Concrete issue 022 09 06 1993

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

A TICKET TO RIDE

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the slate of the s hfilm lnd

The essential 4 page pull-out

from Concrete

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to baild 720 ltlldeat J;aiidallces o the former UDi•-•ifv Village site md with A .gltt bitda wbaa plaaaia.gpcr-

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Motiveless assault leaves three injured T'IIREE UEA sta ts were lnjlll"ed ill e 1111pnwobd assault oear the centre of Norwich last week.

In what appears to be a motiveless attack by an Ullkoown assailant. ooe student received a dislocated jaw, ooe suffered chipped teeth, and the otlxr sustained a star-shaped gash to the forehead which needed sevc:ral stitches.

The second years had spent the evening of June 1 at the Chicago Roclc Cafe and were heading home along St Giles Street at 1.30 am. They noticed a group of four youths ahead of them. and when they got closer-, one of the group set upon the unsuspecting students. " One guy seemed to do the whole lot", one of the students told Concrete;

By Nudl Hampton all three wish to remain anonymous.

The attacker's oompaoionshe)pedooe of the injured to get up before they walkedoffin thedin:dionofthe YMCA They said they were from a gang called the •Bristol Brassbcads'.

The students, shaken after the incident, went home and called the police, who took them to hospital.

The Dean of Students, Dr C C Matheson, said, •'Thankfully attacks of this kind are rare, and the University is always concerned when students are attacked in this way.''

1be assailant is described as young, dressed in jeans and T-shirt, with a flat

top hairstyle. He was between 5'6• and 5'1" tall Attacks on students in NOIWicll are less frequent than at some otlxr major universities. But in Novc::mber Cmcrcte reported how a student was attacked for a pack. ofcigarettes and£ 1.50, a few days after police released figures stating that aime levels were on the increase in the City. Apparently, there were no witnesses to this latest assault. but anyone who has any information regarding the incident is asked to contact the police at the Bethel Street station, telephone

768769.

• Police have issued a plea for witnesses to another student attack. On May 19 at around 11 .30 pm, two graduates were

assaulted by a mystay attackec as they were entering Wavenr:y Tcnac:e •B• block.

One oftbem suffered a broken nose and was quite shaken up as a result.

Their attacker then seemed to disappear and it is unknown whether he is a student or a local resident He is described by the police as white, in his early 20s, of broad build with short straight hair, and he was wearing a grey swcatshirt.

Again, no motive has been established, and the police are therefore keen to contact anyone who could help them with their enquiries. Anyone with any information on this at.tact: should cantact PC Paul Watson frcm the Norfolk Constabulary on 250394.

Multitudes mob Megastore Crowds flock to official opening "PATR.IC! AARON!" ~ KOra ol'~

&irk u 'Wodlls Apart' took fD the sbf:e at Cbe Oty'sWaad..-VII'JiD Mepstorebst'Jbunday.

And if Pa!ri<:, Aaroo oc aay odacr manbet of pop's latest kat !I!Cftsation l)'lDed iD the right fashion oc evat IICbtowledpd tbe presence oftbe audieoce tbe KRamS sot loudcF and more framed!

0oe Wlfortunate female had ID be pulled from tbe &oat of the crowd b8nia- when she collapsed as the cxcit:wcntgottoo muc:h, but that failed IDstopauyooe c:!.!:c from singiq along with the set. !.atr:r iD the day there was music: from indio-band, Eat, l&lld 30IIlC cdebrity appearances.

Twn ID pqe Jm: for more photos ofthe day's ev.:nts.

t ofapproval by the tbemoath.

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Norwich CityCooncil'sPlanning ttee have raised two objecthe scheme revealed in the ISSUe of Concrete, which has been designed by Team Services PLC as a replacement for Fifer.;

Unc. The Committee wanted a review

of the

arrangements for disabled Qdents, as well as a goodreplace~t building for the old barn, a t~ student ·venue' on the site. cillor Susan Cumm, Chair Committee, said disabled acto the residences was very imt, and said the present plans not incorporate enough messfor it ' Theyare'Lego' blockunitsofa ~ldmll size with en-suite facili, and you can't modify them for led students'', she said, add-

that this was very important, amatterofprinciple. She added, " mobility standard is required by planning policy." But Mrs said the proposed scheme is vement on former plans for the site. " We've asked for have got very substantial ~lges since the plans were first .tted ... she said " When they first seen, everyone was exly rude but they've been mas-

improvcd.''

continued. "I think it is a less impressive scheme than lson Cowt residences on us. Thisisrathermore 'wark', even down-market, but it d be good; they look like good

2

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Residences decision deferred Cont. from Page 1 A source in UEA's Planning Development Office told Concrete that for a development of such size, objections to parts of the scheme would be normal.

He pointed out that numerous discussions took place between the University and the Council before Nelson Court and Constable Terrace were finally granted planning permission.

He added that the Universitywas confident the proposals would be approved after UEAand Team Services meet on Monday week to discuss the points raised by the Council; the modified plans are due to be submitted on June 24.

Other objections to the scheme were raised by local conservationist group the Yare Valley Society and were passed on to the Council.

The University Village site- plans deferred to build here

A spokesman for the society (a professor at UEA) voiced his concerns over the density [the amount of storeys] of the proposed blocks, stating that they were out of

Goodbye and good luck!

This is the last issue of Concrete this academic year: we're back in September.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our contributors this academic year; without them producing Concrete would have been impo sible.

We would also like to wish all

best for the future, especially those who have been involved in the paper.

We send our special good luck to Polly Graham and Rob Hardy, who are going on to Cardiff for an NCTJ course and the London College ofPrinting to study photography respectively.

Thanks again .

keeping with the rest of the area.

He was also concerned about road access to the development, especially with traffic levels across Earlham

Road.

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr John Tarrant, who unveiled the proposals for the site at a presentation last month, was unavailable for comment.

Rugby Club apology THE RUGBY CLUB apologised to the Union Executive over their controversial tour T-shirts, which were banned from all Union outlets two weeks ago.

In a letter to the Exec, read out during Week 6's UGM, the president of the Rugby Club uggested that the T-shirts had not been designed to offend in such a way, and

that they would not be worn again b., its members either in Union premises or on campus.

Richard 1-Iewison, Communica tions Officer, gave Concrete his fina words on the matter. " The Rugb\ Club could not have offered us more in their letter", he said, " It is in m) view the most mature and responsi ble action they could have taken.''

University cash crisis ESSEX UNIVERSITY has been plunged into financial chao , recently announcing a deficit of nearly £1 million.

Their Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ron Johnson, has written to the University's 1,300 employees warning that the situation will deterioate, and that years of financial crisis should be expected.

The most serious implications of the crisis are that the University will have to cut their staffing levels, although officials will not disclose the number of staff involved.

They are also tightlipped on whether the cuts will be achchieved by natural wastage, redundancy or non-replacement.

Cuts in spending of around £700,000 have already had to be made to contain the University' s financial shortfall thi year, but this figure looks likely to have to increase in the future.

Professor J ohnson is

expecting a further fall in their income of at least £500,000 in 1994-5.

The University's information officer, Mr Bob Russell, said, ''Nothing is ruled in or out.

"Every sphere ofthe university' s activities will be con idered calmy, cooly and collectively.''

It is understood that Essex had failed to attract the required number of new undergraduates last October.

Since this is insisted upon by the Government as a part of their Higher Education policy, the University were not able to qualify for appropriate funding levels.

Essex's intake is set to rise by about 3 00 this Octoberto 5,300, but the fact remains that Government funding has not risen in line with the increases in student numbers - a nationwide problem.

Profes or Johnson said, "We will have to reduce taffnumbers and consider whether there are activities which we should no longer Wldertake. ''

•• • • • • •• • •• • • •• • •• •••

£1 ADMISSION AND FREE BARBEQUE MEAL WITH T IS OVERT OR AFLYEA BEFORE 10.30P •

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

3

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Courage feeling bitter over ....,_______,~~ NUS move OXFORD University' s Exeter College recently decided to disaffiliate from the NUS. During a meeting of its JCR to debate disaffiliation, a vote of 30/30 was returned, and the decision consequently hinged on the chair's casting vote. He allegedly stood up and said, "Bye Bye NUS" , bef<rewalking out and committing the college to sever its links with the NUS.

LANCASTER University are offering a programme of courses throughout the summer vacation to students from other HE establishments.

Credits that students earn on the courses will be translated back to their original institution via the CAT Scheme after being certified by Lancaster.

The programme, understood to be a novel initiative, will be particularly useful to part-time and mature students, wishing to ' compress' their degree courses. Further information is available from UEA's Registry.

· STUDENTS from the colleges that form London University are currently debating whether to remain a part of the University' s federal structure or to split into individual establishments. 90% of students at Queen Mary and Westfield College supported retaining their links with the University, a trend which seems to be quite representative. However, the VC of London University has chosen to step down in the middle of the furore, as he has taken another post elsewhere.

SUNDERLAND University' s first ever Union Ents manager has resigned after only one impressive year in office, and over 200 people have applied for his position. His main success was in bringing quality comedy to the University' s Wearmouth Hall, and he has dulybeenluredawaytoa 'better job' in Stoke, promoting events in large venues such as football stadiums across the Midlands.

LONDON University' s Union venue was forced to close two weeks after being voted the UK' s Best Student Venue by 'Live' magazine. Local borough Carnden informed the ULU that they needed a licence for live gigs, which has now been granted, albeit for a capacity of350, instead of the former 850. The Ents team at ULU are currently working on getting their capacity back to its former level, and the cancelled gigs have been re-scheduled.

Sources: Cherwel.

Universal Post .London student

Brewers lose contract in 'unethical' tender

By NiaJI Hampton COURAGE, one of the UK's largest brewen, have lost their contract with the National Union of Students Services Limited (NUSSL) after their tender was deemed uncompetitive.

However, the decision taken

by NUSSL has caused a certain ammmt of controversy between them and campus unions, ~ cially as only half of the relevant information on the tender has been disclosed, questioning NUSSL' s business integrity.

Chris Hollingworth, Union Finance Officer, opposes NUSSL's action. "It could lead to a lack of confidence in both the student market and the NUSSL board", he said.

NUSSL, which supplies beer to campuses across the UK, intends to reduce the amount of brewers which fiunish its account from 5 to 4; Courage has been dropped as a result, despite

being one of their largest suppliers.

Courage's rivals for the contract were Allied-Lyons, Scottish and Newcastle, Bass and Whitbread.

Of these, Allied and Bass are still under contract to supply NUSSL for another year; tenders should surely have taken place only when all parties were free to bid.

Colleges and universities throughout the UK are complaining about NUSSL's conduct, especially as the information regarding Courage' s bid, which was understood not to be that cuch bigger than anyone else' s, has not been fully divulged.

The Union support NUSSL' s decision to cut the number of brewers from 5 to 4, but only doing it when the time is right next year, for instance.

Chris Hollingworth sees a possible solution as re-instating Courage, and only then deciding which brewer should be dropped.

Suicide riddle at Manchester Uni Henry O'Bree, a fint year Art History student at Manchester Univenity is believed to have committed suicide after taking his first University exam.

The 20-year old was found in his car in Scotland a week after disappearing from University.

A note to his mother, fmmd the next day, described himself as a failure and asked her to forgive him.

Mrs Diana O' Bree said her son sometimes suffered from stress about his work: ''He got very cross with himself but no more than any perfectionist VW>Uid" .

A University spokesman described Henry O' Bree as a " conscientious" student, "well-liked by staff and fellow students''.

Another student also disappeared, last week, from Swansea

University,havingconcealedher expulsion for three months from friends and family.

Samantha Fox is believed to be in London and a statement from her building society showed she withdrew £150 last week.

Her father pleaded, ''We just want a phone call to say she' s OK".

These incidents emphasize the amount of pressure students are often put under, and they follow a number of student suicides armmd the country and at UEA UEA's student counselling service' s annual report for 19912 recorded ll.75%oflast year' s Graduates had been clients during their student years, and I 0% of them obtained first class de-

R~

search in Norwich is looking for healthy, ooo-smoking volunteers to participate in a study which will provide valuable nutritional information on the absorption and metabolism of glucose through the gut, writes Ro.sa/ind S/ee.

The rate of increase of glucose concentration in the blood after eating starchy foods is thought to be very important in the development of diabetes, high-blood pressure and coronary heart disease, disor-

"lftheyloseagain,thenthat's fair, but the current situation isn't", he said, adding that, "NUSSL is about obtaining the best prices, and it appears that this [NUSSL' s decision] may have been unethir,al."

Courage, whose contract expires on August lst, are known to be disappointed about the news.

A spokesman for the brewer, DavidJones,said, " Couragewas votai fue number one beer sup-

PHOTO: Mark Turner plier in terms ofbrands, support and sales service by university bars across the country.''

He added, " We are currently renegotiating with NUS, and expect to have further discussions at the end of the month. "

Cash through caffeine THE World ' s Biggest Coffee Morning will take place on Friday, lst October, between 8am and 12 noon, in aid of the Macmillan Nurse Appeal, writes Georgina King.

Sponsored by Lyons Signature Instant Coffee, it is hoped that

this national fund-raising event the third of its kind - will double last year' s total of 4,800 coffee mornings, which raised £465,000 to help the fight against cancer.

The organisers are aiming to arrange coffee mornings across the country, and in return for a cup of

coffee, participants will be asked to give and their signature to the appeal. To register as an organiser andtoreceiveyourorganiserpack which contains free sachets of Lyons Signature Instant Coffee, contact Lynne Hawkins on 071 867 9256.

TAXI FIVE STAR TAXIS NORWICH

grees.

It also shows that females are more inclined to seek counsel-

ling than males.

Volunteers wanted THE INSTITIJTE of Food

No more Courage products in this outlet after August...

derswhichaffcctmanypcoplelater in life. The study involves established clinical techniques and will be performed by nurses and doctors at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The study will begin in July 1993. Volunteers will be reimbursed

for all necessary expenses including loss of income on either the experimental or the previous day.

For further information, contact Jackie brown or Dr GeoffLivesey at the Institute of Food Research, .

(0603)56122 ext 2041294.

or 619289 or 619280

No extra charge after midnight

UEA to anywhere within the inner ring road : £3

UEA to Thorpe rail station£ 3.50

4

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Non-Sabb results 'tight'

By Chief Reporter

NEWS ON CAMPUS IHOSE attending Week 6' s UGM could hardly believe their luck when they were able to get drinks for half price. A Union promotions gimmick backfired after the vouchers issued for a 30p reduction forcach drink were used to buy half pints, thus enabling a pint to be purchased for half price. Finance Officer Chris Hollingworth, in between slurring his fractions, conceded that the Union had 'cocked up a bit'.

STUD ENTS a re bei ng warned by the Students Union to refrain from swimming or even paddling in The Broad' because of the dangers involved. Jaws doesn't lurk in the bottom, but the depth of the former gravel pit can be deceiving, and the presence ofblue-green algae is poisoning the water .. .lovely.

A FIRST year resident at Fifers Lane was knocked over by a car last Tuesday after getting off a bus and crossing the road. He was admitted to theNorfolkandNorwichHospital but was understood not to have been badly hurt. He went home shortly afterwards to recover with his family.

WEEK SIX'S Non-Sabbatical Elections saw a victory for Labour Students whilst all the unopposed candidates were elected to the Union Executive.

In a clean campaign with a turnout of 460, Pally Knewstub was elected as NUS Officer, and Rachael Maskell as Internal Officer. They fought the electiOns as Labour Students, contested respectively by Peter D\\)er and Esther Jillet from SWSS. ln the other positions, which were unopposed save for RON, Darnon Roddis became the first Environmental Officer, whilst Liz Chard inherited the post of

Pol/y Knewstub Sports Officer, whose present incumbent, John Holmes, was elected as External Sports Officer.

Daniel Owen returns to the

post of Clubs and Societies Officer (which he held in 1991-2), and Jarnes Tansey, chair at recent UGMs, was elected to the newly-created post of Community and International Officer.

CurrentWomen'sOfficerPolly K.newstub was ecstatic at the result ''I'm delighted to have been mandated to take over as NUS Officer at such a cn!Jcal time for the NUS and student unions. It is obviously a great success for Labour Students", she said.

Rachael Maskell, the present Internal Officer, shared Pally's jubilation, " Because the result was so tight, I'm really looking forward to working on the new

posts on the Executive, SWSS were pleased with the result. ''It goes to show that people are angry and want to fight", satd Esther Jillet, ·who narrowly lost out by one vote to Rachael Maskell. In the election for NUS Officer, SWSS attracted 40% of votes cast, something which Esther Jillet saw as being '·a positive vote for SWSS and action and a good base to build on for next year."

Jarnes Tansey, celebrating after having been elected as Community and International Officer said, ''I'm definitely pleased at being elected, and I've got a lot of confidence in the Executive for next year.''

Liz Chard Executive'', she said, adding that, " I hope the result will prove beneficial to the Union's members.''

Despite not having secured any

Ents Committee elected

Firsts no go for women?

By Polly Graham MEN are almost twice as likely to gain first class degrees than women, according to figures from 45 ofBritain 's Universities.

Men are out doing women in practically every subject except for in the traditionally male science subjects.

The gap is widest in the arts subjects; 17% of men achieve firsts compared with only 7% of women.

The picture is the same in

history with I 0% of men gaining firsts against 5% of women.

The statistics taken from more than 42,000 students over the past six years are causing concern amongst senior educationalists.

Some academics blame discrimination by examiners saying that it is impossible not to be subjective.

Others claim that women lack the self esteem required to obtain a top degree . Baroness Wamock ofGirton College Cambridge believes that women are

Jarrold AppleCentre", Norwich

too cautious; " Men are slightly more adventurous. They are prepared to chance their arms,'' she said.

On the brighter side women are only 2% behind their male counterparts in mathematical subjects and stole the top position in Computer Studies and Mechanical Engineering.

Lecturer in Computer Studies, Brenda Mace credits women' s success to hard work; " We have to work hard to make our presence felt," she said, " And perhaps be that little bit better. ''

THE ELECTION for the Union Entertainments Committee finally tookplaceinWeek6'sUGM. IOI votes were cast in total, electing Emma Mohabghab, Sophie ReadingandNigdHardingastheCommittee' s student representatives.

The Ents Committee has been formed in an attempt to lend a ' student ear' to the co-ordination of Union Entertainments policy, including the boolcing oflive baP • in the LCR. It comprises ofl' Rayns and Gavin Hudson from Ents, David Hooper and Chris Hollingworth from the Union, and the three newly elected student reps. Following the last election, which was made void after being described as a " farce", it was decided to hold the elections at the UGM. Nigel Harding explained why he wanted to be a member of the committee. " The main reason is that the bands booked aren't right", he said, ' ' they' re just thinking more commercially." He added, "We hope to get the gigs back to appeal to students; if anyone wants to have input then they can get in touch with me through EAS."

With only I 00/o of computer students at UEA being female she feels more women need to be encouraged to take the subject earlier on in their education; " Women just don' t come in our direction in the first place," she said.

Dean of Chemistry Dr Jones is proud that women comprise 50% of his department.

He puts female success down to the having logical minds and being more dedicated saying ''In sc1ence everyone is treated equally."

Students lapping u p the luxury

Another Winning Deal ....

First years accommodated in hotels MANCHESTER University is solving its accommodation problems by housing first years in deluxe hotels.

All of these systems inclu de : 11 14 colour display (except Classic), Colour Classic 4/80 & ClarisWorlu £725 mouse, mousemat & system software. LC II 4/160 £910 LC systems also include keyboard. LC II 4/80 & ClarisWorks £799 LC m4/40 £953 Forftirther~onnation LC m4/80 £1024 or our free UEA price list contact LC m4/160 £1131 Paul Freakley Centris 610 4/80 £1346 (All prico ace subjea to VAT ar the CW'!'alt rate) Centris 610 4/230 £1504

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Barrack Street, Norwich. NR3 lTH. Tel! (0603) 6302;2

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Local Hotels are now offering a good standard of cheap accommodation taking the onus off the University to provide housing for all its first years.

For a modest £58 a week, students are provided with a colour TV, bathroom, an English Breakfast, and a three-<:<>urse evening meal seven days a week. For an extra £1.50 a laundry service is also available.

Student Union Welfare Officer Johnny Whitehead describes the Rafiles Hotel rooms as " a bit out of date, like a Blackpool Hotel. " He is referring to that gaudy decor with fluffy bedspreads found in middle market hotels.

Although he did admit that the standard was higher than Manchester's halls of residence.

Last year 700 students had to be housed in alternative accommodation, such as hotels, costing the university £175,000. Residents also have the use of a lounge with pool table and prices in the bar have been set at student union levels.

Manageress June Richard son claims that the facilities are so impressive that some students last year didn ' t want to leave. " We 've already had enquiries about rooms for next year " she added .

IBy Polly Graham I

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BLUEeo.JEAN oat Lane

Megadraw at Megastore...

Above: Gamesmaster host, DominikDiamond, arrived to host the final of a Sega competition.

CROWDS flocked to Norwich's brand new Virgin Megastore once againlastThursday,justtwoweeks after its opening for the first time drew scores of shoppers to the store.

This time they were there for the official opening-timed to co-incide with the school holidays - which featured a number of bands, both local and national, who played on a small stage at the entrance to Castle Mall, as well as numerous celebri-

Photos by Peter Hart and Steve Howard ties who also appeared either onstage or mside the store.

The day began with a set from local band, Earthjuice, (formally Magic Johnson) who were followed by currentteensensationWorldsApart who 'performed' a number of tracks including their recent top 20 hit 'Heaven Must be Missing an Angel.'

Alsoappearmgduringthedaywere indie band, Eat, and local bands The

Catherine Wheel, UXB and Deftex.

Broadland FM provided their roadshow, with DJs Chrissie Jackson and Rob Chandler in attendance.

Norwich City Manager, Mike Walker, was there to give autographs, and Channel Four's 'Gamesmaster' host, Dominik Diamond, brought his Sega to host the final of a Sonic competition.

Above: Indiepopslers, Eat, went down well well, performing tracks from their brand new album, 'Epicure.'

Right: Locals, Earthjuice, (Magic Johnson) began the day's events.

youngsters were there for- teen band Worlds Above right and left: Worlds Apart's Aaron and Patric do their stuff.

One girl screamed ''get your trousers oj]!" but Concrete was unsure whether she meant the band or our photographer.

Below: The excitement was loo much for this youngster who was pulled from the front ofthe crowd bamer when she collapsed with excitement.

6

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

In the City A RECENT competition in the Evening News saw over 200 of its readers suggest names for Castle Mall's park. Submissions ranged from the innocuous 'Castle Mall Gardens ', ' Cattle Market Gardens' to the more ridiculous ' Park and Ride' . However, in Concrete' s opinion, the booby prize must surely go to the reader who suggested 'Parky Larky' as the name fo r the拢 145 million development' s green area.

AN APPEAL for help has been made bythe British Heart Foundation shop in Norwich. They need people who would be interested in helping to run the London Street outlet. Further information is available by contacting the shop ' s manager, Lynne Miller, on 766228.

PASSENGERS at Norwich City Airport were Iell grounded last week when their plane to Prague was delayed due to a stowaway rodent. The furry creature, allegedly from Crete, was found in theaircrafi's cabin and the plane had to be fumigated as a result. The day-trippers lived to tell the 'tail' and were understood to be feeling rather ratty about the whole thing.

Rent victory for Union

By Niall Hampton THE UNI ON claim to have scored a major victory in their fight against the University's accomodation rents policies.

Eight proposals tabled by the Union were taken to a meeting of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) last week, and despite the University having more representatives, seven of the proposals were supported.

In particular, the Union have managed to make UEA think again about granting 30 week licences, a extra number of which will be made available across campus next year.

T he Union's request for a cutback in the level of the provisions account (cash set aside for residential development) has also been considered, and the losses from the agency property could be shifted from the residences account to UEA' s contingency funds, the Union claiming that students are not to blame for losses incurred from renting out residences through an agency.

The Union argued that cornpensation due to the late completion of building work should be paid to the residencesaccount to recoup some of this summer' s lost confer-

Hewison - "If's been an interesting year. " ence business.

T he Union's proposals will be taken to the University's General Purposing Committ'!e meeting this week, and Richard Hewison, Communications Officer, is confident that they will be passed.

Commenting on the outcome of the SAC meeting, Richard said, ''This has been an interestingyear in the campaign against rents, the year in which the Union organised the Rent Strike and the University was less than honest in the way it handled it.' ' He added, " It has however ended up with us having very productive negotiations, coming to a solution that everyone should be happy.

"I think both the Union and the University have a better understanding of each other' s perspectives as a result. "

Union Supermarket your campus convenience store tft011'

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New report on care scheme IN a joint effort between the Community Liason Officer, Lizzi Watson, and Janet Peck, the Welfare Co-ordinator, anew report has been published drawing up conclusions and recommendations for a changed child care programme for children under the age of five, writes Harry Stockdale.

For years now student parents have had to contend with time restrictions over the supervision of their children, while they go to work; but an investigation into the problems led to the union' s ' 'ChildcareReport' 'drawn up on the basis of a short survey of nineteen questions enquiring about the families and the usage of the time, and facilities, that are provided by the Nursery, situated behind the main car-park offBluebell road.

However the problems are far more complicated than would allow for a quick and effective compromise by the University.

At the same time as the UUEAS conducted the Childcare Report, the University organised the " Nursey Working Group" - a publication which also sought to help the plight of the student parents.

Not only was the University report conducted by the way of

the University' s aspects and not that of the student parent body, but the committee also denied Lizzi Watson, the Student Union representative, access to the meeting; which they have since denied ever happened. " Individual student parents are made to feel that they are being unreasonable if they convey their needs- in a situation where they should be encouraged by the University.'' The vast majority expressed the opinion that the University as an institution harbours very negative and disconcerting attitudes towards them.

At the moment students can leave their children at most ten minutes before nine o'clock in the morning- which gives them ten minutes to get to their lecture or prepare for their seminar without settling their children down. " This is, of course, very stressful to the children as well. " "If they are too late to collect their children , directly after the lecture finishes, they are forced to pay for another session: some have to miss their lectures or take their children in with them.

How rare is it that you can leave your practical or seminar without wanting to ask questions or find out where to get '' X '' book

or " Y " lecturer?"

The survey also found out that parents have experienced difficulties with not only the Nursey Hardship Fund but also with the access funds .

Students have to have already decided which hours on which days they wish to use the nursey before they know how much fmancial backing they will receive- which makes family budgeting extremely difficult. !

Harder still is the fact tl Schools usually publish their academic timetables after the start of term making forward planning impossible for either the Nursey sessions or external help.

The situation concerning Semesterisation, beginning next term, is also worrying student parents: " They will be forced to leave their children under the hired supervision as late as 7:30 in the evening, by which time they should be in bed," said Lizzi Watson. She added: '' lfthe Government really is trying to persuade mature students to study at home by effectively redur;.,Q, their grants then how can parents look after their children, and concentrate on a University education, at the same time?"

Global Forum presses for some action - now GLOBAL FORUM 1994 was launched on June 3 1993. It aims to achieve what the Earth Summit leaders talked about in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

Your Union serving you

As part of the launch, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Bill Risby visited Rio to receive a leaf from the Tree of Life.

Rio was a lso hosting the First Conference of Cities Towards the 2 1st Century.

The forum will take place in Manchester from June 25 to July 3 1994 and will be the

first major gathering of independent organisations from around the world to meet together and audit the progress towards Agenda 21 (a list of targets to be addressed by the year 2000), since the Earth Summit and Global Forum ' 92 .

The main theme will be '' Cities and Sustainable Development" Joan Walmsley, the Associate Director said that the forthco mi ng Global Forum was to " get the ball roll ing and moving forward to achieve the issues decided

at the Rio Declaration''.

The launch last Thursday saw over 300 people supporting the event and the actual forum in July ' 94 is expecting about 150,000 visitors.

The event will be offering facilities for conferences, seminar workshops, exhibitions, sales opportunities for environmentally friendly products and a large arts input, including an open air theatre which will be integrated with Manchester being City ofDrama next year.

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

7

Features

CCS - Course Chaos System?

Gill Fenwick makes a last attempt to understand the Common Course Structure before its · implementation next year Units, credits, flexibility and chaos is about all anyone knows about a system which we will all be studying under next year!

However, it is happening, and there is not much we can do about it, so shouldn't we just make the best of it?

Ian Farr, EUR organiser of CCS, told me that the original intention was to have had it up and running this year, but I don't think that anyone..students and lecturers alike, realised that it was a reality until we were all given big blue booklets from which to choose next year's courses.

Okay, so we have the units and the credits, but some peo-

ancy) seemed to approve of the new system: "Firstly, it allows students to have more flexibility and secondly to allow more ease of movement between schools and other countries," she said.

AndJon Cook (EAS organiser of CCS) commented, "Like any new system, it is going to take people a while to get familiar with it.

cause with exams at the end of each semester, the information is still fresh in your mind.

Although there is no change for Art Historians".

Seb, DEV 2, agreed: "It gives you the opportunity to have a broader education with access to other courses but its

"My adviser thinks it is · ridiculous because of the upheaval"

EUR, EAS and SOC are all going into CCS next year "with a big bang" as Michael Miller (SOC's CCS organiser) put it ple are still taking finals next year, so what is going on? Ian Fan explained, "The University has allowed the different schools different methods of transition".

EUR, EAS and SOC are all going into CCS next year "with a big bang'' as Michael Miller (SOC's CCS organiser) put it.

The science schools have already been working with a unit system and just have to alter to work within the semester dates, and LAW are facing numerous difficulties ·th the scheduling of exter..al exams.

Supposedly, a number of universities around the coun-

"Like any new system, it is going to take people a while to get familiar with it" - Jon Cook, EAS

Problem arise because people don't fully understand the system. EAS has a 'phone and get advice' service".

Nicola Sainsbury, Academic Officer expressed her view very concisely: "In a word, chaos". Annie Hillier, next year's Academic Officer agreed, but added, "There are some people trying to organise the chaos".

Annie continued: "I don't think anyone knows what to expect, that's the problem.

There are the optomists who think its great because of the broad spectrum ofcourses and there are the pessimists who think the whole system is crazy".

Nicola foresaw that "in three years time it might be okay," - very useful for us

Apart from a UGM last year, students have had no, or very little, chance to express their . views

changed, again it does not really help present second years. lan Farr said, "I share the anxiety for the dates of the semester, I don't think they are right. The University is supposed to be reviewing the academic year now".

"The problem has been imposing semesters on terms with future plans already decided for conferences etc., able to start and also

earlier in September due to A'Level results, to get a bigger break for Christmas".

Annie Hillier expressed her concern over having an exam period straight after Christrnas and then moving straight on to study for the next semester as well.

"People will just be exhausted, it is very difficult to get motivation going again after " she said.

Apart from a UGMlastyear - which very few people attended - students have had no, or very little, chance to dents with Nicola managed to organise the new Centre for Historical Studies which at least will improve the administration ofthe new system for them.

crap because you can't get a job in the holidays, they are too short".

An EAS student said: "My advisor thinks it is ridiculous because of the upheaval next year".

However, much of the response I received from students was a lack of understanding and so they felt they could not make a comment one way or the other.

Lets just hope that by next year someone will know

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Features

Teres a's making waves Darren Fisher talks to Teresa Grimes, ex-UEA student, about 'Ebb Tide', her latest film On the night Barry Norman told visitors at Cinema City that Britain didn't have a film industry (see review- 'Happenings' page two) - a young film-maker named Teresa Grimes hoped to prove that, even with this handicap, good films could still be made.

Made on a shoestring budget, her film 'Ebb Tide' accompanied the talk, and was watched by a very appreciative audience.

An ex-student at UEA, Teresa graduated in 1976.

As an Wldergraduate she read English, but was convinced to stay on to become UEA's first film student, which coincided with Charles Barr's appointment as UEA's first film lecturer.

The transition from film student to film-maker has not been easy: "Throughout the eighties I was working in various different cutting rooms getting as much experience as I could You learn so much about film from editing - not just how to edit,

but aspects about the whole film process.''

However, with Channel4 betng set up in 1982, its' committment to independent film-making created more opportunities.

Opportunities which are becoming rarer and rarer these days: "In the late seventies there was a film workshop set up at Cinema City, in the attic. I went as I was nervous about using film practically. It was a great place to get experience but Wlfortunately it has been closed down now."

One of her first films was a drama-doumentary about the Fens in Norwich, which is in stark contrast to her latest work.

'Ebb Tide', iswrittenbyTony Grisoni, responsible for "Queen of Hearts", Jon 'Sommersby' Arniel's directorial debut. Billed as story about 'meeting your father in a wardrobe' it is a "very moody, darkly romantic piece" about a one parent family fWllling an old

peoples home, the mother being abandoned by her enigmatic lover before her daughter was born seven years earlier.

The basic premise may soWld mWldane, but shot on location in Hastings and London, it represents a very marked contrast from traditional Hollywood pictures.

With no violence and little swearing, it fWlS for twentyseven minutes, and challenges the viewer's sense ofreality and time. Not that the film is deliberately self-reflexive: "The meanings are there if you want to go looking for them, but we did not set out to give the film a message as such".

The film was made to ''prove that I could do it" . Fed up of trying to get funding that was proving to be non-existent, Teresa decided that she would fmance the film herself. A decision she was glad she made, even though it has left her heavily in debt: "I managed to get about £4,000 together just from from

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asking friends to make an investment, and that was enough to get us started. The entire movie cost about £20 000. We hope to reclaim some of the money by selling it to television.

Some film festivals also have cash prizes. It's amazing how mercenary you do get!"

Shot in two weeks, using crews that will be deferentially paid (hopefully) out of the profits, it is a practice that is becoming increasingly common in Britain as the film industry declines.

Things are looking good, however.

It is being widely seen, and Eilidh Thompson who plays the bewitching little girl Millie has been approached by Neil Jordan's casting agent with respect to her starring in his new film 'Interview with a Vampire'!

Looking to the future, Teresa is hoping to make a full length feature, again with TonyGrisoni as writer, called 'Touching Heaven' although the idea is

still in it's embryonic stage at the moment.

She is also one of the main contenders hoping to secure the

rights to a recently published novel.

Can Cannes be really that far away?

Post exam trauma Polly Graham reflects on life after finals I bolt upright in bed. Oh my God, it's 7.30 am and I was supposed to be up two hours ago to do that all important last minute revision before my exam.

Then I remember, my exams are over.

I slo\.'.ly lie back down, my heart rate makes an attempt to return to normal.

I enter into a fitful dream . I'm

toms of Post Exam Trauma (PET).

Forgetaboutexamstress, this new condition is far more serious.

I've spent six weeks in the library. I've survived an intense week of exams and it's all over.

Great.

No, it's not that simple.

Trauma One. The assault course of parties and post exam

After two pints I would, much to my embarassment in the morning, find myself dancing on a table singing the National Anthem whilst trying to crush pistachio nuts in my armpits fWllling to get to my exam but my feet aren't moving.

Suddenly I'm there, exam paper in front of me, lucky mascot in place, bottle of Volvic and a selection of confectionery on my desk.

Horror! Although I selected ten of my favourite biros, none of them work .... . .. .I wake up and peel my sweating body from the bed Damn, it's 7.32 am, I was hoping for a lie in.

These are all common symp-

celebrations. For me it was debatable whether I had anything to celebrate.

My exams made me realise that there had been an administration mistake in the processing of my UCCA form and that I probably would have been better suited for a BTEC in Beauty Therapy.

Not to worry, I immersed myself in the comforting depths of alcohol.

After six weeks of defarniliarisingmyselffrom the

friendly hold of drink, I foWld my tolerance level had sllrlk to depths I never knew existed.

After two pints I would, much to my embarassment in the morning, fmd myself dancinsz on a table singing the Natio Anthem whilst trying to cru~u pistachio nuts in my armpits Syndrome number two is commonly known as the Boredom phase.

Before the exams, six weeks of freedom seemed like bliss but now I'm so bored I've had to resort to picking the fluff of jumpers and persuading second years to let me write their essays.

Phase three: Fear of results.

More nightmares of receiving my third class degree wearing only a mortar board in front of my family and friends.

Intense feelings of failure and stupidity.

This phase is easily overcome whenyourealisenomatterwhat degree you get THERE ARE NO JOBS. Phase four: The state of Euphoria at having come to the end of over fifteen years of education. At never having to take another exam again.

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Concr et e 's e ssential guide to your summer holiday

So the sun comes out on the steps, and the square fills up with students yearning to feel the heat that will revitalisethemafterthecoldmonths.

TI!ey lay in groups drinking and indulging in their Ronaldo' s Ices.

Inevitably, now that swnmer appears to have hit UEA, the talk moves to ph:.iiS for the holidays.

Three monu'l.s away from lectures, the deadlines and the LCR. It would be sinful to waste that time by con-

templating staying in the garden reading textbooks.

Ofcourse, for some students, there is no alternative.

Obligations at home, lack of money or the inability to organise any kind of holiday forces them to remain at home. But ask any stu-

dent, and they will express a desire to go searching for adventure, romance orjust an opportunity to fmd themselves.

Over the next three pages Concrete presents the defmitive guide on where to go, what you need and how to cope when you get there.

9

10

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Here comes the Summer There is something about living the life of a student, being stuck in one place for 30 weeks of the year that makes them want to escape, and be free, and for different people this means different things.

There is nothing wrong with a relaxingbeachholiday,orsoitseems from talkingtothetravellersat UEA. Looking at the sun-worshippers on the steps it is not hard to see why many of them dream oflying on a golden beach in the Mediterrenean.

The Greek Islands, Spain and the South of France all seem popular destinations - and what they are going for? People gave me various reasons, but the most popular answer was just a desire to get away, have some fun and meet the locals.

Most of these holidays are package deals in which very little organisation is needed. You turn up at the airport \vith your suitcase, and voila - dream holiday comes true.

For some this type of holiday is totally un-surprising. Even at UEA you experience the 'you call this a holiday?'- kind of snobbery. It would seem thatthose whoa re much more awed are those who plan their own holiday right from the start, piecing together each individual part to make it a success. These students are usually heading for the tropicsNorth Africa and Asia.

The Travel Clinic at UEA says that a vast amount of students are heading for India, Nepal and Thailand, seemingly undaunted by the vaccinations they have to take, or the disease and poverty that awaits them.

Certa.inly it seems that students at UEA wave aside the problems of theft, poor accommodation, appallingsanitaryconditionsandthedangers of weather.

These students want to experience something totally new- some-

thing they could never hope to find on any kind ofpackage deal. Without doubt the geography of these places is incredible, but alongside this, the experience of being immersed in such a new culture is one that they will never forget.

Students who have visited these tropical havens never quite got it back together when they return to England, some having difficulty readjusting to the mundane activities oflife.

Some students prefer to be doing something worthwhile, that is either working for money, or as a volunteer on a charitable scheme.

There are numerous schemes available, themostpopularforUEA students being the BUNAC operation which combines travel to such places as North America, Canada, Jamaica and Australia with a job in that country without the hassles of applying for a visa.

Of course, as with any job this kind ofholiday involves work but it gives vital experience which might not be available elsewhere.

Other working holidays take students from a chapel in the South of France in need of renovation, to a cafe in Milan, to the beaches in Greece au-pairing. There are no end to opportunities open to students if a working holiday is what you are after. Look in any directory and there will be a vacancy in almost any country you could wish to go to.

Many students, regardless of these opportunities to travel abroad, choose to stay in England. And it can never be said that those who choose to look for a holiday of fun and adventure on this fair isle are disappointed.

Wbetherthesunchoosestoshine or not, the British Isles hold some of the most beautiful cities and places

'I':"'':.:':VS~~~iB(' :

..•:

Julia Smith looks forward to what students might do•••

ADDRESSES

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ofnatural interest in theworld (well.

Europe at least), and with the student's ability to make something of nothing even the murky beaches of the East Coast can seem appealing.

The basic key to success is undoubtably your chace of companions. Few student who I spoke to were planning a lx>liday with their parents (although some iooked forward to an expense-free trip in a family villa), but a large percentage were planning to accompany their lived ones on voyages ofdiscovery.

Most popular by far, however, were the group holidays involving drink, sun, more drink and the possibility ofmeeting either a Don Juan or an exotic Senorita.

It did not really seem to matter where the holiday was, as long as your mates were arouad you, and you were having fun . A 4-star, white-washed hotel on the Costa del Sol. a mud hut with no mosquito net in Thailand or a 6-berth caravan in Bournemouth met with equal cheers it all depends on who you are.

The banks on campus claim that about this time ofyear,-tbe number of people applying for overdraft facilities increasesdramatically. Whilst some people are very cautious about money, there are som: who even with massive debts already, will go all out, get student !oats, beg, borrow and steal from rela:ives aod the bank to afford that once in a lifetime trip to wherever, ignoring the consequences, andfeelingnoqualms whatsoever. And they got away with it.

Let's face it when you are a student, you are young, relatively carefree and you are out to experience life.

It would seem that UEA is full of such students who live by the philosophy "don 't worry if your trip will work out. Just go!"

I .

~ 1t'oPical Traveller - John Hatt (Pengum}

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• Never carry luggage or parcels through Customs as a favour for someone else.

Vl.sa and Vaccinations: Always check well in advance whether you need visas or vaccinations before you enter a cowttry.

Health: Ifyou are g,oing to Europe, get an E 111 and the explanatory docwnent Tl, the traveller's guide to health.

If you are going for more than three months then you should notify the NHS and you will be taken off the register. You should re-register when you return.

Problems: Ifyou get into problems- even if they're not your fault - go to the Consulate of your Cowttry.

The Consulate can otTer help and advice and help.

However, they cannot give you: • Money • Telephone/telex facilities • Services such as interpretation or legal advice

Unless in very special, emergency situations.

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But don't get wonied, you're botmd to have a great time...

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Union Travel Shop the the

Fancy .

clobe, taking ' • Sights, soUndS and smells offar off places .and distant cet paid for so, The Gua · Tr~:yel 'j!J~

for For the ~...-·.

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ning, The and BBC Radio 14's •sTOP PRESS'progralnme are in-

·ooing Different• with new guides With the launch of some brand new travel guides, 'People to People' the UEA motto 'Do Different' need no longer apply just to what you do at University but to how you planyourholidayasweU. These are guides with a difference. Tberearenolistsofinteresting museums or galleries. No suggestions of what to see or do, and no potted histories, street maps or breathtaking photos (in fact there are no photos at all in any of the books). In fact, there is a complete absence of any of the usual tourist information which you would expect to find in any usual travel guide.

But that's because these books are nota.imed at the tourist, at least that's the message which Series Editor, Jim Haynes, is keen to communicate in his introduction to the guides.

He says: "A tourist usually arrives in a group with other tourists, stays in a tourist hotel, tours the city in a large bus, purchases trinkets from a tourist shop, spends a lot of time looking at monuments, being photographed and writing postcards."

Haynes is, instead, writing for the person who "usually stays with someone - an old friend or a new one." That person is the traveller.

He continues: "The traveUer is often met at the airport or train station. The traveller arrives with a gift or something the host needs or would appreciate...bothare sad when the visit ends. Rarely does anyone mark the departure of a

viting aspiring. and previously unpubliShed, travel

writers to send in their entries(maximUm300words),

ln an attemptt6,ep.co~ge

tourist..."Whatexactlyisinthese guides then, if they don't contain any of the above.

The answer is revealed by delving into one of the pocket-sized books: hundreds of names and addresses of natives to that particular country who wantto show you around, put you up and feed you! What's more, each person is listed by city, with their date of birth, job, address and telephone number, languageskiUs, interests, and details of whether they can put you up.

So all you need to do for the perfect holiday is decide where you want to go and then get in contact with as many peoiP.le listed in the book as you like.

Then you can ask if you can bring something to contribute to their needs: cigarettes, alcohol, all the kinds of things which are so expensive in Eastern Europe but which you can provide in return for accommodation or a tour of their home city... .it's as simple as that

new featpie writirtg talent.

The winDer will 'leceive ·a portable coniputer and get his or her article published in The Guardian.

Launchedthismonth, the competition is beiJ.lg held in conjunction:with Radio 4's 'STOP PRESS\ which on· Friday, Uth ,June at 8:50pm, wiiHJl.~Jude interviews with of Britain's most accomplished travel writers. As I-STOP PRESS' Producer Andy Denwood explained, "Therecan'tberoanycompetitions whose organisers de1iberately .~.~t. t<>, ..~~

some

oo~iiio~!. ~o .

ARE YOU PI.ANIIIIIG TO SI'EIID YOUR SUMMER HERE AT UEA? IF NOT WE ADVISE YOU TO BOON /IOW, AS FUGNTS MID FERRIES ARE FIWIIG UP FAST. Not sure where to go? A few ideas:

Athens New dally scheduled service with VIrgin Atlantic.

Students from £160 return If outbound before 30th June, still a few seats left. Stay any duration up to three months. 'Open to all' prices from £190 Prague or Budapest Charter service every Monday. Students from £1 49 return, outbound before 30th June, Max stay one month. 'Open to an· price from £159 Paris/Amstenlam/Bmssels Youth student fares with Howerspeed and coach connection from London only £39 return If booked by 14th June.

··· '· ·· r:

Jo$ti1amotii's . ·~n tlle Guardianan(t.on ;.sto, PRESS' Willbepacked with solid, profe5sioDal advice

for would-f?e travel writers".

Look out for. entry coupons in Guardian. or

COMPETITION

The

To help you 'do different', Concrete bas two oftbe People to People guides to give away (there are 6 in tbe series from tbe Edinburgh Press).

Enter in the usual way and place your entries in tbe box outside the Stewards' reception area in Union House by Friday June 11. Wmners will be notified via pigeon holes.

Normal Concrete rules apply.

write, withan$.a:e., to: The

Ouardia.VSTOP PRESS, Travel Writi:ng Competition, Roo.ni 406.5, BBC BroadCasting House, London, WIA lAA. Entries must reach the above address by Friday loth Sep-

tember.

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Traveller's diarrhoea, as well as dise.ases. :SJ~Ch as choler~ typhoid . an~ . dysentry are ca~gbt from contami:J:l.t~'f.ood or water. So: .· . ..

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ABT~

HI&HU&HT§ FOR WEDS JUNE g (WK 8} - TUES JUNE i!3 {WK I 0}

Awoma "This is one of the greatest English novels ever and no-one is going to censor if', says Ken Russell of his lavish four-part adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's controversial classic novei'Lady Chatter1ey'.

Continuing on BBC1 on Sunday 13th June (9:35pm- 10:30pm), this erotic tale of a steamy affair between the eponymous Lady C and Mellors, gamekeeper to her

REARWNDOW Overitslastthreeseasons,'Rear Window' (no relation to the Hitchcock classic) has consistently been acclaimed as the most diverse arts programme on British televisiOn, and on Tuesday 15th June, Channel 4's international arts and culture series resumes its exploration of themes usic, history, art literature architecture.

Future programmes include an investigation into the Dracula phenomenon- from its shadowy past in the darkest vestiges of Transylvania, to the black exploitation film 'Biacula', to Coppola's recent reworking of the familiar tale - and the true life rags-toriches story of Sabu the Elephant Boy. Renowned for its diversity, and sceptical, quirky look at international culture, this ground-breaking programme deals with issues other magazine programmes leave beh'nd.

OReservorr Dogs' drrector Quentin Tarantrno is a guest on 'Fanshawe On Frve', on Radro 5, on Monday 14th June (8:30pm -9:30pm), when Simon Fanshawe asks "Are you bored with culture?". Joined by leading bass guitanst Joe Hubbard, Tarantino wrll be leaving the publicity machrne behind, to tell Simon what it's really like out there In the big, bad world of culture.

OFromthestudiosofthe BBC, high up in the Rockerfeller Centre, Mark Steyn sits with another set of' Postcards From Gotham' Every Saturday morning on Radio 4 (10:02am -10·30am), he'll be channel-surfing through some of the week's more intriguing stories that have appeared on American lV and Radio And not a Batman in srght!

crippled and impotent husband, stars Joely Richardson and Sean Bean as the notorious lovers.

Once considered the most dangerous book in the land, 'lady Chatter1ey's Lover' was made infamous by a thirty-year ban and a celebrated (and by all accounts hilarious) obscenity trial, when Penguin decided to produce a full text in 1960.

This week's episode sees the

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coming of spring, with the flowers in bloom and the pheasant chicks hatching.

Cuckolded husband Sir Clifford, played by James ('You Me And lt') Wilby, engages a nurse, and, relieved of her duties, Connie continues to meet Mellors and take solace (and whatever else she can lay her hands on) in his company...

Another ast resort?

Chat show king Jonathan Ross presents the bizarre, the outlandish and the eccentric - yet all are completely true, in his new series entitled 'Fantastic Facts'.

Beginning on Wednesday 16th June (7pm- 7:30pm) on ITV, the first programme features the fainting goats of Nebraska, the tricks of the stuntrnan's trade, and some artistic snails. Plus, roving reporter ex-GMTV presenter Fiona Armstrong witnesses an

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SUN, JUNE 13 9.35 • 10.30pm

THE BOUNTY

attempt on the land speed record by a bOnd driver; and Wilt Lunn demonstrates some bizarre inventions. lnthecapablehandsofMrRoss, this potpourri of strange but true happenings moves from the sublime to the ridiculous as seamlessly as a troupe of skating slugs.

ITV

WEDS, JUNE 16

7.00 • 7.30pm

OJul'a Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton and Shir1ey MacLaine

star in the ITV premiere of the charming female buddy movie 'Steel Magnotias', on Wednesday, 9th June (8pm - 10pm), in which the laughs and tears come with equal aplomb. Well worth watching.

DHighligh1s of first 'The Man From Auntie' series, begmning on BBC2, on Friday, 18th June (1 Opm -10:30pm), haH the return of Ben Elton to the sman screen. The motormouth comic has just signed an exclusive deal with the Beeb, whiCh includes a another 'Auntie' series, a spanking new situation comedy, and the longawaited, three-part dramatisation of his own best-se rng novel Stark'. Shot entirely on location tn Australia, the ecolog cal thnller, featuring Ben as a' pommie poseur'' called CD, comes to our screens thrs autumn.

Olive coverage of the US. Cup 93 Soccer Tournament begins on ITV on Wednesday 9th June (10 40pm -1am) with the USA v England match. The action continues on Sunday 13th June (6pm - 8pm) with England v Brazil, rn the second match of this four nation competition.

DThe Comic Strip Presents a verttable Socialist epic on Thurs-

day, 10th June (9pm- 9:35pm) on BBC2, when the 'GLC' story rs given the Hollywood treatment Starring 'The Ice Maiden" (Jennifer Saunders as Brigitte Ne'lson), councrllor Ken (Robbie Coltrane as Char1es Bronson), and supported by Dawn French as Cher and Peter Richardson as Lee Van Cleef IJGoodbye Banyl Farewell and adieu ... at least until the next senes. Oh, how we have loved your sparkling wit and 'carefully chosen' sweaters. Yes, it's the last in the present series of 'Fim 93 on BBC1, on Monday 14th June (10:20pm -10:50pm), in which Bazza Norman looks at the big summer movies, rnclud ng Sp elberg's dinosaur adventure 'Jurassrc Park' and Amie's blockbuster 'The Last Action Hero', and predicts who wrll wrn the battle of the giants.

Met Gibson starus Fleteher Christian along with Anthony Hopkins as Capt William Bllgh in The Bounty on Tu ,June16onBBC1.

Sidney Poitier and Burt Lancaster star in the Emmy award-winning American drama 'Separate But Equal', amovrng account of ahard-fought Civrl Rights struggle that started to chang the face of America, begrnning on Wednesday, 16th June (9pm-10.30pm) on BBC2.

Now fora potted History lesson outlawedforacenturyunder acourt ruling of "separate but equal", (which snva ably m nt "segregated and rnferior") racial discrimination continued, particularly in schools For example,$179wasspentoneachwhitedl d andonly$49oneachblack chrld In Clarendon County, folks deaded they'd had enough and challenged the Board's ruling The two-part drama fo lows Civil Rights Attorney Thurgood Marshall's (Poitrer) battle agamst bigotry and hatred, as he tnes to discredit the School Board's "separate but equal" clarm and defend the rights of black schoolchildre .

Burt Lancaster aso stars as the brilliant nd respected attorney, brought tn to fight the case on behalf of the state.

Agripping,well-toldsaga,withexcellentperformancesfromthetwoleads, make thrs true story poignant and WEDS, JUNE 16 engaging stuff Much more rntereUO{I 9,00 •10,30pm sting than a History lesson!

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Features

Money's too tight to mention

Niall Hampton examines the continuing scourge of Student Debt

t!PJ1/lJ

The Government' s current market approach to Higher Education (HE) has come to mean, inter alia, that the student of the 1990s is being forced to pay for an ever increasing proportion of his or her costs. Since LEA grant levels were frozen with the introduction of the Student Loans Scheme, getting into debt has become a reality for more and more of the UK's 776,000 HE students.

It is expected that as the cost of living rises, and the level of the grant falls, students will eventually be funding approximately one half oftheir living costs themselves, paving the way to possible financial ruin in the process. The Government's adoption of such a policy is a cynical parody of what is known in America as "Paying Your Way Through College."

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Despite the recent departure of the petulant Norman Lamont, the UK economy is certain to remain in the doldrums for quite some time. In April 1993, the accumulated government deficit was £200 billion; this year alone it is expected to rise by another £50 billion. In addition, the ratio of debt to national wealth (30% in 1988) is expected to rise to 50% in 5 years time. Interest paid on this debt is some £17 billion, an amount equal to the education and transport budgets combined.

What these figures show is twofold; Britain is fast becoming a nation of debt, and such gloomy statistics enable the Government to announce continuing cutbacks in public spending, the reason being the large shortfall between income taxation - and expenditure. The Government's efforts to cut spending in education is forcing an increasing amount of people to be in debt even before they start their careers. These people are you, me, us - students.

With the Student Loans scheme taking effect, the student' s maintenance support is being undermined, and they are having to meet more and more of their costs themselves . This implies the a literal adoption of an 'Earn-As-You-Learn ' scheme, where students could end up having to pay 100% of their costs themselves.

The Government are determined to make HE more flexible : semesterisation and modularisation are the pre-requisites of the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme, which will enable students to stop and start degrees wherever and whenever they like.

Giving students this degree of flexibility will enable them to work/study/work/study, paying their fees on a pro-rata basis with vacation earnings . The introduction of 2 year degree courses -

Between 1990-1 and 1991-2, applications for help from the fund rose by 15%, but the amount of the fund rose by only 4% in the same year. The CVCP also found that 6% of students ended the academic year in debt to their university, reflecting an increase in the .actual sum of debt from £435 in 1990-1 to £485 in 1991-2.

The NUS Student Debt Survey

The State of the Nation

State Funding- or the lack of it

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scarce and under-resourced. According to a report from the Committee ofViceChancellors and Principals (CVCP), 20% of all eligible full time students applied for help from Access Funds in 1991-2.

another Government aim - also supports this concept.

So, anxious to set the self-funding ball rolling, the Government have ensured that Student Loans remain 'attractive'. For the academic year 19934, the amount of the loan has been increased by 11 .5% - which is 7% above the rate of inflation.

Figures released by UEA tend to support the Government's aims. The Registry recently stated that I ,763 applications have beenmade sofarthis academic year, compared with 1,414 at the same point last year. The total applications for 1991-2 were 1,740.

Even after allowing for the increase in UEA's

intake levels, this represents a significant increase, proving that faced with poverty, you have to take what's on offer, however reluctantly.

Student Hardship Evidently, student hardship is rife. The University ofLeeds have reported stories of food parcels, Sheffield University' s soup kitchens are well known, and Plymouth' s students have turned to begging. Such observations are hardly suprising; students live below the poverty line and would be better off on state benefits.Obviously Government ' mechanisms' for supporting students are

Student Debt: The Facts •Male students borrow nearly 30% more than their female counterparts

been made for student loans so far this year at UEA

•student Loans account for 31 o/o of student debt whilst overdrafts account for 25%

•Last year the average student graduated with debts of £1,765

the 1991-2 academic year In debt to their University •Students banking with Lloyds have the highest amount of borrowing whilst those at Nat West have the lowest

•The amount of the student Loan has been Increased by an average of 11.5% for 1993-4

l20o/o of all eligible students applied for help from Access Funds - appllcations rose by 15% between 1990-1 and 199112

•lt Is predicted that mean student debt for those graduating In 1995wlll be no less than £2,800

•1 ,763appllcatlons have

eso/o of students ended

Sources: NUS, CVCP, UEA

Last year, in an attempt to probe student funding, NUS Services conducted a Student Debt Survey, and concluded that the average student grad~ with debts of £1,765 . It also found that t. . students borrow nearly 30% more than female students, that postgraduate students have 65% more debt than undergraduates, and that students on vocational courses have access to (and take up) the highest levels of credit, compared with their humanities colleagues, for whom the exact opposite applies.

As regarding the high-street banks offering student packages, Lloyds customers had the highest level of borrowing and Nat West's the lowest.

It predicted that mean student debt in 1995 will be no less than £2,800 upon graduation (based on 1992 values).

For sources of student debt, the survey found that Student Loans accounted for 3 I% of all student debt, bank overdrafts 25%, borrowing from families 21%, and from credit cards 6.58%.

Hardship loans (such as Access Funds) contribute only 1% to debt. . ~ Despite collating data from over 2,000 spondents, the survey also examined the mentalities and attitudes of students towards debt. Four main stages in an undergraduate' s financial life were identified: ' The Carefree Fresher' (who feels flattered by the banks at Soc Mart), ' The End of the Honeymoon' (when the student has to borrow for the first time), ' The Third Year Blues ' (when fmals and job-hunting add to the stresses ofbeing in debt), and fmally, ' Graduation' (when the now debt-ridden student has to leave the world of acadame and fmd a job.

Stui:ients allegedly go through various stages of mood whilst in these four stages, progressing from anger, resignation, denial, defeat and frustration to realism and resentment.

Unsurprisingly, the survey found a greater willingness among students to change banks on the completion of their degree; supposedly, 25% of students planned to change their bank upon graduating.

The Role of the Banks The NUS survey does tend to suggest that students blame their banks for being in debt more than the Government. A section included in the survey is titled 'How to retain graduate customers ' -hardly surprising as Barclays Bank

Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

23

Features

were its sponsors. But are the banks the real villains?

As the Government do less and less to support students, then the role of the banks becomes even and more crucial. The banks recognise this, effort they make in attracting student uu:swc:s:; shows. Ostensibly, the banks are attempting to win over a large group of young, potentially high-earning people, and to get them for life. The altruism espoused by the banks at Soc Mart is bound to be rather ironic when letters are being sent to you by them asking for suggestions on bow to reduce that rather large overdraft.

From 1993-4, the Government will only be providing up to £3,065 (the grant plus the Student Loan), an amount well below the level of state benefit. It is usually down to the banks to help in alleviating this shortfall, but has this become more of a case of enticing students to get into debt?

Barclays Bank has recently announced that it is increasing its student overdraft from £300 to £400 (three times that of the Student Loans percentage increase, whilst being 30% above the t of inflation) because of research [the NUS t Survey] "which showed that student cusers are relying heavily on increased funding from their banks due to a lack of state benefits and holiday jobs."

John Cheese, Director of Barclays' Personal Sector, explains their move. "As a responsible lender our aim is to help students manage their finances at a time when income is limited," he said. "We want students to stay with Barclays not just for this term and next term but for the long term."

He added, "Most students do not want to take on debts that they cannot manage and with our help they won't."

Lloyds Bank had previously announced the same package as Barclays, and Nat West and Midland look sure to follow. Phi! Nunnerley, Assistant General Manager of Lloyd's Retail Banking Division, states his case. "Students face financial pressures and the majority regard an interest-free overdraft as the most important part of their banking package", he said.

But the interest-free element on the overdraftup to £400 for 3 years - is only the starting point.

Student overdrafts of between £600 and £ 1,500 are not unknown, and what consolation is it then when only a percentage of your debt is 'free'?

But the banks, however, who after all make a living from lending money, are offering students

a considerable concession with interest-free borrowing. How you choose to spend it is up to you, but the fact remains, if you were adequately supported, then you probably wouldn't need that overdraft in the first place.

Students speak out Last term, the Union conducted a survey which found that 45% of students were having the 'time of their lives' at UEA. However, 20% of students thought that they would leave UEA more than £2,000 in debt.

Concrete spoke to both 3rd year finalists ernbarking for the Big Wide World and to 1st years about to live out in Norwich, asking them respectively for their reflections and predictions.

When asked for her reaction to levels ofstudent debt, Abi (WAM3) said, "Mine isn't dire, but I know people who are £2,000 in debt. I knew that I would be in debt, and it bothered me coming for 3 years that I'd leave with a hefty debt. No-one should have to face it."

She added that, "You'renotcoming to University just to study, but you can't come knowing that you're going to get in debt. Basically, an education is supposed to be a right. If you can afford it, it's slightly easier. If you can get a job, then it's the right thing to do- you can't live on less than £40-£50 per week."

Mature student Rob (EUR3), took a more blase view of student debt, despite owing more than £3,000 himself. "Just don't worry - no matter bow poor you are, you' re not as poor as the rest of the world. You can earn it back in no time", he said, adding that, "Having worked I was used to having credit cards and dealing with debt."

Brett (SOC3), also seemed unpeturbed. "Debt is a fact of student life, and I couldn't give a monkeys about it, as I could get hit by a bus tomorrow. I arrived in debt and I knew I'd be heavily in debt by the time I left, so I basically got as much debt as possible so I could have as good a time as I could", he said.

So what advice would he have for first years?

"I'd tell any fresher to get as much debt as possible and worry about it afterwards. Let's face it, you'll be mortgaged to your eyeballs for most of your life, so what's £3,500?"

When asked bow she managed to stay in credit after 3 years, a LAW fmalist told Concrete that, "It consists ofhaving a really miserable time, but on occasions it's practically impossible not to get

into debt.'' She worked in the vacations to supplement her grant, "because I've got to selffinance a postgraduate course.''

Paul (MTH3), has had no problem with student debt basically because of parental support.

"My grant cheques always come late so my parents supported me; I don't drink that much and I don't smoke so I save money that way'', he said, adding that he'd had a great time at UEA. First years showed mixed reactions to the possibility of student debt.

Richard (SOCl), said, "I've sort of accepted it really - it's just one of those things", before stating that be wanted to have as good a time as possible whilst in Norwich. "Ifl don't, then I'll regret it- I'm not going to be living like a monk", he said. He expressed concerns about the expense of the second year, saying that, ''I might go out a little less, and I'd prefer to live on campus rather than off.''

His room-mate, Paul (SYS 1), claimed that, '' Student debt happens to everyone; I don't want to get into debt, but I don't see any alternative, although I'd rather get an overdraft than a Student Loan." When asked if he thought that the banks were encouraging students to get into debt, he said, "I've had a small overdraft; they don't mind it.~tiing you cash because they think you'll be able to pay it back when you get a job.''

However, Tony (EASl), expressed his anger about the possibility of being in debt. "It's a disgrace", he said, " I don' t think enough people are aware that students get less than those on income support.'' He blamed the Government for the current situation, adding that "The Student Loans Scheme is disgusting- it's forcing people to spend life in debt, and yes, I am worried about being in debt.''

His views were partly shared by another EAS fresher, who thought that student debt was a scandal and a disgrace. "Education should not be

for the priveleged", he said. Steve (EURl) was adamant that he would last four years at University without incurring debts. ''I'm not m debt, and I know I won't be'', he said before suggesting that holiday work was the way to remain in credit.

However, be added that he did not live frugally, but bugdeted quite well and managed to live reasonably. When asked if student debt was acceptable he answered, "No, not really- is that the best way to set out on the career trail? You don't at 16 so why should you at 21 ?"

Is there a solution? ''Thanne were ther yonge povre scolers twoffhat dwelten in this halle, of which I seye.''

Thus wrote Chaucer in 'The Reeve's Tale' some 600 years ago, a few years after the Peasants' Revolt. Back in 1993, a few years after a similar occurence, the concept of the poor scholar is well and truly woven into the fabric of our society, despite the supposed advancement in civilisation since the Middle Ages.

It does seem blatantly ironic that the Government should continually carp on about the quality oflife as a result of its policies, when the populace have to sustain such hardship to receive an education. It is not merely a case of expecting banks and parental contributions to ensure survival whilst at University; it is surely up to the Government itself.

The current malaise in Higher Education is not acceptable just because current economic policies impose large constraints on investment. Education and the welfare state should not have to suffer because rates of taxation are cynically held at low levels to attract votes.

If the Government's system of taxation was fairer, more revenue would be generated and more could be invested in the future of the nation - education.

Tlte Secret's in tlte Tm te

It's Finger Lickin Good

NEW RESTAURANT & TAKE-AWAY NOW OPEN IN THE HEART OF THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE (55-57 DEREHAM ROAD)

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Features

The Wilde life of Norwich

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Charlotte Couse looks at the phenomena which is The \Vilde Club In October 1990 Barry Newman, the foWlder of the ' legendary' (JohnPeel'swords)WildeCiub, was sitting on the banks of the Wensum in a state of deep despair.

The band he'd put on that night at the Waterfront had failed dismally to pull the pWlters. He was desperately short offWlds and it looked as if he had seen his last gig as promoter.

This band, which was almost the last nail in the coffm for Barry's career, was called Nirvana.

FortlUlately, all was not lost

The band he'd put on had failed to pull the punters ... that band was Nirvana for Barry. His Wlcarmy nack for spotting talent before anyone else did held him in good stead. The Ipswich band he had signed to his record label had metamorphosed into The Catherine Wheel and were raking in big bucks.

The Wilde Club, as Barry's outfit became known, changed premises to the Arts Centre, before the Waterfront went Wlder water. He has been joined in rWlning the venture by ex-UEA student Oliver Redmayne.

Together they rW1 Norwich' s only other music venue aiming to put on the best Indie bands they can afford and provide somewhere for local acts to strut their stuff.

The club is a strictly non-profit making organisation. All money made from gigs is distributed amongst the bands or used to fWld other ventures like a record label and fanzine - ' The Wilde One'.

The bands which the club puts

on are those which you fmd floating aroWld the Indie charts. Recent bands have included Comershop, The Cranberries and Huggy Bear's band- Blood Sausage.

with such a great sense of humour, when they came on stage and saw the timid Norwich audience they sat down and refused to play Wltil everyone livened up" .

John Peel, the mentor of all true indie fans, has been known to drop in on Wilde Club gigs, even though the doorman was so awestruck, he told him that he couldn't come in.

He has also been badgered into joining the club (despite the fact that they do not do the family membership he asked for), and gives it rapturous reviews on his Radio I show.

The club is always on the look out for new talent so if you are in a band and feel like playing a venue which isn't the Bill Wilson

Radio 1 DJ, John Peel, has been badgered into joining the club ... despite the fact they do not do the family membership he asked for Apparently the ' Riot Girl' outfi t was one of the easiest bands to work with. ''The music press makes these women out to be such tempermental divas" comments Oliver, " but they were real cool

room, phone Oliver Redmayne on Norwich 617158.

•The Wilde Club gig, at the Norwich Arts Centre, on Monday 13th Jtu1e is a double-header featuringJacob ' sMouseandBivouac.

Bury St Edmunds based Jacob' s Mouse are promoting their debutLPon Wiiija Records, ' I' m scared', described by the Nlv1E as a " perversely thrilling ride".

Bivouac are playing to promote their current single ' Good Day Song'.

Tickets are £3.00 in advance and £4.00 on the door (£3.50 cones) and are available froi f e Arts Centre and Sounr~ Records. Doorsopenat8.0 m.

Future Wilde gigs include SupPop act Pu1vo on 28th Jtu1e and Dutch band the Chords on 30th Jtu1e.

T HURS 10 JUNE VIETNA.Jtv1ESE E VENING IM]~[MCUJ

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1. CAHN CHAM £1.30 (main c ou"" fish soup woth c hillies & vegetable s)

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(braised chicken with ginger & Nuoc mam)

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3. BO XAO MANG

£1.60

(tender strips of beef stir fried woth) (bamboo stooots,Nuoc mam,& sesame seeds)

1.4.

THIT HEO KHO KHO j)

£1.50

(braised pori< in a sweet sauce flavoured with Nuoc mam)

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City centre location next to Central Library Theatre Street Norwich NR2 1RL

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

25

( Week 8, Summer Term, 1993 )

The official line on what's happening i your Union

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Africa Day New Executive Complete the Fair Trade in Africa day on Thursday week 8.

The event is aimed at highlighting the exploitation which condems many third world citizens to virtual slave labour sta-

Also, the day will highlight the continuing debt problem as well as stressing the need for continued aid to African Nations.

Come along to the stalls in UH on Thursday run by Oxfam, 3rd World Centre and a free coffee stall. Sample -fair trade coffee- : if you've never tried it before -

tus.

I lam to2pm.

What will be probably the final campaign of the year, but also rvnnPnHtw>mostnotsable

Congratulations to all those new non-sabbaticals elected last week to complete next year's executive. The complete executive is : • Academic Officer: Annie Hilyer • Anti-Racism Officer:-Jaz Ihenacho • Communications: -Jacqui

Mackay • Community & Intemational:-James Tansey • Environmental :-Dam on Roddis •Finance:-Lizzi Watson •Horsbam Halls Cbair:Sophie Reading • Internal:-Rachael Maskell eLesbian. Gay & Bisexual:-

Phil Clegg eNUS:-Polly Knewstub eOversea's Students:-Savvas Hapris ePublicity:-Leo Hollis eSocieties:-Daniel Owen esports:-Liz Chard eWelfare:-Shelley Wright ewomen's:-to be elected The non-sabbatical elections

were fairly unremarkable with few surprises, nevertheless hearty congratulations must go to thw SWSS candidates for their stronger than usual performance - nevertheless, they maintain their unbroken reard dhaving stood 17 candidates inaa;s-camplSeb:tioosin the Jet 3 and b;ing 111

years

an

The sabbaticals are going!

Was their year a success?

You decide!

Thurs Week 9 LCR 7.30 p.m.

* Cheap drinks (not!)

*

THEYC Pravda is written and compiled entirely by the Student Union. It appears here by commercial arrangement with Concrete

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Letters

concrete ~~~.~~!...~~~i~~..~~~!,~~ I 0603 250558 University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4, 7TJ

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Publisher: Stepben Howard Editor: Peter Hart News and Features Editor: Gill Fenwick Happenings Editor: Darren Fisher Sports Editor: Katharine Mahoney Listings Editor: Georgina King Chief Reporter: Niall Hampton Picture Editor: Craig Eason Staff Photographer: Phil Vickers Advertising: Simon Mann Distribution: John Barton

Layout Assistant: Paul Allison, Tbuy La,

Jackie Stafford, Jamie Glanville, Paul Coslett Proof Reader: Alistair Cushion Typists: Paul Allison, Amir Muhammad Photographers: Phil Vickers, Mark

Turner, Dan Hammersly Contributors: Harry Stockdale, Polly Graham Jamie Putnam, Julia Smith, Sue McManus, Pete Snowman, Jonathan Batty, Simon Litton, Rosalind Slee, Charlotte Couse, Sean McManus, Jo Rowe, Steve Horak

overtheRugbyCiub'stourT-shirt.

quires the club's views on any sub-

TbeT-shirt was designed fora tour of Belgium and Holland (which was cancelled mainly due to inju· ) d r. th nfi ed nes an nottor eco n cornpound of the University campus.

The T-shirt was not intended to cause offence to anybody and we are sorry for any o ffience that was caused. In our apology to the Union, by letter and in person at the IastUGM, we agreed with their ban of the T-shirt in the Union House, and have asked our members notto wear the T-shirt on campus. ! would like to point out that the comments made in the Union 's article on the matter, by an anonymous spokesperson were not the

ject can I ask them to contact myself or any members of the committee.

Ball gown approx. size 10 (any reasonable offer).

Contact A.Kambll SYS 1

• Editor's note: As Bruce points out, the comments made by the anonymous spokesperson were in an article written by the Students Union on their Pravda page.

This page is written and compiled entirely by the SU and appears in Concrete by commercial arrangement. Concrete would like to make it clear that we have no say in the editorial content or style of what appears on that particular page.

Hltachl tape player/4 band radio - ""'0 or best LL ff Also Dr Martens 7 o er. eyelet cherry red boots £15 obo.

Contact Rachael Short EAS VIS

• residence, medical, counselling and leisure service experience.

• student run services, formal and informal, social experience.

• senate, faculty, department involvement and staff relationships.

• finance, part-time work, loans, parental support, food, clothing.

• disability, mature students, families, racism, harassment.

•student rights, the proposed student charter.

This presents a real chance for students to help draw up a picture of their current higher education experience, its opportunities abd pressures, together with their perceptions of the impact on their own learning. /an Lewis SRHE Editor Westminster College Oxford, OX2 9AT

Complete home for sale.

Three bedrooms. semldet.. parking on driveway. fully furnished Ideal present from r1ch parents I £47 ,CXXJ. Close to UEA. Phone 57829.

Green Velvet ball gown Laura Ashley size 10. Only wom once I £65- contact Bev Polllngton LAW 2 or phone 663181.

Morris Minor windscreen £10. PhoneNorwlch37l67 (will deliver).

wantetl UEA expedition to Malaysia wants to loan portable laptop computer. Can you help us please? Contact Peter Dwyer DEV 1 Female. non-smoker re-

quired to make up mixed house of five . Small room In large- close to c ity cen-

Neil Barnden

Dear Mr Batallle, the second Cecll B DeMIIIe awaits you In your dreams (or your nightmares!). Don 'tfearthe Waffle House awalt.

J To the Mog: Best of luck with 'the other side'. All In 1.33 will miss you lots.

'Please may I have' some help still?

/""""'

s::~~~Y FLOWERPOST from here!

- - - Tb.e

ruditmgl - - - -

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ID - l a t i D D JIITitb

Concrete is printed on recycled paper, using biodegradable inks

To the mature front page hunk. Astounded by your prolific and pedantic wrttlng. we yeom to share your house and lonely LCR nights. From two beautiful Jacobean pr1ncesses.

NOW ON SALE G~ADUAT/fJN CUDDLY TOYS F~fJM 99P 3 ~ "D/SKS (UFA LfJGfJ/ F~fJM S9P 3~ "D/S&'A~~y 8fJXFS 99P

- - - - - - - - - - - - BerVJCf! -

Printed by Eastern Counties Newspapers, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich

We're off to Delhi, Singapore. Malaysia and Indonesia this summer. Any tips on places to stay, things to see? PleasecontactGavln In Union Ents Office (upstairs In Union House)

THFt;~AD~

Thanks to: Union House Stewards

(c) 1993

G .Bonnlck(EAS 1). M.Franl<s (SYS 1) or r1ng Melanle on Nch 56255 House/Trance DJs - Interested In doing events In Norwich? Contact Jo Elkington EAS 2 or phone 661243

HATS' fiFF Tfl

Many Thanks to Technical Advisor:

Concrete (including "Happenings") is published independently at UEA. Opinions expressed are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Management.

l . - - - - - - - - - - - t r - e - ._R_e_n_t_£2_8_p_ .W_+_b_l_lls~.

Contact S.utton, M.Watts,

Bruce, President orthe UEA '.1' Rugby Football Club.

Students views needed I am writing to invite your readers to help the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) to produce a book reflecting the realities of student experience in the rapidly changing world of higher education.

The book is planned for publication in 1994 in association with the Annual SRHE Conference and we want it to reflect the fullest and most authentic picture of student experience and to feature the issues about which they feel most strongly.

Pieces up to 500 words (but longer pieces will also be considered) should be sent to me as soon as possible and, if it is of any help, the following suggestions for themes are offered: • choice ofin stitution, information, application and selection experience.

•teaming experinces, resource support, access to support services, costs.

ctassifieds

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

Anabolic ;steroids Cont. from Page 28

before a competition.

The most dangerous side efof anabolic steroids is the damage to the liver, to jaundice, liver failliver twnours and bleedin the liver. Steroids also sexual problems and efon the physique. Men sufreduced sperm production sterility. These changes reversible when steroid is stopped. Women may IPvt._ri·; ...,,.p disruption of the '""''"cln•a cycle, balding, acne, of facial hair and deepof the voice. Some of

Sport

Grand opening for ,·Hockey Centre,

to sports awa

However, an added risk is availability of steroids on black market, where the maKe-lJD or origin is unknown.

When steroid abuse is de-

'l'besea~ are!P'wnouteachyear ~ aod women wbo bf.ve done anoulltanding amountofwodc: fortheirdllb. Thecmclidlltesare.nominated by 1be club and cboseft by • ofjudges.

ycanr winoors are, Kat IOlichloowski • VotlcybaJ.I. Philine Gatfroo • Ba,ketbaJl, Karen H~. W. Hqc:k.ey, SWve Last Table Tennis, t'.r\m MUI.Iey · M. ~ JobD PoweU • BasebaU, Shipley - W. Footbdl, SUsie • Badminton, hoe W-.gatr

Sport& Penonality- Tracy Eaton, wbohMwoa4 bnmeund onuilwr in die B.S.s.F Cb.mrpioniiiUpforKarate. Team. oftbc Year· Men's Pootball.

1hc awatdll will be pre:scated by A1cx Cowie, England•• Womeu's SquashTeamCoeehat.tbcSainsbury Centre on Tue:scky l Sth .fuoc. A1ex will also proseat tit«! Orand Prix awards.

The ra;ults were, lst Peel My Ba· nma-S06pointa2DdTheLoc:k-ln • 489 poiJD Best all lit Year team • Forlt

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On Tuesday June 8, the East Anglian Regional Hockey Centre was officially opened by Norfolkbased England International Lucy Youngs.

A series of special sporting events have been planned to launch the Centre, which began on the day of the opening with UEA MD:ed XI v a Norwich MD:ed XI, a Norfolk XI v a Past England XI. In the evening there was a combined soccer/hockey tournament for teams from the local media.

• Matches will continue throughout the week, and the finals will be played on Friday 18th June.

The building of Nelson Court meant the closure of the old· multi-purpose sports pitt:h

Golf finis es on a high note

By Pete Snowman The UEA golf team have done particularly well this term. In the UAU competition the team made it into the last sixteen. This involved tree king around the country until finishing up in Southhampton.

Although the captain, Mark Hoodless, played an exceptional round, Southhampton University (one of the best teams in the country) showed their colours and made it into the next round.

After the excitement ofthe Uni-

versities competition, the secretary, Julian Cotton, had the honour of securing a place in the Southern Universities team, qualifYing at the Berkshire.

During the Easter holidays a three man team, comprising ofthe captain, secretary and president , Jeff Hargreves, went to Paris to contest La Trophie Dauphine, an international amateur event, played over two days.

The team won the handicap event, the captain came joint first in the individual handicap event and a good

I

I

i

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time was bad by all.

Despite a slow term, the society is planning an other trip over the Summer, to another international tournament, this time in Milan.

Retiring as captain at the end of term to concentrate on finals, Mark Hoodless would like to thank Jo ReesonforaUherhelpthisyear,and express extreme gratitude to his president, Jeff. He would also like to wish lack to Julian with his endeavours with the Southern UniversitiesandtoChrisCiarke,nextyears captain.

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Concrete, Wednesday, June 9, 1993

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ID. --

IANABOLIC STEROIDS I

IDRUGS IN SPORT!

These are the one class of drugs that are more frequently abused than any other.

The anabolic steroids used by sportsmen and women are a powerful group of natural or synthetic compounds similar in chemical structure to the natural hormone of men, Testosterone.

Testosterone has two actions, 1 Androgenic - promoting the development of male characteristics. l Anabolic -stimulating the build up of muscle tissue.

All steroids have both actions, but in varying degrees according to the body's own response. There are lOO different anabolic steroids which are available in tablet form or for intramuscular injection. Anabolic steroids have been used more commonly, in medi-

A lo()k at the dangers of taking drugs to improve your sporting performance Sport has always been competitive, however in recent years, the prize-money and prestige to be gained has given competitors the " will to win" at seemingly any price. NamessuchasBenJohmon and J ason Livings ton echo in the mind.

Drugs are taken to artificially enhance performance; not only is this cheating it also puts the health of the competitor at serious risk.

Overdoses of stimulant drugs have led to the deaths of a Danish cyclist in a past Olympics and a world championship cyclist in a Tour de F:-an CC}. Recently a 26 year old body builder, who had been taking anabolic steroids fora number of years, died from cancer of the liver; a recognised side effect of anabolic misuse.

Anabolic steroids have perhaps had the widest coverage in the media, however they constitute only one of the doping classes. The banned doping classes are Stimulants, Narcotics, Androgenic Anabolic Steroids, Beta-Blockers, Diuretics, Peptide horn10nes and analogues Stimulants: These comprise various types of drugs which increase alertness, reduce fatigue and may mcrea.'it competitiveness and hostility.

Their use can produce loss of JUdgement which may lead to accidents to others in some sports.

Amphetamine and related compounds have the most notorious reputation where deaths have resulted when normal doses have been used under conditions of maximum physical activity.

Narcotic Analgesics: These are used to reduce moderate to severe pain; the best known of which are MorpbineandCodeine. Tbesedrugs have major side effects including dose-related respiratory depression and a high risk of physical 11nu psychological dependence.

Androgenic Anaboic Steroids: This class includes testosterone and substances that are related in structure and activity to it. These drugs are mainly misused to increase muscle strength and bulk and to promote aggressiveness. Steroids have frightening side-effects, such as the promotion of the growth of tumours, inducing psychiatric syndromes, causing stunted grcwth. and effects on the liver.

Beta-Blockers: Are used to control hypertension. angina pectoris and migraine. However the International Olympic Commission's Medical Committee has deemed that there is now a wide range of effective alternatives.

Diuretics: Used to eliminate fluids, they are misused for two reasons; to reduce weight quickly in sports where weight categories are involved and to reduce the concentration of drugs in urine.

Peptide Hormones and Analogues: Such as the growth hormone, their use is unethical and dangerous because of the adverse effects such as allergic and diabetogenic reactions.

However not all drug taking is deliberate. there is no list of"safe" drugs and the lists of banned substances are periodically revised.

Different sporting organisations may ban different drugs. Banned

substances may also be contained in medicines prescribed by doctors and can be found in some over-thecounter preparations. The problem is very complex.

Even herba.l remedies are not safe; some may contain banned substances from naturally occurring plants. Although, Ginseng Root does not contain banned substances, tablets, teas and other products with its name may contain ingredients such as anabolic steroids.

It is up to the individual to check that what they are taking is not banned and this can be done with the medical officer of their sports governing body or the Sports Council.

It is quite a responsibility for athletes and as the penalties for drug taking are h1gh - two years suspension for the first offence and a life ban for the second; it is worth checking everything and risking nothing .

.DOPING CONTROL

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The Sports Council's definition of doping in sport is, "doping is defined as the taking or use of substances or participation in doping methods prohibited by the International Olympic Committee and by International Sports Federations. In addition, assisting or inciting others to contravene doping regulations is also considered a doping offence."

Doping control is a system whereby urine samples are collected, tested for banned substances and disciplinary action taken if any are found. It is nut known in advance who will be selected for drug-testing. Selection is normally made at random on the day of a competition

or training session. Some governing bodies of sport specify that the winner in each event plus a number selected at random will be tested.

Those selected for testing are notified by an authorised official and are asked to sign a form to acknowledge that they have been notified and agree to go to the Control Station straight away or not later than a stated time.

At the Control Station you are asked to identify yourselfand asked

to: •Choose a set of two numbered bottles from those available. •Give a sample of urine under superviSIOn.

• Enter on the form any medication

you have taken in the past three days.

•Check and sign that your sample of urine has been placed in the bottles you chose, that the bottles have been sealed and the numbers recorded correctly and that you have no complaints concerning the collection procedure.

The samples are then sent to an International Olympic Committee accredited laboratory where they are analysed. If you refuse a test or do not attend the Control Station. it is considered as though the urine gave a positive test. A negative test will be reported to the governing body of your sport and the samples destroyed.

cine in the treatment of diseases such as anaemia, wasting diseases and bone diseases. The danger comes wben they are misused and abused.

The taking of anabolic steroids began with body builders and weight lifters in the late 1950's. Their use has gradually spread to athletes and other sports. Steroids are taken to increasemusclemeogth,helpcanpetitors train harder and for longer and to increase competitiveness. They have therefore become known as "training drugs", taken in the period before a reduce the risk

Turn to Page 27, Col. 1

THE STUDENTS' LANDLORD Sorry! No houses or rooms at the moment. Have a good summer!

DC

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