Optima 4

Page 1

Optima issue 4 • spring / summer 2003

CONTENTS

The Master’s message

2 Varsity News the current state of play in Fitz and University sport

For me, as a member of the immediate post-45 war generation, tertiary education offered a highly attractive and positive way forward. Attractive At last! A Fund for Modern Languages because it represented a free-thinking, less restrictive lifestyle and an opportunity to do so many of the 3 Special Feature things seemingly denied to my parents. Positive Katy Watson spends a year in because it provided the opportunity to extend my Mexico, and muses on more than Mariachi Bands knowledge, my capabilities and vision; essential (at least it seemed to be) to the gateway for a better 4 Topped Out future. Provided my O-level and A-level standards Fitz’s building programme were up-to-scratch, I was safe in the knowledge that reaches a pinnacle a maintenance grant would be available and 6 Views from the top sufficient to support my day-to-day living expenses. Dermot Gleeson and his views (Tuition fees were provided by government!) on political thought I suppose my vision of the University lifestyle 7 A Vision of the Future came primarily from my exposure to the films of the Michael Frantzis re-traces his time and certainly “Doctor in the House” with Dirk path from Fitz to architectural Bogarde and Kenneth More, had a strong influence photography in Brasil on my innocent mind. Despite the restrictions of the 8 Take a Bow! time – a nation recovering from the War and all that Alan George from the – there was an enormous optimism. Newsreels were Fitzwilliam Quartet, and why full of exciting new inventions and discoveries – of they keep coming back to Fitz. the type – Dunlop announces a tubeless tyre! Rover develops a gas-turbine! End of tuberculosis in sight! 9 Richard Hooley Fitzwilliam’s Director of Law And all this national optimism helped to propel us leaves for London, but not withforward. Films such as “Lucky Jim” with Ian out a little nostalgia Carmichael, “I’m all right Jack” again with Ian Carmichael and Peter Sellers, “Room at the Top” with 10 Ray Kelly, Lawrence Harvey and the divine Simone Signoret who’s forgotten more than most of us know about Fitzwilliam, parodied the status quo and led us to believe – dare I opens a window on his memories say it – in the Brave New World just around the corner. We were confident that Science and 11 Sur-prize! Technology would support this change; we were The highs and highs of teaching in Nepal, by Steve Farndon enamoured with the academic process and all the advances that a degree would provide, not only to Rear View the individual but also to national prosperity. the Journal of yesteryear I remind you, I began with “for me” because this 12 Events at Fitzwilliam very rosy view is very much a personal recollection, Emma Camps gives us a taste of but one I know resonates with my friends from the the delights to come same period. Of course we were aware of the misery and despair so obvious throughout much of the world but somehow we felt that the rapid progress in Science, Technology and Political Thought would solve these problems. Nevertheless, when I am asked – as I frequently am by a member “Why should I support the College?” (and rightly so too) my thoughts return to my earlier days The Master with some lucky ladies (or is it the other way around?) and my own experiences. The life at the Valentine’s Dinner in February blood of the College is the student

The Master, Tony Steadman and the Bursar celebrate the Topping Out of Gatehouse court with a beer

Certainly “Doctor in the House” had a strong influence on my innocent mind. body. Students really don’t change, they are as good as ever and in some ways better. Certainly, their concern for the less privileged, their love of art, drama and music, their participation in sport and other College activities, and their attitude towards academic work surpasses that of my generation. But, I see the need for greater support and care than we required. The modern undergraduate has far greater financial burdens to bear and is certainly more aware of the stress imposed by the modern academic approach. I would like our College to take heed of these pressures and find ways to reduce them. We have always been the College of access. For us, the current Government castigation is meaningless. I believe from what I hear from our Members over an extensive period, that we have a reputation as a College that truly cares about its students and offers support when it is most needed – the vulnerable years. It is my wish to sustain that reputation and enhance it. My very best wishes to you all and I look forward to seeing many of you (and your families?) in College for one of those unforgettable dinners or lunches (Saturday lunch is highly recommended). Why not e-mail me with your views and let me know how you are getting along. I guarantee a reply.

master@fitz.cam.ac.uk


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