Concrete issue 083 18 02 1998

Till'S DAY BVBI

Union plans summer bash with help of ex-law ball duo

by JAMES GRAHAM

UNION bigwigs have unveiled plans for a massive summer ball to be held this May. The news comes after two enterprising students gained Union backing following their defection from the Law Ball planning committee. will be the biggest thing this approach to the Union followed a Specific details of the ball are summer - it has far more potential shock departure from the Law Ball currently under wraps, but the bash is than anything the Union could put planning team over disagreements likely to be held over the May Day on." about the style of the event. weekend, with 拢25 tickets going on sale "The Law Ball has had a in March.

Choice monopoly for years and it is about Concrete can also exclusively reveal But students welcomed the idea time they had a competitor," said that sites under consideration include the of another main ball, which will run Andy.

Norwich Sport Village, Costessey every year and at Christmas if Clare added, "There are endless Showground, and Fritton Lake in successful. opportunities to put something on as Lowestoft.

"It definitely gives students a well as the Law Ball."

Extravaganza choice and means there will be Fury another major ball to go to if you Chart-topping bands will be booked cannot get tickets for the Law Ball," However, the news has sparked for the extravaganza which includes an said Brendan Woolley (EAS 2). fury in Law Society President, extensive buffet and bar for revellers.

Union Finance Officer, Iona Estelle Parkhouse.

Said student organiser, Clare PoweiiWakely, added that it was about "We are absolutely gutted that the Evans, "The emphasis for this ball will time UEA had a celebration Union is backing them and cannot be on live music. We are looking to comparable with other universities. help us," she said. secure a major chart band, a support "Every other Union I know runs a ~路we even had to take out a band, a Club Retro type live act, a ball and students should be able to 拢4,000 personal loan to put down a comedian and other attractions." celebrate the end of the year with a deposit for our venue."

But Clare and eo-organiser, Andy big bang," she said. addmd, '"The Law Ball An .Bumette, also revealed that their

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2 News

Concrete. Wednesday, February 18, 1998

Meningitis scare-cleared A student admitted to hospital with suspected meningitis has been released after being given the all-clear. · SYS first-year, Toby Walsh, was taken to the Norfolk and. Norwich Hospital on the evening of Sunday, February 8.

Following. the meningitis awareness campaign on campus, Toby had visited the Health Centre after noticing a red rash on his forearm - one of the symptoms associated with the killer bug. " Everyone was really good ; everyone was tellir:tg me to just go and get it .checked out," he said.

Doctors later discharged following an Toby overnight stay, claiming that it was just a viral infection.

Following a meeting of the Meningitis Awareness last Response Team Wednesday, Union Welfare Officer, Gary Massey, commented, " I felt very positive that an individual recognised the symptoms within himself. " That in itself means the message is getting out and people are heeding it."

CreeP-Y cockroaches found in Norfolk

by NICOLE RUSSELL

DISGUSTED students have found themselves the victims of an infestation of cockroaches The three students, all living on the same floor of Norfolk Terrace C Block. have had to put up with the creepy-crawlies, which are known to carry germs and diseases and live off scraps of food and hum an waste.

UEA pest contrul sprayed the rooms last week, on ly for students to fi nd the corpses of dead cockroaches littering the bedrooms instead.

Scary Kris Mitchcll, EUR I, whose room has been plagued by the insects said , "It is really scary, they are all creeping around. I actually had a phobia about them , so I had to sleep with the light on, as they do not like the light.

"The pest control people said that if they are going to come from anywhere it will be from the other rooms ."

The news comes after a cleaner revealed that cockroaches were found in the bathroom and th6 kitchen of the corridor last year and the year before.

GOTA STORY?

Droppings Mouse droppings have also been discovered in the past.

University Accommodation Office Manager, Laurence Daly, commented on the situation, saying, "We are not aware of any other pest

Call Concrete on 250558. Don't worry about the cost, we'll call you straight back!

problems, and we believe this to be an isolated incident, but we wou ld urge student s to tell clea ners immed iately if they see any more cockroaches."

However, the pests are likely to return in three months when the treatment wears off.

Crannies A spokesman from orwich Council' s Health and Safety department said, "They are not easy to get rid of. The nymph can get into all the nooks and crannies. so you can treat the adu lt cockroaches, but the nymphs go through a few more moult s, out they come again. and there ' s another infestation."

Health Official Peter Riborough added , " You have got to be very thorough and very determined to get rid of them.

"They are very

adept at hiding . it is a question of hit them hard, hit them hard again, and keep hitting them until they disappear."

Union Welfare Officer, Gary Massey, maintains that the option to swap rooms temporarily was always open to the students.

Swap " I wou ld have liked to have thought that the Accommodation Centre cou ld possibly have contacted the girl about swapping rooms." he said.

However, Kris is angry about the lack of information given to her by both the University and the Union.

"I am disgusted about this," she said. "I did not know I could change rooms. I wish they had let me know at the time."

On trek

lrjgade urges alarm call cuts

by NICK TRIGGLE

UNIVERSITY bosses are urging students to help cut the number of false fire alarms on campus, following a warning from Norwich fire chiefs.

UEA currently has the highest number of call outs in the county - more than the busy Castle Mall shopping complex.

The equivalent of one false call a day was made last year - costing taxpayers £250 each time - and fire chiefs have now branded the situation " beyond a joke."

They claim that 24 false alarms were recorded in the first four weeks of this semester - half caused by kitchen doors being wedged open and cooking smoke setting off corridor detectors.

serious the implications of such actions are, and then hopefully peer pressure can put a stop to it," he said.

He added that firemen were late to the scene of a road traffic accident on Newmarket Road recently because they had to answer a f alse call on campus.

Intentional false alarms have also angered Bethel Street Station Officer, Richard Herrell.

Malicious

Annoyed

But fire chiefs say that 50 percent were set off maliciously and now UEA Director of Safety, Robin Thomas, Is urging students to help cut numbers.

"The only way of stopping this worrying trend Is to make people fully aware how

"Fire Qfficers are getting annoyed because we are stretched to the limit "The bottom line Is people should be using their common sense," he said.

UEA's state of the art alarm system - due to be completed next summer -

ensures that each kitchen is fitted with a heat detector, and corridors and bedrooms have smoke alarms.

Evacuation But recently, evacuation times have slowed down and some students are ignoring alarms. " An element complacency creeps in when people hear so many alarms and they do not react," said Mr Thomas, " one day a real emergency could be ignored."

Health and representative, Harvey, also expressed concern.

"This Is a situation which Is a danger to students living campus," he said.

Have you always dreamed of trekking in the Himalayas, but never had the money to do it?

Sense, the national deafblind and rubella association, is offering you the chance to do just that for only £215 - as long as you can raise £2,000 sponsorship' The ten day trip to the NepalTibet border will raise funds for Sense, who help deafblind people cope with communication and educational problems.

For more details, contact Stefan Meigh on 0171 272 7774, or e-mail him at smeigh@sense.org.uk. You can also access the Sense website at www .sense.org.uk.

Damon joins rally Campaigners attacking the Government ' s plan s for student funding at a rally in London will be joined by Damon Albarn , lead singer of Blur. " Education is about learnin g, creati vity and hopefully doing something you will benefit from for the rest of your life." said Damon.

The students lobbymg Parliament wi ll be taking their protc;t ri ght to the House of Comm ons nex t Wednesday. where speakers will also incl ude Ken Li vi ngstone MP and Dianc Abbott MP.

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

News 3

Student charged

by GRAHAM DIGGINES, News Editor

UNION Sabbs have launched a stinging attack on University plans to charge guests £10 each to attend the annual graduation ceremony.

The Union has produced copies of a protest letter which they hope students will get their parents to sign and return to the Vice Chancellor in an act of mas defiance against the fee .

The lelter, which is available from an element of the student population costs have to be met somehow, and the steward's reception in the Hive, whose families genuinely will not be moving to another venue would ays, " I am angered to learn that I must able to afford this new fee. probably cost a great deal more." pay to see my child graduate from the " It seems that even within the However, students are hoping that education for which we have already University people are unsure where the the lelter will shame University bosses paid. revenue will be going." into axing the fee or upgrading the graduation venue.

Consumers Negative In the past, students have "It appears that students are And he added, " If the level of campaigned for the ceremony to be considered mere consumers by the moved to Norwich Cathedral. respon e to this campaign is anywhere University and that graduation is just as big as the level of negative feedback Said Adrian Haddock (EAS 3), " It is one more product they are expected to that we have so far from students, it indicative of general social trends- you purchase." should be very effective." are a consumer and you get what you The letter brands the UEA Sports Defending the£ I 0 charge, Assistant pay for.

Registrar, Tony Flack, said that cuts in Centre as an "inauspicious" venue for "As long as it does not take too the ceremony and concludes by saying, much effort, I think people will end funding from the government made "I feel strongly that the University charges necessary. these lelters." should either abandon this charge or And he added, ''The decision to Disgraceful that it should arrange a more join other universities in making a charge was made with reluctance, but impressive venue."

Chris Morritt (EAS 3), added, "I Welfare Officer, Gary Massey, said the financial climate makes it agree with this letter - I think the of the £I 0 charge - which will net UEA inevitable. charge is disgraceful and I think my £40,000 per year - ''There is certainly "Unfortunately these [graduation] parents would sign it."

A mature student studying at UEA was jailed recently for indecently assaulting two young girls.

Clive Hoar, 31, of Vicarage Road, Norwich, was sentenced to I 0 months on February 6 at Norwich Crown Court after admitting the assault.

Mr Hoar, a church organist, was described by Judge Peter Langan QC as a man of good character who had previou ly done a great deal of good for the community.

Commenting on whether Mr Hoar will return to UEA, spokesperson Annie Ogden said, " We do not know if this particular student would wish to continue [his studie ] at UEA and the circumstances would have to be examined very carefully before a decision could be made."

Young science writers award 'llE Drily Tel.~ and BASF have joined forces to launch the Young Science Writers Awards.

Students under 29 years of age are invited to write an article on any scientific or science-related ubject.

The author of the best article will win a trip to the USA, with cash prizes of £500 and £250 for runners up.

The article shou ld be about 700 words and should be aimed at the non-specialist newspaper reader.

The closing date for entries is March 13, 1998 and entry fonns are available from The Registry.

FIVE STA

BANDING ABOUT BtP.rise pDy in Square for tuition rally

by NADIA ELGHAMRY

STUDENTS trying to catch the sun and eat lunch were given a treat last Friday, when UEA band, Reprise, played in the Square.

The 45 minute set was matched with a Union rally aimed at raising awareness of NUS's campaign against tuition fees.

Two hundred balloons, as they went straight up and little."

Reprise lead vocalist, Daniel emblazoned with 'NUS, No disappeared."

Melbye, commented, "The Tuition Fees, £1 000' were Success adrenaline was really going. released into the spring sky.

"There was a good crowd, But he added, "I think it has Said Union Welfare Officer, Gary Massey, "The balloons been a success, and the band and I think it has been were a major disappointment certainly livened the day up a worthwhile."

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Conc rete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

Naked Ambition A cheeky student union has used a male and female strip show to boost attendance at its AGM. The saucy show, held last week at Bristol University, meant that the meeting was attended by 800 students.

Said Union Secretary, Naz Sawar, "I am glad we did it.

Loads of people turned up and they debated the serious issues as well. "

Balloons Away A seven year old boy has achieved what multimillionaire balloonist Richard Branson can only dream of.

Andrew Byers from Bromley, Kent took part in a charity balloon race only to find that his helium filled party balloon touched down more than 11 ,300 miles away in New Zealand.

A Right Charlie Prince Charles has been voted the least popular member of the Royal Family in a poll of children aged between seven and 14, carried out by The Observer and the children's TV programme Short Change.

Prince William was voted the most favourite with the Queen in second place.

More than two thirds thought the monarchy were out of touch and one in three called for the abolition of the Royal Family.

Judge Rules A High Court judge has been forced to resign after taking 20 months to pass judgement on a case. The controversial Mr Justice Harman is also known to have asked a witness, "I've always thought there were only three kinds of women : wives, whores and mistresses. Which are you?"

by SARAH MOORE

HOPES for extended opening hours have been dashed after University bosses decided to axe Library funding by 10 percent.

The c uts, whi c h UEA c hi e fs are bl a ming o n a lac k o f gove rnment fundin g, will a lso leave the book budget a massive 26 percent worse o ff than last year.

Head of Library Services, Jean Meanwhile, book budgets have been slashed across the board .

Steward , who admitted that plans Worst hit are humanities subj ects, to open the Library 24 hours had been scuppered. said, "Of course I with a dramatic 30. 1 percent cut wou ld like to see more funds for overall. the Library, but when there is less One exampl e is General/ money to go round, judgements Co mparati ve Literature , which have to be made ac ross the enjoyed an all ocati on of £ 12.976 University where cuts will least in 199617 , but wh ich will receive just £7 ,600 this year. affect students."

She went on to say that if cash News of the cutbacks fo llows a Tim es Highe r report already becomes available the Library plac ing UEA near the bottom of a could be open for longer · but only in the summer for part-t ime books expenditure league at 44th researchers. out of 50 'old ' universities .

And she added, "I still hope we Uni on Internal Officer, Katy Fixter. said , 'These cuts will cause can aJlow access to workstations based in the Library fo r longer huge problems for student s now as next year." well as in the future.

A leaked UEA doc ument " If the Univers ity does not reveaJs, however. th at thousands repl ace books. they will soon be more pou nds of avai lable cash is to out o f date and students will be pumped into research over the receive an inferior education ." next three years .

Students were also angry at the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . decision.

Said lsabel Phi ll ips (SOC PG ). " You just end up spending vast amounts o f money photocopying pages from short loans books because they are the onl y thing you can get hold of.

"If the University changed their priorities, they could afford not to make the cuts - UEA has got its pri orities wrong."

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A DEV student is seeking out charitable people to accompa ny him to Bangladesh this summer, writes Sarah Hookes.

A nyone interested in research o r aid work coul d be given the o ppo rtun ity to accompany Jeff Hanger (DEV 3) to rura l areas o f Bangladesh, th anks to a grant from UEA's Trave l and Ex ped ition Comm ittee.

A charitable organ isation set up

by Jeff last year operates a microcredit system which enabl es small loans to be given to poor groups of women, and the organisation has recently received backing from the Bangladeshi government.

Thi s summer the charity will also

oncentrate on help with flood re lief and reducing the amount of arsen ic in drinki ng water.

"Anything that we can get grants fo r. we can actuall y put into imp lementati on," said Jeff.

"One of these is di saster relief. " Jeff is currently seeking out local

sponsorship to support the charity and to help with transport cos t ~.

Any stude nt s interested in accompanying Jc ff. whether with research or helping the organi sati on. should contact him via hi s DEV 3 hole or e- mail pi geon J .Hanger@uea.ac. uk.

elNs5

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

II Clubbers get a taste of SP-irit

by JAMES GOFAN

CLUBBERS In Norwich can get a bible with their beer at one of the City's biggest nightclubs thanks to a group of religious volunteers.

Club giant Ikon Is currently host to a team of young Christians - Including four UEA students - offering help to disco revellers.

Headed by 28-year-old chaplain, Tracey Hyslop, the 2G-strong team from Norwich Youth for Christ deal with club-goers' problems, from finding the cigarette machine to finding the will to live.

"Young people do have needs, and just because they are in a club, it does not mean they leave those needs behind," said Tracey.

Pressures

Volunteer, Jonathan Wha/1

"I was a student myself, so I know what it Is like to arrive in a place where you do not know anybody, and I know the pressures I had to undergo: exams, deadlines, and no money."

According to UEA student, Jonathan Whall, who joined the pub pastors In January, a lot of work Involves dealing with simple requests.

"The question you get asked ten times a night Is 'where Is the fag machine?'," he said.

"Most of it Is dealing with little things, like someone who has lost their cloakroom ticket."

"You come to a nightclub, have a damn good night and escape from reality for a few hours.

Valuable "But today people have plenty of problems and they Inevitably have to go back and face them.

"I think Tracey's group Is particularly valuable to the

student fraternity, who are away from home."

He added that students could talk to Tracey's team In a well known environment.

"And they can approach them without the fear of having a Gldeon bible stuck In their back pocket and told to come along on Sunday morning," he said.

Serious Occasionally the team is faced with more serious problems like when a clubgoer suffered a violent reaction between alcohol and his asthma medication.

"He was vomiting blood, so we took him to casualty," said Tracey. "The nurses told him he had half an hour to live If he had not walked In."

Praise Ikon Manager, Peter McKay, Is full of praise for the scheme.

"We provide a method of escapism," he said.

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Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

Nominations close for elections

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by JAMES GOFFIN

Centre nurses have come under fire from Union House stewards concerned that night-time calls are not being treated seriously enough.

Nominations have c losed for this year's Sabbatical and NonSabbatical Elections.

The 27 students w ho have been nominated for the ten posts will begin their election ca mpaigns next week a nd will contin ue campaign ing until elec tion day on March 12.

Cand ida tes are:

In one incident last month, s teward s claim that treatme nt of a girl on m edication was unnecessari ly de layed. " I knew about her medical call ," he said, "We cannot cond iti on, so I phoned the diagnose over the phone, so we attend for whatever reason.

Health Centre," said Union steward, Bemie Aldis.

"I am sure there are some inappropri ate calls, but we 'The nurse on duty said I respond anyway." wou ld have to take her down there, but there is no way for Needless me to do that.

"After I had phoned for an However, the Union denied that there are needless calls, ambulance, the nurse agreed to with Welfare Officer, Gary come up, but 20 mi nutes later, she had still not arrived."

Massey, saying that stewards, Health Cen tre Practi ce "are very good j udges of Manager, Peter Mann, denied whether further assistance is needed." that the nurse was reluctant to And Union Entertainments attend, blaming any delay on a problem with the Centre's Manager, Nick Rayns, said , answering machine.

"The Health Centre say things " In the end she had to leave like 'How bad are they?', ' Have they chucked up?', 'Can the Centre without an emergency line," he added. their friends take them home?', so the judgement comes back Drunkenness much more solidly onto us."

However, Union stewards Drugs say that problems are more wide-rangi ng.

Mr Rayns - who has "When you call them to deal completed a fi rst aid course, added, " If someone has taken with dru nkenness, they do not see m to treat it with the drugs and drink, they could seriousness it deserves," said stop breathing the next minute Union steward , Gary Laidlaw. for all I know. " It is not a point blank "I am not saying the Centre refu sal, but there is a is not giving us adequate reluctance." service, and from their point of view they are probably giving But Mr Mann maintained that the Health Centre always as good as they can, but the question has to be asked if it is respond to call outs. good enough."

"We would attend if we got a

Internal Affairs Officer Antony Little, Sam Nightingale, Na tas ha Robe rts , Rachel C roo kes

Community and International Liaisons Officer Lou ise Dankin , Chris Kimber, Ma ria Ni kita

NUS Officer J a m es Anders o n

Cou ld rey,

Je nny

Publicity Officer Adam Scott, Simon Chapman, Sanjay Daryanan

Academic Officer Katy Fixter, Don Staniford , Andy Laing

Finance Officer Evangelos Panagi , Adam Burrell , Neil Fox, Jamie Cash

Communications Officer Nick Wright , Paul Tipple, Tom Connors

Welfare Officer Claire White , Jo Loerns , Beverlee Bolton-Debbage

Environment Officer Ro land P ingree

Clubs and Societies Officer Ch ijo ke Dozie Cand id ates will be available between 12.30pm and 1.30pm, from March 2 to March 6, in the LCR to answer any questions.

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has teamed up with Barclays Bank the ir Student to endorse Barclaycard .

For every card taken out, the bank will make a cash donation to NUS and local student unions, estimated at £220,000 a year.

Douglas Trainer, NUS National President, said, "The Student Barclaycard is the only credit card we endorse.

"It provides financial flexibility, a range of impressive services but also a responsible fi xed credit limit of £350.

"Student Unions are expected to use the new income to help with creating and revitalising their own welfare units and projects or to assist with new student de• e J,J pment programmes," he added.

DAILY SHOCK

In BUDDING writers Waveney Terrace have launched a paper for the residences called The Dally Shocker.

Spoof The brain-child of one Waveney G3 resident, who prefers to be referred to as Comrade Mike Wendling, The Dally Shocker contains spoof on mlxamatoslc articles rabb its, a communist revolution In G3, and a Dutch Invasion of Britain.

Said Mike, "We just thought, hey, we do some pretty wacky stuff around here, maybe we should write about it.

"We have received a lot of anonymous articles -we seem to have got all the nuts out of the woodwork."

Co-wrlter, Emma Surridge, added, "We think it Is funny and mildly Intelligent."

Hoax The pranksters responsible for the paper also attempted to con Concrete by sending a spoof letter of complaint to the paper's postbag.

The made-up letter was supposedly from an Irate student offended by the The Dally Shockets content but in fact turned out to be a hoax aimed at creating publicity.

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Ne\NS 7

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

RAG CASH

RAG fundrai sers have collected £180 for the NSPCC recently, with the top street collector being Debbie Ives (0PT2 ).

The charity is Rag's chosen one for the year, and the cash donated will help protect needy children. "£3 pays for a call to the NSPCC 's free 24-hour helpline, which take; up to 1200 calls a week," said Charities Officer, Suzi Gatward.

"So our money wi ll pay for maybe 60 calls to help abused children," she added.

Protesters save local beech from developers

by GRAHAM DIGGINES, News Editor

A DETERMINED band of green activists have thwarted a developer's attempts to chop down a 100 year old Norwich tree.

Tembridge Development Company had planned to fell the tree ro make room for a new sewer in the area but found their plans in tatters when protesters swooped on the ite, on February 3.

The group - including ome UEA students - occupied the branches of the 60 foot beech tree, situated near Newmarket Road.

Protest Union Environment Officer, Kathryn Amo , who was involved in the tree-top protest said, "None of the residents in that area wanted to see the tree chopped down but were not prepared to occupy the tree themselves".

She added that locals had

supponed the protesters by offering cups of tea and coffee.

Grateful "They were o grateful to us for being there because the tree is such a central feature of their community."

Resident of Aliens Lane, Graham Blythe, who has organised his neighbours ' campaign to save the tree said, "This beech tree is a haven for wildlife.

"Lots of different types of birds

use it including two different types of woodpecker."

A tree expen has also visited the site and reponed that the tree is home to almost 90 different types of insects.

Friends wanted

Damaged

A leading charity is calling for volunteers to befriend children in care.

Norfolk Independent Visitors Scheme is giving students the opportunity to volunteer two or three hours a week for the project.

Said local Co-ordinator, Sarah Beaver, " Befriending Is about making a real difference by sharing your experience of life, giving one to one support, attention and acceptance, providing positive rolemodels, sharing hobbies and interests."

If you are interested in befriending young children in care, contact Norfolk Independent Visitors Scheme on (01603) 764635.

However, spokesperson for Norwich City Council , George lshmael , defended the initial decision to cut down the tree.

"The tree has been substantially damaged in the past. Fires have been lit underneath it and children have played on it," he said. 'The tree has been neglected and has suffered a lot of abuse."

Tembridge Development were unavailable for comment but the company are currently considering an alternative route for the sewer so that the tree may be left unharmed.

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8 Ne\Ns: In depth

Conc rete, Wed nesday, February 18, 1998

Leaving UEA this summer?

Empjgyment trends suggest the graduate future is bright For many of tho;,e grad uating thi ;, summer. anxi ety over final exa ms and disse rtati o n;, will shortly give way to worries over jobs. But whatever clas> of degree they e nd up with. th e ir job prospects may also depend on factors outsi de of their control.

In the period betwee n 1986 and 1990 there wa., conSide rable opportu nit y. employers were in a c lear mood to recruit. I! was sufticicnl to jus! be in posses:-. ion of a good degree to sec ure a hi gh

withdrawals.

Thi s came at the sa me time as universiti es res ponded to government pressure to increase intake. meaning that in mid-1991 the number o f graduates still seeki ng employmem wen! up by a third from the year before.

At present thou gh. we are on the peak of the employment cycle.

Every September. the Hi gher Education Statistical Record publi >hcs a detailed summary o f the first des tination s of the

terms it [job prospects] b probably be!ler than it has been for quite a long time . " At thi s time of year there are a lot of peopl e who arc feeling Peopl e who >taned rejected . looking for jobs early thi s season tend 10 be applying to the bi g we ll known companies. investment banks. Marks and Spencer> etc.

"Those are always going to be very competitive 10 get into. but all ev idence shows that in six mo111hs time most of these people will be

"They are looking for intelligent people · certainly people who have got an accurate and realistic approach" · John Thurman, UEA Careers Centre qu alit y job.

However, history sho ws that rccc>>io n , ffcc ts gradu ate recrui tment every nine or ten years and in 1991 the indu stry spirall ed into recess io n and empl oyers· confidence plummeted .

Grad uat es entc ri ng th e job market encoum ered a han,her world. with a reduced level of

prcv io u> year's o utput of new gradu ates. covering all courses and all universities.

According 10 late>! government statisti cs of the 13 1.000 graduates whose fin,! dc,tination was known. 58 % reported their firs! destination a> employment. up 4 % from the previous year.

UEA Career> Ce ntre A»istanl Direc10r, John Thurm an, commemed, " I think in general

sor1edou1.

"The la>t couple of years have bee n the best since the late 80s.

In general thou gh it is, of cour,e, patchy ...

Thi s i, suppo rted by stati :-.tic:-. for UEA graduates.

In the year 1995/6 the number of people actively seek in g e mploy ment dec reased by four percent ove r three years, and the number employed incrca:-.cd 15'/c over the same peri od.

Said John Thurman. " I! take:.

longer for people to get established in so methin g at a profess ional leve l in line with what they perhaps hoped to do .

"The day> arc over when people co uld j ust ex pect 10 go straight into a really wonderful. well -paid job.

"Some still do. but the majority have to ex pect In take a bit longer. " Astoni shing ly, in thi s new

L.-----------.:.i....,

technological age the number of successfu l candidates from SOC is the same as for a more vocat ional degree >Uch as from SYS .

Does thi s mea n that graduates are simpl y takin g job> th at would have typi ca ll y been filled by school leavcrs 10 clear thei r ever increasing debts?

Over half of UEA studenls had considerable debts on graduati ng of which 15 % were ove r £2000.

Three years on. only a quarter had managed 10 clear their debts.

Studi es show th at a high proportion of graduate> are taking low level jobs purely for financial reasons rather than be unemployed whilst for a ·

leve l' job.

In fact, for one in ten graduate>. financial co nsid erati o ns had prevemed th em from pursuin g furth er stud y o r the career of th eir choice.

However research does show that a coup le of years down the line these same people are likely to be able to fulliltheir potential.

UEA stati stics gathered from cla» of '93 graduates three years aft er rece iving their degrees arc encouraging.

77'/c were rn full lim e e mploymem and around three quarter> of these rated thei r work to be of graduate level.

70% were sati>ficd with the ir present job and 62% were satisfied wi th thei r career prog ress. "To so me extent it is tru e that grad uates arc taking lo wer status jobs although tho>c jobs themse lves in many ca,cs have become mo re complex and demandin g.'' c laims John Thum1an .

A rece111 article in the Sun<hry Times Business section anributed the prob lems to the fact th at graduates were falling short of expectat ions. ' One of the primary req uiremerlls to make graduates mo re e mploya ble would be 10 chan ge university cu rri culae to reflect the needs of industry . ·u niversi ty educa!ron rs reduced to memorising notes and pa'>sing exams rath er than dev elopin g skilb of a ge neral natu re needed for th e work ing world . ·skills such as goqd \I(Ork ethic.

language and communication ski lls. leadership qualities and a willingness 10 continue learning and updating skill s. ·Private enterprises arc driven by profits and employ persons who · are productive and contribute to the profits of busincs;,. · However. it is not all bad news for graduates. Many like 10 look straight 10 the immediate finan cial returns of employmclll ami lcs;, and less peopl e arc choos ing to anain higher degrees.

There has bee n a decl ine of I0% since 1992 when gradu ate unemploymcm was at it;, worst. so more graduates are obtai ning jobs without the need for higher qualifications .

However. whether an incrca;,c co uld be auributcd 10 student s cmering furth er study due to th e lack of su it ab le jobs is imposs ible to say.

The fi na l word from the Careers Centre is encourag ing.

They advise, " If we arc talking abo ut research biologi;,t;, going imo medical research the most employers would be looking for a PhD. but a lot of consu l!ants are sayi ng that there· s a hi gher pri orit y on practica l ski ll s and practical expe rience and they're lc;,s concerned about the subject of the degree.

"They are looking for JJllelligent people- certain ly people who have got an accurate and rea lt suc approach to the ,on of work - so the whole un iversi ty ex perience is very innuential."

Nadia Elghamry

Features 9

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1997

You might try making beer at home with a DIY kit, but Martin, from the Finnesko and Firkin talks about what it is like to brew the _real thing

T

he job that I do is one of those jobs that doesn't have a set, as I have different things to do on different days. My normal working day is from about 9 ¡till 5, but it can vary to an extremely long day from 7am until 9 in the evening. I stay till the work's done, so it can be a very long day at times. The brewing process itself is basically two different days' work separated by about a week.

I studied at South Bank Polytechnic, as it was then, and I had a vague idea I wanted to work in the brewing industry. My degree had a 12 month placement at Charles Wells' Brewery in Bedford. I worked in the lab there for over a year and I thought it was pretty good. When I left college I went to a brewery slightly smaller than this one, worked there about 12 months and then continued to work in small breweries. This brewery has been here as the Reindeer brewery for about 12 years, but, as it is now, only for 12 months. I've only been here since April last year but I can honestly say it's one of the.best breweries I have ever worked in. it's a really easy brewery to use and it's in a good town. it's a great job and I couldn't ask for anything more.

The basic four ingredients for beer are: water, malt, hops - which, incidentally, is a close relative of cannabis (though I don't know why you'd want to know that) - and yeast. You need to mix a load of the crushed malt with hot water. The malt is wher~ the sugar comes from, which then turns into the alcohol. The several different kinds of malt that we use are what make the main body of the beer and the different tastes. For example, the darkest In colour is the roasted barley which has the sort of burnt flavour you get in Guinness, because the barley has essentially been burnt until there's no sugar left.

The amount of malt regulates the amount of alcohol you get at the end, so the stronger the beer the more malt you need. A 3 .5% beer uses around about 100 kilos of malt to make 180 gallons whereas the Dogbolter that we do here,

which is 5.6%, uses 375 kilos of malt.

I leave the malt and hot water to mix for about an hour and a half - it's called mashing in, in the trade. So if you mash in at about 8 o'clock, you will be looking to run off the wort, that's the water and sugar solution, about an hour and a half later.

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11

want my beer to be distinctive, so that people remember 1t as being great

into the copper; which is basically a big saucepan used to boil the wort and extract the bitterness from the hops. Up until then you're looking at about five hours work before cooling the wort and transferring it to a fermenting vessel. The beer goes into the vessels, you put the yeast in with it, give it a good stir and leave it for about a week. When it's cooled down you can run it over and out it into casks, where it will produce more flavour as it goes along. it's ready to be served in 24 hours.

From raw material to service on the bar you are looking at roughly eight days, although that is variable. In hot weather it can go a lot quicker than that, and at this time of year when its very, very cold it can take up to two weeks. That for me is part of the beauty of it - it's never quite the same twice.

I brew four beers regularly. I don't have a completely free rein with the recipes because as a chain we produce a 3.5% beer, 4.3%, 5.0% and a 5.6% and within that there's scope in that my 3.5% is lighter than some of the other guys' in the chain - their beer is darker than mine. My 4.3%, called Finnesko, is -probably darker than some we're allowed a little bit of leeway but basically we have to produce to a strength because that's what we pay duty on. That's been a big problem - the customs - you pay an awful lot of tax on beer. On an 18 gallon barrel of best bitter you'll probably pay in the region of ÂŁ60-70 in tax. I have to make sure I know how much there is so customs know how much has been produced.

P

nice happiness to it; it's a light coloured bitter..,.....,_ _ _._._, .__ and I think it's pretty different to a lot of the beers that compete against it. All of my other beers fall into broadly the same range as the competition but my 3.5% is pretty distinctive and quite 'me' really - which is one of the things I wanted to achieve while working here. I want â&#x20AC;˘ people to remember my beer being great.

eople wonder how student unions can be so cheap when pubs are twice the price, but student bar prices are subsidised. Here I sell the beer on to the pub and they have to make their profits on top of that, so in all you're looking to make a profit twice and it's not easy.

At the moment I'm not that profitable - some of our breweries are, but small breweries are not the most profitable businesses in the world. If I had a million pounds I'd think twice about sinking my money into a small brewery - there are a lot safer investments. If you can afford to lose a million pounds then do it, but it's not a get-rich-quick scheme.

I supply beer to the Fugitive and Firkin, The Fresher in Cambridge and in a few weeks time we're opening a new pub in Ipswich so I'll be supplying that one too. That's my little empire in East Anglia.

My favourite beer brewed here is Hoof- that's the 3.5%. I'm very fond of it and it sells well too. A lot of breweries make 3.5% or 4% beers which are pretty-bland, but I think my one's got a reaNy

The drinking is just one of the perks of the job and I do my best to hold my beer. I'm the slimmest man in the world but my mates say you should never trust a slim brewer because that means he doesn't drink his own beer and if he doesn't drink his own beer that means there's something wrong with it. Happy is the man who gets paid for his hobby!

MONDAY NIGHT IS ...

STUDENT NIGHT*

10 Feat ures

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

.

Features11

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

.

Daniel Bardsley looks at the issues behind the clonin Morag. Is cloning cattle the w ay ·forward ·and will nuclear transfer. "Producing transgenic animals by animals into which genetic mutations for particular ldous Huxley was one of many to cloning has practical and animal wellare benefits diseases can be introduced will be increased, predict a nightmare future in which compared to the previous method of pronuclear giving better models to test treatments for human people were made to order. In the injection", said Or Mike Griffin of the Roslin diseases. The study of ageing and cancer will be classic Brave New World, babies improved by analysing the effects of transferring Institute in Edinburgh. "You use less than half as are produced in bottles and grown adult DNA into much younger animals. Nuclear many experimental animals by creatng transgenic in uniform batches according to their function in transfer will enable the removal of certain genes sheep by nuclear transfer. The sex of the offspring life, from the epsilon minuses who become factory from embryos, workers through to the alpha pluses who are - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- . - --. which can then charged with running the country and finding be grown Into a cure for cancer. With the cloning last year of Dolly the sheep, and Dr Richard Seed's recent announcement that he was setting up a clinic in Chicago to do the same thing with likely to be rejected when humans, is science fiction on the verge of transplanted into becoming scientific fact?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - -......--.. human patients.

Given the media frenzy that accompanied The possibilities seem limitless. can also be specified. Three companies are developing transgenic sheep, cattle and goats to Dolly's arrival, it is surprising to find that she is far However, there are many who doubt that we produce human proteins in milk." from the first cloned animal to be born. Several should be applying this technology to animals at Many of these proteins can already be calves have been cloned in Wisconsin, USA; and a generated from blood but not only is this all. Tim O'Brien, of pre.ssure group Compassion in year before Dolly came along the Roslin Institute in expensive, but the supply of blood is also limited.

World Farming, had several reservations, "If a herd Edinburgh produced identical twins, Morag and Added to which there is a risk of of animals has been cloned, they would be Megan. These animals had all been made by contamination from diseases such genetically identical and so everyone would be manipulating embryos. What made Dolly as AIDS or Hepatils C. special was that never before susceptible to the same diseases. If cloning was used to produce 85% of farm animals, as it has Genetically engneered had a mammal been been suggested it might, it would be bad news for animals can produce up to cloned from an farmers. The animals could all be wiped out."

40g of prctein per litre of adult cell. In a milk, costs are low He was also concerned about the welfare of the technique called animals, saying that surgical procedures are being and the proteins can nuclear carried out which are of no benefit to the animal be purified more replacement, a cell and may cause long-lasting pain. He explained, easily than when derived from the udder of have been "This is futuristic technology being applied with a an adult sheep was medieval miodset that says animals are objects for PIO\lU<.;tjU by injected into the egg of us to use. We should not ask the question what bacteria or another sheep and can we do, but what should we do." eventually implanted yeast.

RSPCA's Julia Wrathall, was similarly into the uterus of a "PPL concerned, "There are several welfare problems surrogate mother. that should be considered before we even get on 148 days later, to the ethics of cloning. There is a large wastage of came Dolly. This animals which do not have the correct genes, and raises the very many of the offspring are mis-sized and so have to real possibility that the same be delivered by caesarean section.• She was clear techniques that if cloning were to go ahead it should be strictly controlled and subject to a cost-benefit analysis. could be applied to Some genetically-engineered animals can be of produce clones benefit to humans so legislation should not outlaw of living or even these procedures totally, but a body should be set up to consider these issues before the research is dead humans. carried out.• No sooner had dded to which, the cloning of humans the furore over could be just a few years away. The Dolly died down demand for this type of work is certainly than things were collaborated there: scientists working in the field hav~ been taken a step further with the Dolly besieged by childless couples desperate for a with the birth at the Research programme, already baby, and grieving relatives who want their lovedRoslin Institute of have a flock of Polly. Not only was ones cloned and so almost brought back to life. transgenic sheep But the technolo.gical problems are at present Polly cloned, but she which produce a human enormous. was also genetically protein, alpha-1· modified, containing a One potential difficulty of cloning is that DNA human gene for blood that is several years old would be used to produce antitrypsin, which is offspring. The researchers acknowledge this as a ·clotting, Factor IX, used undergoing clinical trials for difficulty. "The issue about older DNA is an in the treatment of the treatment of cystic haemophilia. She is not fibrosis.• said Or Griffin. interesting scientific question," said Dr Griffin. Even the first genetically before we are born most of our cells have divided Although these animals were not generated by engineered mammal, cloning, he estimates that in five or ten years time, 20 to 30 times, and each time changes in our DNA but she does if the technology can be made economical, it will may take place. "As we all grow older we represent the first time be flocks of cloned animals who are producing accumulate mistakes in our non-reproductive or a genetically these substances commercially. somatic cells and they may be transferred to Dolly. engineered animal She might be 18 months old as far as her DNA is The benefits of this technology do not stop at has been cloned by concerned or she might be 7~ years 'old. 1t would the production of proteins in milk. The range of

A

"This is futuristic technology being applied a medieval mindset that says animal ~~~~~h~~:less are objects for us to use" O'Brien, Compassion in World Farming

A

of Dolly, Polly, Megan and we be next? not be a limitation in the use of cloning in biotechnology, but certainly would be in applying it to humans or in farm animal breeding•

·, To produce Dolly, 277 eggs were injected with an udder cell. Only 29 of these produced a viable embryo and only one gave rise to an animal that survived, The average human donor can only provide around ten eggs. Although around 20 cloned sheep have now been born, the success rate is low.

•we have a higher incidence of deaths in late pregnancy, and some of the animals that have been born alive have died soon afterwards", explained Or Griffin. This relates to the problem that the cloned lambs are bigger than normal during up to 20% of the pregnancies, a phenomenon known as the large calf syndrome. Dr Griffin was adamant that cloning people was not yet an option, "This technology is at an early stage of development and there is no way that anybody should be doing this sort of work on humans," said Dr. Griffin.

E ~:~ugh

the technical problems currently make cloning humans unfeasible, it is surely just a matter of time before these can be overcome. After all, it was less than 15 years ago that the American embryologist Davor Solter declared that cloning a mammal from an adult cell was "biologically impossible." "You can envisage cloning techniques in what I would call assisted reproduction, not that different in ethical terms from in vitro fertilisation," Roslin's Or Griffin explained. "We could use nuclear transfer to correct deficiencies in the genes that reside outside the - - ....... nucleus in the

produced a copy of child dying of kidney failure so that a compatible donor organ would be available, or produced a clone of a dead child.

have on the long· term future of children."

Many have argued that the uniqueness of every individual is essential to the nature of

for centuries, and many insEct colonies may consist of thousands of genetically identical drones, but humans are a special case. This ignores the fact that on average three or four births in every 1000

With public concern running high, governments around the world are trying to exercise some control while they still can. The Human Genetics Advisory Commission will soon be advising the British Government on the subject, and Bill Clinton has recommended a five-year moratorium on research into human cloning. Yet the law may prove powerless to stop the relentless march of technology. If legislation prevenis him from starting his cloning programme in the USA, Richard Seed has pledged to cross the border into Mexico and set up shop there.

Indeed, with time, many of the objections to cloning humans may fade away just like the opposition to in vitro fertilisation did as success after success

can envisage cloning techniques in what I • • h d •ff d Call aSSISted reproduCtiOn, not t at I erent ethical termS frOm in VitrO fertiliSatiOn" Mike Griffin, Roslin Institute

mitochondria." These are derived from the egg and are unaffected if a new nucleus is injected.

"But it is a major moral step to then go ahead and clone an existing individual. We have not heard any argument for doing that which does not have a simpler and more acceptable alternative.

You cen dismiss the science fiction and fantasy of much of the media. The idea of cloning organs is nonsense. At this stage of the development of the technology, cloning people would be impractical, unsafe and we don't know what effect it would

brought joy 'to 150,000 childless couples. And, the technical problems will almost certainly be overcome. The biotechnological revolution has changed the face of crop breeding, giving us plants that synthesise antibodies. We now have farm animals that are living factories, producing proteins and organs which can save lives. Human cloning will surely be next. But whether this is ever taken to its extreme and adults start to clone themselves is still far from certain.

------ --------------------- ------------.1 result in identical twins. In any case, genetically identical individuals are far from being identical peq:>le, often differing in appearance, personality, psy:hology and life experience.

The problems that some identical twins have in establishing their own identity would be unlikely to appy if you had been cloned from an adult decades older than yourself. Grave ethical concerns would be raised, however, if parents

路12 Features

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

"I think that some of the species are based here, while others may well be tourists passing through this neck of the woods"

Features 13

Sunday, November 30, Colorado.

A year old calf is found with all the flesh from the right side of its jaw missing. There is also a hole, 18 inches wide and 10 inches in diameter, boring into the animal.

There are no footprints, blood, or other traces of the perpetrator.

The calf is still warm, and surrounded by deep, fresh snow.

Investigators are unable to work out how this happened, and who did it.

If people choose to believe such tales, they put stories of cattle mutilation down to psychopaths; weird cults or even the work of secret government groups. Others are convinced that it is visitors from outer space who are responsible for these acts that seem to defy science.

ABDUCTIONS Most alien abduction accounts describe passages to and from a flying craft, physical procedures and tests, surgical instruments and the aliens themselves. Some abductees recalled extensive scientific tests which tended to focus on the reproductive organs. Typical signs to tell if you've been an abductee are lost hours of which

CROP CIRCLES There are over 5000 crop circles on record throughout the world, and while many of these may be hoaxes, experts in the field argue that some of the formations cannot have been created by human hands. They say that in genuine crop patterns, plant stems have not been broken but bent at about an inch from the ground. Moreover, they report a disruption of the plant chromosomes in the affected crops as the cause, and the way that the patterns are often precise mathematical formations. Geiger counter readings at the sites show record high levels of background radiation. it is debatable whether aliens are responsible for such events, but as yet no scientific explanation has been found.

In July 1997, a farmer reported a large crop circle and two smaller satellites linked by a path in a field in Hitcham, near Stowmarket, Suffolk.

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

you have no conscious recollections, scars on the skin from implants, or strange objects appearing under x-rays. Also, recurring nightmares, panic attacks, general anxiety or intense feelings of helplessness and vulnerability are common. Abductees come from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds.

Spontaneous combustion is when a mass ignites and burns without touching anything else that is on fire.

In many of the reported human cases, the torso is completely destroyed and the bones have been reduced completely to ash. The combustion is localised to the body and the clothes are left untouched. 80% of victims of internal combustion are females who have been alone inside for a long period of time and also may have been drinking. Afterwards, the floor around the body will be covered with a smelly, oily, yellow liquid.

*WfNJs"'y'i:ttE: ~V* If you're lively and have something to say, or would just like to tell your mum you're on TV, then

THE TIME ... THE PLACE WANTSYOUI

ANGLIA

.•

For free tickets every Tuesday, call Clare or Reeky ..· .· ·:.· · .·. NOW on 6.1. 5-J.~ I ,·.e~~-·~ 1. ~ ?-/l.S.I ·~ .·.·:.·.·. :.·.·.

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路14 Letters & Comment

MYSTIC ROD

REVEALS February 18 March 4

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

Out of form l

am writing to express my concern regarding proposed reforms to give more power to Students Forum. On the surface this may seem a good idea in order to solve the problem of the AGM etc always being inquorate. My concern arises out of a recent experience which shows that the reps in some cases do not fully represent the wishes of the students in their schools. I can only write about my own experience.

Before Christmas I attended the AGM where the accounts were issued and discussed. The finance officer should be commended on producing such professional accounts compared to the scrappy incomplete ones I have seen in the past.

I raised an issue concerning funding for play schemes and as the meeting was inquorate and other issues had been discussed any decisions would occur at the forum meeting where we were promised these concerns would be discussed. Unfortunately on questioning one of my reps I found that this had not happened. I then sent each of our three reps information regarding the matter and asked them to discuss the issue , find out more into etc, at the next forum meeting. At no time did any rep come and discuss my concerns. Later after the meeting, I again asked one of the reps was this issue discussed , the answer was no , but I could attend the next meeting, which happened to be that night. Note these meetings are supposed to be open meetings.

I duly arrived and was challenged not once but three times as to why I was there and then the chairman kept -~~~ repeating that I should have put my concerns on the agenda. I was made to feel very uncomfortable, two of our school's reps , who were present, failed to support me, and had failed to put the matter on the agenda themselves and also hadn't the chairman ever heard of 'any other business'?

When I explained that the matter should have been discussed ages ago at the forum as promised at the AGM I was told that chair had not been able to attend the AGM and the matter had not been passed on, despite the fact that others had attended.

The result has been that I have been doing the necessary Would you like Concrete's Mystic Rod to running around to get this matter sorted out and the reps cast his cosm ic gaze upon your own failed completely to represent not only my interests, but personality, and share his findings with the those of many parents. Also how many reps feedback to entire population of UEA? Or do you know students exactly what has been discussed? someone might be amused by a little free I should add that I went to the education office and both publicity? If so, just write your (or your the researcher there and myself were shocked to find that friend's) name , time (if you know it) , date , there was no written definition regarding the role of reps. If and place of birth on a piece of paper and meetings are to attract more students (the forum itself can address it for the attention of Mystic Rod. often be inquorate) and very drastic changes can be made Please enclose a contact telephone then how about holding separate smaller meetings at each number too, if you can, and a photo of the school, postal voting , or holding the meeting in the Hive subject. Drop all this off in Union House, (captive drinking audience) , and prevent smoking during either in the Concrete office upstairs, or in meetings as is common in most meetings in the big wide our box next to the Steward's Cabin . world.

Tessalie Skoczylas

Crossword Across

Down

1. Formally withdraw (6) 4. Liable (5) 8. Sidewalk (8) 10. Sports grounds (8) 12. Hindu dress (4) 14. Run with long bounding stride (4) 15. Three-sided shape (8) 17. Put up with (8) 20. Pub sport (5) 21. Carrier (6)

1. Work (5) 2. Form of society (1 0) 3. League (8) 5. Sprint (3) 6. Self-centredness (6) 7. Morning (2) 9. Brass musicians (10) 11 . Share jobs (8) 13. Wait on (6) 16. Listening (5) 18. Cereal (3) 19. TV Casualty (2)

Competition Winners: Issue 82 LETS GO COMPETITION Martin Brock EU R 11 Sarah Shubinsky BIOI (answer L'Arc de Triomphe) VALENTINES MESSAGES 'Tuddy Wuddie'

Crossword answers: lssue82 Across 1. Porter 4. Tense 8. Plectrum 10. Tie 11. Dreamer 13. Stir 16.Thou 17. Shingle 21. UFO 22. Escapism 24. Empty 25. At home

Down . 1. Party 2. Repertoire 3. Ever 5.Emu 6. Ensure 7. Star 9. Mumbo Jumbo 12. Eat 14.Rag 15. Psyche 18.Loan 19. Poise 20. Mist 23. Sit

•

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• -.f

Letters & Comment 15

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

•

lt's ho a1r War and peace Playing Ball As Union Finance Officer, Iona Wakely, has rightly pointed out, it's about time that UEA had a couple of social events that truly are the highlight of the year.

In the past, the Exec has apparently slammed the Idea, claiming that a ball Is too expensive for many students and that people should be able to come as they want to, Instead of In black tie or ball dress.

Judging by student opinion and past Concrete surveys, students, even If hard up, don't mind saving the money months in advance for a special event like a ball, and black tie and balldress offer a chance to really party in style. Let's hope the Union ball venue makes lt somewhat traditional.

Yes, everyone loves the Law Ball, but not everybody can get tickets. If there's another ball on offer that comes somewhere near the splendour of that offered

by Law students, then the Union can hope for big things.

And even If the ball is not huge In the first Instance, at least the knowledge that it has the financial backing of the Union should ensure it has some level of success In the future.

am writing regarding the story about Howard Marks (Concrete, iss. 82], I think it is absolutely crazy that a local mum made such a fuss about his act.

To begin with, this is the person who stood in last years local elections - it seems ludicrous in the face of this to complain now just because he is DJing in a local club. Secondly the coverage in local press was indicative of their lack of respect for students and their views. Whether or not cannabis should be legalised is a totally different issue, ultimately we do still have the right to free speech, and that is a right which should be protected. Mr Marks should be able to exercise that right, no matter what his views are, and no matter what he has done in the past.

Of course I have every sympathy with the mother whose son is taking heroin, but to blame this on cannabis over-simplifies the problem a little, and I doubt that it helps him at all to have his problems plastered across the EDP. Rebei:ca Hayden

I

o Norwich Council have finally put the skids under the infamous Law Ball. lt is claimed residents were angered at the noise levels and disruption the ball causes. I went to last year's and it was a great night, made by the fact that it is on campus, situated In such lovely surroundings, and the music was tumed down when it got too late.

I think it is such a shame that we will not be able to use Earlham Hall again this year, and while I am sure I will go to it at the hotel I don't think it will be as good.

But what I am more disturbed about is the fact that it was local tf'f residents that forced the change. I am forever hearing of the strained relations between students and locals, and I just wish we could all get on better. Students bring so much to the city of Norwich, both socially and economically and I cannot understand why there is so much animosity towards us.

I just hope the town/gown relations do not deteriate any further so that the situation becomes as bad as it is in other cities where students fear going into the town centres.

S

Cash Cuts UEA claims yet again that lt has no cash, that it's scraping the bottom of the barrel for funds and as a result, everyone and everything has to tighten their belts. tt's very convenient, therefore, for UEA chiefs to blame the government for reducing the amounts of cash given to universities. The truth is that UEA has got cash, but it's keeping lt hidden as part of Its 'strategic plan' and Is Intent on ploughing more and more Into research, especially as the Research Assessment Exercise Is coming up In the year 2000.

No-one denies that top research ratings would be a good thing, and Inevitably cash can be made this way, but why, oh why, do undergraduates always have to be the ones who suffer? If it's not unnecessary graduation charges that are milking us of cash, it's no books In the Library and the promise of extended opening hours being swiftly taken from under our noses.

Are we here to receive a decent, valued education? lt seems we won't get one If Unl bosses carry on cutting and pruning our resources In this hell bent way.

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GOYLfne UEA's Independent Student Newspaper PO Box 410,Norwlch NR4 7TB Tel: (01603) 250558 Fax: (01603) 506822 E·Mall: su.concrete@uea.ac.uk •Editor: Jane Kirby •Deputy Editor: Nick Triggle •News Editor: Graham Diggines •Features Editor: Emma Newbery •Chief Features Writer: Katie Crockett •Sports Editor: Carolina Jeater •Assistant Sports Editor: Mark Edwards •Picture Editor: Steve Cullingwoth • Distribution Manager. Oliver Polhill •Editorial Contributors: Nicole "I'm a shy bunny" Russell, Adam Aiken, Sarah Moore, James Goffin, James Graham, Jack Hauner, Nadia Elghamry, Sarah Hookes, Daniel Bardsley •Photographers: Matt Walsh, Steve Cullingham, Russell Burton •Advertising Manager: Amy Kingswell • Ad Designer: Paul Gould •Special Thanks to: UH Stewards, everyone at ECN •Copy Editors: Kay Spragg, James Goffin •Proofreaders: Nadia Elghamry, Wendy Tse •Concrete is published by the Union of UEA Students. Opinions expressed are those of the Contributor and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Editor. Use of the name 'The Event' appears by arrangement with the copyright holders, Planet Zog Ltd. •No part of this newspaper may be reproduced or transmitted through unsent Valentines cards, sinking parts of Brighton, broken computers who are pining for Simon Mann, or without the prior written consent of the publisher. •Printed by Eastern Counties Newspapers Ltd., Norwich, Norfolk NR11RE. © UUEAS, 1997.

(01603) 592505 Monday 8- 10pm (Term Times) University of East Anglia Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ su.lgb@ uea.ac.uk

Confidential listening without prejudice

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..Monday 8 • 1Opm (Term...Time} . ..

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Listening Not Lecturing ~ Opening Hours: 8pm • Barn every day for drop-in or phone 503504 confidential listening and information service

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on ... Copies of th is of th is letter ar . your guests to Sit In a drafty gymnasium h explaining why this char e is e available from the Stewards Office in Union as left you stuck for words, then read ..Your will provide the along With an information sheet back to your home addr:ss.

Will be able to express their Iaing to send the so. m theor address, signing & posting the r ac :or to you the Reg1stry, youinformation r parents

T~;~c~e~~~~¡ble conc~r~s /

/ Mr Vincent Watts Vice Chancellor University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ

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Dear Vice Chancellor,

In July this year, one of my children will be graduating from the UEA. I am very proud of my child and I have looked forward to this day with great excitement as the crowning moment in their academic achievement to date. Now it appears I may not be able to attend, due to the addilionallees imposed by the University. These charges, added to the cost ofo our transport to the University; the hire of a gown; the expense ol over-night accommodation; and the cost of graduation photographs, lake the already high expenses up to an unacceptable level.

Whilst at the UEA, I have supported my child both financially and emotionally. I have willingly made sacrifices to enable them lo attend, because I want my child to have as many opportunities, if not more than I had. Now at the end of a degree, I am angered to learn that I must pay to see my child graduate from the education tor which we have already paid. lt appears that students are considered mere consumers by the University and that graduation is just one more product they are expected lo purchase.

If students are to be treated as consumers then surely they have a right to demand value for money. I understand from my child that you have offered as your justification for the charge the tact that it is common practice amongst Universities. I am inclined to ask therefore: do these other institutions provide the graduation experience In such inauspicious surroundings as the UEA Sports Centre and a marquee in the campus grounds? My concern is to see my child graduate, my child's concern is that graduation should be a memorable event and that as such it should take place in an impressive venue. I believe Norwich City College hold their graduation at the City Cathedral and am left to wonder why an institution with UEA's reputation is unable to do so.

Finally, I am aware that over the coming years you will be approaching my child, as one of the University's alumni, to make a financial contribution to the University. I wonder whether having paid so much to the University when in a slate of near poverty , my child, and the thousands of others graduating this year, will feel inclined to support a University which so blatantly exploited them.

To conclude, I feel strongly that the University should either abandon this charge or that it should arrange a more suitable venue tor graduation. If these requests are ignored, then parents like myself and our children may begin exercise our consumer right to stay at home and to keep our purse firmly shut, no doubt at a cost to the University's reputation as well as its finances.

Yours sincerely,

Sports Feature 17

Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

By J ACK HANAUER

THE SPORT Village has hit back at the critics who have described Norwich as an " area deprived of sport."

Even with two new sports parks in the pipeline Village chiefs are confident that they can survive the sporting boom that is currently sweeping Norfolk. prices for the Aqua Park at off peak With UEA set to gain the Sports times.

Park by the year 2000, it will not be If Britain's recent upsurge in long before Norwich becomes a sport continues the growth of centre of sporting excellence. enthusiasm looks set to accelerate.

The village has an exten ive Mr Tuddenharn said, "It doesn ' t range of facilities ranging from take much to get people started. swimming pools and snooker halls After Wimbledon - where Tim to jacuzzi 's.

And coupled with an impressive Henman and Greg Rusedski were so line up of forthcoming attractions, successful • the demand for the including the National Badminton tennis courts rocketed."

Championships and the Adidas The knock-on effect of this can be · seen from the Sport Village's Lawn Tennis Association attempts to organise a celebrity Sports Tournament, Norwich tennis match in an bid to encourage Village's Sport and Aqua Manager, Mark Tuddenham, is confident there public interest in the sport.

But Mr Tuddenharn admits that is still room for the existing complex. they are still restrained by financial 'The Lottery Sports Park is a difficulties.

'These promotion are great for massive boost for the Norwich community, but I think we're both the spectators, but they take up so much time and money in organising aiming at slightly different markets.

"Our income comes primarily that they aren' t commercially viable from the casual sports person, for a private company.

"Historically, the problem with whereas the UEA centre looks as sport in Norwich is the lack of though it will become more of a centre of excellence," he said. money that is invested, not the want Mr Tuddenham believes sport of participants. participation is on the up as people "Although having said that, the are flocking to join in.

Village does manage to keep up with "There is certainly a large market the trends and give the public what built it will be much easier for for sport and the industry has they want." people from all parts of Norwich to massive potential here.

Mr Tuddenharn pinpointed the pursue their particular sporting "People are living more healthily recent introduction of sports such as interests," he added. and retiring earlier these days, and basketball, canoeing, scuba-diving, But the news is not all promising, subsequently, are spending more and yoga to show how the park is "Work's slower in Norwich so time in sport," he said. moving forward . people are less willing to pay out as He added, 'They're sports that much as they would if the economy Packed are growing in popularity, and the was stronger.

And with over 10,000 people introduction of basketball in Isolated using the Village every week he particular has been a great success." realises the1 e is a need for more There are also plans to expand the "Also, as Norwich is a bit out of sports facilitie and is in favour of seating capacity of the indoor the way it's more difficult to attract the UEA park calling it, "a step in football stadium from I ,900 to 3,000 investors and celebrity guests than the right direction." in the forseeable future. it would be in, say, Birmingham or Norwich has the dubious Sport in this area will be further London. distinction of being one of the boo ted by the building of a third "Location is a key factor." largest town in Europe to be major sports complex.

But hopefully the arrival of the without a council run swimming The Jarvis Hotel chain are in line two new sports centres will mark a pool. to take over the Thorpe Hotel in the change in Norwich's fortunes .

Said Mr Tuddenharn, "The City and this will coincide with the This, combined with the problem is that swimming pools are construction of the Seb Coe Sport continuing efforts of the Village, the so uneconomic.

Park on the site, an enterprise that City can now be confident that the "Although popu lar, the running will run along similar lines to the new Millennium will see a costs are so high that you are lucky Sport Village. consistent development in the to break even, let alone make a Mr Tuddenharn aid, "It's great leisure industry. profit." news as it's in an area where the As Mr Tuddenharn admits, ''I'm But the Sport Village still facilities are particularly lacking. optimistic. The future looks better manages to offer student discounted "Once that and the UEA park are than it has done in years."

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18 Sport

Conc rete, Wed nesday, Februa ry 18, 1998

f

'' ' ' Our fortnightly trip to Carrow Road ...

Coach swapping Napoli have moved onto their fourth coach within a year after a 5-0 thrashing from Empoli Currently languishing at the bottom of Serie A, Napoli replaced Giovanni Galeone with reserve coach Enzo Montefusco

By ADAM AIKEN , Canaries Correspondent

NORWICH CITY were unbeaten during the last fortnight against Manchester City and Port Vale which was a welcome change from previous matches.

Trouble boiling Former Durham all-rounder Manoj Prabhak:ar is being sued by India' s

At the same time, though. the management will feel that two points cou ld so e asily have been six .

With Manchester City being o f Port Vale .

Norwich 's historical bogey stde, a The match started with C it y return of four points from th is showing no more urgency than they had against Manchester City. season's two fixtures will be seen as four unlikely points gained .

And the writing seemed to be on After Adrian Coote's winner at the wall when Lee Mills gave Vnle Maine Road in September, Frank the lead from a corner, and though Clark's struggling team were held to Iwan Roberts hit the bar soon after. a goalless draw at Carrow Ro ad two the first ha! f was best forgottrn .

Saturdnys ago.

With nearly an hour go ne. City The ho me side managed only Jell almost further behind when three shots on target , all of them in Mills hit the post. But the Canaries ' injury time . fortunes Improved with 20 minutes And the fact that only one point to go through two quic klir•! goa ls . was earned was mainly due to Peter Grant headed in a Robert youngster Craig Bellamy's mnbilny Fleck lltck, and then Erik to keep his temper under control. f"uglestad 's free kick was knocked After just 23 minutes, Georgian in by Jackson. wizard Gcorgi Kinkladze appeared Just as three valuable points to hit out at Bel lamy, with the looked to be in the bag, City threw it Canaries star e nd ing up with a away in injury time when Mills b loody nose . again found the back of the Norw ich The linesm a n spotted a net, this time di rect from a free kick. re ta liatory spit though and Be ll amy W hil st the mid table results keep was given his ma rching orde rs. roll ing in, C ity's p ro m o tio nal prospects look forever slim mer.

Last Saturday, Norwich visited Attention wi ll now turn to the the scene of their lowest po int last forthcom ing de rby game at Ipswich. season, a six-one defeat at the hands

cricket bosses for up to £625,000 after accusing a team-mate of match fixing.

Prabhak:ar faces a defamation suit after saying that he was offered

£40,000 to lose a one-day game against Pakistan.

An·s fair...

Tim Henman was thrashed in the first round of the Dubai Open by German supremo Boris Becker.

However Henman had to pick himself up from his defeat and play with his victor in the doubles toumament

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heavyweight champ, has moved his entire training squad from London back to Norwich.

The reason for the move is that Herbie needs to bond with his two new alsation dogs, or otherwise they will attack him.

The two alsations are an addition to his huge collection of 12 rottweilers.

Doubling up Triple jump ace Jonathon Edwards has turned his attentions to the running track, with the announcement that he is going to attempt to compete in the sprint relay in the next Commonwealth games.

He will continue triple jumping and hopes to combine the two disciplines.

Photo: MATT WALSH

Welsh Wonders IUEA o uw1c si

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Live In The Hive Tues 17th Feb PHATFISH ACID JAZZ Budweiser £1 per bottle

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UEA'S MEN'S squash 1st team failed to reach the last eight of the BUSA competition, suffering a convincing 5-0 defeat away at UWIC. Morale was high when the team arrived in Cardiff, last Wednesday, but it soon became evident that the match would be something of a struggle.

Paul Miller and Andrew Kahumbu both lost in three straight sets to put UEA under pressure from the off.

And a similar fate third string awaited Jonathan Rhodes.

Although he performed well, Rhodes was unable to match the accuracy of the UWIC number three, who was ranked nationally, and was beaten 9-2, 9-0, 9-3.

UEA number two , An drew Trim who had been

plagued with niggling injuries before the match, fared a little better but his lack of fitness told as the game progressed, and he finally lost 9-6, 9-4, 9-1 .

With only pride to play for James Tapsfield faced the British number three, and despite producing a reasonable performance,

failed to apply enough pressure to trouble his opponent and lost 9-4, 9-2, 9-5.

After the match squash club president, Dave Brockman , said, "They are going into training, and you can be sure we will be back for t he BUSA trophy next year."

USA Results and Fixtures

Wednesday, February 4

Championship Soccer; Ladies I Exeter 3. Badminton; Lad1es 4 UCL 5.

Hockey; Men 's 2 0 Exeter 5. Men's 3 0 Imperial 2, Ladies I I Brighton 6, Ladies 2 0 Bnghton 12. Rugby; Men's 3 3 Exeter 124, Ladies 0 Bru nei 15, Squash; Men ·s I 5 Bournemouth 0, Men's 2 wi n for Bris tol. Ladies 0 Bristol 5, Table Tennis; Men 's 8 Bristol 9, Volleyball ; Ladies 3 Portsmouth 0. Winter Tennis; Men's 4 De Montfort 2, Ladies 0 Royal Holloway 5 Shield Soccer· Men's I 3 lm rial I, Men's 2 0 Chichester 2 Men's 3

I Kings College 3. Men's 4 3 Southampton 0. Badmi nton; Men's I 5 Marjon 4, Hockey; Men 's I 2 UCL 6. Netbal l; Ladies I 31 Ki ngston 19, Ladies 2 10 Sussex 34. Rugby; Men 's 2 15 Salford 7. Volleyball; Men's 0 De Montfort 3

Plate

Rugby; Men's 46 King 's college 15

Wednesday, February 18 Soccer; Men's I v North London (a). Men's 4 v Live rpool Hope (a). Basketbal l; Ladies v Liverpool Hope (h i

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Concrete, Wednesday, February 18, 1998

Hitting the heights UEA'S WOMEN' S volleyball team produced a stunning performance to defeat a demoralised Sussex side by three sets to one.

The victory on Wednesday, February 11, catapults them Into the last eight of the BUSA championship.

UEA dominated the first set with some strong hitting and placing of shots.

Angellna Kyriakldou and Kelly Tucker were In Inspired form and helped claim the set by 15-0.

But a spirited Sussex comeback created a hard fought second set, which Sussex finally took 13- 15.

The disappointment of seeing the opposition draw level caused UEA to change their team rotation In the third.

But the team's confidence returned and they were able to block out the Sussex challenge and claim the next two sets to grasp an Impressive victory.

After the game, jubilant captain, Meianie Ducret, said, "lt was a tough match, but we worked really hard. "lt was good to win after getting knocked out at the second round last year, and we are now ready to go all the way:â&#x20AC;˘

By MARK EDWARDS, Assistant Sports Editor

lUEA 1 De Montfort

41

MEN'S tennis team crashed out of the championships to an In-form Durham side.

The 4-1 drubbing, last Wednesday, left the UEA side one game short of a dream ticket to the Premier league. next season.

Durham tore apart the rest of the But they were unable to produce the same form which saw them team, by thrashing Yuval Zarai 6-1, brush aside De Montfort University 6-1 and Kozinev Coulmet, by the in the first round. same scoreline.

A shock looked to be on the But UEA were not helped by the cards as Mathias Ziercke pulled off blustery conditions on the day, a stunning display against his which contributed to some freak opponent. game winning points.

Mathias took a tight first set by Power seven games to five, but then lost The home side never managed to the second by the same margin. get into the rhythm of their game Level and could not cope with The match was perfectly overpowering tennis. balanced for the third set, and after Although the team put up a some outstanding passing shots, tough fight, UEA were simply not Mathias managed to take an early in the same class as the visitors.

Team Captain, Yuval Zarai said, break of serve and won the final set to get the first points on the board "On the day we lost to the better forUEA. side, and we should have played a lot better."

But the rest of the team could not And he added, "We are not too live up to the standards set by Mathias, and Durham picked up the disappointed with the defeat, overall we have had a good season." pace to sweep aside the home side.

BUSA BO US Ladies storm into last eigM

By CAROLINE JEATER, Sports Editor

I UEA 63 De Montfort 371 AN 18 POINT haul by Amy Baumgarten set UEA Panthers up for a sparkling 63-37 victory that put them in the quarter finals of the BUSA competition.

The ladies basketball team produced a glittering performance against De Montfort University, last Wednesday.

The Panthers were well prepared same vein with an astonishing rhythm with some sharp shooting for the game after qualifying for the second half exhibition of basketball. and managed to take a slender lead last 16, with a powerful display However before the interval it of 32 points to 26 into the break. against Roehampton in the first was a different affair with both sides In the second half the Panthers round. unable to take an early advantage. stepped up a gear and blitzed And this match was played in the But UEA finally found their through a shell-shocked Leicester side.

The offence became more fluent with some excellent shooting and some fluid passing.

UEA barraged the Leicester basket with some superb team play and impressive interchanges. But it was in defence that the home side really excelled with the side becoming more solid and compact.

Karen Blackerby was the stalwart at the heart of the Panthers' defence, and aggressively closed down Leicester's highest scorer with some magnificent steals.

The Panthers gradually pulled away from their opponents and as time went on a quarter final place looked secure.

Leicester lost morale and UEA began to show their dominance over their tired and weary opponents.

And despite some late pressure from Leicester, they could not pull back the huge deficit that UEA had afflicted upon them.

The match ended with the home side as worthy winners after a spectacular second half show.

Club president, Nicola Vanterpool said, "I think we stand a great chance of going all the way in BUSA this year."

UEA'S MOTOR racing maestro, Mark Bailey, Is In the process of securing two sponsorship deals for the new season, which begins In March.

Mark Is now preparing for his second season In this thrilling sport, beginning at Brandshatch.

He Is close to finalising a deal with Osboume,s Honda garage, one of the biggest car dealershlps In Suffolk and Essex.

Mark admitted that the expense of the sport was a big problem and this deal should help him develop his Interest In the sport.

Another possible sponsor could be Sliver Shield, a windscreen company who are also looking for a maintenance deal with him.

Mark said, "lt Is a boost, the deal will Include maintenance and technical support of my car, and a big discount on parts:â&#x20AC;˘

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Inside this issue

Riding club fall at first hurdl of BUSA comP-etition but Smith shines

By MARK EDWARDS

Photo: STEYE cyuJNGWORTH

UEA equestrian star, Karen Smith , produced an emphatic performance to qualify for the individual regional competition in BUSA later this month.

After an excellent showing at Cambridge, Kare n accompli shed an immaculate e xhibition in bo th the dressage and showj umping.

But Karen's admirable display could not pull UEA up from bottom position at their home ground, Top Farm Eq uestrian Cen tre, on Wednesday, February 4.

UEA faced tough opposition in their group aga inst a talented Le ice ter team with a young equestrian international in the side.

The home team struggled earl y on in the dressage round , and some costl y mistakes put them behi nd Ca mbridge, and Leices ter, on points.

But they were still in contention with the showjumping to come in the afternoon.

There was some controversy over the des ign o f the showj umping course wi th Leices ter unhappy abo ut the layout of the j umps, and due to these complaints the jumps were kept at the minimal height for competition.

Hope But early signs were encouraging for UEA as Miranda Forsell finished with a clear round.

Karen S mith continued in her first rate form with a clear round in the showjumping after a penalty free dressage, leav ing her in second place in the individual competition.

Despite UEA's vast improvement in the show-j umpi ng, they were unable to pull themselves up in the league positi ons, and finished in th ird place, wi th little hope of quali fy ing fo r the regional competition.

Club pres ident , Suzi Gatward said, "It was a very competitive match and all teams performed Strongly on a tough course."

She added, " It was quite a testi ng course and it definitely got the best from all the riders."

The horse riding club has been conce ntrati ng on developing the team this year, and it was the first year that the team has used Top Farm Equestrian Centre as the ir base. zi said, "The facilities at Top are elle nt, and they are looki ng to develop the centre even further over the next few years."

Karen Smith controls her mount in the dressage round T he competition moved to Le icester on Friday, February 6, with the last of the meetings in the preliminary league. .lt was- muc.ll the same story for UEA , with poor dressage resu l leaving them o ut of contention before the show-jumping had begun,

knocking them out of the BUSA competition, and fini hing third in the preliminary league.

However Karen Smith managed to maintain her individual position, finishing fourth overall, and qualifying for the regionals in March.

Karen said, " I am delighted with the result and now I am looking forward to the regional competition in Warwick. "'The competition will be really tough at Warwick, and I am up against some of the best riders m the country ."

1