after leaving Innsbruck, which we had fallen in love with. Little did we know that one of the best nights of our life was awaiting.

Arriving in our new room, we had small talk with a 19-year-old French guy called Alex; he was staying there for a month trying to improve his German. Later in the evening, we were playing a card game that we had been

playing the whole trip called Ligretto when a man called Sung from South Korea came in and we got chatting and found out his story.

He had just been staying at a Kibbutz in Israel as he was having a gap year after finishing his conscription, and he was using Germany as a stopover before he went home. We taught Alex and Sung how to play Ligretto and it was a great way for conversation to flow naturally.

At the end of the game the conversation moved to our cultures; we had a lengthy discussion about the differences in our education systems and learning about South Korea from someone who lived there was such a wonderful opportunity. We moved onto the differences in our countries’ music.

Alex played us some French rap and electro music and Sung played us some popular South Korean music. This was also a chance to learn about other people’s travel adventures; Sung told us all about the Kibbutz he had been working at in Israel – it sounded like incredibly hard work but such an amazing thing to do.

Many people feel that dorm-sharing is a risk because you will be put with strangers but meeting new peopleand realising that they are in fact just like you builds your trust in other people and teaches you to approach people with a positive mind-set. It also serves as a reminder that there is more to life than your university bubble, allowing you to put your life in perspective. Hostelling is such a great way to gain confidence from new interactions and experiences. If you are interested in learning about other cultures and meeting new people with interesting stories, then why would you bypass the opportunity that hostels present for you?

Denise Koblenz Travel writer

Traveling, exploring new places, experiencing different cultures – that is what many of us dream of doing. However, there is this small, painful logistic of getting to these new, exciting places. Taking the train, the plane, the coach, go by ferry, hike or cycle? There are many possibilities and this article is going to shed some light on one easily dismissed travel option: the coach.

For many, taking the plane might be the immediate choice for a pleasant travel experience, it was for me: Having family in Germany and studying in the UK I constantly find myself traveling between Germany and England, always taking the plane to do so.

However, since coming to England I found that the likes of Megabus and National Express are a valid and, not to forget, cheap alternative. So after having used their services for my travels within England I decided to take it a step further in choosing a twelve hour coach journey over a one hour plane ride to get home for the Easter holidays.

Whilst at first this might sound like a bad choice, it turned out to be rather pleasant journey, but the main benefit of course was that this saved us a lot of money! There are many positive aspects in taking the coach as for one, it is a more relaxed way of traveling: once at the coach station all you need to do is show your ticket and get on board. Your journey starts without the hassle of time consuming check-ins and dozens of security checks. You also don’t have to worry about your luggage being too big, too heavy or about carrying too many fluids in your handbag. When taking

the coach, the only restriction you face is the maximum of two suitcases per person; how big or heavy they are, or what you take on board as hand luggage is your business entirely.

And if the long journey is still off putting, there are ways to spend this time stuck on a coach usefully. Having not many distractions and not much else to do, a twelve hour coach journey is a good opportunity to get some work done. Or maybe start your travels in a more relaxed way: catch up on your favourite TV shows, read that book you have always wanted to read but never got the chance to, or maybe just start up a conversation with fellow travellers – getting to know people and listening to their stories might be more interesting than you would think. Another way of making your journey more pleasant is traveling overnight, that way these twelve hours are easily slept away.

What’s more, taking the coach is better for the environment. Admittedly, there are a lot of different articles online arguing whether a plane journey is more or less environmentally friendly than say, the coach.

However, research found that a twelve hour journey in a fully occupied bus emits less than half the emissions of a short haul flight!

So, although taking the plane might save you a little more time and perhaps be a tiny bit more comfortable as a way of travel, taking the coach can be a great alternative depending on each traveller’s needs and preferences. Being on a budget and looking for cheap ways to travel, coach services are definitely worth looking into. The main point is that we should not forget that other modes of travel exist, and can often be even more beneficial to us as travellers than the standard method of taking the plane.

12th April 2016

22

Sport

West Indies shatter England’s hopes in Twenty20 final Richard Ewart Sport writer England suffered late heartbreak against the West Indies in the final of the World Twenty20 tournament as a devastating last over saw the West Indies crowned champions. Having exceeded all expectations by reaching the final, the trophy was in sight, with the West Indies requiring 19 runs from the last six deliveries.

Destructive hitting by Carlos Brathwaite, who managed four sixes from four balls off Ben Stokes’ over, powered his side home.

The finalists had already met in the opening game of Group One when a blistering hundred from Chris Gayle made a mockery of the respectable target of 182 that England had set. West Indies went on to beat Sri Lanka and South Africa to cement their position as group winners, while England knew that another loss would almost certainly mean elimination.

That loss looked imminent as South Africa set England a huge 230 to win but aggressive batting by Jason Roy and then Joe Root saw the total chased down. England then narrowly beat Afghanistan and defending champions Sri Lanka to seal their place in the semi-finals.

In the opening game of the tournament, outsiders New Zealand shocked outright favourites India on their way to winning

all four of their Group Two games. India recovered and, despite almost faltering against Bangladesh, took the second Group Two semi final spot by beating Australia in what was effectively a quarter final with a Virat Kohli master class helping his side to victory.

New Zealand, having won all their games in what was supposedly the tougher group, were favourites against England in the first semi-final. Put into bat, Kane Williamson and Colin Munro laid a solid platform for New Zealand, before England came firing back in the last ten overs restricting the Kiwis to 153.

Other than a slight blip, with two wickets falling in two balls, the win never looked in doubt for England as Roy smashed 78 from 44 balls before Root and Jos Buttler comfortably saw England home with overs to spare.

In the second semi-final player of the tournament Kohli once again starred for India as he hit 89 not out from just 47 balls, leading India to 192 against the West Indies. After losing their best batsmen Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels early, the West Indies were struggling but a big partnership from Lendl Simmons, reprieved by two no-balls on his way to 82 not out, and Andre Russell helped their side recover. Russell, who hit four sixes on his way to 43 not out, won the match for the West Indies in the last over, scoring the

Chris Gayle of the West Indies cricket team Dannow, commons.wikipedia.org winning runs off Kohli, whom India captain MS Dhoni had turned to in desperation.

The strokeplay of England and the power of the West Indies saw both teams heading to the final in Kolkata evenly matched. After winning the important toss West Indies captain Darren Sammy put England into bat, who then got off to a nervous start. Openers Roy and Alex Hales fell early, followed by captain Eoin Morgan which left England shaking at 23/3. Root, continuing his excellent form, scored 54 and assisted by Buttler’s 36 and some late hitting from David Willey,

helped England to 155.

Unable to be kept out of the game, Root took two West Indian wickets in three balls in the second over, including key man Gayle.

Regular wickets meant the required rate kept rising but with England unable to dislodge Samuels, who made 85 not out, the West Indies never lost touch. However, with 19 required off the last over with number eight Brathwaite on strike, England looked strong favourites. Brathwaite had other ideas, hitting four sixes in a row off Ben Stokes to win the tournament for the West Indies.

Is European Super League a threat to Premier League?

Isabelle Wilson Sport writer Rumours of a European super league have heated up after a meeting took place last month between the chief executives of England’s top teams.

Stephen Ross, the billionaire owner of the Miami Dolphins, is keen to develop a pre-season league between Europe’s elite that he hopes would eventually rival the Champions League. If the English Premier League decides to include a winter break, the competition may also continue during the sabbatical.

The idea has been spurred on following the success of the International Champions Cup, a competition which takes place around the world pre-season, including big hitters such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. The competition draws in large crowds, with the final in 2014 between Manchester United and Real Madrid attracting 109,381 fans. It was the largest ever crowd attending a football match in America.

This summer’s edition will include Leicester City playing against Barcelona.

Ross is keen to sign up English teams with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea’s chief executives all in attendance. Lucrative global TV deals will see the Premier League receiving more than £3 billion from overseas in the coming three seasons and a massive £5 billion from Sky Sports alone. Ross seems keen to harness the financial power of the Premier League and teams from England would be offered shares in the competition.

Arsenal were quick to deny any talks of a super league. They stated: “Not Arsenal, nor any clubs at the meeting, are seeking changes to the Premier League and European landscape and no conversations surrounding displacing the Premier League or starting a European super league took place”.

As it stands the English teams hold all the cards. The Premier League is arguably the

Chelsea celebrating their Champions League win in 2012 Photo: wikimedia, Julian Mason most exciting in the world. Almost anything can happen as proven by Leicester City sitting top of the table.

English teams have been performing poorly in the Champions League in recent seasons and have failed to have a team in the final since Chelsea won the competition in 2012. Teams are seemingly focusing on the Premier League. The super league would aim to re-establish the power of European competitions.

But as demonstrated by the Premier League’s lucrative tv rights and world-wide interest, do English clubs really need a super league?

After winning the Premier League last

season Chelsea pocketed just shy of £100 million in total, and that figure will only go up next season considering the new TV deal.

Comparatively, Barcelona received only £44 million for their victory in the Champions League. If a super league were to draw teams in from England, the pay-out would have to be extortionate to encourage them to take a competition as seriously as they take the Premier League.

It also would demean performances from teams such as Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City who currently sit 1st and 2nd in the table but would miss out on qualifying for the super league.

Perhaps then, it is nothing more than an

elitist attempt for other European nations to reclaim some of the financial power that the Premier League has accumulated. But it fails to recognise that the power of the Premier League lies in not being elitist. Financially, all the teams in the league benefit from enormous TV deals. Even the team at the bottom of the table will make £100m from the new deal. It keeps the league highly competitive and unpredictable.

And with the financial incentives of staying with the Premier League only increasing, it will probably be a while before we see a league of Europe’s powerhouses.

For now, they will have to make do with their own leagues, and leave ours alone.

12th April 2016

23

Sport

Photo: Concrete, Will Cockram Continued from back page positively replete with Frisbees that were as ultimate as they were aerodynamic. UEA’s rugby stalwarts had clearly wolfed down their breakfasts of rusty nails and battery acid,

“No doubt they will be tales of unfettered victory, as UEA takes the stage without an ounce of fear in their eyes” with the men dishing out a 53-12 victory. But if the men were merciless then the women of rugby were more like a cadre of marauding warlords, setting a Derby Day record with their 60-0 pummelling of Essex. Not since ObiWan urged Darth Vader to strike him down had anyone lain down to die, so resigned to

Photo: Concrete, James Newbold

their fate. One imagines that, unlike George Lucas’ lightsabre swinging magical hobo, 2016’s Essex Blades are unlikely to become more powerful than we can possibly imagine.

Special mention has to go to Essex’s Pole Fitness team, who performed valiantly, despite there not being a UEA team to compete against. So one wonders what stories are waiting to be told as UEA’s finest sporting luminaries ensure their loins are sufficiently girded and prepare to wend their merry way down to a county in which they are likely held in the same regard as Genghis Khan was in the ravaged 13th century steppe. No doubt they will be tales of unfettered victory, as UEA takes the stage without an ounce of fear in their eyes, or a smidgen of doubt in their hearts. Although if UEA keep up their record Essex might become the Cecil the Lion of 2016, because Derby Day is becoming something of a blood sport, and our gladiators don’t pull their punches.

Injury time Olsson strike takes Norwich closer to safety Matthew Brown Sport writer A courageous victory over fellow relegation candidates Newcastle United saw Norwich City put four points between them and the bottom three. Meanwhile Newcastle seem destined for the Championship: the Magpies are without a win in six games and lie six points adrift of safety with seven games remaining.

Norwich controlled the first 45 minutes, exploiting Newcastle’s left flank. Vurnon Anita, a central midfielder filling in at left back, seemed unsure of his responsibilities — an example of the transfer failings that are partially responsible for Newcastle’s plight.

Norwich took advantage of Anita’s size, utilising lofted balls to the taller Dieumerci Mbokani. Anita was not helped by Moussa Sissoko, whose failure to communicate resulted in holes for Norwich to manipulate.

In a half of few chances, Mbokani had a goal correctly disallowed for offside. He later saw a six yard shot from a Robbie Brady cutback brilliantly saved from thirdchoice goalkeeper Karl Darlow (filling in for the injured Rob Elliot). Newcastle’s abjectness was finally punished just before half time. Centre-back Timm Klose, a shrewd £8.5million January purchase, powered home a free kick from Brady—after Cheik Tioté had conceded another needless foul. Klose’s first half performance merited his goal due to the Austrian organising Norwich’s defence effectively.

Newcastle, presumably stirred from a deserved rebuking, improved in attack after the interval. Andros Townsend awoke having been non-existent in the first period. Cutting in from the right, the ex-Spurs man forced John Ruddy to parry straight to Papiss Cissé.

Cissé, starting for the first time since 19th December, had offered little all game. The decision to start Cissé was surely based on his supposed prowess at converting simple chances. Yet he managed to squander his opening, blazing wide from five yards out when scoring appeared easier. Calls for

Norwich City’s Carrow Road stadium, where the Canaries beat Newcastle 3-2 in the last minute Photo: Wikimedia, Nick Aleksandar Mitrovi, who scored the late equaliser in the Tyne-Wear derby, grew to a raging tirade.

Cissé’s miss marked a shift in the game.

The introduction of forward Ayoze Pérez for defensive midfielder Tioté gave Newcastle better ball retention in the final third. Benitez’s second substitution had an even greater impact, with Mitrović finally replacing Anita.

The Serbian was unstoppable, troubling Norwich by winning aerial battles. His first goal showcased his ability in the air, as he sent a looping header beyond Ruddy from a wonderful Townsend cross.

Just 130 seconds after equalising, Newcastle’s abysmal defending cost them again. The Magpies failed to clear their lines, leading to Mbokani surging into the box from the left of the pitch and firing a stunning right-footed screamer beyond Darlow.

A bombardment of the Norwich goal followed, with Mitrović causing serious problems. Nerves saw an awkward bounce in the box lead to a Gary O’Neil handball and Mitrović converted from the spot to equalise.

Norwich looked nearly beaten, with Ruddy forced into a superb acrobatic leap to stop a Cissé header after Mitrović nodded across goal.

However, Norwich showed a spirit that is integral to maintaining Premier League status. They followed the blueprint for beating Benitez’s side, retaining a solid defensive shape and counter-attacking viciously. As Newcastle pushed for a winner, the Canaries again counter-attacked through the right wing. Capitalising on more dreadful defending, substitute Wes Hoolahan laidoff for Martin Olsson to drive home a low left-footed shot in the 93rd minute, inciting

pandemonium in Carrow Road.

Newcastle’s defeat was a microcosm of their season, despite them showing a resilience that they have been criticised for lacking. Offensively they created little despite considerable possession. Defensively all three of Norwich’s goals were partially due to Newcastle’s weak left back position, whilst their inability to defend effectively proved fatal. Fans were asked for their full support in Newcastle’s remaining fixtures and subsequently sold out their away allocation for Norwich. The supporters continue to be in strong voice, but there is clear discontent among them towards controversial owner Mike Ashley. Norwich fans meanwhile will be pleased to see the January investment in new signings including Klose are paying off as their Premier League survival is back in their own hands.

Sport 12th April 2016 Issue 324

Norwich’s continue Premire league fight >P23

The threat of a European Super League >P22

UEA prepares to once again do battle with Essex in Derby Day 2016 James Chesson Sport Editor UEA and the University of Essex will go head to head in a series of sporting events on the 20th of April, in Derby Day 2016.

The annual contest is the highlight of the sporting calendar for both universities and the source of a year’s worth of bragging rights.

Last year’s Derby Day on home turf gave UEA much to feel smug about. A resounding 42.5 – 19.5 victory sealed a hat-trick of Derby Day titles, following an away victory in 2014, and another home triumph in 2013.

Derby Day has taken place since 2001, with the location of the contest alternating between Essex and UEA every other year.

This year is another trip to enemy soil (the University of Essex’s Colchester campus) as UEA look to make it four in a row, thus increasing the number of Essex students who will have gone through their entire time at university without seeing a Derby Day win.

UEA Boat Club, who had to compete before the official Derby Day event, have already put the first points on the board, winning both the men’s and women’s boat races all the way back in February.

In the women’s boat race, UEA’s team finished their 3km in a time of nine minutes

3 Photo: Concrete, Peter Sheehan

“Derby Day should be ranked among sport’s greatest battles” argues Sports editor Tom Gordon El Clasico. The Rumble in the Jungle, The Thriller in Manilla. The Battle of Troy. Jacob Black vs Edward Cullen.

All conflicts of great historical import; all triumphs of athleticism over lethargy and virtue over complacency. But these grand battles seem more like anodyne squabbles when cast in the blue and yellow tinged (quite frankly, soaked) shadow of the most storied battle of all. Six syllables, one half rhyme, and more blood, sweat and tears than a bereaved pig in an abattoir. Yes it is, of course, UEA

Derby Day. Well, in the spirit of journalistic honesty it’s not quite Derby Day yet. Today is April 12th, but in merely one week and one day, on Wednesday the 20th of April, UEA’s valiant sportsmen and women take the field once more to mercilessly implement their scorched earth policy over the unsuspecting semibucolic suburbia of Essex.

Last year’s Derby Day, hosted by Norwich’s finest, was something of a 24-hour rout. It must have been shades of Dunkirk on the Essex Blades coach as they made the hour and a half and 63 mile drive back to their campus. UEA absolutely pasted their local (because 65 miles is of course the upper limit to local) rivals 42.5 – 19.5 in aggregate victories. (They say sport is a game of winners and losers, but either the old adage is wrong or the 0.5 win was contested by two sets of disembodied torsos) Not only was this a score line that made Germany-Brazil look conservative, it saw UEA claim a hat-trick of Derby Day victories. Who could forget the nail-biting finishes in futsal, the whitewash on the athletics field, the ultimate Frisbee bouts: Continued on page 22

Photo: Concrete, Marcus Skov

The number of times in a row that UEA has beaten Essex at Derby Day. UEA won the competition in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

and 50 seconds, with Essex limping home in 11 minutes and 16 seconds. The men’s boat race over 5km was a much tighter affair, with a mere 21 seconds separating the two teams. UEA’s time was 16 minutes and 22 seconds, ahead of Essex’s 16 minutes and 43 seconds. Before Derby Day has even begun, UEA lead by 2-0.

Derby Day involves a wide variety of sports, from basketball and rugby to dancesport and ultimate Frisbee.

Incidentally those are all sports UEA triumphed in during the 2015 event.

However, sports such baseball, cheerleading and handball will al be looking to improve on last year after being beaten by their Essex rivals.

The last time the annual event took place at Essex, two years ago, UEA’s Pool and Snooker club pulled off the victory needed to make UEA champions as thousands of students in Norwich carefully followed the day’s events on twitter.

Derby Day 2016 takes place on a Wednesday and in Essex, making it more difficult to attend this year’s event. However, Concrete will be providing information on the latest scores, atmosphere updates and coverage of as many sports as possible throughout the day both on twitter and through a live blog on our website.

Last year’s Derby Day liveblog smashed the record on the Concrete website for the most views, with a staggering 6,012 views.

4

Derby Day 2015

Highly commended Best news story Student questioned by special branch over Isis course reading

Photo: Billie May Jones

Highly commended Best sports coverage

A jubilant men’s football team hoist the Derby Day trophy as the Media Collective announce that UEA has gained enough points for overall victory Photo: Peter Sheehan

Men’s football claim crucial victory Derby Day Special issue & social media Tom Gordon Sports writer

As I ambled on down from the Terraces to the sporting vista of the Colney fields on what began as a sunny Saturday afternoon, I saw a bad omen. UEA men’s 2nd had, in a spirited, nip-tuck battle, been bested 1-0 by their Essex counterparts. The Essex booster-club were out in full-force, adding their dulcet tones to the boisterous throng of Derby Day. At the UEA end, however, support was far more muted. The day began to turn grey, and as the temperature dropped it felt like an aura of tension had been whipped in with the frigid air. But there was one team who were willing to throw caution to the wind, and it certainly didn’t look like that wind was affecting them half as much as it did my frostbitten fingers.

Although the Essex boys came out onto the pitch to muted chants of “heroooes”, it was the UEA lads who looked brighter upon taking the field. Smiles beaming, legs pumping and chests beating: even in warm-up they looked like they owned the pitch. They were putting a stamp on the game before it’d even begun, and although the overcast sky and biting cold persisted, the UEA supporters were most definitely lifted. The captains took to the circle – UEA to the right, Essex to the left – the referee raised his hand, blew his whistle, and

we had a game on our hands.

It was an immediately bright start to the game by the Yellows, with an almost instant sortie into Essex’s final third, by way of the right wing. This approach down the flanks set the tone for much of UEA’s attack. The game then began to settle into a rather tit-for-tat affair, with both teams confining one another to the middle of the park. The game’s first real chance ten minutes in, courtesy of Essex, came to nothing, and it seemed like both keepers were more at risk of trench foot than conceding a goal. UEA’s number 14 had been the star of the show thus far, with some very bright runs penetrating down the left, into Essex’s box. After he headed UEA’s best chance thus far straight at the keeper, Essex were very much under the kosh. Yet just as UEA seemed to get the game under their sway, out of almost nowhere Essex had sallied forth into the box, and pinged one onto the post. Mercifully for the boys in yellow and blue, the rebound was skied heavenward.

UEA were starting to look shaky in midfield, and the shivering pessimist in you felt an Essex goal was on the cards. Half an hour in, UEA played a looping ball in from the right, falling out of the sky with the inevitability of a doodlebug onto the left hand side of Essex’s box. The shot, one of UEA’s first, was blocked by the spread Essex defence.

The ball then dribbled slowly across the box,

and you could almost hear it crying out to be booted back into the relative safety of UEA’s half. But the Yellow’s number 16 wasn’t in a compassionate mood. He seized upon the ball, and smacked it into the bottom left corner. The keeper was left dangling in pursuit of the ball, with nothing but dead air to fill the gaping space between his fingers. The first inevitable chants of “who are ya!?” swiftly began to echo around the pitch.

It all seemed to be going rather rosily for UEA’s finest, but after an Essex cross wasn’t properly dealt with, UEA’s keeper was forced to bear down on the Essex forward and made a rather clumsy challenge. No card was brandished, but the Essex number 10 confidently converted the penalty 40 minutes into the match. Only a few minutes later the Essex penalty scorer was offered a golden opportunity after he was put through on goal, but he hesitated a split second too long, allowing the UEA defence to block. Going into half time at 1-1, it was anyone’s game.

Or so I thought. UEA’s halftime team talk couldn’t have been that far removed from the Sermon on the Mount, as the band of brothers came back onto the pitch with what seemed an almost divine tenacity. Not three minutes in UEA put in an inch-perfect cross, which number 8 rose to meet with his head, and the ball landed gratefully in the bottom right corner of the net. You couldn’t have asked for

Special mention Best specialist Frontier

26th January 2016

a more convincing start to the second half.

Unsurprisingly UEA proceeded to sit back a little more in their own half, and Essex gamely responded to going behind for the second time in the game. They headed a lovely floated free kick wide, and UEA’s keeper was forced to channel the spirit of goalkeeping legends past and present, making an excellent save from an Essex header at 55 minutes.

With half an hour to go, play had become far more central, and a lady behind me remarked presciently “it’s all about the headers this game”. Someone in sporting heaven must have been listening, because at 65 minutes UEA’s on form number 8 headed another corner emphatically into the right side of the net once again. UEA were on the ascendency, and began to completely outmuscle Essex in the midfield. It was the beginning of an excellent defensive display for the remainder of the second half, and Essex only mustered one clear chance on goal for the rest of the 90.

The ruthlessly marauding UEA defence shut down every attack before it had a real chance to develop, and were bossing the one-on-one battles.

As the final whistle blew the whole team sprinted to the centre circle, whooping, hollering and howling in a celebratory haze of various liquids. They eventually filed off the pitch, heads held rightfully high to a chorus of “Oh UEA is wonderful”, I’m inclined to agree.

20

Travel

Frontier

Past and present: the two faces of Oxford Photo: Flickr, Tejvan Pettinger. Below: Wikimedia, David Iliff

O

xford is a city of two completely different tales. As soon as you are there, you garner a sense of its incredible history and nobility, which is shown greatly through the luxury of the royal architecture.

However, you can also perceive the influence of modern taste and the declining affluence.

Oxford, upon my second visit, tells me a story of mystery and grandeur, of simplicity and the interesting visibility of humanity’s changes throughout history. Plenty of magnificent ancient buildings thrust in to the skyline and the air of the city is pervaded by an overwhelming sense of dignity and antiquity.

The architecture of the university buildings suggests a secret world of prosperity. The magnificence of the fine dining facilities, the delicate flowery patterns sealed on the carpets, the exquisite furniture made from rich, crimson, wood inside the old buildings: these are all testament to the exquisite skills of the old-time builders and the flourishing of medieval England.

For almost a thousand years, the marvellous architecture of the Oxford buildings has proudly stood in its place. King Henry II built the university in the 12th century, whilst buildings found in the city can be dated from around the Saxon era. It is overwhelming to think that such intricate architecture has lasted for such an age, and continues to be enjoyed by tourists from all over the world.

Zhou Miaorou explores the ancient and modern faces of the city of dreaming spires

Wandering around the city, you are able to instantly spot the grand architectures of an ancient age, and see why this city remains undoubtedly a magnificent marvel preserved as part of the Britain’s history. However, you cannot help but wonder what work must have gone in to building a city of such great stature. The blood and sweat of that antique society’s poorer people, the builders and the architects, must be recognised as having been the moving force in creating this magnificent city for the aristocrats. The buildings are themselves stories of mystery and concealment, of dark hidden secrets. It is important to remember how, though it was the rich people of society who were able to enjoy the buildings, they were only able to do so because of the hard work of the city’s poorer residents.

Looking at the city today, it is well known as a centre intellectuals, for and teachers, learners alike. Oxford is a place where modern life continues to flourish around its history. Like other cities, there are

plenty of small independent shops alongside more well-known high street chains.

Restaurants serving up all different types of international cuisine fill up the city’s spaces, refreshing the tourists who are ravenous after a day of exploration. The newer buildings are smaller in their size, the shop windows decorated elegantly with pretty plant pots filled with beautiful flowers, and people walk across the city with perfect ease. The city life here is simple and easy to feel involved in, letting the city maintain a sense of being current amidst its heavy history.

This is why Oxford is a city of two halfs: it is distinctly ancient and modern all at once.

Grand yet also simple, it combines its two aspects in effortless harmony. Gradually, the simplicity of the modern architecture, with all its clean lines and basic visuals, will perhaps flourish and surround the older, grander buildings.

Though the current age continues to take over the city and makes it busy and occupied, and somehow indifferent to its history, it is now a noble place for another generation, and again acquires the blood and sweat of builders.

It therefore tells a new story of grandeur and simplicity, of social inequality. The human need of luxury, however, remains the same.

Traveling to Oxford brings excitement, and what this city manifest throughout the history, for me, is mystery.

Highly commended Best design (newspaper) Concrete

A UEA student has been questioned by counter-terrorism police after accessing proIslamic State (Isis) material online as part of their course reading.

Students taking Clash of Fundamentalisms, a third-year PPL module, were directed to read passages from Dabiq, the online Isis-supporting magazine.

Concrete understands that links to the Islamist material were posted on Blackboard, but that they have now been removed.

Shortly after accessing the material, a student was questioned at their home by counter-terrorism officers from Norfolk Constabulary’s Special Branch. A university spokesperson said: “The university can confirm that a politics student taking the Clash of Fundamentalisms module was questioned last week after clicking on a link to a website. The site analyses and challenges the publications of extremist ideologies. The legitimate academic study of such causes is fundamental to countering them, however this particular link has now been removed from the course materials. We will continue to work with our partners to avoid any future issues arising”.

A student on the module, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Our lecturer told us that a student had been visited at their house by Special Branch for having done the course reading, which included a magazine associated with Isis and another with Al-Qaeda. The point of the reading was to understand how jihadism is promoted by these groups and how they try to influence people’s opinions”.

They added: “I was really shocked that a student was questioned. It just goes to prove that the government really are watching our internet history. It’s a silly policy. It’s reactionary rather than being proactive.

People need to be allowed to learn about this stuff in order to know they disagree with it”.

Clash of Fundamentalisms, which is convened by PPL’s head of school, Lee Marsden, examines “the clash between competing ideologies of neoliberalism and Islamism since the late 1970s” and aims to foster “critical thinking on religious and socioeconomic fundamentalism in a globalised world”.

Chris Jarvis, Campaigns and Democracy Officer at the Union of UEA Students, said: “The prospect that a UEA student studying fundamentalism can’t now surf across Isis propaganda without a visit from counterterrorism police is worrying and confirms our suspicions that the government’s Prevent [counter-terrorism] agenda is quickly turning students into suspects.

If we’re not careful, the Prevent strategy could end up preventing the wrong thing – learning about, critiquing and ultimately defeating terrorism – and could lead to the criminalisation of study”.

This incident comes as the government pushes to codify internet surveillance powers, specifically in order to combat terrorism. Furthermore, the Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015) places on universities the legal responsibility to develop action plans for combatting radicalisation on campuses and requires that they work with the police and local authorities when necessary. However, the act also stipulates that higher education providers must take “particular regard to the duty to ensure freedom of speech” and must be mindful of “the importance of academic freedom”.

Essentials of student cooking >P11

Human rights in Turkey >P8 6th October 2015 Issue 314

concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA ConcreteNewspaper

UEA admits live-stream lectures and virtual seminars could become norm

>> Students’ union says provision needs to keep pace with growth in student

numbers

EXCLUSIVE Joe Jameson Editor-in-Chief UEA has stated that it is “unrealistic to assume” that it will not explore the possibility of increasing the use of “high quality video links” as a method of teaching. The Union of UEA Students (UUEAS) has warned against the move, urging the university to ensure that it is able to accommodate the rise in students predicted over the next few years.

Recently the university has suggested that it may look to increase the use of video links as part of its teaching methods, as it came to light that a Nursing induction lecture was held in two rooms, the students in the second had to watch a livestream of the lecture. When asked about the situation which had occurred in a nursing lecture, a university spokesperson said that the use of live streaming was not a “common method of teaching used in the School of Healt Sciences”, but added that Photo: Flickr, Harry Harris it “is not unrealistic to assume that using a high-quality video feed as part the of our learning the access to higher education from vulnerable to questions names on about the value of degrees at their of the biggestmethods will be utilised in the and disadvantaged people.

Swift and someand teaching was current price of £9,000 a year, and whether he for free!” future”.

Radio Awards while Commenting on the prospect of UEA students are paying planet to Norwich in Glasgow, end, held comes the 2005 Student a fair amount for their This admission a time when Exeter students viewing more of their lectures For 2014’s Big Week thoseatwho for daily level ved of teaching his here. access. Rand, stated that “[As] d reser were has announced then starte a new partnership through a live stream, Undergraduate of tickets University Glasgow City the university intends to expand its student James and his team n House, 50% daries ofEducation boun Pearsons n thewith toion build a series of Education Officer at UUEAS, Connor Rand, from Unio in Unio s tradit BBC’ over live withi numbers the in ng the drive-time show next few years, it’s critical that rushi nues e conti postgraduate ticket degrees s to which could sai: “Hastily video linking lecture theatres and this cil. This online a crowd, befor is done in a planned way with facilities majoritybyofSeptember attracting quite t of “UEA Coun the stream ve on come a 2016. Exeter issuing timetables late doesn’t give students start a classic chan quickly of aiming to reser and services growing alongside”, explaining city. Lucy Finnie, to the library to hostthe ers – in thethat liveclaims degrees will be perplexed studi lines those who in Norwich, said:“competitively confidence”. He add that if the university that this extended to “lecture theatres, in er few is wonderful!” to teach first and the priced with ‘on the ground’ beyond and allow was planning to expand, “it must make sure resource has graduate Weekend degrees for the hubs, and in services like realising the lyrics nal radio. UEA d that the to fitBig their learning nd! suitable for natio part time that the appropriate seats are there before accommodation, so excitestudents East of Englaaround probably weren’t DOS and the SU”. conducted “I’m made it’s to the wayThe work. university’s provost, Professor students arrive”. of the show was I can’t believe it’s which finally This news comes as the University has The remainder and so long Kay, hopes that the loves Norfolk studios, project will widen e waitedJanice This move by the university leaves it open been caught out over from the BBC Radio m, with eight guests We’v Radio 1, Norwich a situation where some you thank – Foru free along to still are located in the going ctive Colle for end, e you!” from the Media to the Big Week last hour of Danc In the lead up Myerscough, 55, a former UEA criminal law join in for the 1 and BBC running, Radio year h ems. fourt week al lecturer, fled the court building just before Anth the festival the embark on a speci The promotion of the jury was due to return its verdict. He was e activity Learning will also for UEA, as nt and face-to-fac was a success being prosecuted for breaching the terms of Radio 1’s of local engageme ing the doors to and students’ to the university his sexual offences prevention order, having in the area – open , Radio 1 hopes nt coverage During the week emy. next union got brillia the been Acad convicted in 2010 of possessing indecent olds to take day, and throughout the re local 16–9 year attend images of children. Myerscough was found be plenty inspi inviting them to there will surely and in their careers by guilty in his absence. ties for step s, masterclasses more opportuni s of radio show serie a Ipswich Crown Court judge, Emma s draw students as May er of Peters, issued a warrant for Myerscough’s Q&As. da Arthur, Lead closer.

Councillor Bren is great arrest after it became apparent that he had are Council said: “This chance Local residents fled Norwich City the the court.

She told the jury: “You will see us as give ed, and will & Peter Sheehan Sam McKinty particularly pleas Mr Myerscough is not in court. Unfortunately news for Norwich at its best. We city Deputy ing and al are famously News amaz editor editor igious he seems to have left the Ipswich area over to show off this tickets to the festiv prest rmed again for to be hosting this emy. The lunch. I have issued a warrant for his arrest are very proud free. This was confi Acad 1 roller Radio Cont er, t and Police in the Ireland have local detained younga former and significant steps are being taken to ensure national even 2015 with Ben Coop ing with commenting be workwho will lecturer absconded give Ipswich he is taken into custody at the earliest of Radio 1 and 1Xtra Weekend is AcademyUEA point”. the festival to from Julian Myserscough, former UEA law up to Big the run Court on the 30th We very Julian people inCrown that: “Radio 1’s A European arrest warrant was then lecturer Photo: lifetime. September. supplied al of the year, experience of a the first big festiv with the BBC and them an ing s work begin to er rd forwa this is where summ partners”.

You much look other ing. and hs amaz be mont ng it’s going to and in the comi !

BBC begin n the tdow love Let the coun have got to ing you Taylor Radio 1 for bring

Issue 1.15 27.0

end coming to Radio 1’s Big Week

307

Norwich

r nt Newspape Official Stude of East Anglia’s The University from campus adcast his show live >> Greg James bro e lor Swift to headlin Tay >> th 5 201 as 23rd – 24 May “I can’t >> Dates confirmed p”. He added: line-u has a “dream Speaking to y in Norwich!”. wait to see Swift ing, he said on Friday morn Geri Scott Concrete later rd” to the y looking forwa “reall hief was r-in-C he Edito that s takes over Weekend alway Big “The t. even to members of the and it’s great ing, city, morn host y outside the where Early on Frida ctive gathered d some time some ich UEA Media Colle etplace. As spen Norw I’ve been to to Norwich mark City Hall, close had merely new. but only to do DJ gigs was a time we on before, students, 07:30 h had been seen nights”. He also whic or club and tales, in y night loved heard of a particularly heav that he: “absolutely who the walk home from library. But armed with said city’s town crier e, the bacon Bob”, the out, or of cours ion, and ous market-made unced the locat more of coffee and an infam for an announcement anno he wants to see d that waite said we , to wich want sand al. told we “wouldn’t him at the festiv which we’d been who Greg James, thing miss”. se we got of some en had spent the day in The first glimp the sudd ich checking in ening was red and Norw exciting happ town crier in full various Radio a cheery with appearance of the ent greeted us with shows at differ gold regalia, who side of the 1 the city, from the other et points in pupp “good morning” the of old ich, the home returned to his could road. It being Norw this of uary, nd grou ing owl sanct arrival stomping afternoon man and a crack rence, but the next in the be a regular occur Norwich’s prodigal son, UEA the n of to take a tour of wasn’t: the retur ties. facili ng for media Greg James! the new we’d been waiti The announcement al music festival, the He saw ire 1’s annu studios that Livew was was that Radio in Norwich’s – of which he would be held Big Weekend, act to be 1350 line ger during head Mana first n the Statio Earlham Park; – are now . The festival, held UEA Swift r at Taylo time will take his announced was from, and location every thyear, broadcasting s 2015. in a different UK a Centre. Jame on 23rd and 24 May with the Medi place in Norwich UEA in ment coincided graduated from The announce ion on the Radio 2007, having previously locat the of shaw. the unveiling Presenter at Male with Nick Grim Best Show won fast 1 Break end always that the Big Week Grimshaw said

Former law lecturer detained in Ireland after fleeing his trial during lunch break

students have found that their timetables had not been filled in, or had seminars missing.

Prior to the beginning of the semester the university was faced by a serious software issue which prevented it from issuing timetables to students in advance of Freshers week. This was compounded by a rise in students enrolling at UEA this september, and a reduction in teaching space in comparison to the same time a year ago, due to the closure of CD Annex, as well as the reduction in use of the Blackdale building, as the site is prepared for new accommodation. issued after Myerscough was spotted in Dublin. It is thought that he took a train from Ipswich, then travelled to Ireland by ferry. He was subsequently detained the Gardaí, the Irish police force, on Friday morning. British and Irish authorities are co-operating to ensure his return.

The charges date back to September 2013, when police raided Myerscough’s address in Lowestoft and seized a laptop, a computer tower and a USB memory stick. All the equipment was found to contain indecent images of children. He was also charged with three counts of breaching the terms of his prevention order.

During the trial, in which Myerscough represented himself, he said that he “wouldn’t be told by the courts what he mustn’t do”.

Issue 28.04.15

312 Winter in Norwich >P13

Caroline Lucas >P4

3rd November 2015 Issue 316

concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA ConcreteNewspaper

Silent minority : chronic underreporting of sexual harassment

ome Week

nt were reported at UEA during Welc

>> Only 11 incidents of sexual harassme

“it may A union source told Concrete that coming not surprise you to learn that students Welcome forward to venue staff during across Felicity and common Jessica Frank-Keyes Week were very low. This is that aren’t Stephenson students unions, where students ally assume News editor and news reporter aware of schemes don’t automatic help”. that venue staff would whether of students UUEAS declined to indicate The NUS has claimed that 20% preventing during their concerted extra effort was put into experience sexual harassment Week, 66% of sexual harassment during Welcome first week at university. Further, Out UUEAS Night it.

Good report to the g how know publicisin aside from students don’t it could “Posters and scheme. A spokesperson said: has declined to indicate whether can and s of sexual students awarenes that raise to clear more making done flyers have sexual of students regarding handful a only forward after come nt should harassme t during of the Good harassment under the auspices at UEA reported sexual harasmen in Welcome Night Out scheme were deployed Welcome Week. e from (UUEAS) The Union of UEA Students Week. However, as is the experienc up until later .. [of] sexual other unions, we get little take has said that only “11 incidents. were recorded in the term”. harassment within our venues” Diversity The incidents UUEAS Community, Welfare and during UEA’s Welcome Week. language “I take Never Officer, Jo Swo, told Concrete: included “staff-witnessed harassing seriously... reported to OK and sexual harassment really and behaviour and some incidents to victims approach to UUEAS has a zero-tolerance us. In each case support was given were created perpetrators sexual harassment. Our posters where possible and identified harassment is proportionate to inform people what sexual have been subject to action and/or surround and and to dispel the myths that to the offence including warnings yes, Concrete Photography insisted that with our Code Bar Photo: Jessica Frank-Ke protect sexual harassment”. She temporary bans in accordance A Never OK poster in the Red is to ensure “students are of Conduct”. implemented the union’s priority e as on campus… We of aware of any codes of conducts According to the NUS, nationwid know safe in the city as well not over a third happened in halls did just 66% a and and , witnessed by their university really change the nightlife culture a further 29% of the students in order to report want to time. The residence. nt] acceptable”. the NUS the procedure to follow sexual harassment during this thought that that makes [harassme Another issue that emerged from nt were e these incidents. 12% of students most common forms of harassme they would is many students’ lack of knowledg incident, survey the and s reported they comment if Continued on page 3 60% of even rape jokes, unwanted sexual how to report an incident. Over about seriously. incidents taken these be of not heckling in clubs. 59% that they were not made or nightclubs the students stated happened at social events this year and, earlier Harm in interview in Norwich between 03:00 to reports in the Eastern Daily involved in crimes reported year History student, became his typical leaving times for according The victim, and 06:00, the sobbed as the judge read out an altercation earlier this year. to Norwich City Council, Press, According clubbers. a from sentence. a serving soldier, had been ejected lawyer, when he first Richard Wood, the defence The rise in violent Prince of Wales Road nightclub actions were Zeffertt’s that court that told crimes reported in came in contact with Zeffertt. defendant, to the “hugely out of character” for the Norwich between the The court heard how, according s” and had there was a who has “no previous conviction hours of 03:00 and prosecuting lawyer Chris Youell, t. that quickly demonstrated remorse throughou 06:00 since 2005 disagreement between the pair to a 12-month sentenced was ion.

Zeffertt confontat escalted into a physical aggressive ty order of 200 hours unpaid Youell said that Zeffertt became Road accounts for 60% of communi that he by the victim. the Prince of Wales community work, who told Zeffertt after being told to “kill himself” crime Norwich. ” of his actions, but added out what was all reported violent the victim should be “ashamed Zeffertt then proceeded to carry Court documents indicate that “destroy” his life by giving him would he assault”. that the “sustained a during as described six times Sam McKinty Street, was punched at least sentence, recognising that Zeffertt Cathedral custodial on a to place took knocked attack The to him being able remorse” and that News editor road, in the attack, which led kick the had shown “consider just off of the Prince of Wales floor. Zeffertt then proceeded to of character. morning on 5th June this the the attack the offense was out subject of champion early hours of the victim in the head. He continued Zeffertt was also made the The former equality and diversity away. order, in an year. efforts by his friends to pull him a three-month prohibited activity of the men’s rugby team was involved of Wales are extremely despite Prince chipped on a eye, Assaults black a of Wales on Prince The victim suffered banning him from going to Prince assault with a member of the public in comparrison to the rest and has been commonplace tooth, and abrasions to the face.

Road between 19:00 and 07:00.

Wales Road earlier this year Bodily Since 2005, there has been a Actual Norwich. of causing Zeffertt admitted sentenced at Norwich Crown Court. in the number of violent rise 210% reported secondAlistair Zeffertt, a 19-year-old,

UEA rugby player sentenced for sustained attack on soldier

Highly commended

Special mention

election2015

210%

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Ana lysis

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