Concrete issue 075 17 09 1997

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The

BANKING, LIVING, SHOPPING, EATING AND PARTYING, ALL IN ...

Exclusive interview with Echo and the Bunnymen

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BEELINE LOSE BATTLE FOR UNION CONTRACT

University's safety fix attempts to make residences safe for new students

BY GRAHAM DIGGINES

AN ATTEMPT by University bosses to make Norfolk and Suffolk Terraces safe for students has proved inadequate, following an investigation by Concrete.

Students arriving in the residences today will find roUerblind flyscreens fixed to their windows, and wooden blocks to prevent kitchen windows opening more than about 20cm.

Union Finance Officer, Iona Wakely welcomes ABC taxis to campus after they won the title of Union's recommended taxi firm.

ABC beat other firms, Beeline, Goldstar, and Loyal to take the annual contract. However, Beeline, who have held the title tor the last three years, have expressed anger at the decision.

FULL STORY, PAGE 2

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The aim is to block entry to the flat roofs of the residences, which have been the scene of several accidents, the most serious of which occurred last year.

Then, EAS student Hannah Daw suffered a fractured kneecap after falling an entire floor from Norfolk Terrace.

A recent Health and Safety Executive Report demanded that safety measures be taken, and raised the possibility of student deaths.

The report told VEA bosses that they had "not taken adequate measures to prevent students and other persons falling from said terraces."

The University responded by carrying out alterations over the summer and installed the blinds as a safety measure.

Said UEA Director of Safety Services, Robin Thomas, "They are a commercially available blind, sold to keep flies out.

"They are used in catering establishments and places like that."

And he added, 'There will only be one blind because there is only one sliding window in a study bedroom.''

However, Concrete was stunned to discover that there are two sliding windows in many of the rooms, leaving one window free for access to the roof.

Concrete has also seen how simple it is to pull up the flyscreen and step onto the . roof, raising concerns that despite these precautions students are still at risk.

Union Welfare Officer Gary Massey hopes that the alterations will only be a temporary fix.

'The safety of our members must be of prime importance but the comfort of our members must not be compromised," he said.

'The flyscreens make the rooms claustrophobic, and even if they had continued on page 4

? Page 2 j

2News

Concrete, Wednesday, September 17, 1997

UEA launch photo comp The University has teamed up with The Independent to launch a photo competition aimed at UEA students and staff.

The organisers are offering a day working on the picture desk at The lndepenent as a prize for anyone who can take an interesting photograph of life at UEA. Two other prizes of £25 vouchers for Jessop's store will also be awarded Entrants can submit up to five prints of people or places around campus, and pictures of anything, from students in the bar to the shower pods in the Village, will be considered.

So, if your photographs of you in the LCR are up to scratch, pick up an entry form from The Registry.

Closing date: October 15.

HITCH UP FOR AFRICA A Cambridge-based charity is urging students to sign up for a sponsored httch to Morocco.

Link Africa, which raises funds for educattonal development in Southern Africa, will be recruiting the more adventurous students amongst us. There will be a stall at Freshers' Fayre for all those mterested.

Advice will be given on getting there, the language, and how to raise sponsorship.

Cash prizes are up for grabs for those who arrive there first and for those who get the most money!

Union drOP-S best·selling beer in brewerYchangeover

By NICK TRIGGLE

The Union's flagship "pound a pint" Heineken has been scrapped following a brewery switch.

Union officers are united in their claim that there wa~ nothing they could do to prevent the swap from Whitbread to Bass and Scottish Courage, which occured dunng the summer vacation. not despair however. as the pound a ha\e absolutely no control over the The news comes after Union pint will be revived for a limited range of drinks we "upply m the Finance Officer. Iona Wakely period in an attempt to undercut hars," she said. promised in her election manifesto City pubs and clubs. "lt is unfortunate that there arc to keep the cheapest pint at £I. "Our prices are still \'Cry certain things that change once you And just last May. the Union favourable with those in the City. start the job that you have no control announced that it had no intention and we will be trying to run as many over. of getting rid of UEA students' top promotJOm, as poss1ble with P1lsner "At the ttme of the election I t1pple. being sold for£!," said Becka. wasn · t aware of the arrangements The deal to change brewenes "I don· t think this change will be we had with NUSSL. and was was hammered out by NUS an ISSUC. certamly not aware of the1r thoughts Services Ltd. who makes deals on "The pound a pint was a big of changing brewers." behalf of student umom, up and selling point but I don't th1nk Academic Officer. Becka Currant down the country. bnnging the students are going to stop commg to added ,"At the end of the day we bonus of discounts and promotions. the bars because of the change " had no chmce, our hands were tied."

But th1s also means that Umons But while the general prices may However she was optimistic are forced to sell a il"t of products. stay the same. students arc angered about the changes and pleased about ami the popular student pmt will by the dcc1sion to increase the price the discounts on otTer. now have to be replaced with of its cheapest beer.

"We are now able to offer a Tennents Pilsner at the increased MTT student. Pud Dhillon completely nev. range of drink>." pnce of£ I.! 0. stormed, ·This 1s a disgrace. The she said. "Pilsner wh1ch 1s Iona admitted that the deci,1on Sabbs promised us there would be rcplacmg Heineken. is a better was made over her head. no increase. I want my Heineken quality. higher strength lager."

"I have absolutely no control back."

O\'er the deal w1th NUSLL and I Penny-counting students should

BUDGET CUTS Beeline disgusted as ABC take Union contract Beeline managers have expressed anger after hearing that their firm has been dropped by the Union in favour of rivals, ABC. The decision was made after a closely contested battle between local taxi firms, who all hoped to corner the massive student market and the 30,000 people who use Union House each week.

"I was happy that the firm chosen for procedure and issued questionnaires to Last year's Union Executive invited students.

Norwich firms to submit a sealed and the tender was offering the best service," However, ABC manager, Simon secret cash bid for the contract before the she said. summer vacation.

'The reason we took ABC was not just Callendar believes his company have Conditions included a fixed fare to the based on the amount of the bid given in topped the Union's cab league for good the tenders."

City and a delayed fare scheme, designed reasons, which include a 24 hour service Nevertheless, Beeline managers, who and out of town base. to offer stranded female students a lift home. run the largest private hire cab service in "I was hopeful that we would get the tender," he said. "I think that we will be Norwich and whose contract with the In return, the fmn who managed to claim the title was guaranteed sole Union ran out last July, remain angry the firm that can give the best service to the student union." about the decision. advertising rights, delivery of taxi cards to all residences, and plaques above campus Said Beeline Day Manager, David Nevertheless, he remains sceptical that phones.

Goodall, "I was the one who got that established students will switch to ABC. The rivalry was intense, and Concrete contract years ago. l have dealt with all "I am assuming that a lot of new can exclusively reveal that while Beeline students will use us and that quite a few of the student leaders at UEA and I am very bid £2. I 50, ABC bid £2,200 - just £50 disappointed." the second and third years will still use Beeline;· he said. more.

Beeline's dissatisfaction comes after a ABC won the contract despite the fact period of controversy surrounding the Beeline chief, Rodney Paice is adamant behaviour of their drivers, who last year that Beeline offered the cheapest fares for that he can undercut his competitors. students. ''We are still the cheapest," he said. made alleged threats towards several Union Finance Officer, Iona Wakely, UEA students.

"We have printed 10,000 flyers telling says that the Execut1ve looked at quality In an attempt to clean up their act, the students that we are still charging £3 to of service as well as prices. company rethought its complaint the City."

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UEA's Computing Centre (CPC). has suffered heavy budget cuts.

The Centre plays a PI' otal part in keeping the Univcrs1ty up and running.

But after an internal review 1t was decided that the Computing Centre will have to charge students and schoob for direct computing services.

The Centre will no longer be able to fix School computers, leaving Schools relying on maintenance insurance schemes sold by the UEA Purchasing Office.

However, the rev1ew has also set up a system to train employee' withm University departments and avoid having to use CPC staff.

Said Head of the Information Services Directorate, Dav1d Baker "Ten years ago computmg was something that boffins did in the Computer Centre.

"Now it's a fundamental part of Library services".

Cash-strapped schools could face added troubles but Dr Baker rema1m confidcn about the future "I am optmmt1c about the CPC changes due to a considerable commitment on the part of computmg stall" he sa1d

. rI

Ne\NS 3

Concrete, Wednesday, September 17, 1997

By MAITHEW RAV Police have branded a brawl which broke out at Ritzy nightclub a "running battle", after a UEA student was attacked on the dance floor.

A group of ethnically mixed students and friends were enjoying a night out at the City club on Monday, June 5, when a fight involving several people broke out, landing one of the group in casualty with a broken nose.

"A whole group of us went to doorpeople and one was ejected because who was there to protect Ritzy, some UEA students and a from the club. us?" couple of friends of ours from town However, the brawl continued Allegations of racism have been who work in Indian restaurants," on the street outside. made although both the alleged said one of the group, who do not "A white male and a white attackers and the student who was wished to be named. female used verbal taunts towards first attacked were white. the group," said Sergeant Taylor.

'The witnesses we have spoken Trouble "Another scuffle ensued and to have said that racist taunts were The trouble started when one varying degrees of violence were used," revealed Sergeant Taylor. student was confronted on the used."

"If they did, as alleged, shout these dancefloor of the club, which this One of the students stood and things, then there are other charges week changes its name to IKON as witnessed the attack outside Ritzy that could be brought." "pan of a major refit.

The al leged attackers dispersed as the club was closing.

Sergeant Chris Taylor of "A group of about 20 people when police - who were alerted to Norwich Police says that the came down the treet towards us, the students' plight by close circuit shouting abuse," she said. confrontation then led to a fight.

TV - arrived at the scene.

"A scuffle ensued and parties Sergeant Taylor was surpri ed Scared were ejected," he said. that it was ccrv that came to the "I was crying and real ly scared.

Three members of the group student aid. were asked to leave by Ritzy We could have easily been killed 'There was no call made to us

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by the nightclub and it is fair to say that I was extremely disappointed by that fact," he said.

Confrontation "It not uncommon for a nightcl ub not to call us if there has been a confrontation inside.

However if people are then fighting outside and there is a running battle then we would expect them to call us."

Owner of Ritzy, Peter Mackay, that his staff are " well drilled,

well trained and well versed.

"We are legally charged with maintaining good order in the premises," he added.

"We have to remove from the premises anyone who threatens that good order."

Later on that night a male and a female were arrested and detained, following a search by police and the alleged victims.

'The police asked us if we were prepared to go to court and identify these people," said one of the

friends. "We said yes and we were put into patrol cars and eventually found them."

Charged The alleged attackers have been charged with assault and public order charges as a result of the fight .

The investigation is continuing, and Norwich Police are appealing for witnesses. They would like to hear from anybody who saw the incident.

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4 News

Conc rete, Wednesday Septembe r 17, 1997

UNIVERSITY CHIEFS have moved to sort out campus eateries by call ing in catering giant , Gardner Merchant.

The compa ny w ill be on campus fo r a three month research peri od , and in Ja nuary o f nex t ye ar will put fo rward a catering strategy to UEA

The Ref's a Grandad A super fit Norfolk 77 year old has been drafted in to referee Norfolk County FA matches.

Ted Woods has answered tbe call to action after a long career that included a stint at UEA 's sports centre.

No roof for the millennium

UEA chi efs are desperate ly trying to balance the books for cateri ng. which receives a massive £ 11 0.000 subsidy every year.

The Universi ty is footi ng the bill for this shortfall but the subsidy is d ue to be withdrawn by the year 2000.

Largest The German firm that was brought in to build the roof for the British Government's Millennium dome, plans to sue for £2.5 million. T he firm also hopes to prevent any other companies from completing the project as its lawyers consider seeking a high court injunction.

Clinton in trouble Bill Clinton, President of the USA posed for photos wearing an afro wig. His indiscretion was caught on camera as he relaxed on holiday at a high class nightclub.

Concrete writer nominated for Award Sam Richards, who has just fin ished his spell as Concrete' s Features Editor, has been nominated for The Guardian/NUS Media Awards, Feature Writer of the Year. "I am over the moon and looking forward to getting completely trashed at the awards in October," he said.

Home video intrusion ln Reading a University lecturer has been convicted of videoing women in changing rooms without their consent. The Peeping Tom has been given a one year conditional discharge. He admitted disorderly conduct.

Gardener Merchant - the second largest catering company in the country - fought off competition from two other catering heavyweight s to secure the contract which is likely to be extended to three years.

One competitor wa~ Chanwells an offshoot of Eu rcst - who prov ide catering for top universities inc luding Manchester and Birmingham.

Detail s of what will be so ld by Gardner Merchant have yet to be final ised. but it is likely that a food ha ll could be pan of the dea l.

Direc tor o f Res idences and Services. Jenny Grant is confident that Gardner Merchant are the right choice. " After care ful eva lu ati on Gardener Merchant was selected on th e basis of track records. value for money and quality of proposal," she said .

The news of the rest ructure comes aft er month s of stude nt di ss ati sfac ti on over caterin g. An exclusive Co nc re te s urvey cond uc ted in May revealed that 95% of student s

want later open ing ho urs, more choice and val ue for money. ''A ny debate on opening hou rs will have to wait until we see the results," said Ms G ran!.

This is despite having already opened Piccolo' s until !0.30pm over the summer. Bec ka slammed UEA chiefs for havi ng double standards.

"I don't think its fair that the Univers ity shou ld allow the catering services to stay ope n for conference trade if they're not going to do the :-ame for students.'' she said.

'The Universi ty is here for the benefit of students."

Ms Grant defended the Univer>i ties actions as a result of clemancli ng co nfere nce organisers.

"Opening hours during conkrences vary according to the package purc hased by the conference organi ser," she said.

Survey The Uni versity is ye t to publi sh the results o f its own survey into cateri ng. but fears have already been raised over possible price hikes as a result of a new catering company . " It is not tho ught th at price increases (other than those in line with innati on) are necessary o r desirable." said Ms Gran!.

Concern s have also been rai sed that a monopoly on catering could affect the Union' s caterin g ac ti viti es. inc ludin g the sa le o f sandwiches. snacks and dri nks in the Hive Howeve r, Uni on Academ ic O fficer. Becka C urrant be lie ves

Piccolo 's: Set for refit? there will not be a probl em. " I cion 't see Gardner Merchant comin g in as a threat at all." she said . ''We provide food in th e Hi ve whi ch is popul ar. " I can't see Gardner Merchant coming in and rea lly threatening any of the Union's commercial services However. Bec ka was adamant

that the University shoul d ensure that students are in volved in the decision making process. " I think that the University has to wake up to the real isati on that they have to li ste n to the clemancls that thei r customers:· she said.

"They can' t continue providing poor service at innatecl prices and for o nl y a limited num ber of ho urs."

OFF LIMITS?

been wi ndows. people could still get o ul.

The me~h i;, tlitmy and can be removed."

De;,pite the obviou~ inadequacy of the h limb. Mr Thoma:- rema in:confidenl in his planning proceo.,s.

"The dcc"ion to CaiT) out these aheration:- wa'> neither o.,hort nor trivial," he said.

"I! involved a !01 of di:-cu~'>ion with the Union and other Univer;,ity hodie:-."

The University wa' given se\eral other option~ in Lhe HSE Report. including the ino.,tallation of guard rai Is ;,o that :-tudents can use the rool\ without being in danger.

Mr Thotmh was forced to admit that guard raib are a better option. " Hand rai ls wou ld be the ideal solution." he said. ··However. I believe the cost may be horrendous. and the lengthy plann ing permission proccs:- wou ld mean that the railings would not be 111 place by the HSE deadline.

But he added. "This could be a long term goal."

Neverthelc:-s. Gary Masscy remain;, unconvinced and feels that students sho ul d he given mo re in fo m1ati o n. " I thin k th at it is very importan t that it is clearly explained why the measures have been taken."

Tuesday night bash canned by Fire Chiefs

BY MATT RAY, News Ed ito r

TH E UNION'S free entertainment night, Live in the Hive, has been axed, foll owing recommendations from Norwich f ire chiefs.

The lega l lim it on the capacity of the Hive ha~ been s lashccl, meaning that just 360 people will be allowed in the Hive at an) one time.

The popular Thur:-day LCR di,co will also be affected as the combined capacity for both venues ha-. been cut from 1,700 to 1.423 people.

In a recent visit from the Fire Brigade inspectors. several concerns were raised. including the ease at which the pub lic could be able exit the builclmg in the event of a fire.

Safety requ irements include a new fire door in the Union Ho use foyer and following the letter of the Law. Union Welfare Officer. Gary Massey. was keen to stress that the Union is not making cash cuts.

"The grounds for affecting th e entert ainmen ts progra mm e lay en tire ly o n hea lt h and safety reasons," he said.

But he added. "They arc regulations which arc open to interpretation. This year for reason known to themselve:- they IHl\C decided to reduce our capacity.

"We have got our hands ttcd by the fire officer."

Live in the Hive has been running off the bar pro lit... for six years as a free night. and includes a late licence untilmidnighl.

Bands in the past have included popu lar locals. The Lee Vascy Band and chan-topper:- My Life Story.

Uni on Communications Officer.

A ndy Watson admitted that ;,tudents may be charged for some events. but believes the Union has found an alternati ve.

"What we are look ing at doing is moving what was Live in the Hive

Is this the future for live in The Hive, now fire regulations have been enforced? into the LCR and sub.,idising entertainments in there as well.'' he said.

"The majority of gigs on Tuesday nights will be free. and if we manage to get any big bands in. ticket;, will be heav il y subsidi sed so that five or six qu id tickets will be subsidised to about two q uid."

Neve rt heless bands already booked into the T uesday slot will not be subsidised. as tickets have already been sold, a fac t whic h

rules out the first Tuesday night of the semester.

Event s be ing com idercd for the new line- up include comedy and cabaret act:-. but the traditional UEA scramb le for the door will continue a:- ticke ts arc on a first come, first served basis.

Union costs for the events are also set to rise sharply clue to the LCR' s boomi ng soun d system plu s the need for additional staff. ·w e wan t to expand on our

entertainments profile but we do not want it to be detrimental to our students," said Andy.

"We wi ll still have the budget for what was Live in the Hive and it will probably increase."

But the Uni on recog nises that tho usands of studen ts return ing to UEA and expecti ng a late bar could cause pro blems. " We appreciate that particul arly for return ing studen ts it is going to be very fm strating.'' said Gary.

Ne-ws 5

Conc rete, Wednesday, September 17, 1997

''WE'RE VERY SOR Y'' Union Manager apologises on TV for drunken prank

BY KATIE CROCKETT RECENT reports have predicted that hundreds of acres of Norfolk' s lowlying coastal land will have been permanently submerged in approximately 50 years time due to sea level rise.

In response to this, UEA ' s School of Environmental Science have organised a conference to bring together the country ' s scientists and plan for the future of .the East Anglian coast.

On September, 12 the scientists will meet to pool research on the North Norfolk marshland area.

And will report their findings to the National Trust and RSPB, who manage much of the coastline. "'This is an opportunity for scientists from all over the Britain who have done research on the North Norfolk coast to bring each other up to date and to discuss how we can contribute to its future ," said ENV"s Or lan Bloomer.

Local people are invited to hear about the research and to join discussions with decision-makers, on Saturday 13 at a day school.

BY JAMES CURTIS

TOM BALLS, Union Bars Manager for nine years, was left shamefully apologising on Italian national television recently after admitting breaking part of a valuable baroque statue.

The incident occurred while Mr Balls was on a rugby tour in Catania and Sicily.

Members of the English squad, which included an ex-MP, spent the evening of September I drinking in local bars.

Attempts were made to climb a stone elephant which is the symbol of Catania. Mr Balls, who weighs 19 stones, and another player Richard Davi on, broke the leg off one of the cherubs which adorn the base of the statue.

Said Mr Balls, "We tried to climb it only we had no chance, we did not realise it because we were drunk. Unfortunately a bit fell off. It was incredibly stupid and l am genuinely embarrassed about it."

Investigations by Italian Police led them to the English player's hotel. It was then that Mr Balls and Mr Davison came clean. ''We put our hands up and went on Italian television. We humbly apologised," said Mr Balls. ''The Lord Mayor met with us, we said we were sorry and he shook our bands. We offered to pay for the damage, we were not arrested and have been told that we will not have to go back to Sicily to face charges."

But Italian newspapers have not been so generous, (right).

In an article entitled, "The

That sinking feeling

Vandals? Her Majesty's Rugby Players", a Roman newspaper Messaggero , strongly criticised the players for their behaviour.

The article, which appeared on September 4, also blames the Italian authorities for letting ''The Vandals" off so lightly.

Union Communications Officer, Andy Watson was also unimpressed by the drunken escapade.

"Anybody that is in a position of representing the integrity of the nation should behave accordingly.

"I do not suppose for a moment that clambering over a baroque statue of national importance is in any way indicative of such behaviour."

/"GUINNESS I'" CARLING BLACK LABEL 1'-

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Graduates, don't bother ~ with the queues -, ~ ,.. downstairs... ,..

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Move on up to your f Graduate路 Bar "

6 Ne\IV'S

Concrete. Wednesday September 17, 1997

) .V

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ProP.osed refit for premier accomodation !!. P.Ut on hold after further investigations

BY NICK TRIGGLE

UEA RESIDENCES' £4 million overhaul has stalled as University top dogs backtrack on repairs.

But UEA's Director of Residences and Services, Jenny Grant admits that the work still needs to be done.

The Village, Nelson Court and Constable Terrace have been plagued by a number of problems with the shower pods and the water heating system.

Said EAS student, Ruth Smith '"I summer. the results of which have concerns that money had been li ved in Nelson Court last year and forced the University to restrict work wasted by calling in independent to trial houses in Nelson a nd consu ltants. felt it was not up to standard. "'The shower rooms were Constable. "We made it clear that Said Ms Grant, ''No money has unsatisfactory, and we also had the trial houses would reveal the full been wasted . The work needs doing problems with pipes leaking extent of the work and the working and it is our intention to take action methods," said Ms Grant. that will minimise the cost to the throughout the year. '" The proposed work was Union Welfare Officer, Gary University.'"

Massey , commented, But the unexpected change of announced in April, with Nelson closed for work thi s semester and "I can only assume that the work policy has caused confusion, since Constable Terrace following suit in is not as serious as first thought. " so me students were alerted only the new year.

However, the University remains after they had organised off-campus The decision was taken after UEA adamant that they do not wish to accommodation. upset students.

Gary Massey believes that brought in independent consultants.

This would have shrunk the "The full programme has been put students have already been inconvenienced.

University's total available beds by back to minimise inconvenience to 300 and inconvenienced students students," said Ms Grant. "This "Third year students who were who would have had to move considering returning to campus process has prevented us embarking between the two residences. on a programme that held the risk of may have chosen not to and great disruption to students.'"

This change of plan follows a therefore could have lost out because 'pilot' survey carried out over the The University also dismissed of the change," he said.

Seen Amsterdam? Done Paris?

Now Hitch to Morocco!

Forget Europe, think Africa. Imagine riding camels in the Sahara Desert, trekking in the shadows of the Atlas Mountains, relaxing on the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Coast and exploring the colourful bustling markets of Casablanca and Marrakesh, overflowing w ith amazing sights, smells and sounds.

For the past six years, every Easter, students from UK universities have successfully hitched to Morocco to raise money for the educational charity Link Africa. Link asks hitchers to raise their own sponsorship, giving them in return all the information and support they need to do the Hitch. There are also prizes for the fastest hitchers, and for the hitcher who raises the most sponsorship.

Link Africa is looking for Hitchers from your university to take part in the 7th Hitch to Morocco, to take place at Easter 1998. Don't miss the travel experience of a lifetime!

For more information contact Frances at:

Link Africa, Orwell House, Orwell Road, Cambridge, CB4 4WY Tel: 01223 506665 hitch@ linkafrica.demon.co.uk

Nelson Court will now be lived in after the University's U-turn

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Select Models...

A national model competition has been launched to find student faces of 1998.

The competition is being run by Select Model-In association with STA Travel and The Daily Telegraph - In an attempt to discover new male and female models to take to the catwalk in 1998. The winners will be offered modelling contracts with Select and fashion

Barclays Bank...

UEA undergraduatlon sponsors, Barclays bank, are giving students the chance to win up to £2,500 in a national game card competition.

Students can pick up game cards in any branch of the bank, or at their stall at Freshers'

Fayre tomorrow, and win by matching the images on the card with those in the bank.

The prizes range from the five top wins of £2,500 and ten wins worth £1,500 each, to 6,000 prizes of cinema discount vouchers.

, I

By CAROL YN BOYD

TOP BUSINESSMAN Vi ncent Watts, 57 has been appointed UEA's new vicechancellor.

He leaves hi s job as se nior partner at Anderson Consu lting, the international management consu ltation firm where he was involved in undergraduate recruitment. He will take over from Dame Esteve-Coll when she retires in October.

Most appointments to the post are drawn from academic backgrounds. making thi s a more unusual choice.

Mr Watts is married with two children.

He gained a double first in Econom ics. Natural Sciences and Biochemistry at Peterhouse College, Cambridge.

He is also a keen sportsman who is a member of Jesters Club reigning UAU Squash champions, and in 1994 he successfully completed the London Marathon

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shoots with The Daily Telegraph, plus a flight to the destination of their dreams and £500 spending money.

Anyone who thinks they've got "the look" can get an application form for the competition by calling 0171 361 6166 or by visiting an STA Travel branch. Entries close · on December 12.

Ne\IVs: In depth 7

Concrete, Wednesd ay, September 17, 1997

') I Students are to be charged for their tuition. Labour has decided to end free education and make students Ray their way. Concrete looks into the solution and asks: Will students of the future will be snowed under by debt?

A third of young people are now maklng the decision to go to university but funding has hit rock bottom.

Just last year, UEA' own undergraduate programme in the School of Physics was shut down after a massive £270,000 shortfall in its budget. It seems clear that universities are facing an uphill struggle, but is there a remedy? ln an attempt to offer long-term relief, the Government has responded to the

opponent of tuition fees. In May he told Concrete that he would, "fight to the death . . . against extra tuition fees", and he remains sceptical about the effect they will have on poorer students.

"The idea of the means tested tuition fees is that it will still encourage students from certain socio-economic groups to come

One of the groups paying close attention to the Dearing report and Labour's response to it is UEA's Dearing Task Group, set up to find out what the report actually means for universities.

Although the cost of maintaining standards in higher education over the next two years is estimated to be £900 million, UEA's Director of

"The excectatl•on of gol·ng on to l·gher educatl•on • d In • th e shou Id be raiSe country" . Dr lan Gl·bson

Communications, Alan Preece aid that UEA finds it "regrettable that the cost should fall upon students."

But he added, "there

emergency with isacryingneedformore a tax on money in the system." graduates. As a However, this money into the system. I think that might not actually reach result of the publication in July of Sir Ron Dearing's enquiry into argument is fairly dubious." university coffers if Chancellor Others have reacted angrily to Gordon Brown intervenes. It is an higher education, controversial plans were announced to charge all the news. The NUS and other issue about which Dr Gibson public groups made a stand against feels strongly. students entering the system in 1998 a flat rate of £1,000 for every tuition fees and the speed with "The argument that tuition which they will be introduced, fees bring money into the system year of their course.

The principle of free education forcing the Government to make is not really convincing when we is in retreat, but the Government is an embarrassing climb-down. In also hear that the Treasury is not clear that students will not be response to tiff opposition, 1998 promising that this money will go saddled with repayments during gap year students are to be let off into the system," he says, also expressing concern about a their course. Cash sums will be from paying the fees in a move added to the current student loan that Dr Gibson feels was a positive potential hike in fees. and repayments will be linked to outcome.

"You have to a k the question; "The case of students taking a will it stay at £1,000? I am old graduate income, meaning the repayment system could be gap year shows that the enough and ugly enough to think Government is that it will probably go up triggered off at about £16,000.

Many students =========~=-~~-:~=~, with the cost of living." cold be forced And such costs of living are to stay at home, set to rise. According to the J997 Barclay Student Survey, although those who are the average graduate debt has seriously short leapt by a quarter since last H year, to a shocking £2,475. will not have to Under the new scheme, such pay, as fees are /f} debt would double in the face means tested against the t\OO / of tuition fees alone and this, current grants together with ri ing living • oO costs, can only spell disa ter system, which ~d\l'-3\\ for future graduates on a tight will nevertheless ~t r~ be scrapped in u\ budget.

With graduate favour of larger P 9 .. ~ unemployment still a student loans. ,, oc.\e .. ' significant problem, students aff'\\\'\9 could face years struggling Close to home there has been \e under a debt which increase widespre ad each month through interest concern about the charges. change with ExAs UEA's Ex-Dean of Dean of BIO and BIO, lan Gibson is no stranger to the Labour MP for Norwich North, Dr consequences of student Ian Gibson poverty.

"I "When I was at UEA I commenting, was surprised that had students crying in my the Government office, telling me that their Mums and Dads have been made changed some of the Dearing recommendations, prepared to change its position in redundant and they do not know how they can go on. J had to help which suggested to me that they the face of a strong argument," he these students through the had been beavering away behind said. "I think that the government the scenes." does test the water with these University system."

Dr Gibson i an outspoken things."

One way of managing is to fa ll

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back on Univer ity hardship funds, reserved for emergency cash shortfalls and already stretched to the limit.

"I saw money being put aside for hardship go from about £10,000 a year to £1 million in my time." Dr Gibson revealed . He is critical of such a last-ditch solution, calling it a "crazy system."

The Government is to introduce its own additional hardship loan of £250, and is attempting to encourage access to education for all. Despite thi s commitment, twice the number of students from well off backgrounds are going to university compared to those with less money.

"There has always been a

"The expectation of going on to higher education should be raised in the country. I believe that there are many more people capable of higher education than are entering at the moment."

Many future students may have already had second thoughts about higher education after hearing proposals for yet extra fees . Until early last year, UEA and many umverslltes were considering directly charging students "top up fees" to ease the cash crisis. There seemed to be a real possibility of a university "superleague" being set up, inevitably relegating certain institutions to lower divisions.

However the Government appears to have abandoned this as an option.

that and he had better do it."

He is keen to point out that Labour MP's themselves are indebted to the university system which he describe as being "in a mess ."

·" You must remember that many of the Labour MPs have been through higher education, and it is a fair thing to say "why shouldn't people like us pay for the benefits that we had?"

Throughout its election campaign, Labour was determined to lose its reputation of higher taxation and made promises to limit taxation. Unsurprisingly, the option of putting up income tax to support higher education has not been put forward for discussion, but Or Gibson feel s that it is time for a radical change.

"I think that we are missing a golden opportunity now where there is a public mood around that says maybe we do have to put up taxes for certain people, the rich, to pay for some services such as higher education. I think that is a real alternative."

"There is a crying need for more money in the system" . Director of Communications, Alan Preece problem with getting students into universities from homes which bring in less money," commented Or Gibson, adding that he thought more could be done to encourage future students.

"I am very pleased to say that top up fees are ruled out," said Or Gibson.

"There has to be legislation to stop it, and as far as I am concerned Blunkett is promising

a paid advertisement by your student union

On behalf of the Union I'd like to welcome all first years to UEA. We'd also like to take this opportunity to wish returning students all the best for the coming year.

As those of you who have already flicked through the student handbook will be aware, the Union provides and supports extensive Representation, Recreation and Retail initiatives - our re-worked version of 'the three A's', which would not be possible without the dedication of the Union staff supported by student involvement.

Along with the four sabbatical officers; Becky, Gary, Iona and myself who have been .hard at work over the summer preparing for these first two weeks of the term, the non-sabbatical team have returned fresh from the summer break ready to help with the many forms of Representation, Recreation and Retail services that your Union has to offer. lt has been a very hectic summer as far as preparations for the coming semester are concerned, with some of the .tried and tested routines of the Union calendar being revamped to varying degrees, and the old favourites, where possible, being left to grow in their own popularity.

This years undergraduates comprise the 'class of 2000' and in recognition of this the Union has adopted a new, more dynamic corporate identity {logo to you and me!) which you will be seeing around campus as the next few weeks unfold. This journey into the next millennium is a very important one indeed, especially for students, and the many problems that you may encounter over the next few years shall need to be acted on as positively and coherently as possible. The Union is here to help with this, but we need your input and support to make sure that problems are addressed.

One of the most important and far-reaching aspects of student life over the coming months centres on the Dearing report, a report which contains many positive suggestions for the furthering of education into the next century along with two of the most heinous of funding crimes. You will no doubt be aware of the funding proposals if you were in touch with the U.K. media over the summer, indeed many first years may have rejected the chance of a 'year off' for fear of the funding 'tax' which next years intake may be asked to pay. But, as I mentioned above there are many positive aspects to this report which we believe will benefit students, and

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a paid advertisement by your student union

ultimately employers. Rather than skip over them now why don't you come along to the first meeting and hear more about it, how it may affect you, and how you can get involved. The Union has arranged for Douglas Trainer, NUS President and hopefully one of the Pro-Vice Chancellors from the university to come along and speak, and as well as the formalities we will be running a drinks promo at the bar.

LIVE IN THE HIVE CANCELLED?!

As I brushed over earlier, some of the old favour-ites have had a re-vamp! One such event is the Tuesday night 'Live In The Hive'. This was a free event run by ents. in conjunction with the bars to 'give something back' to the students in return for the support they gave to the ents and bar package that the Union runs. Unfortunately, over the summer the fire officer decided in his wisdom to reduce the overall capacity, whilst determining that the Hive have a restricted capacity of 350. As many of you returning students will realise, this extremely popular occasion could not really be restricted to so few. Our answer is to relocate the Tuesday evenings to the LCR. Unfortunately, by this time the Levellers were booked in for the first Tuesday of term - so you'll have to work with us on this! The Hive will however be open late, but restricted to the permitted numbers. But fear not! The following Tuesdays ' will provide ents. in the LCR with a late bar, although one or two of them may require a cover charge of a couple of quid due to the logic that a bigger venue requires bigger bands. But, we pledge that when a bigger event takes place it wilt be heavily subsidised! 'A word of warning, these new maximum capacities mean that h.CR tickets will be •ven more Rrec.i ous than before - i.e. get yours early and please don't get annoyed with the poor finance office staff if it sells out! For the first LCR of term (September 18th) we are trying to make provisions for any overspill, but since a late licence at the Waterfront was not granted alternatives are proving troublesome to arrange!

Right, now with all that explanation out of the way, all that is left to say is have fun! Come and see us, for any reason, and make the most of your year(s) at university. The gig list is, as ever, very impressive, the Thursday 'LCR' and Saturday evening ents astounding and the beer (relatively) cheap, what more could a bOdy possibly wantf?!! (Ideas welcome - let us know!)

Anyway, without further ado I'll nip off to the pub for a beer and leave you with a quick 'who's who' on our paid advertisement on page 14. Those that are sick to the back teeth with all this can leave the room now.

See y'all

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Andy Watson, Communications Officer

1 Features

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Concrete, Wednesday, Septem ber 17, 1997

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Featur es 1

Concrete, Wednesday, September 17, 1997

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get around. Most of the buses are ~ low American school buses which ~ crammed ful;of people and produce.lJI

be s ill on your um r ols? Let Emma Newbery waft you a way t o the exotic land of B elize, in Central Ame ·ea you want to relax on an Island under the shade of a palm tree, dive or snorkel in coral reefs, trek through a rainforest or visit Mayan ruins, Belize is the place for you. Formally a British colony called British Honduras, Belize gained full independence in 1981 . lt borders Mexico and Guatemala, but unlike many Spanish-speaking Central American countries, the people speak English. ll's also far safer than the countries which surround it. The Caribbean vibe is easy to slide into as the diverse mixture of people and their relaxed attitude makes everybody feel so welcome. This extraordinary country is a little known tourist destination, although it is becoming increasingly popular which makes now an ideal time to visit. There are plenty of facilities for tourists, but the hoards of people have yet to arrive.

The former capital, Belize City has a slightly ramshackle feel to it due to the frequent storms and hurricanes which have battered the faded wooden houses. The government moved west to Belmopan in 1961 after Hurricane Hattie killed 300 people in the city, but few ~ people followed, so the capital city is like a ghost town with only a few huge government and embassy buildings. ironically, Belmopan

is one of the smallest capital cities in the world with only 6,000 inhabItants, while Its neighbour, Mexico City, is the largest, with 20 million people. There are a total of 43,621 people living in Belize. Belize City marks most peoples' arrival in Belize, and it bustles with the activity found in all major cities. lt has a busy harbour and a real charm if you have enough time to stc;.y there and uncover it. If you can't hang around, then the city is a great springboard to the Cayes and the rest of the country.

The Cayes (pronounced keys) are small islands, hundreds of which litter the coastline. The most common destinations from Belize City are Caye Caulker and .llmbergris Caye, and there are frequent ferries to both of these. Caye Caulker is four miles long, and with plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants, it's a great place to meet people.

Relaxing after a day of bus journeys, with a cold Bilikin beer, watching the games of beach volleyball while the sun sets, makes the perfect introduction to Belize.

Unfortunately, the particularly high number of tourists on Caye Caulker means that there are lots of seams which make it hard to walk around without bei1g hassled to join the many trips on offer.

However, if you do decide to take a trip, a short boat ride will take you to the coral reef, and for about £10 you can swim in the silent underwater forest, see some of the 400 species of fish and marvel at the playful stingrays who wi I eat out of your hand. H you've never seen a stingray, they are huge fat things that waft though the water and sting with the ends of their ta~s. Fortunately, they are more friendly than they look.

Belize has 11s miles of coral reef. which makes it the second largest reef in the wor1d. There are plentY of places to learn to scuba dive or to hire equipment if you already know how. nis is not the kind of place where you can laze on the beach (as there isn't one) and there is too much else to do, if you can drag yourself away from the coast.

As we reached the top a thunderstorm was brewing around us .. only afterwards did we diSCOVer that someone had been Up there When lightning struck a few weeks before • way to ge~ there i_s wit~ a tour of some kmtd, wh1ch w111 cost

Caye Caulker

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ling to western Belize reveals a wealth of Mayan ruins remains. The main town, San lgnacio, is a great base which to explore. Not only does it boa.st Eva's Cafe where you can E-mail home and catch up on the latest gossip, it also offers plenty of budget hotels and opportunities to join tours and caving trips. The ruins of Xanatunich are just a 15 minute bus ride away; it's worth climbing up the main pyramid El Castillo and looking out at the misty forests and villages which stretch out before you. As we reached the top a thJnderstorm was brewing around us - only afterwards did we discover that someone had actually been up there when lightening sti'IJCk just a few weeks previously.

Other ruins such as Tlkal and Csracol are harder to reach, but even more spectacular. Tlkal,

BEL~ IZE Dangrlga •

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lacenc1a I

•Punta Gorda

just across the border in Guatemala, is the most visited sight in the area; tours to see the mountainous temples peaking out of the virgin forest cost about £50, but you can go it atone tor a tot less. Caracol, however, can only be reached by a three hour drive through thick rainforest, so the only realistic

about £35. The site covers an impressive 1.2 square miles with 32 different structures.

Much of Mayan history remains a mystery - not least the civiHsations unexplained demise in 800 - 900 AD. The Mayans, who devised one of the worlds five original writing systems and had their own calendar, were sophisticated mathematicians as early as 300 BC. The Pacz Hotel (Tel. 09-2110) runs " informative caving trips under the Mayan mountains. Their trip is run by an all-singing, all-dancing, ex-army officer who takes you swimming in an underwater river among the impressive rock formations. Meanwhile, broken Mayan pots and legends abound- as the caves were the focus for many religious rituals.

When you see the shadows of the stalagmites and stalactites dancing on the walls by the by the light of your torch you begin to understand why. At the end of the day the colours and noises of the rainforest are magnified by memories of the dark, eerie underworld.

1hlvelling by bus in Belize is easy n cheap, and unless you have a car, it's the only way to

the evenings as the bus stops to dr# , · each person off at their own front dool' you can appreciate the sense of community - as long as you're not in a hurry. In the north and central areas, the roads are good and there are frequent buses between all the major destinations..

-·""'·---•1 _.. .~....,.-..:~..~ However, as you travel throughout the ~----fllti~~.., most incredible jungle, going south on the ., Hummingbird Highway. you must be P"t~$Jg&:.~•iltlm-rluml>tn!}IY bumpy, fast down a road which is, at best, partially paved, and, at worst, muddy and pothoied.

From Belmopan there are regular buses to Dangriga, a fairly seedy town which has frequent bus links to Punta Gorda, and Placencia, the main towns in the South. The hostile atmosphere meant that we avoided seeing much more than the bus station, but I am told we didn't miss much!

The town of Placencia consists of wooden stilt houses built around a main concrete sidewalk on the seashore. Many of the shops are inside peoples' houses so it's easy to mistakenly wander into somebody's living room while you are looking for the bakery. The townspeople are pretty indifferent to visitors which makes a refreshing change, although apparently in high season the place is packed with beach loving Americans. lt's a great place to chill, write postcards, laze in the sun and swim in the warm Caribbean waters.

Punta Gorda is a border town where the local women still come to market in traditional dress, and there are frequent ferries to Uvingston and Puerto Barrios in Guatemala. If you take the time to stay here, you can get a feel for the way the Kakchi and Moapan Mayan villagers live, through a visitation program which allows you to stay with local people. lt also helps to fund education and health projects in the area. orthern Belize is home to two major wildlife sanctuaries which have been developed as part of a growing move towards ecotourism.

Eighty per cent of the rainforest in the 90untry is still intact, and projects like these are community efforts which protect many

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GETTING THERE As with all flights; lt's worth shopping aro~mct as there are always bargains to be found.

If you're looking for discounts, be flexible with your dates and look Into other nearby loca· tlona.

Thore are often bucket flights to Cancun (Mexico) which I$ Just a bus ride from Bf!llze City.

The Union Ttavel Shop Is currently offering flights to Belize City for £437 to £684 return, depending on When you w•nt to t ravel.

endangered species. The Biosphere Reserve in the North West joins with Mexico's and Guatemala's Calakul and Maya reserves, where scientists are encouraging local people to live and farm in ways that

At the end of the day the colours and noises of the rainforest are magnified by memories of the Mayan underworld.

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preserve the parkland. The reserves provide a home for more than 300 species of birds and 200 kinds of trees. They are the only part of the country that are hard to reach by bus, and accommodation is quite expensive.

The rest of the towns are surprisingly well supplied with budget hotels and restaurants, so you shouldn't have any problems finding somewhere to rest your head. There are no youth hostels as such, but hotels are so cheap that it doesn't make much difference. Two people can find a double or twin room in a clean safe hotel for about £1 0. Most places charge per room, and althoogh there are cheaper hotels around, it is worth paying more to ensure safety. Guide books and other travellers are the best sources of u;,-to-date information about where to stay.

Belize is more expensive than the rest of Central America, but you can still live it up for about £15 per day (more if you are travelling alone).

Belize Is only about the liza of W&les, but 1his tiny country still offers a wealth of attracllone and dlscoll'eries. Once you're there, you will undoubtably be tempted to join the hoards of Westerners who haYe settled there and opened f8lllaUranl8 and hotels because they could not drag themseiY8s flfllll/ from thla frleldly sunny hawn.

12 Features

Concrete, Wednesday, September 17, 1997

Five years, 75 Issues, 17 million pages of newsprint and Concrete is still printing.

Katie CrockeH finds out how.•. ive years ago, in a small room somewhere in EAS, a student newspaper was launched by an eager team. What you are reading now began its life as a 20 page newspaper - the brain child of three students who were willing to spend their overdrafts.

Since these humble beginnings, Concrete has grown into the most respected form of campus media at UEA. Written and produced independently by students, the first issue of Concrete hit the newstands in January 1992.

With a print run of 7,000 copies every fortnight during term-time, and covering 75 per cent of its costs by advertising, the paper publishes news, sports, features and entertainment - any1hing of interest to students. 1t is read by 98 per cent of UEA's students, making it the most effective form of campus media.

In the past, Concrete has featured interviews with such celebrities as Tony Blair, John Prescott, Mark Lamarr, lan McEwan, Peter Slake, Terrorvison, Blur and Pulp.

Once Concrete was established, the demand for a Norwich entertainment guide meant that The Event was born. Appearing as a 28 page tabloid, and free alongside Concrete every issue, The Event was also sold separately in over 350 newsagents in Norfolk.

Unfortunately, after ten successful issues, the separate Event was suspended because the small editorial team couldn't possibly manage over 48 pages of newsprint every two weeks in addition to their degree work!

The Event was downscaled and became the entertainment and leisure part of Concrete, later to become an exclusive pullout.

F

y 1994, Concrete had proved it was here to stay, and following negotiations, its student owners sold it to the Union on the strict condition that it would remain editorially independent.

The move was consolidated with the appointment of Niall Hampton as full-time Editor for 1995-6, tfle first time such a post had existed at UEA. This year's Editor is Jane Kirby, who will be devoting all her time to overseeing the production of the paper and making sure that the content is what UEA students want to read.

The Concrete team's professionalism and dedication was recognised by The Guardian and NUS in October 1995, when the paper won the coveted Student Newspaper of the Year Award.

Concrete was praised by The Guardian and Observer Editor-In-Chief, Peter Preston, for its "brash tabloid flair" and its fun and punchy line in editorials.

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Professor Chris Bigsby congratulated the paper saying, "Concrete was always the best, it's just taken them [the judges] a long time to realise it." oncrete shed its famous purple logo in January 1997, with a relaunch for itself and The Event. Complete with a new, bright orange masthead, the overhaul brought a new lease of life to the paper, which now boasts more sections, including Food and Drink, lnter@ctive and News l..n=-......:::=:=-~::~liii~ Depth. ....; Seventy-five issues after its launch, Concrete remains the perfect springboard for anyone interested in pursuing, or just finding more out about, a career in print media.

Many former Concrete section editors have used their experience on the paper to their best advantage, and now hold prestigious positions on top magazines and newspapers.

Concrete's first Editor, Polly Graham, now works on the Daily Mirror as a features writer, and Niall Hampton, Editor from 1994 to 1996, is on the editorial team of award-winning men's magazine, Loaded.

More recently, last year's Features Editor, Sam Richards graduated and moved onto the new music magazine, The Band. Last Thursday, Sam was nominated for Features Writer of the Year, in the 1997 Guardian/NUS media awards.

All training for Concrete is carried out in-house and there are always plenty of section editors around to offer help and advice, whether it be in writing a hot news story, researching a topical feature, proofreading, desktop publishing or photography.

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f you are interested in getting involved in any aspect of the paper's production, then come to our weekly Monday meetings, held upstairs in Union House, room 1.33. Alternatively, call into the Concrete office and see what goes on at one of the most advanced student newspapers in the country.

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ISSUE 1 January 1992 The first ever Concrete appears on the newstands, reporting on the semesterisation of the University timetable. Happenings, The Events predecessor, interviewed EAS hero Malcolm Bradbury.

ISSUE 32 April 1994

St Etienne are splashed across the Concrete front page for vandalising two kitchens in Constable Terrace. The band covered the walls in ketchup, the floor in spaghetti and stole students' food in an angry frenzy which was sparked off when they discovered'that the UEA residence was to be their 'hotel' after a gig at the Waterfront.

The band's manager said, "I suppose that's rock and roll!", whilst UEA thought it was •extremely unpleasant.• ISSUE 40 November 1994 Catering officials pull the plug on plans for a campus chippy In favour of a servery in the Elizabeth Fry Building, whilst Features reported on one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in recent years, the Criminal Justice Act. ISSUE 52 November 1995 A UEA Heath Centre GP tells a Labour education conference that students smell of "damp, unwashed clothes, body odour, fried food and cabbage.· Union officers quoted Or Paul Coathup's comments, urging students to "fight the stench of student poverty by voting for action on rents and grants.• This fortnight Concrete also reported its winning the Guardian/NUS Student Newspaper of the Year Award.

ISSUE 64 October 1996 Concrete exposed the story of the Waveney rooms Infested with bed bugs. lt emerged that the University Accommodation Office had been informed about a previous spate of Isolated incidents in March 1995, but had failed to act. Students from two floors in blocks E and F of the campus' largest residence were eventually moved out for a few days while their rooms were fumigated and their bites healed.

ISSUE 73 May 1997 One of the new-look issues of Concrete reports on laughing gas cannisters found at the Retum to the Source club night. 30 or 40 cannisters were abandoned by clubbers who used the gas as a stimulant to get them through the night - but a campus doctor tells Concrete the effect is 1ust like having a few whiskeys too many.•

Letters & Comment 13

Concrete, Wednesday, September 17, 1997

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A WORD OF WARNING ... an you believe this?

I've been back on campus for all of two days and someone has already tried to nick stuff out of my fridge! Namely a short, very ugly bloke and a tall, very ugly bloke, this morning at about 1am. I heard these two criminal masterminds creeping about on the roof above my room in Norfolk Terrace, jumping dow'n onto my balcony, and getting in through a kitchen window (despite the wooden blocks which keep the windows shut) . So I went to the kitchen to find them helping themselves

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to my milk, yoghurts and so on .

"Err... we seem to be in the wrong place," one of them sheepishly told me.

Putting my stuff back, he asked, "Which block is this?" Well , 10 out of 10 for quick thinking and a cast-iron alibi, but I wasn't quite convinced so I told them to go away, and called the porters.

I guess the moral of this is: be alert -just because you're a skint student, doesn't mean some other skint student isn't going to come and try to rip you off.

Oh yes, and try get a lock for your fridge. (name and address supplied)

eading the letter in the Concrete issue 73 (May 14) I was saddened to hear that someone had encountered racism and alienation at our University.We should all take such a criticism very seriously, as it involves every single member of the University, and should not occur - especially not in a place where we have all come together from different backgrounds and situations.

If racism is born out of ignorance, we, as educated, thinking people have no excuse for continuing to see nothing more than the colour of a persons skin .

I am just entering my second year at this University and have been surprised at how many international students comment that the English don't take time to talk to them.This is another kind of prejudice, which is equally disturbing, we have a duty to look after visitors to our country and help them rather than disregarding what they say because their English isn't perfect. When I myself have travelled, people in other countries have been welcoming and friendly, and keen to get to know me despite language and cultural barriers; why in the world can we not extend the same warm attitude to our visitors? Maybe this year every student can feel at home at UEA. Sarah Hayden

The cost of campus living appears to be soaring as student debts continue to rise.

UEA's famous rarity-the 'pound a pint'- is no longer with us and Live in the Hive has been transformed into a bigger event with no guarantee of free entry.

The campus eateries face a complete overhaul which is set to improve the quality of service, but at what price?

However the biggest threats to student wallets are the continuing cuts in higher education and the current Governments policy of shouldering the cost of education onto students. The scrapping of student grants and introduction of tuition fees can only increase the levels of student debt.

Students are traditionally accused of whining about being constantly broke - this time they may actually have a point.

indows '97 After several incidents involving students falling off the roofs of the Norfolk and Suffolk 'ziggurats' the University has attempted to bar access. The fact that flimsy mesh that is used to keep flies off food suggests that determined students could climb onto the roofs.

They have in the past become an important part of life in the terraces, serving as balconies and sun loungers. The effect of cooping students up in an already crowded space should be considered.

The obvious and most effective solution is putting guard rails around the balconies to prevent any accidental slips.

UEA bosses claim that the cost of this would be "horrendous".

However if the University is concemed about its students and serious about safety then it has to find some serious funding.

R

UEA's Independent Student Newspaper

PO Box 410,Norwich NR4 7TB Tel: (01603) 250558 Fax: (01603) 506822 E-Malt. su.concrete@uea.ac.uk

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D;p..Ity El:ii.tors: M3.tt Ray arrl catrerire Jcres Nidnll FEatures B:litor: Emma Newbe:r:y Qrief FEatures Writer' ~tie Crod<ett !:p::rt.s B:litor: Nick 'IDmle Pi.ct::ure Rlitrr: Fd:> sc::ara:l. of careras lllt:}els O:rBJltrot B:litor: Simon Mann B:litcrial O:rtrib.Jtcr: Graham Diggines Fh:>~: Jane I<:izcy, Fd:> lllt:}els, Katie Crockett, Grahcm Diggires ~ Manager: Pmy ~ ~ 'l1'a1ks to: M:ltt t:re Fask, carolyn

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Nelr.s El:ii.tor: ~

B:l}d, lH Ste.<ards (Hi 'Iaff!), ~at EIN Pl:oo~ Tom H:l1:rerd DT P Ps>i..strts: Jare K:irl:짜. cat:l'e:ire J<nes, Nick Trig;Jle, Elrrra ~. Katie Crcckett, Jcrn ~. Jares Tai:sfield, Paul Std<Es, Sb.Bit ~ Concrete is p..lbl.i.shrl cy tre lhicn of l.lE7I Sb..drts. cpini.aE ~ are th:se of t:re O::nt:rihltar arrl rot ra::essarily th:se of t:re ~ Cl!:' B:litor. U3e of tre IHre 'nE Event cg:e:lrS cy a!LdlyaiBlt with tre cx:pyri.glt ro:Jd&s, Plaret 2tg Ltd. N:> part of this ~ llBY re ~ or transrci.ttai cy any !l'fHI'lS ela::t:rcrri.c, thro..gh a wirrll.o! in tre zi.c;g..trats, Cl!:' with in;{ :rBfel:eu:s to rretters of lhicn staff with:J..It tiE lfrittm =art: of tie .

Printai Eastern

a paid advertisement by your student union

You've already heard from Communications Officer, Andy Watson. Here are the other sabbaticals for this academic year...

Welfare Officer, Gary Massey Well you 're finally here! Now settle back and enjoy the ride. We've got a terrific package of Freshers events lined up for you all designed to help you get to know each other, the Exec and Norwich. Of course, if you are a returning student- welcome back to UEA! In a nutshell the Union offers you representation , services, support, advice and fun. All of us on the Exec are certainly committed to the last one. However, as this year's Welfare Officer, I'll be concentrating as much effort on the other aspects. Along with the other sabbaticals (full-time officers of the Union) , I'll be based upstairs in Union House. My office is situated behind the Advice Unit. lt is going to be a bit of a juggling act, but I hope to balance my time between the Advice Unit staff, the Union Managers, the Union Officers, and YOU - THE MEMBERS. So please come and say hello during Fresher's week, there will be plenty of opportunities. We're not wearing those daft shirts for nothing!

Academic Officer, Rebecca Currant Hello there! My name is Becka and I'm the Academic Officer for this year. This will be my second year as a Sabb, so I should know what I'm doing by now! I'm based upstairs in Union House in the Education Unit. As the Academic Officer I am responsible for (you guessed it) anything academic! If you have any problems with your course and need some advice, then I'm the person to see. In addition to giving advice, I am also responsible for ensuring that your academic rights and needs are represented to the University (so that's why I sit on so many committees!) .

If you 're interested in becoming a student representative while you 're at University, I'm sure we'll bump into one another sooner or later because I also organise all Union elections. So if you're the next Tony Blair, or maybe you just fancy getting involved, come and get some more information off me at SocMart (the Education Unit will have a stall and I'll be wandering around wearing a blue T-shirt with my name on the back!). See ya!

Finance Officer, Iona Wakely I've just finished my degree in SOC and I'm looking forward to representing you as Finance Officer. My main role is to make sure that the commercial and financial side of the Union is running smoothly i.e., the bars , the shops etc. More importantly, I'm here to make sure that the time you spend at UEA is as enjoyable as possible. I'm responsible for giving money to all the Sports Clubs and other Societies that you can read about in this handbook. You can also start up your own if you find enough like minded people (see the Clubs and Socs page) .

Something I will be working on a lot this year is making sure that we as a Union are providing you with what YOU want. I will be looking at ways of ensuring that your views are heard, whether they are about the number of pool tables we have or Union policy !If you have any queries please ask any of the Executive Officers, we will either answer your question or find you someone who can!

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a paid advertisement by your student union

On the 23rd July 1997, Sir Ron Dearing published a 1700 page report on the future, shape and funding of Higher Education. The report contained 93 key recommendations for the Government, Institutions and the bodies which fund Higher Education and monitor the quality of its courses. After reviewing these recommendations, the Sabbatical Officers have developed an interim response, the principles of which follow :

Things we like in the Dearing report...

Participation - Recommendations 2/4/6 Improving access for students with disabilities who currently represent only 3% of all full time first year students Encouraging participation of people from ethnic minorities and those from disadvantaged areas Teaching and Learning- Recommendations 8/13/14/48/61 Promoting student learning strategies to improve teaching and learning Training teachers to teach and creating an Institute for Learning and Teaching in HE which will monitor and accredit this training Clarifying aims and content of courses so that students know what to expect Quality and Standards - Recommendations 23/24/25/60 Improving arrangements for franchised courses Agreeing a framework for qualifications and standards for their award Creating a pool of trained external examiners Developing a fair and robust complaints procedure with an external element

Things w don't ike in the Government's initial response ...

Thition fees David Blunkett's proposal that students pay tuition fees of ÂŁ1000 per year (with no guarantee that this figure will not increase over time) Funding for Universities No statement on the amount of additional funding to be received by Universitie , which the Committee of ViceChancellors and Principles estimate have suffered funding cuts of 28% in the last six years.

What's next? ...

The Union is holding an open meeting to discuss the implications of the report and the Union of UEA Students response to it. The meeting will be held on

Monday 22nd September 7pm, the LCR, Union House Come along and let us know what you think we should do.

It's your Union and your future.

Should we be paying fees for our education?

Is it fair that our grants are being taken away from us?

Will Higher Education only become available to the rich and not all of those who wish to participate?

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The Pub encourages that genuine student atmosphere and is buzzing every night (12 noon·11pm). The Hive is a cafe bar that's the place to hang out during the day (9am-late). In the evenings, the LCR is often the venue for late night gigs, club nights and the famous Thursday disco. Prices include: Kronenbourg £1.60, Tennants Pilsner and Worthington £1.10, wines and spirits £1.20. Cheers!

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Concrete. Wednesday, September 17, 1997

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Ever wondere what it's like to go to e footy on a Satur y af ernoon? Concrete takes you to Car ow Road through he eyes of a fan

BY ROB LUTYENS

AT 10AM my day begins, but this Is no normal day. This Is Saturday: match day.

After a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs to set me up for the stress that lies ahead, I glance over the sports pages and then kit myself out in the fan's uniform: the shirt, the glove , jacket, bat and finally the carf, bearing the canary mascot.

I'm ready to watch the heroic . vocal chords ready for the game.

If you are after intellectual Norwich City do battle against division one newcomers Crewe, and conversation, you're probably be$t before long it's time to et off for the off looking elsewhere, as all you ground. will hear are fans who really believe I've lost count of the number of in what they are saying.

The pub, of course, has to be times I've promised myself no more football, only to find the lure of chosen with care. There are et "away" pubs and 'home' pubs and Carrow Road and the Yellow Anny choosing the wrong one could mean too strong. a ho tile reception.

The home of the mighty Canaries The Ferryboat is situated halfcontains no less than a choice of six way between the city-centre and the seating areas. ground, and is a definite haunt for The South stand is be t avoided home fans, as the atmosphere is unle s beading for the family area, friendly and easy going. as it contains the away fans. As the oldest stand at the ground it's eBSiJy Drinks spotted, and judging by the leg room, it was designed by dwarfs.

For the away fans, The Compleat Opposite is the City stand for Angler near the station is a firm those who like td sit among club favourite. officials.

Around 2.45pm the pubs to It's mainly haunted by season empty and the stands begin to fill. ticket holders, and provides limited The euphoria which accompanies scope for the casual visitor. the first sight of the team cannot be The Norwich and Peterborough described: suffice it to say that by tand at the River end of the ground this stage the Barclay Lower, in is a good choice for neutral fans, or particular, is getting a little bit first time visitors. excited.

Both the lower and upper tiers The object of the excitement this provide good priced seats in a quiet particular time is the Crewe fans, and friendly atmosphere. and for the next two hours, they and the Crewe players become a group Stands of subhuman Devil worshippers in Finally there is the Barclay End, our eyes. and while it may not be up there "On The Ball City ...", the with the old Liverpool Kop, the sign traditional Norwich song, echoes of ''Home Support Only" outside around the ground in support of the gives some indication of what i men in yellow, while unrepeatable bou ed within: my home from chants get directed at the the Crewe home. players in red.

The upper tier is for those who The first 30 minutes of the game like being amongst dedicated are fun - Norwich are easily the followers but want to avoid the better team and we are letting the away fans know it. noise. The lower tier, my personal choice, is for people who like a bit The Crewe goalkeeper has made of vocal element with their upport. a couple of near fatal mistakes and Before the match, the pub is the we, the Barclay Lower, are not first port of call for three or four preletting him forget it. match pints.

Sadly, our joy is short lived as This has a couple of purposes. disaster strikes 35 minutes into the The first is to hear the lateSt gos ip, game when Crewe neak a goal, to and the second is to loosen th take a 1-0 lead.' I look around in disbelief, pretending not to hear the taun of the away fans.

Despite telling myself it's only a

deficit of one and we can pull it back, the feelings of anger are beginning to build up.

will happen and Norwich will someqow rescue the dire situation.

I should know better by now. The final whistle goes with no further changes in the score: a result which spoils the weekend, and leaves me questioning my loyalty to the team.

Anger The second half i just as disastrous, as an embarrassing Norwich mistake allows Crewe to take a commanding 2-0 lead.

I naturally join in with the other fans in claiming that it was never a goal and offering abuse to the referee.

But deep down we all know it was legitimate, and while 700 Crewe fans celebrate, 11,000 Norwich fans sit and sulk, occasionally letting out angry comments at players on both

Truth Of course, I know full well that two days later I'll be wearing my devotion to the Canaries once more; and will be forking out vast amounts of money on match tickets.

As another fan once said to me, "They may be rubbish at times, but they will always be here and that's why I love them."

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1' ve stopped talking to the people ' teams.

around me and I'm

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Concrete , Wed nesday, Septem ber l 7, 1997

"ON THE BALL CITY" Our fortnightly trip to Carrow Road ...

BY ROB LUTYENS

David's left in the red David Beckham was left red faced after a video nasty was played in front of his England colleagues.

Coach Glenn lloddle wanted to make an example or Beckham's unnecessary booking against France in Le Tournoi which kept him out of tbe final game against Brazil.

US flop on home patch Only one American made the cut for the US Open in Flushing Meadow, for the first time since 1986. US favourites Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Monica Seles aiJ crashed out in earlier round.

Number two seed Michael Chang was the only American to reach the quarter finals, but he was unable to go any further.

Herbert hits out Norfolk based Formula One driver Jobnny Herbert was furious after be was sent spinning out of the Italian Gr.tnd Prix by Ralph Schmacher. The incident happened at high speeds on the notoriously dangerous Monza track, and sent Herhert skidding into a tyre waiJ.

Ali auction announced Muhammad Ali's white dressing gown he wore at 'The Rumble in th e Jun gle' is expected to fetch a staggering $100,000 at a forthcoming auction. Other items also going under the hammer in Los Angeles include the letter Ali sent to the US Army board refusing to fi ght in Vietnam.

Sevy selection problem Europea n Ryder Cup captain, Sevy Ballesteros claimed he was not in total control of selection after fellow countryman Miguel Angel Martin was axed, after he was originally picked for the showdown with America. This controversy follows a series of arguments between Sevy and his team.

NEW SUMMER signings at Carrow Road have failed to prevent one of the worst starts to a season for a number of years, leaving the Canaries rooted at the wrong end of the table. !w a n Ro bert s s ig ned from W o lves for £850,000 saw hi s o ld c lub ru n all o ver a di sorgani sed N o rwich side, and e ve ntua ll y left w ith a 2-0 victory unde r the ir be lt.

As far as orwich we re concerned the only glimmer of light was the performance of new signing Victor Segura.

T he Spanish pl ayer who was signed on a free transfer proved to be a tower o f strength in the defence.

But the pli ght fa iled to improve four days later wi th the visit of third division outfi t, Bamet , for the first leg o f the first ro und of the Coca Cola cup.

Morale Altho ugh Norwich secured a 2- 1 win , it was at times difficu lt for the meagre 5,000 crowd to tell whi ch team was in a higher div isio n.

Morale sank even lower three days later as Norwich got thras hed 4- 1 away by the season's earl y pacesetters, Nottingham Fore>t Mike Wa lker res ponded by signing Ce lti c veteran Peter Grant fo r £ 150.000 to stre ngt he n th e midfield.

Spirits we re high at the nex t

(01603) 592505 Monday 8- 10pm (Term Times) University of East Anglia Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ su .1gb@ uea.ac. u k •

Confidential listening without prejudice

B592505 Monday 8- 10pm (Term Time)

Darren Eadie tries to find a way through the oppositions defence home game against newl y promoted Crewe wi th Mike Milli gan back fro m injury. and G ran t in the startin g line up. wm.

And this o pti m ism transferred to the fi e ld of pl ay for the first 30 minute s with No rw ic h dominating the game but wi th no di vidends.

The home side soon ran ou t of steam , all ow ing Crewe to take all three poi nts after two sloppy goals.

The fru strati o n o f the Ca rrow Road faithful \\as becom ing e\ident. and thi > mood was not improved

when Norwich were d um ped out of the Coca Cola cup by Barnet, after los ing 3- 1 .

And wi th the prospect of a trip to Sunderl and · s Stadium of Li ght wi th o ut a league point loo m ing confidence was slipping to desperate leve ls.

Surprise But Norwich fears wc r·e dismissed with a late Daryl Sutch goal that cl inched a surpri se. but "clcomc 1-0 \ictory.

And the tide reall y did look as if it

had swung in Norw ich' s favour at Portsmouth where Norwich scraped a po int thanks to a d ubi ous last minute penalty. which Neil Adams tucked away neatly.

Cha nge in luck or not it is clear something has to be done.

And with the Ipswi ch ga me fast approaching the pl ayers will know a derby victory is vital to keep the fans o n the ir side.

STOP PR ESS: Nor wich beat Port Vale 1-0 at Carrow R oad with

Robert Fleck scoring the decisi'c goal on the hour.

Listening Not Lecturing

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THE UNION has looked to its existing employees to replace long serving sports secretary Jo Reeson with the appointment of Vanda Turrell.

Mrs Turrell who had worked for the advice unit for four and a half years took up the post last week, and admitted it was a tough JOb to follow the woman who occupied the position for 23 years.

She said, "Jo [Reeson] is a hard act to follow, she knew the job inside out, but I am looking forward to the challenge." · Mrs Turrell is also joined in a new job by incoming Sports Officer, Simon Fulbrook who starts his year in office alongside her.

UEA are awarded £7.5 million to build sports park

BY NICK TRIGGLE, Sports Editor

A DREAM came true for UEA In the early summer with the announcement that the Lottery Committee had given the green light for a £9.5 million sports complex to be built at the entrance to the university drive.

Director of Sport, Keith Nicholls was delighted the joint university and Norwich community bid had been a success saying, "UEA will soon have the finest sports facilities of any university in Britain."

"We have already been granted planing permission, and now have to finish the final design to send to the Lottery Committee for approval."

Proposed facilities include a 25 metre, eight lane competition standard swimming pool, sports hall, squash courts, fitness studio, climbing wall and a 'human performance centre', as well as a resurfacing of the athletics track.

The Lottery Committee will be donating £7.5 million towards the construction of the state of the art complex.

With the rest being raised by councils, contributions and the university itself, who will put up £1.7 million of its own money because of the exclusive rates given to students.

Disappointment This comes after the disappointment of two years ago when the university were provisionally rejected in their application.

But after gaining stronger local support they renewed their interest, to secure a brighter future for an area depraved of porting and social facilities

The completion of the complex will also see the introduction of a sports science degree that will attract more sporting talent to the area.

But Mr Nicholls was quick to add, ''UEA does promote sport for all, and while we do strive for better competitive performances we also recognise that facilities should be available to everyone.

"And this is backed up by the fact that we have one of the highest of any participation rates university."

THE BEGINNING of the university year gives you the opportunity to join one of UEA' s 38 sports club with the first SportsMart of the year.

The annual event which runs alongside SocMart takes place in the sports centre on Friday, September 19.

It gives you the opportunity to join clubs ranging from lacrosse to trampolining.

And with many of the more popular clubs having several teams there is the chance to play in competitive matches regularly.

Insurance is also available when you join the clubs to safeguard you against injury, and will cost £I.

Community ft is also hoped the sports park will improve traditionally strained relations between UEA and the Norfolk community.

As Mr Nicholls admitted, "It has been a major problem since the University changed its term structure, which has started to clash with the beginning of some of the seasons.

"But at the end of the day I am delighted, we have spent five hard years working on this project, and while there is still a way to go we are keeping our fingers crossed."

And the good news has pleased both staff and students alike.

UEA Sports Assistant, Shon Meale said, 'This is great news for Norwich as a whole, it desperately needed new sporting facilities, and the public should fully utilise it."

And footballer, Sam Taylor added, "It's brilliant, it should enable UEA to improve the competitive performances.

"It is just a shame I will have graduated by the time it opens."

All Wrapped Up 3-DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL

FROM THE GRAND PRIX enters Its eleventh year at UEA in October as the premier sporting competition of its kind In Britain.

The popular event which promotes friendly competition involves a range of sports, and activities including running, tennis, football and quizzes. professional feel. the end of the year with an awards Most activities take place on This has been achieved by the ceremony, where the winners and Wednesdays and Sundays, with hard work of UEA's Deputy runners up are rewarded along with teams made up of students and staff, Director of Sport, Rachel Tomes the highest placed all ftrst year team. and ideally consisting of 15 who once again will take charge of Last year 'Age Concern' claimed members, one captain and seven its organisation this year. ftrst prize for the third successive male and female players.

UEA Director of Sport, Keith year, but the team of postgraduates The competition is spread over Nicholls was also full of praise for were closely followed by 'Faint the whole year, with five events in the event saying, '"'It is still the only Hearts.' Their victory which was the first term, four in the second and successful sporting competition of only clinched on the last day of the last two events completed after its type throughout all the competition lead captain, Gareth Easter. universitie in the country."

Rees to praise the event's fun, yet And the series then culminates at

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