Issue
30.09.14
300
22nd January 1992 – 30th September 2014 concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA ConcreteNewspaper
NUS president challenges universities over “lad culture” and sexual harassment on campuses
COMMENT How Putin’s gamble in Ukraine has paid off
07 venue Win a signed
Wheatus poster! Ned Samuel News reporter Universities are being put under pressure to tackle “lad culture” by National Union of Students (NUS) president Toni Pearce, following a survey of 2,156 students recently undertaken byPolicy the Exchange NUS which shows a Photo: Flickr, prevalence of harassment and sexism on campuses nationwide. The survey indicates that a great deal of sexual harassment is taking place at universities, with women enduring far more than men. More direct sexism and the inability of people in universities to take sexual assault seriously have also been reported. 37% of women and 12% of men who took part said they had experienced unwanted groping and touching, and 36% of women and 16% of men said they had experienced unwanted sexual comments about their bodies. Twothirds of students reported seeing other students sexually harassed; the same number had heard rape and sexual assault jokes on campus, and a third said they had seen gender-based verbal harassment take place. The survey also suggested that there is a lack of awareness about how to deal with sexual harassment; 60% of students said they
Geri Scott takes a look back over 22 years and 300 editions of UEA’s student newspaper.
were unaware of any codes of conduct at their university or student union which could help them report perpetrators and get support. Pearce (pictured at right) has blamed the sexism and harassment on “lad culture”, which is typified by often competitive binge drinking and casual misogyny. Many students had seen promotional posters for club nights use sexualised images of women, and three quarters said they were aware of websites that endorse this culture, like The Lad Bible and Uni Lad, with many (63% of women, 43% of men) thinking the sites were degrading to women. In response, the NUS has launched a pilot scheme in some unions to assess the impact of “lad culture” and to try and combat it with the involvement of Pearce, as well as Laura Bates of the organisation Everyday Sexism. Pearce has also stressed that universities cannot continue with the “passing the buck approach” and instead “must acknowledge the problems and join us in confronting them”. Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, praised the research for helping increase understanding of the issue, but also said that there were services for students affected and that it was “an issue for society generally, not just one confined to university students”.
NUS president Toni Pearce Flickr, Policy Exchange
On the 22nd January 1992, the first edition of Concrete was published, boasting on the front page to be “UEA’s new independent student newspaper”. Some things have changed since then, as articles discuss the pros and cons of joining the NUS and the evolving nature of the polytechnic. But other things have stayed surprisingly the same, with some stories that wouldn’t look out of place in today’s publication. A front page story details how the Waterfront had been chosen to host the Radio One Soundcity Festival, and a features article on the various uses for condoms wouldn’t be out of place in our annual sex issue. Employment prospects for graduates was always a hot topic, and the reporting of Union Council decisions still present.
Back in 1992, Concrete had a Women’s section that discussed what should be done about sexual harassment and whether women were “still second-class citizens”. Judging by the front page headline, there are still parallels to be drawn. Whilst we can appreciate the importance of this at the time, we like to think that women are now prominent throughout the newspaper and do not need to be confined to the one page that we were previously given. Indeed, I’m personally proud to be the third in line of female editor-in-chiefs. Amongst other things that have stayed the same, there are match reports about the UEA Pirates, and the Women’s Rugby team, both of whom are still active today, as well as a piece on the Raising and Giving Society,
22 Inside Our special 20-
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commonly known as RAG, who organise the ever-popular Pimp my Barrow. Take a look at the enclosed Archive Supplement that Deputy Editor Peter Sheehan has worked extremely hard on for the last few weeks, of which we are all very proud. It gives a real insight into the direction that each editor has wanted to take Concrete and I hope it encourages you to get involved, whether that is through writing, proofreading or photography. As we continue to digitalise our archive, I’m really excited to see how Concrete evolved over the years. We hope to be able to unveil our archive in the next weeks, so keep your eyes peeled on social media for the announcement and take a look into the history of our campus and surrounding areas.
2
Editorial
editor’s column THE
W
Geri Scott Editor-in-Chief
“Media Day was a massive success and I personally was overwhelmed by the amount of interest in writing, proofreading and photography in regard to Concrete”
e’re celebrating our 300th birthday here at Concrete! 22 years from our first ever issue, weíre still going strong and publishing every fortnight. The tone and look of Concrete has changed quite dramatically over the years, starting off more tabloid-style than it is now,. You can see this for yourself in a couple of weeks time when we unveil our fully digitalised back archive - look out for that soon! Until then, take a peak at our Archive Supplement, which looks at some of the favourite articles from past editors, as well as a bit of explanation as to why they chose that particular article to stand out, and then some other stand-out stories. As Welcome Week 2014 draws to a close (we’re on the last night as this goes to print), editors turning up in the Concrete office are looking a little worse-for-wear. Along with UEA:TV and Livewire 1350 we’ve been at various events, interviewing acts and generally keeping you informed of what is going on! UEA:TV have been filming most of the events, so look out for those coming out soon to relive the night! On Friday 26th September we were lucky enough to take part in the Media Day organised by UEA|SU. For those of you that didn’t make it down, this was a day dedicated to showcasing
the UEA’s media societies, but also a chance for fantastic local businesses and organisations to chat to you about their successes and experiences in the world of media. The day went off with a bang, with Livewire 1350 broadcasting directly from UNIO out into the square, UEA:TV interviewing the different guests that were present, and Concrete getting out and about to hand out issues and engage with potential writers. Overall, it was a massive success and I personally was overwhelmed by the amount of interest in writing, proofreading and photography in regard to Concrete. More than that, I was again impressed by the commitment of my editorial team in turning up early on their day off. Coming up before the next issue we have our Big Meet on Friday 3rd October. This is at 18:30 in Congregation Hall 0.19, and this is where you can come along and hear from various section editors, as well as signing up to however many sections you fancy writing for! Come along and hear what we have to say! If you can’t make it to any of these events, you can still sign up to write, proofread or photograph for Concrete on the UEA|SU website (ueastudent.com) or by emailing any of the section editors, their details are on the right of this page!
Revolutionary lifestyle advice from the father of Communism
Comrade! My beard’s vitality is sustained from within by the revolutionary zeal of the proletariat. Only when you truly embrace communism and the righteous path of liberation will you achieve the volume and prowess of a Marxist beard. Oh, and I blow-dry it upsidedown for 20 minutes every day.
Dear Marx, Where do you stand on the reinterpretation of the proletariat in Chinese communist theory?
Marxist at all. Dear Karlie, I have just finished second year. I have no idea what to do with this thing called “the future”. Help me.
Comrade! Our comrades in China have applied my theory incompletely. The proletariat are a subjugated and oppressed industrial class, rather than agricultural labourers toiling in the fields as the working classes in pre-communist China were. The number of ‘workers’ as defined by myself and Mr Engels was minimal in comparison to the number of agrarian labourers, and hence the seizure of the means of production was orchestrated by revolting peasants, rather than proletarians. In this sense, Chinese Communism is not
Comrade! There is no higher calling than that of the cause. Work tirelessly; toil endlessly; fight ceaselessly. But on a practical note, you could always go to South America. They are always having revolutions (you would have thought that they could get it right first time, but apparently not), and are forever in need of men and women of stout heart and stalwart constitution. Think of the glory of Che Guevara: become El Che of the twentyfirst century – seize the means of production from the death grip of the ruling classes!
Do you have a question for Marx? concrete.deputy@uea.ac.uk
Dear Marx, How do you reconcile your need to complete your great life’s work and the need to live and love? Comrade! Love is a bourgeois notion. I have no need for it. I merely have a wife (and many other mistresses besides) out of necessity. I advise any person serious about the Communist cause to consider taking a similarly liberal approach to their sexual relations. After all, reproduction is simply another means of production... The production of more proletarians to feed the fires in the inexorable march towards full Communism!
As revealed to Peter Sheehan & Ella Gilbert
Corrections, clarifications & complaints It is the policy of Concrete to correct errors of which we become aware.
Complaints
In issue 299 (UEA’s new vice chancellor), we incorrectly stated that the university’s pro vice chancellor, academic, was Ian Ward; his name is Neil Ward.
If you wish to make a complaint about an article in the paper or on the website, or about a social media post, please email the editor (concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk) to explain the precise nature of your complaint and to clearly indicated the relevant article, passage or sentence. We will be pleased to respond to as soon as we are able.
In the Freshers’ Guide 2014 (A beginner’s guide to SocMart) we stated that sports association membership for this academic year costs £35, whereas it actually costs £45.
Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593 466 www.concrete-online.co.uk
Editor-in-chief Geri Scott concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy editor Peter Sheehan concrete.deputy@uea.ac.uk Managing editor Ella Gilbert concrete.managingeditor@uea.ac.uk Online editor Emily Fedorowycz concrete.online@uea.ac.uk News Elliot Folan & Dan Falvey concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Comment Joe Jameson concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk
AskMarx
Dear Marx, How do you attain such power and vitality – such alluring voluptuousness – with your beard?
The University of East Anglia’s independent student newspaper since 1992
In the Summer of Sport supplement (Premier League predictions) we misspelt Leicester when evaluating Leicester City Football Club.
Global Oliver Hughes concrete.global@uea.ac.uk Features Courtney Pochin concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Sci&Env Jacob Beebe concrete.scienv@uea.ac.uk Travel Jodie Snow concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Lifestyle Rebecca Bemment concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk Sport James Newbold & Kat Lucas concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk Chief copy editors Helena Bradbury & Frances McKeown concrete.copy@uea.ac.uk Chief photographers Will Cockram & Jacob Roberts-Kendell concrete.photography@uea.ac.uk Distribution manager Amit Puntambekar concrete.distribution@uea.ac.uk
Editorial inquiries concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.venue@uea.ac.uk Got a story? concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
Concrete welcomes all letters and emails, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Letters should be addressed to the editor-in-chief, and include contact details. All emails should be sent to concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk. We will consider anonymous publication, and reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Anonymous article submissions are permitted. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced through any means without the express permission of the editor, Geraldine Scott. Published by UUEAS Concrete Society ©2014 Concrete BMc ISSN 1351-2773
NEWS
NUS executive council votes to support free education demonstration Page 5
Vice chancellor hosts £550 dinner for senior UEA staff Exclusive
Mai-Vi Dang News reporter
Elliot Folan News editor Members of UEA’s decision-making body, University Council, were treated to a £550 dinner this month in the Vice Chancellor’s Wood Hall residence, Concrete can report. Information about the dinner was passed to Concrete by a previous full-time officer, and has been confirmed by the university. The dinner is a regular occurrence and is held to welcome new members of University Council, but this year the newly elected student union officers (who sit on University Council) declined to attend, as they were involved in the running of social activities for new students who arrived during Welcome Week. Despite student union officers declining the invitation, the dinner went ahead with the Vice Chancellor, the Chair of University Council and other new members. Other senior university staff also attended the dinner, where food and alcohol was served by UEA catering staff. A second dinner for Council as a whole will be held in December, at Vista on campus. According to the university, in 2013 the September dinner for new members cost £550 and the December dinner cost £815. When asked why the dinner was being held, despite two out of the three new members deciding not to attend, the university declined to offer any comment. Josh Wilson, Ethical Issues Officer at the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS), expressed outrage at the dinner, saying: “This is a ridiculous waste of students’ money, representing the difference between
Photo: Wikimedia, Jorge Royan the higher echelons of the university and ordinary workers. While we have a pay differential of 15:1 and the university still cannot confirm it can pay its subcontracted workers decently, this dinner is inappropriate. Figures from the National Union of Students suggest that students spend £50 a week on food, which means that the £550 price tag for this single dinner for a handful of senior UEA staff could feed the average student for eleven weeks”. University Council is the decision-making council of the University of East Anglia, composed of sixteen members including the
Student Union releases app Geri Scott Editor in chief The Union of UEA Students (UUEAS) have released a new app which aims to be a handy guide to UEA student life. The app, which was released in time for Welcome Week, lists recent articles from the student union’s website and upcoming events, as well as information on clubs and societies. The app also gives a direct link to media societies involved in the UEA Media Collective; Concrete, UEA:TV and Livewire 1350am. The app was a key part of Activities and Opportunities Officer Yinbo Yu’s manifesto pledge during the sabbatical officer elections. When approached for comment, Yinbo said: “We are so thrilled to make this brand new shining Union app happen before Welcome Week! And we are desperate for your feedback, please download it and help us make it even better!” To download the app, search for ‘UEA SU’ on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
University study finds later work submission linked to lower marks
Photo: Wikipedia, Ildar Sagdejev Photo: Pixabay, JEESHOOTS
Vice Chancellor, two Pro Vice Chancellors, seven independent members, two student union officers and other appointed members. The new members of University Council being welcomed this year include Dr Wendy Thompson - a former advisor to Tony Blair on public service reform - as well as Chris Jarvis, Campaigns & Democracy Officer at UUEAS, and Yinbo Yu, Activities and Opportunities Officer at UUEAS. Neither of the student union officers attended the dinner. Recent appointees to University Council also include Joe Greenwell CBE, a former Chairman of the Ford motor company and a UEA alumni.
Think again before you procrastinate next time. Researchers at Warwick Business School tracked the online assignment submission of 777 undergraduate marketing students for five years and concluded that marks can drop by 5% on average if you hand in work at the last minute. While students who submitted their work 24 hours before the deadline got an average mark of 64%, those who handed in their assignments in the last few minutes scored only 59% on average. Although the 5% difference may not seem shocking at first, it may push a student’s degree classification lower. Work submitted two to 12 hours before the cut-off received a 63% on average, which is still slightly lower. Details to all findings are reported in the paper “Time of Submission: An Indicator of Procrastination and a Correlate of Performance on Undergraduate Marketing Assignments”. Researchers said that these results draw students’ attention to the risks of submitting work at the last minute. They argue that it is a wake-up call to procrastinators, and a warning call to all students, especially firstyear undergraduates, to improve on their study skills. The paper’s co-author, Dr. David Arnott, principal teaching fellow in Marketing and e-Business at Warwick said: “If this can be eradicated in a student’s first year, it may aid the output degree classification and employability of our students”. Therefore, although lecturers may not be surprised by these findings, they certainly should be more aware of guiding students to form more effective study habits. Universities can help students make the most out of their undergraduate studies by spending more time on teaching study habits and time management skills, said researchers. Co-author Dr Scott Dacko, associate professor of marketing and strategic management, notes the “quite alarming” fact that some universities are failing to provide students with study skills. He recommended that universities “enhance students’ ability to organise themselves and self-regulate learning and their subsequent confidence in their abilities is evident”.
Photo: Wikipedia, Ildar Sagdejev
4
News
Policy to remove cap on students “was put together rapidly” Dan Falvey News editor Nick Hillman, a former adviser to the exuniversities minister David Willets, has criticised the coalition’s policy to remove the cap on the number of students that universities can take in each year, claiming the plan was rushed. In a report for the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), Hillman claims that the government’s policy has not been properly thought through and “remains fuzzy”. Mr Hillman says that “there will be clearer incentives for institutions to recruit EU students” once the cap is removed and “the challenges in collecting loan repayments from people outside the UK will become even more significant”. According to the National Audit Office, almost half of all students from mainland Europe are failing to pay back their student loan, causing a £5.7bn gap unaccounted for in public finances. While the government claims that the extra places will be funded in full, future politicians may reverse the commitment. In turn, this policy could lead to university budgets being stretched. The result of which may see universities having to increase class sizes to cover the costs. Hillman’s report for the HEPI highlights that the consequence of this would be “a substantial decline in the unit of resource (the amount of money spent on an individual student’s education)”. With the majority of student halls at full occupancy across the country and many
Photo: Wikimedia, dannyman private rented ‘student friendly’ houses taken each year, the removal of the cap may also have severe implications for the housing of students. However, despite the criticisms by the exadviser, a spokesman for the Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills has said that the removal of the cap on student numbers is a “crucial reform”. The spokesman also stated that the change in policy would help “to make a reality of the Robbins ambition that university should be
open to all who are qualified by ability and attainment. “This year has seen record numbers of young people admitted to university; including the highest ever number of people from disadvantaged areas”.
Mental health event to be held in UEA square UUEAS to focus on fees, wages and cuts to DSA
Ned Samuel News reporter An event concerning mental health called ‘Time to Talk in the Square’ is to be held at UEA during Mental Health Week in October. The event is being held by mental health nursing student Katherine Ford, in association with the group Time to Change. Ford said that the purpose of the event was to destigmatise mental health and help affected students find support. The event is independent from the Union of UEA Students (UUEAS). She told Concrete she hadn’t seen anything about mental health during the Fresher’s Fair, and had “found it odd”. She said: “I think studying and moving to uni is a very positive and exciting change in people’s lives, but can also be very daunting. Students need to know what support is available to them and where and how they can access it”. A representative from the Dean of Students’ Office will be attending to help students find support. As well as any difficulties students may have in finding support, mental health stigma, which the event seeks to challenge, has been seen as a problem on campus as well as at a national level. Time to Change’s website argues that discrimination and the threat of it isolates sufferers, makes it harder for them to remain employed, and makes them less likely to seek help. Ford added that she’d received help with setting up the event from the regional coordinator of Time to Change, Maddi Cassell. It will be held on Wednesday the 8th of October, during Mental Health Awareness Week, from 10am to 4pm. Their gazebo and banner will be visible in the UEA square. UUEAS told Concrete that they have a number of support groups dedicated to mental health, including UEA Chronic and UEA Student Minds.
Elliot Folan News editor
Flickr, David Terrar UUEAS also claimed that one of their priorities in 2014-15 is to get UEA to sign the Time to Change pledge and said that every Liberation Officer had pledged to increase mental health
support in their manifestos and were working to do so. One in four people will suffer from mental health problems at some point in their lives.
The Union of UEA Students have announced their campaign priorities for 2014-15, including campaigns against cuts to disability support and opposition to accomodation fee rises. The campaign priorities mark a shift from previous years, where the student union has focused on academic issues, such as exam feedback and anonymous marking. While the union will continue to act in its traditional role as an advocate for students’ academic experience, it is also set to focus on four broad issues: cost of living, employment, postgraduate and international student fees, and opposing cuts to student disability support. The specific campaign pledges include: pushing for all workers at UEA and in Norwich to be paid the living wage; pushing for accomodation fee increases to only rise in line with government maintenance grants; pushing to reduce hidden course costs; calling on UEA to publically oppose cuts to disability support and to fill any funding gap for disability support; calling on UEA to cap postgraduate fees and pushing for a guarantee that international students pay the same fees for the duration of their course. The campaigns were launched at a Student Forum on Thursday 25th September, where union officers took to the stage to explain the campaigns and invite people to take part. Details of the campaigns can be found at www.ueastudent.com/ourcampaigns
News
High cost of university affecting new students’ academic preparation Dan Falvey News editor
76
The proportion of students who research what financial help is available from their university before they start their course.
Cuts to student disability support delayed Ned Samuel News reporter
Results from a Which? University survey have revealed that prior to the start of term, new students spend more time worrying about their finances than investigating their precourse work. The results indicated that over three quarters of new university students research into what financial help is available from their university, while just over one in five school leavers look up their reading lists and other study related tasks. The survey also revealed that 65% of students were already starting to consider what part-time jobs would be available to them at university, before they got their A-level results. The results add to the damning picture
%
5
Controversial cuts and changes to the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which were due to be introduced in the next academic year, have been delayed by the new Universities and Science Minister, Greg Clark. The cuts are instead planned for introduction in the 20162017 academic year. Previous Universities and Science Minister David Willets, who announced the changes in April, had spoken of his wish to “modernise” the DSA through measures such as taking the DSA from some students entirely, redefining what counts as disability by bringing it in line
£200 Photo: Flickr, Mike and Annabel Beales
The amount that disabled students will have to contribute to their disability support
NUS votes to support free education demo
with the 2010 Equality Act, cutting funding for equipment like computers, and only paying for “specialist accommodation… in exceptional circumstances”. He was called “arrogant and out of touch” by the NUS, with the proposed changes being branded “unfair”. Clark has said the reason for the delay in the cuts is because “concern was conveyed that some universities may not be able to meet their obligations in full by the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year, given their need to invest in additional support for their students.” Universities are being given time to create new ways to support disabled students and improve the processes by which students who receive the DSA can appeal against cuts to their personal allowance. Clark said of the academic year starting in 2015 that the government will continue to provide the DSA “to help with the additional cost of a computer and assistive software if needed solely because of the student’s impairment”, yet with the new caveat that the student must front the first £200 of the costs. The initial changes were subject to “equality analysis” by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, an investigation which is ongoing.
Labour Students, the student wing of the Labour Party and an active grouping within the NUS, expressed opposition to the motion over social media. Michael Rubin, a Labour Students member and member of the NUS NEC, said that a 2012 education demo organised by the NUS had failed: “No-one listened, no-one cared and we all got very damp”. “[This demo] is the wrong tactic for the wrong reasons”, Michael said. “Less than 10 months out from the general election, we can’t afford to carry on being self-indulgent and wasting our time on tactics that won’t deliver for the students we were elected to represent. While thousands of students are about to be taking off the electoral register by a Tory-Lib Dem coalition terrified of the student vote, I struggle to see how a national demo changes the outcome of the general election”. However, other members of the NEC defended the demo. James Elliott, an NUS NEC member and member of the NCAFC National Committee said: “It is great that the NUS has followed the mandate of conference to campaign for free education. We know that free education is not won just by passing policy, but by taking concrete action on the streets and in our communities and colleges.
David Willets, the Conservative minister who suggested cuts to DSA Wikimedia, Policy Exchange
of financial stress while at university. Just three weeks ago, a study by Gocompare.com highlighted that 23% of students contemplated dropping out of university because of financial difficulties. The new findings from Which? University imply that time that should be spent studying is instead spent on investigating money issues, which is therefore having an effect on students’ learning. Speaking on behalf of Which? University, Sonia Sodha said: ‘‘For many students, starting university means living independently for the first time, so it’s encouraging to hear freshers have been thinking about how to budget. A student loan will only stretch so far, so making the most of financial support available from universities and considering part-time work
Elliot Folan News editor The executive council of the National Union of Students (NUS) has voted to throw its weight behind a demonstration which will call for the abolition of tuition fees. The protest – organised by a coalition of student activists, including the Student Assembly Against Austerity, the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC) and the Young Greens – is due to take place on 19th November. Protesters will call for free education and the abolition of student debt, funded through “ending tax evasion and avoidance”, “imposing serious taxes on the incomes…of the rich” and “taking the banks, and their wealth, under democratic control”. The NUS National Executive Council’s (NEC) vote follows a motion passed at NUS National Conference, which committed the NUS to free education. Proponents of the November demonstration argued that this provided a mandate for the NUS to back the demo, although opponents pointed out that the same conference saw delegates reject a proposal for the NUS to hold its own demonstration on the issue.
Which? University have put together a small guide to help students successfully manage their finances.
Shop smart. Make sure to do your food shopping in the evenings for reduced buys and check out any nearby or oncampus markets.
Make a weekly budget. Deduct your rent and other outgoings from your budget, then split the remainder up into the number of weeks you have at uni.
Travel cheaper. Make those visits home a lot less costly by investing in a young person’s railcard or coachcard.
Curb course costs. Many universities run second-hand book sales, allowing you to buy cheaper books from older students (and then sell them on once you’ve finished).
Supplement your student loan with a part-time job. Many universities offer lots of flexible, part-time work you can fit around your studies.
to fit in around studies will help students take control”. Commenting on the issue, the Green Party’s candidate for the 2015 general election, Lesley Grahame, said: “Education benefits everyone, not just those that receive it, and universities benefit society as a whole. The
policy of gradual marketisation of higher education distracts students, teachers and everyone connected to higher education with the bureaucracy of debt. Young people need the opportunity to expand on their learning without being saddled by burdensome money woes”.
Flickr, Mike and Annabel Beales I am glad that the NUS has caught up with the students it represents who have already been working hard to build the demonstration”. The Union of UEA Students (UUEAS) supports free education but has not yet taken a position on the demo. Chris Jarvis, Campaigns & Democracy Officer at UUEAS, said: “As of yet, UUEAS hasn’t made a decision as to whether it will be funding people to attend the demonstration on the 19th. UUEAS policy on Higher Education funding currently calls for the shift away from fees and supports the move towards free education for all on the grounds the education should be a right not a privilege”.
6
Global
What is America’s problem with guns? Oliver Hughes Global editor Today, over thirty people will have been killed by gunshot in the US. That isn’t due to some mass shooting – the likes of which happen all too often – but a simple average. Last year, approximately 14,000 people were killed by gunshot, which amounts to around 38 people per day. From Sandy Hook to a poorly instructed nine year old – people in America die all too easily from guns. Another perhaps even more shocking statistic is that since Sandy Hook – December 14th 2012 – more people have been shot dead in the US than died in the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pearl Harbor combined. Yet the situation is more complex than that. One could easily say that if you take away the guns, the means to shoot people is removed, leading to fewer deaths. But things are sadly not that simple. While taking America’s guns away would likely contribute to a reduction in gun crime, the problem is more societal than that. One only has to draw comparisons with Europe to see why. Switzerland and Iceland are two countries that have more guns than people, like the US. Every person in Switzerland goes through military service and receives a weapon that they then keep. Yet public shootings in Switzerland are incredibly low. In fact, only 0.52 people per 100,000 – think of this as one person in 200,000 – gets killed by a firearm in a homicide every year. The population of Switzerland, incidentally, is about eight million. The US, on the other hand, loses about 3.6 people per 100,000 – so seven people per 200,000. The population of the US, meanwhile, is about 315 million. This isn’t counting suicides – which account for approximately twice as many deaths than homicide – unidentified deaths, or accidental ones. In fact, accidental deaths in the US per 100,000 are the same as the homicide rate in Iceland – 0.3 per 100,000. Iceland loses just a single person on average to gun violence every year from its population of about 325,000 – and as stated above, there are more guns than people in Iceland. The problems that lead to so many deaths, then, must be greater than merely the presence of firearms. America has often been criticised for its attitude towards firearms: flippant and careless. The diner where the nine year old girl
Japan’s greying time-bomb Oliver Hughes Global editor Japan’s government is worried. The population currently sits at 127 million, but with the largest proportion of over-65s in the world, they project that the population will have shrunk by 40 million by 2060. This does not bode well for their ailing economy, either, with those same estimates showing that 40% of that 87 million will be 65 or older. A social security disaster looms, not to mention an amplification of Japan’s current struggles to remain competitive with its larger neighbours China, the US, and even South Korea. Why has this been happening? A steady decline in birth rate since WWII, coupled with bubble and bust economics, and, most critically, an extremely sexually repressed society. Fewer young men and women are getting married – the age Japanese men lose their virginity continues to rise, as the act of approaching a woman is seen as shameful and taboo. Sex
Photo: Flickr, M. Glasgow recently shot her shooting instructor – albeit accidentally – was called ‘Bullets n Burgers’. This is evidential of a disregard for the danger firearms can present. The presence of the Castle Doctrine – a law that permits homeowners to shoot and kill intruders – has contributed to many accidental deaths by firearm as people think a friend or relative in their home is actually an intruder. It has also been shown that owning a firearm puts your own family more at risk than anyone else. One also must consider the actions of US law enforcement organisations, which have shot and killed over 5,000 people since 9/11 – just over 400 a year. Publicised cases like Ferguson are regrettably only drops in the ocean, as police shoot multiple people without need every continues to take place (even at increased rates) in love hotels and the like – but the lack of couples reproducing and families growing continues to be a source of real concern. What can be done? Japan’s government has reluctantly begun to reduce the strictness of its immigration laws, hoping to encourage annual immigration of around 200,000 – the population from 2012 to 2013 declined by about 250,000. A small boost in the birth rate coupled with this level of immigration should be enough to resolve the issue. The problem is encouraging Japanese people to have children. Sekkusu Shinai Shokogun – celibacy syndrome – is a very real issue. 25% of men and 45% of women aged 1624 have admitted to not looking for sex. In 2005, 60% of women and 72% of men were surveyed as never having been married. Raising a child out of a family is impractical for economic reasons and socially taboo – especially if one is raising that child alone. With arranged marriages no longer being commonplace, many men simply do not know how to approach women – the hikikomori (social recluses) constitute over a million young men in Japan. If Japan’s youth do not break their cultural and social barriers regarding sex, the population will only suffer as a result – leading to an economic crisis and downward spiral they perhaps never will recover from.
month. Compared to other nations with armed police like Australia and Germany, who have not had 25 shootings in a year from police, this is astronomically large. In fact, the Los Angeles Police Department fired more bullets in 2013 than the entire German police force. Does crime in Los Angeles really necessitate such ‘legal’ violence? The most compelling evidence, however, comes from the statistical evidence. A study called ‘The Geography of Gun Deaths’ performed statistical analysis of data on the background of all those who died from gun violence in America. The results demonstrate that those who suffer from the violence are typically those who are impoverished and among the poorest in the US. Detroit, for
Photo: Issei Kato/Reuters
example, the first city in the US to declare bankruptcy, is also one of the cities with the highest rates of gun crime. This data offers two conclusions as to what America’s problem with guns is. Firstly, the right wing, southern states – the ones that have the loosest gun laws – are generally the ones with the highest rates of gun crime. But this is also affected by the fact that these Southern states are also among the poorest – the more affluent, predominantly white, northern states suffer a lot less. Gun crime is evidently as much a societal issue as a political one. Removing guns from the USA will not resolve the problem entirely – the complete solution lies in the emancipation of the working classes and the relief of those in poverty.
COMMENT
The Mars One mission; the next “giant leap for mankind”? Cassie O’Brien Page 8
How Putin’s gamble in Ukraine has paid off Matt Finucane Concrete columnist
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kraine’s recent signing of the EU Association Agreement had all the hallmarks of a great political triumph— from President Petro Poroshenko’s “Slava Ukrayini!” (Glory to Ukraine) on Twitter, to the bouts of anthem-singing in Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, every impression that Ukraine had finally prevailed in its year-long political crisis was given. In reality, however, a beleaguered Rada had signed a bill hours earlier capitulating to most of Russia’s demands. A striking example of taking the rough with the smooth, this bill granted pro-Russian (and Russian-sponsored) fighters in Ukraine’s eastern provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk amnesty and self-rule for a period of three years. Unlike the seizure of Crimea in March, these territories will not be formally enveloped into the Russian Federation, but are no less valuable. While Crimea furnished Russia with a casus belli for serious intervention, should its status be violently challenged, the creation of a ‘frozen conflict’, not dissimilar to those in Russia’s other, smaller neighbours, gives Moscow unparalleled influence over Ukraine’s sovereign and domestic affairs. The seizure of Crimea solved two longstanding issues for Russia; firstly the territorial difficulties of the stationing of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on Ukrainian territory, whilst also soothing any fears that vital Russian security architecture would fall into NATO’s hands, were Ukraine to one day join. The acquiescence to the Russian-sponsored rebels in the east goes one further, and the leverage it provides is already evident. The Association Agreement might have been signed, but Russian interference has already ensured that Ukraine’s free trade
Anna Quay Concrete columnist
S Photo: Yahoo aspect will be delayed by 14 months, and that Ukraine will not sign any document that might preclude its further integration with Russia’s rival to the EU, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). It is unlikely that Ukraine will ever join the EEU, but this is largely the point. Since any attempt to alter the quick-setting status quo would likely prompt a resumption of hostilities, a thawing of the ‘frozen conflict’, Ukraine’s neutrality in the long-term is now guaranteed. This is a conclusion in which the West is complicit. For all the verbal support and encouragement lent to Ukraine by Western pundits and policy-makers alike, it is worth
remembering their habit of being prodigal with words yet frugal with actions. This allows Russia to exploit this tendency and frame Western countries as toothless as well as selfserving. Unlike the USSR, Russia has succeeded in its efforts to build global alliances, as nations uncomfortable with American hegemony quietly congratulate Russia, recognise its interests in Ukraine, and, in the case of China, even help shield it from Western sanctions. A western world being quickly re-acquainted with the nature of international geopolitical relations, has only one option remaining: to get serious with both its rhetoric and its resolve.
Are lazy youth to blame for poor employment prospects? Chris Donaldson Concrete columnist
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earing about youth employment prospects rarely brings much joy to the student population; the ‘sunny’ economic climate seems to be having a hard time breaking through the cloud cover hovering over our age group. A recent outburst on youth unemployment by the Chief Schools inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, blamed the poor quality of education and training for 16-19 years olds, leading them to join, the unhelpfully named “army of 1.2 million Neets” (those Not in Employment, Education or Training). Supposedly these programmes are not preparing young people for the world of work; in the words of Sir Michael, young people are, “far too relaxed in terms of meeting deadlines” and “lackadaisical in the way they present themselves for work”. While Sir Michael’s views may initially seem to reflect those of at least one acquaintance of most students, to trivialise his remarks by branding them ‘satirical’ masks the darker implied meaning of his point, which is, essentially: if you shape up, you get the job you want. In his own words, “If [you] dress inappropriately, speak inappropriately and have poor social skills, [you] are not going to get a job”. However, what are the chances of a young person growing up in a low-income household getting a job they want compared to someone from a high-income household
Photo: J J Ellison applying for the same job? It is not ludicrous to state that the job market is skewed in favour of the richer among us. These days the young face a world altogether different than the one Sir Wilshaw grew up in. The impact of globalisation and economic modernisation means young people find themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The youth market see their worth reflected poorly in wages offered by companies for their skills, which are pushed down by companies’ relentless drive for increased profits and opportunities for employers to relocate to where wages are cheaper. So we are left with the fact that salaries have decreased in real terms, unpaid internships are the norm, and youth unemployment remains stubbornly high. Labour is cheap for those in power and as jobs become scarce, connections are more important than ever. Income inequality is growing in the UK and
this is becoming a serious issue which must be met head-on in order to guarantee sustainable growth in the future. This government has promoted policies that has introduced competitive, commercialised education policies, so Sir Wilshaw shouldn’t be surprised that some academies and free schools refuse to allow students to stay on once they fail to pass their GCSEs. They compete in a marketplace also, and they need to present good students with good marks. The young who need the most attention get left behind. The sad fact is that whilst those in charge of the current education system may have decided to blame young people for the results of their meddling in a vital public service young people need not be so self-critical. We are the most innovative age group of the working population and can apply ourselves to meet this challenge, despite our modern approach.
cotland. Oh dear. Where to start? There was such promise offered by the referendum – the chance for a new nation to blaze a trail and radically deviate from the Westminster status quo. Perhaps it is optimistic, but an independent Scotland could have been a positive example for the rest of the UK – as a nation that removed its ties to nuclear weapons and Trident, a nation that protected its citizens’ health by preserving the integrity of the NHS, a nation that invested heavily in renewable energy instead of relying on destructive fossil fuels. An independent Scotland would have been terrible news for England – especially in the coming decades as energy becomes less secure due to geopolitical wrangling and diminishing fossil fuel reserves – because Scotland has access to North Sea oil and gas, as well as vast natural energy resources, as anyone who has ever been to the windy highlands can probably understand. However, it would have demonstrated that energy autonomy can work. Now of course, none of that will happen, and unionists everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief that nothing will dramatically dent the way of things. Things will not be the same though – the referendum has drastically increased voter engagement and involved a huge proportion of the population in politics. Allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote boosted the number of young people interested in these issues, which cannot be a bad thing. Yet the referendum has polarised and divided opinion – pushing many people further to the fringes of politics. The success of the No campaign saw worrying displays of far-right nationalist zeal, as gangs of skinheads and unionist thugs wielding Union Jacks descended on the streets of Glasgow, and twitter users reported pro-Union supporters seig heiling. The other end of the spectrum has also seen increases, but the left (as usual) seemed divided on its approach to Scottish independence. While many on the left promoted the idea of an independent Scotland in light of what it could demonstrate to the rest of the country, others rejected the idea – on the basis that creating more borders and divisions between people is the polar opposite of what an internationalist approach should aim for. Left-wing comparisons with antiimperialist struggles are also somewhat misplaced – although Scotland is governed by a distant Parliament with little concern for Scottish issues, it is hardly as subjugated as the ex-colonies. Indeed, Scotland played a key part in British imperialism and the oppression of people in countries like India and Jamaica. Once again, a divided left response to critical issues has been its downfall – and represents a missed opportunity. The issues are unlikely to go away, however, and the face of Scottish politics has been altered irreversibly: something acknowledged by Alex Salmond’s resignation.
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Comment
This is Mars calling
Concrete examines the controversial Mars One program, which aims to establish a human colony on Mars by 2025, funded by a reality television show documenting the experience of the astronauts. Cassie O’Brien Concrete columnist
I Photo: Pixabay.co.uk
A living wage, not a poverty wage Danny Turner Concrete columnist
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he Living Wage is a simple concept: an hourly rate of £7.65, or slightly higher in London, as independently calculated by the University of Loughborough, based on what members of the public consider a “minimum acceptable standard of living”. Disappointingly, the University of East Anglia has no plans to ensure that its lowest paid members of staff are paid this rate. The Living Wage is not an act of charity: paying workers a fair wage for their living gives workers dignity, reduces sickness and absence rates as well as helping to improve staff retention rates. Staff such as cleaners and caterers are a crucial and hardworking part of the UEA community, working unsocial hours to provide essential services, yet many of them are not given the self-sufficiency that the Living Wage would provide. When the University fails to pay a living wage, it is local support groups, council services and national welfare systems that pick up the bill for its decision not to grant staff independence and dignity. It is immoral and irresponsible for employers to expect these support networks to compensate their low wages; the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has confirmed that, most people in poverty in the UK are now in paid employment. The decision to pay a Living Wage has already been made by many local institutions
such as Aviva, Norwich City Council, City College Norwich and Anglia Ruskin. Additionally, the Living Wage is supported by both Norwich MPs and the prospective Labour candidates. If a fair wage is good enough for these institutions, then surely it is good enough for a world-class university like UEA? Students, staff and the wider public are tired of the old, discredited doctrine that higher-paid members of staff need to be incentivised with inflation-busting pay rises whilst lower-paid staff should be paid the minimum rise possible to increase “efficiency”. Higher education suffers from pay differentials higher than that in other areas of the public sector; if university heads reduced their pay to £140, 000 the pay rate of the current Minister for Higher Education, that would be enough to raise all Higher education staff on minimum wage to the living wage. A study by the Fair Pay League confirms that there is no correlation between salary rates for university heads and their university rankings. This means that pay inequality in universities is not being directed by some invisible hand of the market, it is simply the result of institutional decisions and biases. UEA Student Union motion #1515 supports a living wage at UEA, as do campus trades unions. As a UEA postgraduate student, I will be supporting both the students’ union and trades unions such as Unison campaigning for a living wage over the coming months.
n 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. Now, more than forty years later, the Mars One mission is working towards the next ‘giant leap for mankind’, establishing a permanent human colony on the Red Planet by 2025. In May 2012, Dutch entrepreneur Bas Lansdorp announced the organisation’s intentions to send 24 people on an expedition to Mars, in aim of becoming the planets first human residents. Contrary to what many people believe, that life on Mars is a concept belonging exclusively to science fiction, Mars One claims the technology required to support settlement on Mars already exists. Their plan is for six cargo missions to be sent to Mars over the next ten years, to prepare for the arrival of the first four settlers in 2025. Five more teams of four will then join them at two year intervals, with the possibility for further expansion in the future. For many, this represents the opportunity of a lifetime. By September 2013, almost 3000 applications had been submitted and 1058 applicants from 107 different countries have since made it through to the second stage. The project is still in its early stages, and is by no means the sole organisation involved in this 21st century space race. However, the Mars One mission has been the particular focus of media attention for two reasons. Firstly, given that the aim is to create a permanent settlement on Mars, and that it is not currently possible to safely launch a return flight, this would be a one-way trip; the twenty-four colonists would be saying goodbye to their friends and family for good. Mars One have compared the situation to that of people who emigrated during the 1960s, many of whom would have been unable to afford a return ticket and believed they’d never come back. They may not have realised that, thirty years on, travel between continents would be far more routine. “Perhaps at some
point,” Mars One suggest on their website, “A trip to Mars will be just as commonplace”, implying the one-way trip may not be as irrevocable as it seems, although obviously this is by no means a guarantee. However, even more controversial are the plans for each stage of the mission to be documented for a reality TV programme, created by the people behind Big Brother. This is where a large proportion of the projects funding is to come from. Mars One have also suggested bringing other aspects of reality TV to the mission, among them proposals to include an audience vote in the selection of the colonists for the first launch. Whilst people may look favourably upon the idea of being an active participant in this potentially world-changing venture, it does raise certain question about the ethics of the proposition. Is it fair to expect the colonists to perform for the camera under such challenging circumstances, which they no doubt will feel pressured to do, if they have to take into account a public vote? What would happen in the event of any problems or issues once the colonists have arrived on Mars and are completely out of reach of any assistance from Earth; would these incidents still to be televised? The one-way trip factor should also to be taken into account; it implies the colonists would be unable to opt out of this arrangement. Would we watch them for the entirety of the rest of their lives? Would the programme close by broadcasting their deaths, millions of miles from home? The culture of voyeurism surrounding reality TV is already cause for concern; this seems a step too far. The Mars One mission has been the subject of much criticism; many believe it will never take off. Nevertheless, it is important for these questions to be asked. In the event of a successful launch, those twenty-four colonists won’t just be the first residents on Mars; they will be ambassadors for the human race. Let’s make sure it is a human race we can be proud of.
A surprsing verdict over weight loss ‘shaming’? Ellen Musgrove Concrete columnist
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recent study into obesity has found that “fat-shaming” is an ineffective, in fact, a counter-effective, method of encouraging weight loss. The investigation, conducted by researchers at University College London, spanned the day-to-day experiences of 2,944 participants over four years. 5% of these reported weightbased discrimination, of whom 1% were categorically of “normal weight”, and 36% morbidly obese. Those who had experienced shaming tended to gain weight – on average 0.95kg – whereas those who had not reported success in their attempts to lose weight. The findings led researchers to this apparently ground-breaking conclusion: that exacerbating a patient’s self-esteem issues, in order to help them combat a problem which is itself a reaction to lack of self-esteem, is an unwise approach. This information was personally unsurprising, as it no doubt is to anyone with at
least a gram of human compassion. Also unsurprising is the day-to-day discrimination faced by participants, in our image-obsessed society. Far too many of us are at best insensitive, at worst cruel and simply rude, where physical appearance is concerned. The truly shocking revelation is the fact that “fat-shaming” is such common practice among health professionals. On a purely emotional level, bullying someone into ac-
“Psychological harm should be avoided with the same care as physical harm” tion when that person, in all likelihood, suffers from extremely low self-esteem and motivation, is counter-intuitive. Humans are creatures of habit, and changing habits is a daunting task when they have evolved into deeply entrenched coping mechanisms. Logically this ought to be common sense, the phrase “adding fuel to the fire”, comes to mind, not to mention the fact that anywhere
connected with health care ought to be a safe environment. Psychological harm should be avoided with the same awareness as physical harm, and yet it would seem that our health service is still operating under the archaic notion that the mind and body are unconnected. It is difficult to accept that one’s lifestyle must radically be changed; that one has entered into a destructive and compromising spiral. Simple compassion, however, is clearly not reason enough for many health professionals to avoid the shaming method, which points to an industrial bias. Dr Sarah Jackson of UCL reported that “stress responses to discrimination can increase appetite.” In a nutshell, this occurs because the neurological systems which regulate stress and eating behaviour are connected. A person’s appetite is likely, therefore, to increase according to the level of stress they are experiencing; and since discrimination causes stress responses, it follows that “fatshaming” will not aid weight loss. This is also evident for cognitive reasons. Jackson stated that people reported “comfort eating”,
and “feeling less confident about physical activity”, when they have experienced shaming. So what is the best approach to helping people lead a beneficial lifestyle? This will never be an easy issue to approach, given
“No-one ought to be forced into action which concerns their own body” that the meaning of a “beneficial lifestyle” will change from person to person. Noone ought to be forced into any kind of action which concerns their own body; government and health authorities, in conjunction with education services, should make lifestyle information clear, concise and readily available. Positive support and encouragement should be provided for those who seek it, and are ready to take autonomous action. The idea of punishing a person for a genuine psychological issue with which they struggle is repulsive.
Comment 9 The Scottish referendum: a democratic, constitutional revolution? Freddie Lyon Concrete columnist
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he referendum held only just over a week ago, on the 18th September, as to whether Scotland should become an independent nation had many political observers clutching the edge of the sofa, watching intently as Huw Edwards informed us of the crucial result. Our country began to question itself, and fear for its future. The only poll during the whole campaign to put the Yes campaign in the lead sent shockwaves of fear through the British public as, for the first time since the referendum had been announced, many thought that perhaps the Yes campaign would be victorious. The leaders of the main UK parties were ridiculed for their rushed, rear-guard action in which they pleaded with the Scottish voters to choose to maintain part of our great nation, while it did seem desperate it does not mean that those in the rest of the UK were smug and belittling the desires of the SNP, but simply sure in their belief in the Union and that it was worth maintaining. The referendum has changed the landscape of British politics for the foreseeable future; with talks of extra powers for the Scottish Parliament being fast-tracked through Whitehall, citizens of the rest of the UK have suddenly noticed the totalitarian level of economic, political and social centralisation which London has been slowly amassing since the ‘highs’ of the
Photo: Thisismoney.co.uk British Empire, and have begun to question it, as many have long feared they would. The sudden calls for additional regional devolution in Wales and Northern Ireland as well as the prospect of “English votes for English laws” demonstrate the inherent tendency of the British constitution to remain static, and the on-off love affair this country has with constitutional reform. Is it, then, a genuine lack of interest in politics which is driving voters away from the polls? The Scots have shown, through the remarkably high 84.5% turnout rate, that
this is not the case; politics is, if anything, an increasingly important social driver. The disenfranchisement which has defined the last 20 years in British political history has been brought on by the way in which we have decided to partake in politics. Furthermore, this has fueled the increasingly apparent disconnection between Westminster and the country’s population, who have chosen to back parties such as UKIP, who, by their own admission, are seen as outside the ‘political establishment’. It is in the aftermath of the count which we have discovered that there is,
and not just in Scotland, serious public concern with where power lies within our country, and that too often it seems unaccountable. Politics has become too impersonal, too confrontational and too strategic, how can politicians claim to know how they can ‘help people’ when they only visit marginal seats in general elections? Democratic processes in this country have become too complex and layered despite major population centres outside of London, such as Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool being left out in the cold as the mentality that “what is good for London, must be good for the country” now forms the backbone of national policy. The No vote in Scotland was not a vote for the continuation of the status quo, as many decided it would be, but rather a vote for change; change to our politics and change to our country. It is the flexibility of our constitution which gives us this fantastic ability to question our political, social and economic arrangements and alter it to suit modern societal realities. Although the Yes campaign failed in its aim to convince the Scottish public that Scotland was a viable independent nation held back by the shackles of Westminster, it did succeed in causing the British public to question their own relationship with London. If this is a ‘united kingdom’ then it is paramount that the cities and regions are given more say over the things which matter to them and their communities, for democracy to work, the people must have their say, and it is simply unsustainable to continue to deny them this.
#RECYCLINGREVOLUTION
Features
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Courtney Pochin, spoke to Operation Beautiful founder, Sarah-Joy Wiskes, about the Student in a Million awards and being a role model at university.
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he world’s largest online student community, The Student Room recently held their annual ‘Student in a Million’ awards, where users were asked to nominate some of the inspirational people around them for awards such as inner strength, overcoming adversity and unsung hero. Former UEA student, Sarah-Joy Wickes, was nominated in the Student Role Model category because of her brilliant work on campus with Operation Beautiful UEA, a society dedicated to making UEA an environment that nurtures rather than suffocates individuality and self-love, which she is the founder of. With hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes it seems as if the awards were a big success, and despite not winning in her category, Sarah seems to have a fantastic experience with them. Here’s what she had to say about it all...
So Operation Beautiful UEA has been doing wonderful things on campus, spreading positive messages and bringing people together. How did you get started with the whole thing? Operation Beautiful was an idea I found online years ago. The premise was to make someone’s day by writing compliments on post-it notes and leaving them in places they’ll easily be found... such as mirrors, inside library books, on doors, etc. It was something I did for a while during A Levels, but forgot about during uni applications. I’d always had problems with body image, but it was at the start of uni that I started ticking all the requirements for bulimia, and it wasn’t till 2013 that I was given help. Then, when I finished my recovery in January, I came out publicly about my ED in the Tab. A lot of people read it and circulated it, so I thought I might as well use that to do something good. So I used the publicity from that to start a new wave of post-it noting at UEA, and the success of that turned into OBUEA.
Wow, that’s really great that you could turn something that was a problem into something so positive! How did it feel when you discovered that you were nominated in the student in a million awards?
Thank you! I was dumb-struck. I’ve always considered myself as someone who’s blended into the crowd, and even with OBUEA I was hidden behind the internet... so to be recognized was just this huge thing for me. Of course I didn’t win in my category, but it was a massive honour to be there and be nominated at all.
I’m sad you didn’t win, but I’m sure the experience overall was awesome. So that leads to my next question, what was it like at the actual award ceremony, meeting the other nominees? I looked through the list and some of their stories were insane!
Now that you’ve graduated, do you still intend to be involved with OBUEA? Or are you planning to do similar work elsewhere? Well now that OBUEA is becoming an official society I can’t be a formal member. Though I can’t be an official committee member, I still do a lot for the page, and I imagine I’ll have some say in things from a back seat for old time’s sake.
That’s understandable. Do you have any hopes for its future? Things you wanted to do with it but never got the chance? Honestly, my hope is still that other unis will catch on and set up similar societies with the same agenda. As for UEA, we’re looking forward to doing work with UEA Nightline this year, and basically bringing some of the universities’ mental health resources to the foreground so students know where they can find support.
W
ith so many inspirational people and acts of selflessness highlighted on one list, it’s enough to make anyone feel incredibly lazy. However it also proves that every single one of us is capable of doing something rather incredible. So why not make today the day that you do something life changing. Help others, help yourself and make a difference.
The current president of Operation Beautiful UEA, Sophie Orpen, shared her plans for the future of the society. “We are hoping to achieve a lot this year, especially seeing as we are a brand new society. We have already had a huge amount of interest which has been brilliant and completely heartwarming! We are hoping to collaborate with other amazing societies that already exist at UEA. For example, we are planning to do an event with Student Minds for Mental Health Awareness Week that is coming up in October. We ultimately hope to make UEA a safe and happy environment for all students and provide support if and when [people] need it.”
For more information on Operation Beautiful UEA, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/operationuea
I was too at first, but once I was there it didn’t seem to matter. They treated all of us like heroes.And once I’d met everyone, it really didn’t matter at all. There was one girl I met, Rhianna Wilson. I was blown away by her story. But it was actually her, when I was about to leave, who caught up with me to say how much she admired me. I didn’t know what to say. “The same... But about you?”
To see a full list of nominees and winners, go to: www.thestudentroom.co.uk/content. php?r=5031-student-in-a-million-2014vote-for-the-winners
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Science&Environment
Simple urine test for HPV detection could be alternative to smear tests
Mabon Elis Science&Environment writer
Alice Butler Science&Environment writer Cervical cancer is the 12th most common form of cancer in the UK with 3,100 new cases being diagnosed in 2011. For women under 35, it is the most frequently occurring cancer. Currently cervical cancer is detected through a smear test which is offered to all women over the age of 25. This involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope to assess whether any pre-cancerous changes have occurred. Further, a more sensitive test has recently been developed which looks specifically at DNA from the cells to assess whether the human papilloma virus (HPV) is present: the majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV. However, the issue with these tests is that many women are not attending screenings often enough, or at all, because they are either worried about the procedure or lack the time. One possible solution to this problem would be to use a simple urine test to detect the virus. This is what 14 recent clinical trials have tested and a review of these compared The percentage of positive samples that were correctly identified.
their accuracy to the new DNA test; it showed that 87% of HPV positive samples and 94% of negative samples were correctly identified. This suggests that, while there is currently no information on how it compares to a traditional smear test, this could be a more favourable alternative for some women and could lead to more cases of cervical cancer being diagnosed earlier. However, the issue with both the urine and DNA test is that while a negative result would suggest the chance of developing cervical cancer in the near future is highly unlikely, a positive result does not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer and therefore is not entirely helpful when it comes to diagnosis. Overall, while this urine test is unlikely to replace a traditional smear test entirely it may be an effective tool for women who do not normally attend screenings or for women who live in areas of the world where a lack of healthcare facilities prevents widespread screening.
COMMENT Alexander Hendry says that the “greenest government ever” is failing the environment.
A light micrograph of an exfoliative cytopathology sample Wikimedia
With the badger cull controversy, fracking, HS2, and the plan to sell off Britain’s woodlands, the coalition does not have a great track record when it comes to pleasing environmentalists. A new report seems to justify concerns that the self-proclaimed “greenest government ever” might actually leave some areas of the environment in a worse state than when they inherited them. The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), the group of MPs charged with evaluating how government policies contribute towards environmental protection and sustainable development, released their damning evaluation of the government’s progress last week, focusing their report on ten key environmental areas. These areas were assessed using a ‘traffic light’ system, with green representing satisfactory progress, amber representing unsatisfactory progress, and red indicating deterioration since 2010 – the year the coalition came to power. Incredibly, not a single environmental
area assessed received a green rating, with three receiving a “red card”: air pollution, biodiversity and flood protection. The other seven indicators including climate change, waste management, and the marine environment received amber. Among the threats to the UK’s biodiversity, invasive species were noted as some of the most serious and one of the reasons for the decline in several important indicator species. Regarding air pollution, the
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The Ig Nobel prizes and the science of slippery bananas
Emma Thompson on a recent trip to the Arctic. She travelled with the campaigning group Greenpeace to raise awareness about climate change. She also joined the People’s Climate March through London.
This year’s Ig Nobel prizes have been announced, with the science of slippery banana skins and the therapeutic effect of beauty among the winners. The awards, which recognise research that “first makes you laugh, and then makes you think”, were presented in a ceremony at Harvard University in the US. Scientists from Canada and China won the neuroscience prize. They discovered that the same part of the brain is used when we see illusions of faces – such as images of Jesus on slices of toast – as when we recognise real faces. They showed their volunteers a set of grainy noise images, but told them that 50% contained faces. A third of the time, the volunteers said they saw faces that were not there. Italian scientists were awarded for showing that beautiful artwork has a painrelieving effect. The scientists directed laser beams at participants’ hands while they looked at paintings and asked them to rate their pain. When looking at paintings they thought were beautiful, the volunteers said the laser was less painful, and pain responses in their brains were lower. Marina de Tommaso, leading the study, told New Scientist that aesthetic design should play a greater part in hospital planning. “But at least there is no suggestion that ugly surroundings make the pain worse”, she said. The physics prize gained the most attention out of all the awards. Its winners were a Japanese team led by Kiyoshi Mabuchi, who tested whether banana skins really are as slippery as they are in cartoons. They found bananas to have a friction coefficient – a measure of grip – of 0.07. This is almost as little friction as a ski sliding over snow. Mabuchi found that the slipperiness is caused by a unique gel that forms when the skins are crushed. He thinks that such a gel could be used for lubricating artificial joints, his main area of research. The Ig Nobels, now in their 24th year, award real scientific innovations but also show that scientific research has a lighter side. Other winning research included treating uncontrollable nosebleeds with ‘cured pork tampons’ and dressing up as polar bears to frighten Norwegian reindeer. The more prestigious Nobel prizes will be announced in Sweden next month.
EAC found that emissions of several airborne pollutants increased after 2013 having been in steady decline for a number of years prior to that. The winter storms this year highlighted the failings of Britain’s flood defences, both inland and in coastal areas. According to the report approximately 5.4 million properties are currently at risk of flooding. Whilst the EAC noted that incomplete datasets could have affected some of the results, they were clear in their message that the government must commit to improve the situation; if not in this parliament then the next. In addition the report noted several ‘policy levers’, ideas that would tackle the slow pace of progress in these areas. But with less than a year left until the general election, and that time certain to be filled with electoratepleasing messages about the economy, the EU and unemployment, it seems unlikely that the incumbents will be doing much to change things around. Time will tell whether the next government will do any better.
Science&Environment Human ‘language gene’ shows increased learning ability in mice Jacob Beebe Science&Environment editor The FOXP2 gene is found in humans and is very thoroughly studied. It was initially thought to be the key gene that allowed the development of human language. It has now been shown to be related to automatic learning and has even made test mice better at completing tasks. Initially discovered in the 1990s, it became apparent that a mutation in this gene can cause significant speech difficulties for those who have it. The FOXP2 gene encodes a transcription factor that regulates the expression of a number of key genes during embryonic development. This is also important when looking at it from an evolutionary stand point, as since divergence from chimpanzees five to seven million years ago, the gene has undergone two changes, thought to be important in our development of greater vocal competence. When the gene was inserted into mice, it caused a change in the area of the brain involved in learning and the outcome was tested using mazes and food rewards. The research conducted by Ann Graybiel and her colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that they could test conscious, and automatic learning and
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discovered that the mice with the FOXP2 gene learned to find the rewards faster when the maze was set up to use both forms of learning. However, there was no difference in the rate of change when only one of the two learning type was tested. It showed that the FOXP2 mice were able to respond to visual cues and transfer behaviour from conscious to automatic. When related to speech, whilst uncertain of its exact effects due to its wide influence in the brain, it is believed that FOXP2 in early humans helped complex movements of the mouth during speech become automatic. Further research will aid clarification of the gene’s exact role in different learning behaviours. The research, “Humanized FOXP2 accelerates learning by enhancing transitions from declarative to procedural performance” was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Studies show that young clown fish do in fact make heroic journeys of hundreds of kilometres, as the famous Pixar film Finding Nemo would suggest.
Scientists have discovered a complex organic molecule at the centre of the universe, 27,000 light years from earth, that could be a building block for life.
Photo: Wikimedia, Ritiks
A research team has identified gene mutations that cause severe childhood epilepsy. The Amazon is being fertilised with nutrients from ancient fish being blown in from the Sahara.
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Scientists are proposing to use the moon to detect high energy cosmic rays. A new class of antibiotic has been created that destroys resistence genes in bacteria.
Nearly half of the water in the planet’s oceans is older than the sun, and our entire solar system.
Photo: passeurdesciences.blog.lemonade.fr
Modern Europeans are descended from three ancient tribes.
India’s Mars satellite has sent back its first photos of the red planet.
Brazilian researchers have released “good” mosquitos that are infected with bacteria and which fight dengue fever.
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What’s new in science?
Researchers have found a way to turn pediatric skin cells into heart valvular cells.
Scientists have discovered water on a distant planet the same size as Neptune. Scientists at a Belgian university have discovered that our pupils dilate when we are exerting strenuous effort – or at least when we think we are.
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Travel
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Finding the Rainbow Nation in rural South Africa Nick Brown Travel writer Nick Brown travelled and volunteered in South Africa for three months in the summer of 2014. When thinking of South Africa, the term Rainbow Nation usually comes to mind. South Africa is often dubbed a Rainbow Nation because of its diverse and vibrant culture. This is certainly true when looking at the country as a whole, but when you delve deeper into the individual states of South African society, it becomes clearer. This is shown by the huge variety of languages in the Eastern Cape, for example, where the common tongue and culture is Xhosa, in Kwa-Zulu Natal, its Zulu and Sotho or Afrikaans in the Free State. Most of the rural areas in South Africa are covered in grassland and surrounded by rolling hills or mountains that can shadow the villages. Most of these areas run for miles with small hamlets and villages dotted around the area, with roundhouses made from mud with the floor made from fired cow dung. More commonly nowadays, they are made out of bricks but still with dung flooring, with more regular houses scattered around. As family is one of the quintessentials of South African life, most pieces of owned land have numerous buildings for any visiting family members, who roll into town and leave regularly. Also, every household usually has a kraal (livestock pen) for the cattle and pigs which the family rear for food. This is served at ceremonies or
as a means of a livelihood. This is becoming more and more prevalent as unemployment rates are still at a high level, especially in these rural areas. Rural communities are the largest example of how culture and tradition lie deep within the roots of South Africa. Here, tradition can be found alongside modernity. People commonly attend cultural rituals or ceremonies for a
“Here, tradition can be found alongside modernity” wide array of occasions, such as blessing a newlywed couple or to remember a community member who had passed away the year before. During these ceremonies, most of the attendees will be taking photos on their smart phones or tablets as well as singing traditional songs. The most important part of the ceremony is the meal that comes with it, which never fails to bring together all those that attend. It usually consists of a fresh piece of meat provided from the family’s livestock, pap (boiled maize meal), rice and lots of fried, roasted and boiled vegetables. Tradition is at the heart of nearly every rural community in the form of the chief and the headman, both of which are revered by all the community members. The chief may the pinnacle of the importance of culture in Xhosa society, as the role is hereditary and has been so for as long as the Xhosa tribe has existed. The headman is the equivalent of the mayor of
a township who is elected by the community members. Nonetheless, they are culturally significant as being the ‘Hand and Voice’ of the chief. In the more rural communities, the absence of larger grocery shops, is very noticeable. To do a food shop for the week, one has to drive or hitch a lift in a taxi to the nearest town or city, which can range from a simple ten minute journey, to a couple of hours, with quite a lot of the time spent waiting for the taxi to fill up before it leaves. The rich cultural diversity that the Rainbow Nation represents can be found in these communities where the occasional Bangladeshi, Pakistani or Indian shopkeeper runs the small store in the village. It is clear how, even after a generation or two, they have managed to adapt to the culture and surroundings of the communities. In a rainbow, the individual colours blend with each other. South Africa’s ‘rainbow’ culture therefore demonstrates its diversity. One only has to watch the national rugby team or the national football team to see how the various cultural groups mix. South Africa’s cultural diversity can be further seen around the state borders, where you can find Xhosa people living side by side with Zulus, or Tswana people with Afrikaaners. Life in rural South Africa proved to be as varied as the rest of the country. South Africa is dubbed as a Rainbow Nation and rightfully so, for it is vibrant with cultural diversity; a refreshing sight after its scarred history with apartheid. No longer is South Africa driven by the binary oppositions of black and white, it is a rainbow in every sense.
South Africa Fact-File South Africa was first dubbed a “Rainbow Nation” by Archbishop Desmond Tutu South Africa has 11 official languages There are three main religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism South Africa has three capitals; Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein South Africa has the cheapest electricity in the world South Africa was the first country in Africa to hold the FIFA World Cup in 2010 The only street in the Photo: Wikimedia, world to hold Kristen Opalinski two Nobel Prize winners (Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu) is Vilakazi Street in Soweto
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A guide to European street scams Sarah Michaels Travel writer The promise of a cultural adventure on the continent lures students every year into spending their summer inter-railing across Europe. With historic and hip cities residing only hours away from each other, the savvy traveller can happily take in all that Europe has to offer. Amongst the sights and sounds of these cities however, lie many traps a not so discerning inter-railer might fall into. Europe’s city streets have both treasures to find, and annoyances to avoid. Paris “Do you speak English, Miss?” Upon first glance, central Paris is post-card perfect. Entering the centre from the Palais Royal metro station, you will step out right in front of The Louvre Museum, home to the Mona Lisa. The Louvre’s courtyard acts as a beacon for the herds of tourists that visit Paris every year. When walking through this bustling area, be weary of groups of people who may approach and inquire innocently “do you speak English?” At this point, a clipboard with a petition will be shown to you, where it becomes clear that they are supposedly asking for charitable donations. On a closer look, you may see that donators have all contributed as much as 30EUR each to the cause, yet suspiciously all have the same handwriting. When walking around central Paris, you may be approached several times in
one day for this petition. The best way to avoid it is by simply walking away and ignoring them. rome You wear, you buy In Rome by the Trevi Fountain many tourists are targeted by scam artists. One particular scam occurs when a tourist is approached by a vendor who will offer to make a ‘friendship bracelet’. At this point, the vendor will tightly tie a thin strip of ropey string to the tourist’s wrist. Here, the vendor will then demand money for the bracelet, and as it is tied so tightly, it is a demand that many tourists will succumb to. One way to avoid such a scam is to remain alert in touristy areas of Rome. Zagreb Stopping traffic Despite being the capital, Zagreb is an unsung city in Croatia. It lies in the north of the country and its Old Town boasts some of the most breath-taking cathedrals in Croatia. On the outskirts of the town, away from the tourists you will find an interesting spectacle at traffic light crossings. On some pedestrian crossings, when the lights turn red for the cars to stop, circus performers will run into the crossing and begin to display their juggling or hula-hooping skills. The fact that they maintain such friendly dispositions throughout is impressive given the traffic’s distaste towards these streetperformers. Their performance ends just before the lights turn green again when they go into the road with a bucket, asking the traffic
Photo: Jodie Snow to give them money for their performance. Whilst it is obvious that the cars here consider these performers as an annoyance, the pedestrians can’t help but crack a smile at the ingenuity of the performers and the plight of their truly captive audience. The cities of Europe have the capacity to
offer travellers a vibrant cultural adventure. Paris, Rome and Zagreb are all cities that are wrought with history and life. Whilst it is not possible to satisfy curiosities in these cities, it is possible to better your continental travelling experience by remaining alert and safe in the world’s most culturally rich continent.
Swimming with dolphins: the bitter reality behind the dream Jodie Snow Travel editor For many, swimming with dolphins is either a favourite holiday past-time or an activity to tick off the bucket list. Yet many fail to ensure that their experience is safe for the dolphins as well. In 2013 the popular documentary Blackfish raised public awareness concerning the controversies of the marine-tourism industry. Since then, questions and issues surrounding the captivity of these highly intelligent marine animals have been highly publicised. Questions regarding the ethics behind keeping these mammals in captivity for human-enjoyment are finally being addressed world-wide. The Bottle-nosed dolphin is the most well-known of the species and subsequently the star of the majority of ‘swim with the dolphin’ programmes. They are highly emotional and intelligent creatures that have a characteristic ‘smiling face’, making them a seemingly friendly companion to swim with. For years, popular culture has recognised dolphin intelligence and how it is only comparable to that of humans. The famous opening scene from the 2005 blockbuster The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy even satirises the common knowledge of dolphin intelligence, claiming that they know more about the world than humans do. Indeed, a study conducted in Japan in 2014 concluded that dolphins and humans both view the world in surprisingly similar
ways. In this sense, many critics of marine captivity are surprised that whilst the similarities between dolphins and humans are very much public knowledge, the dolphin species are still subjected to leadi n g
unfulfilling lives, being captive performers for human enjoyment. The professor of Ethics at Loyola Marymount University
“Captive dolphins live only to half the age of their wild counterparts” concluded that because of the high intelligence of dolphins, they should be considered as ‘‘non-human persons who qualify for moral understanding as individuals’’. Such a statement truly embodies the over-arching question surrounding the captivity of dolphins, which is: is this ethical? PETA regards the captivity of dolphins for tourist purposes to be unethical. The organisation, which advocates the ethical treatment of animals, argues that dolphin captivity on ‘swim with the dolphins’ programmes shortens a dolphin’s life-span, with captive dolphins living to only half the age of their wild counterparts. Confinement can also lead to behavioural issues in dolphins, which raises alarm for the safety of the swimmers that are interacting with them. A further issue surrounding the captivity of dolphins is how they are captured. In order to accommodate the vast popularity of ‘swim with the dolphins programmes’, in-
creasing numbers of the mammals are taken from the wild and placed in marine-life institutions. The danger is that this leads to a decrease in wild populations whilst also endangering the dolphins in the act of capturing them. While the captivity of dolphins is often seen as negative, it is important to consider the benefits ‘swim with the dolphins’ programmes can have on the local community. Poorer areas can see a huge rise in tourism due to the popularity of dolphins. Recently, The University of Leicester have conducted a study into the benefits that swimming with dolphins can provide in helping mild to moderate depression. There will always be controversy surrounding the captivity of dolphins. Many people are reluctant to admit the harsh realities of the marine-tourism industry simply because of the enjoyment that
“Both dolphins and humans view the world in surprisingly similiar ways’’ swimming with dolphins can bring. It is important to fully research the institution involved in dolphin tourism. In more recent years, tourist providers have been promoting swimming with wild dolphins as a more sustainable activity; it should be noted that these programmes also hold their own ethical concerns. In order to travel responsibly and to appreciate these intelligent animals without harming them, travellers should opt for “dolphin watching” or “whale watching” excursions. Such trips can remind holidaymakers that dolphins are not there to create ‘Kodak moments’ but should be appreciated as the intelligent, majestic and most importantly, wild, animals that they are.
LIFESTYLE
Freshers’ Week left you a little worse for wear? Check out our healing hangover cocktails LifestyLefood Page 20
Thoughts from a fresher Ruth Roberts Lifestyle writer
And so one month on from that dreaded results day, those who were lucky enough to jump through those all-important hoops prepare to embark on a new stage of life. For many, the focus of the last two years would have been purely results, so much so that university appeared misty in vision, much more like a dream than a reality. You can have great AS grades and be almost certain you’ll make it, but at least for myself you dare not hope too much, just in case. Therefore, the month between results day and starting university becomes a time of realisation, readjustment, and marathoning as many Gossip girl episodes as you can before you have to actually start studying again. You notice that even though your place is practically set in stone, when someone asks what you’re doing now, you can’t break the habit of retorting “hopefully going to university�. Surely there has to be another hoop to jump through, I’m not actually about to leave home? Am I? While many students may choose to stay at home for comfort, mum’s cooking, or financial stability, I chose to flee the nest. This was for a number of reasons. Most importantly, I’d rather not have my parents up worrying when I stumble through the door at 3am after one too
many shots during Freshers’. But more than this, I actually would like the opportunity to be an adult and grow up. Yes, I’m one of those awful teenagers that barely lifts a finger at home. My mum is far too kind to me, meaning I lack a lot of practical skills when it comes to cooking, cleaning, and remembering to take tissues out of my jeans before I put them in the wash. So we can be sure my first week will be a huge slap in the face from reality. But needless to say, a well needed one. However, practical difficulties aside, we all know the hardest challenge will be leaving
“I’ll make some great new friends I’m sure, but that doesn’t mean that I will not still deeply value the ones I left behind� the people you love behind. “Yes Mum I will visit home some weekends before Christmas, and call and Skype and write you hand written mail!� (She really did in the day of email and Facetime ask me to write to her, to which I replied “If you pay for the stamps�). I don’t need to worry about losing contact with close friends and family as modern technology (and Royal Mail) will make sure that contact to the
people I care about is always at my fingertips regardless of the geographics. Although it’s not quite the same. To go from seeing your mum, dad and brother almost every day of your life to actually having to plan trips to see them seems quite frankly, bizarre. They say that as one door closes another door opens, but I guess at the same time as one door opens another door also closes. Okay, so I’ll still have the key to this metaphorical door, I’ve already booked a train ticket home in advance for mid-October (no one’s getting rid of me that easy), but regardless it’s still the end of an era. Time doesn’t stop for anybody, and it’s time to embark on my own adventures and make a life for myself, as terrifying as that may be. I won’t be alone, I’ll have 14 other students in my flat to be homesick, cook and try to be adults with (most likely while queueing to use our shared bathroom and kitchen). Freshers’ angst seems to be pretty universal, and I can already see from the endless Facebook notifications from people posting on the Freshers’ pages that everyone is just as desperate as each other to make friends and fit in. I’ll make some great new friends I’m sure, but that doesn’t mean that I will not still deeply value and hold onto the ones I’ve left behind. So I guess this metaphorical door to my past will not actually be closing anytime soon, as I’ve bought a door wedge in the Wilkinsons student sale.
Ruth Roberts Photo: Flickr, University of East Anglia
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Lifestyle
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50 things you should do before you leave UEA Emily Fedorowycz Online editor Whether you’re just starting or this is your last year being part of the beloved UEA, here’s a compiled list of things we thought you shouldn’t miss. 1. Visit the Theatre Royal/Playhouse 2. Make friends with the LCR bouncers 3. Make your own alcohol: note that flavoured vodka counts (go get the skittles!) 4. Feed the campus wildlife. Bonus points if you can befriend a specific duck/squirrel/ rabbit. 5. Watch a film at Cinema City 6. Go on Norwich’s Ghost Walk 7. Go on tour with a sports club or society 8. Do at least one Pimp My Barrow event 9. Go to both malls (Chapelfield and Castle Mall) 10. Stay up until the sun comes up 11. Get involved with Derby Day 12. Make an amazing fancy dress outfit 13. Watch TV for 24 solid hours, with breaks only for food and to go to the loo 14. Make the most of the student resources: mentor, careers, student discounts 15. Explore Norfolk: check out the beaches and the famous Norfolk Broads! 16. Go to some of the big clubs – The Waterfront, Mantra, Hideout, Gonzo’s, Karma Kafe 17. Visit the castle and the cathedral 18. Have breakfast (or anything) at the Waffle House
Photo: Flickr, Trina Alexander 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
26. 27. 28. 29.
Get a haircut at the Crop Shop Buy some food in the market Get lost there! Do something crazy for charity Get involved in a protest or march Go to a live music gig at the LCR “Borrow” something random: traffic cones, trolleys and life-sized cardboard cutouts are all contenders See some comedy Build a den using all of your housemate’s bedding Do the stride of pride Survive a ‘Crate Escape’: get you and your mates in one room, no phones or internet and the only way out is blocked by a stack of beer, cider, whatever. No one can leave until you’ve made it though the last bottle!
30. Host a study group (can be coupled with number 29, though be warned, may affect quality of conversation) 31. Go to your lecture or seminar in something hilarious: last night’s fancy dress, your PJ’s or your animal onesie will do. 32. Organise or take part in a flash mob: dancing, singing, water fight, you name it! 33. Try something new: societies, sports – now’s our chance! 34. Complete some of, if not all, of the Five L’s (i.e. get freaky in all of these places: the Library, Lake, Laundrette, Lecture theatre and LCR) 35. Prank a flatmate/housemate 36. Go to a society event 37. Learn the art of cheese on toast 38. Write for Concrete
39. Do something incredible or incredibly stupid so that you end up in Concrete 40. Kiss someone who is of a gender you’ve never kissed before 41. Host a dinner party – if possible in Come Dine With Me style! 42. Be the first one on the LCR dance floor 43. Be the last one on the dance floor (last one standing!) 44. Learn to cook: if possible, something as good as mum made it 45. Fall asleep in the library/in lectures/ in seminars (if you can get away with it!) 46. Drink a dirty pint 47. Dress up as a member of the opposite sex 48. Host a house party 49. Sit in on a class that’s not in your field 50. Graduate! That’s the plan, anyway!
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Making your online presence professional Rebecca Bemment Lifestyle editor LinkedIn LinkedIn, the academic version of Facebook, has now become an increasingly popular way for people to highlight their academic qualities and skills, making it a place for employers to find potential employees. It’s a good idea to create an account for post-uni because it showcases what you’ve done, and gives you the chance to join forums as well as speak to other like-minded people in the profession that you are interested in! Of course, it is by no means a guaranteed job-finder, but it is definitely worth having because you never know when employers might be looking! And, if you’re going to get an
account, don’t do a half-hearted job with your profile. Treat it like a CV and put everything that you’ve done on it so far. Having an incomplete profile makes you look unprofessional, so make use of everything LinkedIn has to offer. Blogging Having an online presence these days is increasingly important to employers. So making sure your online presence is both professional and strong will be of benefit when you leave university. And, this doesn’t just mean having a Facebook and Twitter account. Blogging has become a really popular way to get across your opinions to other people, whatever you decide to write about. It can be a great thing to show future employers, whether you bring it up in an interview that you have one, or send them a link so they can see it. It shows them what writing skills you have and that you are interested in what you’re talking about, enough to share it and regularly update it. It’s all very well telling an employer what you can do, but to have something to present to them can be the very thing that makes you just that little bit more memorable!
The hangover curers With Freshers’ week in full swing, and another week of the party lifestyle left to go, here’s a quick and cheap recipe for the perfect re-hydrator hangover drink. If you’ve had one too many the previous night and wake up feeling dehydrated and in desperate need of a pick-me-up drink, then this is the one. Sometimes water just won’t do! Ingredients 1 orange 100 ml cranberry juice 50g cucumber Ice cubes
Lydia Tewkesbury Lifestyle writer Going to university is a crazy time. Every day is an epic sensory overload of people, opportunities and work. In the endless stream of new potential best friends, it’s easy to end up leaving the people we’ve spent the most part of the previous years with behind, without even meaning to. Here are some tips for keeping in touch, from the blindingly obvious, to those actions requiring a little more thought. Facebook See? Obvious. Facebook is the way to keep in touch with minimum effort. It’s the easiest way to stay engaged with our friends’ lives because the pictures show us exactly where they’ve been and what they’re doing. Also, for a lot of us, a significant amount of our daily communication happens via Facebook messaging. When your friendship group all go their separate ways, have a Facebook messaging thread that you’re all involved in. That way you can tell each other the drama’s as they unfold. Skype While Facebook is great, it doesn’t rival having an actual face to face conversation, and when you’re far apart from your friends, Skype provides the next best thing. When you can see each other, your lives suddenly don’t seem so far apart. It’s good to try and Skype your friends on a fairly regular basis. A Facebook
Photo: Flickr, Kristina B
Rebecca Bemment Lifestyle editor
Tips for staying in touch while at university
This one is equally as quick to make the morning after a big night out! Both ingredients contain vitamin C, so this drink will replenish some of the nutrients you lost the night before! Ingredients 2 large oranges 2 kiwis – skins on Ice cubes Method Peel the oranges, and juice them together with the kiwi fruit. Simply pour over a glass of ice and watch the hangover feeling fade away.
Method Peel the orange, and then juice it with the cucumber. Mix it with the cranberry juice and pour into an icefilled glass.
Photo: Flickr, WxMom
Lifestyle
Photo: Flickr, Chris Potter message is a nice way to show someone you still care, but often you need to see their face to know what’s really going on with them. Post It’s really nice to get post. I think particularly for our generation, getting letters (letters that aren’t bills, voter registration or student finance related) is quite a novelty. Sending a friend a letter is a really nice way to show them that you care. There’s something about writing a letter that lets you be extra honest with people. I nearly always tell my friends I love them when I’m writing them a card. Also, it can be nice to just send each other stuff. One time my best friend sent me some face wash that I really like in the post. It was a really sweet gesture. Showing someone that you still think about them, even when they aren’t standing right in front of you, is important to a lasting friendship. And remember: no pressure! In the end it’s important to remember that even if you aren’t talking to each other all the time, friends don’t disappear. In a lot of cases, a real friend shows themselves by the fact that after having barely seen them in a year, when you finally do connect again, it’s as if you haven’t been apart. Everyone’s life goes a bit crazy sometimes, and in those times, contact is often less, but it doesn’t mean that a friendship is over. Friendship happens a lot more naturally than you might think.
Lifestylefood Super-easy carbonara Rebecca Bemment Lifestyle editor With uni work starting to kick in, the need for quick and healthy meals becomes a must. This recipe is cheap, nutritious and takes a small amount of time to make! And, it’s also perfect to make with other people as it serves around 4 people! Ingredients 400g spaghetti 200g bacon, cut into cubes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion chopped finely 2 garlic gloves chopped finely 3 eggs 4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
Photo: Flickr, Su-lin
3 tablespoons cream Method 1. Cook pasta as instructed on the packet, and whilst this is cooking, heat the oil in a frying pan. 2. Add onion to fry until soft. 3. Next, add the garlic and bacon and fry for around 4-5 minutes. 4. Then beat the eggs and parmesan cheese along with the parsley and cream. Add in some salt and pepper. 5. Drain the pasta and add into the frying pan to mix with the onion and bacon. 6. Stir on a gentle heat until properly mixed. 7. Put in the egg mixture and then stir and take off the heat. Continue to stir for a few more seconds in order to allow the egg to properly cook and to make sure it’s creamy. 8. Serve with any sort of salad!
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22
Sport
Concrete fitness: a guide to superfoods Mark Palk Sport writer
James Newbold Sport editor
L
ewis Hamilton’s back-to-back victories in the Italian and Singapore Grand Prix couldn’t have come at a much better time in the title race. With electrical gremlins consigning title rival and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to a non-finish, Hamilton’s maximum 25 pointscore puts him three points clear on top of the standings for the first time since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, with 150 left on the table from the remaining five races. Of course, three points is a far from insurmountable gap for Rosberg to overturn, particularly when one considers the Abu Dhabi double points lottery – but Singapore could well prove decisive come the final reckoning. One cannot legislate for poor reliability, but Rosberg appears to have lost his way since the infamous collision at Spa that forced Hamilton to retire, saw the German branded a cheat and booed on the podium afterwards. Many had been willing to give Rosberg the benefit of the doubt in Monaco, when his error in Q3 brought out the yellow flags to deny a seething Hamilton the opportunity to set a faster laptime, but this latest misdemeanour – failing to yield to his team-mate when he had evidently lost the corner – pointed to his cracking under the pressure of an intra-team title battle, as fraught as any in recent years. Comparisons have inevitably been made with the posionous rivalry between McLaren team-mates Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1989, and further controversy never seems far away, depite the best efforts of embattled team director Toto Wolff. It was a chastened Rosberg that emerged at Monza, where Hamilton again took pole position. With Hamilton’s sluggish getaway dropping him to fourth behind Kevin Magnussen and Felipe Massa, the race looked to be there for the taking, but two unforced errors at the first chicane gifted Hamilton a morale-sapping victory. Rosberg looked well and truly rattled. This made bouncing back in Singapore all the more important to stem the tide. Qualifying just 0.007 seconds from pole clearly hurt – “damn it!” came his frustrated response to being told of the deficit to Hamilton – but with none of his steering wheel functions working on the dummy grid, Rosberg was robbed of the chance to respond. He was on a hiding to nothing starting from the pitlane, unable to pass Marcus Ericsson’s Caterham with gear selection issues, no hybrid power and no DRS assistance, and promptly retired the car for the second time this season. An opportunity missed, advantage Hamilton. What remains to be seen is whether Rosberg can steel himself to fight back as we enter the business end of the season. Whereas his team-mate knows precisely how to win the title and is high on confidence after two successive wins, Rosberg has not visited the top step of the podium since Hockenheim back in July, a statistic he could do with changing next time in Suzuka. Win there and it’s game on again, but another Hamilton win would undoubtedly prove a heavy blow to his title credentials. It’s up to you now, Nico.
No matter what your age or lifestyle, whether sedentary or highly active, adapting your diet to include a diverse range of nutritious foods can make a significant impact while at university, not only to physical performance but for studying too. While vitamin supplements and tablets provide a handy boost, they are no substitute for a proper meal and it’s often the simplest foods that make the difference. In the first instalment of Concrete Fitness, Mark Palk looks at the foods you should be eating to attain your goals.
1
Blueberries Ask any personal trainer, nutritionist or doctor and they will all tell say the same thing; blueberries are one of, if not the best fruits to include in your diet. They combine a useful mix of antioxidants, which help prevent cellular damage, and potassium, which can help lower the risk of heart disease. That, as well as being the perfect topping for pancakes after a night out, should make blueberries a popular choice for those looking to get the semester off to a healthy start.
2
Black Beans Popular in Latin American cuisine, black beans offer a vegetarian-friendly source of protein and fibre that go well with cajun dishes or even chilli con carne. A far healthier source of protein than steak (an expensive comfort food if you can afford it) which contains saturated fats, black beans are also ideal for weight loss. Why not give them a try?
3
Spinach If it’s good enough for Popeye, then spinach should be good enough for you. This leafy green bundle of goodness is majorly underrated in nutrition circles, which is a travesty as spinach not only contains antioxidants – just like blueberries – but is another great source of protein. Moreover, spinach is proven to help combat risk of heart disease, and with the right sauce can go well with almost any meal.
4
Avocado For all you Mexican food lovers out there, avocados go well with tacos and fajitas. They are a proven source of vital natural nutrients such as vitamin E and essential monounsaturated fats, so there is no need to feel guilty when indulging in some hefty
guacamole. They also contain a good level of protein and fibre, essential for the happy workings of the digestive system (something we all need in the first days of moving to a new country or adjusting on a vacation).
5
Salmon Although many detest the smell of fish, the lean meat and omega 3 contained in salmon helps our bodies maintain muscle. If you like going to the gym to gain size, salmon is a must on the shopping list. Try increasing your uptake of salmon in the evening (or post-gym). It’s a good source of protein that leaves you feeling fuller for longer, which is especially important for those who tend to snack before they go to bed late at night.
6
Yoghurt We’ve all seen those cheesy yoghurt adverts featuring C-list celebrities delivering the corporate line. In fact though, yoghurt, as a rather simple pleasure, is actually something we should be getting more of in our diets. It contains heaps of healthy microflora and good bacteria that help our digestive systems; try adding yoghurt to oats in the morning with some fruit (why not blueberries?) and start your day right with a hearty and healthy breakfast.
Photo: Wikimedia, LocalFitness
Insight: coping with sports injuries Helena Bradbury Sport writer Coping with sports injuries, however serious, can be both physically and psychologically difficult. Recovery can be a long and infuriating process for an athlete whose daily and weekly routine would usually revolve around training, particularly as sporting injuries such as damaged ligaments or tendons can take longer to recover from than broken bones. Athletes are often left frustrated and angry by their injury and the resulting inability to train or compete at their usual standard. This can lead to their returning to training too early and could result in further, more permanent injury. But there are ways of coping with injury which allow you to keep in shape without further damage. After the injury has been identified by a doctor or qualified physiotherapist, they may give you some rehabilitation guidance. But here are some handy tips which can be used
and applied to a variety of sporting injuries. Swimming is a great method of rehabilitation, as it can keep up your fitness and maintain muscular tone with minimum impact. As swimming uses the whole body, overall muscle tone hugely benefits, and cardiovascular fitness can be maintained or even improved. The water also reduces strain on joints, which is ideal during the early stages of recovery where high impact activity should be avoided at all costs. Cycling may seem an activity too strenuous for those with a lower body injury, and it definitely should be avoided in the early stages of recovery for knee or leg injuries. However, if you are looking to increase your training without too much strain, cycling is actually a fairly low impact exercise. Whether you have an upper body injury or an ankle injury, with the correct technique, cycling should involve using only the legs as levers pushing down through the knees and toes; impact on the ankles should be minimal. Physiotherapists recommend cycling over running for anyone looking to take the next
step in their recovery process. Weight Training is a great way to maintain muscular strength and tone in the areas of the body which may deteriorate as a result of injury. While it is not recommended to subject the injured area to intense strain, weights can be a fulfilling alternative to a cardio routine; seeing your reps and sets increase each week gives you a great sense of achievement. Most importantly, keep involved. While all individual recovery times differ and your return to training should only be when your body is ready, keeping involved with your sports team, news and friends is vital. Injury can be psychologically straining too, particularly if it feels like you're missing out on competing, training and the social side of being in a team. Try to keep going to a few training sessions to keep up to date with game tactics, and visit the club to keep in contact with your friends there. Don’t cut yourself off from your sport completely. By keeping involved and having a positive attitude, coping with injury doesn’t have to be as bad as it may initially seem.
Sport
23
Remembering Brian Clough Ten years after the death of Brian Clough, Will Hunter pays tribute to the legendary manager.
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eedless to say, I’m too young to remember Brian Clough’s days in football management; I really only heard of “Old Big Head” upon his death in September 2004. Yet as the bankrolled mercenaries of Manchester City and Chelsea take a stranglehold on the Premier League and football increasingly becomes about which sugar daddy has the deepest pockets, the more I come to admire Clough’s astonishing achievements with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. A record of two league titles, two European cups and four league cups is a CV that most managers would envy. But closer examination puts these feats into the stratosphere. Unfashionable Derby had been outside of the First Division for fourteen years when Clough took over in 1967 and were struggling to stay afloat in the Second. Within two years they had achieved promotion and by 1972 were league champions. This is not entirely unique: Leeds and Blackburn Rovers both won the league
in 1992 and 1995 respectively soon after promotion. No, the most remarkable thing about Clough was that he surpassed these achievements beyond all recognition at Forest. They, like their rivals Derby, were an underachieving Second Division side when Clough arrived in 1975. Not even the most audacious of Hollywood screen writers would have dared to script the events of the next few seasons. In 1977 Forest were promoted; in 1978 they won the league title; in 1979 they won the European Cup and in 1980 they became, to date the last English side to retain the trophy, all achieved whilst playing attractive attacking football and with an emphasis on fair play. To put it into context, Tony Pulis won the Premier League Manager of the Season Award for guiding Crystal Palace to eleventh. Had he led them to the league title he probably would have been crowned Emperor of South London. However, the aura surrounding Clough
goes far beyond that of trophies. Even in archive footage, he radiates charisma and magnetism. The anecdotes about him are numerous and many have gone down in football folklore; just a quick scrawl through YouTube reveals some gems. The verbal sparring with Muhammad Ali and accusing Juventus’ players of being “cheating bastards” all put the bland sporting characters of today to shame. Inevitably this had some negative consequences – telling his Leeds players to throw their medals away because they had got them all by cheating was hardly going to induce team spirit, whilst such outspokenness reportedly cost him the England job. But the combination of success and sound bites meant that Clough had cultivated the persona of football manager turned media personality decades before José Mourinho arrived on the scene, and the press loved him for it. Critics of Clough like to point towards his inability to maintain this success or
his reliance on his assistant Peter Taylor. Of course one cannot mention Clough without Taylor, his ally at both Derby and Forest, whose ability to spot talent proved invaluable; Clough certainly never came close to matching his past glories in Taylor’s absence, and following a bitter argument between the pair in 1983, Forest experienced a decline in fortunes and were eventually relegated ten years later. And of course the game was different then. The disparity of revenue created by the Premier League and a core of elite clubs monopolising the Champions League places mean that, unless Bill Gates decides that turning Rotherham United into title contenders has always been his lifelong ambition, smaller provincial clubs will not taste such success again. That, in a sense, is Clough’s greatest legacy: a nostalgic trip to a different era of football, when trophies were not bought, when Sky did not dictate the fixtures and when modest clubs dared to dream.
Photo: Flickr, Rayand
Liverpool off and running amid difficult start for Premier League teams Josh Gray Sport writer The 2014-15 UEFA Champions League group stages began with a whimper for the Premier League sides, with only returnees Liverpool winning their opening encounter against Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad as Manchester City suffered last minuteheartbreak away to Bayern Munich, Arsenal were outclassed by Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea were held to a draw by Schalke. In the absence of stalwarts Manchester United, whose poor season under David Moyes ensured they failed to qualify for a European competition for the first time since 1990, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool returned following a five year absence. The Red’s search for a sixth title, ten years on from the miracle of Istanbul, got off to the best possible start with Mario Balotelli’s first goal for Liverpool and a penalty from Steven Gerrard enough to see off the stubborn Bulgarians, who proved far more of a challenge than they were given
credit for. After Balotelli broke the deadlock with ten minutes to go, substitute Dani Abalo gave Liverpool a real fright when he coolly rounded Simon Mignolet as the clock ticked into added time, only for debutant goalkeeper Milan Borjan to needlessly upend Javi Manquillo in the box; Gerrard dispatched the resulting spot-kick at the Kop end with the nerve of a man who had seen it all before. With defending champions Real Madrid’s 5-1 demolition of Basle confirming their status as favourites to qualify from Group B, Liverpool will treat their next fixture against the Swiss champions as pivotal if they are to progress. Arsenal failed to evoke their famous away triumph at the Westfalenstadion in the group stages last season as the Gunners fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat, a scoreline which could have been far worse had Dortmund taken advantage of some haphazard defending from the visitors. Goals either side of the interval from Ciro Immobile and PierreEmerick Aubameyang made the difference on the night, but in truth Arsenal never really
came close to challenging for the points. New signing Danny Welbeck failed to win over his new supporters by squandering Arsenal’s best chance when well placed, while World Cup winners Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski had a minimal impact on the game on home soil. The 1-1 draw between Group D rivals Anderlecht and Galatasaray mean Arsene Wenger’s men are certainly not out of the running yet, but a significant improvement is needed. Their woe was shared by Manchester City, who came within touching distance of walking away from their fifth meeting with Bayern Munich in three years with a well-deserved point, only for old boy Jerome Boateng’s late winner to send the Premier League champions home empty handed. As is customary for a Pep Guardiola side, Bayern controlled much of the possession and had the lion’s share of chances, but a barnstorming performance from Joe Hart in the City goal kept the match firmly in the balance. However a repeat of last season’s victory at the Allianz was not to be, as Boateng’s
deflected drive after City failed to clear their lines from a corner flicked beyond the despairing reach of Hart to leave Manuel Pellegrini with a difficult task ahead of their upcoming Group E matches against Roma and CKSA Moscow. José Mourinho and Chelsea could have wished for a better start too, as Cesc Fabregas’ first goal for his new club was cancelled out by Schalke frontman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after Fabregas was dispossessed by Julian Draxler. On the night Stamford Bridge welcomed back club legend Didier Drogba, now 36 and in the twilight of his career after a spell in Turkey with Galatasaray, the Blues failed to continue their electrifying start to the season, even Diego Costa’s appearance from the bench in the final 15 minutes failing to turn the tide in Chelsea’s favour as chance after chance came and went. Nevertheless, with weaker opposition in the form of Sporting Lisbon and Slovenian minnows Maribor to come in Group G, Chelsea’s passage to the knockout stages remains comfortably on track.
C
SPORT
SPORT
Issue 300
30th September 2014
concrete-online.co.uk @Concrete_UEA ConcreteNewspaper
Wikimedia: LocalFitness
Long live Team GB
Andy Murray attracted controversy with his pro-independence tweet on the eve of the referendum Wikimedia: Johnwnguyen
Concrete Fitness Page 22
Ross Perkins on why Scotland’s ‘No’ vote is a victory for British sport.
I
n the build-up to the Scottish Independence Referendum, I found myself torn. Despite wanting the Yes campaign to succeed in peacefully attaining self-determination, when such a prize often comes with the cost of blood, I was concerned by the uncertain future such a result would bring and the implications for my own identity that a dissolved union would have. But one of the biggest considerations in my hypothetical decision – as an Englishman – was the bearing independence would have on sport in the United Kingdom. Since the turn of the millennium, Team GB has been at the forefront of sporting excellence in international competitions alongside sporting powerhouses China and
“A ‘Yes’ vote would have lead to a total separation in sporting terms” the US, whose populations considerably dwarf our own. Indeed, with 29 gold medals in the London Olympics in 2012, Great Britain surpassed the Russian Federation to finish third in the medal table, with more golds than European competitors from France and Germany combined. Much of that has relied on developing top athletes from the length and breadth of the United Kingdom via investment from the National Lottery, with Scotland playing a crucial role. In fact, in 2012 Scotsmen and women contributed to one in five of Team GB’s medals,
despite making up only a tenth of the team, with Sir Chris Hoy and Andy Murray coming away with individual golds and Michael Jamieson winning a breaststroke silver. Their achievements were followed at the Winter Games in Sochi earlier this year by the allScottish curling teams, with Dave Murdoch’s men taking the silver, Eve Muirhead’s women the bronze and a further Paralympic bronze for Aileen Neilson’s wheelchair curlers. However, a ‘Yes’ vote would have led to a total separation in sporting terms that would reduce the pool from which our athletes could be picked. While England topped the medal table at the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games with 58 gold medals and 174 in total, matching such a feat against stronger opposition at either European or Olympic level would surely prove highly improbable. It follows that not only would Team GB be worse off in Scotland’s absence, but that Scottish athletes would suffer from being denied access to the world class sporting facilities based in England, namely those at Loughborough University. Funding equivalent infrastructures in Scotland would take time, leaving many of Scotland’s top athletes, including European 800m silver medallist Lynsey Sharp, at a major disadvantage. However, the quantitative measure of success is only one side of the story; the question of identity is just as important, if not more so. Murray’s pro-independence tweet on the morning of the referendum was widely slated; had such an outcome materialised, the perception of Murray as a Scot first, and a Brit
second – if at all – would have been deeply ingrained. What would this have meant for Britain? For one, if Murray were to represent an independent Scotland, his adoring public south of the border could no longer adopt him as their hero and biggest Grand-Slam Sir Chris Hoy’s success at London 2012 is testament to Scotland’s sporting contribution. Flickr: Robbie Dale hope. On a wider socio-political level, Scottish independence would have likely entrenched separate national identities once and for all and heightened nationalist sentiment throughout the UK. The phenomenal success of British Cycling in recent years is possibly the best indicator of what the union has meant for sport in the United Kingdom. Sir Dave Brailsford led Team GB to an impressive haul of eight gold medals in his tenure as British Cycling’s performance director at the Beijing and London Games and unsurprisingly called for Scotland to reject independence, reasoning that “UK sport is one of the best things this country has, and it is all possible because we can share talent, resources and ideas”. When English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish talents are combined, Great Britain is a force to be reckoned with on the global stage and in sporting terms at the very least, we certainly are ‘better together.’
Flickr: Rayand
Champions League Page 23
Wikimedia: Youngman1935
Clough Retrospective Page 23
12
Features OCTOBER SPEAR OF DESTINY
+ CC41 Wednesday 1st
THE DIRTY YOUTH
+ I DIVIDE + STRANGE TAIL + THE INTENT Thursday 2nd
TOTAL STONE ROSES & OAYSIS Friday 3rd
SUB FOCUS
+ MC ID Friday 3rd (8pm–midnight)
JOSH WIDDICOMBE
+ ROB BECKETT Wednesday 8th
GIG FOR LIVV FT. GO. FLY. WIN
+ FENRIR + WE’LL TAKE MANHATTEN + ONE DAY ROCKET Wednesday 8th
“And the ideas for songs on Wheatus albums tend to come from me. If somebody has an idea for a song, it’s you duty to respect the origin point of the idea and figure it out – figure it out together: what is it? Look, I mean, even the Beatles: it wasn’t collaborative. They were in the studio for so long together, but it was still
PIRATEFEST 2014 FT. ALESTORM
+ LAGERSTEIN + REDRUM + RAINBOW DRAGON EYES Wednesday 8th
“It’s a challenge to keep up with uni crowds because they’re drunk” either George’s song, or John’s song, or Paul’s that they were working on. And they worked together to make the guy’s idea happen – the guy who came up with it. “That’s not to be construed as a Beatles comparison!” Brown jabs the air keenly with a Sharpie. We point out that Beatles comparisons are not necessarily bad. “No – but it is if I make it!” Brown continues: “The idea is king, you know? If Matthew wrote a song and said ‘Hey! I want it to go on a Wheatus record’ and he said “Oh, and by the way: in order to fulfil this idea you have to stand on your head and play the kazoo”, I would do it! I’d figure it out – see what he’s on about. It’s my obligation because he’s got an idea. “We kind of see each other as vehicles for the idea. And Gabrielle’s record – she’s one of my backing vocalists, she’s got this solo record coming out – the ideas that are going down on that come from her. How did this collective of Wheatus-affiliated musicans come together? “Oh, man. That’s like 25 different stories! Generally speaking, you kind of bump into each other because of what you’re doing.
BLACK VEIL BRIDES
W
CLEAN BANDIT
Tuesday 21st
ASKING ALEXANDRIA
+ THE GHOST INSIDE + CROWN THE EMPIRE + SECRETS Wednesday 22nd
LETHAL BIZZLE
Friday 10th
PATENT PENDING
+ THE HYPE THEORY Saturday 11th
BILLY LOCKETT
Tuesday 14th
SKILLET
+ WICKED FAITH Wednesday 15th
THE BLACKOUT NETSKY LIVE
+ HATEBREED Thursday 20th
VOLBEAT
+ WALKWAY + THE INTENT Saturday 13th
WISHBONE ASH
THE KOOKS Friday 21st JAMES BAY
RIVAL SONS Tuesday 16th MICHAEL SCHENKER’S TEMPLE OF ROCK
Monday 3rd
Wednesday 5th
THE DAMNED
+ GRAVEDALE HIGH Friday 7th
NEVER A HERO
+ LITTLE RED KINGS + ENIGMA Friday 7th
THE BON JOVI EXPERIENCE
Saturday 8th
ALABAMA 3
+ DARLING COREYS Sunday 9th
SIKTH
+ HEART OF A COWARD + IDIOM Monday 10th
DIAMOND HEAD
Wednesday 12th
KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES
+ SAVE YOUR BREATH Thursday 23rd
JOSH PYKE
+ PYLO Friday 24th
KLAXONS
Saturday 25th
MAVERICK SABRE HOLLYWOOD ENDING SIMON MCBRIDE
+ FEDERAL CHARM Monday 27th
ANNIE EVE
Tuesday 28th
BATTLE OF BRITAIN TOUR + KORPIKLAANI + TYR Friday 28th
TTSF TAKEOVER
FT. BIG ALABAMA + DELAY + LITTLE RED KINGS + TWISTED PIGLET + BLACK SHUK Saturday 29th
BEARDYMAN Sunday 30th
Saturday 20th
2015 HAYSEED DIXIE
Sunday 18th January
ENRAGED
(RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE TRIBUTE) Saturday 24th January
FIRST AID KIT
Sunday 25th January
+ KNUCKLE PUCK + TROPHY EYES + SEAWAY Wednesday 4th February
PASSENGER
FT. DON BROCO + WE ARE THE IN CROWD+ BURY TOMORROW + BEARTOOTH Friday 6th February
+ DEAD UNTIL DUSK + BREAKING BELIEF Thursday 13th
LA ROUX
+ MEANWHILE Friday 14th
LIT
A PLACE IN THE SUN TOUR Friday 14th
LEVELLERS
GREATEST HITS TOUR 2014 + THE SELECTER + SHE MAKES WAR Saturday 15th
KNOTSLIP
+ SWORN TO OATH Tuesday 2nd + THE ONCE Wednesday 3rd
GBH
+ BACK DOWN OR DIE + ZIPLOCK + THE DOUGHYS Thursday 4th
COASTS
UPON A BURNING BODY
Sunday 7th
+ WARD THOMAS Monday 17th
EXAMPLE
Tuesday 18th
MIKE PETERS EUROPE & BLACK STAR RIDERS
(AC/DC TRIBUTE) Saturday 6th
THE SHIRES
JUNGLE
Friday 6th March
THE BURNING CROWS
HEAVEN’S BASEMENT
+ BROKEN CHORDS + STRANGE TAIL Monday 17th
KERRANG! TOUR 2015
Friday 13th March
+ NO MERCY + TRUESCAPE Friday 5th
Saturday 15th
NECK DEEP
Thursday 4th
(A SLIPKNOT TRIBUTE) + SWARMED + BACK DOWN OR DIE Saturday 15th
ELECTRIC MARY
THE FREAKS COME OUT WITH SEB FONTAINE Friday 31st
EMBRACE Friday 28th SABATON
THE BEAT Friday 19th 3 DAFT MONKEYS
TEMPLES Monday 1st RAGING SPEEDHORN
LITTLE COMETS
PAMS HOUSE
TWO SET SHOW Thursday 27th
CHINA DRUM
+ 4FT FINGERS + SPOT + GRAVEDALE HIGH Wednesday 17th
WICKED FAITH
+ MARTYR DEFILED + THE CHARM, THE FURY Sunday 16th
Thursday 30th
UB40 Monday 24th CROOKES Wednesday 26th WHOLE LOTTA LED
Wednesday 17th
DECEMBER
JESS GLYNNE
DAVE GILES
+ PORT ISLA Saturday 22nd
POUT AT THE DEVIL
XCERTS
Wednesday 29th Thursday 30th
GIRLSCHOOL
UK SUBS
+ THE MARKSMEN + DOGTOWN REBELS Saturday 13th
Wednesday 19th
KIRK FLETCHER
+ THE KATIE BRADLEY BAND FT. DUDLEY ROSS Wednesday 22nd
BRIT FLOYD DISCOVERY WORLD TOUR 2014 Wednesday 19th
+ YASHIN + WHEN WE WERE WOLVES Sunday 2nd
+ EVIL SCARECROW Wednesday 12th
Sunday 26th
HOSPITALITY FT. FRED V & GRAPHICS
NOVEMBER
DENCH PARTY TOUR Wednesday 22nd
STATES & EMPIRES DRAGONFORCE
hat’s coming up next for Wheatus? “We’re making another record when we get back. I’m also doing a collaborative side project with Josh Devine and Sandy Beales from the One Direction band”. As in Harry Styles One Direction? It’s a daft question, but one doesn’t expect to come across Wheatus and Simon Cowell’s crooning quintet in the same sentence. “Well there’s the backing band on stage behind them – and they are really good. And I’m in a side project with Josh and Sandy, the bass player and the drummer. We don’t have a name for it yet but we’re gonna come up with one. And it’s very, sort of, not Wheatus-y”. Two directions? New direction? “Both direction”, Brown suggests. “Those guys are heavily influenced by a lot of new metal
+ BUFFALO SUMMER + MASSIVE Sunday 19th
Sunday 26th
+ NEONFLY Friday 10th
– Alien Ant Farm, for example. They’re like a progressive, new metal band; they’re very influenced by Linkin Park and stuff. It’s the generation after me. “And, of course song-writing wise, I do some of it. But it isn’t like it is in Wheatus. We actually jam the songs into being. And we’ve had such limited time to do this, but everytime we get together: within 20 minutes we’ve got something. So it’s a really strong chemistry, and we’re excited about holding on to it. “There was a time when pop could be exclusive of musical talent and still be very successful. But I haven’t seen that in the One Direction organisation. Those guys are very
NICK MULVEY Sunday 19th THE TREATMENT
+ ATTILA + FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS + DRAMA CLUB Thursday 9th
+ THE INTENT + BREAKING BELIEF Thursday 9th
“This is one story – I’ll tell you one story. Matthew, our bass player, and I met because his best friend from high school went to a very, sort of, exclusive ACDC show at Roseland ballroom in New York in – I think it was 2002 or 2003. And it was really hard to get in: he had won a contest or something like that. Kreg, his friend, came up to me and asked for a photograph and then said “My friend’s a bass player – do you need a bass player?” And it turned out I did. So we kept in touch and eventually Matthew wound up in the band. That was a sort of like a fan moment that turned into friends”. And where did the name come from? It’s pretty unusual. “It’s what my dad used to call me, and my sister and my brother when we were little kids... I think it’s a sort of devolved version of the word little”.
FEED THE RHINO
+ NIGHT VERSES + BABY GODZILLA Thursday 16th
KID INK Monday 20th HEATHER PEACE
ESCAPE THE FATE
Peter Sheehan & UEA:TV’s Zoe Jones talk to
+ KIMBERLEY ANNE + JOEL BAKER Thursday 16th
MAX RAPTOR
+ GLAMOUR OF THE KILL Tuesday 7th
T
ELLA EYRE
Monday 20th
+ FREEZE THE ATLANTIC + SPEAKING IN ITALIC Monday 6th
eenage Dirtbag came out in 2000. 14 years later, it’s still going. And so are Wheatus, the American alternative rock group that formed five years before in Northport, New York. Last Tuesday, Concrete and UEA:TV sat down with Brendan Brown, the band’s lead singer, in advance of their Welcome Week gig in the LCR. This is the fourth time that Wheatus have played UEA, but only the third time that Brown will be able to remember. He doesn’t say why... They come to the UK “About once a year – maybe once every year and a half”, and they normally fit in a handful of freshers’ events. And university crowds have their own unique character. “It’s a little bit more light hearted. There aren’t as many musos in the crowd...” Musos? “Musically inclined individuals. “And it’s kind of a challenge to keep up with uni crowds because they’re drunk. And you can’t really get drunk. You can’t drink on the job”. Over 20 years, what is it that keeps the group together? “I just love to play guitar and write songs, and sing them. I love it. The band is, tighter and – I don’t know – just better at what we do these days. So it’s getting more exciting on that front”. Do they like doing things together? “Well typically in Wheatus I write the songs. But we work them up together in the studio and in rehearsal. So we get them to a certain point before we record and then we drop them down. So it’s quite interactive”. Has that tight bond helped them? “Matthew Milligan, our bass player, is the oldest standing member besides me. He’s been in since 2006, I think. But the first three Wheatus records are so different from one another that it’s almost as if the same band couldn’t have done them anyway, which was kind of convenient because after the first record... Phil wanted to do a solo thing. He wanted to go off on his own. We’re still friends: he mixed our last album. “We do have this sort of little group of musicians who’ve been in and out of Wheatus and we’re all still friends. And we chat and work on each other’s stuff if it’s required. So it’s more like a – it’s more like a music collective in terms of the personnel.
Wednesday 15th
FUTURE OF THE LEFT
+ BLACKLISTERS + KHAN Saturday 4th
Zoe Jones, left, station manager of UEA:TV, with Brenden Brown, the lead singer of Wheatus Zoe Jones
THE FAIR WEATHER FESTIVAL
HELLS BELLS
Thursday 19th March
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS VS PIERCE THE VEIL
PROFESSOR GREEN
Sunday 29th March
TURBOWOLF
Wednesday 1st April
+ EMPRESS + GOD DAMN Monday 8th
CASH (JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE) Thursday 11th FISH THE MOVEABLE FEAST TOUR Thursday 11th RUTS DC Friday 12th
THE SUBWAYS UFO
Thursday 16th April
TOXIC TWINS
(AEROSMITH TRIBUTE) Saturday 18th April
SIMPLE MINDS
Wednesday 22nd April
“Zayn is one of the best singers I’ve heard in my life” Wikimedia: Eva Rinaldi
good at what they do. Zayn is one of the best singers I’ve heard in my life! It’s a real thing if you ask me”. Teenage Dirtbag: does Brown love it or hate it? Some artists, when they are known for one song above all others, find that they eventually turn against their greatest hit. “No! I think that sometimes happens when your first big hit doesn’t represent you accurately. And we’re fortunate in that way. Teenage Dirtbag is very much a good ambassador of what we do and what we’re about. And I’m proud to have it out there – slogging away after all these years! It’s pretty funny how it just keeps popping it’s head back up like a cockroach”.
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