Max Mosley
Derby Day 2011
Concrete chats to the former FIA chief about Formula 1 and his recent court battle with The News of the World
Turn to page 24 for your guide to the sporting extravaganza
UEA’s independent student newspaper since 1992
Tuesday 15th March, 2011 • Issue 254 • Twitter: @Concrete_UEA
Is the Chaplaincy failing Hindus? • Motion in Union Council brings to light a lack of support for students of the Hindu faith • Concern over the suitability of the Chaplaincy as a multi-faith space David Murphy News Reporter
Hindu students at UEA have voiced their disappointment that the University does not accommodate their faith on campus. In a motion passed by members of the UEA Hindu Society at Union Council, the University has been criticised for not appearing to welcome students from a Hindu faith as readily as it does those from Christian and other Abrahamic faiths. It points out that there is no designated space on campus for the Hindu Society to store or worship a deity or light controlled �ires, all of which are important in Hinduism. The motion was backed by members of the UEA Buddhist Society who are unable to store a Buddha on campus. Venthan Mailoo, who proposed
the motion, has pointed out that he is concerned for incoming students. He told Concrete: “If a student is far away from home for the �irst time and doesn’t feel there is somewhere they can practice their faith they may be put off the University or suffer greater stress”. There is no designated place for Hindu worship in Norwich or even in East Anglia. Mr Mailoo told this reporter that those of Hindu faith in Norwich have to travel as far a�ield as Romford, Leicester and Birmingham to �ind a designated temple where they can pray as a group. While Hindu students are allowed to use the Chaplaincy, whose mission statement is to “enable all members of the University community, to explore their own beliefs”, students have to clear a large number of chairs before they can pray on the �loor. Continued on page 4
Harriet Jones
UEA Rugby teams face punishment James Hughes
News Reporter
UEA RFC has been banned from hosting the annual summer rugby sevens tournament as part of a structured punishment by the Union for damage caused to a local hotel. The much celebrated and anticipated event, held in early June, is one of the highlights of many students’ calendars, with crowds and players alike �locking to the tournament. It features a wide range of teams formed from societies and fair-weather rugby players, as well as being one of the main events for UEA alumni to meet and relive their university days. Typically, it has been the duty of the Men’s and Women’s Rugby clubs to host, however, the ban prevents them from entering and hosting the tournament altogether, rendering it cancelled unless an alternative is reached. This could potentially be a real cause for concern for the Union, as it will affect a far wider demographic than simply the parties in question.
The UEA Chaplaincy is designed to provide a place of worship for all faiths
Inside: Union Election Guide 2011 Meet the candidates for the forthcoming Union Elections
Continued on page 3