The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield // www.forgetoday.com
Issue 17 // Friday November 20 2009
Wallace & Gromit Fuse pages 8-9
Staff cuts will affect teaching, says former UCU boss 4One third of Learning and Teaching Services staff have left Rachel Blundy
The Union rebuild gets underway as builders construct scaffolding by the main entrance. Photo: Sam Bennett
And the work begins... NEWS
FEATURES
LIFESTYLE
Belle de Jour
Britain’s got talent
Is Sheffield fashionable?
News page 8
Features pages 16-17
Lifestyle page 22-23
Revealed as ex-Sheffield student
Talent show winners Diversity talk to Forge Press
Is our city dragging its Cuban heels behind Manchester & Leeds?
Departed Sheffield University and College Union (UCU) President, Steve Collier, has dismissed the University’s insistence that teaching standards will be maintained in light of the recent staff cuts. Collier, who worked as a Producer and Educational Designer within Learning and Teaching Services (LeTS) also said that the reduction in staff within professional services will result in remaining members of staff, or even academics, having to work twice as hard to compensate for the shortfall. He said: “So far the ViceChancellor is full of rhetoric about how this will not affect students’ experiences. But I do not see how it cannot.” Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Burnett detailed in June that a budget deficit of £25million needed to be bridged by the year 2011/12, with £15million being generated through reducing staffing costs.
Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com Collier claimed that since the failed closure of the Biblical Studies department, the University are anxious not to sack academics over members of staff from professional services. He said: “The students jump up and they listen. They’re far more scared of you guys.” Sheffield UCU and Unison, the trade unions which represent lecturers at the University, have taken out a formal grievance against the University of
Former UCU boss Steve Collier. Sheffield. They argue that there has been a lack of consultation on behalf of the University with staff members over the cutbacks. He has also hit out at the “secretive” handling of the restructuring of the Learning and Teaching Services (LeTS) department and claimed that the University failed to inform staff until July 2009 that a third of LeTS employees would lose their jobs. LeTS works with academics to develop approaches to teaching and learning, as well as providing students with new educational technology. He said the job cuts were a “knee-jerk” reaction to the University’s financial troubles. He claims the job losses were confirmed as new positions at the top of the University hierarchy were created, which he estimates add half a million pounds to the University’s wage bill. A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield, said: “The Sheffield branches of UCU and Unison expressed formal concerns regarding the review and restructuring of services delivered by LeTS within Academic Services. Continued on page 7
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NEWS UNIVERSITY
Editor
Robert Golledge
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Helen Lawson
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Rob Ellerington
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Rachel Blundy Leanne Rinne Rosie Taylor
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Richard Scott Amy Smith
Web Editor Alexandra Rucki Forge Press Media Hub, Union of Students Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TG 0114 2228646 forgepress@forgetoday.com
Forge Press is part of Forge Media Forge Press is published by the Union of Students. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the University, the Union or the editorial team. In the first instance all complaints should be addressed to the Managing Editor, although a formal procedure exists. Forge Press is printed on 100% recycled paper
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UNIVERSITY
RAG raise thousands for charity Sheffield Raising and Giving have fundraised over £10,000 for charity through their Spiderwalk, Firewalk and Think Pink events this fortnight Kate Lloyd Sheffield Raising and Giving (RAG) have raised more than £10,000 for charity this fortnight by holding three fundraising events. The events included the society’s annual Spiderwalk, a 13-mile hike to the Peak District, Firewalk, in which five students walked across hot coals and Think Pink, a club night held in association with MedSoc in Fusion and Foundry. On Spiderwalk 300 participants took part in the evening trek which finished at Bar One by 2am the following day. RAG reported that Spiderwalk attracted four times the number of participants as last year, with many people unable to get a ticket. The hike distance was halved this year to encourage more students to take part. RAG chair, Rachel Colley, said: “It was lots of fun, nobody got lost and we raised lots of money. We are grateful to all the students who walked or sponsored walkers despite the economic downturn.” She added: “We want to try and make RAG fundraisers more accessible this year. We will keep traditional events like Spiderwalk going but make them cheaper and easier to take part in. We want people to feel like they are getting something for their money. “With that in mind, Spiderwalk this year was shorter, with a bonfire and a firework display at halfway and a stop off at the Three Merry Lads pub”. One group of runners completed the route in just two hours and 35 minutes. Participant Tom Arnold, from the Politics Society, said: “Despite heading the wrong way a couple of times and getting very damp, I had a really good time. It was great fun and there was a real team spirit.” Cheques from Spiderwalk will be handed over to local charities in December. At the Firewalk, students walked across hot embers to raise over £500 for local charity, Neurocare.
Students take part in Spiderwalk, Firewalk and Think Pink events.
Sian Evans, who took part in the event, said: “RAG’s Firewalk challenge was amazing - walking across hot coals for charity. “If you are ever in doubt about taking part in an event for RAG – just do it because I’ve had a really good night and raised money for charity at the same time.” After completing the challenge, Activities Officer Claire Monk,
said: “The worst bit was standing on the cold floor after. I want to do it all again, especially as it is all for charity. “The motivational speech was amazing – I am strong. I am invincible.” RAG also joined with MedSoc last week to organise Think Pink, a club night in aid of Weston Park Cancer Charity, which included
sets from the ROAR and Pop Tarts DJs. Ben Holden, a member of MedSoc, said: “I think it’s really important for these events to happen especially because we’ve got so many students in our society that really want to do something to help. “This year the support for the charity has been outstanding.”
ACCOMMODATION
UNION
SingSoc booed off stage
New science ACS Committee suites
Bisexuality awareness
The University’s Department of Chemistry opened two newlyrefurbished rooms on Monday. The new science suites have been named after the late Ray Charlesworth, MBE, (1928 – 2008), a member of the technical staff in the Department of Chemistry at the University for 28 years. Charlesworth donated £180,000 to provide a permanently endowed scholarship fund in the department, helping gifted Chemistry students struggling with the costs of University.
The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Committee led an ‘Against Biphobia’ campaign on campus this week to highlight prejudices faced by bisexual people. Matthew Baren, Publicity Officer for the LGBT committee, said: “Bisexuals tend to experience discrimination, bullying and harassment from both gay and straight communities. “We received a huge response to an email-appeal for people’s views on the issue, suggesting bisexuality is misunderstood and misrepresented.” Rachel Blundy
Leanne Rinne
FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
Welfare Officer Jennifer Hastings has set up a committee to look into the welfare provisions provided by University-owned and partnership accommodation. The Accommodation and Campus Services (ACS) committee is part of Hastings’ campaign to find out what students think of ACS and how services can be improved. The committee will look into the issue of students being charged for damages that they were not responsible for and not receiving their accommodation deposits back. Leanne Rinne
Victoria Hawkins Angry crowds at Meadowhall’s Christmas lights switch-on booed University of Sheffield singers, SingSoc, off the stage because noone could hear them singing. Hundreds of people had crammed into the shopping centre’s food court to see dance act Diversity - winners of the television talent show Britain’s Got Talent. SingSoc performed before the dancers came on stage but were made to leave by crowds shouting “off”, because the singers did not have enough sound support and could not be heard. Simon Hall, a member of the audience, said: “The whole affair has left me disgusted with the organisers of the event.”
Photos: RAG
He said he felt the choir was there to “rile the crowd up” before the main act performed. A Meadowhall spokesman said the firm who organised the sound and staging for the event, on November 6, provided some microphones for SingSoc, but said next time they will consider giving one to each singer. He said: “Nobody could have anticipated how busy the venue was by 6pm and the volume of noise that was in the Oasis.” Chair of the society Megan Howlett said: “I ultimately think that it was only a section of the crowd whose reaction made the experience tainted, and Meadowhall couldn’t have controlled their reaction. “We have given them our feedback and hopefully we’ll be invited back.”
FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
LOCAL NEWS
Fascist website claims Sheffield Uni students are ‘red scum’ Andrew Barnard Staff and students from the University of Sheffield have been targeted by the violent, neo-Nazi organisation known as Redwatch. On the web page “Sheffield/ South Yorks Reds”, Redwatch appeals for “any further info on the freaks below”- many of which are students and staff at the University. Hundreds of photographs identify anti-fascist activists, including students campaigning in Sheffield against the British National Party (BNP) earlier this year when the party gained two seats in the European Parliament. Forge Press has protected the identity of all the students and staff involved for their safety. A former student who has featured on the website said: “It frustrates me that when people say that the BNP or any other white supremacist groups are not harmful and legitimate, they do not consider that there are intimidating and vulgar websites like this in existence. “Websites like this have had a history of actively seeking people’s details and resulted in people getting physically and mentally assaulted. “We need to continue fighting in the anti-fascist movement to bring groups like these to justice”. The violent website, launched in 2001, lists the names and contact details of MPs, councillors and students they consider to be “Marxist” or “Capitalist” “traitors”- with the message that they will “pay for their crime.” Redwatch states that they have been “neglecting” the Sheffield area but “intend to change this.” One former student from the University is referred to as a
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“brain dead over-privileged” and a “little Stalinist” because she has spoken out against the BNP. The website also identifies a male student at the University by posting two large photographs of him alongside his name and hometown. In a statement published on the website, Redwatch said they “do not encourage violence against political opponents” but the statement also says anyone who has “worked against, our Race and Nation’s survival will be punished accordingly.” A member of the Socialist Workers’ Student Society said: “When pictures of people go up with an address and other personal information this puts people in a dangerous situation. “Undercover documentaries have shown how senior members of the BNP use Redwatch and the BNP will always resort to force as their bottom line and try to scare people away from protesting against them. “Most of our members are on Redwatch in some way. “The vast majority of the public and students think that the BNP’s politics are abhorrent and we won’t stop demonstrating. “If we want to prevent them acting we have to keep opposing fascist groups wherever they rear their head.” When Forge Press emailed Redwatch for a comment they responded by posting the names and numbers of each news editor on their website under the heading, “The amount of times we’ve answered these sort of questions...” The website now has a section targeting “red journalists” in a bid to stop the media from reporting on their organisation. South Yorkshire Stop the BNP organisation are meeting tomorrow to launch a new campaign in the city.
The student’s damaged Nissan Micra on Harcourt Road.
Photo: Claire Lorenc
Student’s car is crushed by rotten tree Mark Duell A 22-year-old student had her car crushed by a falling tree from her neighbour’s garden. Claire Lorenc’s car was writtenoff on Sunday, November 1, at 12.15pm, on Harcourt Road in Broomhill, after strong winds blew over a 10-foot tree. The third year English Language and Literature student said her red ‘N’-registration Nissan Micra is only worth £300,
so she will trade it in under the car scrappage scheme without claiming on insurance. She said: “There was a massive gust of wind. One of my housemates saw the tree fall and said: ‘Claire, I think your car is under it’. “We spoke to my landlord because we thought that it was in my garden but it wasn’t. The landlord said it was in the neighbouring landlord’s garden”. Lorenc’s landlord, who does not wish to be named, said:
“There was a little bit of a dispute between myself and the neighbouring landlord. I said to him that it was his tree. He was saying he wasn’t sure it was his tree. It clearly wasn’t my tree.” Welfare Officer Jennifer Hastings said that students who have problems with insurance should remember that the Student Advice Centre can provide student representation. She said informing Sheffield City Council about these kinds of incidents is also important.
Student fundraisers caught hitchhiking on the motorway Leanne Rinne Students fundraising for charity have been caught illegally hitchhiking on the motorway, despite previous safety warnings. A group of students who set off for the Baby Bummit Raising and Giving (RAG) event last Tuesday were picked up on a motorway slip road by police and taken to a service station. The students were part of a group of 100 who tried to get to Edinburgh in a day without spending any money. Serious safety concerns were raised by the Highways Agency last year when three students were stuck on the hard shoulder of the M18. This year the Highways agency was alerted to two groups of students located at points on the M1 at 9.30am and 1.05pm. Garrick Sayles of the Highways
Agency said: “We are very concerned for the safety of these students and we advise them to contact the event organisers for advice on how to safely proceed with their journeys. “Motorways are not safe places for pedestrians and we strongly advise hitchhikers to stay away from the motorway network, including slip roads. “The last thing we want is to be spoilsports, but we can’t allow anyone to put their own life and the lives of others at risk” Chair of Sheffield RAG Rachel Colley said: “No arrests were made on Baby Bummit and one group were involuntarily set down right next to a motorway and with the help of the police were moved, for their own safety, and the police were sympathetic to this. “I think it is a real shame for a very successful event to receive such negative publicity.
“The police and highway patrol in all the areas were notified about the event in advance and communication flowed between RAG and these organisations on the day.” Colley said all participants read over and signed the ‘golden rule of Bummit’, which states hitchhikinging on the motorway or the slip road is illegal. A University spokesperson said the University takes the safety of students very seriously She said: “All students are required to undergo a safety briefing to make sure they are aware of all vital safety measures. “A minority of students have clearly ignored this safety advice and the University received a report that a group of students were hitchhiking on the M62 motorway in West Yorkshire. “As soon as the University was notified of this incident, the
A Bummit participant trying to hitch a lift to Edinburgh. Bummit chair took immediate action to ensure that all students were safe.” “Approximately 1,400 students have taken part in Bummit over
Photo: RAG
the last five years, raising over £160,000 for charity. There have only been three reported incidents by students on the trips”.
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FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
NEWS UNIVERSITY
Academic staff cuts leave School of E Concerns have been raised that teaching standards are suffering after the recent departures of lecturers Rachel Blundy The School of English has been revealed as one of the worst-hit departments in the recent staff cuts with around half of the academic staff believed to have left, and more high-profile resignations planned for January and July 2010. At least five academics in the School of English opted to leave under the Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS), which offers employees compensation for resigning their posts earlier than contracted. Professor Sue Owen, Professor Sylvia Adamson, Dr Richard Canning, Dr Malcolm Jones and Ms Dorothy Kazounis all took VSS within the past few months. A further group including Dr Andrew van der Vlies will be leaving in January 2010. The School of English failed to give a response when asked whether these vacancies would be filled in the next academic year. Co-President of the English Society, Amy Grace Nagy, believes there was a lack of consultation with students over the cuts. She said: “The only way I’ve been aware of the cutbacks is from lecturers making announcements about how they are leaving - with a subtle hint attached that there are quite a few staff that will also not be around for much longer.” Molly Fisher, a second year English Literature student, said: “No one has officially been informed and most of what I have heard has been spread by word of mouth. “I shouldn’t have to fear that
my module choices are going to be taken away at the last moment.” The School of English was hit by resignations last academic year, when Professor Ewa Dabrowska, Dr Philip Shaw, Dr Alex Houen and Dr Marcus Waithe all departed to pursue careers at other academic institutions. A source told Forge Press that increased workloads had led to staff seeking better conditions of employment in “a vicious circle of depletions”. “As people have left, their workloads have effectively largely had to be absorbed by other colleagues or sometimes part-time tutors,” he said. A spokesman for the University of Sheffield defended the cutbacks. He said: “In exceptional cases where we feel departments are particularly affected, we are seeking to use staff appropriately to respond to priority areas, such as those directly impacting on students. “We have also provided additional training and support for staff. “Throughout the process the University has sought ongoing and constructive discussion with the campus trade unions.” Education Officer Holly Taylor said the situation was not as bad as rumours had suggested. She said: “A number of staff have left but as far as I know teaching hours have not been affected and the Head of Department is monitoring the situation closely. “The fact that funding has been cut to the Arts and Humanities faculty is out of the University’s control.
“The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has prioritised STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) which has meant drastic cuts to departments like English. “However the University has recognised the department can’t function properly on such a diminished budget and has put forward money for more lectureships. “This won’t come into play until next year but does demonstrate how the University are trying their hardest to increase staff numbers.” Students have raised concerns about being taught by PhD students in place of lecturers. Fisher said: “Although PhD students are often enthusiastic about teaching, it concerns me that they are being drafted in alternatives to lecturers and professors. “I just hope the reputation of the University’s English department doesn’t slip, as that could really affect the sort of jobs available to me after graduation.” The University defended its employment of PhD students to make up the shortfall in staff. A spokesman said: “Teaching provides research students with valuable experience and helps them to develop a broad range of personal and presentational skills which can be of considerable longterm benefit.” Taylor added: “Certainly some of the best teaching I received was from PhD students. I hope people are not just writing them off.”
Dr Richard Canning Interests: Gay Literature
Professor Sue Owen Interests: Working-class Literature, Restoration Drama
Have teaching standards dropped? Dr Malcolm Jones Interests: Folklore, Medieval Studies
Some of the academic staff from the English department who have left due to the
Conditions in Maths department improve after campaign Kate Dobinson English Literature Third year
Ellie Pike English Literature Third year
Ruth Corrigan English Literature Third year
Becky Louise Speight English Literature Third year
The PhD tutors I had were unreliable, inconsistent and uncommitted to the care of their classes.
My seminars haven’t massively been affected, however my personal tutor has left.
One of my modules was cancelled and the replacement was completely unrelated.
I wonder where all our tuition fees go if half the department have left.
Tom Roberts English Language/Lit Third year
Rachael Louise Wood English Literature Third year
Jonathan Mottram English Language/Lit Third year
Laura Stockton English Literature Third year
It’s as though they didn’t build enough rooms in Jessop West for all the English staff.
I worry about my final degree result as a direct consequence of these cuts.
I had to pick another module which is poor as my second choice module was full already.
I’ve been OK, but it’s obviously a big problem that’s far from ideal in our final year.
Maths students no longer have to sit on the floor thanks to a campaign by Union Councillor Harry Horton, which was highlighted in the November 6 issue of Forge Press. Horton raised concerns about problems in the Maths department, which included students being forced to sit on the floor through a lack of seating, and tutorial hours being halved. Now one module has been moved to a larger lecture theatre with more seating, and the possibility of increasing the number of tutorials is being considered by Director of Teaching for Maths, Dr Frazer Jarvis. Horton said: “Dr Jarvis is working very hard to address a number of issues students have raised within the department - I would like to thank him for his continuous work. “I would also like to thank the department for listening to students’ concerns and working hard to find an alternative venue for what was an often overcrowded lecture.” Second year Maths student Louise Dickinson said that the lack of
seating had put people off attending lectures. She said: “The lecture theatres in the Hicks building were overcrowded during the first week but after that fewer people showed up to lectures every time.” Education Officer Holly Taylor has worked with University staff on solving the problem. She said: “I’ve met with Dr Frazer Jarvis and been assured that the worst hit lecture for overcrowding has been moved to a bigger room that wasn’t free at the start of the academic year. “All teaching spaces have been reviewed and there’s only one module that still has a problem. However with no other larger rooms free there’s no solution unless students would be willing for the time of the lecture to change. “Although it isn’t an entirely satisfactory outcome I’ve been assured that the department is 100 per cent committed to making sure this doesn’t happen again.” Rosie Taylor
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FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
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English ‘depleted’
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Self-defined women can now join committee Kirsty McEwen
Dr Marcus Waithe Interests: Nineteenth-century studies
Dr Ewa Dabrowska Interests: Linguistics, Language Development and Attainment
Dr Philip Shaw Specialism: Old English Language and Literature, Medieval Studies
Self-defining women will now be able to join the Women’s Committee after the proposal was overwhelmingly approved by Union Council on Thursday. Only one councillor voted against the proposal, which now means membership of the Women’s Committee is open to all students who identify themselves as female. Currently, this constitutional change only affects membership of the Women’s Committee, it does not include the Women’s Minibus as this is run separately. Amy Sutherland, Union Women’s Officer, said: “This was about changing the Women’s Committee constitution to reflect the Union’s trans-friendly stance.” The Women’s Committee has been considering the proposal for a year and was pleased that it was passed. Rachel Steyne, Women Students’ Councillor, said: “The Women’s Committee decided this time last year that we were open to all self-defining women students and wanted to change it in the constitution. “The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Committee (LGBT) asked us after Trans Week last May what our stance was towards trans students. “Unfortunately the Constitution Committee didn’t meet last summer and so we went to Union Council as the quickest way to do it. “We’ve been debating this for a year and we just wanted to get the change put through.” LGBT Councillor Max Baker said he hoped the decision would enhance the relationship between LGBT students and the Women’s Committee. He said: “I have to say that I have been pleased by the interest and cooperation shown by the entire council, regardless of which students they are representing. “We believe that any adjustment the Union can make towards
inclusivity is a step in the right direction: and that is why this issue is so important. “Women’s Committee has always been an inclusive space with a keen awareness of issues that affect LGBT women, and so while this is in fact mostly a formal recognition of what is already women’s committee policy, it’s good to see. “Hopefully it will strengthen the good links between the two representative groups.” He added that the definition “selfdefining women” would help clarify who could be on the committee. He said: “We would dispute there being a difference between the term ‘only a woman’ and the term ‘self-defining woman’. “The term being extended could be useful for the sake of extra clarification. “In a practical sense, “selfdefining women” includes trans women as well as people who are born biologically female. “The term exists to change the way people think about gender: that it is not necessarily based entirely on biological factors, and is a move away from that idea. “We would say any person defining themselves as a woman is a selfdefining woman, regardless of the biological status. Self identification is something everyone does, not just trans women.” The Union Constitution currently does not specify whether the Women’s Officer has to be a woman. Steyne said the Women’s Officer was not something the Women’s Committee had discussed. “It would be something for people to take to the Constitutional Committee if they’re concerned about it.” Baker said he hoped any self-defining woman running for Women’s Officer would be supported. He said: “If a Trans Woman chose to run for Women’s Officer, I am convinced that the entire Union, not just the LGBT, would lend their support.”
Main Photo: Sam Bennett
e VSS or resigned in the last year.
Union Councillor voices worries over cuts
Tom Hastings
Union Councillor for English
As English Students Union Council representative, I am troubled by the recent cuts in the School of English and I am concerned that the loss of so many expert staff is bound to have some adverse effect on current students. Ten academics have been lost in the department in the past year alone, meaning that the studentto-staff ratio has been drastically reduced. The academics that the department have lost, and are indeed losing, are some of the
most well respected in their fields, and extremely active in terms of research and enquiry. Many too, currently convene some really engaging ‘specialist’ courses which have proved very popular with students, on top of giving lectures and holding seminars on ‘core’ units. On their departure, the ‘specialist’ courses that they have set up will undoubtedly fold. It is concerning then that if their positions are merely lost instead of being replaced, the scope and opportunity for ‘specialist’ modules and dissertations for future English students will be more limited, not only for undergraduates, but for postgraduates too. In terms of expense, students of English probably prove some of the most economical for the University. We don’t ever require highspec or costly equipment for
example, and I have yet to meet an undergraduate English student who is time-tabled for more than ten hours per week. Considering we pay the same tuition fees as anybody else, at the very least, I should hope that there would be enough teaching staff in ‘specialist’ areas, with enough time to devote to their students. This would ensure that no member of staff is ever overstretched, and students can make the most out of their degree. Whilst I fully appreciate the need to protect the ‘business requirements’ of any department, it is as important to make sure students are given a fair deal. I do worry that these proposals set an alarming precedent for future, and if they are to go ahead, it is vital that every measure possible is put in place to ensure students never feel denied of opportunity.
The women’s minibus at the Union.
Photo: Sam Bennett
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FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
NEWS UNIVERSITY
Vice-Chancellor wary of fee rise Leanne Rinne Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Burnett, has reassured students that the University will consult with them before a further increase in tuition fees is implemented. Burnett made the statement in response to a proposal by the Russell Group, an association of 20 UK universities including the University of Sheffield, which is backing a controversial funding review, potentially doubling tuition fees to more than £7,000 a year. Burnett welcomes the review but is “aware of the impact of fees on students from the lowest income families”. He said: “It is essential that government and society enter into an informed debate about appropriate funding for universities. “The University of Sheffield has a strong record on widening participation and allocating scholarships and bursaries. We should always strive to ensure cost is not a barrier for people who aspire to go to university.” But Director General of the Russell Group, Dr Wendy Piatt, said that an increase in tuition fees is one of the most effective ways to fund universities. She said: “The state, employers and graduates benefit hugely from universities, but at the moment the taxpayer still foots the lion’s share of the bill. “An increase in tuition fees is clearly one of the most effective of those options but we want to be sure about the impact of any changes to fee levels on students before advocating one particular option.” Students, lecturers and politicians have all raised concerns about the review launched on Monday, November 9. Former BP chief Lord Browne will chair the review, joined by former Blair adviser Sir Michael Barber, businessman Peter Sands, two university Vice-Chancellors and former chairman of the British Youth Council, Rajay Naik. The Liberal Democrats and Union President Paul Tobin have criticised the review panel for its bias towards big business. The National Union of Students (NUS) fear it will pave the way for higher fees and commercial interest rates over governmentsubsidised loans.
NUS President Wes Streeting said the student voice must not be “sidetracked by business and university interests.” He said: “Members of the review should be in no doubt about the level of student anger about the extent of our indebtedness and the marketisation of our education.” Over 80 students’ unions and higher education institutes, including the University of Sheffield Union of Students, have promised to name and shame every MP who refuses to sign a pledge to oppose a rise in university tuition fees. After talks with Streeting, Tobin said: “MPs need to realise that students are not bottomless reserves of money to be tapped into. If fees increase any more, students will simply be forced to choose their university depending on how much it costs.” But Dr Piatt says fees have encouraged more students to apply to university because “educational under-achievement” rather than “finance” is the main reason for a lower proportion of working-class students in higher education. She said: “Since the introduction of variable fees in 2006 the number of students applying to university, from all social backgrounds, has greatly increased.”
Rose Matthews
Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com But Tobin argues higher tuition fees will make a university education financially impossible for many people in Britain. He said: “Every year students are forced to fight against fees going up again. “If students have to pay vast amounts to go to university, they leave university thinking that they have to earn as much money as possible. “This will have a massive impact on the way society operates, with people having to be certain that a career will pay off their fees before being willing to enter that profession.” The review will not be completed until August 2010 after the General Election.
Uni cycling challenge
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Keith Burnett welcomes the tuition fee review.
Staff and students have been going head-to-head in the first University Cycle Challenge this week. The two-week competition, which has seen 131 departments competing against each other in a bid to get the highest number of staff and students on their bikes, ends this Sunday. So far, 1,683 cycling trips covering a total of 11,800 miles have been logged on the challenge website. Challenge Co-ordinator, Darren Hardwick, is pleased with the numbers of students who signed up for the challenge. He said: “If you’ve not been on a bike for a while, you forget how much fun it can be. “We’ll keep the website open and run more events and challenges in the new year”. Event organiser Louise Pearson said the competition has encouraged more people to enjoy the benefits of cycling. She said: “Cycling is a fast, free and fun way to get to and from lectures and students who cycle to lectures arrive awake and raring to go.” “Often people realise that it’s not as bad as they thought and are keen to repeat the experience. Alongside the competition, the University’s Cycling Club have offered beginner cycling lessons to budding cyclists. Individuals who have not been on a bike in the last year automatically won a Showroom cinema voucher by cycling for a minimum of 10 minutes. The department with the highest percentage of people cycling will be awarded a team prize. Participants can continue to log trips on the challenge website until midnight on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. Fiona Bateson, Source Information Assistant at the Union, has been logging her cycling all week. She said: “I got involved when the challenge was opened up to Union staff. “I cycle or run to work everyday anyway, and so far I have logged about 30 miles. More people should cycle to work to reduce the traffic horrific traffic congestion.”
ABC’s Martin Fry records landmark Alumni donation Emily Cresswell Eighties pop singer Martin Fry has helped the University Alumni Fund reach a landmark of 7,000 individual donations since 2002. Mr Fry, from the well-known 1980s pop group, ABC, graduated from the University in 1979 and decided to donate a large sum of money to the reunion campaign at a recent reunion weekend. The Alumni Fund is a year round fundraising campaign and the reunion campaign is part of it. The reunion campaign raised a record total of £60,000 this yearalmost double the amount raised by the anniversary classes invited to last year’s alumni reunion. Since 2002, the Alumni Fund has received over £14million in donations, gifts and pledges
from alumni, staff and parents of students, as well as businesses and trusts. The Alumni Fund predominantly goes to the Alumni Fund Scholarship programme, which offers £3,000 for gifted students in need of financial help. The money has also been used to provide resources and grants for societies and University projects. In 2006, £60,000 was given towards the building of the Information Commons. Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Burnett said that he was “incredibly grateful to Martin” and to all the donors. He said: “They make a tremendous contribution to the ongoing success of the University and help us to provide an even better education for our students.
“We see the positive effects of these gifts everywhere, from additional IT provision, to funding for world-leading research and most importantly the transforming effect they have on individual lives.” Miles Stevenson, of the Alumni Relations department, said: “We are enormously grateful to our benefactors. It is a way that our alumni can put something back into their old University.” Some of the money raised by the Alumni Fund also goes towards the Alumni Foundation, a grant making board that meets three times a year to provide grants to student groups, clubs and societies. The deadlines for applications for this academic year are Friday, February 12, 2010 and Friday, May 7.
Martin Fry in his heyday with pop group ABC.
FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
LeTS cuts could affect education Continued from page 1 “In response, the University has held a number of positive and constructive meetings with union officials, and an outline agreement has now been reached which should resolve the matter. “The review into services provided by LeTS commenced in November 2008 and involved substantial consultation with teaching and support staff. The restructuring of the LeTs team is not expected to result in any redundancies.” Collier said that the media and production side of LeTS has been particularly affected. This includes the television studio in which the Union of Students’ Forge TV is filmed, which may now have to be axed. He claimed that the cutbacks have been made because of ignorance on the University review panel about the function which LeTS performs. He said: “The review panel have obviously got the opinion that if someone can press the record button they can make educational programmes. It’s a bit like ‘if you can use a word processor, you can write a novel’.” Members of LeTS also volunteered during Intro Week 2009 to help allocate Ucards to new students, because the University and the Union of Students did not have enough staff to cover the workload. Along with many of his colleagues, Collier opted to take early retirement under the Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS), but argues that he took it because “there would not have been a job anyway”. Collier said: “They told us we must not tell anyone what was going on. I suspect they were waiting for the VSS people to leave and then they could blame it all on the VSS. “I do not think there is a single person who has left LeTS on the VSS that would have taken VSS if they had not known that they had no job. Ironically the two people that wanted to leave were not allowed to take it. They have kept them, which is just the craziness of it.”
Danielle Smith (right) was dressed as a jester and turned away from ROAR for wearing black and white face paint.
Bailey clarifies face paint rules Emily Cresswell Finance Officer Martin Bailey has clarified the issue of “racist face paint” after confusion arose over what colours students are allowed to wear to Union club nights. Some students had raised concerns that the guidelines were not clear after some were told to wash off the black and white face paint they used to create costumes, including
Dangermouse, superheroes and a jester. But Bailey said that from now on students will only be denied entry to Union events for wearing face paint if “it could be deemed, without additional accessories, that they have changed their ethnicity” or if they are “fully blacked-up”. This means students who cover all their “visible skin” or their face in black or brown face paint, will be denied entry unless it is removed. He explained that students
Have your say Comment on this article at Forgetoday.com Send a letter to letters@forgetoday.com should be aware that if they are wearing a costume that is dependant on accessories to make clear what it is, they cannot wear full black or brown face paint. He said: “If you were dressed as a sheep with a fully blacked-up
face accompanied by a full cotton wool sheep’s outfit then by 3am it is likely you would have lost all traces of cotton wool, and having a black face, legs and arms could be deemed offensive to certain groups.” Bailey claimed that the same guidelines would apply to students wearing full white face paint. He said: “The same would theoretically apply to a black person with a whited-up face, but security haven’t been faced with this.”
Student loans bosses pocket thousands in bonus payout Leanne Rinne The Student Loans Company (SLC) has awarded staff almost £2million in bonuses, just weeks after they admitted losing thousands of students’ payment details. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed three executives at the SLC received £21,000 each and seven others got at least £10,000 even though administration problems have left thousands of students without loans this year. Twenty staff members got approximately £5,000 – more than in both of the previous two years. In total, bonuses were paid to 85 per cent of staff and the staff expenses bill came in at £1.2million in 2008/09. This included £110,596 for senior managers alone. Wes Streeting, President of the National Union of Students, has
called for the resignation of SLC boss Ralph Seymour- Jackson. Sheffield Students’ Union Education Officer Holly Taylor said: “It’s absolutely disgusting that the bosses of the Student Loan’s Company can walk away with such substantial bonuses when students have suffered so badly because of their wrongdoing. “I agree with Wes that Ralph Seymour-Jackson should stand down or at least pay back the £2million to help address their administration problems.” The Liberal Democrats, who uncovered the bonuses under FOI laws, have described them as “outrageous” and said failure should not be rewarded in this way. Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat spokesman for universities, said: “It is absolutely outrageous that the Student Loans Company, which has acted so incompetently this year, has
been paying out these massive bonuses. “While students have been left struggling to make ends meet, the company’s top executives have been enjoying five-figure bonuses. Some of these pay-outs are more than many people earn in a year. Rewarding failure in this way is totally unacceptable.” This year was the first time freshers applied directly to the SLC for grants and loans and the new arrangement has been beset by problems as it struggled to cope with demand. Ministers have launched an investigation as up to 175,000 students are still waiting for maintenance money. But a spokesman for the SLC said the bonuses were “based on a format, agreed in advance, which reflected performance against an agreed set of targets.” She said: “Employees’ objectives are monitored throughout the year, and they are given an individual
NUS President Wes Streeting. performance assessment at the end of the year.” The decisions on 2009-10 bonuses will be made next year.
A BBC survey has revealed that three-quarters of students have had to be bailed out with emergency funding.
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NEWS UNIVERSITY & LOCAL
Sampling international food delights Robert Golledge
Belle de Jour is ex-Uni student Former University of Sheffield PhD student Dr Brooke Magnanti has been revealed as the author of the Secret Diary of a London Call Girl
Hundreds of students sampled delights from around the world last weekend as the Union held the annual International Food Festival. Hosted by the International Students’ Committee, the festival also showcased Union societies such as the Flying Teapots and the Samba society in the Octagon centre. From delicious Kazakhstani chocolate to succulent Sri Lankan chicken, there was a diverse range of cuisine on offer from every continent. VIP guests included ViceChancellor Professor Keith Burnett and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching Paul White. International Students’ Union Councillor Mina Kasherova, thought that the event was very successful. She said: “Everyone speaks the language of food wherever they come from and this event was a way of showcasing all different cultures from across the world. “In Britian, like no other country I know, the people are fascinated with international cusine and this was a great way of getting home students to get to know some of the many cultures there are at the University. “There is no better way to get to know a culture than there is through food. “It was great to so much enthusiasm and everyone embracing all the cultures.”
Billie Piper in Secret Diary of a Call Girl and (inset) Dr Brooke Magnanti. Alexandra Rucki
Photo: Sam Bennett
The former escort behind the anonymous Secret Diary of a London Call Girl revealed her identity as Dr Brooke Magnanti, who studied for her PhD at the University of Sheffield. Hiding under the pseudonym of ‘Belle de Jour’, her identity has often been subject to speculation, with critics believing her stories to be fictional, or to be written by a well-known author due to the quality of her writing. The books and her blog have
also been called into criticism for glamorizing the world of prostitution. Magnanti finally revealed her identity to The Sunday Times, after rumours that the Daily Mail planned to out her in an exposé. Having given up prostitution in 2004, Magnanti now works at the Bristol Initiative for Research of Child Health (Birch) based at the city’s St Michael’s Hospital. She first took up prostitution six years ago through a London call girl agency, whilst in the final stages of her PhD in Informatics, Epidemiology and Forensic
science. Professor Robert Forrest worked with Dr Magnanti in the now closed Department of Pathology at Sheffield. He said: “She was intelligent, well read, a talented musician on the banjo and I found her pleasant company. “I considered her to be an asset to a department, which wasn’t a particularly happy one”. Magnanti moved to London in an attempt to find a career in her chosen field. Struggling to pay the rent, she turned to prostitution through
a London call girl agency and earned £300 an hour. Already an experienced science blogger, Magnanti began blogging about her experiences, scored a book deal and a TV adaption which starred Billie Piper. A survey conducted in 2008 by the Sheffield Steel Press into students’ sex lives revealed that 20 students claimed to have been involved in pornography. Eleven claimed to have worked as lap dancers, and seven in total admitted to working in prostitution.
City Bachelor Auction Stars set to turn on Christmas lights Kristi Genovese Sheffield United FC hosted a Bachelor Auction last Friday to raise money for Worlds AIDS Day charities. Since last year’s bachelor party there has been 11 marriages. The event, organised by New York’s dating expert, Aimee Ward, offered the highest bidder the chance to join a selection of eligible single men on a date. This year the men on offer included an editor of a magazine, a doctor and an IT project manager, while the choice of dates included meals, VIP drinks, going to the theatre, a day of snow sports and a salsa dancing lesson. Ward said: “It was a success; everyone seemed to have a really good time. The highlight was
having the first bachelor to break the £100 mark in bids. “Money is still coming through from the event but on the night we raised about £1,700 and nearly 100 women turned up.” The night included a three course meal, a raffle and a special performance from Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Sophie Mei. Ward claims she aims to make dating fun and exciting. She said: “You never know, just by attending the event, you may just be snuggled up to the man of your dreams this Christmas.” The money made on the night was donated to three HIV/AIDS charities, including Sheffield based Sheena Amos trust which provides support to young people with HIV.
Olivia Morley Sheffield’s Christmas lights will be switched on this weekend by soul diva Beverley Knight and pop star Little Boots. The duo will team up with the Lord Mayor and ‘Santa’ on Sunday to celebrate the beginning of the festive season. The event will run between 1pm and 5.30pm around the city centre and will include music acts from the two celebrities, appearances from the cast of Snow White and martial arts performances. Councillor Colin Ross, cabinet member for Employment, Enterprise and Development, said: “We’re pleased that our lights switch event has attracted such celebrities.” Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam
will appear at The Town Hall throughout the day whilst the Winter Gardens will boast a range of arts and crafts activities. The Peace Gardens will feature a German themed Christmas market along with a mini ski slope at Millennium Square and fairground rides on Pinstone Street. The Moor will see Santa with reindeer and huskeys in tow along with a live nativity. The big switch on itself will be at 5pm. Steve South, managing director at Real Radio Yorkshire, said: “Having Beverley Knight and Little Boots on stage for this year’s Sheffield Lights Switch on Party is just amazing. “Two of the hottest live acts and the biggest chart names in the UK today and we’ll be having them performing in Sheffield city
centre. And the most unbelievable part of it is the whole thing is free to come along to.”
Beverly Knight.
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LETTERS
Have your say Defending Islamophobia debate Dear Forge, Three issues have been raised with regards to the debate “This house believes Islamophobia is justified”: whether the debate should have been held; whether the definition of Islamophobia was legitimate; and whether the 27 people who voted in favour of the motion were in fact bigoted (’’Islamophobia’ debate sparks racism worries among Muslims’, page 3, Issue 16). Hafsah Qureshi, Vice-President of Islamic Circle, has stated on the uForums that she does not think that the debate or the Debating Society are racist. We thank her for her clarification and accept that this may not have been clear from either the article or the letter. However, others have given more scathing criticisms. Firstly, whether the debate should have been held at all. The first criticism asserted that we would not debate whether anti-Semitism, homophobia or racism are justified because they are too controversial. That is not the reason- they are simply not interesting debates, and are difficult to propose. We also reject the notion that the debate was racist or that Islamophobia is a form of racism; Islam is a religion and ideology to which anybody can adhere. This is not true of a race.
Star letter is sponsored by Your Harley
The winner receives a free meal for two and a Lock-In membership at Your Harley Second came the problem of the definition of Islamophobia. The argument runs that phobias are irrational fears. True, if you are talking about psychiatric disorders. This argument only holds true if you say that somebody who logically concluded that they feared Islam was not Islamophobic. We think people would describe them as Islamophobic whether or not their fears were irrational. (There are many definitions of
‘Islamophobia’. Many include the word ‘irrational’, but not all.) Given that those who logically fear Islam are described as Islamophobic, it legitimises the definition put forward by the proposition i.e. Islamophobia is a fear of Islam regardless of the level of rationality behind it. Then, there is a legitimate debate- is fearing Islam justified? Thirdly, the 27 votes in favour. There were Muslims in the audience that night mixed in with those 27 who voted in favour. But it is the difference between a capitalist fearing socialism whilst sitting next to a socialist; The capitalist may fear socialist ideology- it is unlikely he fears the bloke sitting next to him. By the same token, if a nonMuslim votes in favour, he may fear Muslim ideology. It does not mean he fears Muslim people. Saying an attack on an ideology is an attack on a person who buys into it is the same as saying that criticising somebody’s opinions is always a personal attack. It may be that people were offended by the motion. The same is probably true of every motion we write. Hurt feelings are no justification for stopping a debate. Yours, Rajin Chowdhury President of Sheffield Debating
Harvey interview missed the point Dear Forge, Whilst originally being intrigued by the prospect, Robert Golledge’s interview with Phil Harvey instead left me feeling disappointed and slightly nauseous (‘I want to put students and staff first’, page 8, Issue 16). Rather than challenging the new Registrar on his previous track record or probing him as to what he has planned for Sheffield we instead got an undeserved piece of star struck sycophancy. Having been ushered in by a Sheffield Activist Network welcome party, Phil Harvey has hardly been under the radar of late, yet it is important to remember actions like this do not come from nowhere. This is the same Phil Harvey
notorious for forced redundancies and union busting, who travelled half way across Europe to give a speech on that very topic, and who arrives at Sheffield during a period of intensified attacks upon University workers. This is the same Phil Harvey who axed the Chemistry department at Exeter, who attempted to cut the same department, as well as that of Linguistics, at Sussex, and who arrives at Sheffield just as moves to shut down the Biblical Studies department begin. Call me suspicious but this all appears to be a bit more than just coincidence. Yet none of this was touched upon, and we were instead treated to stories of marathon achievements, empty promises and an eerie admiration for
Keith Burnett. We were however promised that new Registrar will not be ‘a faceless bureaucrat’ and will be ‘getting involved’; that we can agree on. We are all aware of who Dr Harvey is as well as what ‘getting involved’ means to him. Perhaps I shouldn’t have written this letter and made my name so public; this is of course the same Phil Harvey who dished out a curfew to a Sussex student based on information he found on his facebook page, but I suppose some things just need to be put in words. Sadly the same cannot be said of Mr Golledge’s latest offering. Yours, Charlie Morgan International History and Politics, Third Year
Would you pay £5,000 per year for a degree?
Elly Wombwell Medicine Third year
Sam Booth History Third year
I do medicine, so yes, I Probably not, no. It think it’ll get rid of people seems a bit steep, to be who are only doing a honest. degree for the sake of it.
Charlotte Humphrey Accounting Third year
Tom Fletcher English Language First year
No. You’d be £15,000 in debt before you’ve done anything, and then £56,000 a year to live on.
I wouldn’t be happy about it, but if push comes to shove, there’s not a lot you can do about it.
Write: Forge Press, Union of Students, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TG Email: letters@forgetoday.com Please include your name, course and year of study. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity and space.
Fight fees for future students’ sake Dear Forge, Michael Hunter laments that “whingeing about the top-up system won’t get me my money back” (‘Losing faith and interest in the tuition fees debate’, page 13, Issue 16). It’s true that those of us who’ve paid £3,000 a year aren’t going to get it back, but surely we’re not just concerned with self-interest. We’re fighting to prevent the situation getting worse for future students who are just like us. And it’s not the distant future. Students starting university in less than two years’ time could be paying £7,000 or more a year. We have an obligation to prevent such a catastrophic impact on the shape of our society. Not only would increased fees mean massive debts and prevent some students from attending University at all, it would lead to a market where students choose
their university depending on what they can afford. Many will be forced to stay at home to cut costs, rather than go to their preferred university to fulfil their potential. The student movement has a powerful voice that is listened to when we speak together. Look at what the Biblical Studies students achieved the other week. You claim that only a “smattering of support” came to the protest, but in reality over a hundred people dressed in bright red protested in the cold, and captured media attention. An increase in fees will reverse any improvements in social mobility over the past fifty years, and while we may not get our fees back, we all reap the benefits of a more equal society. Yours, Paul Tobin Union President
Islamaphobia letter misunderstood Dear Forge, I think my sentiments towards the Debating Society debate entitled, 'This house believes Islamophobia is justified' were slightly misunderstood so I am just writing to clear up any misunderstanding. The article claimed, ‘The debate has been condemned by Sheffield’s Islamic Circle as “racist”’ (‘‘Islamophobia’ debate sparks racism worries among Muslims’, page 3, Issue 16). However, just to be clear, we never claimed the debate in itself was racist. My intention in writing to you after the debate was not to express a concern with the debate in itself but the outcome of the debate where 27/79 people voted in favour of the motion in the vote of conscience. This would imply that a third of people didn’t define Islamophobia as a hatred and dislike of Islam and Muslims, and thus I wanted to bring to people’s attention that this is what the widely accepted meaning of Islamophobia is, as understood by Muslims and those against Islamophobia. Alternatively, it would imply that a third of people may actually dislike Islam and Muslims, which is why I felt it was my duty to write about what Islam actually teaches and hence how it is nothing to fear. We want people to know that 99.99 per cent of Muslims are not terrorists, and we love living in Britain and want to engage positively in society. It frustrates me that media spin has wrongly resulted in the term ‘Islamic fundamentalists’ becoming synonymous with ‘terrorists’. Such a huge misnomer has perhaps naturally led people to think that Islam teaches terrorism, making people weary of Islam, when this couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, the word Islam itself is derived from the Arabic word for peace (Salam). The reason why there has perhaps been an increase in the number of overtly practicing Muslims in society is not because we are becoming brainwashed by crazy preachers to hate this country but simply because we
feel that the belief in One Creator makes rational sense and doesn’t contradict science, and that the Quran gives us sensible guidance on how to live a good life. Thus, we want to challenge Islamophobia and dispel any myths about our religion. Hence if anyone on campus – students, sabbatical officers, and uni staff – have any concerns about Muslims then please bring them up with us directly by emailing islam.circle@ sheffield.ac.uk. Everyone is most welcome to Islamic Circle events to find out more about Islam and Muslims; it was great to have non-Muslim brothers and sisters participating in our charity week events a couple of weeks ago where we raised over £6,000 for orphans around the world. As I said before, Islamophobic sentiment threatens to create divisions and hostility between Muslims and non-Muslims for no good reason; just because we have different beliefs and priorities does not mean we have nothing in common and can’t be friends and work together. In think if we point fingers and condemn people for holding a prejudice, they are likely to become defensive about their stance and consequently their prejudice will only strengthen. Instead, to challenge any prejudice, we need to address the root causes of why people may hold that prejudice in the first place. That’s all I intended to do by writing to you. Yours, Hafsah Qureshi Medicine, Fourth Year
Corrections and clarifications The lead photograph on page 1 of issue 16 (‘Carnage: all mouth, no trousers’) was taken by Sam Bennett. We apologise for not captioning this picture and for any distress caused to Mr Bennett. We apologise for the inaccurate spelling of Teesside on page 28 of issue 16 (‘Rampant table tennis firsts smash Teeside’).
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FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
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COMMENT
The latest policy on face paint at Union nights clears up an equivocal issue
Unnecessary and over-sensitive: new guidelines on fancy dress are ridiculous
It should not be up to students to decide which costumes are offensive
Those who dress up as sheep or ninjas are not seeking to cause controversy
Iain Robertson After recent events, the Union has decided to implement a policy on face paint being worn at its club nights. It’s about time. As we saw a few weeks ago, a group of girls were denied entry to a Union night and forced to wash their faces because they were dressed as Danger Mouse. Even the bouncers seemed to be confused as to what was acceptable and what was not. I hope the fresh guidelines on ‘blacking up’ are unanimously supported. Clearly, no one would willingly go out with just brown or black face paint on. I’m sure the students of today are intelligent enough to be aware of the offence this may cause. But even when face paint is used as part of a costume, there is still the potential for offence. That’s where the new policy comes in. When dressing as a sheep, for example, most wouldn’t think twice about getting the face paint out. The costume in its entirety makes it clear you’re a sheep and nothing more. However, the sort of things that go on in Bar One and Fusion and Foundry often lead to even the sturdiest of costumes being completely obliterated. The person who started the night as a sheep will
end the night sheared, pissed and looking like a black and white minstrel.
They have clarified rules which were far too vague Finance Officer Martin Bailey is right to clarify the Union’s approach. It now makes it simpler for bouncers, who no longer have to blindly d e c i d e what is acceptable. P e o p l e will say the powers that be have no trust in students’ common sense, but they could have a point. I have seen some stupid things on a night out. And I’m not sure I’d trust some students to make some common-sense decisions. ‘If I jump off this wall, will I hurt myself or look like a cool sexy stud?’ ‘Should I drink two bottles of wine before I go to
the club?’ Similarly, thinking of what your costume could look like once half of it has been ripped off is understandably easy to disregard. This policy could stop people getting offended. But if nothing else, it could lead to less aggression towards fancy dressers. Picture the scene. You’re getting a kebab after a night out, and you accidentally knock into someone in the queue because you’re stumbling a little. The person taps you on the shoulder to tell you to be careful. Then, as you slowly stagger in a circle to respond, they are faced with a pissed-up student smiling like a twit. I f t h a t wasn’t enough, one who’s also ‘blacked up’. I can see why, in certain situations, the atmosphere could heat up quickly. It’s a s e n s i b l e decision that wasn’t caused by a liberal, over politically-correct and frightened Union. Instead, they have clarified rules which were far too vague. Now, where’s my Danger M o u s e costume?
Olivia Morley Danger Mouse - racist? After reading a recent article on the face paint facade at the Union, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The story of a girl dressing up as a cartoon character surely doesn’t justify stimulating a policy to prevent potential racism. The saga is utterly pathetic. If I was forced to scrub my face bare on a night out I would be furious. Union nights are all about having fun. How on earth can this be achieved with students worried whether their outfit is offensive?
It is ludicrous that Danger Mouse caused this reaction If the Union isn’t careful, students will scrap its nights and go to the town centre for a night out instead. And that would be a disaster given how tight money is at the moment. Last week, whilst out on West Street, I saw countless scenes of dressedup drunken folk celebrating a birthday, social, or something similar. Of these included
DARTS
All-black costumes are turned away. shirtless boys painted head to toe in red paint. This seemed perfectly acceptable to me - a few lads having fun on a night out trying to bear some resemblance to ladybirds. It’s a good job they weren’t off to Population, though, where they might have been accused of incarnating Satan. No matter how hard the Union tries to put boundaries in place, there will always be confusion. Just because, on this particular occasion, the face paint is black and white, it doesn’t mean to say students won’t be dubious over other factors of fancy dress costume. What happened to everything just being a bit of fun? Ironically, the Danger
Art: Natasha Maisey
Mouse who was turned away from ROAR would now be permitted entry after the Union’s face paint policy was clarified last week. Now, revellers will only be asked to remove paint if their face is fully ‘blacked up’. If the Union had reason to believe students were being intentionally racist, then I could understand the sensitivity. But it is ludicrous that Danger Mouse caused this reaction. Our Union is in danger of becoming a petty institution which is overly focused on unnecessary rules and regulations. I recommend they take a chill pill, focus on matters which are actually of importance, and let us be carefree again.
Forge Press takes its satirical aim
COUNCIL COUNT DOWN THE MINUTES
ABRA CADAVER
NAKED TRUTH
Before Union Council got under way last week, Union President Paul Tobin set about introducing a cultural change to debates. To guard against council meetings dragging on for hours, Tobin suggested limiting m e m b e r s ’ contributions. To the dismay of resident Forge Press hacks, his admirable attempt
If Maths students thought they had it bad having to sit on the floor for lectures, then spare a thought for the Medics. Having bravely turned up to a lecture on statistics, they could well expect tiptop conditions. But with dead bodies behind a nearby curtain, the musky aroma of their Formaldehyde preservative means there’s more chance of retching than lecturing.
Darts was quick to question the nobility of our Sabbs when they refused to take part in a naked calendar campaign for charity. Therefore, it is with a sense of shame we report that Forge Press has also declined the offer. It was suggested vital areas would’ve been covered with copies of the paper. But for most men on the editorial team, a postcard would’ve sufficed.
to make council run more effectively was widely rebuffed. And when one councillor raised their hand for the third time to make the same point in a debate about avoiding making the same point, it felt that, ten minutes after Tobin first spoke, his idea had fallen on incredibly deaf ears.
Art: Natasha Maisey
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COMMENT
I’m not a female. And I’m not 52 years old. So why am I on the mailing list? Time for an overhaul of the University’s emailing system to make it more user-friendly to students Michael Hunter Which part of uni life fills you most with anxiety? A seminar presentation? Signing off over three grand in post-dated cheques to a Turkish landlord called Tony? Catching Chlamydia by osmosis from the toilets in Corp? All genuine concerns. But nothing compared to the apprehension that comes with logging in to the Uni email account. “Ever thought about a career in the circus?” Delete. “Are you fluent in Nepali?” Delete. “Bicycle lessons on the Concourse?” Delete. “Give it a Go – hair braiding.” Hmm. Maybe. It’s an ordeal. And having ducked and dived past reams of drivel in the way of flyers on the Concourse, the last thing I want when I log on at the IC is the electronic equivalent. One of the biggest pieces of dross to land in my inbox recently read as follows: “Are you male & aged 25-35 or female & aged 42-52?” Erm. No. Certainly not the last time I checked. Which was this morning. Now, I’m sure the University knows how old I am. And that I define myself as male. We have forms to sort all that out. So why can’t the boffins at CiCS make use of this data and draw up some handy mailing lists to stop everyone receiving such emails aimed at precise demographics? In 2008, only 13 per cent of students at our uni were aged over 25, while only
Editorials Fees will test Sheffield’s moral conscience It’s encouraging to hear that the Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Burnett is unwilling to toe-the-line of the Russell Group in outright supporting the increase of tuition fees at this early stage. The V-C states that he “welcomes” the discussions and that he is “aware of the impact of fees on students from the lowest income families.” We all know that the finances of universities across the country are in a mess and we can clearly see that the Government is more willing to splash taxpayers’ cash on costly quantitative easing, car scrappage schemes and paying bonuses to office-bound bureaucrats than they are in investing into the education of our and future generations. Despite financial difficulties, Sheffield needs to reject the Russell Group’s position and declare itself open to those who are capable and not exclusively to those who are able to pay. Higher tuition costs will inevitably lead to variable fees across the country, thereby creating a two-tier system, where choices of university and courses will be made on finance, and finance alone. It’s easy for V-Cs across the country to see an increase in fees as a quick-fix funding solution, but they need to look at the wider picture; higher fees will crush the opportunities, aspirations and achievements of those from poorer and deprived backgrounds. Universities are more than businesses, they are places where life lessons are taught, relationships are made, and a person’s future is moulded. This week as I waited to watch a film at a local cinema, an advert from the University of Sheffield was played on the screen, telling viewers to ‘Dream Bigger Dreams’. The University needs to decide whether they are going to be an institution that offers everyone from society the opportunity of a quality education and the chance to achieve their dreams, or only admit those with a thick chequebook.
Disturbing Redwatch Do we receive too many emails to our University account? one per cent were over 40. That probably means fewer than 10 per cent of students were of age and correct body parts to help out with a study into – wait for it – the functioning of the brain.
Shouldn’t it be that I opt in rather than out? I feel sorry for the 52-year-old female student elated at finally receiving an email that speaks to her. But instead of an
invitation-only tour of Chatsworth House, or a guest lecture on crossstitching, she is asked to have their heads examined. I recognise using our notso-vital statistics to create mailing lists won’t put an end to emails like “are you fluent in Double Dutch?” But it’s a start. Apparently, one way of avoiding the tedium of reading irrelevant emails is to embrace the equal tedium of replying to them and asking to be struck off ‘the list’. Which, in this instance, was ‘speciallist-1853’. Brimming with pride at making the 1,853rd special list, I politely wrote back; only to be told I’d have to
Art: Elisa Santos contact CiCS. Why? I didn’t ask to be considered for studies into the brain. Shouldn’t it be that I opt in rather than out? I should have to opt out of donating my body parts, not out of reading tripe. On a somewhat serious note, this email conundrum has been raised at Union Council after some students complained of missing important messages. I would tell those students to read every email. That helps. But still, logging in to our Sheffield account shouldn’t mean spending an afternoon in with Gmail. Anyway, I’ve been sidetracked. I’d better go and read my next email.
Fascist website Redwatch is a disgrace. The very nature of ‘naming and shaming’ students, journalists, union workers and political campaigners because they oppose Aryan superiority is disgusting. It is shocking to find students and staff from this University plastered over their pages and subject to vocal attacks from despicable human beings. There is something very murky about these people who hide under a blanket of anonymity and covertly wander our streets taking pictures of people because they are not fascist, racist, antiSemitic, homophobic, xenophobic, etc.
Concerns must be heard Another week and another set of concerns over the quality of teaching students are receiving following recent staff losses in Learning and Teaching Services and the English department. It is crucial that if you have any problems or concerns in your department you let your voices be heard. Remember, it’s your University and it’s your education. You have a right to be heard and you can make a difference.
Forge Press Editor, Media Hub, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TG, forgepress@forgetoday.com
£5million Union rebuild puts paintwork before professors Craig Purshouse
Photo: Sam Bennett
Who knew that our university was populated by so many aesthetes? Of course, you wouldn’t think it to look around, but there is no other logical explanation for the plans to rebuild the Students’ Union. Being consistently voted best union in the UK isn’t quite enough for some people. It seems they won’t rest until every University building has its own eightpage spread in World of
Interiors. One has to question when the University decided that it had such deep pockets. They have set aside £5million from money given to them by The Higher Education Funding Council for England on the Union rebuild. This despite the deficit in the Students’ Union budget, which currently stands at £80,000. Meanwhile, the recent Voluntary Severance Scheme left departments across the University skeletally staffed. The money can only be
used for building work. But even so, it sure is delightful to see the University has got its priorities right – building a vanity project while losing its professors. Plans are probably afoot to install an oversized photograph of all the people involved in the rebuild. But how it will complement those gigantic photographs of the Sabbatical Officers is anyone’s guess. That loud slapping sound you heard last week? It was the collective pat-on-theback they were giving each other.
No one would argue that the Union building doesn’t need improving, but the design is very much in the mould of the IC and Jessop West.
Being voted best union in the UK isn’t enough It will look hideously dated before it is even
completed. Although promised that disturbances will be kept to a minimum, three cash machines have disappeared this semester already and every building surrounding the concourse will become a construction site. The reason our Union wins awards is because it has good bars, club nights, places to eat and a decent shop. None of which will be improved by the rebuild. What a shame that any university, let alone our university, is such a slave for style over substance.
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COMMENT
Fresh cuts to LeTS deals another blow to Uni students Shedding of behind-the-scenes staff must stop if high standards are to remain Andre Nunn
What do most students think about our university? It has the country’s best Students’ Union? It throws a good night out? It’s a world leader in many subjects? Whatever it is that people think, our Uni is quickly earning a reputation for making cutthroat business decisions which are detrimental to the student population, with alleged and continuous lack of consultation with the people that matter. The huge loss of staff in the Learning and Teaching Services (LeTS) department seems to be another example of the University trying to push through a decision behind the backs of its staff and students.
The wrath of angry students is a mighty one The announcement of job cuts in LeTS and the introduction of the Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS) – where staff are invited to retire early with a shiny one-off
payment – came within weeks of each other. A cynic would probably point out what a convenient coincidence this was. Former LeTS employee Steve Collier claims that many staff, including himself, felt forced to take the offer of VSS from the Uni. Otherwise, he faced the sack a few months down the line. And a sack comes without the bonus bundle of cash. He also claims that the Uni is targeting professional staff over academic staff to try to maintain the image of a healthy and fullyfuntioning University. That means anybody who doesn’t stand in front of a group of people and teach. (Anybody who can be removed with minimal fuss.) If you look at the figures this certainly seems to be the case. 5 per cent of the Uni’s total staff has left recently, saving the Uni £13million. In July, it was announced that a third of LeTS staff would lose their jobs. Considering this, no one would blame people for believing that Collier’s accusations are true. Complaints have been made as the cuts mean jobs are being passed on to other people in their respective departments. Experienced and highlyqualified members of staff who have been shown the door are having their jobs filled by the existing, less-
qualified and ultimately cheaper staff – who already have enough on their plates. Even worse, it means some chores which can be completed quickly by a technician or secretary are being left with academic staff.
5% of the Uni’s total staff has left recently Staff who should be standing next to a PowerPoint presentation in front of a lecture theatre, or leading a seminar group – reimbursing the multitude of students who have spent thousands of pounds for them to be there. They should not be fumbling around with a faulty projector or sending emails. The wrath of angry students is a mighty one. After all, we’re the ones with the money – and it’s pretty safe to assume that the Uni would sooner keep us sweet than risk a repeat of the recent Biblical Studies protests. Not to mention increased media interest since the protests kicked off. As a result, it is mainly invisible staff being shown
A LeTS employee is swamped with work after job cuts. the door – under the pretence of the VSS – in an effort to appease the students and save money at the same time. Sure, your lecturer is standing next to his projector as happy as Larry – but elsewhere, huge proportions of staff are leaving gaps which need filling. Your seminar group won’t Dr Liddy get cancelled. However, parts of your course will Goyder be severely unprepared because there’s no one there to do the background Director of Public Health, School work. of Health and Related Research If this situation worsens, the core of our University ‘Look after yourself’ is will rot away. obvious advice but it is And it won’t be long particularly worth thinking before the damage on the about a few survival inside begins to appear on strategies in this season of the surface. colds and flu, exam stress and Christmas parties. This means recognising that your mental and social well-being (as well as exam success) depend on looking after physical well-being finishes, your tutor might too. head off to a shady part of town and put on their red light. Dr Magnanti isn’t the first student to get involved in the sex trade. In a 2008 Sheffield Steel Press sex survey of the Uni, seven respondents claimed to have worked as prostitutes. Some students have The following prescription to strip, pose and shag will help combat stress and to pay for their studies, depression as well as colds depressingly. and flu: Dr Magnanti escaped Get enough sleep: Sleep from the sex industry is often neglected when life unscathed. gets busy and only you can Now she just wants to judge how much you need. continue her academic So don’t feel guilty career. “The causes of about socialising when cancer and the diagnosis you need a break from rates. They’re my thing.” work but equally don’t feel Now that’s sexy.
Combat depression and stress for exam success
The not-so-sexy side of PhD prostitution Duncan Robinson The news that the sexblogger and former call girl Belle de Jour was a PhD candidate at Sheffield is quite surprising. The average PhD student is lucky if they’ve actually had sex at all – never mind having someone pay to do it with them. Belle, or Dr Brooke Magnanti as she is now known, was an almost penniless research student at the University of Sheffield when she went on the game. She had only the oral examination part of her PhD left to complete when she signed up to an escort agency. (There’s a joke in
there somewhere.) For a while, Dr Magnanti was just another unemployed, over-qualified graduate. Prostitution was a stop-gap before she got a proper academic job. She could have done worse. Getting paid £300 an hour to have sex? It certainly beats bar work. The Belle de Jour blog,
books and its TV spin off – The Secret Diary of a Call Girl – was often criticised for glamorizing the sex trade. Although, to be frank, having sex with strangers is probably more glamorous than three years studying in the Department of Forensic Pathology. Even so, the image of an academic as a sex worker is an odd one. Prostitutes tend not to wear corduroy jackets and I’ve yet to meet a lecturer with an obvious liking for PVC. But, you never know. As soon as your seminar
Art: Mark Mackay
Spend the money you save on fresh food
guilty about turning down opportunities to socialise if you really need to catch up on sleep. Get enough fresh air: Whatever the weather, fresh air and exercise are good for stress reduction as well as for feeling fitter. Walk to the library or lecture in the fresh air rather than taking the bus and you will find you arrive less stressed. Eat regularly: Don’t think that, because it is full of calories, alcohol is any substitute for food. You may be surprised how much better you feel for watching your alcohol consumption and cutting down. Spend the money you save on fresh food, including fruit and veg. Healthy snacking is fine you can’t work efficiently if you are hungry. Avoid swine flu and colds. Hand washing with soap and water is the one thing that genuinely does reduce risk. If you do get flu or cold symptoms - and you probably will at some point unless you go into hibernation - try and avoid sharing them. Use paper tissues and put them in a bin. Look after yourself, as well as your friends and colleagues. Recognise if they are stressed or unwell – and that the cure may not involve partying.
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Making a bit of noise for Lymphoma awareness
The Lymphoma Association’s new Pitfart campaign is a fun way of raising awareness in young people. Below: Rachael Hurst during her illness.
Lucie Boase It’s a playground mainstay, beloved of small boys intent on impressing their friends. But pitfarting – making an amusing noise by cupping your hand over your armpit – could now land you with more than just your classmate’s enduring respect. A weekend for two in Paris is up for grabs for the most viewed video of a pitfart uploaded to the Lymphoma Association’s new campaign website, www.pitfart. com. The initiative aims to raise awareness in young people about Lymphoma, a form of cancer which starts in the lymphatic system.
Lymphoma symptoms often go by unnoticed in the typical student lifestyle There are currently 60,000 people in the UK living with Lymphoma. Although it’s the most common type of cancer affecting our age group, surprisingly few people have heard of Lymphoma, and many only do when they’re directly affected by it. The link between pitfarts and lymphoma is far from tenuous – ‘PITS’ is an acronym for the signs and symptoms of the disease: Persistent Lumps, Itching, Tiredness and Sweating. “I thought I was a hypochondriac, to be honest – I was always getting
Forge Press talks to a former Lymphoma sufferer about the most common form of cancer in our age group, and the newly launched Pitfart campaign something”, says Rachael Hurst, a second year Politics student at the University of Sheffield, who was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2007. Despite having suffered the classic symptoms of Lymphoma for over a year, Rachael had dismissed them as signs of stress over her A-Levels. It wasn’t until she was in Australia on her gap year that she found out what was wrong. Unfortunately, Rachel’s story is all too familiar amongst Lymphoma sufferers. “The problem with Lymphoma is that the symptoms are very similar to your typical student lifestyle - coughs and colds, tiredness, feeling run down,” she said So how do you know it’s not just a nasty bout of Freshers’ Flu? “The main difference is that you get enlarged lymph nodes, which are present either in your neck, under your armpits or in your groin.” Rachael’s late diagnosis resulted in having to face advanced stage cancer, and undergoing 12 sessions of chemotherapy. “I lost my hair after the first one. It wasn’t a big thing – I loved it.
One of the symptoms of my illness was that my hair went lank and greasy, so I was glad to get rid of it. It was liberating.” The journey isn’t over yet. Rachel still has to undergo regular checkups and scans, and is on a cocktail of drugs to counter the side-effects of treatment. “It’s very much a watch-andwait game. With Lymphoma, there’s quite a high risk that it can come back, so there are a lot of hospital visits. “I’m on treatment with different consultants for different things caused by the chemotherapy, i n c l u d i n g problems with my bowels and my circulation. In the long term, I should be fine. There are no
cancerous cells left in my body – I’ve had scans to prove that. Rachel’s been in remission now for a year and a half. “I’m still under close observation from my doctor all of the time, but I’m fine – just a bit paranoid.” Naturally, Rachel has asked herself ‘why me?’ “You do sit and wonder ‘What’ve I done? What’ve I been around? What’ve I eaten?’. You come to every conclusion”. Rachel’s own theory is that her illness was kick-started by working for seven years in a dry-cleaners, surrounded by chemicals. “But I can’t prove this – it’s just one of those things with no known cause. It’s not genetic.” Apparently though, Lymphoma is more common in males, and also having a weakened immune system can increase the chances of developing the illness. Listening to Rachel talk frankly about her illness, I was bowled over by her courage. She is remarkably upbeat and maintains a sunny disposition on life. “I just pretend there’s nothing wrong with me. You can’t sit at home and think ‘oh no, something might happen to me’. You have to get on with life as normal.” Most importantly, Rachel says, is staying aware, because ignoring symptoms can heighten the severity of any medical condition. “If I don’t feel right, I go straight to a GP. With my friends, as well, I’ll always say, ‘get it checked, don’t leave it’.”
Photos: The Lymphoma Association
Now an ardent campaigner for Lymphoma awareness, Rachael has spearheaded the Lymphoma Association’s competition at the University. She has also managed to raise an impressive £25,000 for Leukaemia research, in just four months. “I organised corporate dinners, got businesses to give me money, ran auctions, gave speeches, organised challenges – from marathons, walks in the Welsh peaks, to speed dating.
‘Losing my hair to chemotherapy wasn’t a big thing - it was liberating’
Rachael Hurst, Lymphoma survivor “A lot of people are very generous, especially if it’s something they’re not that aware of. “Although breast cancer and testicular cancer are of course very important, most people already know about them and are aware of what to look out for. “Lymphoma hasn’t been given the same recognition, so it’s my aim to make sure students know about it.” The Pitfart competition is definitely an innovative way of grabbing young people’s attention. Visit www.pitfart.com for more details.
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Talented Diversity are enjoying the reality of stardom Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity talk to Forge Press about their rise to fame, Michael Jackson’s death and their desire to stay in education.
Paul Garbett It’s May 30, 2009, and while a third of the country’s entire population sat down to see Susan Boyle crowned winner of Britain’s Got Talent, 11 young dancers from Essex prepared to cause the biggest shock in reality television history. Diversity wowed judges and fans alike with their inspirational street dance routines and defied odds of 20-1 to win the grand final, with nearly 25 per cent of the public vote. After scooping the £100,000 prize, the group have gone from strength to strength, performing at a host of top events and even drawing acclaim from the late Michael Jackson. “The last six months
have been an absolute whirlwind,” says Ashley Banjo, the leader and choreographer of the group. “When people ask what we’ve done since Britain’s Got Talent, it’s almost like what haven’t we done. “We’ve recorded a film, performed at the Mobo Awards
and danced outside 10 Downing Street. It’s been crazy.” “We don’t get much time to ourselves these days but we’re getting to live the dream and loving every minute, so it doesn’t matter,” said one of the
‘To think that Michael Jackson wanted us to go on tour with him is incredible.’ Ike Ezekwugo, Diversity
Photo: Glen Ashley
older dancers, Terry Smith. “We get to get up every day and do what we love doing, it’s the best thing in the world.” After winning the show, Diversity will now perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance in December, and Ashley says the group is looking forward to giving a special performance. He said: “We’re going to be doing a brand new routine and trying to push the level of difficultly up, we’ll be taking more risks and hopefully it will be a landmark performance for us. We want it to be something everyone remembers.” The group were delighted to hear praise from one of their icons, Michael Jackson after winning the hit series and were stunned when Jackson asked them to appear alongside him at his series of London concerts. “It was a massive thing to find out he had been watching us on TV and was a fan,” said Ike Ezekwugo, another of the group’s older members. “To think that Michael Jackson, who was a legend himself, wanted us to go on tour with him is incredible. He was such an inspiration to all of us that it would have been amazing, but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”
News of Jackson’s death, ju weeks after revealing his admirati for Diversity, shocked the group, the members remember well. “It was a really sad time for when we heard the news that had died,” said Ashley. “Not only was it sad on a person level, but it also obviously mea that we couldn’t go on his tour. was a double blow for us.” Ike said: “We were on tour wh we found out that he had died a that day was a really sad one f everyone. Normally everyone really happy and bouncing arou but hearing the news was terrib everyone was really down.”
‘I think its important to have education to fall back on, you can’t predic the future’ Ashley Banjo, Diversity
With the group’s membe ranging in age, from 13 26, touring the country is interesting experience with t group becoming almost one b family. But despite the glamo of life on the road, the young members of the group are never f away from their schoolwork. Mitchell Craske, aged 13 sa “When we are away on the road w get given work from school to do
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FEATURES
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Diversity performing at Meadowhall’s Christmas lights switch on. we don’t miss out on any work.” “Education’s key” added Jordan Banjo, aged 16. Several members of Diversity were studying at university when they first appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, and despite the group being in hot demand for TV work and live events, education remains important for even the older members of the group. This summer saw group members Ize Ezekwugo and Terry Smith graduate with university degrees, and despite the troupe’s rise to fame and fortune it’s unlikely that those two will be the last to don the cap and gown. When initially auditioning for the show, the group’s figurehead Ashley Banjo was studying a Masters degree in physics and biology, but despite his rise to showbiz prominence, he is still committed to completing his course He said: “I think it’s important to have something to fall back on as you never know what the future holds. I’ve personally deferred a year of my course and I’m keen to go back and carry on next year. “I’m lucky to be in a position where I can finish off my degree when I get a chance. It’s always good to continue your education, and have a plan B in case something goes wrong.” While many of the group are keen to advance themselves academically, there are no signs that they will need to use their back up plans just yet. Ashley has landed a judging role
while the group themselves are preparing their first tour of Britain and have even been given a role in a new movie, Street Dance 3D which will hit the big screen in May next year.
‘We’re getting to live the dream and are loving every minute’
Photo: Glen Ashley
Diversity show Forge Press how to moon walk 1) Stand with both feet close to each other, with the left foot slightly ahead of the right. The toes on your right foot should be in line with half the left foot. 2) Now raise the heel of the right foot so that you are standing on the front of the right foot as if you are taking a
step. The left foot must stay where it is, completely still. 3) As you lower the heel of the right foot, lean all your weight on the right foot and drag back the left foot to so that its toes are in line with the heel of the right foot.
4) The left foot’s heel must be slightly off the ground. As you drag back, do not push down on the left foot at all or it will not glide. Make sure as you lower the heel of the right foot slowly, while the left moves at an equal speed. This will need lots of practice to master the right speed.
Terry Smith, Diversity Ashley said: “We were very honored to get a role in the first British street dance film and can’t wait to see it on screen. “We’re also going on tour next year for the first time on our own, doing a full hour and a half show which is filled with big high energy routines.” The group were in Sheffield to switch on the Christmas lights at Meadowhall shopping centre, with thousands gathering to see their performance, which saw a special routine in tribute to Michael Jackson. Jordan Banjo said: “It’s great to come up here and do something like this and meet the fans. It’s amazing that so many people turned up. I didn’t realise we had so many fans in Sheffied.”
Diversity performing their Michael Jackson tribute dance.
Photo: Glen Ashley
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Photo: Sam Bennett
Students embraced each others’ cultures at the recent World Food Festival held at the octagon centre.
Integration imperative as our world becomes smaller Oliver Hughes Moving to a new country can be a daunting task. And for over 3,700 international students this year it would have been no exception. Integration can be difficult at the best of times, cultural values can be very different and trying to strike the balance between British and international students own values can be testing. The University are proud to have over 120 nationalities represented on campus and international students add to the vibrant and dynamic environment at the University. But is enough being done to integrate international students with home students, as well as aquaint them with British culture? Mina Kasherova, a third year Journalism student and current International Students’ Councillor believes a lot is being done already. She attended the University’s International Orientation Programme, which is aimed at helping international students settle into their new surroundings. “It’s a great way to realise you are not experiencing culture shock alone as you meet people from all over the world who are in the same position,” she said.
With the University having a growing international feel, Forge Press sees how students are managing their own international relations. “By the end of the week I felt quite confident and reassured that I could cope with university life in a different country from my own. I was even giving University and city tours to my British housemates during fresher’s week!”
International students add to the vibrant and dynamic environment at the University However, some home students have voiced concerns over the University’s policy on housing international students with home students in their first years, as a way to improve integration. Hugh Broughton, a third year management student, lived in Victoria Hall with two Chinese
students during his first year. He said: “My housemates were very nice and friendly but just weren’t interested in socialising with home students. “Despite trying to get involved with them, they only felt comfortable with other Chinese students and they had no interest in going out or taking part in social activities. “The only time they would socialise was when groups of other Chinese speaking people came round, which left me feeling quite alienated in my own flat.” Is this indicative of a wider trend, or is does this attitude reflect a reluctance on the part of home students to welcome and engage with people from other cultures? International Officer Alex Erdlenbruch denies that international students are alienating British students and says many look to learn from and embrace British culture and values. He said: “It is absolutely not unfair to place international students with home students. “What needs to be done is to
make sure all British students gain an international perspective in their university life. “Staying within a ‘British bubble’ where all your friends are British and you do not want to widen your outlook on life is no longer an option.” Edvarts Dzelzitis, a third year Civil Engineering student from Latvia believed having lived with British students was a great benefit for him, but felt some international students didn’t integrate as well as he did. He said: “I think I was lucky as I had a really good British housemate in my first year who I still live with now. I had another international student who just sat in his room all the time and wasn’t very chatty whatsoever and maybe struggled to integrate as well as I did. “Many international students hang out with students from their own country. “But for many I think it is relatively easy for them, they come here from big countries and have societies here and hang out in their own environment. “There is a big problem in
our department, one group of international students and one group of UK students. They don’t interact with one another and I think that is a problem.” The University are keen to ensure both home and international students settle in well and are set to introduce a one year project looking at issues surrounding integration with home students.
‘I was even giving city tours to my British housemates!’ Mina Kasherova, Student A spokesperson said: “Working together with the Union of Students, the University undertakes a large number of initiatives to ensure international students are welcomed and integrated into university life. “In the latest International Student Barometer, 92 per cent of students reported Sheffield as being a ‘good place to be’.” A good mix between home and international students is imperative to broadening each other’s horizons, but getting the right balance can be difficult.
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Life on the University life can be challenging for anyone, but many students battle mental illness on a daily basis. Forge Press speaks to one student about his experience of anxiety and depression. Chris Conway Depression is a word given increasing prominence within society today. We often use the phrase “I’m so depressed” when we’re life is getting is down, but usually, such feelings pass quickly. Generally, everybody knows someone who’s suffered from depression. According to mental health charity Mind, at least one person in every six will suffer from depression of some nature in the course of their lives. One in 20 will suffer clinical depression. Second year student Matt Andrews suffered from severe bouts of depression and anxiety when he arrived in Sheffield as a fresher in 2008. Feeling isolated, paranoid and anxious, he felt he had no where to turn.
‘I was trapped. I couldn’t eat or sleep. I felt as if no one could help me’ Matt Andrews, sufferer “I was trapped. It just suddenly came on. I went home one weekend, and when I got back to Sheffield, it was like someone had pulled the breath out of my lungs. “I couldn’t sleep, or even think about eating. “I felt a bit down at first, but just thought I was tired and a bit homesick. But after a while, the low, sad feelings were still there. Although Matt pushed on with his studies and made every effort to be as sociable as possible, he found himself feeling increasingly under pressure. “I just didn’t want to be at Uni.
I wanted to be home. I snapped and started crying one time. I ended up running to the train station and going home, but when I got there I felt no different. “I just didn’t know where to put myself and felt as if no one could help me.” Anxiety and depression often present such symptoms as headaches, body aches, memory loss, short temperedness, loss of appetite and low energy, and as Matt explains, he was no stranger to such feelings. “I would get the most horrendous headaches and because I couldn’t explain to myself why I was getting them and because I wasn’t hung over or anything, I would then convince myself that there was something more seriously wrong with me. “I would have bad thoughts and sometimes I’d be totally convinced that I had a brain tumour or some other kind of serious illness, when in actual fact it was just a tension headache every time. “Then I found myself panicking about little things such as going to sleep at night in case I died in my sleep. “I would go to the doctor’s over and over to get reassurance that there was nothing wrong with me. That wouldn’t solve the problem though and the minute another headache appeared, back came the brain tumour worries.” These thoughts continued and eventually, with the help of his family at home and his friends at university, Matt began a course of anti-depressant medication recommended to him by his GP. “I didn’t want to go on the tablets at first. To me, that was admitting that I had a problem. “I’d never had a serious illness before in my life and truthfully, I couldn’t accept that I was battling one then. “I started the medication and at first it just made me feel worse. It doesn’t kick in straight away, but I expected it to and because it didn’t, I felt really down. “By this point I’d lost loads of weight, looked pale and really wasn’t well. I tried to stay positive
but it was pretty difficult. “I’ve never felt so awful in my life. I found myself quite down again and would sometimes sit in my room in halls and cry.” Eventually Matt sought professional help and after meeting with his GP, he arranged to see a local Cognitive Behavioural
It’s important to talk to your GP and get help if you’re finding things difficult Therapist (CBT). CBT treatment is a way for patients to identify and challenge negative thoughts, Matt explains. “It’s about understanding the thought process behind your negative thoughts and looking at how to counter them. “I would go to see my CBT therapist once a week and talk about how my week before had gone, what negative thought’s I’d battled with and generally how I was feeling. “At first I felt it wasn’t working and I was about ready to give up. I just didn’t know what to do.” Matt persevered and continued to try and live life at university as normally as possible whilst continuing to battle with the depression and anxiety, as well as meeting course deadlines. “It was tough, and I had to keep picking myself up,” said Matt. “Over time though, things got easier. I was having CBT more often and it was definitely beginning to work. “I wasn’t feeling as anxious anymore - the mixture of CBT and anti-depressant tablets was beginning to do the trick. “I wasn’t cured and even today I still have my ups and downs. Some days that are better than others, but I can now be more positive and draw on the fact
that I’ve definitely come through the worst bit.” Now almost half way through his second year, Matt is feeling more positive and is really beginning to enjoy university. Although there is still a way to go, Matt feels up to the challenge and wants to reassure anyone else suffering from anxiety and depression that it can be beaten, it just takes time. “You’ve got to be strong and although I know that’s easier said than done, it’s the best way to beat this thing. “I was lucky that I had good friends and a supportive family. What you’ve got to remember is that not everyone is that understanding about mental health as they should be today. “Because there are no physical symptoms, people just assume you’re making it all up for attention. “I can assure you though, there were t i m e s when I would gladly have had two
broken arms instead of this – because you know that in a few months they’ll be fine. “Anyone suffering from it should speak to their GP - they can help. Don’t be afraid to pursue all options for help in conquering it. “With anxiety and depression, no one knows how long it’ll take to be beaten, but it can be done.”
FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
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FEATURES
10 steps to mental health recovery
edge
Sarah Jones As a student who suffers from depression and an anxiety disorder, I know that mental illness can sometimes feel completely overwhelming and debilitating. Mental illnesses within a university environment can be especially difficult to deal with. Students tackling what is often a severe and misunderstood illness can often feel isolated and under pressure from being away from home, looking after themselves independently, and having to deal with the university workload. If you or somebody you know struggle with symptoms of depression or another mental illness, recovery may seem a long way away. Fortunately, by taking the following ‘10 steps to mental health recovery’, the journey will seem a little easier. 1. Take advantage of some of the health services provided by the University. Visit your GP through the University Health Service. There are a wide range of services for people with mental health issues and it may be a case of finding the right type of treatment for you. Remember, appointments will remain strictly confidential. Also, consider making use of the University Counselling Service. Sometimes it’s useful to talk to somebody detached from the situation.
Talk to your family and friends - they’d prefer to be able to help you than see you suffer 2. Talk to your personal tutor. In my experience, they can be invaluable in helping you cope with depression alongside your university work. Extensions or special circumstances forms can be implemented to take pressure off you academically, leaving you to concentrate on your recovery. 3. Exercise. It may sound simple but exercise has been proven to help sufferers of depression - indeed sufferers of any mental illness. It’s great as a de-stressing activity 4. Keep a regular and healthy diet. I found it very difficult to eat during a bout of illness. However, eating properly and keeping your blood sugars up will speed your recovery. 5. Talk to your family and friends about your feelings. Remember, anyone who you love and trust would try to help you out if they knew you were suffering but they can’t if they don’t know something is up. Don’t worry too much that this might upset them - ultimately, they’d be more upset if they knew you were suffering alone.
Photo: Sam Bennett
6. Try to think positively.
Even though it can sometimes seem nigh on impossible. It’s the small steps like these which ensure that you can and will recuperate, with time. 7. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes, people who suffer from mental illnesses feel as though they’ve failed in some way. This isn’t the case - it’s an illness and it’s not your fault. Often one of the first things you must challenge is your own self esteem. 8. Don’t be tempted to take risks you wouldn’t normally take and indulge in behaviour which is out of character. Suffering from a mental health problem can sometimes induce you to act out of desperation. However, don’t let short term gains cloud your thinking. In the long run, it will only make you feel worse. 9. Don’t let mental health problems stop you doing what you want to do. Try to take things one step at a time, and ease yourself back into doing what you enjoy. This could be anything, - from gathering the energy to cook your favourite meal, or the next day feeling confident enough to go for a night out with your friends. And remember no step, no matter how small is seems, is insignificant. It all counts towards your successful recovery. 10. Be patient with those who are ignorant about the implications of a mental illness. Unfortunately, one of the main problems I have found in dealing with mental illness is stigmatization. It can be difficult for others who have not had the same experience to understand how you are feeling. If you are unlucky enough to encounter people who do not even attempt to understand, try to remember that they are merely ignorant. One in three people are said to suffer from a mental health problem in their lifetime, so it’s everyone’s responsibility to try and understand what it means. Only with greater awareness of the implications of mental illness can progress be made in removing the stigma which surrounds it. *The names in these articles have been changed to protect the identity of those involved.
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Lifestyle
FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
F
Hero of the fortnight
Fashion Food & Drink Health & Fitness Technology Sex & Relationships
Aston from JLS Confessed to liking ladies with a larger rump. All together: down with the celery, up with the Mars bar.
London, Paris and...Sheffie
Now that the nights are drawing in... Unlike its northern neighbours Leeds, Manchester and Liverpoo isn’t considered a fashionable place to be; Lifestyle asks ‘why?’
Kat Reynolds
Hannah O’Connell & Keri O’Riordan
Snuggle up: With winter closing in it’s going to get a lot colder, so grab your PJs, a hot beverage and a few of your favourite films. You’re all set for the perfect lazy afternoon with your house mates. If you’re feeling extra lethargic then nobody would blame you for having a duvet day.
Last year a survey from a popular fashion website, revealed that Sheffield was voted one of the worst dressed cities in Britain. To be honest we at Lifestyle are scratching our heads, wondering ‘how can this be?’ With over 50,000 students in Sheffield and places such as Division Street boutiques and Meadowhall available for all our clothing needs, why have we been voted so unfashionable?
Lifestyle po
Neighbouring cities are renowned for their fashionforward dressing, but it seems Sheffield has been left behind. However, despite the abundance of vintage stores, maybe we are lacking that spark of individuality which could set Sheffield apart. We at Lifestyle took a trip around the Union, to check out what people were wearing on a normal weekday, and decide whether we truly are a badly dressed city. Thankfully, there wasn’t a lack of fashion talent.
58% 23% 19%
(Right) Checkered shirts are still dominating the high street for boys and girls. Team with jeans so that you can let the shirt do all the talking.
Look for the light: Take a trip on the Sheffield wheel and watch our city twinkle away below you; it’s open until 11pm at night so use your extra hours of darkness for your ride. Otherwise, take a group trip up to the top of one of the many hills and look at it from a more static position.
(Left) For those brave boys among you, the skinny jean is perfect if you want to make a statement. The double breasted jacket, gives the casual jeans a smart edge, and the brown satchel is both practical and bang on trend.
(Top) You’ll be hard pushed throughout the Union not to spot a pair of leggings. This student has kept things simple with a nautical knit, which is the perfect base to offset her statement bag.
(Right) The high street is full of beautiful knits for Autumn/ Winter. Layering gives you a unique edge, and creates an expensive look. Keeping it young and fresh with a pair of jeggings and classic Converse is the perfect casual look for lectures.
(Top) The ‘Grandad’ jumper, a popular vintage statement. Cosy and sets you apart from the crowd. This patterned number is toned down by casual loafers
Is Sheffield a fashionable city?
Kitty Lewis-Williams Politics and Philosophy Third year Not really, there doesn’t seem to be a good selection of shops, compared to other cities up north.
Charlie Morgan History and Politics Third Year Yes, not really at the weekends when the kids are around, but I think there are some good shops.
Jack Rogers Economics Second Year I think Sheffield is reasonably fashionable, from what I’ve seen on nights out and around town.
N S
D w
We asked readers on www.forgetod was a fashionable city, and the resu Nearly 1 in 4 respondents claiming an inspiring dress sense. This is dis shortage of well dressed students a
Star gaze: Make the most of what we can’t see by day and take a really good look at what’s up above us. On a clear night, all you need is a pair of binoculars and there are loads of simple astrology guides online so you can tell your Plough from your Big Dipper.
Play: All games are more fun in the dark, especially ones made for kids. This is your opportunity to be a big kid; dig out your old board games or get creative and make up your own. Twister, a game of hide and seek, and sardines all have an extra thrill factor when played with the lights out.
Y L t
Charlotte Tanner Law Second Year I think Sheffield is fashionable. There’s a lot of unique style and people aren’t afraid to express themselves.
FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
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Gadget of the fortnight
Product of the fortnight
Villain of the fortnight
Magic Wand Remote £49.99 Change the channel with the flick of a wrist, just like a real wizard. The dream.
Clarins Lipstick £15.50 Lipstick sales have soared in the recession. Why not invest in your face??
Robert Pattinson Hinted he might quit acting. Don’t show me your beautiful face only to callously take it away. Bastard.
eld?
ol, Sheffield
oll:
Yes. 58 per cent of Forgetoday.com Lifestyle readers said they believed that Sheffield was a fashionable city.
No. Nearly a quarter voted against Sheffield being a fashionable city.
Don’t know/care. Nineteen per cent were unsure.
day.com if they felt that Sheffield ults are far from encouraging. that the Steel City does lack sappointing, but we didn’t find a around the Union.
No one wants their pants on fire Olivia Morley Students at The Edge witnessed an impressive demonstration from South Yorkshire’s fire department, in attempt to raise awareness for students on how to improve fire safety in their homes. The demonstration, which highlighted the devastating results of the outcome when water is poured over a flaming chip pan, acted as part of Safety Week. Student cookbooks and advice leaflets were given out in an attempt to drum in to students the importance of fire safety. Paul Wood, Crew Manager of White Watch Central Fire station, stresses the importance of testing smoke alarms regularly. He also advises students never to leave any cooking unattended, and to make sure that all kitchen appliances are turned off after use. Students should also ensure that cooking utensils, such as pans, are kept clean, as deposits of fat can lead to a fire.
Students are advised to keep all fire escapes clear in case of an emergency exit. Those who live in smoking permitted residences must make sure not to smoke if on certain prescribed drugs or when feeling drowsy, as a dropped cigarette can cause havoc and lead to fires. Community Safety worker, Andrew Foster, gave a speech during the demonstration; saying “The more electrical appliances you can turn off, the safer you will be.” He added that not too long ago a student died in the Crookes area due to a fire and therefore urges students to be extra cautions. It is not advised that students use chip pans, after the demonstration you can understand why. However, if used they should be filled with no more than a third of fat and never left unattended. The most important message though, as highlighted in the demonstration is to never attempt to extinguish a flaming chip pan with water, as it will only make matters much worse.
The firemen demonstrate how not to put out a blaze.
Fashion trip: Lifestyle interviews the minds behind Alice Takes A Trip marketing side of the industry as well as the all important pattern cutting techniques. They also thought wholesale would help expand their business and get their name known, and have set up www.alicetakesatrip. com where you can purchase their clothes online.
Natasha Hunter
(Left) For the bold and the brave. Leopard print fur coat; floral print skirt; denim shirt; fascinator. This outfit on paper wouldn’t work, but in the flesh it looks great. Clashing is an art worth perfecting and when done correctly can look very chic. Fur jackets are everywhere and the change in texture gives an outfit real depth. This look is all about individuality, and this student pulls it off with confidence. However be warned, reproducing this look is risky. There’s a danger to be more fashion victim than fashion forward. Confidence is essential.
Photo: Sam Bennett
Alice Takes A Trip is a quirky young clothing line designed by sisters, Lauren and Claire. From a young age they both loved designing clothes and decided to pursue their passion studying fashion and design in Sheffield and Derby. From starting out in a small shop in The Forum they have successfully managed to expand their business and now distribute their clothing line through out several shops in Sheffield. They also have plans to introduce their new boutique range, The Tales of Alice Horretta, a higher end fashion line which will be distributed through out the UK. It is set to be launched in Sheffield’s West One complex at an Oxfam fashion show in December. The new label is set to provide six dresses per season, ensuring that the pieces created for The Tales of Alice Horretta become exclusive and sought after. The design inspirations for Alice Take A Trip stems from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland; this can be seen in their pieces which have a fun and original edge.
‘Inspiration stems from Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland’
Lauren and Claire showcasing their own designs. They also took inspiration from the world-wide renowned vintage boutique in London; Granny Takes A Trip, which was extremely popular during Britain’s glam rock period in the ’60s. The clothes really are unique as each piece is individually made in the workshop here in Sheffield. This requires hard work and time as each piece is handmade with careful detailing of buttons and ribbons; no item is quite the same as the next. You can also choose from a range of fabrics for your item so the clothes are tailored just to your taste.
Photo: Sam Bennett
They also offer a range of fun jewellery including mini clock robot necklaces and Alice and Wonderland card pearl necklaces. So if you‘re bored with the high street and want a style change, then their accessories are well worth a look. The prices are also very reasonable making it accessible to students who want individual fashion for less. I also wanted to ask them their tips for other people wishing to start up their own career in design. The sisters agreed that the best way to start out is by receiving training to learn the business and
Clothes design really does appear to be a dream job so I wanted to find out what they most enjoyed about designing clothes. Lauren said: “It’s nice to be able to design clothes that you can’t find anywhere else and that you want to wear.” This is reflected in their quirky designs which really can’t be found elsewhere on the high street. Finally I asked what their take was on Sheffield fashion was, in response to the survey revealing Sheffield to be one of the worst dressed cities. Claire agreed that a couple of years ago there was a better diversity of fashion in the city as “everybody dressed individually” but now people seem to be less adventurous with their style. Perhaps we need more designer labels like Lauren and Claire’s to make Sheffield a forerunner in the fashion stakes once more. To get your hands on some of the unique pieces created by Lauren and Claire, head down to Freshmans on Carver Street in the city centre or to Pandora’s Boutique on Ecclesall Road.
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FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
Lifestyle
Monsieur Derrière:
A man with a plan
M
edics know how to party. With full knowledge of this I went on a medic social with the hope I would have something to write about in this week’s column. I walked into the Union in my pink boots and was immediately centre of attention. I was an unfamiliar face amongst hundreds of medics and this seemed to be working against me. At this point I knew I was the one going to have to make the first move so my fag hag and I started circling the room. I caught one guy’s attention straight away and we started dancing. Success! I didn’t see him again until we were queuing for a kebab at the end of the night at which point I knew it was now or never. I shamelessly ran up to him and invited him back to an ‘afterparty’ at mine which consisted of just me and him and it was all going well until the bedroom.
My worst nightmare: sober sex I realised I had hardly anything to drink all night so my worst nightmare was about to come true: sober sex. He drunkenly got undressed and we fumbled around in the dark until he pulled out a condom but he wasn’t getting it that easily, I was going to make him work for it. After a lot of teasing I finally gave in and the deed took place. The next morning we were both in the same mood as the night before and after a lot of sex and general conversation we just lay there in silence. Absolute bliss until he dropped the bombshell that he had a boyfriend. So this week’s lesson is: do not go out looking for sex, wait for it to come and find you. Otherwise karma may just come and bite you on the bum, literally.
Three courses to ensure romance
Society review: The Chocolate Society
Laura Kay A good dinner is a surefire way to impress the girl/boy you have your eye on, but on a tight student budget it’s sometimes too expensive to go out. Cooking can seem daunting, but never fear, because with our cheap and more importantly, easy, three course meal you can’t fail. This three course meal can be made for under £10 (the cannier the shopper the cheaper the dinner) and all you need are these ingredients – For the starter: Peppers Rice Olive oil Your choice of vegetables/herbs For the main course: Pasta Pesto Pine nuts Salad (if you are so inclined) For the Dessert: Fruit of your choice, but mixed berries is always a winner Ice cream If you can’t find these for under a tenner, you are not trying hard enough. We promise, it can be done. Starter: 1. Wash your peppers and slice them in half, stuff with (cooked!) rice mixed with your own choice of herbs/vegetables 2. Brush the Peppers with olive oil to make them crisp 3. Roast in the oven for approximately 15-20 minutes
Chocolate and a laugh? There’s no better combination.
Rebecca Cooke
Main Course: 1. Boil the pasta and drain when cooked 2. Stir in the pesto and pine nuts 3. Serve with a salad if you are salad people, serve with cheese if you are cheese people. This can also be an interesting learning curve (a salad person and a cheese person will never work out in the long term...it is not humanly possible) Dessert: 1. Perhaps the only dessert that will unite the salad and cheese people is that of fruit and ice cream, combining calorific dairy items, with calorie light fresh items. An all-rounder. 2. Put the fruit into a bowl, and add ice cream on top. Be generous. Go on, you deserve it. And there you have it, add candles and wine (as an added expense, we are not miracle workers) and your three course meal cannot fail to be a success.
Who wouldn’t want to be part of a society which indulges in blindfold chocolate tasting and chocolate cocktails - amongst other tasty socials? The Chocolate Society or as it’s more often referred to: Choc Soc is a small and welcoming group of people all united by a love of, well, chocolate. The society holds weekly socials on Monday evenings, which is a great opportunity to meet and get to know other raging chocoholics. One of the first questions asked when the group met outside the union at 8:15pm last Monday was, “Do you prefer dark or milk chocolate?” which lead to a fun and nostalgic debate about the Milky Bar kid. Choc Soc was created this September by Society President Karen Telford, who says it’s “fun and a great way to meet new people.” Every few weeks the society has a practical cooking session, and this week’s cooking activities were: Tiffin, which tastes better than it sounds; Mug Cake which is exactly what it sounds like; as well as that old classic, rice krispy cakes. Throughout the entire evening the atmosphere was relaxed and chatty with an eclectic mix of
people. It’s not only domestic gods and goddesses who like to experiment with cooking apparently, as there were first years, third years, mature students, and boys and girls all taking part and enjoying the evening. This was not what I had originally expected when I was asked to go along to the session.
Choc Soc is cheap and cheerful The highlight of the evening was without a doubt, the almighty mess which the mug cakes created in the microwave as they bubbled over and devoured the mugs, causing raucous laughter around the room. As you can see it’s not a serious baking class and no expertise is required, just taste buds and a sense of fun. If you’re interested in giving Choc Soc a go, the group meet outside the main entrance of the union every Monday at 8:15pm. The next event will be on Monday November 23 and is looking sure to be a night of calorie-filled fun. Choc Soc is cheap and cheerful; give it a go.
To shave or not to shave? That is the question Kate Lloyd
Definitely a game worth playing. David Beckham shows off his face fuzz.
Beards come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from designer stubble to the ‘Fagin’. Boys spend their teenage years waiting for any sign of facial stubble and when it arrives they can have trouble working out which direction to go, facial hair-wise. A clean shaven man can often look like a child; a stubbly man can look like a
homeless person; any form of beard shaping can turn a nice boy into a creep and once a beard is large enough to catch food and other falling objects it can be a little sickening. There is a happy median though: A beard that is long enough to be soft against the skin and not scratch during kissing is the perfect length and suits most student types. Unfortunately, once a suit needs to be worn on a day to day basis the beard should
definitely go. Finally, although the fuller beard is a risky game, it’s a game that worth playing. A statement beard can make a hip, skinny jean wearing indie kid stand out from his look-a-like friends. However, it can give the older gentleman the air of Santa Claus, but who doesn’t love someone who gets them good Christmas presents?
FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
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TRAVEL Foreign Correspondent
Too much like hard work Jo Wendel Being at university in Germany is like entering a different world. A world where everyone studies, no one skives, and fancy dress is only for kids. Imagine life without Bar One, the Union or university societies. Then add a timetable with up to 30-40 contact hours per week, and you’ve got the German version of “university life”. Even as an Erasmus student (universally known for doing nothing), I have more contact hours than I did as a full-time student in Sheffield.
Picture: Hannah O’Connell
The view of the city from the top of the Campolone tower.
There’s no place like Rome
No one skives and fancy dress is only for kids Death-trap wagons, authentic Italian cuisine, open top bus tours, My German grammar seminar gladiators, art and putting our hands in the ‘mouths of truth’ is four hours long, and on Thursday evenings I have a three hour lecture 4-7pm, which is always so full people have to sit on the floor. Powerpoint hasn’t quite reached Germany yet so it’s three hours of sitting on a hard wooden bench, watching a 70 year old professor talk about German politics and literature. Yet students still attend. And do the reading. It’s the trademark German work ethics in the happening. When Germans study, they bloody well study. The lack of a university social scene also proves this. Students aren’t students who are there to drink and faff about for a few years to get it out of their system. German students are just people who happen to be studying fulltime rather than working. They aren’t some magical species seen roaming the streets in war paint and mini-skirts late at night. German students don’t see uni as a stage, but rather a way, of life. Studying is not a means to an end, it’s the goal itself. In my department there are students currently in their 23rd semester. That’s more than a decade of studying, and there is still no degree or graduation in sight. Just lots of hours in the library. This sounds crazy to most English students, but in Germany and Austria students are currently on strike for the right to study for as long as they want. Here, people who graduate with only a swift BA are called “discount academics”. And there is a wide-spread fear that universities will become like factories, just chundering out graduates. Like I said, it’s a different world.
Read Jo’s blog and see pictures at www.forgetoday.com
Hannah O’Connell I didn’t have the best start to my trip to Italy. Arriving after a sleepless overnight ferry from Greece we were picked up in a death-trap of a wagon by the owner of the hostel. We were then dumped in probably one of the worst hostels in the South of Italy in the middle of siesta. However after some authentic Italian cuisine (pizza and ice cream) we looked forward to the next day which was to be our first day in Rome. This was the beginning of the second week on my month long inter-railing trip around Europe which took three friends and I to Athens, Corfu, Rome, Venice, Milan, Nice, Monaco, Barcelona, Ibiza, Lyon and Paris. Italy and France were most certainly the highlights of the trip. The epic attractions along with the amazing food resulted in them being two of the best countries you could ever hope to go. With only three days to explore Rome so we caught the 6.03am train out of Brindisi and wasted no time at all getting ourselves an open top bus ticket and jumping on as soon as we had left our bags at the hostel. First stop was the Colloseum which was amazing. It was larger than I had imagined and you can still see the cells which held the gladiators before fights, instantly taking you back to ancient Rome. More highlights of the trip included putting our hands into the “mouth of truth” and visiting the Trevi fountain. However, nothing could beat the Vatican. The entrance fee is scrapped on the last Sunday of every month and in our haste to save valuable
pennies we joined the age-long queue to get inside. We waited just under an hour and a half but it was worth every second.
My neck ached for days after that trip I’m not much of an art person but the Vatican is not just a building showcasing pieces of art; it is the art. The walls were covered with paintings and tapestries, the rooms filled with sculptures; but the ceilings, especially in the Sistine Chapel, were the most breathtaking. My neck ached for days after that trip. The nightlife in Rome was great too. The tram system was an incredibly easy way to get around the vast city and there were so many genuine Italian restaurants to pick from and numerous bar crawls to join. We thought that after visiting Rome, Venice was not going to be able to match up. It most certainly did. St Mark’s square and cathedral were buzzing with tourists and pigeons. After luring one into my hand w i t h feed, I wasn’t
expecting another to land on my back. After feeding the pigeons we headed up the Camponolé tower to get birds-eye view of the city. I was baffled. It truly was all on water with deliveries being made via boat to the back doors of houses. We couldn’t resist getting a gondola ride and although it was expensive we managed to barter the price from $120 to $90 which meant it worked out just over $20 each. It was the best way to see Venice which surprisingly did not smell at all. Unfortunately, Milan was a let down. It didn’t help that the youth hostel there was terrible. The shower was in the corner of the room. The atmosphere and buildings weren’t comparable to anything we had seen in Rome or Venice. The food was still great there though and if not on a budget the shopping amazing. I had never visited Italy before but with it being just a three hour flight away there isn’t an excuse for why you can’t visit this Mediterranean gem. I’ll definitely be going back.
Fact Box: Italy Almost 20 per cent of Italy’s population are over the age of 65. The famous children’s story Pinocchio was written by an Italian. Famous Italian explorers include Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo,
John Cabot, and Amerigo Vespucci. The city of Naples gave birth to the pizza. The piano is originally from Italy. The average Italian consumes half a pound of bread a day. Italy’s contributions to science include the barometer, electric battery, nitroglycerin and wireless telegraphy. The longest river in Italy is called the river Po. The ice cream cone and expresso machine were both created in Italy. Italy has more hotel rooms than any other country in Europe. The area around Venice is the wealthiest region in Europe. Italians used to be known for having very large families however Italy is now known for having the lowest birth rate in Europe.
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FORGE PRESS Friday November 20 2009
PUZZLES & HUMOUR
Coffee Break SUDOKU
CROSSWORD
Fortnightly quiz 1. What is the capital of Latvia?
7. Which city is built on 118 islands?
2. Which sport would you be playing if you aimed to win the Lance Todd Memorial Trophy?
8. What nationality was Christopher Columbus?
3. In which film does Robert De Niro play a gangster named Noodles?
9. What is Emetophobia a fear of? 10. In which European city is the Arch of Titus?
4. What title was given to the leader of the Knights Templar?
11. Robin, Rugby and Simple appear in which Shakespeare play?
5. Who wrote the book ‘The Satanic Verses’?
12. Keno is the American casino version of which game?
6. Trismus is a muscular spasm where in the body?
Solutions: 1. Riga, 2. Rugby League, 3. Once Upon a Time in America, 4. Grand Master, 5. Salman Rushdie, 6. The Jaw, 7. Venice, 8. Italian, 9. Vomiting, 10. Rome, 11. The Merry Wives of Windsor, 12. Bingo
Across 1. Group of musicians (9) 7. Eye socket (5) 8. Jockey (5) 9. Epoch (3) 10. Part of the foot (6) 14. Shrewd (6) 15. Cacophony (3) 18. Thighbone (5) 20. Ice hut (5) 21. Court game (9)
Down 1. Woodwind instrument (4) 2. Floor show (7) 3. Consumes (4) 4. Despot (6) 5. Assistance (3) 6. Precipitous (6) 11. One of three (7) 12. Perplex (6) 13. Gaped (6) 16. Flightless bird (4) 17. Metal money (4) 19. Disorderly crowd (3)
Issue 16 crossword solution: Across: 1. Reciprocal, 7. Laconic, 8. Cot, 9. Sentry, 10. Knee, 12. Cure, 13. Barrel, 16. Roc, 17. Trawler, 18. Obligation. Down: 2. Eccentric, 3. Ignore, 4. Rich, 5. Lithe, 6. Plus, 8. Contralto, 11. Vacant, 12. Cargo, 14. Lure, 15. Stag.
OVERHEARD IN SHEFFIELD Outside the Union: Woman: “I’m gonna find out where her boyfriend lives and go round and shag him to see how she likes it.” In the Union: Girl discussing the new ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ movie:
“I’ve been scared of foxes ever since that ‘Foxy Bingo’ ad.” In Broomhill: Boy after his housemate returned from a night at a
girl’s house: “Here he is, Casablanca” In a takeaway on Bonfire night: Guy behind the counter: “So, you going out for Hallowe’en tonight then, love?”
In the Nottingham House: Guy 1: “What does B&Q stand for anyway?” Guy 2: “Oh, it’s British Quakers, mate.”
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FEATURE SPORT
Vaughan signs off with final word on career
Paul Garbett As the flashbulbs light up his face, a tear runs down his cheek. In front of the world’s media, Michael Vaughan announces he is stepping down as England captain. It could never have been easy for Vaughan to quit the job he loved, but as his voice cracked at that famous press conference, a sense of pride in his achievements flooded out like the tears from his eyes. “I know how proud my mum and dad have been” he said. “I spoke to my dad this morning and he said ‘you know can walk away a proud lad because you’ve given it everything’ and that’s all he ever asked me to do.” Now 18 months on from that tearful press conference at Edgbaston, Vaughan says its time to look back on the ups and down of his career with his new autobiography Time to Declare. “This book is an open and honest assessment of my career and tells exactly how I saw things over the last 18 years” he said. “It’s nice to be able to sign off at the end of your career and
I’ve tried to give a true reflection of the people I’ve played with. “I want people to read the book and be able to see what it’s like to be the England cricket captain.”
‘If you asked me today to go back to England, I’d jump at the chance.’ Michael Vaughan Vaughan says that the move to stand down as captain was “the biggest decision of his life”, and is something he still thinks about today. He said: “I didn’t really want to pass on the captaincy, but I knew that it was the right time to move on. In the book I say it’s still the best job in the world and I still believe that. “Any time that Strauss goes through a dodgy moment and rings me for some advice, I do explain to
him that he’s got a great position and you have to learn to deal with the stressful times. “If you asked me today to go back, I’d jump at the chance, but sadly my knee wouldn’t be quite as up for it. “Going into the press conference after I resigned, I just wanted to be myself. If you end up crying on TV because you’re passionate about a job that you did, then it clearly shows how much it means to you.” “The last few months as captain were not a nice time but the five years prior to that were great. “I’d say 85 per cent of my career was unbelievable. Everybody has to go through tough moments and I came through most of those. I have no regrets. “I have no bitter pill about anybody or anything and I can move on to a new stage of my career with peace of mind.” Vaughan is England’s most successful captain ever, having won 26 of his 51 test matches skippering the team. However, he believes personal records mean nothing in the game, and insists his biggest achievement was increasing interest in cricket. “Records are there to be beaten, and I think my record as captain will be overtaken by Andrew
Strauss” he said. “I don’t look at individual records; I look at what else I achieved. The questions I ask myself is did I bring a new dimension to cricket? Did I bring a new audience and capture the nation with the team that I captained? And did I entertain a lot of people?
‘Those last few months as captain were not a nice time.’ Michael Vaughan “I’m proud to say the answer to all those questions is yes.” Vaughan was originally born in Manchester but moved to Sheffield aged eight where he began playing for the Collegiate Club at Abbeydale Park. He later returned to Abbeydale while playing for Yorkshire in the 1990’s, and now has a junior cricket academy named in his honour at the Dore club. However, Yorkshire have not used Abbeydale for a county
fixture since 1996, and Vaughan says he would love to see first class cricket return to Sheffield. “I’d love to see county cricket back at Abbeydale, but it’s hard for Yorkshire to bring a county game down here with what’s happening at Headingley. “I used to love playing at the smaller grounds across the county and the atmosphere that we used to create. But I understand that the logistics are very difficult to bring it down here now, which is a great shame for everyone.” Having hung up his boots, Vaughan is now eyeing a career in sports broadcasting, and is currently following England’s tour of South Africa for BBC Radio. And he feels England can have a fruitful winter against the best test side in the world. He said: “I think they’ve got a chance of doing well in South Africa. I think the team are developing well and we’ll know more about them in two or three months. “Beating Australia here was great, but we’re not too sure how good Australia are at the moment. South Africa are a good team and if we compete and win then we’re onto something good but if we get beat heavily then it’s back to square one.”
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SPORT COMMENT & NEWS
We should seek to emulate the USA in university sport
The week’s sport in brief Ross Turner
Ross Turner Comment The differences between student sport in Britain and the USA are immense. Watching some student sports across the pond, anyone from the UK could be forgiven for assuming that they are witnessing some major unique sporting event. And yet, attendances that put even those of the biggest games that the English Premier League can offer in the shade are a regular occurrence in the states. The top 10 biggest university American football stadiums have an average capacity of 98,000. Such popularity is not just restricted to the one sport eitherthe highest basketball league of the National Collegiate Athletic Association requires universities to have a stadium of at least 15,000 capacity, and most exceed this by far. The largest attendance for a college basketball game, which happened this decade, reached 40,000, despite the university baseball competition playing a far smaller role in the national sport. Obviously Britain would never need such huge stadia due to the population difference, but can you imagine a regular attendance to any university sport in this country even approaching five or six-thousand? Most university fixtures in the UK manage to attract spectators in the single digits, if that, and a university sports infrastructure that caters for any significant levels of attendance is virtually obsolete. Why, then, do American sports manage to create such huge interest compared the feeble efforts of those over here? For a start, there are massive
amounts of money in the USA to promote and improve university sport. Sponsors generate much of this, because sport is marketed so much better by the universities themselves and by the local authorities.
The biggest stadiums have an average capacity of 98,000 seats Some responsibility for attracting investment, if university sport is to expand in popularity, is therefore on the shoulders of university and council elites. If they were to make a greater effort to promote sport, firstly by advertising certain games and perhaps subsidising travel to and from the matches, then eventually local firms may be
tempted to establish sponsorship deals and build from there. The chief reason that USA college sport has such huge status is probably because of the ‘draft’ system. The culture of professional sportspersons beginning at university is perhaps not suited to the UK, but that is not to say that more cannot spend at least a year as a student, as is mandatory for players hoping to play in the NFL and NBA, before joining professional teams. Would it be a bad thing if universities started offering more varied and wider ranging sports scholarships, especially considering it would be to their own benefit? There is an argument that students who are accepted on sporting merit gain their places unfairly, at the expense of more worthy applicants. However, surely the good outweighs the bad here. Try to envisage a situation in this country that mirrors just a fraction of the popularity of college sport. Picture the atmosphere
of hundreds of people waiting excitedly outside Bar One on a Wednesday afternoon for coaches to take them to a redeveloped Abbeydale, animatedly discussing the chances of the football firsts’ in a big game against Leeds Met. Imagine crowds sitting outside the union on a sunny day cheering ecstatically announcements from a tannoy that keep them informed of the University of Sheffield’s various sporting results around the city; sport meaning so much more to them. Anybody who has attended a Varsity finals day and sampled the atmosphere there will, I’m sure, be craving such things to happen. There have been indications that university sport is on the up; Channel Four decided to broadcast last year’s BUCS finals in Sheffield, and the BUCS championships themselves are becoming much more recognised by the national media. We can only hope that such trends continue and that we begin to emulate the achievements of college sports in the States.
Beaver Stadium, the largest stadium in college sport and home of Penn State University Football team.
Men’s sport at the University has had a very balanced week of results, with nine wins, nine losses and a draw overall, including some very impressive results. The men’s fencing firsts led the way for Sheffield, beating their Leeds equivalents 132-84. The two tennis teams churned out a couple of notable wins, the firsts thrashing the Teesside firsts 100, and the seconds hammering the Manchester Met firsts by the same margin. The rugby union seconds, drawn against their third team counterparts in the cup, showed the difference between the two sides with a comprehensive 32-3 win. There were also a couple of disappointing results, although the Sports Committee can take heart from the fact that only the football firsts, losing 4-1, lost by a significant margin. The basketball firsts lost discouragingly in a close match against Northumbria by 51 points to 57. The hockey thirds put in a great performance against the York firsts in the cup, narrowly losing 4-3, while the rugby union firsts lost by just one try to their York opponents in a game that ended 15-10. The women had a more successful week overall, winning seven matches and losing just four. Highlights include the football firsts, who beast the Durham firsts 5-1, and the hockey firsts who won against the Hallam firsts 5-3. The netball firsts managed a convincing 38-20 win over Sunderland, although the seconds provided the most disappointing result, losing 54-14 to Leeds. The hockey thirds caused an upset in the cup, winning against the York seconds to progress to the third round. Sheffield ended the week having won 16 matches, lost 13, and drawn one, in a week where fixtures were dominated by cup ties.
British Universities & Colleges Sport fixtures LACROSSE Northumbria 1st v Men’s 1st Women’s 1st v Hallam 1st
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25 BADMINTON York 1st v Men’s 1st Men’s 2nd v Durham 2nd Leeds Met 2nd v Women’s 1st
NETBALL Women’s 1st v Durham 2nd Sunderland 1st v Women’s 2nd Women’s 3rd v Leeds 4th
BASKETBALL Northumbria 2nd v Men’s 1st Women’s 1st v York St. John 1st
RUGBY UNION Liverpool 1st v Men’s 1st Men’s 2nd v Hull 1st Hallam 2nd v Men’s 3rd Women’s 1st v Manchester 1st
FENCING Manchester 1st v Men’s 1st Durham 1st v Women’s 1st FOOTBALL Men’s 1st v Hull 1st Men’s 2nd v Northumbria 3rd Hallam 4th v Men’s 3rd Men’s 4th v Bradford 2nd Women’s 1st v Durham 1st
RUGBY LEAGUE Warwick 1st v Men’s 1st SQUASH Northumbria 1st v Men’s 1st Bradford 1st v Men’s 2nd Hull 1st v Men’s 3rd Women’s 1st v Newcastle 2nd
GOLF Men’s 1st v Hull 1st
TABLE TENNIS Lancaster 1st v Men’s 1st Men’s 2nd v Northumbria 2nd
HOCKEY Men’s 1st v Liverpool 1st Men’s 2nd v Leeds 4th Men’s 3rd v Northumbria 2nd Leeds 5th v Men’s 4th Leeds Met 2nd v Women’s 1st Women’s 1st v Hallam 2nd Newcastle 3rd v Women’s 2nd Newcastle 4th v Women’s 4th
TENNIS Men’s 1st v Leeds Met 3rd Hull 2nd v Men’s 2nd Women’s 1st v Leeds Met 3rd The football team in action.
VOLLEYBALL Men’s 1st v Leeds 1st
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2 BADMINTON Men’s 1st v Leeds 1st Men’s 2nd v Hull 1st Manchester 1st v Women’s 1st BASKETBALL Men’s 1st v Leeds 1st Sunderland 1st v Women’s 1st FENCING Men’s 1st v Bangor 1st Women’s 1st v Leeds Met 1st FOOTBALL Men’s 1st v Newcastle 1st York St. John 2nd v Men’s 2nd Hull 2nd v Men’s 3rd Women’s 1st v Leeds 1st Women’s 2nd v Leeds Trinity HOCKEY Leeds Met 1st v Men’s 1st Men’s 2nd v Hull 1st Men’s 3rd v Hallam 2nd Bradford 1st v Men’s 4th Women’s 1st v York St John 1st York 1st v Women’s 2nd Women’s 3rd v Leeds 5th Leeds Met 4th v Women’s 4th LACROSSE Men’s 1st v Newcastle 1st Northumbria 1st v Women’s 1st
NETBALL York St John 1st v Women’s 1st Women’s 2nd v Northumbria 3rd Women’s 3rd v Leeds Trinity RUGBY UNION Men’s 1st v Durham 1st Newcastle 3rd v Men’s 2nd Men’s 3rd v Sunderland 1st Northumbria 1st v Women’s 1st RUGBY LEAGUE Men’s 1st v Hallam 1st SQUASH York 1st v Men’s 1st Men’s 2nd v Hallam 2nd Men’s 3rd v Northumbria 2nd Newcastle 1st v Women’s 1st TABLE TENNIS Manchester 2nd v Men’s 2nd Manchester 1st v Women’s 1st TENNIS Men’s 1st v Durham 2nd Hallam 1st v Women’s 1st VOLLEYBALL Men’s 1st v Durham 1st Hull 1st v Women’s 1st
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29
Sharks continue fine form and head to the top of the league
Hockey 4ths torn apart by Leeds Men’s Hockey fourths
British Basketball League Sheffield Sharks Guildford Heat
REPORTS SPORT
Sheffield 4ths Leeds 2nds
97 83
0 9
Ross Turner
Anthony Hart The Sharks stayed top of the British Basketball League Championship with a comfortable win over the Guildford Heat at the English Institute of Sport last Friday night. Guildford drew first blood when they scored two points after eight seconds but they were be in front for just 34 seconds in the entire game, when a threepoint effort and a slam dunk from Tafari Toney gave the hosts a 5-2 advantage within the first 90 seconds. The Sharks were excellent on defence for the most of the first quarter, and Toney punished any Guildford fouls with all of his first four free throws successful. Chad McKnight was one of the better performers for the Heat, and a late flurry of points from him kept the visitors from losing the game in the first period, with a 32-21 scoreline at the break. The second quarter saw a closer play, but the Sheffield trio of Toney, Mike Cook and Ryan Patton, who had four threepointers all piled on the points, to give the Sharks a 55-41 half-time lead. The third quarter was a even, low-scoring affair, with Guildford’s McKnight and Langhorn preventing the Sharks from significantly increasing their lead and the score was 7257 at the end of the third. By then however Sheffield had the game effectively wrapped up and although Guildford outscored Sheffield 26-25 in the final quarter it was clear that the home side were the better performers on the night, capped off with Ryan Patton’s incredible three-pointer from what seemed miles out with 31 seconds to play,
Sheffield Sharks produced a convincing display against Guildford Heat. Photo: Edd Wright his seventh of the night. award, however, went to Tafari travel to Essex and beat the Patton scored 27 points overall, Toney. His incredible all round Pirates 74-57 to maintain their with Cook taking 32 points and performance included 23 points, streak. nine rebounds, leading the league two assists, two steals, five blocks Their next game is the BBL Cup on scoring everages. and 13 rebounds. quarter final on Friday against The Most Valuable Player The next day saw The Sharks Everton Tigers at the EIS.
The men’s hockey 4ths suffered a humiliating defeat to the Leeds 2nds, conceding nine goals without reply. The loss was an especially frustrating one, coming during a campaign that had up to now seemed a promising one. The match was also blemished by minor controversy as there was speculation that Leeds had drafted in a host of first team players, illegal under BUCS rules, although the 4ths captain declined to comment. From the outset, Sheffield were fielding a much weakened team from their usual set up. A couple of key players had other commitments, including the regular keeper, meaning that they used someone who had never played in the position before. With Sheffield struggling to cope with the pace and skill of Leeds’ dribbling from the outset, it wasn’t long before they let in their first, with the defence unable to handle a wave of attacks. Even during the rare periods of decent possession Sheffield rarely pushed into the opposition half, and on the occasions that the ball made it to the forwards they were too isolated to make any use of it. By the time the sixth goal had been scored in the second half, the 4ths seemed to have resigned themselves to the defeat and barely touched the ball in the final quarter of the second half. Captain Michael Blaikie commented after the match: “The team we played today were way, way better than anyone else in our league, but this still doesn’t make up for the style of the defeat. “Obviously it wasn’t the best timed match. We’re still hopeful of finishing inside the top two, although a loss like this is bound to knock our confidence.”
Dominant display by women in great start to cup campaign Women’s Football Firsts University of Sheffield Durham
5 1
Anthony Hart Sheffield’s women’s firsts produced a dominant performance at Norton on Wednesday to advance to the last 16 of the Northern Conference Cup. The home side looked sharper from the outset and it paid of after just 11 minutes when Jen Pearson’s corner was headed in by Kathryn Chappell. Chappell benefited from another set-piece delivery when she managed to get a touch to a free-kick and slotted home the second goal after 25 minutes of the first half. Sheffield went from strength to strength in an epic performance, winning every ball and creating several chances, and just before half time Melissa Hallmark managed to bundle the ball in at the near post to give the hosts a 3-0 advantage at the break and
effectively kill any hopes of a Durham comeback. The visitors had an effort cleared off the line at the start of the second half, but just minutes later Pearson stunningly chipped the Durham keeper from outside the box to get Sheffield’s fourth of the afternoon. Hallmark managed to get her second in the 65th minute after breaking through the Durham defence and slotting home confidently. She continued to be dangerous, missing several opportunities to get her hat-trick. There was a late consolation for the away side with a goal from a header, but Sheffield were clearly the better side throughout the entire match University of Sheffield’s coach was happy with the performance: “It was a great game, a good start to the Cup. We dominated the whole game and it was an overall good performance.” The two teams meet again in a league fixture next week Wednesday, again at Norton, with Sheffield hoping for a win as they sit second from bottom in their division.
Uni ruled the pitch in a one-sided affair against Durham.
Photo: Ross Turner
30
SPORT LOCAL REPORTS & NEWS
Men’s Hockey - BUCS Cup 0 0
Matt Duncan The men’s hockey thirds came agonisingly close to causing a upset in the second round of the BUCS Conference Cup. A goalless draw after 100 minutes of play was followed by a tense penalty shootout which York edged. Despite facing a team that are three divisions above them Uni never looked overawed with the occasion. The first half saw very little in the way of goalmouth action, Leigh Gettins in the Uni goal only being called into action once. As the game went on, Sheffield grew in confidence more and more and dominated long spells. Superb defensive marshalling by Joe Mctaggert kept the York forwards at bay and good running up front from Dan Malloy helped to keep the visiting defence honest. With no score at the end of normal time, an extra half an hour was called for. Through this period it became clear that both teams were getting tired. The biggest chance fell to York. A penalty corner was saved by Gettins, the rebound was struck against the post and then another shot was cleared off the line. So with the deadlock still in place it came down to a penalty shoot-out and unfortunately for Uni it was not to be. They missed two penalties with York only missing one. The relief on York faces was plain to see. Uni captain Josh Hill said: “I couldn’t ask for more, to hold them all the way through extra time and actually dominate for large periods was unbelievable. “We came in believing that we could beat any team that was put in front of us.”
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Basketball still rooted to bottom after another defeat
So close for hockey thirds University of Sheffield 3rds University of York 1sts York win 4-3 on penalties aet
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Men’s Basketball Firsts University of Sheffield University of Sunderland
59 76
Matt Duncan
The men’s basketball team fell to another defeat.
Photo: Edd Wright
There was yet more disappointment for the men’s basketball team as they slipped to their fourth straight defeat of the season against Sunderland. The team are yet to get off the board in the league, sitting bottom of Northern Conference 2B. Before this match Sunderland only had one win themselves and sat only two points above Sheffield. The hosts not only had bad form to deal with but were also missing seven members of their squad through injury. The start of the game was delayed by nearly half an hour due to both of the match referees being late. There was also a problem with the electronic scoreboard before the start but this was fixed before the officials arrived. The game started at a very high tempo with Sheffield employing a full court man to man defence, pressurising the visiting team constantly. The score was pretty even until the final three minutes of the first quarter when Sunderland upped their offensive game and capitalised on some poor rebounding to open up an eight point advantage at the break. The second quarter saw Sunderland maintain their lead despite an improvement in Sheffield’s work on the boards. As the quarter drew to a close two three-pointers from
Sunderland gave them a 12 point lead, 38-26 at half time. Due to the delay in starting the interval saw the departure of Uni coach Steve Barnett for another job. He will probably be glad to have missed the third quarter. Sheffield could not claim any rebounds and when they did have the ball they were making far too many wrong choices. Conversely, Sunderland looked purposeful and dangerous and this led to them creating a 17 point lead midway through the period. Despite improving slightly as the quarter wore on, thanks largely to a new intensity given to them by the introduction of Daniel Dawson, the gap was still 15 points as the game entered the final quarter. The last ten minutes saw Uni improve their offensive efficiency but still struggle to hold their own on defence. The lack of stops meant that good work with the ball was wasted and the gap between the teams not cut. The visiting captain, Marvin Isebar, controlled much of the final quarter showing the composure that a number of the Uni players lacked. Again Dawson came into the game and raised the intensity level. After the match Uni captain David Morris said: “We are not working hard enough. We have a number of players out injured and we need to work harder to cover that. “Today we rebounded terribly and did not have enough energy. Every time we play we make the same mistakes and if we keep doing that we are not going to win games.” The team now move on to face Northumbria away next week, the only other team in the league who are also yet to win.
Football firsts lose unbeaten record Men’s Football - BUCS CUP University of Sheffield 1sts Newcastle 2nds
1 4
Chris Rogan University of Sheffield’s men’s football firsts were defeated for the first time this season in the BUCS Conference Cup at Norton Playing fields. A battling Newcastle seconds side ended the team’s previous dominance by ending a five match unbeaten run. Defensive frailties were highlighted in the first half an hour, during which three goals were slotted past the Uni goal. These early goals were all similar in the way that a wayward pass from the home side’s midfield led to a simple dividing ball that cut Uni’s back line. The third goal, resulting from a scrappy cross in the penalty area, seemed to galvanise Uni, and they
enjoyed a period of flairy wing play and good pressure which the Newcastle defence found hard to endure. The home team earned a well deserved goal after a poor clearance inside the 18 yard box fell to Ollie O’Neill who controlled beautiful and struck into the top corner. More fine pressure from Uni was interrupted by the half time whistle, with the sides changing ends at 3-1 to Newcastle. Despite an inspiring team talk from captain James Clist, Newcastle had the better part of possession in the early stages of the second half. At some points, when Uni did have the ball they surged forward, but just could not find the final ball. Generally, Uni’s play was sloppy and tired, and it looked as though they just were not up for the match. When chances were created, they were followed by tame shots that rarely troubled the Newcastle
keeper. Newcastle seemed to pose a constant threat and were not content to sil back on a two-goal lead. Divisive throughballs occurred as they had in the first half, and they really should have had more goals. A fourth goal was conceded by Uni in the 78th minute after an intercepted pass put Newcastle’s Chris Musonda through, who rounded the keeper and fired home. Uni captain Clist was not pleased with the performance. “We just didn’t turn up in the first half hour, and after that when we started to play a bit, the team was deflated at the 3-0 scoreline. “Maybe we were slightly complacent; this is our first defeat of the season, and we’ve only conceded three goals in our previous five games. “But we knew they had good players, for some reason we just didn’t seem to want to compete.”
Football firsts lose their first game of the season.
Photo: Helen Munro
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REPORTS SPORT
Careless football thirds fall to Hallam in tight derby match Men’s Football Thirds University of Sheffield 3rds Sheffield Hallam 3rds
1 2
Anthony Hart
The thirds lost in a close league tie against Hallam.
Photo: Helen Munro
Two Hallam goals in the last 15 minutes condemned Uni’s football thirds to a second successive defeat in the Northern Conference 4D. The match, played on Remembrance Day, was preceded by a minute’s silence. Once the game got under way, Uni made a slightly better start, but Hallam quickly started to apply pressure on the home side and had an effort tipped over the bar after just five minutes. Despite Uni’s play being sloppy at times, Hallam only seemed to be able to trouble the hosts from set-pieces and there weren’t many clear cut chances in the first 45 minutes. The scoring was opened against the run of play, two minutes before the end of the first half. Uni took the lead when a free kick coming in from the right failed to be cleared by the Hallam defenders. Luke Berry, who had come on as a substitute less than half an hour into the game, scored after a scramble in the penalty area, and Uni went into the half time break with the lead. Uni then started the second half as the better side but as the
match went on the momentum started to go Hallam’s way. Hallam were unable to convert two clear chances with a header hitting the bar and a free kick only missing by a matter of inches. The Hallam equaliser came with just 15 minutes to play, with George Burgess benefitting from another free kick crossed into the box. Things went from bad to worse for Uni when a counter-attack led to Jack Outhwaite scoring what turned out to be the winning goal five minutes from the end. Although the home side made every effort to get a draw, battling to the end, they couldn’t avoid a derby day defeat. After the match the Uni captain Oli Durham was visibly disappointed: “We played for 10 minutes in the second half, and then we buckled under the pressure.” Although there were complaints from both sides about some of the refereeing decisions, including a Hallam goal that was ruled offside, the captain refused to blame the officials for the defeat. Sheffield’s thirds have three successive away games coming up, with Leeds’ seconds in the Cup next week, and then trips to face Hallam’s fourths and Hull’s seconds. Their next home game will be after the Christmas break, against Leeds Met’s fourths at the start of February.
Women’s rugby slump to defeat after throwing away lead Women’s Rugby - BUCS Cup Sheffield 1sts Edinburgh 1sts
14 22
Ross Turner The women’s rugby team suffered their fourth defeat of the season after squandering a 14-5 halftime lead to lose to Edinburgh University 14-22. The end result seemed harsh on the hardworking Sheffield side who were in front for most of the match and probably played well enough to earn the same honours as Edinburgh. The match, which pitted two very similarly performing sides against each other, was as expected very close with good defensive work by both teams and few clear chances for either. First team captain Jo Gruchy refused to be disheartened by the manner in which Sheffield lost, despite the fact that the team had started so effectively in the opening stages. She said: “It was always going
to be a hard and very tight game because we are very similar sides. Sometimes when teams travel from so far away, such as Edinburgh coming down here, it gives them an extra impetus to come out and play harder to make sure it is not a wasted trip. “I’m not disappointed with the final score because I thought we played really, really well, and I’m very proud of the girls. Today a lot of things came together better than they have done in any of our other games this season, we played much more as a team than we have done before.” Sheffield started extremely brightly, scoring an immediate try from the kick off in a great team move. From then on, Uni dominated most of the possession of the first half, despite most of the play remaining in the middle of the pitch due to hard and effective tacking by Edinburgh. Twenty minutes in, a fumble led to the travelling side gaining possession and eventually scoring an accomplished try through a slick move, probably against the run of play.
Uni’s second try came just before half-time, again from a quality piece of teamwork and phase after phase of support play. Having converted both tries, Sheffield went into the halftime break 14-5 up and assured of having played the better rugby throughout the first half. The second half saw play becoming much more competitive and even, with Sheffield spending far more time in their own 22. Superb defensive work prevented a Edinburgh try for a long spell, but eventually the back line relented and the home side conceded a second try, which was subsequently converted. Some contentious refereeing decisions in Edinburgh’s favour seemed to rattle Sheffield from then on, leading to more and more clumsy mistakes. Inspired passing by Edinburgh split Sheffield’s tired defence again for a third away team try. Their fourth arose from another needless loss of possession by Sheffield in a compromising position, leaving the Edinburgh try-scorer with a clear run to the line.
Uni were unlucky against a strong Edinburgh side.
Photo: Helen Munro
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SPORT
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Match reports Page 31
Michael Vaughan Page 28
Football volunteer programme
The women’s team volunteering. Matt Duncan
A crunching tackle during the lacrosse team’s match against the University of York at Norton playing fields. The teams are missing the dominance they enjoyed last season, having lost matches to Durham and Sheffield Hallam. Turn to pages 29 - 31 for reports on the past fortnight’s BUCS action. Photo: Helen Munro
Sheffield Arena to host ice hockey Winter Varsity Matt Duncan Winter Varsity 2010 will become one of the biggest student sporting events in the country when the showpiece ice hockey match is played in front of a potential crowd of thousands at Sheffield Arena. The showpiece event will take place on Saturday February 20, one day after the now-traditional ski and snowboard event at the Ski Village. Andy Cox, Club Sport manager said: “Hopefully we will get around 4000 people down there for the match. “We are going to have all the usual matchday presentation stuff that the Steelers use for their matches; the lights, the
music and the announcer as well.” The move to the Arena comes after two years of the fixture selling out the smaller iceSheffield venue. Cox said: “This is the next step for us. The Arena is a ready made venue, everything is in place.” Winter Varsity will be the first official Varsity event since crowd trouble flared at Varsity finals day earlier this year. “Stewarding is included in the price we have paid for the venue,” said Cox. Details regarding price and exact times are yet to be confirmed but options being considered include a joint ticket giving admission to the Varsity match and the Sheffield Steelers game against Belfast that evening.
Sports Officer Kate Rickard said: “I am very excited about this. “It definitely has the potential to be the biggest and the best Winter Varsity that we have ever had. A lot of work has gone into organising this, especially getting it moved to the Arena. “This is a real opportunity for those not involved in sports clubs to get involved. We want the wider community to engage with the sports clubs.” As well as the ice hockey the snow sports event will take place at Sheffield Ski Village the night before. Uni have dominated Hallam in this event for a number of years in both the ski and snowboard disciplines. Cox said: “As well as putting
on a great event for people we obviously want to continue that winning tradition. “We will have all the usual things going on at the Ski Village, including the afterparty with The Tuesday Club DJs. It should be another great event.” Adam Wood, a member of the University ice hockey team said that the team were looking forward to it already. “Winter Varsity is one of the highlights of our year along with the national championships. “This move really is brilliant, it will be really good for the club. “We have seen the crowd triple in size in the past three years, last year we played in front of 1,250 people and none of us had played in front of that many people before.”
University football clubs have completed volunteering projects in the local community this month. The women’s squad spent a day at Westways Primary School in Crookes where they helped to revamp the educational nature garden as well as clearing space in the grounds, something which the school did not have time to do itself. Emma Bird, a member of the squad said: “It was a really fun day. Everyone who took part is so keen to engage in more volunteering projects throughout the year. “It was a really positive experience for the club.” The men’s teams took part in the National Volunteering Day last month by organising a flag salute at Sheffield United’s match against Cardiff City. Volunteering in the community is an important part of Sports Officer Kate Rickard’s plans for the future of Club Sport. Tomorrow (Saturday, November 21) sees the Club Sport ‘Just Do It’ event take place. Led by Rickard, Sheffield Volunteering and the Sports Committee, it is an opportunity a chance for club members to give something back to the community, whilst raising the profile of their respective teams. There will be two projects taking place, one at Hagg Hill Community Allotment, helping marginalised groups grow food and learn new skills, with the other being at Crookes Valley Park helping to cut back overgrown areas of the park. This semester has also seen the annual RAG Spiderwalk with a large number of sports clubs getting involved alongside Rickard and Club Sport manager, Andy Cox. Rickard said: “It is fantastic to see such great enthusiasm from clubs this year in regard to volunteering. I was confident at the start of the year that this would be possible, and it is so encouraging to see clubs doing so much in the first three months of term and to receive such positive feedback. “It’s brilliant to see clubs recognising the wider benefits sport can bring, as well acknowledging the positive roles that they can play away from training and match days.”