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ISSUE 241
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TUESDAY 9th MARCH 2010
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www.concrete-online.co.uk
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UEA'S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER
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FREE
STUDENTS SHOUT: ''UEA, WE WON'T PAY' A group of students blockade main entrance of the Registry building demanding a position on HE cuts. Norwich City Council unanimously vote to support the Union of UEA Students' Higher Education policy. Jonathan Brady UEA students gathered in the Square on Wednesday 3rd March to protest against the Government's proposed cuts to funding for Higher Education institutions. Rachel Archer led the demonstration at midday on the 'National Day of Action Against Fees and Cuts' to voice students' concerns to UEA Vice-Chancellor Edward Acton about the future of education funding. Over 50 students rallied to support the campaign, signing their names on banners and chanting slogans such as "UEA, we won't pay". The protesters marched around campus before finally assembling at the Registry-the office of the Vice-Chancellor. As protesters tried to enter, two police officers barricaded
building, the preventing students from entering and causing disruption to scheduled meetings. One unidentified member of staff showed support to the protest: "I appreciate the demonstration on behalf of many staff here at UEA." Pro Vice-Chancellor Tom Ward responded to the incident at the behest of the Vice-Chancellor, who was unavailable at the time. When asked about how UEA is likely to be affected by the government budget cuts he said, "No doubt we will oe affected; it's not disastrous but very challenging. In the short term it's sustainable, but long term maintenance and refurbishment will have to be put off. There are tough choices ahead." When pr,essed further about the University's lack of
comment on the cuts he added, "We've been fairly quiet since we're in the middle of a fees review and election campaign. Right now it's a politically fraught matter, but we need to concentrate on maintaining the student experience." In a letter to the ViceChancellor, the protesters outlined that 'Education is a right, -not a privilege' that shouldn't financially threaten the future of British students. Later, Mr. Ward agreed to hold a separate meeting for students who wanted to discuss the matter further. He also agreed to speak in front of a packed Union Council on Thursday 4th March. Students involved in the protest recognised the scale of the problem but kept focused on their aims. Emma Lightfoot, an MA student in History, said: "it's a big issue .. .!
think students realise that money is limited as a result of the economic crisis, but we're not the ones who should be penalised because of an older generation's mistakes." Speaking at Union Council Mr. Ward reminded students that the exact details of the level of cuts fac:ing UEA would not be revealed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England until mid-March. He was able to say, however, that the national figures show significant cuts to capital funding - mostly funding for replacing and maintaining buildings - and that it is likely this will be the same for UEA. Whilst short term cuts in this area can be dealt with, continual cuts year after year could cause UEA to suffer.
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CONCRETE CAMPUS A FASHIONABLE INSPIRATION Andrea Stromskag The renowned denim brand Levi's recently used UEA as the setting for its latest promotional film footage. The clip features models wearing their new collection on various sites around campus, and is currently featured on the brand's website. The clip makes particular
use of the University's concrete buildings. A UEA press release said: "We are often approached by companies who want to use our campus as a backdrop to still photography or films. "We take each case on merit, ensuring that such an activity would not inconvenience staff or students and that the subject
matter is not inappropriate." The Ziggurats, featured notably in the clip, were voted among the top ten examples of iconic university architecture in the UK in a 2009 issue ofthe Architects' Journal. Norfolk and Suffolk Terrace are original 1960s student and remain residences, popular for their style and eyecatching views from bedrooms
and _ shared kitchens. The award-winning architecture was constructed by Sir Denys Lasdun, Lord Norman Foster and Rick Mather. A representative for Levi's said: "UEA was selected as it reflected the spirit of the collegiate inspiration that Levi's have for this season's