THE GUARDIAN! NUS STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE
Issue 59: Wednesday, Mgy 1, 199&- - -
Tony Blair Concrete meets the man who's been tipped for the top
'''~\\ 11 \cls1fo~OLITAN SnOW
iELH~E5 ~n i~DUBlE Read our exclusive interview with the stars of Hackers...
Union's Tesco trouble
IN A shock move, the commerc ial managers of the Union's retail and bar outlets have asked for a meeting with the trustees, who are ultimately responsible for the proper running of the Union. The protest was prompted by the Un ion's controversial agreement to allow Tesco to submit proposals to take over the campus supermarket, and effectively represents a vote of no confidence in senior management's handling of th e issue. Concrete has been told that he outle!t managers are angry that the approach was permitted . They believe that if the move went ahead , 1t would weaken both the NUS's and the Union's commitment to providing comprehensive studentcontrolled services on campus. Although Tesco did not submit proposals by the deadline they were given , the door was left open for future approaches . This move is believed to have affected the morale of staff, who feel that their jobs and their commitment to student service are being left under permanent threat. Defending the Union's position, John Holmes said that it was less a question of staff morale, than genuine concerns about the prospect of Tesco on campus. "I can see it from the retail manager's point of view." he said. "The Tesco issue hanging over them doesn't help, but the Sabbs were never in any doubt that we would hear what Tesco had to say and if anyone comes along and suggests something is in our best interest, that's fine . "As yet, there has been nothing of substance said by Tesco since their visit in October, but if in two months time they change their mind, we'll see." •Following Concrete's coverage of the Tesco approach in Issue 55 , the Union indefinitely withdrew its advertising of retail outlets, in protest at what it saw as the paper's negative coverage of the issue.
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SECURITY at City residences Mary Chapman Court is to be improved ... after years of dithering by UEA bosses and City council chiefs. A meeting last week between the two parti.:s agre.:d on a pacbgc of measures to tighten security at the Duke Street residences - where do1.ens of incid.:nts are n:pOrtL'<! L'aCh yt:ar. Following the ne go tiations. UEA are to pay for the lining of locks on windows and balcony doors. Norwich City Council - who own Mary Chapman Court - have
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agreed to install CCTV in the site's underground car park, which will also be equipped with a swipe card access system. The action coincides with a security review and follows renewed demands from Union Welfare Ofliccr Esther Jillell for measures to be stepped up. In the last three years. Concrete has repeatedly warned of shortcomings in security at Mary Chapman Court. reporting a catalogue of probkms experienced by the site's residents. These have included vandalism of cars,
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frequent break-ins, theft. nashers. and late-night harassment from intruders. But UEA 's Director of Residences, Jenny Grant. defended the University's record at Mary Chapman Court . "We certainly haven't done nothing about the situati on. Jt is quite clear that Mary Chapman Court is a safe place to live and has a good track record. 'There have been examples of unpleasant things happening and we will make efforts to improve the situation." However, students living at the site are
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hopeful that the recently agreed improvements will bring peace of mind to the beleaguered si te. "lt is such an open area 1vith very easy access. We don't ha\'C a porter to patrol here and the extra security improvements would be welcome". said resident Sarah Riley (WAM3). But UEA S.:curity supremo. Maurice Morson, still insists that having a permanent security presence at Mary Cha pman Court will undermine his staffs commitment to the campus.
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