Employability Week
UEA’s independent student newspaper since 1992
www.concrete-online.co.uk
17th-21st October
For further details visit concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA /ConcreteNewspaper Issue No. 258 Tuesday 11th October 2011
INTERESTED IN DISTRIBUTING CONCRETE ON CAMPUS AND IN THE CITY ONCE A FORTNIGHT? >> Email concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk for further details on hours and salary >> Pick up an application form and job description from the Concrete Office
Campus safe room closed Anna Tomson News Reporter Following increased pressure on university accommodation this year, UEA’s “safe room” on campus has been closed. The room, located secretly on University grounds, was designed to accommodate any student who felt unable to return to their own home. In the past, the room had been used by victims of abuse, violence and rape and was often utilised as a short term place to stay before students felt they could move on to a more permanent location. Up until the beginning of
News, p4
this semester, the room had been available to any student in need and was monitored by both Nightline and the Advice Centre of the Student Union. However, following heavy demand for campus housing for the 2011-12 academic year, the Dean of Students Office (DoS) made the decision to close the room in favour of opening it up as accommodation. The DoS has pledged to provide an alternative to the room, but so far it is unclear what form this will take. UEA Nightline’s internal coordinator told Concrete: “It’s a shame UEA feels it doesn’t have the resources to keep the room open.
“Having a women’s room or a safe area demonstrates the University’s commitment to the safety of students.” Nightline reported that in previous years the safe room had been used by up to 8 people a year but that more recently it had been under-utilised, potentially due to a lack of awareness of the facility among students. However, Nightline’s spokesperson added: “Irrespective of its usage, UEA should have the room. It’s not only about providing the resource, it’s also about the safety that this resource represents.” A recent NUS study found that one in seven women aged 18-25 have experienced serious
physical or sexual assault. More than one in ten have been a victim of serious physical violence. 12% of respondents reported being subject to stalking. UEA student Alice Johnson said: “It seems rather ironic that it has been closed just as the Feminist Society has been formed. Shutting the room clearly demonstrates a failure to accommodate the needs of students both on and off campus.” Whilst it is unclear what form this support service may take in the future, the shocking details of the NUS study make it painfully clear that there are students who may be in need of such a facility.
Richard Joslin analyses the future for student occupations
Features, p16
Charles Crisp reacts to the death of Apple pioneer Steve Jobs
Turf, p23
UEA enters top 150 Josh Resoun News Reporter The Times Higher Educational supplement released its World University Rankings for 20112012 this month, and the University of East Anglia has been placed at 145th, up from 174th in the previous year.
Achieving an overall score of 47.3, the survey shows that UEA is consistently improving year-on-year. The survey ranked 75 US universities in the top 200, compared to the UK’s 32. University Minister David Willetts said that relative to its size, the list demonstrated that the UK’s university system was the “world’s best performing.”
Turf’s Joey Innes-Hopkins analyses the recent bizarre weather patterns
Sport, p28
inside venue this fortnight: • Hannah Britt and Susanna Wood interview Spencer from Made in Chelsea
>> p12
• Music review Emmy the Great’s recent gig at the Arts Centre
>> p4
• Equus, recently at the Playhouse, is put under the spotlight in Arts
>> p15
Concrete Sport take a look at Sebastian Vettel’s second F1 World Championship