THE VOICE
EUSA STUDENT SUPPLEMENT ISSUE 9 MARCH PRODUCED FORTNIGHTLY
EDINBURGH CHARITY FASHION SHOW
09
WORK HARD PLAY HARD • MONEY MONEY MONEY • THE BIG PURPLE COW.
Student voice
Edinburgh Hosts International Conference LAST MONTH, THE first Scottish Model United Nations (ScotMUN) conference was held in Edinburgh. Organised by the University of Edinburgh Model United Nations Society (EDMUN) the conference attracted around eighty delegates in what is hoped to become an annual event. Despite being in its founding year the conference drew an international crowd with delegates arriving from Moscow, Estonia and France. Students from the Bangalore University Law College in India were due to arrive but due to complications with their visas they are instead arriving later in the week for a special event with EDMUN. Antoine Sakko, a member of the Parisian delegation, said that MUN is still quite new at his University and that his team had come to ScotMUN to gain experience and to visit Scotland as they had never been before. Model United Nations aims to increase awareness of the working of the United Nations (UN) through simulated UN conferences in which students act as delegates from Member-States. During the Scottish conference delegates were split into five committees. The Security Council debated the possibility of dividing up Iraq whilst the Disarmament & International Security (DISEC) group dealt with a border dispute between China and India. To
give the conference a Scottish twist, one of the committees debated as the Scottish Parliament, trying to decide whether it should remain part of the UK. Deputy Secretary General Rebecca Wood stressed that the society is keen to develop links with other associations. There was a strong showing from other Scottish Universities at the conference and the society is in discussions about raising awareness of MUN among school pupils. For all the formality of the debates, one of the most entertaining aspects of ScotMUN was the snippets of conversation that could be caught when the committees paused to allow delegates to lobby one another such as “Russia doesn’t respect other boundaries, hello, Georgia” and “You have to go and talk to India about this.” Secretary-General Marie O’Mara said “ScotMUN is set to be an annual conference, drawing together the universities of Scotland, and investing in the University of Edinburgh’s reputation to help measure up to other prominent institutions, such as Harvard and Oxford, who also host international conferences.” Anne Miller
Our Writers Week I would love to be able to write a far-fetched story about my fantastic adventurous life but that would be a lie – fourth year seems to have sapped away most of my social calendar. You are right in thinking that all the stress and relentless workload is driving me crazy, but the sad truth in the matter is that I’m actually having a really good time. This week I realised how important my friends are, it’s great when you are all in the same boat. We’ve all calmed down a bit and a cheeky night out involves a trip to the cinema and a glass of wine, rather than copious amounts of vodka and embarrassing dance-moves at a classic Edinburgh haunt. For me, this week involved both forms of entertainment and looking back on it, the cinema and wine was much more enjoyable. Although a word of warning to all – a pint of wine at the rugby may seem like a good idea but once you’ve lost your inhibitions, it’s not a pleasant sight. [Over and Out, G]
Gemma MacKenzie
Spotlight on
DRAGONS DEN 2009
The winners’ podium
ON FEBRUARY18TH EUSA and Procter & Gamble teamed up to host a special edition of Dragons Den. The event saw a record amount of applicants which was short listed to 9 society pitches. the short listed societies included; Film Society, First Aid Society, Children’s’ Holiday Venture, Confucianism Society, Edinburgh Global Partnerships, Malaysian Society, Marrow Edinburgh Society, Student Newspaper, and Engineers Without Borders. Every society delivered an outstanding pitch, and the Dragons found it very hard to decide the winners! In the end, the decision was as follows – first place went to the Confucianism Society, who had the fantastic idea of hosting a world class ‘East Meets West’ Event chamber concert in May 2009 consisting of Chinese folk music and Mr. Peng, a world renowned composer. The presentation and the pitch was well thought out, and delivered outstandingly. Second place went to the First Aid society who wanted to buy First Aid training equipment so that they could offer training sessions for societies and sports clubs. Third place went to the Student Newspaper who wanted to purchase digital recording and editing equipment to produce online videos. All the societies who took park were deserving winners and really put a lot of thought and effort into their pitch. Naomi Hunter
CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR Kaite Oakes DESIGN Mark Matthews COVER PHOTO & FASHION PHOTOS Sarah Saleh
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WRITERS Writers: Anne Miller, Gemma MacKenzie, Fiona Bonar, Kirsty Leys, Carys Notley, Alex Taylor, Jenny Allen, Joe Gray
“The Confucianism Society had the fantastic idea of hosting a world class ‘East Meets West’ Event chamber concert in May 2009 consisting of Chinese folk music and Mr. Peng, a world renowned composer. The presentation and the pitch was well thought out, and delivered outstandingly.”
Now that we are midway through March and the end of term looms, the reality that I am almost through my first year has started to sink in. But, as I have been preoccupied with essay deadlines and exam stress, I have hardly had a chance to reflect on my life at Edinburgh so far. Of course, compulsory first year activities have been undergone: attending Crags religiously on a Monday night, complaining nonstop about Pollock and the JMC, while actually being terrified at the prospect of actually to cook my own meals and living in fear of the washing machines. First year life has definitely been an experience, made up of unforgettable nights out, joining random societies and having to remember to dress for the Scottish climate! So although I’m looking forward to a well-deserved Easter break, I’m definitely excited about making the most of my last term as a fresher.
Alexandra Taylor
This week, I completed my dissertation. Yes, that’s right – bring on the trumpets and the dancing girls. In the style of Gordon Ramsay: months of mind-numbing research, countless weeks of stressful writing, hours upon hours of agonising editing, 15,000 words – DONE! As I walked out of the copy shop with the huge wad of pages cradled in my arms, still warm from being straight out of the printer, I realised that my dissertation had actually become my baby. I have looked after this piece of work for so long now, and have become attached to every little detail of it, that the thought of handing it over to relative strangers is really quite horrific. What if they criticise and laugh at my precious bundle of joy?! Oh dear…all I can hope is that my baby can stand strong in the big bad world of marking… I have my doubts.
Fiona Bonar
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk
Student Voice
Money, money, money!
Kirsty Leys bite size guide to Graduate finance. Graduate finance. Two words to strike fear into the heart of most fourth years. In all the frenzy surrounding graduation – credit crunch-related doom, important issues like who to sit with at the graduation ball, whether spending £70 on graduation shoes is justified and whether you should have learnt how to cook more than beans on toast in four years, a life after the student loan seems a distant (and frightening) prospect! Fear not! The Voice is here to give you bite-sized chunks of information about everything graduate finance related, so that you can concentrate on the important things in life – like whether that geek you pulled way back at the Fresher’s ball will hunt you down at the graduation ball for a reunion…
Repaying your student loan The best place to go for information is www.direct.gov.uk. It has advice on everything related to student-dom (except for really good takeaway numbers) and should be your first stop for information about student loan repayment. In principle it’s a pretty simple system; the most important things to know are: • Repayment works on a PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system, meaning that the amounts you will pay back depend on your income. • The current threshold is £288 per week / £1,250 per month. So, if you earn less than £15,000 a year then your payments will be postponed until you are in a better financial position. • You will pay instalments of 9% of anything over the threshold NOT 9% of your total income. • Interest is charged on student loans until they are fully paid off. Currently the interest rate is 2%, although this is subject to change. • If you are planning to live outside the UK for more than 3 months after graduation then you must inform the student loan company (SLC) so you can arrange a repayment schedule. If you don’t then you’ll be subject to penalties – so don’t do it kids! • If you are feeling particularly flush you can make voluntary payments on top of the money which is being taken from your wages. Also, savings and investments do count towards your total earnings for the year so these will be taken into account when the SLC works out your instalments.
Council Tax Make the most of laughing at your friends who didn’t go to uni for paying for your education with their hefty tax bills, because sadly that tax-free time is coming to an end! The amount you pay in Council Tax per year depends upon the value of the property in which you live. So, for example, someone living in a Band A house in Edinburgh which is worth under £27,000 will pay £779.33, but if you’re lucky enough to live in a house worth more than £212,000 and therefore in Band H, then you’ll pay the princely sum of £2,338. 00. There are also some discounts available which are worth checking out – you can get 25% off your council tax, water and sewerage bill if you’re the only adult living in a property, and if you share a property with students then you could claim an exemption or reduction on your Council Tax bill. Head to www.edinburgh.gov.uk for more council tax info.
The overdraft I almost dreaded researching this one – the overdraft has been my lifesaver at Uni - I don’t think I’ve been in the positive since first year, and the thought of not having it anymore brings me out in a cold sweat! The main banks around Uni all have a similar policy; if you have a current student account with one then you’ll automatically be upgraded to the graduate account. The major benefit of the graduate account is that you still get your overdraft facility – but that it gradually reduces by around £500 over three years, helping you pay it off bit-by-bit. Unsurprisingly, they all have a low-interest loan deal in case you want to pay it all off in one go…and most of them have other incentives like free mobile phone insurance or RAC breakdown cover. Worth checking with the banks themselves to get the best deal for you…so if you’re having withdrawal symptoms from not having to do any dissertation research after graduation, then this might keep you interested for an hour or two!
Hardship funds These emergency funds could benefit you whichever year you’re in…but they are limited so they have some strict criteria which you have to adhere to when thinking about applying for them. Firstly – you must have exhausted all other sources of financial support – that means claiming the maximum student loan you can and using your overdraft. You have to fill in an application form and provide details of expenses, including three months of bank statements – it’s obvious that they might not be too willing to give you money if they see that you spend every penny funding George Street bars! Also, bear in mind that it will take a couple of weeks for your application to be processed and any money awarded to clear in your account, so if you know you can’t pay next months rent then don’t leave applying too late! Pick up an application form from the advice place at Potterrow.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk
THE VOICE 3
Features
Cash, Comedy and Giant Purple Cows! AH THE STUDENT life! You work your socks off both semesters to find that you have little or no money left to get you through the summer, never mind pay for that amazing round the world trip you had planned! It’s that period of the year when you find your bank account has dried up with no hope of a trusty student loan to save you. It’s at this point when you realise it would be a pretty good idea to earn a bit, or even a lot, of money with the possibility of having some fun at the same time! Enter the summer job…and there’s plenty to offer in Edinburgh and beyond… If you’re looking for the perfect summer job, where better to start than the ever useful internet where there are various sites and search engines to meet your every requirement. Try accessing Edinburgh University’s SAGE database via the careers service website at www. careers.ed.ac.uk. Look under ‘vacations’ then choose ‘vacation work’ and search by job type and location. Alternatively, use www.summerjobs.co.uk where you can search opportunities by your preferred region, job and by your qualifications. It’s as simple as that! But the ultimate Edinburgh summer experience has to be working at the festival! To be at the heart of the event, the E4 Udderbelly (yes that’s right, one of the massive purple upside-down cows we all know and love!) has a variety of jobs on offer. Visit www.underbelly.co.uk and click on ‘work with us’ to view a list of the types of jobs available from the August 2nd to September 2nd. From box office work, to bar staff, to becoming part of their street team, there’s something for everyone to get involved in this summer! Applications open in April so start thinking what
you fancy doing and why you’re up for the task. To apply, send a cover letter stating which job you would like and why you think you would be suitable. Send your CV and passport photo to Marina Dixon at Underbelly Ltd, Victoria Chambers, 16-18 Strutton Ground, London SW1P 2HP. The University SAGE database also contains listings of other festival jobs available- just in case working in a big purple cow is not appealing to you! Alternatively, for you crazy people who don’t fancy spending the summer in Edinburgh, there are plenty of opportunities available abroad. Why not spend the summer working in the USA with a program called Camp America. Visit their website at www.campamerica.co.uk for more information and attend their recruitment event on the 8th of March from 11am at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, Kensington, London W8 7NX for a chance to be chosen to work in a summer camp in the United States! So with all these fantastic possibilities in mind, start thinking what best way you could earn money this summer. If the festival sounds like your type of work, jobs are easily accessed through SAGE and other websites, from handing out flyers to serving those important pints. And if you’re really lucky, you might just get to spend your summer days earning cash whilst surrounded by comedians and other exiting events and, not forgetting, by the infamous purple cow! What a thought!
Story of a real life festival worker: Lindsey Tien I WORKED LAST summer for comedy agency called GSOH whose website is http:// www.gsohcomedy.co.uk/edinburgh/index.html. I got the job through SAGE; however I was very lucky as 500 people had been up for 5 jobs! I was called for an informal chat at a coffee shop at the end of June, which is quite late as many companies recruit much earlier (around April). I got the feeling that they like people who are easy to talk and generally quite friendly! I started work on the 29th of July and worked for 28 days. My tasks basically entailed promoting the comedy shows by handing out flyers around the University and other central areas. Overall I enjoyed the experience, but, as with most jobs, there were good points and bad points…
Pros
Cons
The city is buzzing and you’re right in the middle of it all.
The salary for most festival work is not the best but your payment is an amazing experience!
You meet loads of new people, both similar and different to you.
It’s very tiring- expect aching feet and not many breaks.
Free passes to comedy shows and venues depending on which company you work with.
The high possibility of rain- and you’re outside the whole time!
The chance to brush shoulders with some celebrities.
It’s expensive to live, especially if you don’t already have accommodation.
It’s a real confidence boost promoting comedy shows to people you don’t know!
No days off at all!
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD AND GIVE SOMETHING BACK. JOBLESS, PENNILESS AND desperate is the general outlook for a summer filled with fruitless job hunting and rubbish weather, and it’s not a very favourable one at that. However, there is an alternative. Travel. And not just any old travel, but responsible, ethical, fun, carbon footprint happy, adventurous, CV boosting, affordable travel. Sceptical? Always. Madventurer and Intrepid Travel are two independent travel companies boasting an ethos of responsible travel, eco-tourism, and fundraising, with the focus as much on the benefit to the local community as the individual traveller. It’s not a new concept; it’s clearly just been marketed wrongly by the gap year types you always hear in the JMC “oh ya, I went to Africa and saved the turtles. Life changing experience”, which just makes it sound like a load of self obsessed drivel. But is there any truth in it? The Voice caught up with the companies’ to hear their side of the story. Madventurer director, John Lawler set up the company ten years ago with help from the Princes Trust after spending eight months in Ghana teaching and travelling. “I saw a niche in the market. There was no one back then who offered a work hard, play hard combination of volunteer projects and adventure travel.” Although the company now offers trips to other parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America, the Voltar region of Ghana still remains John’s secret favourite. “The Voltar region was the first place I went, and I fell in love with it. It’s always the place I’d recommend a first time volunteer to go,” he commented before reversing my cynicism about travel being only about the individual. “If you drive around the province, there are at least 50 clinics, schools and toilet blocks that have been built by Madventurer volunteers.” This lead neatly onto my next bout of scepticism and one about which I pleasantly surprised to be shot down immediately by John for. “How else do you think the trips and projects are funded? 10% of the money you pay goes on building materials for the project, and a further
4 THE VOICE
71% is spent overseas. And, if we didn’t incorporate any of the marketing costs, you wouldn’t know about us in the first place.” The cost of the trip is halved after the first two weeks, meaning you pay no extra overhead costs. The trips themselves are unique, varied and exciting; with (thankfully) hardly any “school trip” feeling about them; there seems to be no whiff of egg sandwich style packed lunches. Group sizes are very small, on average 10 people in each, making it the perfect way for a single traveller to meet people and get involved immediately. Madventurer will also arrange a project just for you and your friends if you are travelling in a group. As a volunteer, you can be a builder, teacher, sports coach, medic or any combination of the above. Times are tough at the moment for the independent travel company, currently battling against First Choice, who has recently bought the three biggest companies for volunteer travel, Real Gap, I-to-I and World Challenge. “Their marketing drive is enormous, and difficult to compete with. That’s why we do days like today,” commented John at last month’s World Adventure Trophy day in Bristo Square, “we need to raise our own profiles and make ourselves stand out”. If you are thinking of taking some time out, employers increasingly ask for it to be spent in a beneficial, worthwhile way, and all scepticism now dead and buried, these companies look to be a great way to do that. Over 90% of Intrepid leaders are locals, and much of Madventurer’s projects were found through locals and former members of the “Mad Tribe”, meaning that you’re not swanning in and out just for your project, to make yourself feel good about saving a little bit of the world, (there’s the old cynicism creeping back in), but that your project has been chosen by locals, and will benefit the community long after you return to the rainy land of tartan. Katie Oakes
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk
Features Keeping it local
We stay at family-run hotels, eat at local restaurants and use local operators wherever possible. We visit lots of community projects on our trips, giving travellers a real feel for the issue impacting the communities we visit. Gina We employ local masons, carpenters, drivers and cooks to boost the local economy and forge strong relationships between the volunteers and members of the local community. There has to be a community/ volunteer balance. John
Charity
Both Madventurer and Intrepid Travel ask volunteers to raise money for their charities. The Mad Foundation funds scholarships for the local children, sports equipment and building renovations and a minimum donation of £500 is included in the cost of each of the Mad Mountain Challenges. The Intrepid Foundation matches all donations dollar for dollar. They have raised over £600,000 since 2002 with the money being pumped into small organisations in their operating areas that provide and improve health care, education, human rights, child welfare, environmental and wildlife protection.
What they offer
Intrepid Travel 9 different trip styles, Original, Basix (best value), Comfort (a few little luxuries), Overland, Volunteering, Active (cycling, kayaking, trekking), Out Adventures, Urban Adventures, Independent (make your own trip). 38 carbon offset trips (they have calculated the emissions it and included the cost of offsetting in the price). For further info www.intrepidtravel.com
My perfect trip Tap into Thailand. Travel from Bangkok to Chang Mai in the north. Meet locals on a hilltribe trek, enjoy northern hospitality on a rural homestay, take a tuk tuk ride through Bangkok and just immerse yourself in both Ancient and Modern Thai culture. A bargain at only £205 for 8 days. My three packing essentials are a good sense of humour, sense of adventure and a desire to learn about local culture Gina I would do a six week volunteer project in Ghana, before doing an overland trip from Makrar to Timbuktu and back. I would then fly to Kenya and do another six week volunteer project, this time in the Rift Valley, before going overland down to Cape Town. When I was first in Ghana, I was made a chief; Chief Torgbui Mottey 1 and given golden sandals to wear. John
Madventurer 2-12 week volunteer projects in 10 countries spanning 4 continents. 3 Mad Mountain challenge trips, Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and Macchu Picchu. Loads of adventure trips all over the world For further info www.madventurer.com
ERASMUS!
Planning to study abroad for the third year of your degree? Study in europe with erasmus! ERASMUS IS A student exchange programme enabling students to undertake study and work placements in Europe for between 3 and 12 months. Most students at Edinburgh go on exchange during the third year of their degree- although this tends to vary from subject to subject. Erasmus exchanges form a vital part of your university degree, and credits gained on Erasmus are accredited towards your degree at Edinburgh. The University of Edinburgh has Erasmus student exchange programmes established in 130 different institutions in 23 different countries in Europe- you could go ANYWHERE! However, where you can go highly depends upon what you study. For your convenience, The Voice has prepared a few guidelines on the application process.
Step 1: Apply For A Place •
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Once you have completed the procedure, it may take weeks until the university sends you an e-mail or a letter of acceptance. You could also contact them to ensure they have everything they needed from you.
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It is absolutely essential that you fill in all forms accurately and carefully for your admission depends on it. Also, send them all required documentation making additional copies of them in case things go missing.
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A word of caution to the tale: if you fail exams at the University of Edinburgh the semester before leaving, your place is likely to be forfeited.
Most subject areas allocate Erasmus places during January/ February, for the next academic year. Again, some places make their decisions earlier depending on the course. It is better if you contact your Departmental Erasmus Coordinator at the beginning of the second year.
Step 3: complete the neceessary forms for edinburgh
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Before you leave Edinburgh, a Student Release Contract is to be completed with details of the courses you wish to take at your chosen university.
Application procedures vary from subject to subject. For some you may be required to fill in a form expressing your interests, while others may only ask you to sign your name on a list. For this, you might want to get in touch with your departmental coordinator.
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An Erasmus Grant Application has to be filled before you leave, and all Erasmus participant residents of the UK, EEA, or EU are eligible for a grant.
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Your Learning Agreement needs to be completed soon after your arrival at your host university. This is to register you at the university and to ensure that the programme of study you plan to follow will satisfy your requirements for your year abroad.
If and when you have been selected, you will be informed by your Departmental Coordinator who will then inform the International Office. The International Office will contact your prospective host university so as to nominate you formally.
Step 2: Applying To Your Host University •
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Your place at Erasmus is only provisional until you have applied for an admission at the host university. This is because students are likely to change their minds about going on exchange, or may fail exams. Applying to the university is a sign of securing your place. Application procedures will vary from university to university; every university has different forms and deadlines. Alternatively, your host university may send you all the information required for your admission. Generally, the International Office provides your home address and university e-mail i.d. to the university. So, it is advisable for you to regularly check your inbox and post.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk
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All returning students are also asked to fill out a questionnaire so as to help future students going on exchange. (Khadija Basit) For more information, visit www.international.ed.ac.uk/exchanges/index.html
Erasmus exchanges form a vital part of your university degree, and credits gained on Erasmus are accredited towards your degree at Edinburgh. The University of Edinburgh has Erasmus student exchange programmes established in 130 different institutions in 23 different countries in Europe
EGP YOU MIGHT HAVE seen various fliers for fundraising events for the various EGP projects happening this year, and you are forgiven in asking what or who is EGP? EGP stands for Edinburgh Global Partnerships – a student run charity which has been around for about seventeen years, and has now grown to include up to seventy volunteers participating in 7-9 projects across the world every year. The places for this years projects are already full but you can still show your support by attending the various fundraising events held across the university to ensure that this year’s volunteers get enough funding to go. It is also worthwhile to get involved so that you can put yourself forward for one of next year’s projects. EGP projects run across the summer, going to places in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Projects are led by two co-ordinators who select a further 4-7 volunteers to join them. This summer EGP will be sending volunteers to: Cameroon, India, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda and Mongolia. Show your support and get your ass of the couch to these events to help your fellow students help others. Every little helps. Gemma MacKenzie
AIESEC AIESEC
AIESEC IS AN organisation which offers both recent graduates and undergraduates the chance to immerse themselves in different societies and cultures, allowing them not only to learn about these foreign societies but to teach others about their own native society. The organisation is described as a ‘platform for exchange-based learning’. The aim of the organisation is to send students off on internships worldwide; many businesses take part in the AIESEC programme as it is part of the global sourcing programme, providing international talent for companies in the United Kingdom. Surely in this current economical climate, any extra experience to bulk up your C.V. is a must? For those of you who looking to gain some experience or fill that gap in your calendar from June until August, maybe AIESEC is the thing for you. From all my past experience of applying for jobs, courses, chatting to careers advisers etc it seems to me that experience is essential. So not only is this a great way to make yourself sparkle in future interviews, it could lead to your dream job and is a great way to meet new people and travel the world. To find out more information about AIESEC Edinburgh, you can access their Facebook page or they meet every Tuesday at 6.15pm in room 2.12 Appleton Tower. Gemma MacKenzie
THE VOICE 5
Features
Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show
With the show fast approaching Alexandra Taylor talks to the ECFS 09 Chairwoman Joni Mackay about her role in creating the fashion event.
AT: How did you get involved with ECFS? JM: This has been my first year as Chairman. I was given the opportunity to model in the show last year and I was offered the job through that. It’s been a rollercoaster ride since taking on the position. At times it’s felt like a full time job and been tough to get the right balance, trying to juggle writing 4000 word essays and my efforts towards the show. It becomes all that you think about!
What is ECFS? STUDENT ACTIVISM AND a love of fashion come together once again on March 20th and 21st at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange as the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show prepares to wow audiences for a sixth consecutive year. Hailed as “Europe’s most successful studentrun fashion show” the event has made a name for itself among A-listers and students alike and raised over £200,000 for charity, earning its place as one of the unmissable events in the university calendar.
AT: What has been the best thing about being Chairman? JM: I have had a fantastic team to work with, who are all passionate about the charities we’re supporting. I’ve also had so much fun meeting so many new people. AT: When did the show originate? JM: It began five years ago after a student lost a close friend to cancer and has really grown from there. This is why Maggie’s charity, a cancer caring centre, is so important to the event. It’s amazing to see that so many alumni are still interested in seeing the event carry on and in 2009, I want it to get bigger and better,
This year’s fashion show looks set to be better than ever with the some of the most innovative and acclaimed designers making their contribution. Top class entertainment is also expected, varying from a fantastic auction to live music and dancers and, with more surprises to come, guests are sure to witness a captivating and enjoyable spectacle.
AT: Can you reveal the concept of this year’s show? JM: All will be revealed on the night, but I will say that guests will be taken on a journey as soon as they arrive. Also the theme of revolution runs throughout so expect to see a breakaway from the norm. This years’ show will capture everyone’s attention and will definitely be different to ECFS past shows.
This year the ECFS is in aid of three charities: Maggie’s Edinburgh, Cavernoma Alliance UK and Motor Neurone Disease Scotland which are all funded by public donations.
AT: How did you pick the models? JM: We held a casting in November and were surprised by the huge number of people who put themselves forward. We eventually narrowed it down to thirty models (15 guys, 15 girls). It was also important to me to pick people who were really interested in the charities.
The devoted committee and the shows’ thirty models have all worked tirelessly to make sure that their mission for 2009 is achieved: to raise more money than ever before for our chosen charities, which means that this year they have a huge target of over £40,000 to reach.
AT: Are there any stories behind the charities you’ve picked? JM: This year one of the charities we are supporting is the Cavernoma Alliance UK, which works to raise awareness and provide support for victims and their families. This is very personal to me; as I know a fourth year student who actually suffered a brain hemorrhage. It’s very rewarding to really see whom you are helping, it puts things into perspective.
ECFS is ready to revolt…are you part of it? *Tickets for the event can be purchased online at:/ www.edinburghcharityfashionshow.com and doors will open at 7pm on both evenings. *** Alexandra Taylor
AT: How do the two nights break down? JM: Friday night from 7pm is the student night and there will be a bar and the fashion show. Saturday is the VIP night and this will begin with a champagne reception followed by magical entertainment, a three-course dinner and the show. There will also be a silent auction and an after-party at Hawk and Hunter.
Sixty seconds with a model NAME Katie Readman AGE 20 WHERE YOU’RE FROM London WHAT YOU STUDY Geography (Second year) WHY YOU DECIDED TO BE A PART OF ECFS I am very interested in fashion and thought it would be a really fun thing to do considering it’s in aid of such amazing charities. It’s a lovely thing to be involved in outside of normal university life and I think it will give me a lot of new skills like...learning to walk properly!
HAVE YOU EVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE I have done a little bit of modelling, but never runway. I found the auditions quite intimidating, as I was up against 150 other people. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT CHARITY EVENTS Charities are finding it hard in the credit crunch and it is important to support amazing charities like Maggie’s and create something really special. The Designers The show will feature leading women’s wear designers including Nicole Farhi, Betty Jackson, Bora Aksu, Daks and up and coming designers from the Artist’s springboard, making for an unforgettable evening. Director of Men’s Fashion, Gregor Wilson, also told The Voice that Franklin and Marshall, Walker Slater, Griffen and 21st Century Kilts would be amongst those brands that the male models would be showcasing.
WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT BEING A MODEL It’s exciting to meet people from different years and of course there are the clothes!
6 THE VOICE
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk
Sport
Triathletes – all work and no play? SOME PEOPLE MAY think it is hard enough to keep up training in running, swimming or cycling. But there are some crazy people out there who manage to do all three. And even seem to enjoy it. This is even more ridiculous when one realises that a substantial number of members are medics, because clearly they don’t have enough to do. However, these ludicrously fit people were, to my surprise, some of the most welcoming and lovely people you will meet. As someone who enjoys a casual swim here and there but is by no means a keenbean when it comes to sport, if I’m being honest, I was expecting an air of superiority to exude from these super-fit folk. However, I found it very refreshing how much variety there is in the people who come along to training (from people who have done an Ironman to those just wanting to get a bit fitter). Also, I had heard they have bloody great socials. I needed to check this out. On Wednesday 25th February, the Triathlon Club had a ceilidh in Teviot to celebrate their 10th anniversary. I went along as an impartial judge to see how these people enjoyed themselves in their leisure time. And what a night it was. Everyone was really up for a bit of dancing and the be-kilted folk were keeping the rest of us right.
A brilliant ceilidh band, cheap drink and great people. A recipe for a good social if I ever heard one. And if this wasn’t enough of a reason to join these people, they also actually do a lot of triathlon things too. The club organises a triathlon in Tranent every year. This is a brilliant opportunity for all the members to come together and help organise and run the event. EUTri was voted ‘Most Improved Society’ by the sport’s union this year. With these great socials and a brilliant committee, I can understand why. The club welcomes people ranging from beginners to pros and are enthusiastic pretty much all the time. While I thought it would be all strict training regimes, no drinking, calorie-controlled diets etc. it’s actually just a group of talented people who want to get together to make themselves better at what they enjoy. And if that includes swimming, running or cycling (or a wonderful mix of the three) then Triathlon club is for you. To get involved give the President a shout on E.maguire@ed.ac.uk or check out their website http://triathlon.eusu.ed.ac.uk/ Jenny Allen
“Some people may think it is hard enough to keep up training in running, swimming or cycling. But there are some crazy people out there who manage to do all three. And even seem to enjoy it. This is even more ridiculous when one realises that a substantial number of members are medics, because clearly they don’t have enough to do.”
Are you the new Voice Editor? VOICE EDITOR
The Voice Newspaper is a fortnightly publication that promotes the concerns of students at Edinburgh. It is distributed via Student newspaper. It is produced by the Students’ Association to inform students about issues that affect them, reflect the dynamism of student life in Edinburgh, and promote student interests both within the University and beyond What will I be doing? The Voice Editor will be responsible for producing the newspaper fortnightly from Freshers 2009 to Christmas, and will report directly to the Association Executive. He/She will be responsible for commissioning and editing copy, recruiting writers and newspaper layout (with support from the Graphic Designer). They will also be responsible for ensuring that there is adequate news content on the Association website. The Ideal Candidate The successful applicant will be committed to the publication, imaginative in sourcing relevant stories, and innovative in developing the Voice Newspaper. They will have strong leadership skills, developing a functional team of student writers, and will work closely with the Association Executive on matters of student representation and services. Terms The position is voluntary, however the successful applicant will receive an honorarium of £72.75 per edition as recognition of efforts. Applicants should submit a CV, covering letter why you would like the post and evidence of editorial/writing experience to the President, EUSA, Potterrow, 5/2 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL or e mail jackie.laird@eusa.ed.ac.uk by Tues 17 March
DIARY EDITOR
The desktop EUSA Diary contains information that students will find useful on a daily basis. It is distributed to first year students and sold through Union Shops and Blackwells Bookshops. We are looking for an Editor for the edition dated 2009-10. This year you will be ensuring information is correct and providing new Facts of the Week What will I be doing? • Ensure all information in the Diary is correct • Working to tight deadlines • Ensure all material is suitable for printing
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk
The updates must be complete by Easter Vacation Project Support Payments will be paid for this project on completion of set deadlines. Project Payments are approximately £250
The Ideal Candidate • •
You should have good organisational skills You should be able to meet tight deadlines and operate under pressure • You should have an eye for detail and presentation with a good knowledge of grammar Applicants should submit a CV, covering letter why you would like the post and evidence of editorial/writing experience to the President, EUSA, Potterrow, 5/2 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL or e mail jackie.laird@eusa.ed.ac.uk by Tues 17 March
STUDENT CITY GUIDE EDITOR
Edinburgh University Students’ Association is to produce a Student City Guide which expands on information currently provided in the EUSA Survival Guide. This will act as an introduction and invaluable lifestyle reference guide to Edinburgh and University life. It will be distributed to students across Edinburgh, to their families and to those attending Open Days. We are looking for an Editor for the edition dated 2009-10. The basic content has already been established. What will I be doing? • Building a team of sub-editors, writers and photographers. • Leading the production team, ensuring all researched and collected material is factually correct and up to date. • Ensuring deadlines are met. The final copy must be available by 5th June. The Ideal Candidate • You should have good organisational skills • You should be able to work well within a team and as an individual, be able to meet tight deadlines and operate under pressure • You should have an eye for detail and presentation with a good knowledge of grammar The candidate must be available during March-June Applicants should submit a CV, covering letter why you would like the post and evidence of editorial/writing experience to the President, EUSA, Potterrow, 5/2 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL or e mail jackie.laird@eusa.ed.ac.uk by Tues 17 March
SU President My Good Friends, I CANNOT BELIEVE that the time has come for me to write my last column. The days have flown by and the Sports Union and our clubs are busier than ever. With the end of term approaching, I am happy to say that we have successfully navigated our way through another period of hectic fixtures, strong opposition and the full spectrum of club activity. All of the achievements that our clubs make would simply be impossible without the hard work and dedication of the club volunteers and committees. On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone that has been involved in the running of the myriad of Sports Union Clubs; it is fair to say that your tireless efforts have made my job easier. In addition to that I would like to wish everyone luck in any upcoming elections as the clubs hold their AGMs. Let’s hope that the office bearers for 2009/10 will be as committed as this year’s. The Sports Union will also be having elections for the Executive Committee and I would urge anyone who is passionate about university sport to look into the ways in which you can make a difference or have your say. Please do not hesitate to check our website (www.eusu.ed.ac.uk) or contact me for more information on any of the positions available. We would like to welcome as many candidates as possible from a range of sporting backgrounds to help develop EU Sport for the future; so get involved! On the performance front there have once again been highs and lows. The knockout rounds have claimed more victims but in almost every case the margins have been tight and the exceptional efforts of all the squads have been noted. However on a positive note we have teams and individuals heading down to the national finals in Sheffield this week and the University as a whole wishes everyone the very best of luck. Fingers crossed we’ll bring back some silverware. Success has also come in the form of promotion for many teams. The Men’s Basketball team deserve a special mention as the beat Sheffield Hallam in the playoffs to ensure the participation in the BUCS Premier League next year. Let’s hope this is a feat that can be matched this week by the Women’s Basketball and Hockey teams. On the flip side there was heartache for the Men’s Hockey as a 1-1 draw at home wasn’t quite enough to see them playing hockey at the top flight next year. The 6-5 loss on aggregate was a crushing blow in spite of a valiant effort. As I sign off from my last column, I would like to wish everyone the very best of luck and say a massive thank you to everyone for what has been cracking year so far. Sport at Edinburgh has never been so healthy nor has it experienced such an exciting time. (In his final words I found an ace that I could keep.) Ttfn but remember stys. Joe Gray
THE VOICE 7
Listings
What’s on at EUSA? Tuesday 24th February – Monday 9th February TUESDAY 10TH MARCH Student Newspaper
Regular weekly meetings Pleasance Pentland Room, 1.15
Fresh Air Regular weekly meetings City Café, 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH Christian Union Prayer Breakfast Buccleuch Free Church (beside Appleton Tower) 7.30am
Chess Society Regular weekly meetings Braid Room, The Pleasance, 8pm
Baha’i Society Talks, discussions and workshops on social, global and spiritual issues, followed by café banter! Chaplaincy, Potterow 7-9pm
People & Planet Regular weekly planning meetingsBring your ideas and get things moving! 3.30pm, Chaplaincy
Teviot Debating Hall, 12-4pm
Autism Awareness Evening
THURSDAY 12TH MARCH
Hosted by Student Action for Autism (SAFA) See pick of the week. 7.30pm, Teviot Debating Hall
Tango beginners class 48a Upper Hall, Pleasance 6.30 – 8pm £1 student members £3 non members http://tango.eusa. ed.ac.uk
CAST Cancer Advice and Support Team weekly meeting. Teviot Balcony Room, 6-8. Emailcastedinburg h@hotmail.co.uk or just pop along.
Edinburgh Young Greens Regular weekly meetings 7-9pm, Chaplaincy
The Edinburgh University French Society Open to all who study French or have an interest in French culture and society Come down to our regular weekly meeting and meet some fun like minded people and parle un peu de francais. 8pm, Native State
Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical
FRIDAY 13TH MARCH
Taking to the UK stage for the first time EVER; join Spongebob and all his fishy friends! Festival Theatre, 7pm, £16.50-£25.00 Runs until Saturday
Thank God It’s Friday at KB House & Teviot Library Bar
Scottish Universities Promoting Renewable Energy Hosted by People and Planet
8 THE VOICE
From 5pm with free buffet from 6pm
Christian Union Meeting Main meeting for worship, teaching and fellowship Chaplaincy, Potterow 7.30pm
Free Hot Chocolate from CU Free Hot Choc, Tea and Biscuits Outside Potterow and Teviot. From 11pm
Twist and Rave: 50s, 60s and 90s. Teviot Underground, 10pm-3am 99p entry
SATURDAY 14TH MARCH Big Cheese Potterrow 9pm-3am £3 entry, £4 after 12 Free with a Gold Card
Going Underground Teviot Going Underground 8pm – 3am This event runs every week during term time with live bands from 8pm and DJ set from 10pm
Exmoor Pony Trekking Section Weekly trekking for riders of all ages and abilities in the beautiful countryside just outside Edinburgh. Treks last 2-3 hours student/under 18 - £20, non-student - £25. For more details www. exmoorponytrekking. co.uk.
SUNDAY 15TH MARCH
The Dirty Weekenders Meet outside Pleasance at 10am to join the weekly conservation project.
Exmoor Pony Trekking Section Weekly trekking for riders of all ages and abilities in the beautiful countryside just outside Edinburgh. Treks last 2-3 hours. student/under 18 - £20, non-student - £25. For more details www. exmoorponytrekking. co.uk.
MONDAY 16TH MARCH Edinburgh University Student Nationalist Association Regular meeting in the Committee Room at Teviot , 7pm Further info: kinramat@aol.com
The Voice meeting Come write for us! 1.15, Committee room at EUSA
Wine Society Weekly wine tastings Voodoo rooms, 7.30pm Further info: edwinesoc@hotmail. com
TUESDAY 17TH MARCH Student Newspaper Regular weekly meetings Pleasance Pentland Room, 1.15
Fresh Air Regular weekly meetings City Café, 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH
The Edinburgh University French Society
Christian Union Prayer Breakfast
Open to all who study French or have an interest in French culture and society Come down to our regular weekly meeting and meet some fun like minded people and parle un peu de francais. 8pm, Native State
Buccleuch Free Church (beside Appleton Tower) 7.30am
Chess Society Regular weekly meetings Braid Room, The Pleasance, 8pm
Baha’i Society Talks, discussions and workshops on social, global and spiritual issues, followed by café banter! Chaplaincy, Potterow 7-9pm
People & Planet Regular weekly planning meetingsBring your ideas and get things moving! 3.30pm, Chaplaincy
THURSDAY 19TH MARCH Tango beginners class 48a Upper Hall, Pleasance 6.30 – 8pm £1 student members £3 non members http://tango.eusa. ed.ac.uk
CAST Cancer Advice and Support Team weekly meeting. Teviot Balcony Room, 6-8. Emailcastedinburg h@hotmail.co.uk or just pop along.
EUSA Elections Get voting! www.myed.ed.ac.uk
Edinburgh Young Greens Regular weekly meetings 7-9pm, Chaplaincy
FRIDAY 20TH MARCH Thank God It’s Friday at KB House & Teviot Library Bar From 5pm with free buffet from 6pm
Christian Union Meeting Main meeting for worship, teaching and fellowship Chaplaincy, Potterow 7.30pm
Free Hot Chocolate from CU Free Hot Choc, Tea and Biscuits Outside Potterow and Teviot. From 11pm
Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show 7.30pm, Corn Exchange, £15
Assembly Room ceilidh With ceilidh bands Wild Geese & Hebrideans & caller Ken Gourlay and Piper, some international folkdances Soft drinks £1, alcohol £2 Assembly Rooms, 54 George St, 8pm First 10 tickets £6, £8 in advance, £10 on day For further info: 0131 339 5374
Pick of the week Pyjamnesty Party in your PJs and protect women from violence at the same time! There will be party food and games (with prizes!), glow sticks and face-paints, and the opportunity to make a panel for our new banner, entitled “Imagine a World without Violence against Women”. However, if all you really want to do is dance in Underground in your pyjamas, that’s quite alright by us! In fact, if you e-mail your song requests to amnesty@lists. ed.ac.uk we’ll try our best to get them playing for you! At least 1 out of every 4 women in the UK has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Usually the abuser is a member if her own family or someone known to her. Over the past three years, The University of Edinburgh Amnesty International Society has created a banner, the panels of which are the hand prints of people who understand that we can and must work toward ending all violence against women. This banner will be up for display on Wednesday 18th March at Pyjamnesty: Amnesty International’s pyjama party. There are many abuses of women’s rights worldwide. Looking then at the scale of the task of overcoming these abuses, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and disheartened; to believe that we our powerless. However, there are so many courageous people standing up to these abuses, proving that we can bring about change, empowering and inspiring us. Pyjamnesty is a celebration of these activists and a call to support their work. Together we can make gender equality more than just a dream. Wed March 18th 2009 Teviot Underground, 8.30-1am, £3 Naomi Hunter
CAST Pub Rugby Crawl Cancer advice and support team offer you an unmissable night, all in the name of charity and rugby. Starting in Teviot, 7.30pm, £3 each.
Exmoor Pony Trekking
SATURDAY 21ST MARCH
Super Saturday
Big Cheese
Weekly trekking for riders of all ages and abilities in the beautiful countryside just outside Edinburgh. Treks last 2-3 hours. student/under 18 - £20, non-student - £25.
Last day of the 6 nations!
SUNDAY 22ND MARCH
Potterrow 9pm-3am The Dirty £3 entry, £4 after 12 Weekenders Free with a Gold Card Meet outside Pleasance at 10am to join the Going weekly conservation Underground project. Teviot Going Underground Exmoor Pony 8pm – 3am Trekking Section This event runs every Weekly trekking for riders week during term of all ages and abilities in time with live bands the beautiful countryside from 8pm and DJ set just outside Edinburgh. from 10pm Treks last 2-3 hours. student/under 18 - £20, non-student - £25. For more details www. exmoorponytrekking. co.uk.
www.eusa.ed.ac.uk