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University condemns sports club initiations By Mark Duell University sports clubs have come under fire from the University and Union of Students after dangerous initiation ceremonies were allegedly held at the start of term. The University has condemned the actions of any clubs holding initiation ceremonies and the Union’s Sports Officer, Ella White, met with sports team captains earlier this week to warn clubs of the dangers involved and the penalties they may face.
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A second year student, who attended a sports social last week, said: “Freshers were pressurised into doing things that I’m not sure they mostly wanted to do - and it included drinking to excess. “They were having all sorts of things put into their drinks – they made some of them eat really hot chillis.” A University spokesperson said: “The University of Sheffield deplores any initiation or ‘bonding’ practices by sports clubs which involve intimidation, bullying, humiliation or the forced excessive consumption of alcohol.” At the meeting with team captains on Tuesday, October 7, Ella White warned that some sports clubs may be closed and team members could even be expelled from University if the practices continue. She said: “The University executive board are seriously annoyed and they are taking this issue very seriously because of the fact that it’s in the media but also
because it puts student welfare at high risk. “We’re talking clubs being shut down. If you personally are seen to have done something, that could actually be you ejected from the University.” Two representatives from the University Health Service were also present and warned of the dangers of excessive drinking. There were proposals made by some teams to hold non-alcoholic socials and also to draw up codes of conduct for nights out. The second year student, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “It should be your performance on the pitch and not your performance at the bar which decides whether you get picked. “It’s a shame they choose to have these events because in many cases it can put students off from going to trials in the first place.” The incidents come after the University of Gloucestershire launched an investigation into a bizarre initiation rite, where students had bags over their heads, drinking and vomiting, led by someone in a Nazi-style uniform. The University of Sheffield’s board also had to deal with two very serious incidents involving initiation ceremonies in 2007. Teams practicing initiation ceremonies were issued with a formal notice last year, whilst all clubs were warned against such behaviour. The University spokesperson said: “A policy of zero tolerance towards such behaviour is made clear to all societies before the beginning of term. “Penalties for clubs who indulge in such practices include being removed from access to sports fixtures and other University resources. “In addition, individuals are subject to disciplinary action under the Student Charter.”
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Friday October 10 2008 // Issue 2
Industry placement fee concern By Holly Taylor An international student from the University of Sheffield has voiced concerns about the cost of the compulsory placement year required by some undergraduate courses. Although home students also pay a fee for their placement year, the figure is always much less. The home student standard fee is around £3,000 a year while international students often pay up to four times this. Jason Wong, a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate, is currently on a placement year at a manufacturing company in Darlington. After starting in August he has claimed his financial concerns have been aggravated by the University and its handling of the fee paying system. Wong said: “Some international students have to pay 50 per cent of their international student fee for their placement year. “That could be up to £5,050. If placement students pay that from their own salary which is around £12,000 to £14,000 a year, subtracting tax, rent and transport, what are they supposed to live on? “Students I know from other universities have tutors visiting them, constant progress reports to complete and are supported and monitored. We’ve had nothing like this.” Professor Paul White, ProVice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Sheffield, said: “Sheffield, like most other UK universities, charge fees to both UK and international students for placement years. “This is a standardised fee which is in line with the amounts set at other Russell Group institutions.” Despite this being a national structure, the student has discovered discrepancies with Sheffield’s system which have added to his dissatisfaction. Wong registered on the Mechanical Engineering course with employment experience purely because he was told the course format was more flexible. This has resulted in him having to pay 21 per cent of his standard fee (£2,626) – and fellow students registered on the course that offers a year in employment have had to pay up to 30 per cent more. But Professor White added: “The amount we charge students during their placement year is dependent on the scheme they chose to undertake due to the differing levels of support and guidance that is offered.”