The Courier 1291

Page 1

www.thecourieronline.co.uk Tuesday 6 May 2014 Issue 1291 Free

The Independent Voice of Newcastle Students

NORTH EAST NORMS We look at how far reality TV is

coming to represent us in reality p.30

Est 1948

COUPLE CONUNDRUM p.12 POPPIN’ PILLS

p.31

Marking boycott officially called off By George Sandeman Editor

iMantis 3D

p.4

The proposed marking boycott by lecturers over pay has been called off after they voted to accept a 2% pay rise last week. Of all the members taking part in the ballot, 84 percent voted in favour of the new pay offer whilst 16 percent rejected it. “I’m really History lecturer angry our Martin Farr gave students have his thoughts: “I’m angry that it’s rehad to go such effort through this” quired – considerable inconvenience and loss of pay for those of us campaigning for a fair pay increase for all – and threat – with the consequent uncertainty greatly stressing our students – to achieve such a modest and minimally reasonable outcome. The responsibility of this lies firmly with the employers’ body, UCEA. I’m really angry our students have had to go through this.” In an email to students on Friday Academic Registrar Lesley Braiden said: “I am sure you will be relieved to hear this news, which means that all examina-

tions and assessments will proceed as normal.” As reported in The Courier Online, this follows a postponement to the boycott in April after the UCU’s negotiators agreed to ballot their members after the UCEA offered a 2% pay rise on next year’s pay. This follows a 1% pay rise this year. The results of the ballot showed a total of 30,141 votes cast with a turnout of 52.6 percent of UCU members. Out of the eligible votes cast 25,239 voted to accept the offer and call off the marking boycott (83.7 per cent) and 4,902 voted to reject it (16.3 per cent). The UCEA issued a statement saying it was “pleased that the employers’ ‘full and final’ pay offer of 2 percent for 2014-15 has been accepted by the vast majority of UCU members”. The two remaining unions in the dispute, Unison and Unite, are still consulting on their pay offer which includes a 2.2 percent increase for the lowest-paid workers.

What do you think? Happy exams are going ahead?: www.thecourieronline.co.uk

Security to be scrapped at Leazes EXCLUSIVE The 24-hour reception and security service at Castle Leazes is slated to be scrapped as part of the University’s ‘Accommodation & Hospitality Services Review’. The Courier has seen a copy of a letter sent to staff notifying them of the review and has had two sources confirm that the University has taken the decision to scrap the Castle Leazes service within the last week. Concerns are now being raised as to how seriously the University is tak-

By George Sandeman Editor ing student safety and if the proposed ‘roaming security patrol’ will have enough resource to keep students safe. Speaking to The Courier, under the condition of anonymity, a staff member said: “Now that reception will no longer be a 24-hour service it will be a huge loss, not only in terms of assistance, but in security. Security staff have been told they are no longer required, which I think is madness, and Castle Leazes will be handed over to Estate Security who are already under staffed and they

24-hour reception and security to be closed

do not want to be involved as they are already very busy.” The staff member added: “I assume

“Estate Security service are already under staffed”

and protection of their students.” At the time of printing the University were unable to respond to the specific

“I assume student fees will not be reduced and so gives the impression the University is more interested in cash than the safety of students” the student fees will not be reduced and so gives the impression the University is more interested in cash than the safety

closure of the Castle Leazes reception but did release a statement about the review as a whole. A spokesperson said:

“The safety, security and wellbeing of the students who live in our accommodation is our top priority. To make sure they continue to get the best provision possible, Accommodation and Hospitality Services is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the services it provides. “This will include the way reception and security are delivered at Castle Leazes and our staff have been involved in the discussions. The review is still Continued on page 4


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