Special Report: Activities Fair under the spotlight Exeposé investigates complaints over low levels of society sign-ups at this year’s Activities Fair SPECIAL REPORT: NEWS, PAGES 4-5, COMMENT, PAGES 6-7
The University of Exeter’s Independent Student Newspaper
Since 1987
Monday 1 October 2012 • Issue 597 • www.exepose.ex.ac.uk • Twitter: @Exepose • www.facebook.com/Exepose
Free Photo: Joshua Irwandi
UNI OF THE YEAR
“A prestigious award... a proud day for everyone at the University” EDITORIAL, PAGE 6
Sexual assault in Exeter city centre Beccy Smyth News Editor
Exeter named University of the Year Phil Thomas News Editor THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER has been named University of the Year in The Sunday Times University Guide 2013. This is the fourth time the University has been shortlisted for the award in the past decade and Exeter has now claimed the top prize. The University has also risen to its highest ever position in The Sunday Times league tables as it is ranked the seventh best University in the UK with the best teaching on offer in the South West region. Assisted by changes in the way The Sunday Times calculate their league tables, with greater emphasis now on student experience and graduate outcomes, the University has made steading gains
over the past five years and broke the top 10 barrier for the first time last year. The league table consists of criteria including student satisfaction, teaching and research quality, entrance qualifications held by new students, degree results achieved, studentstaff ratios, graduate unemployment levels and university dropout rates. Professor Sir Steve Smith, University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the University of Exeter has been named University of the Year. This is an extremely prestigious award and reflects the hard work and dedication of all our staff and students. This is not only a proud day for everyone at the University, but also for the region and for our many partners here in the South West and across the globe, who are crucial to our success.
Features: Exeposé grills Liam Burns, NUS President - PAGES 8
Nick Davies, Guild President, commented: “This is fantastic news for the University and for students, and reflects what we already know - how outstanding our student body is as well as the hard work put in by the staff of the University and the Students’ Guild”
“Exeter has consistently embodied the very best in British higher education” Alistair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times University Guide, said: “Exeter’s success as The Sunday Times University of the Year is richly deserved. “Shortlisted for the top award no less than four times in the past decade, it has consistently embodied the
Arts: Comedy and poetry with Tim Key - PAGE 26
very best in British higher education. A key player regionally, nationally and internationally, it has responded to the challenge of £9,000 fees by raising its game more than any other university. Imogen Sanders, VP Academic Affairs, said: “This is fantastic news proving Exeter’s progressive attitude and commitment to increasing all aspects of the university experience, not just learning and teaching but also overall student satisfaction. “This shows that we are not only a research intensive university but a rounded institution which recognises and respects all aspects of student life, working in partnership with the Guild to put students at the forefront of the their decisions.” The 64-page guide, now in its 15th year, is published this Sunday, September 30, with The Sunday Times.
Sport: Interviews with Exeter’s Olympians - PAGE 33-36
TWO men have been arrested after a rape was reported in Exeter city centre. The incident took place in the early hours of the morning on Tuesday 25 September, between 1.00am and 2.00am, in a walkway that connects Sidwell Street and King William Street. The victim was a woman, who is believed to be in her mid-twenties. The two suspects, who are both in their early twenties, have now been released on bail until November. A final-year student commented: “Such a crime happening so close to the centre of town is shocking. I often use King William’s Street as a short cut home, but now I will think twice.” The report comes several months after a woman was sexually assaulted on the Prince of Wales Road near Streatham Campus. The police are not searching for further suspects in relation to the reported rape, but have appealed that any witnesses to come forward with information. A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “I would like to ask for the public’s help, for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the vicinity of this incident in the early hours, no matter how small it might seem to them, to contact us without delay.” The police investigation is ongoing. Those with information are requested to phone 101, quoting police reference 59 0f 250912. FIND US ONLINE AT
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