Gair Rhydd - 1093 - 20th February 2017

gair rhydd

gair rhydd | freeword Cardiff ’s student weekly Issue 1093 Monday 20th February 2017 Refugee Rhythm returns for annual event

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Credit: CUTV

Election excitement builds with Candidate Question Time Toby Holloway

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s student election week builds to a climax, Gair Rhydd takes a look at this years candidates, examining key points from their manifestos and reporting on the Candidates’ Question Time events that occurred last week.

In the days leading up to the beginning of a busy campaign week, the candidates got their chance to convince the Julian Hodge audience that they deserve the votes of Cardiff University’s student body. The first Candidate Question Time took place on Tuesday of last week, with the nominees for the positions of Mental Health Officer, Vice President Education, Vice President Heath Park Campus, Vice President Societies, Vice President Welfare and Students with Disabilities Officer taking centre stage.

The candidates has 15 seconds to

introduce themselves, after which they had 30 seconds to answer a number of questions. One question they had seen already, another they had not seen before, and the third was provided by a member of the audience. The questions were asked by SU President Sophie Timbers.

Kicking off the event were those running for the position of Mental Health Officer. The candidates for this position were: Callum Smith, a history undergraduate who is a Student Senator and member of the Scrutiny Committee; Elliott Stubbs, who, in her manifesto, says she pledges to “lobby for services to help navigate NHS services”; George Watkins, who aims to provide “safe places”, “wellbeing families” and “more counselling and wellbeing appointments and the Student Support Centre”; and Jamie Plumb, a fourth year medical student who seeks to “improve access to mental health services for International, European and Erasmus students”.

Next up was Disabilities Officer, with Charlie Knights standing again having held the position for the past year. Running against him, although not present at Question Time, was Bhaviki Chandnani.

Third to answer the questions were the six hopefuls for the position of VP Education. These were: Chiron Hooson, who aims to “extend library opening times during holidays”; Fadhila Al Dhahouri, aiming for free printing and “more project-based learning and revision workshops”; Ishna Maanishi, who studies environmental geoscience and is a member of several societies; James Daly, who wants to reduce lecture hours on a Wednesday so they don’t clash with sport and prevent deadline bunching; Nancy Cameron, who in describing herself uttered the immortal words “Roses are red, violets are blue, listen to how I’ll improve your SU”; and Vani Juneja, who wants to “lobby the university to introduce a 10 minute reading time during exams”.

Kirsty Hepburn is the only candidate running for Heath Park, and pledges increase bike parking and cooking facilities at Heath Park Campus.

Fourth to face Sophie Timbers questions were the nominees for VP Welfare. For this position there were six candidates: Annabel JardineBlake, a Welfare Executive Committee Member and SHAG co-president; Geoff Jukes, whose manifesto declares that he aims to “provide more support after SU club nights” and “raise awareness about male suicide”; Holly Jones, who wants to focus on helping “international students and Freshers”; Kate Elswood, who seeks to create an online platform for incoming student to receive mentoring and guidance about university life;

Continued on page 4

he local branch of Student Action for Refugees is having its annual ‘Refugee Rhythms’ night to welcome refugees and asylum seekers to Cardiff on Thursday 23rd February.

Featuring music, food and festivities from around the world, Cardiff Student’s Union Bar, Y Plas will host up to 1500 guests to join in the celebrations.

STAR is made up of almost 100 students from Cardiff University; they run a weekly English Conversation club for students to socialise with refugees and asylum seekers and campaign on campus for universities to provide equal fees, access, and support to asylum seekers and refugees.

Last year’s event was attended by over 500 people and won the Cardiff University award for ‘Best Large Event of the year’.

Bands including Hélélé and Sounds of Harlowe along will be supporting the event along with local DJ’s Bump and Grind and Blue Honey.

New Deputy ViceChancellor for Cardiff University

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ardiff University has announced the appointment of new Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen Holford.

Professor Holford will take up her new post on April 3rd 2017. For the last five years she has led Cardiff University’s College of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan said: “Professor Holford has an outstanding track record as Pro Vice-Chancellor. I have no doubt she will build on this tremendous success and the work of Professor Treasure in the role of Deputy ViceChancellor.”

Professor Holford said: “I am delighted to be appointed Deputy ViceChancellor at Cardiff University. We are an ambitious and innovative University with so much to be proud of, most importantly the inspirational people who work so hard to contribute to our success and who make Cardiff a great place to study and work.

2 EDITORIAL Gair Rhydd Coordinator Elaine Morgan Editor Maria Mellor Deputy Editors Toby Holloway Emily Giblett News Toby Holloway Gabriella Mansell Harry Webster Comment Helena Hanson Caragh Medlicott Sam Saunders Columnist Helena Hanson Advice Anwen Williams Politics Adam George Ellise Nicholls Science Tanya Harrington Kat Pooprasert Societies Aletheia Nutt Taf-Od Osian Wyn Morgan Liam Ketcher Sport James Lloyd Mark Wyatt Rich Jones Gareth Axenderrie Digital Media Editor Emily Giblett Cartoonist Louis Mertens Copy Editors Molly Ambler Phoebe Grinter Conor Holohan Lydia Jackson Olivia Botting Hannah Woodward Get involved Editorial conferences are each Monday at 6:30pm.

Proofreading takes place from 6pm on Thursdays in the media office.

Write to the editor editor@gairrhydd.com Tweet us @gairrhydd At Gair Rhydd we take seriously our responsibility to maintain the highest possible standards. Sometimes, because of deadline pressures, we may make some mistakes. If you believe we have fallen below the standards we seek to uphold, please email editor@gairrhydd. com. You can view our Ethical Policy Statement and Complaints Procedure at cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/complaints Opinions expressed in editorials are not reflective of Cardiff Student Media, who act as the publisher of Gair Rhydd in legal terms, and should not be considered official communications or the organisation’s stance. Gair Rhydd is a Post Office registered newspaper.

the free word

What to expect when you’re electing

Buckle in folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Maria Mellor

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oday everything changes. This week is like no other in the academic year. Do I love it? Do I hate it? A little bit of both if I’m honest.

Elections have taken over my life for the last three years doing interviews, taking photos and (of course) voting.

I thought I’d write about what to expect, as maybe it will be your first experience of Cardiff Students’ Union election, or maybe you would like to know more. To you I say this: buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Probably the most exciting part about election week is probably the show that gets put on.

Candidates come out all singing, all dancing, ready to jazz-hands and drum until people vote for them. I’ve seen pirates, nudity and dinosaurs in the past. It almost makes me want to start placing bets on what we’ll see this year.

Maybe some kind of ‘election week bingo’ is in order?

The square that everyone will want on their bingo cards will be ‘terrible puns’ for sure. There’s so much cheese in campaigning you could recreate the macaroni cheese from The Taf with slo-

gans alone.

I’ve even heard people state as part of the reason they wouldn’t campaign is because their name isn’t punny enough.

Some people have it and some people don’t - everyone just makes the best of what they’ve got.

Even if you have experienced election week before, you may not know what candidates actually get in order to campaign (beside the obvious).

All candidates are allowed £30 spending money for any sort of sweets and whatnot they might want to give out.

This evens the playing field, meaning that nobody gets an unfair advantage due to how much they are willing, or able, to spend.

They can get their own costumes if they choose to, but are given a t-shirt which says what they are campaigning for.

On top of this, each candidate is allowed free printing of leaflets to hand out to students. You’ll see them, usually pleasant greens, yellows and blues.

When I say you’ll see them, they might be shoved in your face, left in Gair Rhydd distribution bins (don’t do this - I will move them!) or simply strewn on the street when they get dropped in an attempt to throw them in the bin.

Littering and vandalism is an unfortunate part of this week. There are still a few stickers in various places from last year - for those wondering, yes it is too late now to vote Bretty. Ignore those stickers!

Unfortunately what people do tend to ignore is the actual stuff hopeful campaigners say. We have plenty of info for you in this week’s issue to help inform your vote. Firstly we have the whole

low-down on what went down during the two candidate question times last week, with the sickening jokes (sorry Steve!) and the distribution of snacks.

We also have a ‘meet the candidates’ spread for you - look out for them roaming the streets next week!

I believe in the power of the people. Honestly I don’t care whether you agree or not - even if you don’t care at all about SU politics you can at least vote to re-open nominations (R.O.N.), meaning that no one will win and another vote will be held during the byelection next year.

Your vote gives the candidates who win added legitimacy in their roles. I’m always for legitimacy in politics, whether it’s local, national or international.

Perhaps R.O.N. might even pass, and will show the union that something different is needed.

EDITORIAL 3

Campus in Brief Wales Names for new babies in Wales have been given a pop culture inspired shake-up recently. According to WalesOnline, popular names last year included those of familiar and distinctive actors, musicians and TV characters. Here are some of the biggest climbers.

IDRIS & ARYA Quite possibly inspired by Luther actor and Virgin Media poster boy Idris Elba, 27 children in Wales were named Idris in 2015 compared to eight in 2013. Game of Thrones also proved to be a big influence, with the girl’s name Arya seeing an increase in populat of over 300%.

UK

£528.90 The national average weekly spend for a family in 2016

The annual Family Spending Survey by the Office of National Statistics has also shown that families are spending more money on clean living and less on more unhealthy products such as cigarettes and alcohol. The average spend on cigarettes and alcohol was £11.40 per week in 2016 compared to an average of over £20 in the early 2000s. In contrast to the decline in cigarettes and alcohol sales, there was an increase in spending on meals in restaurants, hotels and cafes which totalled around £45 a week.

International

Profits of international food giant Nestle plummeted at the end of last year, leading to the introduction of cost-cutting measures that will affect many leading brands including Kit Kat, Smarties, and Nescafe. The corporation blamed low demand in developing markets and poor food inflation elsewhere for the decreasing figures.

EZRA & FLORENCE Names such as Ezra and Florence were also popular choices, perhaps thanks to George Ezra and Florence Welch (and her machine). Florence doubled in popularity whilst the number of baby boys called Ezra increased from 6 in 2013 to 31 in 2015.

Kit Kat profits plummet by £481million

TEDDY

500%

The name Teddy also saw a 500% increase over the two year gap.

Words and design by Emily Giblett

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news Continued from front page

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I think Candidate Question Time is a really great opportunity for candidates to warm themselves up to elections for a start, to hear about the other candidates that they’re up against.

Sophie Timbers SU President

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Editors: Toby Holloway Gabriella Mansell Harry Webster @GairRhyddNews news@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/news

Continued: Candidate Question Time

ast to answer Sophie Timbers’ questions were the candidates for VP Societies. These were: Aiden Cammies, who wants simpler sponsorships, ease of use and better archiving/continuity; Alex Stewart, who wants to “streamline and simplify the room booking process for all societies, Lamorna Hooker, aiming to “transform the Great Hall space to be better suited to the needs of societies”; Seb Walker, who wants to charter a night bus to run to Taly, Uni Halls and Roath; Temilade Fatoma, whose proposed “speed-dating event” seeks to help societies recruit more members; and Tom Morris, who aims to reinstate the Refreshers’ Fair and make half-year society memberships available to students.

The second Question Time took place on Thursday of last week, and showcased the candidates for the positions of Black and Ethnic Minorities (BME) Officer, International Students Officer, VP Postgraduate Students Officer, VP Sports and AU President and SU President.

Kabira Suleman, a first year software engineering student, was the only candidate for the BME Officer position, and focussed on the issue of integration.

The International Students Officer candidates were Ayesha Azhar, who was not present at the event, and Jo Tan, who also highlighted integration as a key issue facing international students.

Candidates for the post of VP Postgraduate Students were: Veronique Seguin-Cadiche, who wants “more engagement on social media and to coordinate with lecturers so they can talk to students”; Jake Smith, a student senator who pledges “clear rights, clear pay and clear contracts” for postgrad teaching; and Evon Chin, a 24 year-old masters in finance student.

There were eight candidates for VP Sports and AU President. These were: Stefan Psota, who aims to increase the number of students getting involved in sport, saying “members of your club are what makes your club, they’re your biggest asset”; Coral Kennerley, who was not at Question Time but had responses to questions read out by Sophie Timbers; Joshua Kellet, who is current chairman of men’s football; and Tom Kelly, president of ice hockey and on the give-it-a-go executive committee.

When asked whether he would increase AU memberships fees in order to generate more funding for sports clubs, he said it was “Incredibly important not to burden students with high AU fees” and that an “increase would mean less people playing sport”.

This pledge was reiterated by the majority of candidates, with Dan

Schmeising, aiming to get more people interested in joining the AU, rather than increase fees, stressing that “There’s an AU for everyone”.

Holly Thomas stated that she, if elected, would issue a vote over whether to increase AU membership fees or not, in what emerged as one of the key issues concerning this particular position.

Adita Gupta, the final candidate for AU President, aims to “increase amount of events running for disabled students and international students”.

The Question Time event reached its climax with the candidates for SU President attempting to convince the audience members at Julian Hodge that they were best equipped for the job. Two of those running - Hollie Cooke and Milly Dyer - have held positions in the SU throughout this year (VP Welfare and VP Societies respectively). The third candidate, Nathaniel Fox, stated that there was a “gap between elected officers and what students actually see. I want to bridge that gap”.

The final nominee, Sam Stainton, wants to stand with Cardiff University’s international students through the “war on immigration”, as well as get students more involved with student politics.

Speaking to Gair Rhydd after the event, SU President Sophie Timbers said: “I think Candidate Question Time is a really great opportunity for candidates to warm themselves up to elections for a start, to hear about the other candidates that they’re up against, but also to actually have an opportunity to talk to students and have students ask questions about anything and everything to do with their role”.

Asked if events such as Candidate Questions time could help engage students more in student politics, Miss Timbers said: “You’ll always get a number of students who are really engaged with this side of things, but there will also be a lot of students who are less inclined to come along and are often here because we’ve suggested that they really should.

“It is a tricky one, because if you have too many events it fatigues the candidates - they have a really long week and it’s stressful enough as it is because you’re planning your campaign this side of campaign week, so doing too many events like this is just going to tire them out”.

“You don’t want voter fatigue either - you don’t want the elections being thrown in your face for three or four weeks because students are likely to disengage early on.”

The results of the elections will be announced on Saturday, and you can follow Gair Rhydd on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates, as well as interviews with all the candidates.

Student Election Candidates Students’ Union President Hollie Cooke Milly Dyer Nathaniel Fox Samuel Stainton VP Edcuation Chiron Hooson Fadhila Al Dhahouri Ishna Maanishi James Daly Nancy Cameron Vani Juneja VP Heath Park Campus Kirsty Hepburn VP Postgraduate Students Evon Chin Jake Smith Veronique Seguin-Cadiche VP Societies Aidan Cammies Alex Stewart Lamorna Hooker Seb Walker Temilade Fatona Tom Morris VP Sports & AU President Adita Gupta Coral Kennerley Dan Scheising Holly Thomas Josh Kellett Sam Wild Stefan Psota Tom Kelly VP Welfare Annabel Jardine-Blake Geoff Jukes Holly Jones Kate Elswood Matt Proctor Nicholas Fox Black and Ethnic Minorities Officer Kabira Suleman International Students Officer Ayesha Azhar Jo Tan Mental Health Officer Callum Smith Elliott Stubbs George Watkins Jamie Plumb Students With Disabilities Officer Bhavika Chandnani Charlie Knights

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The results of the elections will be announced on Saturday, and you can follow Gair Rhydd on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates.

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NEWS 5

BBC Wales forced to cancel ‘shameful’ Wales v England Six Nations trailer Harry Webster

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BC Wales were last week forced to drop a new advert for the gargantuan Six Nations clash between Wales and England, after the ad’s content sparked a riled backlash from rugby fans.

The advert, which features Welsh rugby fans drawing a blank when questioned, “What’s good about England?” was met by staunch opposition on Twitter, immediately after being posted on various BBC social media accounts.

However, the ad, which was understood to be part of a much wider

Six Nations advertising campaign, has since been removed from all of the Beeb’s social media accounts, while other media displaying the trailer have also been asked to remove the divisive ad.

Welsh actor, Kai Owen, led condemnation for the trailer, with the Torchwood star writing on Twitter, “Absolutely shocking advert. Hold your heads in shame.”

More disdain for the ad was shared by those who had previously work the organization, with one former BBC Wales worker writing on Twit-

ter, “Whose idea was this? Beyond embarrassing, and as an English person living in Wales who has worked for BBC Wales, offensive.”

This is not however the first time the BBC has been forced to pull a controversial ad from the air in such circumstances, after a trailer that leaked online for the 2012 fixture was again met by anger from English fans.

The trailer saw fans from all five other participating nations – France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales – chanting “England”, with the tag

“The Six Nations. It’s not about who you want to win…it’s about who you want to lose.”

Wales and England are the odds on favourites to win this year’s competition, and the two have struck up a vicious rivalry in recent years, with England beating Wales in 2016, and going on to take the Grand Slam.

Wales did however record a monumental victory over the English in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, beating them 28-25 at Twickenham, and going on to reach the competition’s quarter-final stage.

Pictured: Cardiff Principality stadium (Photographer: Ungry Young man via Flickr)

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The Six Nations.

It’s not about who you want to win…it’s about who you want to lose.

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Gabriella Mansell

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The developers, Fusion Cardiff metropolitian Ltd are therefore “left with a difficult decision”.

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Cardiff’s new stylish accommodation block remains ‘unfilled’

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cross the city there are several other major complexes under construction. However, ‘Eclipse’ is currently ‘unfilled’.

The new development, Eclipse is a student-specific accommodation site, which has been planned and approved at the Howard Gardens site in Adamsdown by the developers, Fusion Cardiff Metropolitan Ltd. Cardiff Council planners granted planning permission for 686 student rooms within this development in March 2015. The complex will also include a sauna, gym, library, cinema room and is due to open this September.

Despite recent calls for an increase in student housing within the city due to the every-growing student population, planning consultants Alder King have issued their concerns for the project stating there is “uncertainty about student uptake in the first year operation.”

With the developments cheapest rooms costing 137 a week – for a 51week lease in a six-bedroom flat with an en-suite bathroom and the most expensive room costing £287 for a double occupancy in a one bedroom room the rent prices of these developments could be considered expensive for Cardiff.

Cardiff University has said the average weekly rent in the city which inludes bills is £87.82.

The developers, Fusion Cardiff Metropolitian Ltd are therefore “left with a difficult decision”.

The current plan is for the development to continue but to open with a lower occupancy or alternatively find an alternate use for the property.

The company have been pressured to apply for permission in order to change the usage of the property, allowing individual non-student letting for periods of up to 90 days over the next year.

The developers have stated that they will endeavour to fill as many rooms as possible with students however, ‘subkect to demand and capacity’ they will use the empty rooms as professional serviced apartments.

The lacking uptake of rooms in these new, stylish student flats comes amidst concerns that Cardiff is becoming saturated with student accommodation blocks dominating the skyline.

Despite this, there is still an apparent shortage of student accommodation within then city of Cardiff. Since Cardiff is a city which services four universities the number of students searching for accommodation in the city will inevitably continue to increase over the next few years, putting pressure on both the four Universities and Cardiff Council to ensure they provide and offer appropriate accommodation.

Pictured: A University Room (Photographer: Nathan Wong via Flickr).

6 NEWS

Cardiff University graduate seeks to expand coconut oil business Toby Holloway

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The young entrepreneurs received a grant of £2,000 last year after winning Cardiff University’s Sparks Enterprise Award

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Cardiff University graduate and his business partner are exploring opportunities to expand their business - a non-profit organisation aiming to export coconut oil produced on a remote Fijian island.

Callum Drummond, 23, graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in psychology last summer, and along with business partner and friend Ellis Williams, also 23, plans to invest the profits from coconut oil sales back into education and health care on Fijian island, Batiki.

With a population of only 300 people and no airport or roads, Batiki residents are relatively poor and rely on subsistence farming and fishing for income. Furthermore, the island has only four teachers and one nurse, and Drummond and Williams’ business, Bula Batiki Coconut Oil aims to support these services.

The young entrepreneurs received a grant of £2,000 last year after winning Cardiff University’s Sparks Enterprise Award, which, according to the Cardiff University website, is “an annual enterprise competition designed to help our most innovative and entrepreneurial students and graduates develop inspiring ideas with real potential.”

Drummond and Williams initially visited the island of Batiki as part of a volunteering trip with charity Think Pacific, which focussed on teaching in the sole primary school on Batiki as well as coaching sport.

After their first visit, the friends

made immediate plans to return with the island and its people having left a lasting impression on them, and did so over Christmas 2014.

Speaking to Wales online, Drummond said: “The islanders were amazing. They treated us like family.

“I knew in 2012 that I had to go back and see them again. We returned for Christmas in December 2014, and really experienced the subsistence hardships they face.”

Describing the process by which the idea for their non-profit organisation was born, Drummond said: “We wanted to find a way of helping the families who had been so kind to us. The family I stayed with

asked me ‘do you use coconut oil back in the UK,’ and that was really the ‘lightbulb moment.’

“It’s innovation in a nutshell. We saw that the villagers could produce coconut oil on the island, and we realised coconut oil was becoming increasingly popular in the UK.” “We then started trying to create a business plan to produce pure virgin coconut oil on Batiki, ship it to the UK, jar it, and then reinvest the profits back into the community in order to develop housing, healthcare and education.”

“Our primary aim is to establish a sustainable source of income. Producing coconut oil allows the villag-

ers to earn more than double their previous income from selling copra (dried coconut).”

Coconut oil has a number of uses, from cooking to moisturising, and Bula Batiki Coconut Oil has now exported 800 jars to multiple countries, including China, Australia and the US. The organisation recently funded Batiki’s first ever youth sports tournament - an example of some of the work being done as a result of Bula Batiki Coconut Oil. Plans to expand the business have taken the form of a Kickstarter project aimed at generating the funds needed for growth.

Pictured: Get the oil from the coconut and shake it all about (Source: Rainy City via Flickr)

Oxfam Tax Tour comes to Cardiff

The national tour aims to raise awareness of tax injustice Pictured: The popular charity is holding the event (Source: Oxfam)

Harry Webster

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xfam’s ‘Tax Tour’ - a series of talks devoted to raising awareness for the injustices of tax havens - will be coming to Cardiff this Thursday.

The two hour talk will take place in Cardiff University’s Main Building, starting from 6pm, and will be comprised of short films, lectures from 3 guest speakers, and a question and answer session.

Guest lectures will be given by three of the professionals leading the fight against tax injustice; Onyinyw Okechukwu, Sharon Kabwe Chilese, and Wanjiru Kanyiha.

Onyinyw Okechukwu is the Communications Coordinator at ActionAid Nigeria.

She has been a key figure in the charities Tax Injustice campaign since its conception, and has previ-

ous experience working in the women’s rights movement across West Africa.

Sharon Kabwe Chilese is from Zambia, and has previous experience working in the Treasury Department at Cavmont Capital Bank.

She has worked with the private sector to promote various tax policies.

Wanjiru Kanyiha, is a Kenyan lawyer, who has been involved in various programmes in Inuka (Rise Up) Kenya, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to fighting governance issues, such as corruption.

The series of talks, which will also feature dates in Oxford, Manchester and Edinburgh, has set out to raise public awareness to the injustices caused by tax havens, and is part of a much wider campaign to help put an end to the “era of tax havens.”

The campaign comes after research conducted by Oxfam found that $170billion US dollars is lost to tax havens, meaning poor countries lose pivotal revenue for public services like healthcare and education.

One such example in in Kenya, where approximately 34% of the population live in poverty, and it is estimated that there is just a mere 2 doctors for every 10 thousand people living in the country.

Meanwhile, files leaked in February of 2015 estimated that around $560 million dollars was being stored in Swiss bank accounts, by individuals linked to Kenya.

As a result of such untaxed wealth, the Kenyan government are losing vital money needed to provide for the country’s population.

Oxfam has claimed that 62 billionaires account for the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population, and that the use of tax havens helps this gap between the rich and the poor grow. The charity also claim that as much as $7.6 trillion dollars of personal wealth is being stored in offshore bank accounts, making it all untaxed.

Indeed, the UK’s own Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies form a crucial part of the tax haven network, and the charity claims that while the UK government are attempting to put measures into place to curb tax dodging, they are not doing enough.

Oxfam are currently in the process of securing signatures to petition the UK Government, in an attempt to secure further measures are put in place to help end the era of tax havens.

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Guest lectures will be given by three of the professionals leading the fight against tax injustice.

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NEWS 7

John Percival building opens its new doors The project overran ‘due to weather conditions’

Maria Mellor

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he renovations on the John Percival building have been completed after nearly two months of work. The construction work began in December.

There were two main aims to the improvements: to increase the size of the building by extending the ground floor reception and to add a meeting/events room above it on the first floor.

The construction value on the project is £146,000 including VAT. This has been part of a project to improve the building over the past few years. 28 teaching rooms have already undergone major refurbishment and additional power sockets have been added to the coffee shop for student use.

Despite the improvements to the building, some students have wondered about how much benefit it has had to the building.

Masters student, Caragh Medlicott said: “The new classroom is nice but for the amount of time the renovations to the John Percival building took I certainly don’t think that the spinning doors are worth it- I think they actually cause more mayhem than the standard automatic door that was there before!”

Both areas are proposed for social interaction and teaching that will benefit students, with the additional space in the reception to be potentially used for exhibitions and open days.

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “The most recent work on the reception area and first floor sought to enhance the building for our students and staff in line with other improvements.”

Liam Kercher, a second year Welsh student said: “With a renovation you’d assume the purpose of it would be to make things better.

“Although it looks flash and new, which is exciting, I’d much prefer to see practicality being the first priority.

“Now it just slows down traffic going in and out of the building.

The biggest problem is that if you’re alone you can’t jump into a section of the revolving door with someone you don’t know. Most of the time I end up with a whole section to myself which just looks greedy. It also adds fear to the fact I could get my ankle mauled on the way to a lecture.”

Concerns were expressed over the timeframe of the project, as the con-

Pictured: You spin me right round, baby (Photographer: Conor Holohan)

“ struction work ran into term time, meaning that students had to go via an alternative route into the building.

A university spokesperson added: “We started the works on 12 December and planned to complete them by the end of January, with the bulk of the heavy work done before the

start of term. We ran over slightly due to weather conditions, and had to reschedule some tasks to avoid any impact on teaching. We also accommodated a couple of minor changes in addition to the original remit.

“We would like to thank our students for their co-operation.”

Both areas are proposed for social interaction and teaching that will benefit students

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“Enormous potential” to expand Cardiff’s waterbus service, after usage triples Harry Webster

Pictured: All hail the water bus (Source: David via Flickr)

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he number of people travelling via Cardiff ’s water bus service is expected to have tripled in the 15 year period between 2002 and 2017, according to the cities harbour authority.

It is believed that around 200,000 people will have used the service in 2016 - up from 72,000 when the ferry service opened in 2002.

Such a dramatic increase has sparked discussion of the service being expanded, with the systems operator, Danny Rees, highlighting the

huge popularity of Cardiff Bay as a tourist destination, arguing that there is “enormous potential” for a more extensive service being implemented.

The current service includes routes going up both Cardiff ’s main waterways - the River Taff, and the River Ely - and consists of nine stops including at Penarth, Grangetown, Bute Park, and the Bay. However, there are also unused stops at Leckwith, near the Cardiff City Stadium, and at international sports village, while there have also

been proposals to include a stop near the Sophia Gardens cricket ground.

Indeed, ferry operator, Danny Rees believes utilising these unused stops, would be popular amongst sporting fans coming to the city, claiming that all 13 of the service operators are unable to supply for rugby fans using the service on match days.

“We barely scratch the surface (with numbers). It has the potential to be an alternative bus service,” claimed Mr. Rees.

Mr. Rees also emphasised the ser-

vice’s popularity amongst tourists visiting the city, who can receive a “postcard view” of the Bay when arriving by ferry, rather than when arriving from behind via the train train service.

Steve Woodward, consultant and director of the Aquabus service, has backed Mr. Rees’ claims, stating that the city’s waterways are “crying out” for a more structured service.

Mr. Woodward has suggested that a franchise contract - much like that currently in place with Arriva to manage Welsh train services - should be awarded to one company, enabling further investment in the system.

“You want an all-singing, all-dancing service, but without a corporate policy from the local authority it is a bit of a disaster.”

“You have vessels of all sizes, shapes and ages. A big stumbling block is it is a free-for-all [with many operators on the water],” said Mr. Woodward.

Mr. Woodward also believes further development of the current system would simultaneously increase demand.

“Penarth is currently a request stop [on the Aquabus], the demand is not there because the route has not been developed,” he said.

“But with imagination and commitment, a lot can be done. The river is quite shallow immediately after Bute Park, but with the right vessel, it’s possible to go to Sophia Gardens, maybe further.”

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COMMENT 9 Editors: Helena Hanson Caragh Medlicott Sam Saunders @GairRhyddCom comment@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/comment

Rethinking mental illness

Controversial new study suggests mental health patients should be allowed to self-harm.

Sarah Harris

“

Being institutionalised does not mean that all your problems will be magically fixed.

”

P

ublished in the Journal of Medical Ethics, a controversial new paper has claimed that letting patients in mental health units self harm would be less distressing than stopping them completely. Experts have argued that they should be allowed to harm and injure themselves to “reduce their feelings of powerlessness”.

The writer of the paper has suggested that patients who are in no immediate danger could be given sterile cutting implements and education in safer harming, in order to avoid blood poisoning and infection.

I can’t remember exactly when I started suffering from mental health problems but it’s been a while now. By the time I was in my second year of university, I had already been on two different types of antidepressants and had been hospitalised for attempted suicide.

Most of my friends would tell you I am a bubbly and happy person. My teachers throughout school would always comment on how I was ‘always smiling.’ So when I was 18 and I told my parents and close friends that I thought I was suffering from depression and had been self-harming, they were pretty shocked and hurt.

A lot of them felt like that they had

failed me in some way, as it took me so long to confess my problems to them.

What they didn’t understand was that it felt like it was out of my control.

If you’ve ever suffered from mental health problems you’ll understand what I mean but a lot of people who never have may not understand this. “Can you really not control it?” asked one of my friends after I’d been released from hospital. For me personally, I didn’t selfharm for the attention or sympathy like many people assumed I did. I did it because it took my mind away from the mental agony I was in, just for a little while.

Suffering from depression isn’t all sadness. You may have seen that meme about how ‘depression is like watching paint dry’ and I can personally say that it’s the most accurate thing I have seen about the condition. It took me half a years worth of counselling before I stopped self harming.

It would be a lie if I said that over the last four years I haven’t broken the promise I made to myself when I said I would never do it again. I have weak moments just like most people do, but over time I’ve found coping mechanisms and solutions that have made things better.

Personally I don’t think mental health experts are right with their suggestions.

Isn’t the point of being institutionalised that experts can help prevent you from hurting yourself? It may not seem like it at the time but after I recover from a depressive episode, I usually regret my decisions after, and I know a lot of people who have self-harmed in the past feel the same way.

Being institutionalised doesn’t mean all your problems will be magically fixed but it does mean you have constant support and advice on how best to battle with your mental health issues.

I asked a few of my housemates who had suffered from their own mental health problems what they thought about the issue and some had opposing views to me.

“It’s like giving a heroin addict methadone, it’s better to ween them off it than go cold turkey; that can cause problems within itself” one friend said.

I understand where my housemate was coming from and it did make sense to me but I still don’t agree with the fact that medically trained professionals aren’t stopping you from making decisions you’ll probably regret when you’re stable.

Furthermore, who is to say what

counts as self-harm? A lot of people who suffer from mental health conditions could turn to comfort eating, or disorders such as anorexia or bulimia in order to find some solace, but what can doctors really do about that? Would they consider indulging in greasy and rich food the equivalent to self-harm considering it may not have an immediate affect but could definitely be impacting your physical health in the long term?

Mental health problems are different for each person and each person must be assessed by experts in their own way.

For some people, it may be easier to stop self harming all together, but for others who are heavily dependent on the relief they get from committing the act it may be more difficult.

I know the idea of speaking to a professional about your issues may seem daunting to a lot of people but talking to a professional makes things a lot better.

The university offers help and advice to anybody suffering and professionals can be found in the student counselling and Wellbeing Centre located on Park Place.

I can assure you that if you do find yourself in a dark place and need someone to turn to straight away, remember you can always ring the Samaritans or other support lines.

Pictured: We need to keep having conversations about mental health (Source: Giuseppe Milo via Flickr).

“

Mental health problems are different for each person and each person must be assessed in their own way.

”

10

COMMENT

Sweeten the deal

Students are now turning to sugar Daddies to make money Kirby Evans

“

I suppose ultimately, a level of physical connection is required in dating, and I hadn’t really thought about that.

”

O

ver 20,000 students in the UK are earning money from sugar daddies. This involves everything from a walk in the park, to dinner dates to weekends in Miami and everything in between. This number of students is increasing every year; last year alone it increased by 40%. To bring it closer to home; USW is the third biggest student base for sugar babies.

The concept of a sugar daddy-baby relationship is relatively simple.

Often called an ‘arrangement’, in its most common and basic form, sugar dating consists of an older rich man dating a younger woman, and supplying her with an allowance alongside this.

There are other more platonic and erotic versions of this. Some women merely go to dinner with a ‘daddy’ once a month and receive a hefty pay cheque, whereas others may be inclined to go on three hotel-bedroombased dates each week. Some fall in love and marry. It’s a spectrum.

Although an area of controversy and divided opinions, given the number of students leaning towards sugar dating to fund their lifestyles, it suggests that either sugar dating isn’t the dangerous sex work that the media portray it to be, or that students are being subject to extortion and unfair fees.

One student from Cardiff, who chose not to be named has given a brief description of her time as a

sugar baby.

“I was struggling to balance bills, rent, food, socialising, transport and everything else the student life entails, and whilst I already work part time, it doesn’t cover half of my expenses. I wasn’t going to sacrifice my degree for the sake of working until 3 am every day, so I signed up to ‘Seeking Arrangement’.

I created a profile, and pretty soon the offers came flooding in. My profile was clear and I stated I wanted something simple as I was apprehensive, and despite a few very odd messages, eventually a nice 38 year old Robert popped up.

We chatted for a while and finally agreed occasional meets (dinner or a movie) for £50 a go, and all expenses paid for.

The first few dates were fine, we had dinner or whatever; he seemed like a perfectly lovely guy who was clearly lonely and just needed some company.

A few dates in he kissed me, and I was definitely taken aback. On the way back to my flat I mulled it over and decided it made me too uncomfortable, so I called it off, no hard feelings. I suppose ultimately, a level of physical connection is required in dating, and I hadn’t really thought about that. I’ve not since been on any more dates, but when my rent goes out next month I might log back onto my account.”

A story that is reasonably inno-

Pictured: The number of students turning to sugar Daddies is on the rise (source: Adam Engelhart via flickr).

cent, although as this student pointed out, dating often comes hand in hand with a level of intimacy; which may be why the BBC feels its ok to call sugar babies part of the sex industry.

A tag that comes with connotations and criticism, likening sugar babies to prostitutes or escorts, a label that any sugar baby will most likely tell you is incorrect.

To some, free holidays and financial help are the payment for providing a service which is liberating and even empowering to them. And oth-

ers may find they feel morally compromised or in situations they would rather not be in.

And of course there is an extent to which meeting anyone over the internet is dangerous, whether it be for money or not.

With all of this being said, I can’t help feeling that if university fees weren’t so extortionate and accommodation wasn’t so expensive, then sugar dating websites wouldn’t be anywhere near as popular with students.

“

Likening sugar babies to prostitutes or escorts, a label that any sugar baby will most likely tell you is incorrect.

”

Would you credit it?

The Daily Mail can no longer be used as a reliable source on Wikipedia George Cook

“

the Daily Mail has never been afraid to put itself at the heart of the debate and ensue deep seated feelings of emotion among the general public.

”

A

paper, which throughout history, has been the subject of great controversy and debate; yet the Daily Mail still has one of widest and biggest readerships in the country. Second only to the Sun, the Daily Mail has arguably impacted the lives of British people extensively through a number of means and by often reporting untruths and elaborated ‘facts’ that almost anyone would question.

Through its support of fascism in its sympathetic stance towards the Nazi Party, Oswald Mosely and the British Union of Fascists, the Daily Mail has never been afraid to put itself at the heart of the debate and ensue deep seated feelings of emotion among the general public, whether that be anger or agreement. Surely, it is hardly surprising that Wikipedia has taken the decision to label it ‘an unreliable source’.

Whether it be stories about Ralph Miliband, father of then Labour leader Ed, hating Britain or those about refugees ‘swamping and posing terrorist threats to Britain, the recently much used label of ‘FAKE NEWS’

has surely never been more applicable to a print publication? Those who, themselves, would readily identify as liberal, such as Gary Lineker, have found themselves on the receiving end of vicious and frankly untrue news items printed in the Daily Mail.

This highlights the right wing nature of a paper that, somehow, has the capability to impact the opinions of people who are almost brainwashed into believing the repetitive drivel that is scribbled onto its pages.

Wikipedia has taken a step that few would’ve done before. How can it be that an online encyclopaedia that allows anyone to edit posts can deem one source, almost entirely, unreliable?

I sense the reasoning lies somewhat in the feelings of hatred, fear and division that the Daily Mail readily purports about the most vulnerable people in the world, yet aimed at the most vulnerable people in this country that causes a sense of suspicion among the two groups.

Hopefully, the measures Wikipedia have taken will prevent such ‘facts’ becoming as readily available

and accessible on the internet thus making the effect of what the Daily Mail reports much less widespread.

However, more needs to be done.

The Daily Mail is not the only newspaper or source that publishes ‘fake news’ with such ease and minimal consideration for the most vulnerable and those affected.

Campaigns, such as Stop Funding Hate, have had widespread success with companies who have stopped advertising in a number of newspapers like the Daily Mail and the Sun; and many more should follow this lead as it will limit the influence and purchasing power of publications that state expletive and inflammatory remarks. Breibart, Fox News and the Daily Express are only a few similar publications that also divulge information that is inflammatory and, some would even argue, a threat to peace and democracy around the world.

Wikipedia has been brave but not bullish; fierce but not fearful and selfless not selfish. It has begun to shine a light on the practices of publications who wish to pin the views

Pictured: Wikipedia have labelled the Daily Mail as ‘unreliable’.

(Source: Johann Dreo via flickr.)

“ of the majority and wealthy against those of the minority and vulnerable.

But Wikipedia has shown that, in the 21st century, an era of such tolerance and diversity, that those actions shall be treated with distrust, dislike and utter discontent.

Wikipedia has been brave but not bullish; fierce but not fearful and selfless not selfish.

”

COMMENT 11

BBC airs controversial Shannon Matthews drama Programs about dramatic events are nothing new

Christopher Smith

“

I would argue, therefore, that it is more important for the media to capture everything

”

I

n an age where a reality TV star is president of the United States, and memes are made of terrorist attacks, it feels ever-more difficult to distinguish between where the lines of virtual reality end, and truth and reality begin. With the case of Shannon Matthews and her abduction at the hands of her parents, then, is it wrong that her case has been dramatised? Have we transgressed beyond entertainment into seeking gratification from the horrendous?

Glamorisation of horrible events for the screen is nothing new, but as social media continues to dominate our personal lives, what comes is an ever-expanding pressure to document the personal.

It seems unavoidable that the tragic will become blended in with the everyday. We are able to witness things from around the world, like ISIS beheadings, and sometimes influence them from our keyboard, like raising money for cancer charities.

When ‘The Moorside’ aired on the BBC, the reviews were conflicted, unsure whether to criticise the network for being ratings hungry, or feel sympathy for the Matthews family. I am unsure where to stand on this, as cases can be made for

both.

TV is naturally ratings driven, but with the BBC being dependent on license fees rather than money for adverts for films dramatising everything like ITV, I believe they have taken the risk of giving a voice to a case that divided the nation, whilst at the same time doing their best to stand back and capture some of these emotions that huge numbers of people felt at the time.

Shannon herself is currently in witness protection, developing into adulthood, despite this shaken childhood. The effects this will have on her life are unlikely to be positive, but this is not her fault. More than that, this attention is unavoidable, as she was brought into the public as an innocent, vulnerable victim who was abused for the sake of a profit in the wake of other high profile cases like Madeline McCann.

With this in mind, should we expect that anything different would have happened from this?

The BBC are simply taking a picture of what happened, as detached as possible, with the purpose of asking the audience to decide what they feel towards something like this, with the benefit of hindsight.

I would argue, therefore, that it is more important for the media to

capture everything, big or small, joyous or tragic, because the second that an agenda is pushed into news, and particularly docu-dramas such as this is the second it loses its validity.

Was the BBC glamorising personal tragedy? Very possibly, but at the same time they were following a trend or hyper-exposure to whatever we like at the click of a button.

When we watch any biographical

film or drama about a major figure, nothing is different, except the inbuilt moral duty we feel that we have to give the family privacy and space and allow this case to lie for good. Of course the verdict has been given, but particularly for those growing up and learning about this case for the first time, it is vital that, now time has passed, the public are able to look at this with the chance to see what they think.

Pictured: An image from the BBC One drama, ‘The Moorside’, (Source: BBC iPlayer)

Sisterhood at the Grammys

Adele dedicates her album of the year award to Beyoncé Akancha Gurung

“

Crucially, it’s a white woman recognising a black woman’s talent.

”

D

uring this year’s Grammys, I doubt anyone was expecting Adele’s acceptance speech for Album of the Year to become a dedication to Beyoncé’s Lemonade but I fucking loved her for it. The genuine respect and love that exists between these two amazing women in such a fiercely competitive and sexist industry is heartwarming but, for me, her speech was also a signifier of so much more.

Yes, it is a woman recognising another woman’s talent but, crucially, it’s a white woman recognising a black woman’s talent, admitting that Beyoncé deserved the award more. Upon re-watching the speech on YouTube, I read the comments accusing Adele of ‘white guilt’ and, frankly, my response is to call bullshit.

Throughout the speech, never once does she demean her own talent in order to praise Beyoncé’s (and rightfully so). It’s not about that but rather about recognising the racism that is systemic within the Grammys.

Think I’m stretching too far? How about this. Since the Album of the Year category was first introduced in 1959, the recipient has been a black artist a total number of twelve times, Stevie Wonder having won on three

separate occasions.

So, really, only ten black artists have won that category in fifty-eight years. Of those ten, only three are women, with Lauryn Hill having won in 1999. No black person has won that award since 2008 and it sure as hell isn’t due to a lack of talent.

It’s a narrative that I think stems back to the 2009 VMAs, encapsulated in that iconic moment where Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift’s acceptance of Best Female Video, stating (as we all know) that Beyoncé should have won instead.

Whilst that was a jackass move, I think it hinted at a growing awareness of racism within the entertainment industry – I mean, for God’s sake, how did Swift’s ‘You Belong With Me’ music video beat ‘Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)’, especially since the latter features choreography so iconic and popular that it still persists to this day?

Adele also stated that the way Beyonce’s Lemonade made her ‘black friends feel, is empowering’ and that it makes them ‘stand up for themselves’ which is another crucial factor. She recognises and understands that Lemonade is an album created by a black woman to support and empower the black community, specifically other black women.

Having been released during a time characterised by an increase in police brutality against black people and the consequent rise of the Black Lives Matter movement (as well as the racial unrest caused by Trump’s divisive politics), I think to honour Lemonade would have been to honour and recognise the racial politics

which motivate the album.

In the press room afterwards, Adele wryly asked ‘What the fuck does [Beyonce] have to do to win Album of the Year?’ (Apparently, the answer is to not be black.) But, frankly, Beyoncé shouldn’t have to do anything – it’s the outdated Grammys that need to change.

Pictured: Adele dedicated her speech to Beyonce (Source: youtube).

“

To honour Lemonade would have been to honour and recognise the racial politics which motivate the album.

”

12

COMMENT

Steve Bannon - the man behind the manipulation

Former editor of Breitbart News has been appointed Chief Supervisor and Senior Counselor to the Trump White House Conor Holohan

“

No one who has ever worked with Bannon, even his enemies – and he loves making enemies – has ever accused him of being a white supremacist or anything else intolerant

”

T

his month Time magazine’s cover features a picture of Donald Trump’s Chief Strategist, Steve Bannon, hauntingly captioned ‘The great manipulator’. Having left a job as chairman of provocateur platform Breitbart online to become Trump’s CEO before becoming chief strategist, Bannon had a hand in writing the inaugural address, the highly controversial travel ban executive order and he is now taking a seat on the National Security Council – a role usually insulated from politics – and Time even go as far as to ask if Bannon is the second most powerful man in the world.

Even though it seems that this ghoulish figure, who Saturday Night Live portrayed as the grim reaper and refers to himself as Darth Vader in jest, has just suddenly sprung himself upon us, he has in fact been in the business of manipulation for some time now, heading the very popular Breitbart.com, hosting a daily radio show and making an assortment of movies critical of the American left such as Clinton Cash and Occupy Unmasked.

This week Bannon has become the new target for those trying to sabotage the presidency of Donald Trump. The popular vote argument is over, the Russian hacking angle seemed to offer no real purchase, so the hunt for illegitimacy persists. Now the majority of the American media have identified Bannon as the truly problematic force in White House, insisting that he has too much influence over Trump and urging people to #StopPresidentBannon by calling their senator and asking for

his removal from the National Security Committee, since the appointment of a political director to the committee is almost unheard of.

But if there’s one thing Trump campaigned on, it was that he would challenge the status-quo and do things differently. The American electorate were aware that Trump was unorthodox in practice and in theory. Many would argue that Trump has earned the right to appoint Bannon to the role, given the perceived mandate to act radically that he received because his election victory was so symbolic of desired radical change to the political landscape.

The Bannon/Trump relationship, though, is these days the usual relationship between an advisor and the person they advise, and the hysteria around this instance seems to be overdone. Many Trump supporters accepted the fact that he had no political experience before his campaign and expected he would be guided by trusted advisors like Bannon should he win the White House.

Tony Blair, for instance, was heavily influenced by Alastair Campbell who was, like Bannon, a media man who had found his way into the top ranks of politics. Like Bannon, Campbell was also perceived by some as a sort of propagandist who knew how to manipulate the media in order to better the interests of his own cause, a skill which is highly sought after in politics especially in the digital age. Like Campbell, Bannon is facing an avalanche of criticism over his perceived inappropriate level of control over his nation’s leader, but in reality almost all politicians are sur-

rounded by unelected civil servants and the politicians themselves become just puppets.

So if we can accept that this is common practice for the most part, we should turn our attention to Bannon’s actual beliefs. In the US, mainstream media outlets like CNN and MSNBC tend to label Bannon as a white supremacist.

This is, however, entirely unsubstantiated. Bannon is also compared to Richard Spencer, a genuine white nationalist who hijacked the alt-right movement, which is a completely unfair comparison: Bannon, unlike Spencer, has never by anyone’s account been heard to say or do anything remotely resembling the views of a white nationalist.

The labels are applied to him because he is fond of the word nationalist, a dirty word it seems in today’s parlance that conjures up images of death camps and conflict. But to conflate nationalism with intolerance, hatred and suppression is disingenuous and theoretically unsound. Steve Bannon is an American Nationalist, which implies simply that the needs of the people within America’s borders are greater than the needs of those outside of them.

The ‘American’ element to his belief implies an embrace pluralism and religious tolerance, which are part of the constitution, a document he is very traditional about. Since Bannon is Trump’s in-house political guru, he will be shaping what will come to be known as Trumpism, and from the executive orders signed since he took office, we can see that they strongly resemble American nationalism. He and Trump

also share the goal of bringing about the destruction of the establishment as they see it.

He’s called the mainstream media the opposition party, many news outlets quite fairly say he is obsessed with the history and art of warfare and he has been outspoken about an ‘outright war’ with Islamic terrorism. Last March he said on his radio show that he expected that America would be entering into conflict over China’s current ongoing series of military land grabs in the South China Sea in the next 10 years.

All of this and much more is being dug up and aired out to give you a good reason to think that a war mongering racist fascist is one of the President’s closest confidants. These claims strain credulity and can become harmful misconceptions if they are allowed to continue unaddressed in the media. To scrutinise Bannon and Trump’s politics is an important part of a healthy democracy, but to lie about his beliefs is detrimental to the democratic process and discourse.

No one who has ever worked with Bannon, even his enemies – and he loves making enemies – has ever accused him of being a white supremacist or of harbouring or espousing any other intolerant beliefs for that matter. The only things that most people agree on when speaking about Bannon is firstly that he is an extremely competent political strategist, and secondly that he loves the villainous image of being an enforcer who lurks in the shadows and strikes fear into the hearts of the Democrats.

Pictured: Steve Bannon, former editor of Breitbart News, has been appointed as Chief Strategist in Donald Trump’s White House.

(Source: DonkeyHotey via flickr)

“

Bannon has become the new target for those still trying to sabotage the presidency of Donald Trump

”

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HEL ON EARTH

15

You’ve got a friend in me

Leaving university means saying goodbye to more than just education Helena Hanson

“

Over the past three years I have learnt a lot.

I have learnt less about journalism and media, and more about people and poached eggs.

”

L

eaving university signals the end of an era. If anything, university has taught me that three years can fly by in an instant, whilst also feeling like it is lasting a lifetime. But, as the end becomes nigh, I can’t help thinking about what I will have to say goodbye to in the coming months.

Over the past three years, I have learnt a lot. I’ve learned less about journalism and media, and more about people, and poached eggs, and that no matter how strong, powerful and independent a house of six women can be, not one of you will be ever be brave enough to get rid of that spider.

The most important thing, however, I have understood as I moved away from home and grew out of my teens, is that your friends are the most valuable thing in your life.

Living with five other girls has obstacles. It’s accepting that somebody has used your expensive conditioner (again) and that someone has smashed your favourite mug, and knowing you can’t really get mad about it.

It is recognising you have to be the butt of the joke in order to make the jokes and it’s knowing you’ll be woken up every Wednesday and Saturday night for the rest of the year because no matter how hard you try, there’s no such thing as quiet, drunk girls.

But for every drop of frustration, there is an ocean of delight. Tuesdays are my favourite day. I walk home at five o’clock and from the bottom of the road I can already hear them laughing and shouting from our back lounge. From five, we will sit together for hours, laughing,

drinking teas and wishing we had better snacks to carry us through the night. Curled on one big sofa together, there are enough teddy bears, fluffy blankets and squishy pillows to sink a ship, we snooze on one another, stroke each other like babies and argue about what we want to watch on television.

I can’t imagine this level of ultimate comfort with anybody else.

Nobody questions you. You can stay in your pyjamas until five in the afternoon and nobody asks questions and you can drink a bottle of wine with a straw at midday and no one will bat an eyelid. You’ll get caught eating toast at 2am and the only question asked will be “did you make me a piece?” and nobody will judge you when you bring seven mugs with a lid of mould down from your bedroom, and absolutely nobody cares when you bring your teddy bear to wine and movie night.

We have so much to be thankful for. For the friends that sit on the floor in Glam crying with you when the boy you like is kissing someone else, and for the friends that buy you three double vodkas to try and stop the tears. For the friend that holds your hair back when you’re throwing up because you didn’t really need those last three drinks, and for the one that knocks on the door in the morning with a cup of tea and a bagel to ease the hangover and the heartbreak.

Between us, a long list of ‘boyfriends’, ‘just friends’ and ‘he slept with my friend’-s have come and gone, but the underground support system has remained solid. Collectively, there has been all sorts of heartbreak. Family traumas, be-

reavements, bad boyfriends, good boyfriends, boyfriends that didn’t give a fuck, boyfriends that gave too much of a fuck. There has been terrible friends, terrible fallouts, terrible jobs, terrible outfits. But whatever happens, you know you will come home to a house of people that truthfully care.

Thank you for the eye rolls, and for letting me know when I’m being a total bitch. Thank you for letting me borrow that top that I’ll never give back and thank you for punching that boy in the face, even when he totally (did) didn’t deserve it.

Thank you for collectively getting angry when I am hurt and throwing your arms around in a fit of swear words that bounce off the walls.

Thank you for looking at me and knowing I should snuggle in your bed tonight, and noticing I forgot to make dinner and bringing me a heaped bowl of pasta.

Thank you for those little messages that say, “when are you home… you’ve been gone for an hour and I miss you” and for the “happy valentines day!” texts. Thank you for knowing I am a terrible cook and teaching me where you can, but catering for me when you can’t. For putting me to bed with a pint of water when I’ve had to many, and for getting out your purse when I haven’t had enough.

I will miss all the absolutely mundane, every day occurrences. Pottering around the house and always hearing somebody singing in the shower, and knowing if you hang on ten more minutes, someone will always, always be boiling the kettle.

For the special conversations, about love, and the future, and our

past, and for the ridiculous ones about why turtles have shells and why ginger people really suit green.

Sure, the friendship will never be lost. We will meet up for cocktails and dinners, and we will organise hen parties and I’d hope to be stood in a pastel dress with a bouquet of flowers for every single one of you one day. But, I’ll miss seeing your ridiculous morning hair every day and your ugly dressing gowns and watching you sat on the toilet, drunk and hysterical.

I’ll miss knowing there is always somebody upstairs with whatever type of hairspray/t-shirt/lipstick/ underwear I need, and always somebody around to laugh at my jokes or straighten my hair.

We’ve all absorbed little bits of each other that have made us who we are now. We’ve adopted each others mannerisms, colloquialisms and our accents have blended into a confusing mash of nonsense. Saying goodbye to university will be hard for so many different reasons. The hardest though, will be saying goodbye to a group of people that have loved me unconditionally for the past three years, even when I absolutely did not deserve it.

So, final years, look at the people around you and embrace them. Absorb every little piece of them and kiss them and make them cups of tea and remind them you appreciate them, because one day you might live fifty miles away, or five hundred miles away, and it won’t be so easy.

Love them with every fibre of your being, so that they’ll feel it today, and tomorrow, and for the next ten years to come, and that way you will never ever, be too far away.

Pictured: The best of friends.

(Photographer: Iman1138 via Flickr).

“

I’ll miss seeing your ridicolous morning hair and your ugly dressing gowns and watching you sat on the toilet being hysterical.

”

16 ADVICE

advice

Editors: Anwen Williams @GairRhyddAdv advice@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/advice

Communication in a relationship Sarah Harris

How important is it?

W

hen I told my boyfriend I was writing a piece about communication in relationships he laughed to himself. I didn’t need to ask him to understand why – you see, I’m one of those people who won’t tell you when something’s wrong. You may ask me a dozen times but I’ll just sit there in silence, quietly resenting you and thinking of all the ways I can plan female domination over the world (I know, I sound awful to date).

Usually this is the cause of most arguments with my boyfriend – I would even say it’s 50-50 because he does some pretty annoying things too but he would argue that it’s more 70-30.

Every stupid article I’ve read since I was 13 years old claims the key to a ‘successful’ relationship is communication but I’ve never been so sure about that. A few weeks ago me and my boyfriend had once of those huge melodramatic fights where we both decided to break up with one another and then 20 minutes later were sat in bed ordering food and having a How I Met Your Mother marathon like nothing had ever happened. As per usual, the cause of the argument was the fact that it took approximately 30 attempts of him having to ask me what was wrong before I

broke and told him.

“Why couldn’t you just tell me that straight away so we could talk it through?” I knew I was in the wrong but I’m bitter and wasn’t going to go down without a fight. After an hour or two of shouting and eye rolls I decided to be the bigger man and say sorry and decided to work on it. Here we are 3 weeks later and I personally have seen a big change in how I deal with relationship issues.

If I have an issue with my boyfriend or need something from him, I tell him straight away. Despite this, I still don’t totally agree with the whole ‘the key to a happy relationship is communication.’

I can’t tell you what the key to a successful relationship is, I mean I’m only 19 and still make my mum book dentist appointments for me whenever I go home but I can tell you it takes work.

Talking it out is good but there are some things that will never change and you need to figure out whether you can let them go and if not, maybe the relationship isn’t for you. Maybe you want to try the whole communication thing but from my experience I’ve learnt that it’s sometimes better to stay silent and just let it go.

No once is perfect and if you’re in a long-term relationship then there

Pictured: The holding of the hands.

Source: Yoel Ben-Avraham via Flickr.

will definitely be more than a handful of things you find annoying about your partner.

I cannot stand the fact that my boyfriend is late to pretty much everything and never puts the towels on the drying rack back properly but over the course of the year, I’ve learned to just deal with them, I mean it could be worse. He hates that I eat in bed because I get food crumbs everywhere and that I can never decide where I want to eat but I guess he’s learnt to deal with them too. I’m not saying be completely

silent, if your partner has an awful farting problem or never puts the toilet seat back down and it’s driving you crazy then you need to tell them before it gets too late! Communication does make things easier most of the time. I know we’d all love John Cusack to stand in our back garden holding a boombox over his head but the over the top romance usually disappears after a few weeks when you finally fart or burp in front of one another and along with that, the out of the blue phone calls and surprise visits might too.

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Communication may not be the key but it does help!

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Giving presentations Lorena Stancu

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How to think about it differently

hy are they such a big deal?

We can all recognise a good presentation, but when you’re the one on the stage, things are different. From a slight discomfort to anxiety towards public speaking, most people experience a feeling of hesitation when giving presentations. Why? Psychological barriers. Although daily life involves public speaking, this is normally a two-way conversation in which attention shifts from one speaker to the other, and we rely on mutual feedback which is reassuring.

During presentations on the other hand, the attention falls on a singular speaker, who is expected to be convincing, confident and even entertaining; the self-awareness and desire for impression management increases as the speaker is not simply expected to present a material in front of a crowd, but to present

themselves, subjecting to the scrutiny of others.

Public speaking is therefore uncomfortable for most people, yet getting your head around it can make performance in front of a public enjoyable both for the presenter and the spectators.

You and the rest of the world. The typical advice on how to deliver great presentations focuses particularly on prescriptive methods of what makes a good presentation and how to make yourself as a presenter fit that model.

However, when you are given all the control, that is the moment when you feel least in control; while imagining your audience naked sounds like a plausible method, it is very hard to actually implement it when their staggering looks arch into you making you feel naked rather than the reverse.

The “be yourself” cliché rewritten. My advice is not to comply

to a formula of giving presentations, but focus mainly on your individuality: for example, if you are more of a private and shy person, translate that to the audience rather than trying to push yourself to be different. Since presentations involve playing a role to some extent, I suggest you play your role. Give your presentation an angle which is unique.

Focus on yourself as a central character able to express a voice to the world. Some people find it useful to rehearse in the mirror, maybe record themselves, but use that only to know and appreciate the sound of your voice, or the sparkle in your eyes when speaking about something that you are passionate about. Pour a bit of yourself into the presentation, be transparent, honest and confident.

The knowledge is power paradigm. To be confident, you should become an expert of the subject area, which will help you anticipate ques-

tions that won’t catch you off guard.

Make you audience curious and captivated. The content should flow naturally, like the slides have written themselves to accompany your voice.

Also, make sure you know your audience to calibrate your your tone, register, and content accordingly.

Remember. Always think of presentations as a personal project. That way you will engage fully with the presentation and it won’t seem like a separated part from you, something that you “have to do”, but something you are proud of, something that is you.

Presentations are fun, they are ways to explore themes never previously explored, ways of getting to grips with your own knowledge and validate it in front of others, and once you’re done with it, it will boost your confidence, and make a great example of work to add to your personal portfolio.

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Think of presentations as a personal project.

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make your choice CANDIDATE MANIFESTOS MANIFFESTOS YMGEISWYR

Gwnewch eich dewis

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ELECTIONS EXPLAINED Your Students’ Union holds elections in order to allow you to choose your student leaders for the next academic year. There are seven full-time Sabbatical Trustees who will work on a fulltime basis, taking a break from their studies or immediately after graduation, and ten part-time Campaign Officers who will work on a voluntary basis alongside their ongoing studies.

They are your voice and act as your representatives in the Union, University, and wider community, fighting for you on an institutional, local and national level.

Candidates produce manifestos that contain the ideas and principles of their campaigns. Ask yourself if they display the priorities as well as the key creative and communication skills that you would like to see in someone who is representing you and your needs.

What positions are available?

We will be electing students for the following positions: Full-Time sabbatical trustees: (Seven different positions available). These positions are taken up from June 20th until June the following year. These positions are full-time jobs so students have to take a year out during their time in office, unless they are graduating the same year.

Part-Time campaign Officers: (Ten different positions available). These positions are taken up in the beginning of July for the duration of the following academic year (2017/2018) and are carried out alongside their studies.

WHY VOTE? Every single student at Cardiff university is entitled and encourage to vote in the students’ union elections.

It doesn’t matter if you a home or international student, full-time or part-time student, an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student or even a postgraduate researcher.

Simply put: As a student or postgraduate researcher at Cardiff University you will be affected by the decisions made by those elected in this election. By voting, you have the opportunity to vote for the things that you want developed and improved in both the University and the Union.

As George Jean Nathan famously said: 'Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote'.

TRANSFERABLE VOTING Transferable voting is a system which allows voters to list the candidates in order of preference. The successful candidate will need 50% of the total number of votes plus one in order to win. If any candidate does not receive enough support to win a seat, that candidate’s votes will be transferred to others according to voters’ next preferences.

If you don’t believe any of the candidates standing for a position have the qualities you feel are valuable, or you do not agree with their manifesto, you can vote R.O.N. which stands for 're-open nominations'. This means, should R.O.N be more popular than any of the other candidates, no one would be elected to this role and the nominations for the role would re-open, giving the opportunity to find the right person to lead your Union.

manifesto 2017

ESBONIO'R ETHOLIADAU Mae eich Undeb Myfyrwyr yn cynnal etholiadau er mwyn caniatáu i chi ddewis eich arweinwyr ar gyfer y flwyddyn academaidd nesaf. Mae yna saith Swyddog Etholedig llawnamser a fydd yn gweithio ar sail lawn-amser, gan gymryd egwyl o’u hastudiaethau neu’n ymgymryd â’r swydd yn syth ar ôl graddio, a deg o Swyddogion Etholedig rhan-amser a fydd yn gweithio’n wirfoddol ynghyd â’u hastudiaethau. Nhw yw eich llais, a byddant yn gweithredu fel eich cynrychiolwyr yn yr Undeb, y Brifysgol ac yn y gymuned yn ehangach; yn brwydro ar eich rhan ar lefel sefydliadol, lleol a chenedlaethol.

Mae ymgeiswyr yn cynhyrchu maniffestos sy’n cynnwys syniadau ac egwyddorion eu hymgyrchoedd. Holwch eich hun os ydynt yn dangos y blaenoriaethau yn ogystal â'r sgiliau creadigol a chyfathrebu allweddol yr hoffech chi eu gweld mewn rhywun sy’n eich cynrychioli chi a’ch anghenion.

Pa swyddi sydd ar gael?

Byddwn yn ethol myfrywyr ar gyfer y swyddi canlynol: Swyddogion Etholedig Llawn-Amser: (mae 7 swydd wahanol ar gael). Mae’r swyddi hyn yn dechrau ar 20fed Mehefin hyd Fehefin y flwyddyn ganlynol. Swyddi llawnamser yw’r rhain, felly rhaid i fyfyrwyr gymryd blwyddyn allan o’u hastudiaethau ar gyfer ymgymryd â hwy, oni fyddant yn graddio’r flwyddyn honno.

Swyddogion Rhan-Amser: (mae deg gwahanol swydd ar gael). Mae’r swyddi hyn yn cychwyn tua dechrau Gorffennaf, ac maent yn parhau am weddill y flwyddyn academaidd nesaf (2017/2018) a chant eu gwneud ochr-yn-ochr â’u hastudiaethau.

PAM PLEIDLEISIO? Mae gan bob myfyriwr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd yr hawl i bleidleisio yn etholiadau Undeb y Myfyrwyr. Nid oes ots os ydych chi'n fyfyriwr cartref neu fyfyriwr rhyngwladol, yn astudio'n llawn-amser neu rhan amser, yn fyfyriwr is-raddedig neu ôl-raddedig ymchwil neu a addysgir.

Yn y bôn: Fel myfyriwr Prifysgol Caerdydd, cewch eich effeithio gan y penderfyniadau a wneir gan y Swyddogion a etholir yn yr etholiad hwn. Drwy bleidleisio mae gennych gyfle i ddylanwadu ar y pethau ‘rydych chi eisiau eu datblygu a’u gwella, yn y Brifysgol a’r Undeb fel ei gilydd.

Fel y dywedodd George Jean Nathan: 'Caiff swyddogion gwael eu hethol gan ddinasyddion da sydd ddim yn pleidleisio'.

PLEIDLEISIAU SY’N TROSGLWYDDO Mae’r system o bleidleisiau sy’n trosglwyddo’n caniatáu i bleidleiswyr restru’r ymgeiswyr yn ôl eu hoffter ohonynt. Bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus angen 50% o’r cyfanswm o bleidleisiau ac 1 i ennill. Os oes yno ymgeisydd sydd ddim yn derbyn digon o bleidleisiau i ennill, yna caiff pleidleisiau’r ymgeisydd hwnnw eu trosglwyddo i eraill yn ôl dewis nesaf y pleidleiswyr.

Os ydych o’r farn nad oes gan unrhyw un o’r ymgeiswyr ar gyfer y swydd y nodweddion angenrheidiol, neu os ydych yn anghytuno â’u maniffesto, gallwch bleidleisio dros A.A.E. sef Ail Agor Enwebiadau. Golyga hyn pe bai A.A.E. yn fwy poblogaidd nag unrhyw ymgeisydd arall, ni chai unrhyw un ei ethol a byddai’r enwebiadau ar gyfer y swydd yn ail-agor, gan roddi cyfle i ganfod y person cywir i arwain eich Undeb.

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STUDENTS’ UNION PRESIDENT LLYWYDD YR UNDEB MYFYRWYR

The Students’ Union President leads the Sabbatical Trustee team and the Union as a whole. They act as the key link to the University Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellors, Council, and Senate, as well as the NUS and other key stakeholders.

The role of the President includes acting as the chair of the Board of Directors and Trustees, along with being responsible for the financial position and performance of the Students’ Union.

Mae Llywydd yr Undeb Myfyrwyr yn arwain tîm y Swyddogion Etholedig a’r Undeb yn gyffredinol. Mae’n gweithredu fel cyswllt allweddol ag Is-ganghellor y Brifysgol, Dirprwy Isganghellor Profiad Myfyrwyr a Safonau Academaidd, y Cyngor a’r Senedd, yn ogystal ag UCM a rhanddeiliaid allweddol eraill.

Mae rôl y Llywydd hefyd yn cynnwys gweithredu fel cadeirydd Bwrdd y Cyfarwyddwyr ac Ymddiriedolwyr, ynghyd â bod yn gyfrifol am sefyllfa ariannol a pherfformiad Undeb y Myfyrwyr.

students’ union president llywydd yr undeb myfyrwyr

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I’m Hollie, the Cookie Monster, your current VP Welfare. Over 6 months I have made significant progress on 6 of my manifesto promises. I’ve reformed the welfare regime in the SU, created a welfare booklet for all freshers, and I've developed an action plan to improve the personal tutor system, alongside much more. I have proven my ability to deliver, so imagine what I could do as your president!

If elected I will: • PEDESTRIANISE PARK PLACE. • Introduce a competition for a FRESHERS PLANNING TEAM, meaning students plan Freshers’ Week.

• Improve SPORTS FACILITIES, including introducing a SWIMMING POOL. • Ensure all LECTURES ARE RECORDED. • Introduce HALL ASSOCIATIONS, creating a greater community for freshers.

• Build a SU ROOF TOP CAFÉ.

• Improve the MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY, especially at the Heath, and for postgraduates.

• Lobby the council to remove the ban on new student housing developments.

• Introduce PLACEMENT options for all degree schemes.

• Create a GREATER CAMPUS FEEL at the HEATH by ensuring the University invests a proportionate amount in all campuses.

• Create more STUDY SPACES and BOOKABLE ROOMS within the SU. • Make the UNIVERSITY CRÈCHE more accessible.

I have the experience and connections that a president needs, making me the best cookie for the job.

Fi yw Hollie, Bwystfil Cookie, eich IL Lles presennol. Dros y 6 mis diwethaf dwi wedi gwneud cynnydd sylweddol ar 6 o fy addewidion maniffesto. Rwyf wedi diwygio’r gyfundrefn lles yn yr Undeb, creu llyfryn lles ar gyfer myfyrwyr y glas, a dwi wedi datblygu cynllun gweithredu i wella’r system tiwtor personol, a llawer mwy. Rwyf wedi profi fy ngallu i gyflawni, felly dychmygwch bell gallaf ei wneud fel eich llywydd!

Os caf fy ethol, byddaf yn: • GWNEUD PLAS Y PARC YN FAN CERDDWYR YN UNIG. • Cyflwyno cystadleuaeth ar gyfer TIM CYNLLUNIO WYTHNOS Y GLAS, sy’n golygu gall myfyrwyr gynllunio wythnos y Glas.

• Gwella CYFLEUSTERAU CHWARAEON, gan gynnwys cyflwyno PWLL NOFIO. • Sicrhau bod HOLL DDARLITHOEDD YN CAEL EU COFNODI. • Cyflwyno CYMDEITHASAU NEUADDAU, creu cymuned gwell ar gyfer myfyrwyr y glas.

• Adeiladu CAFFI AR DO YR UNDEB • Gwella TAITH IECHYD MEDDWL, yn enwedig y Mynydd Bychan, ac ar gyfer ôlraddedigion.

• Lobïo’r Cyngor i gael gwared ar y gwaharddiad ar ddatblygiadau tai myfyrwyr newydd.

• Cyflwyno dewisiadau LLEOLIAD GWAITH ar gyfer holl gynlluniau gradd.

• Creu YMDEIMLAD CAMPWS GWELL yn y MYNYDD BYCHAN drwy sicrhau bod y Brifysgol yn buddsoddi swm cymesur i bob campws.

• Creu mwy o OFODAU ASTUDIO ac YSTAFELLOEDD Y GELLIR EU LLOGI o fewn yr Undeb.

• Gwneud CRÈCHE Y BRIFYSGOL yn fwy hygyrch.

Mae gennyf y profiad a'r cysylltiadau sydd angen ar Lywydd, sy'n golygu mai fi yw'r cookie gorau ar gyfer y swydd.

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HOLLIE COOKE

manifesto 2017

MILLY DYER

Hi! I’m Milly, your VP Societies, & I’m back for your votes again!

I want to continue helping and supporting Cardiff students, making sure your time at University is the best it can be!

Over the last 6 months I have supported our 200 diverse Societies, helped organise Freshers’, assisted the SU’s new strategic vision, and worked with the University to make you more employable, and now I want to do more.

As your SU President I will: • Create more rooms on the 4th Floor of the SU • Lobby for a new, all-purpose super library • Push for the renovation of University residences • Improve mental health support services • Make employability a University wide focus • Push for placement options for all students • Support our 10 Campaign Officers • Campaign for new sporting facilities • Introduce online graduation certificates • Lobby for no agency fees I have the skills, knowledge and relationships needed to lead your SU from Day 1. I have the passion and drive to achieve my promises, and my experience of the SU extends further than just Societies, making me an excellent candidate for the job!

For my extended manifesto head to www.votemillyscookies.wordpress.com Vote Milly’s Cookies! All the ingredients for success!

Helo! Fi yw Milly, eich IL Cymdeithasau, a dwi nôl am eich pleidleisiau eto!

Rwyf am barhau i helpu a chefnogi myfyrwyr Caerdydd, gan wneud yn si r bod eich amser yn y Brifysgol y gorau gall fod!

Dros y 6 mis diwethaf rwyf wedi cefnogi ein 200 o Gymdeithasau amrywiol, helpu trefnu Wythnos y Glas, cynorthwyo gweledigaeth strategol newydd yr Undeb, a gweithio gyda’r Brifysgol i’ch gwneud chi’n fwy cyflogadwy, a nawr dwi eisiau gwneud mwy.

Fel eich Llywydd yr Undeb byddaf yn: • Creu mwy o ystafelloedd ar 4ydd llawr yr Undeb • Lobïo ar gyfer llyfrgell wych, amlbwrpas newydd • Gwthio i adnewyddu preswylfeydd Prifysgol • Gwella gwasanaethau cymorth iechyd meddwl • Gwneud cyflogadwyedd yn ffocws ar draws y Brifysgol • Gwthio ar gyfer dewisiadau lleoliad gwaith ar gyfer pob myfyriwr • Cefnogi ein 10 Swyddog Ymgyrch • Ymgyrchu ar gyfer cyfleusterau chwaraeon newydd • Cyflwyno tystysgrifau graddio ar-lein • Lobïo ar gyfer dim ffioedd asiantaeth Mae gennyf y sgiliau, y wybodaeth a'r cysylltiadau angenrheidiol i arwain eich Undeb o Ddiwrnod 1. Mae gennyf yr angerdd i gyflawni fy addewidion, ac mae fy mhrofiad o’r Undeb yn ymestyn ymhellach na Chymdeithasau yn unig, yn fy ngwneud yn ymgeisydd rhagorol ar gyfer y swydd!

Ar gyfer fy maniffesto llawn ewch i www.votemillyscookies.wordpress.com Pleidleisiwch Cwcis Milly! Yr holl gynhwysion ar gyfer llwyddiant!

students’ union president llywydd yr undeb myfyrwyr

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 NATHANIEL FOX

Hi, I’m Nathaniel. You’ve probably seen me around your Students’ Union, leading Welcome Crew, volunteering on reception and serving your VKs behind the bar. In doing so, I have developed a unique and valuable insight into your union. During my four years in Cardiff I have seen many changes. Now it is time to use my knowledge, experience and passion to bring further change and fresh leadership during this crucial academic year.

As your President, I will: • Refurbish the “Great” Hall and Reception • Create more flexible and social learning spaces • Ensure your voice is heard in developing Centre for Student Life • Expand Safe Walk Scheme and continue current work for a Night Bus • Revisit plans for a pharmacy within the union • Improve transport provisions, particularly for placements • Extend Student Mentoring Scheme to other academic schools • Protect and upgrade your Student Services • Improve Welsh language parity across the union and university • Arrange more guest speakers and special events • Develop closer links between academic schools and course based societies • Campaign against further tuition fee increases I have the skills and expertise your President must have. I know how to get things done and will ensure a safe, enjoyable student experience for everyone.

Helo, fi yw Nathaniel. Rydych siwr a fod wedi fy ngweld o amgylch eich Undeb y Myfyrwyr, yn arwain y Criw Croeso, gwirfoddoli ar y dderbynfa a gweini VKs tu ôl y bar. Wrth wneud hynny, rwyf wedi datblygu mewnwelediad unigryw a gwerthfawr i’ch undeb. Yn ystod fy mhedair blynedd yng Nghaerdydd rwyf wedi gweld nifer o newidiadau. Nawr mae’n amser i ddefnyddio fy ngwybodaeth, profiad ac angerdd i ddod â mwy o newid ac arweinyddiaeth ffres yn ystod y flwyddyn academaidd hanfodol hwn.

Fel eich Llywydd, byddaf yn: • Ailwampio’r Neuadd Fawr a'r Dderbynfa • Creu mwy o ofodau dysgu cymdeithasol a hyblyg • Sicrhau bod eich llais yn cael ei glywed wrth ddatblygu Canolfan Bywyd Myfyrwyr • Ehangu Cynllun Cerdded Diogel a pharhau gwaith cyfredol ar gyfer Bws Nos • Ail-weld cynlluniau ar gyfer fferyllfa o fewn yr undeb • Gwella darpariaethau trafnidiaeth, yn enwedig ar gyfer lleoliad gwaith • Ehangu Cynllun Mentora Myfyrwyr i ysgolion academaidd eraill • Amddiffyn ac uwchraddio eich Gwasanaethau Myfyrwyr • Cynyddu cydraddoldeb y Gymraeg ar draws yr undeb a’r brifysgol • Trefnu mwy o siaradwyr gwadd a digwyddiadau arbennig • Datblygu cysylltiadau agosach rhwng ysgolion academaidd a chymdeithasau yn seiliedig ar gwrs • Ymgyrchu yn erbyn cynnydd pellach yn ffioedd dysgu Mae gennyf y sgiliau a’r arbenigedd sydd angen ar eich Llywydd. Rwyf yn gwybod sut i gyflawni pethau a fe fyddaf yn sicrhau profiad myfyrwyr saff a phleserus i bawb.

SAM STAINTON

What has the world become? Trump, Swansea’s university ranking and the undeniable truth that a degree doesn’t guarantee us a job.

I am standing for presidency because of these injustices. We grind for years, alongside millions, for a minuscule chance of success. What are you doing to outcompete those millions? In the SU? With a cheeky VK? It has to be more! Hundreds of thousands have graduated from Cardiff. By standing on their shoulders we need to grow our union, not simply the building, but into a body of students thirsty to dominate their future and passions. I want those millions to tremble at your arsenal of experience.

I intend to hit hard, developing both you as individuals and the collective that is Cardiff University.

My agenda: • Projects based in volunteering, work experience and creativity for employment benefit.

• Personal growth days for individual skills and mental wellbeing (potterysmashing).

• Support of campaign office positions and underrepresented minorities.

• Reassessment of how societies and sports can achieve further greatness.

• Expansion of a rooftop facility for greater work and tranquillity (rooftop garden).

• A property and landlord rating service For a chance to impress, vote Sam for President. #feelthefuzz I be mae’r byd wedi dod? Trump, safle prifysgol Abertawe a’r gwir caled nad yw gradd yn gwarantu swydd.

Rwyf yn sefyll ar gyfer llywyddiaeth oherwydd yr anghyfiawnderau hyn. Rydym yn gweithio’n galed am flynyddoedd, ochr yn ochr â miliynau o bobl eraill, am y siawns bychan iawn o lwyddo. Beth wnewch chi wneud i gystadlu yn erbyn y miliynau hynny? Yn yr Undeb? Gyda cheeky VK? Mae’n rhaid gwneud mwy! Mae cannoedd o filoedd yn graddio o Gaerdydd. Drwy sefyll ar eu hysgwyddau mae’n rhaid i ni dyfu ein Undeb, nid dim ond yr adeilad, ond yn gorff o fyfyrwyr sychedig i ddominyddu ar eu dyfodol ac angerdd. Rwyf am i’r miliynau hynny grynu yn eu ffedogau ar eich profiad.

Bwriadaf taro'n galed, yn eich datblygu chi fel unigolion ac ar y cyd fel Prifysgol Caerdydd.

Fy agenda: • Prosiectau sy'n seiliedig yng ngwirfoddoli, profiad gwaith a chreadigrwydd ar gyfer budd cyflogaeth.

• Diwrnodau twf personol ar gyfer sgiliau unigol a lles meddyliol (chwalu crochenwaith).

• Cefnogi swyddogion ymgyrch a lleiafrifoedd heb gynrychiolaeth ddigonol.

• Ailasesu sut y gall gymdeithasau a chwaraeon gyflawni mwy o fawredd.

• Ehangu cyfleuster to am fwy o waith a llonyddwch (gardd to).

• Gwasanaeth sgorio eiddo a landlord.

Am y cyfle i wneud argraff, Pleidleisiwch Sam ar gyfer Llywydd. #teimlwchyfuzz

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VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION IS-LYWYDD ADDYSG

The VP Education represents all of you on academic issues to the University.

They will lobby and negotiate with the University to encourage them to enact your feedback as well as liaising with the Information Services, including libraries.

The VP Education is the Chair of the College Forums and is responsible for overseeing and promoting the Student Academic Rep system.

Mae’r Is-Lywydd Addysg yn cynrychioli pob un ohonoch ar faterion academaidd i’r Brifysgol.

Mae’r swyddog yn lobïo ac yn trafod â’r Brifysgol er mwyn ei hannog i weithredu ar eich adborth yn ogystal â chydgysylltu â’r Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth yn cynnwys llyfrgelloedd.

Yr Is-Lywydd Addysg yw cadeirydd fforymau’r Coleg ac mae’n gyfrifol am oruchwylio a hyrwyddo system Cynrychiolwyr Academaidd y Myfyrwyr.

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vice president education Is-Lywydd Addysg

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 CHIRON HOOSON

FADHILA AL DHAHOURI

Hi there! I’m Chiron ‘Genie’ Hooson.

FADHILA #1 For Education

I have been a Law and Politics academic rep and chair, Student Senator, Brand Manager, Open-day Ambassador and on the GIAG Exec. I've loved every minute of these roles, lending students a voice and pursuing causes to make students’ wishes a reality!

I can make your education wishes come true!

Hi, I'm Fadhila! Over the past three years, I’ve been in constant engagement with students and staff across University. In my current roles as student representative, member of Education Executive and college-wide review committee, I’ve participated in projects to tackle various issues brought forward.

Enhancing Your Education

As VP Education, I can do alot more! Elect me for my 3 Rs for your education:

• Employ Me: Tailor employability skills development, opportunities and career pathways adapted for every student • My Ace Rep: Promote course reps’ presence to amplify the student voice • Tea My Deadline: Introduce a weekly evening hot drinks stand at the ASSL for that little extra help

Represent Your Demands

Strive For Innovative Learning

• Free printing for compulsory assessments and more e-assessments.

• No Saturday/late exams: Better timetabling of exams, lectures and assessments.

• Stand against rising tuition fees.

• Teach don't lecture: More project-based learning and revision workshops.

• Connect with Universities worldwide via virtual conferences and cultural exhibitions.

• Roll out university-wide Turnitin online submission for coursework • Ensure My-timetable and recorded lectures are adopted by all schools • Further lecture participation with the new “meetoo” app • Empowering You

Reform Your Campus

Extend library opening times during holidays

Revolutionise Your Student Support

• Improve Eduroam’s connectivity • A fairer printer credits system for all students Supporting Your Studies • Review the current extenuating circumstances process • Lobby the University to scrap Saturday exams • Ensure all personal tutors are trained in mental health support • Campaign against Government tuition fees increases Extended Manifesto: https://chironhooson.wordpress.com/ Please Vote #GenieHooson Helo! Fi yw Chiron ‘Genie’ Hooson.

Dwi wedi bod yn gadeirydd a chynrychiolydd academaidd Gyfraith a Gwleidyddiaeth, Seneddwr Myfyriwr, Rheolwr Brand, Llysgennad diwrnod agored ac ar Bwyllgor Gwaith Rho Gynnig Arni. Dwi wedi mwynhau bob munud o’r rolau hyn, yn rhoi llais i fyfyrwyr a mynd ar drywydd achosion i wireddu dymuniadau myfyrwyr!

Gallaf wireddu eich dymuniadau addysg!

Gwella Eich Addysg • Cyflogwch Fi: Teilwra llwybrau datblygiad sgiliau cyflogadwyedd, gyrfa a chyfleoedd addas ar gyfer pob myfyriwr • Fy Rep Gwych i: Hyrwyddo presenoldeb cynrychiolwyr cwrs i ymhelaethu ar llais y myfyrwyr • Te fy Nyddiad Cau: Cyflwyno stondin diodydd twym yn yr ASSL yn wythnosol ar gyfer y cymorth ychwanegol hwnnw Ymdrechu ar gyfer Dysgu Arloesol • Cyflwyno cyflwyniad Turnitin ar-lein ar gyfer gwaith cwrs ar draws y brifysgol • Sicrhau bod My-timetable a darlithoedd wedi'u recordio yn cael eu defnyddio gan bob ysgol • Cyfranogiad darlith pellach gyda’r app “meetoo” newydd • Rhoi Grym i Chi Estyn oriau agor y llyfrgell yn ystod y gwyliau • Gwella cysylltedd Eduroam • Cynllun system credydau argraffydd decach ar gyfer holl fyfyrwyr Cefnogi Eich Astudiaethau • Asesu ac adolygu'r broses amgylchiadau esgusodol presennol • Lobïo’r Brifysgol i gael gwared ar arholiadau ar ddydd Sadwrn • Sicrhau bod pob tiwtor personol yn derbyn hyfforddiant cymorth iechyd meddwl • Ymgyrchu yn erbyn cynyddu ffioedd dysgu'r Llywodraeth Maniffesto llawn: https://chironhooson.wordpress.com/ Plis Pleidleisiwch dros #GenieHooson

• Lecture-recording implementation across Cathays and Heath Campus.

• Campaign for night buses, more study spaces and plug sockets.

• Facilitate all-in-one user-customised digital hub.

• Make Student’s Representative System accessible with high-quality training and acknowledgements.

• More career advisors in schools.

• Introduce confidential supervisor, personal tutor and placement year evaluations.

• Resolve attainment gap issue of international students.

• Campaign for more funding to course-based societies.

I Hear You! Let’s Make It Happen!

FADHILA #1 ar gyfer addysg Helo, fi yw Fadhila! Dros y tair blynedd diwethaf, rwyf wedi bod yn ymgysylltu’n gyson â myfyrwyr a staff ar draws y brifysgol. Yn fy rolau presennol fel cynrychiolwyr myfyrwyr, aelod o’r Pwyllgor Gwaith Addysg a phwyllgor adolygu ar draws y brifysgol, rwyf wedi cymryd rhan mewn prosiectau i daclo materion gwahanol.

Fel IL Addysg, gallaf wneud llawer mwy! Etholwch fi i wella eich addysg: Cynrychioli eich Anghenion • Argraffu am ddim ar gyfer asesiadau gorfodol a mwy o e-asesiadau.

• Dim arholiadau hwyr/ddydd Sadwrn: Gwell amserlennu ar gyfer arholiadau, darlithoedd ac asesiadau.

• Gwrthwynebu cynnydd mewn ffioedd dysgu.

• Addysgu nid pregethu: Mwy o weithdai dysgu prosiectau ac adolygu.

• Cysylltu â Phrifysgolion ar draws y byd drwy gynadleddau ac arddangosfeydd diwylliannol.

Diwygio eich Campws • Gweithredu Cofnodi darlithoedd ar draws Cathays a Campws y Mynydd Bychan.

• Ymgyrchu ar gyfer bysiau nos, mwy o ofodau astudio a socedi plwg.

• Hwyluso hwb defnyddiwr digidol popeth-mewn-un.

Chwyldroi eich Cymorth Myfyrwyr • Gwneud System Cynrychiolwyr Myfyrwyr yn hygyrch gyda hyfforddiant o ansawdd uchel a chydnabyddiaethau.

• Mwy o gynghorwyr gyrfa mewn ysgolion.

• Cyflwyno gwerthusiadau goruchwyliwr cyfrinachol, tiwtoriaid personol a blwyddyn lleoliad gwaith.

• Datrys mater bwlch cyrhaeddiad myfyrwyr rhyngwladol.

• Ymgyrchu am fwy o arian ar gyfer cymdeithasau sy’n seiliedig ar gwrs.

Dwi’n eich clywed chi! Gadewch i ni gyrraedd y nod!

vice president education Is-Lywydd Addysg



Shwmae, I’m Ishna and I am running for VP Education. I study Environmental Geoscience, am a student representative, chair for SSC’s, social secretary for EarthSoc, treasurer for the soon-to-be Softball Club and a member of at least 5 other societies and suffer from ‘too much to do and too little time’ like all other students.

All of this because I believe in a well-rounded education and academics is just the tip of the iceberg. While the university does provide this, the possibilities are not achievable/palpable to a lot of the students. I aim to make sure students know which societies and clubs compliment their academic experience, how they can fit it around their schedule and the external support available.

As VP Education, I aim to cater a balance. The dissatisfaction that has risen with regards to extenuating circumstances, late submissions and other academic regulations need to be cleared and an understanding needs to be established between staff and students. Having been involved in SSCs and college forums, I understand the workings of the university and the changes that need to be made to it.

Shwmae, fi yw Ishna a dwi’n rhedeg ar gyfer IL Addysg. Rwyf yn astudio Geowyddorau Amgylcheddol, dwi’n gynrychiolydd myfyriwr, cadeirydd SSC, ysgrifennydd cymdeithasol ar gyfer EarthSoc, trysorydd ar gyfer Clwb Softball ac aelod o leiaf 5 cymdeithas arall ac yn dioddef o ‘gormod i wneud a dim digon o amser’ fel bob myfyriwr arall.

Mae hyn i gyd oherwydd fy mod yn credu mewn addysg gyflawn ac mae academyddion ond yn rhan fychan ohono. Tra bod y brifysgol yn darparu hyn, nid yw’r posibiliadau yn gyraeddadwy nac yn amlwg i lawer o fyfyrwyr. Fy nod yw gwneud yn siŵr bod myfyrwyr yn gwybod pa gymdeithasau a chlybiau sydd yn gweddu eu profiad academaidd, sut maent yn gallu eu ffitio o amgylch eu hamserlen a pha gefnogaeth allanol sydd ar gael.

Fel IL Addysg, fy nod yw darparu cydbwysedd. Mae angen cael gwared ar yr anfodlonrwydd sydd wedi codi o ran amgylchiadau esgusodol, cyflwyniadau hwyr a rheoliadau academaidd ac mae angen dealltwriaeth gwell rhwng staff a myfyrwyr. Ar ôl cymryd rhan mewn SSC a fforymau coleg, mae gen i ddealltwriaeth o’r brifysgol a’r newidiadau sydd angen.

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

ISHNA MAANISHI

manifesto 2017

JAMES DALY

Hi I’m James Daly

I’m the current Ethical & Environmental Officer and a MESci Environmental Geoscience student.

During my 4 years I’ve been on the Education Exec and Earth Staff-Student Panel. I've held 5 committee positions across 3 sports, but you’re more likely to have seen me leading Welcome Crew or out with Student Safety Walk! Through all this I’ve achieved a lot and know how to get things done.

But as VP I can achieve much more!

• Prevent Bunching- I will work with schools sharing best practice reducing deadline bunching.

• Placement Portal- I want to create a platform allowing students on placement to access student advice and wellbeing services via online messenger and video calling.

• Supervisor security- Prevent schools allocating supervisors known to be going on leave during the project window.

• Reduced Wednesday-I will work with individual schools to try and reduce the number of hours on Wednesdays. Reducing university/sports clashes.

• Campaign To Cap- I will campaign to prevent Cardiff and Wales following England in raising tuition fees.

• Campaign for increased individual feedback for students that request it following exams and dissertations.

• Paperless submission- I want to prevent schools requiring physical handins for word-processed work.

So Please Vote Daly!

Helo fi yw James Daly Fi yw’r Swyddog Moesegol ac Amgylcheddol presennol ac rwyf yn fyfyriwr Geowyddorau Amgylcheddol MESci. Yn ystod fy 4 blwyddyn rwyf wedi bod ar Bwyllgor Gwaith Addysg a Phanel Staff Myfyrwyr Daear. Rwyf wedi bod mewn 5 safle pwyllgor ar draws 3 chwaraeon, ond mae’n fwy tebygol eich bod chi wedi fy ngweld yn arwain Criw Croeso neu allan ar y Cynllun Cerdded Diogel! Drwy hyn i gyd rwyf wedi cyflawni llawer ac yn gwybod sut i gyflawni pethau.

Ond fel IL gallaf gyflawni llawer mwy!

• Atal Clystyru - byddaf yn gweithio gydag ysgolion a rhannu arfer gorau ar leihau clystyru dyddiad cau.

• Porth Lleoliad Gwaith - dwi eisiau creu llwyfan gan ganiatáu mynediad i fyfyrwyr ar leoliad gwaith i gyngor i fyfyrwyr a gwasanaethau lles ar-lein drwy negeseuon ar-lein a galwadau fideo.

• Diogelwch Goruchwylwyr - Atal ysgolion rhag dyrannu goruchwylwyr a fydd yn debygol o fod ar wyliau yn ystod y cyfnod prosiect • Lleihau dydd Mercher - byddaf yn gweithio gydag ysgolion unigol i geisio lleihau nifer yr oriau ar ddydd Mercher. Lleihau gwrthdaro prifysgol/chwaraeon.

• Ymgyrchu i gapio - byddaf yn ymgyrchu i atal Caerdydd a Chymru rhag dilyn Lloegr a chodi ffioedd dysgu.

• Ymgyrchu ar gyfer mwy o adborth unigol ar gyfer myfyrwyr sy'n gwneud cais amdano yn dilyn arholiadau a thraethodau.

• Cyflwyniadau di-bapur - Rwyf am atal ysgolion rhag angen copïau corfforol o waith wedi’u gairbrosesu.

Felly Pleidleisiwch dros Daly!

vice president education Is-Lywydd Addysg

manifesto 2017

 NANCY CAMERON



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VANI JUNEJA

Hi, my name is Nancy and I am running for VP Education.

Hello everyone

Over the last year and a half, I have become increasingly involved with the student’s union by volunteering as welcome crew and voicing my course’s feedback as a student representative. I have seen the difference students can make on a small-scale and I want to implement that same success across the university.

I'm Vani Juneja, a final year student studying journalism media and cultural studies. I've been an active part of student events ever since my first year, currently being the President of YUVA Indian Society, International Students Association and the Treasurer of Journalism Society. This has provided me with the skills required to fulfil my duties as VP Education if I'm given the opportunity to.

I am passionate, hard-working, and knowledgeable about what students want from their student union. Like peas in a pod I will campaign with students for these 6p’s: • Plugs – install more power sockets in the ASSL for laptop charging • Printing – give every student a printing allowance per semester • Power – discuss and publish decisions about accepting refugees and asylum seekers into Cardiff University • Preparation – implement an integrated career plan throughout degrees to support students and staff within academic schools • Productivity – expand the 24-hour library opening to more libraries to ease congestion on ASSL • Partnership – continue connection with NUS and campaign against increases in tuition fees I am running for VP Education and you can #VoteNancy between 20th Februry – 24th February.

Feel free to contact me with any questions (cameronN1@cf.ac.uk) Helo, fy enw i yw Nancy a dwi’n rhedeg ar gyfer IL Addysg.

Dros y flwyddyn a hanner diwethaf, rwyf wedi cymryd fwy o ran yn undeb y myfyrwyr drwy wirfoddoli fel criw croeso a lleisio fy adborth fel cynrychiolydd myfyrwyr. Dwi wedi gweld y gwahaniaeth y mae myfyrwyr yn gallu gwneud ar raddfa fechan ac rwyf eisiau gweithredu yr un llwyddiant ar draws y brifysgol.

Dwi’n angerddol, yn gweithio galed ac â dealltwriaeth ynghylch beth mae myfyrwyr eisiau o’u hundeb y myfyrwyr. Byddaf yn ymgyrchu gyda myfyrwyr ar y canlynol: • Plygiau – mwy o socedi p er yn yr ASSL ar gyfer chargio gliniaduron • Printio – rhoi lwfans argraffu bob semester i bob myfyriwr • P er – trafod a chyhoeddi penderfyniadau ynghylch derbyn ffoaduriaid a cheiswyr lloches i Brifysgol Caerdydd • Paratoi – gweithredu cynllun gyrfa integredig ar draws graddau i gefnogi myfyrwyr a staff o fewn ysgolion academaidd • Cynhyrchaeth – ehangu agor llyfrgell 24 awr i fwy o lyfrgelloedd i leihau prysurdeb yn yr ASSL • Partneriaeth – parhau cysylltiad â’r UCM ac ymgyrchu yn erbyn cynnydd mewn ffioedd dysgu Dwi’n rhedeg ar gyfer IL Addysg a gallwch bleidleisio dros Nancy rhwng 20fed Chwefror – 24ain Chwefror #PleidleisiwchNancy Mae croeso i chi gysylltu â mi gydag unrhyw gwestiynau (cameronN1@cf.ac.uk)

""VOTE for Granny Vani"" Don't let my slogan and my salt and pepper hair deceive you; my ideas and ambitions are not as outdated as my dressing style may be. I plan to: • Lobby the university to introduce a 10 minute reading time during examinations • Introduce a university-wide mentor/buddy system • Ensure that all lectures across different academic schools are recorded • Improve the quality and quantity of vending machines throughout different schools and libraries • Transparency on tuition fee from home, EU and International students • Focus on course based societies and representatives for improved student engagement and feedback system • Work on improving the response mechanism to student cases • Work towards having an optional placement year introduced across most academic schools and courses Helo bawb Fi yw Vani Juneja, myfyriwr blwyddyn olaf yn astudio newyddiaduraeth y cyfryngau ac astudiaethau diwylliannol. Rwyf wedi bod yn rhan weithredol o ddigwyddiadau myfyrwyr ers fy mlwyddyn cyntaf, ar hyn o bryd dwi’n Lywydd y Gymdeithas YUVA Indiaidd, Cymdeithas Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol a Thrysorydd Cymdeithas Newyddiaduraeth. Mae hyn wedi fy narparu â’r sgiliau sydd angen arnaf i gyflawni fy nyletswyddau fel IL Addysg os caf y cyfle i wneud hynny. ""PLEIDLEISIWCH dros Granny Vani"" Peidiwch â gadael i fy slogan a fy ngwallt halen a phupur eich twyllo chi; nid yw fy syniadau a dyheadau mor hen ffasiwn â fy steil. Rwyf yn bwriadu: • Lobio’r Brifysgol i gyflwyno 10 munud o gyfnod darllen yn ystod yr arholiadau • Cyflwyno system cyfeillio/mentor ledled y Brifysgol • Sicrhau y cofnodir pob darlith ar draws gwahanol ysgolion academaidd • Cynyddu'r ansawdd a faint o beiriannau gwerthu bwyd sydd ar gael ar hyd gwahanol ysgolion a llyfrgelloedd • Tryloywder ar ffioedd dysgu gartref, yr UE a myfyrwyr rhyngwladol • Ffocysu ar gymdeithasau sy’n seiliedig ar gwrs a'u cynrychiolwyr i wella’r ymgysylltu â myfyrwyr a’r system adborth • Gweithio ar wella dull ymateb i achosion myfyriwr • Gweithio tuag at cael blwyddyn lleoliad gwaith dewisol ar draws y rhan fwyaf o ysgolion a chyrsiau academaidd

WHY WILL YOU VOTE?

“ To make change happen, like the 24 hr opening of the ASSL” cardiffstudents.com/elections

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manifesto 2017

VICE PRESIDENT HEATH PARK CAMPUS IS-LYWYDD CAMPWS PARC Y MYNYDD BYCHAN

The VP Heath Park Campus works to improve the healthcare and medical student experience and the services at the Heath Park site.

They are responsible for ensuring the growth of the Union’s offering at the Heath and also represent interests of healthcare and medical students at all levels of the University and Union.

Mae Is-Lywydd Campws Parc y Mynydd Bychan yn gweithio i wella profiad myfyrwyr gofal iechyd a meddygol a’r gwasanaethau ar safle Parc y Mynydd Bychan.

Mae’n gyfrifol am sicrhau twf yr hyn a gynigir gan yr Undeb ar Gampws Parc y Mynydd Bychan a hefyd yn cynrychioli buddiannau myfyrwyr gofal iechyd a meddygol ar bob lefel yn y Brifysgol a’r Undeb.

vice president heath park campus

manifesto 2017

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Is-Lywydd Campws Parc y Mynydd Bychan

 KIRSTY HEPBURN

“Kirst you’re…

...warm, approachable, very helpful and very, very organised (maybe sometimes too organised).” - (Kirsty’s housemate) But don’t take her word for it; find out for yourself!

Targets:• Student Support and Services: Do you know where to get student support and actually find the services on offer at the Heath? I will expand the accessibility and availability of these services when you’re on and off campus.

• Inclusivity: For ALL students. This includes student parents, those with special educational needs, sports and societies across all courses.

• Kitchen Facilities: Need to heat up your lunch? Don’t want to trek across campus? More and improved facilities, not just the IV lounge!

• Bikes: They’re locked to trees and blocking entrances – I’ll drive to increase bike parking across campus and address bike safety.

I have been a student at the Heath for almost 4 years; however, I do not claim to know the problems of each and every course, let alone every individual.

WHY WILL YOU VOTE? “To get representatives with similar values to me”

“You can do what I cannot do; I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.” - (Mother Teresa.)

So, if you want someone to listen to YOU, understand YOU, and represent YOU, vote... ...HEP4HEATH! "Kirst, rwyt yn... ... gynnes, hawdd mynd ato, yn cynnig cymorth, ac yn drefnus iawn (efallai weithiau'n rhy drefnus). " - (Ffrind Kirsty) Ond peidiwch â chymryd ei gair hi, darganfyddwch eich hun!

Targedau:• Gwasanaethau Cymorth i Fyfyrwyr: A ydych yn gwybod ble i gael cymorth i fyfyrwyr a dod o hyd i’r gwasanaethau sydd ar gael yn y Mynydd Bychan?

Byddaf yn ehangu hygyrchedd ac argaeledd y gwasanaethau hyn tra fyddwch ar ac oddi ar y campws.

• Cynwysoldeb: Ar gyfer BOB myfyriwr. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys rhieni sy’n fyfyrwyr, rheini ag anghenion addysgol arbennig, chwaraeon a chymdeithasau ar draws bob cwrs.

• Cyfleusterau Cegin: Angen cynhesu eich cinio? Ddim eisiau cerdded yn bell ar draws y campws? Gwell cyfleusterau, nid yn Lolfa IV yn unig!

• Beiciau: Maent yn cael eu cloi i goed ac yn blocio mynedfeydd – byddaf yn ceisio cynyddu llefydd i barcio beic ar draws y campws a mynd i’r afael â diogelwch beic.

Roeddwn yn fyfyriwr yn y Mynydd Bychan am bron 4 mlynedd, fodd bynnag, nid wyf yn honni gwybod problemau bob cwrs, heb sôn am bob unigolyn.

"Gallwch chi wneud beth dwi methu gwneud; a gallaf i wneud beth na allwch chi ei wneud. Gyda'n gilydd gallwn wneud pethau gwych." - (Y Fam Teresa.)

Felly, os rydych am rhywun i wrando arnoch CHI, eich deall CHI a'ch cynrychioli CHI, pleidleisiwch... ...HEP4HEATH

PAM PLEIDLEISIO? “Er mwyn cael cynrychiolwyr a gwerthoedd tebyg i mi”

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manifesto 2017

VICE PRESIDENT POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IS-LYWYDD MYFYRWYR OL-RADDEDIG

The VP Postgraduate Students will work closely with the Student Voice team and fellow Sabbatical Trustees on issues and policies that affect both Postgraduate Research (PGR) and Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Students. They communicate School and College level feedback from Postgraduate Students at University committees to lobby for change, and work with the Student Voice team and VP Education to facilitate the Academic Representation system for Postgraduates, providing support for the Reps to enable them to carry out their role. They are the principle contact for Postgraduates in the Students’ Union, working closely with and supporting the Postgraduate Students’ Association.

Bydd yr IL Myfyrwyr Ôl-raddedig yn gweithio’n agos â’r tîm Llais Myfyrwyr a’ch chyd-swyddogion ar faterion a pholisïau sy’n effeithio ar Fyfyrwyr Ôlraddedig Ymchwil (ORY) ac Ôl-raddedig Addysgu (ORA), cyfathrebu adborth ar lefelau ysgol a choleg o Fyfyrwyr Ôlraddedig ym mhwyllgorau’r Brifysgol er mwyn lobïo ar gyfer newid, gweithio gyda’r tîm Llais Myfyrwyr a’r IL Addysg i hyrwyddo’r system Cynrychiolaeth Academaidd i ôl-raddedigion, darparu cefnogaeth i’r cynrychiolwyr i’w galluogi i gyflawni eu rolau a bod yn brif gyswllt i ôl-raddedigion yn yr Undeb Myfyrwyr. Maent yn gweithio'n agos gyda, a chefnogi’r Gymdeithas Myfyrwyr Ôl-raddedig.

vice president postgraduate students

manifesto 2017

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IS-LYWYDD Myfyrwyr ol-raddedig



 EVON CHIN

Hello, I am Evon Chin Yee Woon.

I am running for VP Postgraduate.

I have experience as an officer in the student union in my previous university.

I believe that my experience will be beneficial in improving the welfare of postgraduate students in Cardiff University.

One of my priorities is to improve the English language proficiency of the lecturers and tutors.It has been brought up that postgraduate students are facing problems in understanding the lecture due to limited English proficiency of lecturers and tutors.

The inequality of PGR’s pay for tutoring and demonstrating and inconsistent teaching opportunity among PGRs have been the concerns in Cardiff University.

Thus, one of my priorities is to obtain equal teaching opportunity and fair pay for PhD students and PGRs who are teaching in the university.

As postgraduate students in different schools have less opportunity to know each other, increasing more events such as cultural night, trips and networking events is definitely one of my priorities if I am elected.

Lastly, please make sure you remember to go out and vote and please consider voting for me between 20th – 24th February. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at ChinEY@cardiff.ac.uk.

Helo, fi yw Evon Chin Yee Woon.

JAKE SMITH

Hi, I’m Jake Smith. I’m a part-time Public Policy Masters student and I did my undergraduate here too. I found applying for postgraduate study sometimes difficult, with real gaps in support during the process.

I want change this. I’ll support undergraduates to become postgraduates, parttime postgrads to manage their finances and all postgrads to feel supported financially and academically. Though money is limited, I’ll use my experience as an SU Senator, in the NUS and on society committees to work as hard as I can for students.

For undergraduates • Support Cardiff undergraduates to continue to postgraduate study though increased financial support, workshops on the costs of Masters and encourage Postgrads to mentor undergraduates through the application process.

For postgraduates • Expand timetabling, financial and housing advice for part-time postgraduates.

• Proper contracts with rights and pay clarity for PhD students who teach, and support PhD students to find research placements.

• Increased halls accommodation for postgrads and longer opening hours in the Postgraduate Centre.

• Make postgraduate study more affordable and accessible by expanding bursaries and opposing unaffordable course fee increases.

Dwi’n rhedeg ar gyfer IL Myfyrwyr Ôl-raddedig

For everyone

Mae gennyf brofiad fel swyddog yn fy undeb y myfyrwyr yn fy mhrifysgol blaenorol.

Credaf y bydd fy mhrofiad yn fuddiol o ran gwella lles myfyrwyr ôl-raddedig ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd.

• Equip students to fend off dishonest letting agents.

• Push for expanded ASSL opening hours over the winter break.

Un o 'm blaenoriaethau yw gwella hyfedredd iaith Saesneg darlithwyr a thiwtoriaid.

Mae’n debyg bod myfyrwyr ôl-raddedig yn wynebu problemau o ran deall y ddarlith oherwydd hyfedredd Saesneg cyfyngedig darlithwyr a thiwtoriaid.

Mae anghydraddoldeb cyflog Ôl-raddedigion Ymchwil ar gyfer tiwtora ac arddangos ac addysgu anghyson wedi bod yn bryderon ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd ymhlith Ôlraddedigion Ymchwil. Felly, un o fy mlaenoriaethau yw cael cyfle dysgu cyfartal a thâl cyfartal ar gyfer myfyrwyr PhD ac Ôl-raddedigion Ymchwil sy’n dysgu yn y brifysgol.

Gan bod myfyrwyr ôl-raddedig mewn gwahanol ysgolion yn cael llai o gyfle i ddod i adnabod ei gilydd, bydd cynyddu mwy o ddigwyddiadau megis noson ddiwylliannol, tripiau a digwyddiadau rhwydweithio yn bendant yn un o'm blaenoriaethau os caf fy ethol.

Yn olaf, gwnewch yn si r eich bod yn cofio pleidleisio ac ystyried pleidleisio drosof i rhwng 20fed – 24ain Chwefror. Os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau, mae croeso i e-bostio fi ar ChinEY@caerdydd.ac.uk.

Helo, fi yw Jake Smith. Rwyf yn fyfyriwr gradd Meistr Polisi Cyhoeddus rhan amser ac fe astudiais fy ngradd israddedig yma hefyd. Roedd gwneud cais ar gyfer astudiaeth ôl-raddedig weithiau’n anodd, gyda bylchau mawr yn y gefnogaeth yn ystod y broses.

Rwyf am newid hyn. Byddaf yn cefnogi is-raddedigion i ddod yn ôl-raddedigion, ôl-raddedigion rhan amser i reoli eu harian a holl ôl-raddedigion i deimlo eu bod yn derbyn cymorth ariannol ac academaidd. Er bod arian yn gyfyngedig, byddaf yn defnyddio fy mhrofiad fel Seneddwr yr Undeb, yn yr UCM ac ar bwyllgorau cymdeithas i weithio mor galed ag y gallaf ar gyfer myfyrwyr.

Ar gyfer israddedigion • Cefnogi israddedigion Caerdydd i barhau i radd ôl-raddedig drwy gymorth ariannol uwch, gweithdai ar gost graddau meistr ac annog ôl-raddedigion i fentora israddedigion drwy’r broses ymgeisio.

Ar gyfer ôl-raddedigion • Ehangu cymorth amserlennu, ariannol a thai ar gyfer ôl-raddedigion.

• Contractau go iawn gyda eglurder hawliau a thâl ar gyfer myfyrwyr PhD sy’n dysgu, a chefnogi myfyrwyr PhD i ddod o hyd i leoliadau gwaith ymchwil.

• Mwy o neuaddau llety ar gyfer ôl-raddedigion ac oriau agor hirach ar gyfer y ganolfan ôl-raddedig.

• Gwneud astudiaeth ôl-raddedig yn fwy fforddiadwy a hygyrch gan ehangu bwrsariaethau a gwrthwynebu cynnydd ffioedd cwrs anfforddiadwy.

Dros bawb • Cynorthwyo myfyrwyr i osgoi asiantaethau tai anonest.

• Gweithio i ehangu oriau agor yr ASSL dros wyliau’r gaeaf.

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manifesto 2017

vice president postgraduate students IS-LYWYDD Myfyrwyr ol-raddedig

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VERONIQUE SEGUIN-CADICHE Something I have learned these past few months from people that I have met, stories that I have heard and from my own experience is how difficult and challenging studying a postgraduate degree can be. When it comes to our struggles (time, money, professional experience, recognition, social integration) solutions can be found, postgraduate student experience improved. If we want to make of our postgraduate years a rewarding experience, if we want to give the next generation of Postgraduate students the opportunity to study in better conditions, to make the most of their Postgraduate years we need to speak up and work for it. As VP Postgraduate my role will be to represent you within the Student Union, raise your concerns to the University, to other organisations and find effective ways to reflect and fix them. My main goals will be to: • Obtain an even distribution of workload across the academic year • Create UK/EU/International student focused Postgraduate career events • Develop employability for research postgrads (more research assistant opportunities within the University, through volunteering) • Lobby for the creation of an emergency loan system delivered by the University

WHY WILL YOU VOTE? “I’m studying for a masters so I want to choose the next VP Postgrad”

• Increase the number of Students' Union international events.

Rhywbeth dwi wedi dysgu dros y misoedd diwethaf o’r bobl dwi wedi cwrdd, y straeon dwi wedi eu clywed ac o fy mhrofiadau fy hun yw pa mor anodd a heriol gall astudio gradd ôl-raddedig fod. Pan ddaw i’n brwydrau (amser, arian, profiad proffesiynol, cydnabyddiaeth, integreiddio cymdeithasol) gellir dod o hyd i atebion, gwella profiad myfyrwyr ôl-raddedig. Os rydym am wneud ein blynyddoedd ôl-raddedig yn brofiad gwerth chweil, os rydym am rhoi’r cyfle i ôl-raddedigion y dyfodol i astudio mewn amodau gwell, i wneud y mwyaf o’u blynyddoedd ôl-raddedig mae’n rhaid i ni godi ein llais a gweithio amdano. Fel IL Ol-raddedigion fy rôl fydd eich cynrychioli chi o fewn Undeb y Myfyrwyr, codi eich pryderon i’r Brifysgol, i sefydliadau eraill a dod o hyd i ffyrdd effeithiol i fyfyrio arnynt a’u datrys. Fy mhrif nodau bydd: • Sicrhau dosbarthiad llwyth gwaith teg ar draws y flwyddyn academaidd • Creu digwyddiadau gyrfa ar gyfer myfyrwyr ôl-raddedig DU/UE/Rhyngwladol • Datblygu cyflogadwyedd ar gyfer ôl-raddedigion ymchwil (rhagor o gyfleoedd ymchwil cynorthwyol o fewn y Brifysgol, drwy wirfoddoli) • Lobïo ar gyfer creu system benthyciad argyfwng yn cael eu darparu gan y Brifysgol • Cynyddu nifer digwyddiadau rhyngwladol Undeb y Myfyrwyr.

PAM PLEIDLEISIO? “Dwi’n astudio gradd meistr felly rwyf eisiau dewis yr IL Ol-raddedig nesaf”

manifesto 2017

VICE PRESIDENT SOCIETIES IS-LYWYDD CYMDEITHASAU

The VP Societies will champion societies, campaigns and student-led activities within the Union, University, and local community. They are also responsible for allocating budgets to our societies. It will be their role to represent the views of our diverse membership of over 200 affiliated groups and 8000 members.

They will help to ensure the Union continues to develop its support for societies and ensure that students as members and leaders have access to high quality opportunities.

Mae’r Is-Lywydd Cymdeithasau yn hyrwyddo cymdeithasau, ymgyrchoedd a gweithgareddau a arweinir gan fyfyrwyr yn yr Undeb, y Brifysgol a’r gymuned leol. Mae hefyd yn gyfrifol am ddyrannu cyllidebau i’n cymdeithasau. Eu rôl nhw fydd cynrychioli barn ein haelodaeth amrywiol o dros 200 grŵp cyswllt ac 8000 o aelodau.

Byddant yn sicrhau bod yr Undeb yn parhau i ddatblygu ei chefnogaeth ar gyfer cymdeithasau a sicrhau bod myfyrwyr fel cyfranogwyr ac arweinwyr yn cael mynediad at gyfleoedd o ansawdd uchel.

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vice president societies

manifesto 2017

Is-Lywydd Cymdeithasau

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 AIDAN CAMMIES

Hi, I’m Aidan Cammies!

I love this Uni to bits and I want to give back as much as I can to make your time here the best it can be.

Currently, I'm a committee member of multiple societies, a part of the Societies Exec, Ed-Exec, and much more. (I’m quite the keen bean.) As VP Societies I’d be a director and trustee of the University - and I have plenty of experience with what that would entail!

Here are my three Camm-paign (sorry!) points that I will implement if elected: • SIMPLER SPONSORSHIPS: I will create a section on the SU website with companies offering sponsorships and networking opportunities to create and nurture student/business relationships.

ALEX STEWART

As a gold tier society president, and having worked with every department of the Students' Union as a photographer, I feel that I have the relevant experience to be your next VP Societies.

I will champion all society interests, as I know how important these communities are in university life, aiming to and make them as rewarding as possible whilst you are at uni and in the future. If elected, I promise to: • Streamline and simplify the room booking process for all societies.

• Offer training to committees on how best to help society members who may be experiencing mental health illnesses.

• Offer more support to new and young societies, and more benefits to gold tier societies.

• EASE OF USE: There is no instant online access to current finances and room bookings for committees: I plan on simplifying processes, giving you more time to focus on the fun stuff!

• Help facilitate societies who want to engage with relevant communities in Cardiff to increase the reach of the Union and the employability of society members.

• ARCHIVING/CONTINUITY: To support new committees, I will ensure proper handovers occur with ‘Aims & Objectives’, ‘tips & tricks’ and ‘important contacts’ from previous committees to ensure societies continue to only improve!

• Create a platform or space in the SU for students to sell hand made products or test their business ventures.

If you agree please Vote Cammies for Societies, and All your memes will come true!

Visit tinyurl.com/CammiesSocieties for more!

Helo, fi yw Aidan Cammies!

Dwi wir yn caru’r Brifysgol a hoffwn roi yn ôl a gwella’ch amser yma.

Ar hyn o bryd, rwy’n aelod pwyllgor nifer o gymdeithasau, aelod o Bwyllgor Gwaith Cymdeithasau, Pwyllgor Gwaith Addysg a llawer mwy. (Rwy’n berson awyddus iawn.) Fel IL Cymdeithasau byddaf yn gyfarwyddwr ymddiriedolwr y Brifysgol - ac mae gen i nifer o brofiad o amgylch hynny!

Dyma fy nhri pwynt ymgyrch y byddaf yn eu gweithredu os caf fy ethol: • NAWDD SYMLACH: Byddaf yn creu adran ar wefan yr Undeb gyda chwmnïau’n cynnig nawdd a chyfleoedd rhwydweithio i greu a feithrin cysylltiadau myfyrwyr/ busnes.

• HWYLUSO DEFNYDD: Nid oes mynediad ar-lein ar gyfer cyllidebau na llogi ystafelloedd ar gyfer cymdeithasau: Rwy’n bwriadu symleiddio’r broses, yn rhoi mwy o amser i chi ffocysu ar y pethau hwyl!

• ARCHIFO/DILYNIANT: Er mwyn cefnogi cymdeithasau newydd, byddaf yn sicrhau trosglwyddiadau priodol gyda ‘Nodau ac Amcanion’, ‘tips a thriciau’ a ‘chysylltiadau pwysig’ gan bwyllgorau blaenorol i sicrhau bod cymdeithasau yn parhau i wella!

Os rydych yn cytuno, pleidleisiwch Cammies ar gyfer Cymdeithasau a bydd ‘memes’ i gyd yn dod yn wir!

Ewch i tinyurl.com/CammiesSocieties i weld mwy!

• I want to help those who want to make their passions into a career, and to offer more support to committees so that they can better support students as a whole. #VoteForStewie Fel llywydd cymdeithas haen aur, ac wedi gweithio gyda phob adran Undeb y Myfyrwyr fel ffotograffydd, teimlaf fod gennyf y profiad perthnasol i fod eich IL Cymdeithasau nesaf.

Byddaf yn hyrwyddo buddiannau pob cymdeithas, gan fy mod yn gwybod pa mor bwysig yw’r cymunedau hyn o fewn bywyd prifysgol, yn anelu at eu gwneud mor gwobrwyol â phosibl tra eich bod yn y brifysgol ac yn y dyfodol. Os caf fy ethol, rwy’n addo: • Symleiddio’r broses llogi ystafelloedd ar gyfer holl gymdeithasau.

• Cynnig hyfforddiant i bwyllgorau ar sut i helpu aelodau'r gymdeithas sydd efallai'n dioddef salwch iechyd meddwl.

• Cynnig mwy o gymorth i gymdeithasau newydd ac ifanc, a mwy o fanteision i gymdeithasau haen aur.

• Helpu hwyluso cymdeithasau sydd eisiau ymgysylltu â chymunedau perthnasol yng Nghaerdydd i gynyddu cyrhaeddiad yr Undeb a chyflogadwyedd aelodau cymdeithas.

• Creu llwyfan neu le yn yr Undeb ar i fyfyrwyr i werthu cynhyrchion eu hunain neu i brofi eu mentrau busnes.

• Rwyf am helpu'r rhai sy'n dymuno gwneud eu angerdd yn yrfa, ac i gynnig mwy o gymorth i bwyllgorau fel y gallant gefnogi myfyrwyr yn well yn gyffredinol. #PleidleisiwchDrosStewie

vice president societies

manifesto 2017

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Is-Lywydd Cymdeithasau

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Hi! I’m Lamorna (Captain Hook-er) and I am a societies enthusiast! I’m running for VP Societies because I have had the best time at university purely due to the amazing societies I’ve been in, and I want you to benefit too! I have first-hand experience with both course-based and performance societies, and am always in awe of appreciation societies. I want to make societies at Cardiff the absolute BEST for everyone, by improving day-to-day running of societies, making societies accessible for all, and making societies the best they can be. Here are my ideas: Improving day-to-day running of societies • Increase support for course-based societies • Improve the handover process between committees • Develop the finance system by making live statements available and fix payment issues with SagePay



LAMORNA HOOKER

SEB WALKER

Cardiff!!

I’d love to be your VP Societies. As a Student Ambassador and President of the Music Society (a large gold tier society) I understand exactly what societies need; to grow bigger, better and stronger!

I will improve our SU by: • Introducing a new SU queuing system for club nights and events • Enabling card entry for YOLO and JUICE • Putting more FREE to use cash points in the SU • Chartering a night bus to run to Taly, Roath, and Uni Halls.

Make our societies more awesome by:

• Cheaper alumni membership fees in first year after graduation

• Giving free print credits to societies for flyers and materials • Introducing a points reward system through the current society tiering structure • Encouraging and promoting IMG (Intra-Mural-Games) within societies • Helping your society grow, by making it easier for non-Cardiff Uni students to join • Give societies more publication and prominence in the SU

• Encourage societies to engage with post graduate students

I will increase society funding by:

Making societies the best they can be • Engage societies more with Cardiff Volunteering, allowing community integration and increased accessibility

• Running a sponsorships fair just for societies, to generate funding and sponsorships with businesses & organisations • Giving an Early Bird Membership Guild Discount, to encourage people to sign up at freshers fairs • Bring back the societies and AU Refreshers fair in January

• Promote societies to more students through a Weekly Showcase

Cardiff students - Let’s have awesome societies - Vote Seb4societies!

Helo! Fi yw Lamorna (Capten Hook-er) a dwi’n ymddiddori mewn cymdeithasau!

Dwi’n rhedeg ar gyfer IL Cymdeithasau oherwydd rwyf wedi cael yr amser gorau yn y brifysgol oherwydd y cymdeithasau gwych rwyf wedi bod yn rhan ohonynt, a dwi am i chi fuddio hefyd! Rwyf wedi cael profiad uniongyrchol gyda chymdeithasau cwrs a pherfformiad, a dwi wedi fy rhyfeddu gan gymdeithasau gwerthfawrogiad. Rwyf am wneud cymdeithasau yng Nghaerdydd y GORAU i bawb drwy wella rhedeg cymdeithasau o ddydd i ddydd, gwneud cymdeithasau yn hygyrch i bawb, a gwneud cymdeithasau y gorau gallant fod. Dyma fy syniadau:

Caerdydd!!

Making societies accessible for all • Reduce membership price for students going away on placement

• Transform the Great Hall space to be better suited to the needs of societies

Gwella rhedeg o ddydd i ddydd cymdeithasau • Cynyddu cymorth i gymdeithasau sy'n seiliedig ar gwrs • Cynyddu'r broses drosglwyddo rhwng pwyllgorau

Byddwn wrth fy modd yn bod eich IL Cymdeithasau nesaf. Fel Llysgennad Myfyrwyr a Llywydd Cymdeithas Cerddoriaeth (Cymdeithas mawr haen aur) dwi’n deall beth sydd angen ar gymdeithasau; i dyfu’n fwy, yn well ac yn gryfach!

Byddaf yn gwella’r Undeb drwy: • Cyflwyno system ciwio Undeb newydd ar gyfer nosweithiau clwb a digwyddiadau • Sicrhau mynediad cerdyn ar gyfer YOLO a JUICE • Rhoi mwy o beiriannau arian parod AM DDIM yn yr Undeb • Cael bysiau nos yn mynd i Taly, Rhath, a neuaddau preswyl y Brifysgol.

Gwneud ein cymdeithasau yn fwy anhygoel drwy:

• Ffioedd aelodaeth cyn-fyfyrwyr rhatach ar gyfer y flwyddyn cyntaf ar ôl graddio

• Rhoi credydau argraffu am ddim i gymdeithasau ar gyfer taflenni a deunyddiau • Cyflwyno system wobrwyo pwyntiau drwy strwythur haenu cymdeithas presennol • Annog a hyrwyddo IMG (Intra-Mural-Games) o fewn cymdeithasau • Helpu tyfu eich cymdeithas, gan ei gwneud yn haws i fyfyrwyr nad ydynt ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd i ymuno • Rhoi mwy o gyhoeddusrwydd ac amlygrwydd yn yr Undeb i gymdeithasau.

• Annog cymdeithasau i ymgysylltu â myfyrwyr ôl-raddedig

Byddaf yn cynyddu cyllid cymdeithas drwy:

Gwneud cymdeithasau y gorau gallant fod

• Cynnal ffair nwyddau ar gyfer cymdeithasau, i gynhyrchu cyllid a nawdd gyda busnesau a sefydliadau • Rhoi Disgownt Aelodaeth Urdd Cynnar, i annog pobl i gofrestru yn ffeiriau y glas.

• Dod â ffair ail wythnos y glas UA a Chymdeithasau yn ôl ym mis Ionawr

• Datblygu’r system cyllid drwy wneud datganiadau ar gael yn fyw a thrwsio materion taliad gyda SagePay Gwneud cymdeithasau yn hygyrch i bawb • Lleihau pris aelodaeth ar gyfer myfyrwyr sy'n mynd i ffwrdd ar leoliad gwaith

• Trawsnewid gofod y Neuadd Fawr i weddu anghenion cymdeithasau yn well • Ymgysylltu mwy o gymdeithasau gyda Gwirfoddoli Caerdydd, yn galluogi integreiddio yn y gymuned a mwy o hygyrchedd • Hyrwyddo cymdeithasau i fwy o fyfyrwyr drwy Arddangosfa Wythnosol

Myfyrwyr Caerdydd - Dewch i ni gael cymdeithasau anhygoel - Pleidleisiwch Seb4societies!

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vice president societies

manifesto 2017

Is-Lywydd Cymdeithasau



I have had the most amazing three years at Cardiff University. Some of my best memories are due to the experiences I have had within a society. There is still a breadth of students at Cardiff University who are unaware of what societies are available and the amazing opportunities that come from joining one. I aim to increase awareness of the 200+ societies we have by hosting a ‘speed-dating event’, allowing societies to recruit more members of the student body, and also provide more opportunities for societies to engage and collaborate with each other.

As a current President and an ex-Social Secretary, I have first-handedly experienced the challenges committee members face. I aim to use the current support and resources the Union has to develop for existing committee training and more detailed preparation, tailored to each of the main positions within a society committee. Alongside this, I plan to further develop the current training for societies with the addition of compulsory sponsorship and legal training.

Our societies have so much to offer and I believe that I have what it takes to enrich everybody’s university experience.

Rwyf wedi cael y tri blynedd mwyaf anhygoel ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae rhai o fy atgofion gorau oherwydd y profiadau rwyf wedi’u cael o fewn cymdeithas.

Mae dal nifer o fyfyrwyr sy’n anymwybodol o ba gymdeithasau sydd ar gael a’r cyfleoedd gwych sydd yn dod o ymuno ag un. Fy nod yw cynyddu ymwybyddiaeth y 200 cymdeithas drwy gynnal 'digwyddiad dêtio cyflym', gan alluogi cymdeithasau i recriwtio mwy o aelodau o gorff y myfyrwyr, a hefyd darparu mwy o gyfleoedd i gymdeithasau ymgysylltu a chydweithio â'i gilydd.

Fel Llywydd presennol a chyn-Ysgrifennydd Cymdeithasol, dwi wedi profi’r heriau sy'n wynebu aelodau Pwyllgor. Fy nod yw defnyddio’r gefnogaeth a’r adnoddau sydd gan yr Undeb ar hyn o bryd i ddatblygu ar gyfer hyfforddi pwyllgor presennol a pharatoi â mwy o fanylion, wedi’u teilwra i bob un o’r prif swyddi o fewn pwyllgor cymdeithas. Ochr yn ochr â hyn, rwyf yn bwriadu datblygu’r hyfforddiant presennol ar gyfer cymdeithasau gyda nawdd gorfodol a hyfforddiant cyfreithiol.

Mae gan ein cymdeithasau gymaint i’w gynnig a chredaf fod gennyf y gallu i gyfoethogi bywyd myfyrwyr pawb.



TEMILADE FATONA

THOMAS MORRIS

Societies are the jewel in Cardiff’s crown, making the university experience here more than the sum of its parts. After two years of getting stuck into everything from societies and the AU to student media, followed by a year of getting to know what irks committees as Gair Rhydd Societies Editor, I have a plan to improve these Cardiff institutions for all students in 2017 onwards: • General Healthcare Society for supporting all medics with placement friendly events and socials.

• Vastly improved support for student media whilst retaining impartiality.

• Website improvements including full integration with Facebook and calendar apps, and an online activity database to make it easy for committees to arrange joint events.

• Reinstate the Refreshers Fair!

• Relieve pressure on small clubs and societies to attend AGMs with proportional representation.

• Reward people who go the extra mile for their society, club, volunteering or media work with SU based perks.

• Reward course based societies which hold course-enhancing activities.

• Half-year memberships available for all societies.

• Cheaper AU fees for Guild of Societies members who want to try sports.

Cymdeithasau yw trysor Caerdydd, yn gwella profiad y brifysgol yma. Ar ôl dwy flynedd yn cymryd rhan mewn cymdeithasau, yr UA a chyfryngau myfyrwyr, a blwyddyn o ddod i wybod beth yw cymdeithasau fel Golygydd Cymdeithasau Gair Rhydd, dwi’n bwriadu gwella’r sefydliadau Caerdydd hyn ar gyfer holl fyfyrwyr yn 2017 ymlaen: • Cymdeithas Gofal Iechyd Cyffredinol i gefnogi holl feddygon ar leoliad gwaith gyda digwyddiadau a nosweithiau cymdeithasol cyfeillgar.

• Cefnogaeth Farsiti gwell ar gyfer cyfryngau cymdeithasol tra’n cynnal natur ddiduedd.

• Gwelliannau gwefan gan gynnwys integreiddio llawn gyda Facebook ac apiau calendr, a chronfa data gweithgareddau i’w gwneud hi’n hawdd i gymdeithasau drefnu digwyddiadau ar y cyd.

• Ailgyflwyno Ffair Ail Wythnos y Glas!

• Lleddfu pwysau ar glybiau bach a chymdeithasau i fynychu cyfarfodydd cyffredinol blynyddol gyda chynrychiolaeth gyfrannol.

• Gwobrwyo y rheini sy'n mynd y tu hwnt i ddisgwyliadau ar gyfer eu cymdeithas, clwb, gwaith gwirfoddoli neu chyfryngau gyda manteision gan yr Undeb.

• Gwobrwyo cymdeithasau sy’n seiliedig ar gwrs sy’n cynnal gweithgareddau sy’n gwella eu cwrs.

• Aelodaeth hanner blwyddyn ar gael ar gyfer pob cymdeithas.

• Ffioedd UA rhatach ar gyfer aelodau Urdd Cymdeithasau sydd eisiau trio chwaraeon.

PAM PLEIDLEISIO?

“ Er mwyn newid pethau, fel agor yr ASSL 24 awr” cardiffstudents.com/elections

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manifesto 2017

VICE PRESIDENT SPORTS & AU PRESIDENT IS-LYWYDD CHWARAEON A LLYWYDD YR UNDEB ATHLETAU

The Vice President Sports and AU President champions sport within the Union, University, and local community.

It’s their role to represent students who play both competitive and participation sports to both the University and the Union. They are also the key liaison Sabbatical Trustee with the University Sports Department, as well as working with the student-led sports clubs to assist them in their development.

Essentially, the VP Sports is here to promote health and fitness and to inspire more students to play sport at Cardiff University.

Mae’r Is-lywydd Chwaraeon a Llywydd yr Undeb Athletau yn hyrwyddo chwaraeon o fewn yr Undeb, y Brifysgol a’r gymuned leol. Ei rôl yw cynrychioli myfyrwyr sy’n cymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon cystadleuol a chyfranogol i’r Brifysgol a’r Undeb. Yr unigolyn hwn hefyd yw’r Swyddog cyswllt allweddol ag Adran Chwaraeon y Brifysgol, ac mae’n gweithio gyda’r clybiau chwaraeon a arweinir gan fyfyrwyr i’w helpu i ddatblygu.

Diben yr Is-Lywydd Chwaraeon yw hybu iechyd a ffitrwydd ac ysbrydoli rhagor o fyfyrwyr i gymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd.

vice president sports & au president

manifesto 2017

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Is-Lywydd Chwaraeon a Llywydd yr Undeb Athletau



Hi, my name is Aditi and I'm running for this position due to my love for sports.

Last year I was in 4 sport societies. This year, I'm part of 2 committees and the AU executive team.

I want to: • Increase participation and diversity • Lobby the university to improve facilities (for example, resurfacing the pitches) • Make gym memberships fee monthly or termly • Weekly gym sessions for beginners • Increase friendly games Helo, fy enw yw Aditi a dwi’n rhedeg ar gyfer y safle oherwydd fy nghariad at chwaraeon. Llynedd, roeddwn mewn 4 cymdeithas chwaraeon. Eleni, dwi’n rhan o 2 bwyllgor a’r tîm gweithredol UA Rwyf eisiau: • Cynyddu cyfranogiad ac amrywiaeth • Lobio’r Brifysgol i wella cyfleusterau (er enghraifft, rhoi arwyneb newydd ar y caeau)

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ADITI GUPTA

CORAL KENNERLEY

I want to be your AU President and VP Sport. Sport is a huge part of my university life, and I want to make it part yours. This is what I’ll do for you: Feeling Some Physio?

• Provide AU clubs with physio students, maximising athlete performance while helping our future physios gain practice hours Gym and Exercise Classes • Reward scheme linked to the yoyo app • Extend gym opening hours • Create monthly memberships • Fresh Faced Facilities Lobby the university to: • Upgrade floodlights and changing rooms • Paint versatile line markings for multiple sports at Llanrumney Happy Holidays •Social sports for all students in Cardiff over the Christmas and Easter periods Boosting Budgets • Transparency and training on your budgets • How to attract sponsors Introduce Inter-halls • Represent your halls and make friends in fun tournaments organised by the AU

• Sesiynau wythnosol ar gyfer dechreuwyr

Want to know more about me?

I can represent all active students at Cardiff, from experiencing the high-performance programme as an international pistol shooter to being an active club level member of Swimming and Waterpolo holding a committee position for 3 years.

• Cynyddu gemau cyfeillgar

Be responsible, bet on CORAL for VP Sport!

• Gwneud aelodaeth campfa yn fisol neu bob tymor

Dwi eisiau bod eich Llywydd UA a IL Chwaraeon. Mae chwaraeon yn rhan enfawr o 'm bywyd prifysgol, ac yr wyf am ei wneud yn rhan o’ch un chi. Dyma’r hyn y byddaf yn ei wneud i chi: Awydd Ffisio?

• Darparu myfyrwyr ffisiotherapydd i glybiau’r UA, amlhau perfformiad athletwyr tra’n helpu ffisiotherapwyr y dyfodol i gael oriau ymarfer.

Campfa a Dosbarthiadau Ymarfer Corff • Cynllun gworbrwyo cysylltiedig â’r app yoyo • Oriau agor campfa estynedig • Creu aelodaeth misol • Cyfleusterau Arwynebau Newydd Lobïo’r brifysgol i: • Uwchraddio llifoleuadau ac ystafelloedd newid • Peintio marciau llinell amlbwrpas ar gyfer chwaraeon lluosog yn Llanrhymni Gwyliau Hapus • Chwaraeon cymdeithasol ar gyfer pob myfyriwr yng Nghaerdydd dros gyfnod y Nadolig a'r Pasg Hybu Cyllidebau • Tryloywder a hyfforddiant ar eich cyllidebau • Sut i ddenu noddwyr Cyflwyno rhyng-neuaddau • Cynrychioli eich neuaddau a gwneud ffrindiau mewn twrnameintiau hwyl sy’n cael eu trefnu gan yr UA Eisiau gwybod mwy amdanaf?

Gallaf gynrychioli holl fyfyrwyr Caerdydd, o brofi rhaglen perfformiad uchel fel saethwr pistol rhyngwladol i fod yn aelod lefel clwb gweithgar Nofio a Polo Dwr yn dal safle pwyllgor am 3 blwyddyn.

Byddwch yn gyfrifol, betiwch ar CORAL ar gyfer IL Chwaraeon!

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vice president sports & au president

manifesto 2017

Is-Lywydd Chwaraeon a Llywydd yr Undeb Athletau

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As president of the karate club I’ve helped take a failing club to Gold tier, taught self defence at a youth club for individuals with learning disabilities and got karate recognised as a Varsity sport. This and my 2 years’ experience working with our AU make me the best choice to champion your voice within it!

As VP Sports I will; • Appoint volunteer IMG and Heath officers to ensure I’m reachable by EVERYONE. • Continue to fight for funding to UPDATE OUR AGING FACILITIES, whether for resurfacing the hockey pitch at Talybont or cleaning up the sports hall.

• Secure the construction of a DEDICATED MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE which frees up space in other venues.

• IMG should be available to ALL – I’ll push for more society teams, and support them with EQUIPMENT LOANS. • Introduce a weekly Q&A on Facebook to keep you updated on what I’m doing for YOU. Sport has played such a huge role in my life growing up; I seriously struggled with my mental health last year and karate basically keeping me in Cardiff showed me how close sport is to welfare. Vote for me as VP Sport, and let’s make a better AU. Fel llywydd clwb karate rwyf wedi helpu datblygu clwb sy’n methu i haen Aur, dysgu hunan-amddiffyniad mewn clwb ieuenctid ar gyfer unigolion ag anableddau dysgu a chael karate i’w ystyried fel chwaraeon Farsiti. Mae hyn a fy 2 flynedd o brofiad yn gweithio gyda’n UA yn fy ngwneud y dewis gorau i hyrwyddo eich llais o’i fewn!

Fel IL Chwaraeon byddaf yn: • Apwyntio gwirfoddolwr IMG a Mynydd Bychan i sicrhau bod PAWB yn gallu fy nghyrraedd.

• Parhau i frwydro ar gyfer cyllid i DDIWEDDARU EIN HEN GYFLEUSTERAU, boed yn arwyneb newydd i’r cae hoci yn Nhalybont neu lanhau y neuadd chwaraeon.

• Sicrhau adeiladu CANOLFAN MARTIAL ARTS YMRODDEDIG sy'n rhyddhau gofod mewn lleoliadau eraill.

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DAN SCHMEISING

HOLLY THOMAS

As President of the Rowing Club and former Women’s Rowing Captain of 2 years, I have led one of the largest AU committees, fundraised over £5,500 since September 2016, negotiated a new coaching contract with a National Governing Body, encouraged new membership, and maintained a hardworking and inclusive club culture. I now want to transfer my tireless commitment from one of the largest clubs in the AU to all sports. With 11 years of regional, national and international representation in rowing, I understand sport from the casual gym go-er, to the most devoted high performance athlete.

As your AU President, I would strive to boost sport experience by championing: • #TeamCardiffTalentID: an online calculator that will identify potential sports students can excel in as a pathway into AU Clubs and the High Performance Programme.

• ‘Committee Connect Hours’: develop committee support with weekly meetings where members pose questions straight to the AU President and see results first-hand.

• Improved Facilities: lobby the University for more gym space, resurfacing of the hockey pitch and another full 3G pitch.

• Inclusive Sport Campaign: coordinate with campaign officers to promote the inclusion of all potential athletes regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.

Fel Llywydd y Clwb Rhwyfo a Chapten Rhwyfo Merched am 2 flynedd, rwyf wedi arwain un o bwyllgorau mwyaf yr UA, codi dros £5,500 ers Medi 2016, negodi contract hyfforddi newydd gyda Chorff Llywodraethu Cenedlaethol, annog aelodaeth newydd, a chynnal diwylliant clwb cynhwysol a gweithgar. Rwyf nawr eisiau trosglwyddo fy ymrwymiad diflino o un o’r clybiau mwyaf yn yr UA i bob chwaraeon. Gyda 11 mlynedd o gynrychiolaeth rhanbarthol, cenedlaethol a rhyngwladol yn rhwyfo, rwy’n deall chwaraeon, o’r person sy’n mynd i’r gampfa bob nawr yn y man, i’r athletwr perfformiad uchel.

Fel eich Llywydd yr AU, byddaf yn ymdrechu i hybu profiad chwaraeon drwy hyrwyddo: • #IDTalentTimCaerdydd: cyfrifiannell ar-lein a fydd yn nodi darpar fyfyrwyr chwaraeon yn rhagori fel llwybr i mewn i Glybiau yr UA a Rhaglen Perfformiad Uchel.

• Dylai’r IMG fod ar gael i BAWB – byddaf yn gwthio ar gyfer mwy o dimau cymdeithas, a’u cefnogi â BENTHYCIADAU OFFER.

• Oriau Cyswllt Pwyllgor: datblygu cefnogaeth pwyllgor gyda chyfarfodydd wythnosol lle mae aelodau yn gofyn cwestiynau yn uniongyrchol i Llywydd yr UA a gweld y canlyniadau yn uniongyrchol.

• Cyflwyno Q&A wythnosol ar Facebook i’ch diweddaru ar beth dwi’n ei wneud ar eich cyfer CHI

• Gwell Cyfleusterau: Lobïo’r Brifysgol ar gyfer mwy o le campfa, rhoi arwyneb newydd ar y cae hoci a chae llawn 3G arall.

Mae chwaraeon wedi bod yn rhan enfawr o fy mywyd yn tyfu i fyny; fe wnes i ddioddef gyda fy iechyd meddwl llynedd a karate a wnaeth i mi aros yng Nghaerdydd a dangos i mi y cysylltiad rhwng chwaraeon a lles. Pleidleisiwch drosof fi ar gyfer IL Chwaraeon, gadewch i ni wneud UA gwell.

• Ymgyrch Chwaraeon Cynhwysol: cydlynu â swyddogion ymgyrch i hyrwyddo cynhwysiant holl athletwyr posibl beth bynnag eu rhyw, crefydd, ethnigrwydd, cyfeiriadedd rhywiol neu anabledd.

vice president sports & au president

manifesto 2017

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Is-Lywydd Chwaraeon a Llywydd yr Undeb Athletau

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 JOSH KELLETT

SAM WILD

My name's Josh, sport has been a massive part of my university experience and I want to make sure it can be the same for all students, whether sport is being played at an elite level or being played once a week for fun.

From personal experience, I believe that whether your participation occurs competitively or socially, sport at Cardiff University has the potential to provide an exciting aspect to higher education, separate to your academic studies.

If I was to become VP Sports here are some policies I will implement:

If fortunate enough to become your VP Sports, I aim to achieve:

• Flexible Seminars. Ever been put in a 12 o'clock Seminar on a Wednesday?

Show proof of playing sport at the same time on a Wednesday, a student can transfer to another seminar. Either on a different day or at a different time.

• Participation for All: Ensure league registration and fixtures are provided to AU and IMG teams at a minimal cost.

• Develop the transport system. Clubs that play BUCs have the opportunity to travel and support their club-mates throughout the year, if they're not playing that day. Clubs can support their friends, to ensure they win their tough away matches.

• Sponsorship Day. The Athletic Union can develop links with the community and large companies, so during Fresher's, a day can be made when all clubs committees can meet with potential sponsors to hopefully find new and innovative ways to sustain funding for their sports clubs.

Agree with what I believe in? Vote Josh Kellett for AU. Fy enw yw Josh, mae chwaraeon wedi bod yn rhan enfawr o'm profiad Prifysgol ac rwyf am wneud yn si r gall hyn fod yr un peth ar gyfer pob myfyriwr, boed yn chwaraeon sy’n cael ei chwarae ar lefel elît neu unwaith yr wythnos ar gyfer hwyl.

Petawn yn IL Chwaraeon, dyma rai o’r polisïau byddaf yn gweithredu: • Seminarau Hyblyg: Erioed wedi cael Seminar am 12 o’r gloch ar ddydd Mercher? Dangoswch prawf eich bod yn chwarae chwaraeon bob ddydd Mercher, gall myfyriwr drosglwyddo i seminar arall. Naill ai ar ddiwrnod gwahanol neu ar adeg wahanol.

• Datblygu’r system drafnidiaeth. Rhoi’r cyfle i glybiau sy’n chwarae BUCs i deithio a chefnogi eu ffrindiau clwb drwy gydol y flwyddyn, hyd yn oed os nad ydynt yn chwarae ar y diwrnod. Gall glybiau gefnogi eu ffrindiau, i sicrhau y byddant yn ennill eu gemau oddi cartref anodd.

• Diwrnod Nawdd: Gall yr Undeb Athletau ddatblygu cysylltiadau gyda’r gymuned a chwmnïau mawr, felly yn ystod Wythnos y Glas, gallwn gael diwrnod lle mae clybiau a phwyllgorau yn cwrdd â noddwyr posibl i ddod o hyd i ffyrdd arloesol i gynnal cyllid ar gyfer eu clybiau chwaraeon.

Cytuno gyda’r hyn dwi’n ei gredu? Pleidleisiwch Josh Kellet ar gyfer UA.

• The Varsity Brand: Include more sports into the varsity competition and increase its publicity.

• Lecture Free: Work towards more strictly enforcing the university ‘no lecture’ policy on Wednesday afternoons.

• Result Broadcasting: Introduce a team results screen inside the SU at YOLO. • Kit Provider: Review whether a move towards a more efficient kit provider is feasible.

• Gym Sponsorship: Increase the number of free/discounted gym memberships available for high performance athletes.

Whilst determined to implement the above policies, my biggest commitment involves listening to every single sports club here at Cardiff University to ensure your experience is the best it can possibly be. I will bring my passion for sport to the role and I truly believe that, regardless of ability, sport has the potential to transform your time here at Cardiff.

O brofiad personol, credaf y bydd eich cyfranogiad chwaraeon ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd, boed yn gystadleuol neu’n gymdeithasol, â’r potensial i ddarparu agwedd gyffrous i addysg uwch, ar wahân i’ch astudiaethau academaidd.

Os byddaf ddigon ffodus i fod eich IL Chwaraeon, byddaf yn anelu i gyflawni: • Cyfranogiad i Bawb: Sicrhau bod cofrestru a gemau cynghrair yn cael eu darparu i dimau UA a IMG ar y gost lleiaf.

• Brand Farsiti: Cynnwys mwy o chwaraeon i gystadleuaeth farsiti a chynyddu ei gyhoeddusrwydd.

• Dim Darlith: Gweithio tuag at orfodi polisi ‘dim darlith’ y brifysgol yn fwy llym ar brynhawn ddydd Mercher • Darlledu Canlyniad: Cyflwyno sgrîn canlyniadau tîm yn yr Undeb yn ystod YOLO. • Darparwyr Cit: Adolygu os yw symud at ddarparwr cit mwy effeithlon yn fwy ymarferol.

• Nawdd Campfa: Cynyddu nifer o aelodaeth campfa am ddim/pris gostyngol ar gyfer athletwyr perfformiad uchel.

Er fy mod yn benderfynol o weithredu’r polisïau uchod, fy ymrwymiad mwyaf yw gwrando ar bob clwb chwaraeon yma ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd i sicrhau bod eich profiad y gorau gallai fod. Byddaf yn dod â fy angerdd am chwaraeon i’r rôl a dwi wir yn credu, beth bynnag yw’ch gallu, mae gan chwaraeon y potensial i newid eich amser yma yng Nghaerdydd.

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vice president sports & au president

manifesto 2017

Is-Lywydd Chwaraeon a Llywydd yr Undeb Athletau

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I believe what distinguishes Cardiff University from other Universities, is that you can enjoy a great social life and acquire an excellent eduction. I found that sport, regardless the level it is played at, can lead to you enjoying your University experience more.

Therefore my overreaching aim is to bring sport closer to the heart of students not yet involved and enhance the enjoyment for students already involved. With this in mind, three core points for me are: • Establish a feeling of togetherness in-between all sport clubs. A great way to do so is to support each from the sideline. Our infrastructure does not make it easy to just pop over to Llanrumney or other facilities to support our peers. I propose to simplify the availability for transport by providing internal low priced transport to have the possibility to get supporters up to the games.

• Secondly we are competing with the best teams in the country in various sports but we lack the best facilities. It is necessary to improve the access and quality of our facilities.

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STEFAN PSOTA

TOM KELLY

Hi! I’m Tom and I’m running to be your VP Sports and AU President. As the former Ice Hockey President and member of the Give it a Go Exec, I’m in an excellent position to lead your Athletic Union.

My main priority is simple, there are 30,000 students at Cardiff University but only 6000 Athletic Union members. I think this is wrong! Sport has transformed my student experience here at Cardiff University and it should transform yours too.

I will do this by increasing participation in sport through: • Promoting entry level sport - sport for all • Increasing inclusivity and equality in sport • Expanding the Give it a Go sport programme • Lobbying for a student friendly bike hire scheme • Creating IMG in all schools

• Lastly to expand the “Give-It-A-Go” initiative, make it more accessible and provide beginners trainings where everybody feels valued.

• Lobbying the university to improve and expand sports facilities

Credaf mai’r hyn sy’n gwahanu Prifysgol Caerdydd rhag Prifysgolion eraill yw eich bod yn gallu mwynhau bywyd cymdeithasol gwych a chael addysg ardderchog.

Teimlais bod chwaraeon, dim ots ar ba lefel, yn gallu arwain at fwynhau eich profiad yn y Brifysgol fwy.

• Expanding Varsity to all sports as part of #TeamCardiff

Fy nod felly yw dod â chwaraeon yn agosach at galon bob myfyriwr sydd ddim yn cymryd rhan eto a gwella’r mwynhad ar gyfer myfyrwyr sy’n cymryd rhan yn barod.

Gyda hyn mewn golwg, dyma fy nhri pwynt craidd: • Sefydlu ymdeimlad o undod rhwng holl glybiau chwaraeon. Ffordd wych o wneud hynny yw cefnogi pawb o’r llinell ochr. Nid yw’n cyfleusterau yn ei gwneud yn hawdd i alw heibio Llanrumney neu gyfleusterau chwaraeon arall i gefnogi ein ffrindiau. Dwi’n bwriadu symleiddio’r gallu ar gyfer trafnidiaeth drwy ddarparu trafnidiaeth mewnol rhad i allu gael cefnogwyr i’r gemau • Yn ail, rydym yn cystadlu â’r timoedd gorau yn y wlad mewn gwahanol chwaraeon ond nid oes gennym y cyfleusterau gorau. Mae angen i ni wella mynediad ac ansawdd ein cyfleusterau.

• Yn olaf i ehangu’ “Rho Gynnig Arni”, ei wneud yn fwy hygyrch a darparu hyfforddiant i ddechreuwyr lle mae pawb yn teimlo’n werthfawr.

• Introducing monthly gym memberships Vote sport for all, vote Tom Kelly Find me on Facebook, Twitter @TomMKelly1994 and website: www.VoteTom.co.uk Helo! Fi yw Tom a dwi’n rhedeg i fod eich IL Chwaraeon a Llywydd yr UA. Fel y cyn Arlywydd Hoci Iâ ac aelod o’r Pwyllgor Gwaith Rho Gynnig Arni, rwyf mewn sefyllfa gwych i arwain eich Undeb Athletau.

Mae fy mhrif flaenoriaeth yn syml, mae yna 30,000 o fyfyrwyr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd ond dim ond 6000 o aelodau Undeb Athletau. Credaf fod hyn yn anghywir! Mae chwaraeon wedi trawsnewid fy mhrofiad myfyriwr yma ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd ac fe ddylai drawsnewid eich un chi hefyd.

Byddaf yn gwneud hyn drwy gynyddu cyfranogiad mewn chwaraeon drwy: • Hyrwyddo chwaraeon lefel mynediad - chwaraeon i bawb • Cynyddu cynhwysedd a chyfartalwch mewn chwaraeon • Ehangu rhaglen chwaraeon Rho Gynnig Arni.

• Lobio ar gyfer cynllun llogi beic gyfeillgar i fyfyrwyr • Creu IMG yn yr holl ysgolion • Lobio’r Brifysgol i wella ac ehangu cyfleusterau chwaraeon • Cyflwyno aelodaeth gampfa misol • Ehangu Farsiti i chwaraeon o bob math fel rhan o #TimCaerdydd Pleidleisiwch dros chwaraeon i bawb, pleidleisiwch Tom Kelly Dewch o hyd i mi ar Facebook, Twitter @TomMKelly1994 a gwefan: www.VoteTom.co.uk

manifesto 2017

VICE PRESIDENT WELFARE IS-LYWYDD LLES

The VP Welfare represents your welfare needs to the University and strengthens links with key welfare service providers in the local community.

Mae’r Is-Lywydd Lles yn cynrychioli eich anghenion lles i’r Brifysgol ac yn atgyfnerthu cysylltiadau â’n darparwyr gwasanaethau lles allweddol yn y gymuned leol.

The VP Welfare will work to improve support services in both the Union and University and will campaign on any welfare issues facing our student population.

Bydd yr Is-Lywydd Lles yn gweithio i wella gwasanaethau cymorth yn yr Undeb a’r Brifysgol a bydd yn ymgyrchu dros unrhyw faterion lles sy’n wynebu ein myfyrwyr.

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vice president welfare

manifesto 2017

Is-Lywydd Lles

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Hi! I’m Annabel (IncrediBel), I’m super-enthusiastic, super-caring and superdetermined!

I’d love to be your VP Welfare next year. Everything I’ve done alongside my four years at Cardiff has channeled my passion for student welfare.

My experiences make me equipped for this job. I worked for a year in the student Counselling Service and am co-president of SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness Group). I also sit on the Welfare Executive Committee, which works alongside Hollie, current VP Welfare. As well as this, I helped set up and am still a part of the Wellbeing Champion scheme.

Vote for me and you’ll see: • FREE sanitary products in the Students’ Union • Lecture recordings in all schools • Increased links between CUSU and Student Support, in preparation for Centre for Student Life • Better support representation at Heath campus • Lobbying of MPs to get rid of agency fees • Sexual health provisions at Park Place Surgery • Better signposting of accessible entrances along with detailed maps • More events inclusive of postgraduates and student parents • 'Bring your pet to uni day' to meet new people and animals • Further implementation of the Time to Change pledge for mental health Forever flexible and absolutely no capes, I hope I've earned your vote.

Helo! Fi yw Annabel (IncrediBel), dwi’n frwdfrydig iawn, yn ofalgar ac yn hynod o benderfynol!

Byddwn wrth fy modd yn cael bod eich IL Lles y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae popeth dwi wedi’i wneud ar draws fy mhedair blynedd yng Nghaerdydd wedi annog fy angerdd am les myfyrwyr.

Mae fy mhrofiadau yn fy ngwneud i’n addas ar gyfer y swydd. Gweithiais am flwyddyn ar Wasanaeth Cwnsela myfyrwyr ac yn is-lywydd SHAG (Gr p Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Rhywiol), Rwyf hefyd yn eistedd ar y Pwyllgor Gweithredol Lles, sy'n gweithio ochr yn ochr â Hollie, yr IL Lles presennol. Yn ogystal â hyn, rwyf wedi helpu sefydlu ac rwy'n dal i fod yn rhan o'r cynllun Hyrwyddwyr Lles.

Pleidleisiwch drosof i ac fe welwch chi: • Cynnyrch misglwyf AM DDIM yn Undeb y myfyrwyr • Cofnodi darlithoedd am ddim yn yr holl ysgolion • Mwy o gysylltiadau rhwng UMPC a Chymorth i Fyfyrwyr, i baratoi ar gyfer Canolfan Bywyd Myfyrwyr • Cynrychiolaeth cymorth gwell ar gampws y Mynydd Bychan • Lobio Aelodau Seneddol i gael gwared ar ffioedd asiantaeth • Darpariaethau iechyd rhywiol yn Meddygfa Plas y Parc • Arwyddion gwell ar gyfer mynedfeydd hygyrch gyda mapiau manwl • Mwy o ddigwyddiadau ar gyfer ôl-raddedigion a rhieni sy’n fyfyrwyr • Diwrnod 'dod â’ch anifail i’r brifysgol' i gwrdd â phobl newydd ac anifeiliaid • Gweithredu pellach ar addewid Amser i Newid ar gyfer iechyd meddwl.

Hyblyg iawn a dim clogyn, gobeithio fy mod wedi ennill eich pleidlais

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ANNABEL JARDINE-BLAKE

GEOFF JUKES

My name is Geoff!

During my time at university I’ve volunteered for Cardiff Nightline, CU SHAG, Student Safety Walk, the Student Mentoring Scheme and the Welcome Crew. I am passionate about student welfare and these experiences have allowed me to see many aspects of student life from different perspectives.

If elected I will: • Support and promote Student Led services – improve publicity and provide extra support through regular meetings • Work with campaign officers to raise awareness for hidden illnesses and disabilities • Provide more support after SU club nights – growing the Student Safety Walk and supporting a night bus • Introduce training for SU staff/security/student staff – ensure this includes hidden illnesses, disabilities and gender awareness so all students feel welcome and comfortable • Raise awareness of Male Suicide – in conjunction with Male Suicide Awareness day • Introduce student volunteers to the SU reception to offer help to fellow students • Improve personal tutor training to increase support for hidden illnesses and disabilities I have the knowledge, experience and compassion to understand the welfare needs of all students and will work to make the SU a safer and more welcoming place.

Fy enw i yw Geoff!

Yn ystod fy amser yn y brifysgol rwyf wedi gwirfoddoli gyda Llinell Nos Caerdydd, SHAG PC, Cynllun Cerdded Diogel, Cynllun Mentora Myfyrwyr a’r Criw Croeso.

Rwyf yn angerddol am lles myfyrwyr ac mae’r profiadau hyn wedi fy ngalluogi i weld nifer o agweddau o fywyd myfyrwyr o wahanol safbwyntiau Os caf fy ethol, byddaf yn: • Cefnogi a hyrwyddo gwasanaethau dan Arweiniad Myfyrwyr – gwella cyhoeddusrwydd a rhoi cymorth ychwanegol drwy gyfarfodydd rheolaidd • Gweithio gyda swyddogion ymgyrch i godi ymwybyddiaeth am anableddau a salwch cudd • Darparu mwy o gymorth ar ôl nosweithiau clwb yr Undeb – cynyddu’r Cynllun Cerdded Diogel a chefnogi bws nos • Cyflwyno hyfforddiant ar gyfer staff yr Undeb/diogelwch/staff myfyrwyr – sicrhau bod hyn yn cynnwys salwch cudd, anableddau ac ymwybyddiaeth rhyw fel bod yr holl fyfyrwyr yn teimlo'n gartrefol ac yn gyfforddus • Codi ymwybyddiaeth o hunanladdiad ymhlith dynion – ar y cyd â diwrnod Ymwybyddiaeth Hunanladdiad Gwrywaidd • Cyflwyno gwirfoddolwyr myfyrwyr i dderbynfa’r Undeb i gynnig help i gyd-fyfyrwyr • Gwella hyfforddiant tiwtor personol i gynyddu'r cymorth ar gyfer anableddau a salwch cudd Mae gennyf y wybodaeth, y profiad a’r trugaredd i ddeall anghenion lles holl fyfyrwyr a byddaf yn gweithio i wneud yr Undeb yn le saffach a fwy croesawgar.

vice president welfare

manifesto 2017

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Is-Lywydd Lles

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Hello, I’m Holly Jones, AKA ‘Where’s Holly’ and I want to be your next VP Welfare.

I'm hard-working, determined, outgoing and committed to working with Students to improve their welfare. I engage wholeheartedly in many aspects of student life.

I’m a final year law student, a member of Cardiff University Netball Club and a volunteer in the Students’ Union Student Advice Department.

Moreover, having suffered from a mental health illness in my third year at university, I experienced first hand the lack of understanding and support provided.

I believe I have the experience, knowledge and passion required to excel in this role.

Elect me and I will work hard to…

1. Combat the Stigma associated with mental health 2. Provide better support and guidance for International Students and Freshers 3. Introduce peer to peer support groups to run during the daytime 4. Reduce waiting times for counselling in the Student Support Centre For more information, implementation details and to keep up to date with my campaign check out my: • Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/VoteHolly4VPWelfare • Instagram - @holly4vpwelfare • Twitter - @JonesHolly10 VOTE HOLLY 4 VP WELFARE! Helo, fi yw Holly Jones, AKA ‘Ble mae Holly’ a dwi eisiau bod eich IL Lles nesaf.

Rwyf yn gweithio’n galed, yn benderfynol, yn gymdeithasol ac yn ymrwymedig i weithio gyda Myfyrwyr i wella eu lles. Rwyf yn ymgysylltu mewn nifer o agweddau o fywyd myfyriwr. Rwyf yn fyfyriwr blwyddyn olaf, aelod o glwb Pêl-rwyd Prifysgol Caerdydd ac yn wirfoddolwr yn Adran Cyngor Undeb y Myfyrwyr.

Ar ôl dioddef o salwch iechyd meddwl yn fy nhrydedd flwyddyn yn y brifysgol, profais yn uniongyrchol y diffyg dealltwriaeth a'r cymorth sydd ar gael.

Credaf fod gennyf brofiad, gwybodaeth a’r angerdd sydd ei angen i ragori yn y rôl hon.

Etholwch fi ac fe wnaf weithio’n galed i..

1. Oresgyn y stigma sy’n gysylltiedig ag iechyd meddwl 2. Darparu xymorth ac arweiniad gwell ar gyfer Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol a Myfyrwyr y Glas 3. Cyflwyno grwpiau cymorth cyfoedion i gyfoedion yn ystod y dydd 4. Lleihau amseroedd aros ar gyfer cwnsela yn y Ganolfan Cefnogaeth Myfyrwyr Am fwy o wybodaeth, manylion gweithredu a chadw i fyny â fy ymgyrch edrychwch ar fy: • Tudalen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VoteHolly4VPWelfare • Instagram - @holly4vpwelfare • Twitter - @JonesHolly10 PLEIDLEISIWCH HOLLY AR GYFER IL LLES!

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HOLLY JONES

KATE ELSWOOD

Starting university is daunting, so we should make the transition to Cardiff University easier. Thus, I would encourage an extension of the mentoring scheme (where first-year students receive support from more experienced students) to all academic schools. I also intend to create an online platform for students to post videos and blog posts on subjects such as budgeting, cooking and making friends.

I recognise that not all students have the same needs. Therefore, the website would contain sections for different types of students. This would help postgraduate, international, mature and joint honours students to engage with others who share their experience.

I want to ensure that welfare advice reaches more students. Currently, a lot of this information only reaches those living in the larger halls. Consequently, it would be useful to recruit more volunteers to reach more students during welfare campaigns.

In addition, volunteering is a great way of making friends and it could help to reduce students’ stress levels. I would encourage more students to volunteer by creating Lead Volunteers in each of the halls, who would help to recruit volunteers. I would also develop stress-reducing initiatives during exam season, such as regular sessions on self-care and mindfulness.

Mae dechrau yn y brifysgol yn frawychus, felly dylwn wneud yn siwr bod y trawsnewid i Brifysgol Caerdydd yn haws. Felly, byddaf yn annog ymestyn y cynllun mentora (lle mae myfyrwyr blwyddyn gyntaf yn derbyn cymorth gan fyfyrwyr mwy profiadol) i holl ysgolion academaidd. Rwyf yn bwriadu creu platfform ar-lein ar gyfer myfyrwyr i bostio fideos a sylwadau blog ar bynciau megis cyllideb, coginio a gwneud ffrindiau.

Rwy’n cydnabod nad yw holl fyfyrwyr â’r un anghenion. Felly, byddai’r wefan yn cynnwys adrannau ar gyfer gwahanol mathau o fyfyrwyr. Byddai hyn yn helpu myfyrwyr ôl-raddedig, rhyngwladol, aeddfed a chyd-anrhydedd i ymgysylltu ag eraill sy’n rhannu eu profiad.

Rwyf am sicrhau bod cyngor lles yn cyrraedd mwy o fyfyrwyr. Ar hyn o bryd, mae llawer o’r wybodaeth hwn ond yn cyrraedd y rheini sy’n byw mewn neuaddau mwy. O ganlyniad, byddai’n ddefnyddiol recriwtio mwy o wirfoddolwyr i gyrraedd mwy o fyfyrwyr yn ystod ymgyrchoedd lles.

Yn ogystal, mae gwirfoddoli yn ffordd gwych i wneud ffrindiau ac gallai helpu leihau lefelau straen myfyrwyr. Byddwn yn annog mwy o fyfyrwyr i wirfoddoli drwy greu Arweinwyr Gwirfoddoli ym mhob un o'r neuaddau preswyl, a fyddai'n helpu recriwtio gwirfoddolwyr. Byddaf hefyd yn datblygu mentrau lleihau straen yn ystod tymor yr arholiadau, megis sesiynau rheolaidd ar hunanofal ac ymwybyddiaeth ofalgar.

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vice president welfare

manifesto 2017

Is-Lywydd Lles

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 MATT PROCTER

I’m Procter, I need your vote to make Cardiff great again – read my manifesto to see how Procter’s Gonna Rock Ya! Housing 1. A University rent cap – stop university accommodation rent rising faster than loans!

2. End Agency fees – take the fight to the assembly! (They’re being banned in England!)

3. Investment in accommodation so no first year is denied a place in halls 4. A guarantor scheme for international students, like at York and UCL

NICHOLAS FOX

This year I have met and worked with incredible people in order to promote student welfare; from a Student Senator voting to get vegan options on the Taf menu, a SHAG C-Card officer distributing huge quantities of condoms, a Student Mentor, MathSoc VP and Treasurer, and on the GIAG Exec Committee.

If elected I will:

Plus, I’m a f**king great bloke.

• REDUCE WAITING TIMES FOR COUNSELLING APPOINTMENTS and better advertise the fantastic support Counselling and Wellbeing offer • Create a ""RATE YOUR LETTING AGENT"" scheme • Student mentoring in all schools • Increase Jobshop opening hours • Promote inclusivity and tolerence and work closely with campaign officers to continue and improve mental health awareness and student welfare initiatives • Short-Term use LOCKERS IN THE SU and across campus • Implement a sexual health TESTING DAY • Expand the C-Card scheme to the Heath • Make sure students are getting best value for money in campus cafés • Encourage reusable coffee cups across campus cafés, with HOT DRINKS CHEAPER when using one • Make SU rooms open for group studying in exam seasons • SECURE BIKE SHEDS across campus and lobby council for these available in town • An ideas submittion system on cardiffstudents - popular ideas upvoted by students are considered.

Extended manifesto: https://www.facebook.com/events/1376916455662587

If you like what you see then for fox sake, Vote Fox.

Fi yw Procter, a dwi angen eich pleidlais i wneud Caerdydd yn wych eto - darllenwch fy maniffesto i weld sut mae Procter yn mynd i’ch Rocio!

Eleni dwi wedi cwrdd a gweithio gyda phobl anhygoel er mwyn hyrwyddo lles myfyrwyr; o Seneddwr Myfyriwr yn pleidleisio i gael opsiynau fegan yn y Taf, swyddog Cerdyn-C SHAG yn dosbarthu nifer enfawr o condoms, Mentor Myfyriwr, IL a Thrysorydd MathSoc, ac ar Bwyllgor Gwaith Rho Gynnig Arni.

Mental health 1. Support the new mental health officer in raising awareness and ending stigma.

2. Increase the counselling budget to at least Russell Group average.

University experience 1. Accelerate plans for a night-bus to halls of residence.

2. Increased secure covered bike storage available on campus 3. Increase animal welfare standards across the University and Union Why Procter?

I already have extensive experience and knowledge of University politics, having served on multiple society committees, as member of scrutiny, and most recently as vice-chair of the Senate.

Having worked for several Letting Agents I know better than anyone, what needs to change and how we change it in student housing.

Tai 1. Capio rhent Prifysgol– stopio rhent llety’r prifysgol rhag codi’n gynt na benthyciadau!

2. Cael gwared ar ffioedd asiantaeth – cymryd y frwydr i’r Cynulliad! (Maent yn eu gwahardd yn Lloegr!)

3. Buddsoddiad mewn llety fel nad yw neb yn eu blwyddyn cyntaf yn cael gwrthod lle mewn neuaddau 4. Cynllun gwarantwr ar gyfer myfyrwyr rhyngwladol, fel yn Efrog a Coleg Prifysgol Llundain Iechyd Meddwl 1. Cefnogi’r swyddog iechyd meddwl newydd i godi ymwybyddiaeth a rhoi terfyn ar stigma.

2. Cynyddu'r gyllideb cwnsela i o leiaf cyfartaledd Gr p Russell.

Profiad prifysgol 1. Cyflymu cynlluniau ar gyfer bysiau nos i neuaddau preswyl.

2. Mwy o le storio beic diogel ar gael ar y campws 3. Cynyddu safonau lles anifeiliaid ar draws y Brifysgol a'r Undeb Pam Procter?

Mae gennyf brofiad a dealltwriaeth o wleidyddiaeth y Brifysgol yn barod, wedi bod ar nifer o bwyllgorau cymdeithas, aelod o’r pwyllgor craffu, ac yn fwyaf diweddar fel is-gadeirydd y Senedd.

Ar ôl gweithio ar gyfer nifer o Asiantaethau Gosod, rwyf yn gwybod yn well nag unrhyw un, beth sydd angen ei newid a sut gallwn ei newid ar ran tai myfyrwyr.

Hefyd, rwy’n fachgen ff**in gwych.

Maniffesto estynedig: https://www.facebook.com/events/1376916455662587

Os caf fy ethol, byddaf yn: • LLEIHAU AMSEROEDD AROS AR GYFER APWYNTIADAU CWNSELA a hysbysebu’r gefnogaeth Cwnsela a Lles gwych sydd ar gael yn well.

• Creu cynllun “SGORIO EICH ASIANT GOSOD” • Mentora myfyrwyr yn yr holl ysgolion • Cynyddu amseroedd agor Siopswyddi • Hyrwyddo cynwysoldeb a goddefgarwch gyda swyddogion ymgyrch a pharhau i wella ymwybyddiaeth iechyd meddwl a mentrau iechyd meddwl • LOCERI defnydd byr dymor YN YR UNDEB ac ar draws y campws • Gweithredu DIWRNOD PROFI iechyd rhywiol • Ehangu’r cynllun Cerdyn-C i’r Mynydd Bychan • Gwneud yn si r bod myfyrwyr yn cael y gwerth gorau am arian mewn caffis ar y campws • Annog cwpanau coffi aml-dro ar draws caffis y campws, gyda DIODYDD TWYM RHATACH pan yn defnyddio un • Gwneud ystafelloedd yr Undeb yn agored ar gyfer astudiaeth gr p yn ystod cyfnod arholiadau • SIEDIAU BEIC DIOGEL ar draws y campws a lobïo’r Cyngor i’r rhain fod ar gael yn y dref • Cyflwyniad syniadau ar cardiffstudents - syniadau poblogaidd gan fyfyrwyr yn cael eu hystyried Os rydych yn hoffi beth rydych yn ei weld, pleidleisiwch Fox.

manifesto 2017

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BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITIES OFFICER SWYDDOG MYFYRWYR DUON A LLEIAFRIFOEDD ETHNIG

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KABIRA SULEMAN

What I want to do!

I want to make sure there is more celebration and recognition of diversity in Cardiff by having more BME events.

I want to make sure voices of BME students or opinions on any issue of diversity are at the forefront of the university.

I believe BME culture should be integrated into the wider community - I want to change the way people look at racial based societies are looked at as “racially exclusive"".

So why vote for me?

• You do not have to be from a BME background to care about BME students at Cardiff university.

• A person who votes for me is a person who wants to support the unity of all ethnic backgrounds and cultures in Cardiff.

• A person who votes for me believes in racial equality and is accepting of other people’s beliefs and culture.

• A person who votes for me is a person who wants to be empowered by their race and origins regardless of their whereabouts or context.

Beth rwyf am ei wneud!

Hoffwn wneud yn si r bod mwy o ddathlu a chydnabod amrywiaeth yng Nghaerdydd drwy gael mwy o ddigwyddiadau BME / Pobl Dduon a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig.

Rwyf am wneud yn siwr bod llais a barn myfyrwyr Duon a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig ar flaen y gad gan y brifysgol.

Credaf y dylid integreiddio diwylliant BME i’r gymuned ehangach - rwyf am newid y ffordd mae pobl yn edrych ar gymdeithasau hil gan eu bod yn cael eu gweld fel “racially exclusive”.

Felly pam pleidleisio drosof fi?

The Black and Ethnic Minorities Officer works to represent the interests of black students and students of ethnic minority backgrounds (BEM) and to campaign on any relevant issues.

Mae’r Swyddog Myfyrwyr Duon a Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig yn gweithio i gynrychioli buddiannau myfyrwyr duon a myfyrwyr o gefndiroedd lleiafrifoedd ethnig ac ymgyrchu dros unrhyw faterion perthnasol.

• Nid oes yn rhaid i chi ddod o gefndir BME i ofalu a phoeni am fyfyrwyr BME ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd.

• Mae person sy’n pleidleisio drosof fi yn berson sydd eisiau cefnogi undod i bob cefndir ethnig a diwylliannau yng Nghaerdydd.

• Mae person sy'n pleidleisio drosof fi yn credu mewn cydraddoldeb hiliol ac yn derbyn credoau a diwylliant pobl eraill.

• Mae person sy’n pleidleisio drosof fi yn berson sydd eisiau cael grym gan eu tras a’u gwreiddiau beth bynnag fo’u lleoliad neu gyd-destun.

manifesto 2017

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' OFFICER SWYDDOG MYFYRWYR RHYNGWLADOL

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AYESHA AZHAR

I grew up within a vibrant, multicultural environment in Saudi Arabia and then went on to pursue my undergraduate degree in three different countries (Pakistan, Canada and the UK). These experiences have reinforced the positive impact of diversity on my life. At the School of Geography and Planning, I am the student representative for my course and greatly enjoy the sense of responsibility and scope for impact the position has brought to my life. In this capacity, I have discovered that listening to and addressing the problems students from all corners of the world are experiencing is essential for greater cultural understanding and harmony.

I believe that I am a strong candidate for the position of International Students’ Officer because my diverse experiences make it easier for people to approach me with their issues and interact with me. As an architect working in both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, I have interacted and communicated with a very diverse set of people and learned that listening well is the cornerstone of effective communication. My professional experiences have also made me a strong team worker and given me the skill to both cooperate with others and fulfil my individual responsibilities within a project.

Cefais fy magu mewn amgylchedd fywiog, amlddiwylliannol yn Saudi Arabia a mynd ymlaen ar drywydd fy ngradd israddedig mewn tair gwlad gwahanol (Pakistan, Canada a’r DU). Mae’r profiadau hyn wedi atgyfnerthu’r effaith gadarnhaol ar amrywiaeth fy mywyd. Yn yr ysgol Ddaearyddiaeth a Chynllunio, fi yw’r cynrychiolydd myfyrwyr ar gyfer fy nghwrs a dwi wir yn mwynhau cyfrifoldeb a chwmpas y swydd. Yn rhinwedd y swydd hon, rwyf wedi darganfod bod gwrando ar a rhoi sylw i'r problemau sy'n wynebu myfyrwyr o bedwar ban y byd yn hanfodol ar gyfer gwella dealltwriaeth ddiwylliannol a chytgord.

Credaf fy mod yn ymgeisydd cryf ar gyfer swydd Swyddog Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol oherwydd bod fy mhrofiadau amrywiol yn ei gwneud hi’n haws i bobl ddod ataf fi gyda’u materion a rhyngweithio gyda mi. Fel pensaer yn gweithio yn Sawdi Arabia a Phacistan, rwyf wedi rhyngweithio a chyfathrebu gydag amrywiaeth o bobl a dysgu mai gwrando yn dda yw conglfaen cyfathrebu effeithiol. Mae fy mhrofiadau proffesiynol hefyd wedi fy ngwneud yn weithiwr tîm cryf a rhoi’r sgil o weithio gydag eraill, a chyflawni fy nghyfrifoldebau unigol o fewn prosiect.

The International Students' Officer works to represent International Students’ interests at Union and University level and to campaign on any relevant issues.

Mae’r Swyddog Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol yn gweithio i gynrychioli buddiannau Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol yn yr Undeb a’r Brifysgol ac ymgyrchu dros unrhyw faterion perthnasol.

international students' officer

manifesto 2016

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Swyddog Myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol

 JO TAN

I want to build an environment that allows the international students to feel exactly like home.

As an international students myself, I notice there is not much issues but there is definitely something missing.

WHY WILL YOU VOTE?

Here are my aims: • A strong and supportive system to international students.

• To enlighten the other students of all our cultural.

• To have a more accessible means of channeling international students’ opinions in various matters.

• A means to assist international students in tuition fees as it is higher compare to the home students or the EU students.

Some of my ideas: Cultural Night Home-sick? Curious? When it is that festive season of the year, join in the fun!

Suggestion Mail or Booth If you have an issue as an international student and needed someone to hear them, give this a try and I will help you out!

“I want to make sure other international students have a great experience in Cardiff”

More Bursaries and Scholarship For current and future international students. All you have to do is work hard, play hard but study smart!

Vote for me! I will do everything in my power to satisfy your needs.

A friend in need is a friend indeed!

Rwyf am feithrin amgylchedd sy’n galluogi myfyrwyr rhyngwladol i deimlo’n gartrefol.

Fel myfyriwr rhyngwladol fy hun, sylwaf nad oes llawer o broblemau ond mae yna bendant rhywbeth ar goll.

Dyma fy nodau: • System cryf a chefnogol i fyfyrwyr rhyngwladol.

• Codi ymwybyddiaeth o’n cymdeithasau diwylliannol.

• Cael modd mwy hygyrch o sianelu barn myfyrwyr rhyngwladol ar faterion amrywiol.

• Modd i gymharu dulliau i helpu myfyrwyr rhyngwladol ynghylch ffioedd dysgu gan eu bod yn fwy na myfyrwyr cartref neu myfyrwyr yr UE. Rhai o fy syniadau: Noson Ddiwylliannol Hiraethu am adref? Chwilfrydig? Pan ei fod yn gyfnod yr yl, ymunwch yn yr hwyl!

E-bost neu Bwth Awgrym Os oes gennych broblem fel myfyriwr rhyngwladol ac angen rhywun i wrando, rhowch gynnig ar hyn a byddaf yn eich helpu!

Mwy o Bwrsariaethau ac Ysgoloriaethau Ar gyfer myfyrwyr rhyngwladol y presennol a’r dyfodol. Yr oll sydd yn rhaid i chi wneud yw gweithio'n galed, chwarae’n galed ac astudio’n glyfar!

Pleidleisiwch drosof fi! Byddaf yn gwneud popeth yn fy ngallu i fodloni eich anghenion.

Mae ffrind mewn angen yn ffrind yn wir!

PAM PLEIDLEISIO? “Rwyf am wneud yn siwr bod myfyrwyr rhyngwladol eraill yn cael profiad gwych yng Nghaerdydd”

vice president welfare

PAM PLEIDLEISIO? “ Fydda i ddim yng Nghaerdydd y flwyddyn nesaf ond mae dyfodol y Brifysgol yn bwysig i mi” cardiffstudents.com/elections

manifesto 2017

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MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER SWYDDOG IECHYD MEDDWL

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CALLUM SMITH

I am Callum Smith, a history student, a Student Senator and member of the Scrutiny Committee who wants to make sure that all students at Cardiff University feel represented. I am concerned that the number of students experiencing mental health problems is increasing; now 1 in 4 students.

However, this is not being reflected in service provision. I believe students facing mental health difficulties deserve to be fully supported and free of stigma.

As Mental Health Officer I will: • Promote awareness of mental health and the signposting of local services available to Cardiff University students.

• Work closely with the Students’ Union, Counselling and Wellbeing Service, and Colleges / Schools in determining the needs of students, designing services and delivery and ensuring help can be provided at the earliest opportunity.

• Explore more diversified mental health support including peer-led support and seek to ensure that services are available in a convenient manner (evenings, weekends, over the phone, on-line and in languages most spoken by international students).

• Improve accessibility to services by students who are suspended, temporarily withdrawn, on placement or studying abroad.

• Play a pro-active role in lobbying policy makers.

KEEP CALM AND TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH! VOTE CALLUM SMITH! Fi yw Callum Smith, myfyriwr hanes, seneddwr myfyriwr ac aelod o’r Pwyllgor Craffu sydd eisiau gwneud yn siwr bod pob myfyriwr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd yn cael eu cynrychioli. Rwy’n bryderus bod y nifer o fyfyrwyr sy’n profi problemau iechyd meddwl yn cynyddu; nawr yn 1 o bob 4 myfyriwr. Fodd bynnag, nid yw hyn yn cael ei adlewyrchu yn y ddarpariaeth gwasanaeth. Credaf bod myfyrwyr sy’n wynebu anawsterau iechyd meddwl yn haeddu cael eu cefnogi’n llawn heb stigma.

The Mental Health Officer works to represent the interests of students experiencing a mental health condition at Union and University level and campaigns on any relevant issues.

Mae’r Swyddog Myfyrwyr ag Anableddau yn gweithio i gynrychioli myfyrwyr sy'n profi cyflwr iechyd meddwl ar lefel Undeb a'r Brifysgol ar unrhyw faterion perthnasol.

Fel Swyddog Iechyd Meddwl byddaf yn: • Hyrwyddo ymwybyddiaeth iechyd meddwl a chyfeirio’r gwasanaethau lleol sydd ar gael i fyfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd.

• Gweithio’n agos gydag Undeb y Myfyrwyr, Gwasanaeth Cwnsela a Lles a Cholegau / Ysgolion wrth benderfynu anghenion myfyrwyr, dylunio gwasanaethau a darparu a sicrhau y gellir darparu cymorth ar y cyfle cyntaf.

• Archwilio cefnogaeth iechyd meddwl mwy amrywiol gan gynnwys cymorth dan arweiniad cymheiriaid a cheisio sicrhau bod gwasanaethau ar gael mewn modd hwylus (nosweithiau, penwythnosau, dros y ffôn, ar-lein ac mewn ieithoedd y rhan fwyaf o fyfyrwyr rhyngwladol).

• Cynyddu'r hygyrchedd i wasanaethau gan fyfyrwyr sy'n cael eu hatal, eu tynnu yn ôl dros dro, ar leoliad gwaith neu astudio dramor.

• Chwarae rôl ragweithiol wrth lobïo gwneuthurwyr polisi.

PEIDIWCH A CHYNHYRFU A SIARADWCH AM IECHYD MEDDWL! PLEIDLEISIWCH CALLUM SMITH!

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mental health officer

manifesto 2017

Swyddog Iechyd Meddwl

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Hello, my name is Elliott Stubbs, and I’m running for mental health officer. I’m an ecology student in my second year. I also have been diagnosed with several mental health conditions, some going undiagnosed until university, including dyspraxia, depression and ADD. I am determined that no student shall go without access to mental health services and support during their stay in uni, whether the condition is transient, pre-existing, or a completely new experience.

I have become increasingly involved in student voice, joining scrutiny committee at the beginning of this academic year. This experience has helped me become more confident in voicing my opinion, and given me insight into how best to represent your interests to the university.

My pledges: • Lobby the university to increase the budget for wellbeing and counselling • Lobby for services designed to help navigate NHS services • Run campaigns to highlight less recognised mental health issues and learning disabilities



ELLIOTT STUBBS

GEORGE WATKINS

Don't suffer in silence. Vote George Watkins for Mental Health Officer.

• Safe places: For anyone at risk of suicide or self-harm who needs immediate help within the university, where they would be able to be looked after, monitored and guided towards help • Wellbeing families: A buddy system for anyone suffering with mental health issues, open to anyone who requests it. You will have someone there who cares for you and help you keep going when times are tough.

• Eating disorder support: Working closely with sufferers themselves, I will push for help when you need it, close to home.

• Weekend services: Having a hard time out of hours? There will be help available.

• Drop-in services: More counselling and wellbeing appointments at the Student Support Centre on a daily basis.

• Extenuating circumstances: Criteria that work for mental health sufferers, instead of you having to work for them.

• A campaign around staying healthy in crises, such as links to healthy, low effort, cheap meals

Help me make your student life as good as it deserves to be.

• To ensure intersectionality of support by working with the other campaign officers

Peidiwch â dioddef yn dawel. Pleidleisiwch George Watkins ar gyfer Swyddog Iechyd Meddwl.

Thank you for reading my manifesto, if you have any questions my email is StubbsE@cardiff.ac.uk, or come and say hello during election week.

• Mannau Diogel: Ar gyfer unrhyw un sydd mewn perygl o hunanladdiad neu hunan-niwed sydd angen cymorth brys o fewn y brifysgol, lle byddant yn derbyn gofal, yn cael eu monitro a’u harwain tuag at gymorth

Helo, fy enw i yw Elliott Stubbs, a dwi'n rhedeg ar gyfer swyddog iechyd meddwl.

Rwyf yn fyfyriwr ecoleg yn fy ail flwyddyn. Rwyf hefyd wedi derbyn diagnosis o sawl gyflyrau iechyd meddwl gwahanol, rhai heb eu diagnosio tan y brifysgol, gan gynnwys dyspraxia, iselder ac ADD. Rwyf yn benderfynol na ddylai un myfyrwyr fynd heb gael mynediad i wasanaethau a chymorth iechyd meddwl yn ystod eu hamser yn y brifysgol, boed os yw’r cyflwr yn ddarfodedig, yn bodoli eisoes neu’n brofiad hollol newydd.

Rwyf wedi cymryd rhan gynyddol o fewn llais myfyrwyr, yn ymuno â’r pwyllgor craffu ar ddechrau’r flwyddyn academaidd. Mae’r profiad hwn wedi fy helpu i ddod yn fwy hyderus yn rhannu fy marn, ac wedi rhoi mewnwelediad i mi ar sut i gynrychioli eich buddiannau i’r brifysgol: Fy addewidion: • Lobio’r Brifysgol i gynyddu'r gyllideb ar gyfer lles a chwnsela • Lobio ar gyfer gwasanaethau sydd wedi'u cynllunio i helpu llywio gwasanaethau’r GIG • Cynnal ymgyrchoedd i dynnu sylw at faterion iechyd meddwl ac anableddau dysgu llai cydnabyddedig.

• Ymgyrch ynghylch aros yn iach yn ystod argyfyngau, megis cysylltiadau i brydau bwyd hawdd, rhad, iach.

• Sicrhau croesffordd o gymorth drwy weithio gyda swyddogion ymgyrch eraill.

Diolch am ddarllen fy maniffesto, os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau, fy e-bost yw StubbsE@cardiff.ac.uk, neu dewch i ddweud helo yn ystod wythnos yr etholiadau.

• Teuluoedd Lles: System gyfeillio ar gyfer unrhyw un sy’n dioddef o broblemau iechyd meddwl, yn agored i unrhyw un sy’n gofyn amdano. Bydd rhywun yno sy’n gofalu amdanoch ac yn eich helpu pan fo pethau’n anodd.

• Cymorth anhwylder bwyta: Gweithio'n agos gyda dioddefwyr eu hunain, byddaf yn gwthio am help pan fydd ei angen arnoch, yn agos at adref.

• Gwasanaethau penwythnos: Cael amser caled y tu allan i oriau gwaith? Bydd cymorth ar gael.

• Gwasanaeth Galw Heibio Dyddiol: Mwy o apwyntiadau cwnsela a lles yn y Ganolfan Cymorth Myfyrwyr yn ddyddiol.

• Amgylchiadau Esgusodol: Meini prawf sy'n gweithio i ddioddefwyr iechyd meddwl, yn lle eich bod yn gorfod gweithio amdanynt.

Helpwch wneud eich bywyd myfyriwr mor dda ag y mae’n haeddu bod.

mental health officer

manifesto 2017

37

Swyddog Iechyd Meddwl

 JAMIE PLUMB

My name is Jamie, and I am a fourth year medic running for the role of Mental Health Officer.

I am running for this position because I am passionate about pursuing a career in mental health.

It is my aim to represent any of the student body at Cardiff University who suffer from mental health issues. I also aim to reduce stigma surrounding mental health across the University.

How I plan to achieve these aims: • Help educate and signpost students to the whereabouts of mental health services.

• Work closely with societies and local charities to promote mental health awareness, and help alleviate pressures from students during stressful periods.

• Improve access for International, European and Erasmus students to mental health services, through simplifying the service questionnaire, and implementation of a volunteer scheme to help students complete this.

• Lobbying to reduce waiting times for counselling.

• Encourage the uptake of mental health training for staff members across faculties.

Thank you for reading my manifesto! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at plumbjp@cardiff.ac.uk, or call me on 07827292394.

Please vote for me via https://www.cardiffstudents.com/elections/ The elections are happening from 20th February – 24th February.

WHY WILL YOU VOTE? “I want to leave my mark on Cardiff when I leave”

PAM PLEIDLEISIO?

Thank you for your support!

Fy enw i yw Jamie, a dwi’n astudio meddygaeth yn fy mhedwaredd blwyddyn ac yn rhedeg ar gyfer rôl Swyddog Iechyd Meddwl.

Dwi’n rhedeg ar gyfer y swydd oherwydd rwyf yn angerddol am ddilyn gyrfa mewn iechyd meddwl.

Fy nod yw cynrychioli corff y myfyrwyr ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd sy’n dioddef o broblemau iechyd meddwl. Rwyf hefyd yn anelu i leihau’r stigma ynghylch iechyd meddwl ar draws y Brifysgol.

Sut rwyf yn bwriadu cyflawni'r amcanion hyn: • Helpu addysgu a chyfeirio myfyrwyr at ble mae gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl.

• Gweithio’n agos â chymdeithasau ac elusennau lleol i hyrwyddo ymwybyddiaeth iechyd meddwl, a helpu lleddfu'r pwysau sydd ar fyfyrwyr yn ystod cyfnodau o straen.

• Cynyddu'r mynediad ar gyfer myfyrwyr Rhyngwladol, Ewropeaidd ac Erasmus i wasanaethau iechyd meddwl, drwy symleiddio'r gwasanaeth holiadur, a gweithredu cynllun gwirfoddolwyr i helpu myfyrwyr gwblhau hyn.

• Lobio i leihau amseroedd aros ar gyfer cynghori.

• Annog hyfforddiant iechyd meddwl i aelodau staff ar draws cyfadrannau.

Diolch am ddarllen fy maniffesto! Os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau, cysylltwch â mi ar plumbjp@caerdydd.ac.uk, neu ffoniwch fi ar 07827292394.

Pleidleisiwch drosof ar: https://www.cardiffstudents.com/elections/ Mae’r etholiadau yn digwydd rhwng 20ain Chwefror - 24ain Chwefror.

Diolch am eich cefnogaeth!

“Rwyf am roi fy stamp ar Gaerdydd pan fyddaf yn gadael”

manifesto 2017

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OFFICER SWYDDOG MYFYRWYR AG ANABLEDDAU

The Students with Disabilities Officer works to represent the interests of students with disabilities at Union and University level and campaigns on any relevant issues.

Mae’r Swyddog Myfyrwyr ag Anableddau yn gweithio i gynrychioli buddiannau myfyrwyr ag anableddau yn yr Undeb a’r Brifysgol ac ymgyrchu dros unrhyw faterion perthnasol.



38

BHAVIKA CHANDNANI No manifesto submitted.

Heb gyflwyno maniffesto.

students with disabilities officer

manifesto 2017

39

Swyddog Myfyrwyr ag Anableddau

 CHARLES KNIGHTS

In the last year, I have been your Students with Disabilities Officer, and since elected have focused on providing more support for personal tutors and staff members when it comes to supporting students, increasing signposting around the union, and representing the needs of students as it arises. Having also continued to work with student media as the head of CUTV, and suffered with multiple mental disorders, I feel I am still in the best position to get your voice heard. If elected this year I will: • Continue to combat the issues up at the Heath support facilities, specifically the entrance, so all students have ease of access • Fight for equality in the extenuating circumstances process across all schools, making sure that no matter your background you have equal opportunity and understanding on how to get the best support • Establish a disability association to give greater voice and representation to students and disabilities campaigns

WHY WILL YOU VOTE? “Because democracy = power to the people”

• Work with external groups and the new Mental Health officer to put on more awareness days across the university year As I told you last year and continue to stand by, disability is nothing wrong. Keep talking about it as now is the time to Stop the Stigma.

Dros y flwyddyn diwethaf, rwyf wedi bod yn Swyddog Myfyrwyr ag Anableddau, ac ers cael fy ethol rwyf wedi canolbwyntio ar ddarparu mwy o gefnogaeth ar gyfer tiwtoriaid personol ac aelodau staff pan ddaw i gefnogi myfyrwyr, yn cynyddu’r arwyddo o amgylch yr undeb, a chynrychioli anghenion myfyrwyr. Rwyd hefyd wedi parhau i weithio gyda chyfryngau myfyrwyr fel pennaeth CUTV, tra’n dioddef o anhwylderau iechyd meddwl, rwyf yn dal i deimlo yn y sefyllfa orau i wneud yn siwr bod eich llais yn cael ei glywed. Os caf fy ethol eleni byddaf yn: • Parhau i daclo’r problemau gyda chyfleusterau cymorth y Mynydd Bychan, yn enwedig y fynedfa, fel bod pob myfyriwr yn cael mynediad rhwydd.

• Brwydro ar gyfer cydraddoldeb yn y broses amgylchiadau esgusodol ar draws pob ysgol, gwneud yn si r bod gennych cyfle cyfartal boed beth yw’ch cefndir a dealltwriaeth ar sut i gael y gefnogaeth orau • Sefydlu cymdeithas anabledd i roi mwy o lais a chynrychiolaeth i ymgyrchoedd myfyrwyr ag anableddau • Gweithio gyda grwpiau allanol a’r swyddog Iechyd Meddwl newydd i gynnal mwy o ddiwrnodau ymwybyddiaeth ar draws y flwyddyn yn y Brifysgol Fel y dywedais llynedd a dwi’n dal i gredu, nid oes dim o’i le ag anabledd.

Gadewch i ni barhau i sôn amdano oherwydd mae hi’n amser Stopio’r Stigma.

PAM PLEIDLEISIO? “Oherwydd democratiaeth = pwer i’r bobl”

WHY WILL YOU VOTE? “ I’m not going to be in Cardiff next year but I care who shapes the University’s future” cardiffstudents.com/elections

ADVICE 117

Learning a language

Harry Bligh

“

Be patient.

Learning a language takes time.

”

B

How to fit it in alongside your degree

etter job prospects, more cultural awareness, improved brain health - just some of the benefits of learning a new language. Learning a new language whist at university has a plethora of benefits and Cardiff has many resources to help you.

I started here in 2014 with only a B in GCSE French which I had done 3 years before. My language skills were somewhat rusty back then. Thankfully, Cardiff University’s ‘Languages for All’ programme provides free language courses to all students. LfA offers courses in 9 languages, including weekly seminars and one-week daily intense courses.

Not everyone has time in their week to take language lessons, in which case

there are many alternatives. Cardiff also offers students a membership to Rosetta Stone which has access to 30 languages, this can be found on Learning Central. Also students can self study a language in Senghennydd Library where there are books, magazines and films in lots of foreign languages.

If all this sounds too daunting and if you just want to dabble in a language, Duolingo is a great app for iPhone and Android which is free to use. You can learn multiple languages on your profile and it doesn’t cost a penny.

Not only does it track your progress, it gives you a fluency percentage and has features where you can learn with friends, have conversations with ‘bots’

and practice to strengthen your weaknesses.

I spent first and second year learning French up to a higher intermediate level with LfA. Learning French with LfA has been immensely useful and gave me the opportunity to further my study in Montreal last summer with Global Opportunities Centre. I highly recommend it.

Here are my top tips for learning a new language - If you’re using an app like Duolingo, set yourself a realistic goal and stick to it! Even if its just 10 minutes a day - Be patient! Learning a language takes time, it isn’t something you can do in a week.

- Immerse yourself in the language, listen to music or radio in that language, or take advantage of one of Language Schools Language Cafés.

- Keep practicing in your head.

Once you get to a good enough level, try and translate words and phrases in your head, like road signs (Unless you’re learning Welsh, then its already been done for you) - Start with the basics, learn the most common 100 words and learn basic conversation starters.

- When you feel more confident, set your phone to the language you are learning, that way you see and learn new words all the time and can be immersed in the life bubble that is social media.

Search ‘languages for all’ on the intranet Rosetta Stone is available through learning central Duolingo.com

Pictured: Flags of the world. Source: Penn State Via Flickr.

Managing stress

Oliver Baynham

H

Have you been feeling stressed recently?

ave you been feeling stressed recently?

Has the onslaught of depressing news meandering its way over from the barren wasteland of uncultured cucks that is the United States of America been getting your knickers in a twist?

Are you still mourning the death of the meme of the death of a strange gorilla man you never knew? Well never fret, because your local university newspaper has some helpful advice on dealing with stress that you can easily ignore.

In a survey conducted by the NHS, it was found that 91% of students find exams and assessments either ‘rea-

sonably’ or ‘very’ stressful, and it was later concluded that a student’s mental health has a direct impact on their academic performance. This means that being assessed on our university work stresses us out, which in turn makes us perform worse, which in turn stresses us out, which in turn makes us worse in assessments, which in turn... You get the idea.

But what is there to do about this infinite paradox of misery and depression?

“Can I just drown my sorrows in alcoholic beverages until I enjoy lowered inhibitions for a measly 7 hours on a Saturday night that I will probably never remember but will have a lasting

impact on my mental health and the well-being of my liver?” I hear you ask.

The answer of course is NO. Don’t think you can qualm stress through numbing your brain with mind altering drugs, and don’t for one second believe you can make yourself feel better through eating an entire pound of cooking chocolate, despite the fact that cooking chocolate is far cheaper per pound and tastes about the same when compared with normal chocolate, so it’s actually a really good deal when you think about it.

Stress is stress is stress. Remember that what is happening to you right now is all just a stepping stone; existence is a gift bestowed upon us, and

subsequently spending your time worrying about menial issues such as exams, Donald Trump, or Harambe (rest in peace) is going to have negative effects in the long term. Whenever you feel yourself becoming concerned over such things, consider instead whatever makes you happy in life.

The little things, such as: a hot cup of tea in the afternoon, a lengthy phone call with a friend you haven’t spoken to in ages, the taste of cooking chocolate, Pewdiepie, or this very article that you are reading right now.

Live, laugh, love, and please forget about Harambe because that meme is SO DEAD like seriously guys come on it’s the CURRENT YEAR.

“

What is there to do about this infinate paradox of misery

”

POLITICS 19

politics

Editors: Adam George Ellise Nicholls @GairRhyddPol politics@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/politics

‘Tax Tour’ sheds light on injustice

Activists from West Africa will be discussing the impact of tax avoidance

Adam George

“

Last month Oxfam revealed that eight billionaires now possess the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population.

”

C

ardiff residents concerned about spiralling global inequality can find out how ordinary people around the world are fighting to close the gap between the haves and have nots, at a free event organised by Oxfam and ActionAid on Thursday [23 February]. The event starts at 6pm and is being supported

by Gair Rhydd.

The event will feature two activists, one from Kenya and one from Nigeria. They will be discussing life in their home countries where, despite fast-growing economies, millions of people still remain in poverty.

Inequality is blatantly visible in these countries with wealthy neighbourhoods sitting alongside slums with no access to electricity or clean water.

Last month Oxfam revealed that eight billionaires now possess the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population. The charity has warned that a distorted economic model allows an extreme concentration of wealth at the top and traps millions in poverty.

A network of tax havens fuels this inequality – with poor countries losing at least $170bn each year because tax payments owed by companies and wealthy individuals are hidden in tax havens.

Gair Rhydd spoke to Matthew Hemsley, Oxfam Cymru’s Campaigns and Advocacy Manager, who said “It’s shocking that one in nine people go to bed hungry while a handful of billionaires have more than they can spend.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We’re calling for world leaders to fix our economies so they work for everyone and bring the end of poverty closer.

We need policies to ensure that workers get a fair wage, big companies pay their fair share of tax, and women get a fair chance to realise their potential.”

It is very clear that a global network of tax havens has fuelled inequality around the world with poor countries losing out on around £135 billion ($170 billion) each year because companies and the super-rich dodge paying their fair share of taxes. This money could, and should, be used to fund schools and hospitals.

One of the speakers at the event is Wanjiru Kanyiha, a lawyer from Kenya. Wanjiru is involved in various programmes in Kenya, one being Inuka [Rise Up] - a non-governmental organisation involved specifically in corruption, with an emphasis on working for ordinary Kenyans. Wanjiru is a champion for the use of social media for advocacy, campaigning and catalyzing discourse for social

change.

Gair Rhydd asked Wanjiru why she cared about social justice and she told us “I care about tax justice because it impacts directly on people’s lives and livelihoods. Unfair tax systems tend to oppress the poor in society, denying them even their basic human needs. For me it is therefore about human dignity first.”

When we asked her what her motivation for speaking on the tax tour was, she said “I was motivated to speak on the tax tour because I believe the tour shall give me an international platform to talk about tax justice and the effects of tax evasion on a developing nation such as Kenya, as we seek both national and international solutions to ending the Illicit Financial Flows that cost Kenya and Africa billions of dollars each year.”

Wanjiru also suggested that the tour gave her a chance to deliver a message to MPs here in the UK. She said “The message I hope to deliver is appealing to the MPs to collaborate with our governments and other NGOs and international players to end harmful tax competition, Illicit Financial Flows, and regressive reforms to the current global tax system that facilitate tax avoidance and are biased towards wealthy countries,

corporations, and the wealthy elite.”

The other speaker at the event is Onyinye Okechukwi, campaigner for ActionAid Nigeria. Onyi has previously worked in the women’s right movement across West Africa, and is very skilful at linking tax and women’s rights issues. She also spoke to Gair Rhydd and told us her reasons for caring about tax justice. “Campaigning about tax justice for me is like providing lifeline to millions of Nigerians who are wallowing in unimaginable levels of poverty.”

Onji went on to explain her motivation for taking part in the tour. “This is an opportunity for me to be a voice for the poor women who are dying in childbirth and the 10 million Nigerian children who are out of school because the government has given away resources meant to provide them with these basic life necessities.”

The activists are calling on the UK Government to help close loopholes in global tax laws so that poor countries can claim what they are owed.

Four countries linked to the UK, including Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, have been labelled among the world’s worst tax havens.

The week-long tour begins in Edinburgh today and also includes Oxford, Manchester and London.

Pictured: Evidence of the poverty present in Kenya (Source: Allan Gichigi/Oxfam)

“

The activists are calling on the UK Government to help close loopholes in global tax laws

”

20 POLITICS

Watson says that Corbyn must improve

Deputy Leader says that the party faces an up-hill struggle Molly Ambler

“

Last week he imposed a three-line whip on his MPs in favour of supporting the Brexit bill

”

T

he current political climate leaves a lot to be desired, one must not forget the Labour

Party.

While the rest of the world is focusing on Brexit and the presidency of Trump, the Labour Party, once again, have to refute rumours of tension.

The Deputy Leader, Tom Watson, has downplayed suggestions that the party are looking at the popularity of alternative candidates for the leadership.

He told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show that while the party is considerably lagging behind Theresa May in the opinion polls, Jeremy Corbyn was “established” in the role.

He said that the party faced an “uphill struggle” to win the next elections and had to offer “positive” ideas.

The most recent ICM poll put Labour at 27%, which is 15 points behind the Conservatives. This is compared with a YouGov poll that suggests 62% of voters are unfavourable towards Mr Corbyn compared with 22% who are.

Labour’s election co-ordinator, Ian Lavery has said “There are plenty of leaders to pick from if and when Jeremy decides, of his own volition, that it’s not him at the election. That isn’t the case at this point in time.”

Mr Corbyn has been under the microscope for some time, seeing off a challenge to his leadership through Owen Smith last year, winning 61.8% of the vote, a higher share than his

first election into the position of leader of the Labour Party.

Mr Watson has remained loyal to his leader stating, “This is not the time for a leadership election. He got a second mandate from our members last year.

He is now the established leader of the Labour Party. It is his duty to lead the official Opposition through a period of unprecedented economic uncertainty and he will be tested.

He has to explain those and he has to improve on them and he’s well aware of that.”

Mr Corbyn, however, appears to be struggling with his party.

Last week he imposed a three-line whip, the strongest possible sanction, on his MPs in favour of supporting the Brexit bill, arguing that it reflected the will of the people, as shown by the EU Referendum.

However, Shadow Business Secretary Clive Lewis resigned from the front bench saying that backing the bill would go against his conscience.

In total, 52 Labour MPs voted against the orders of Mr Corbyn.

Does this signal the end of support for Mr Corbyn? Only time will tell.

For now, his Deputy Leader, Mr Watson remains firm, further stating “The polls aren’t great for us, but I’m determined that we’ve got the leadership settled for this Parliament, that we can focus on developing a very positive, clear message to the British people in a general election.”

Mr Watson is also trying to re-af-

Pictured: Left, Jeremy Corbyn at the no more War event at Parliament Square, August (photographer: Garry Knight); Below, missiles (photographer: Jonas Forth)

firm the position of the Labour Party on the political spectrum in Britain, naming the party as a “patriotic party.”

While Mr Corbyn’s deputy remains firm, it is unclear whether the rest of the party or indeed their voters will follow suit.

North Korea claims missile test success N

Ellise Nicholls

“

CNA said the missile was a strategic weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead

”

orth Korea has said that a test to launch a medium-to-longrange ballistic missile was a success.

China quickly voiced opposition, rejecting criticism that it could do more to steer the regime away from the goal of developing a nuclear weapon capable of striking US mainland.

The test on Sunday coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s summit with Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister forcing the two leaders to agree on an ad hoc response after their round of golf in Florida.

Geng Shuang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, said: “All sides should exercise restraint and jointly maintain regional peace and security.”

He told reporters in Beijing that China would take part in UN security talks with a “responsible and constructive attitude”.

The Chinese Communist Party newspaper has said the U.S. demands for Beijing to intervene and pressure Pyongyang into the abandonment of its nuclear and missile programmers were pointless, unless Washington was to examine its own role in current tensions in North Korea.

Japan and South Korea have requested urgent diplomatic talks at the

United Nations to discuss the launch.

The UN Mission for Ukraine, which holds the rotating security council presidency, said closed consultations will take place late Monday afternoon.

The Russian foreign ministry described the launch as “another defiant disregard” for UN security council resolutions, and a cause for “regret and concern”.

Trump adminsitrations has promised to take a tough stance against Pyongyang, but on Sunday, President Trump said that the US stood “100%”

by Japan as its ally.

Stephen Miller, Trump’s senior policy adviser, said the president and Abe had displayed “an important show of solidarity” between their nations.

“The message we’re sending to the world right now is a message of strength and solidarity. We stand with Japan and we stand with our allies in the region to address the North Korean menace,” Miller said in an interview with ABC’s This Week.

North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency said Kim Jong-un, the country’s leader, had personally overseen the launch of the Pukguksong-2missile, which flew for ap-

proximately 500km before landing in the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan. KCNA said the missile was a strategic weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics said North Korean claims about the missile’s were “a very concerning development”.

POLITICS 21

David Davis remarks cause backlash from MPs Lydia Jackson

“

Mr Davis had attempted to hug and kiss Ms Abbott, a Labour MP, after she had voted in favour of triggering the bill.

”

D

avid Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Conservative MP, has faced criticism after a text has been leaked which insult fellow MP Diane Abbott.

The text was sent after an exchange between him and Abbott in the House of Commons Bar on Wednesday.

This was after the Brexit vote, whereby the House of Commons MPs decided to trigger Article 50, a right earned through the Supreme Court case which took place last month.

It deemed that the government could not begin the formal legal process of leaving the European Union without there first being a vote in parliament.

Labour MPs had been instructed to vote in favour of allowing Theresa May to initiate the process of leaving the European Union by party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The Mail stated that Mr Davis had attempted to hug and kiss Ms Abbott, a Labour MP, after she had voted in favour of triggering the bill despite her reservations. Ms Abbott reportedly responded by telling him to “fuck off ”.

In response, Davis sent private text messages to a friend denying the insinuations, stating “I am not blind”.

As a result, he has been coined by Shadow attorney general Baroness

Shami Chakrabarti as “very silly, sexist and patronising”. Labour MP Chuka Umunna has also described Davis as “sexist” and “misogynistic”.

Mr Davis’ spokesperson has since apologised to Abbott on his behalf.

David Davis has seen a long career within the Conservative party since first becoming a Member of Parliament in the 1987 general election as the MP for Boothferry, which subsequently, in 1997, became the constituency of Haltemprice and Howden.

He has previously made bids for leadership in 2001 and 2004, securing second and then fourth place.

After defeat by Cameron, David Davis was appointed by the then new Conservative party leader as Shadow Home Secretary.

However, in 2008 he resigned in order to make a point regarding civil liberties, and raise his concerns over infringements upon them.

Shortly afterwards during the 2008 by-elections he was elected as MP once again for Haltemprice and Howden, and maintained this role as a backbencher whilst campaigning for civil liberties.

Theresa May brought him into the cabinet as Brexit Secretary when she was elected as Prime Minister in 2016.

Diane Abbott currently holds office as Shadow Home Secretary, and was the first female from an African Caribbean background to become an MP.

She began her career in the House of Commons in 1987 after becoming Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

Abbott has made a strong reputation for herself through her advocating of civil liberties which has earnt her 2008 Parliamentary Speech of the Year Award from Spector magazine, as well as recognition at the 2008 Human Rights awards.

In 2010 Ms Abbott stood in the leadership contest, however was

knocked out in the first round. Upon Ed Miliband assuming office as Prime Minister she was appointed Shadow Minister for Public Health.

She was sacked from this position

by Miliband in 2013, however was reappointed to the front bench by Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development.

In 2016 she was promoted to Shadow Health Secretary, and then Shadow Home Secretary.

Pictured: Diane Abbott at the Stop the War protest, London (photographer: Garry Knight)

UK warned against “special deals” with member states The EU is keen to maintain a united front after Brexit

Harry Busz

“

The UK’s negotiation team may attempt to exploit divisions between different member states in order to negotiate favourable deals on trade

”

T

he UK has been warned not to engage in parallel negotiations with individual EU countries when it triggers Article 50 in March.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission’s president has identified that a united front will be key in negotiating a Brexit deal as well as any future trade deals if they are to positively benefit the EU. Juncker stated in a press conference earlier this week that ‘a situation could arise whereby the UK might attempt to or wish to be obliging to certain member states in certain economic zones’ in order to secure future trade deals.

This has led to beliefs that the UK’s negotiation team may attempt to exploit divisions between different member states in order to negotiate favourable deals on trade in certain sectors such as finance and telecommunications.

Following last week’s overwhelming vote in the commons to transfer the power to Theresa May to trigger Article 50, renewed interest has been placed on the difficulty of reaching a deal that all EU member states as well as the UK will agree to.

The days of the UK’s cherry-picking surrounding Europe are expected to come to a halt, with multiple EU leaders believing that the UK must be punished in order to show that life outside the union is nothing other

doubtful countries should aspire to.

However, Brexit Secretary David Davis remains hopeful of a positive new relationship that can look to offer both sides a positive outcome, with the UK still wishing for zero tariffs on trade to the single market, a situation that many EU taxpayers and leaders see as completely unreasonable.

It is also feared that the UK will enter a period of limbo after triggering Article 50, with countries such as the USA and Australia unlikely to be able to sign deals until the UK-EU negotiations are finalised.

This is likely to disrupt trade between the UK and the 50 countries it has trade deals with through the EU as the UK faces potential fines for early negotiations.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern also maintained the view that a united EU will perform much better in negotiations, claiming a capitulation of a united European front could threaten the Unions future.

However, many European leaders have denounced a possible punishing of the UK for leaving the Bloc, with Polish leaders criticising Brussels for its position on tough negotiations, claiming that it could lead to the downfall of the whole European project.

Speaking during a visit to Finland, Brexit Secretary Davis Davis said he

Pictured: European Union flag (photographer: Horia Varlan

wanted an outcome which was fair for both the EU and the UK. “We’re not talking about a breakup, we’re talking about a new relationship, that’s what we want to see,” he said.

The split on attitudes towards the

UK from within the EU is a stark reminder of the huge task negotiators face, as they attempt to clarify the terms of exit and then any future relationship, with Theresa May maintaining she would prefer no deal over a bad one.

22 SCIENCE

science

Editors: Tanya Harrington Kat Pooprasert @GairRhyddSci science@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/science

Scientists capture earliest supernova spectra ever

Matthew Jordan

“

Those are the earliest spectra ever taken of a supernova explosion.

”

S

cientists recently managed to capture observations of a star undergoing a supernova just three hours after the process began.

The study, published on Monday in Nature Physics, provides a new view of the lead-up to and the immediate results of a supernova explosion.

The supernova, designated SN 2013s, was originally discovered in 2013 by the iPTF (Intermediate Palomar Transient Factory), which immediately alerted a network of facilities around the world to capture the explosive death of the star.

Exhumed material travelling at 10,000 km/s typically obscures the region within days, hiding evidence of the collapse. The quick flagging allowed scientists to get a glimpse of the dense circumstellar disk of material blown off as a large star enters its swan song.

“Those are the earliest spectra ever taken of a supernova explosion,” said study author and Weizmann Institute astrophysicist Ofer Yaron. “It’s from those early spectra that we managed to learn so much about the distribution of the material that we found to exist around this exploding supernova.”

The event itself is a Type II supernova, meaning that the original

star was likely a red supergiant. It’s expected that it would have had a mass of at least ten times that of the Sun and a radius hundreds of times larger. It can be located to the galaxy NGC 7610, approximately 160 million light years away from our own galaxy. While the light has only just reached our solar system now, the supernova must have occurred over 100 million years ago.

The survey got a sight of the ionisation shockwave of the supernova through the mass exhausted by the supergiant. The spectra analysed showed that the star had been shedding matter for years before the collapse.

While it is generally known how stars of this type perish, the details of the mass loss of such stars prior to exploding and the effect of this on the stellar core are for the most part unknown, making this new information extremely valuable.

“It’s as if the star knows that it is finishing its life soon, that it will die soon, and it puffs some material outside in its last breaths,” Yaron commented. “It’s like volcanoes or geysers where, in many cases, you will see some bubbling of material and ejection of lava on a smaller scale before the real eruption. Studies like

Pictured: Like a champagne supernova in the sky (Source: NASA).

this strengthen our understanding of the very final stages of massive stars, showing that [are] hints of the coming supernova explosion.”

More early sights of these stellar events are likely to follow in the future. Later this year, the iPTF will

be replaced by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), capable of scanning a 3750 square degree view of the sky per hour. This would allow almost the entire visible sky to be scanned in a single night, making such transients much more likely to be detected.

New 2D material could be a physics gamechanger Joshua Green

“

These newfound discoveries can challenge scientific laws and held beliefs.

”

I

f you were asked to name a 2D material a fair amount of you would scratch your heads in confusion or shout about how graphene is that ‘wonder material’. For starters, what is a 2D material? A 2D material is a sheet of a set dimension in one direction but only one (or a few more) layer-of-atom thick in the other direction. These types of materials are usually very hard to fabricate as the needs of precision and technology to obtain one atom thick material are high and expensive.

2D materials are unique in a sense that they have unique properties that, say, multiple layers of the material would have. Taking the example of graphene, which is essentially a 2D sheet of carbon atoms, scientists observe different properties that the material graphite (which is essentially hundreds of millions of layers of graphene) has. These 2D materials display exotic properties such as being semiconducting materials (things that can conduct electricity or be an insulator when specific requirements are met) when the bulk of 3D material do not. There are many more exotic properties and, also, many other 2D materials despite the massive popularity that graphene has in scientific circles and even popular culture.

Scientists have been able to create

a new 2D material inside of a laboratory. These scientists from the University of Pennsylvania, have been able to create a 2D material called tungsten ditelluride. This material was created by using a technique called chemical vapour deposition (CVD for short). This involves heating up a tungsten chip inside a chamber whilst flowing through a vapour containing tellurium and altering many variables to get the desired 3-layer thick material. The research team comprised of Professor A.T Charlie Johnson, Professor James Kikkawa and graduate students Carl Naylor and William Parkin. This type of 2D material is actually as thick as 3 atoms, but can be considered a 2D material due to the extremely small scales more comparable to 2D than 3D bulk material.

The reason for the excitement of creating and experimenting with this tungsten ditelluride material is due to the properties it can exhibit as opposed to graphene. Although graphene remains a popular material many scientists claim that graphene is already becoming a ‘boring’ material to work with. Scientists desire materials that can do much more than just display the properties solely down to the material itself rather than properties related to the vary-

Pictured: 2D? 2 Cool.

(Photographer: China Science and Technology Museum)

ing formation of the material itself.

That’s where the 3-layer thickness of tungsten ditelluride becomes relevant. The three atoms involved with each ‘section’ of the layer can actually be rearranged in different combinations.

When the right configuration is found the material exhibits ‘topological electronic states’, which is a unusual property of a material, and one consequence of this is for a material

like this tungsten ditelluride to conduct electricity only along the edges of the material rather than the centre of it.

There are many properties that a material can have with these states present. The varied properties that tungsten ditelluride can have, due to these ‘topological electronic states’ could lead to applications in quantum computing for reducing the error in measurements.

SCIENCE 23

Innovative technology improves opportunities for blind scientists Sam Saunders

“

Interpreting scientific data can be hugely difficult for someone with a visual impairment.

” James MacLachlan

“

“We hope this will help to counter the problem of bee declines,” says Miyako.

”

N

ew hope has been given to aspiring scientists who can’t see, as a device developed at Purdue University, Indiana, allows blind people to ‘see’ blood cells via haptic feedback.

The device, which is the brainchild of Ting Zhang and her team at the university, consists of a joystick wired up to a computer which is connected to a microscope.

The joystick provides haptic feedback to the user by vibrating to inform the user of different textures or pushes back against your hand, as it is moved over the wall of a cell (blood smears in this test).

In the test that was conducted, both blindfolded and blind people using the joystick were able to differentiate between red and white blood cells.

Incredibly, Zhang also claimed that the users of the system were also able to get information about the shape, colour and texture of the samples by processing the feedback from the joystick.

The system works by processing the information collected by the computer from the microscope using computer vision algorithms, which obtains certain features such as cell walls. The computer then forms a digital image that allows the joystick to provide said feedback.

This development is a huge leap forward, as whilst it is relatively easy to

W

hether you love them or hate them, you can’t deny that bees do a lot more for humanity than we realise. Sure, these flying insects produce honey, which a great number of the human and animal population (not just Winnie-the-Pooh) enjoy consuming, but their most important role is their position as commercial crosspollinators.

The bees collect pollen on their legs as they search plants for nectar. The pollen on their legs gets distributed to other flowers throughout the bee’s journey, pollenating these flowers which results in the production of food (it’s estimated that one third of food humans eat and three quarters of global crop species is directly associated with bees) and allows the flower to reproduce – and more flowers not only means the world looks prettier, it means more oxygen too.

It’s common knowledge that, due to deforestation, climate change, and the use of pesticides, the bee population is in decline, and we can agree that bees directly affect the food we eat and the air we breathe - so a decline in the former will one day lead to a decline in the latter. Something needs to bee done. Sorry about that.

I’ll just…

Enter the robo-bee! Robotic ‘bee drones’, a concept that bears a striking familiarity to something in an episode of Black Mirror, could be making their way into the real world

Pictured: Additions to technology may aid blind researchers.

(Photographer: Milosz1).

translate written words to braille, it has been difficult to develop methods so that blind people can interpret other visual information. The current method for people without sight to get information from cells is very time consuming, as it requires someone to manually input the information into a computer, which is then converted into a textured printout.

As in Zhang’s words this system ‘relies on having a non-visually-impaired person to process the data’ the development of her system is clearly leaps and bounds ahead of

anything else that is currently on the market. This was proved in the tests, as the blind and blindfolded people gained more information from Zhang’s system than from using the old tactile paper method. She is also hoping that this development encourages more visually impaired people to study scientific subjects, and Zhang wants to ‘make it easier for them to do so.’

The new development has been welcomed by Fight for Sight, a leading UK charity that helps visually impaired people.

Dolores Conroy, who works for this

charity has called Zhang’s system a ‘really exciting approach’ and also acknowledges that ‘interpreting scientific data can be hugely difficult for someone with visual impairment.’

The progress made at Purdue University is proven in the tests they have conducted and this system makes a huge leap forward in terms of helping the visually impaired.

Zhang and her team have provided genuine hope for those who want to study science but are impaired in this way and her system will surely make it easier for them to realise their dreams.

Flight of the Robo-bee

thanks to Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. The bee drone is a minute drone that is small enough not to damage the plant whilst it collects the pollen on sticky horse hairs attached to its underside. The drone is four centimetres wide and weighs only 15 grams. Then, like a bee would, it carries the pollen to another plant which fertilises it. One major setback is that, for the time being, the drones must be controlled manually, but with constant experimentation with Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Artificial Intelligence, the drones may one day

become autonomous and seek out pollen on their own.

The project’s lead scientist, Eijiro Miyako, says the team is focusing their efforts on developing the technology to make the drones autonomous in the future. Advanced GPS, high-resolution cameras and sensors, and artificial intelligence are all necessary to allow the drones to ‘think’ for themselves.“ We hope this will help to counter the problem of bee declines,” says Miyako. “But importantly, bees and drones should be used together.” This statement highlights the fact that the scientists are not creating a replacement for bees

Pictured: Should we be sceptical about the drones or should we embrace them?

(Photographer: Fractality)

but simply a means to assist the bees in their tasks.

It is both amazing and worrying that technology has come this far.

On the one hand, there’s the potential for aiding an entire species, with potential benefits for so much more in the years and decades to come.

But, rather understandably on the other, there are worries that the bee drones will be a risk to the world by being hacked and used for the wrong purposes, much like in Black Mirror.

Should we be sceptical about the drones? Should we embrace them?

I’ll let you bee the judge of that. (I’ll stop now…)

24 SOCIETIES

societies Andrew Martin

F

Editor: Aletheia Nutt @GairRhyddSoc societies@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/societies

Student takeover at RWCMD...

or one week in every term, the students at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama are given an opportunity in which to run their own festival of public events. The college facilities are given exclusively to them and through the REPCo scheme entrepreneurial individuals are given a platform to develop key skills that are essential in the arts industry.

Over the past few years these events have ranged from orchestral concerts and musical theatre productions to art and sound exhibitions and productions by the drama students at the college. However what is really special about each of the events is that they are completely student led from beginning to end. REPCo nurtures the creativity of the students, and the business enterprise and talent displayed by the students is of a huge asset to the college.

The process starts with each individual putting forward their idea, taking into account budgeting considerations and how their proposals might attract an audience.

These are then in turn reviewed, and select projects that are approved by the student committee are then developed over the following weeks. Through regular meetings the project managers learn about programming and marketing their individual events as part of the REPCo Festival, and how to organise performers and coordinate rehearsals. Later in the term these projects then culminate in a week of public performances in the top quality facilities that are available at the college. Later, many individuals then go on to develop their branding even further and form their own professional performing companies building on their successes made through REPCo. Next week is the 2017 Spring Festival and is set to be one of the most exciting weeks yet. A wide assortment of events are being held, with established groups; REPCo Sinfonia, Acacella and Profile Piano extending to new audiences and building on their past successes. The Weston Chamber Series showcases a variety of differ-

ent performances from the music faculty at the college and the week closes with a performance of the infamous Vagina Monologues. A full list of events is available on the college website.

The festival is running from the 20th to the 25th February and student tickets are available for £4 from the Box Office (02920 391391) or online at www.rwcmd. ac.uk_whatson

National Student Volunteering

Helping others is more than just an activity for volunteering week!

Michelle LentonJohnson

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Puppies!

Some of our volunteering work involves walking local rescue dogs.

What more do you want?

”

F

As most of you will probably know, this week (Feb 20th – 26th) is National Student Volunteering Week. Over the course of this week Cardiff Volunteering will be working with our friends at SVC to run a number of exciting events that you can get involved in locally. This is a great time to have a go at volunteering and hopefully you’ll get a lot out of it and want to do it some more!

If that is the case then Cardiff Volunteering run over 40 regular weekly volunteering projects that you can get involved in locally – visit https://www.cardiffstudents. com/jobs-skills/volunteering/ourprojects/ or pop into our office on the 2nd floor of the SU to find out more.

If you need any more persuading – below are our Top 10 Reasons to Volunteer …

1. Meet new people! It doesn’t matter if you’re a first or final year – it’s always good to meet people who have similar views and interests to you, and you can never have too many mates!

2. Build confidence! Volunteering is a lovely way to build your social skills and confidence in leading a group of people, whether they are children, adults or the elderly.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly

your confidence grows!

3. Transferrable Skills! If you’ve been to a careers talk you’ve probably heard us all harp on about this – but it’s important so hear us out!

Volunteering can provide concrete evidence of skills including time management, organisation, communication, problem solving… the list is endless.

4. Experience for your CV! Linked to the above – you need evidence and examples to back up your claims on your CV in a job interview, application – they want proof you can be there on time, not just your word for it!

5. Give back to community! If you’re anything like us you will have fallen head over heels for the beautiful city that is Cardiff. However amazing the city is, they all need some love and volunteering is one way you can give back to this incredible place you call home for 3 years (or more!)

6. Makes you feel good! Links have been made between volunteering and improved mental health, but we don’t need scientific proof to know that nothing beats that feel good feeling of a child seeing a giraffe for the first time, or the joy of a year 8 student who has finally got that maths problem, or an elderly lady’s smile when she re-

ceives a Christmas present. Fact.

7. Puppies! Some of our volunteering work involves walking local rescue dogs. What more do you want?

8. Fun! Volunteering is unavoidably fun.

9. Make a difference! Volunteers provide such a valuable service to the community!

Your work will not go unnoticed and our partner schools, care

homes and external organisations are constantly so impressed and grateful for the support you provide.

10. Employers love it! Having volunteering experience on your CV could just be the tipping point separating you from another potential candidate.

It could also be the other way round – don’t let that happen to you!

Pictured: A musical festival of fun!

Student Volunteering Week Monday 20th February

wednesday 22nd February

meet at the Cardiff Volunteering offices.

No wellies required – but wear clothes that you don’t mind getting messy in.

You’ll even be able to visit all the animals during your break!

Paint Pots for Local Tots 10:00-16:00

tuesday 21st February Mural Make-over Madness 10:00-16:00

you don’t need to be there for the whole day, join us for as long as you are able! meet at the Cardiff Volunteering offices.

A Day on the Farm With a Difference! - 14:00-18:00

blind bowling - 17:00-20:30 meet at the Cardiff Volunteering offices.

For enquiries, please contact Volunteering@Cardiff.ac.uk In partnership with Student Volunteering Cardiff (SVC)

26 TAF-OD

taf-od

Golygyddion: Osian Wyn Morgan Liam Ketcher @Taf_od tafod@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/tafod

Mewnwr Cymru yn ymddiheuro Ymddiheurodd Gareth Davies ar ôl i fideo ohono yn ymladd yn Aberystwyth gael ei gyhoeddi

Yn y llun: Gareth Davies yn erbyn Lloegr (Tarddiad: BBC Iplayer)

Liam Ketcher

“

Os fyddai rhywun mewn swydd wahanol, fel athro neu wleidydd, byddai goblygiadau’r digwyddiad wedi bod yn wahanol iawn.

Ydy hwn yn deg, tybed?

”

C

yhoeddwyd darn o ffilm ar y 10fed o Chwefror, y noson cyn gêm Cymru a Lloegr yn y Chwe Gwlad eleni, o Gareth Davies yn ymladd gyda dau ‘fownser’ yn Aberystwyth.

Credir bod y digwyddiad wedi digwydd fis Awst diwethaf. Ers hyn mae Gareth Davies wedi ymddiheuro am ei ymddygiad ar y noson honno, gan ddweud ei fod “wedi ymateb yn y modd anghywir.”

Yn ogystal mae Undeb Rygbi Cymru wedi dweud eu bod nhw bellach wedi delio a’r mater yn fewnol, a’u bod wedi ei “atgoffa o’i gyfrifoldeb.”

Mae digwyddiad hwn wedi amlygu rôl chwaraewyr Rygbi fel llysgenhadon i’r gêm, ar y cae, ac i ffwrdd

ohono, ac yn enwedig yn y cyfryngau.

Yn sicr yn fy marn i, mae gan chwaraewyr Rygbi, neu unrhyw chwaraewyr o’r fath rôl tu allan o oriau ymarfer a chwarae i ymddwyn yn broffesiynol, ac i ddangos esiampl i blant iau sydd gyda diddordeb yn y gêm, ac felly yn edmygu chwaraewyr fel Gareth Davies. Credaf fod y ffordd y mae Gareth wedi ymateb i’r sefyllfa hon yn hollol anghywir fel model rôl i Gymru gyfan.

Nid yw dangos tueddiadau ymosodol tuag at eraill yn gosod esiampl dda i bobl sydd yn dilyn y gêm.

Mae’n bwysig ymddwyn yr un ffordd ar y cae ac i ffwrdd o’r cae, os ydych wedi bod yn yfed neu beidio, does yna ddim gwahaniaeth.

Dysgu’r Gymraeg gyda’r Taf-Od Etholiadau Pleidleisio = Vote Plaid-lay-shaw Swyddog = Officer Suy-thog Wythnos Etholiadau = Election Week Ui-thnos Eth-ol-ya-die

Fodd bynnag mae’n anodd gallu barnu ef ar yr achlysur oherwydd nid ydym wedi gweld yr holl ddigwyddiadau sydd wedi arwain at beth rydym yn gweld yn y fideo. Yn sicr mae gan bob stori dwy ochr i’r ddadl, ond ymatebodd Gareth yn broffesiynol iawn trwy ymddiheuro am ei weithredoedd yn ystod y digwyddiad. Bydd cyfaddef i’w weithredoedd hefyd yn gosod esiampl dda, gan ddangos ei fod wedi dysgu o’r profiad.

Yr unig reswm cafodd y fideo ei ddangos ar y noson hon oedd oherwydd ei fod cyn y gêm fawr yn erbyn Lloegr, ac er nad ydw i’n credu cafodd hyn effaith ar y gêm cododd hyn y cwestiwn, a ddylai Davies wedi cael yr hawl i chwarae yn ystod y gêm yn

erbyn Lloegr. Ond yn fy marn i, mae URC wedi gwneud y penderfyniad cywir i adael pethau fel y mae, ac i’w ddelio yn fewnol.

Er yr wyf yn credu mai’r penderfyniad cywir sydd wedi cael ei dewis gan URC, credaf os fyddai rhywun mewn swydd wahanol, fel athro neu wleidydd, byddai goblygiadau’r digwyddiad wedi bod yn wahanol iawn.

Ydy hwn yn deg, tybed?

Yn fy marn nid yw hyn yn deg, oherwydd credaf y dylai pawb gael hawliau cyfartal, ac er yr wyf yn croesawu’r ffaith fod Davies wedi ymddiheuro a symud ymlaen, y byddai’r digwyddiad wedi ei drin yn wahanol iawn pe bai athro, neu’r Prif Weinidog, wedi gwneud yr un peth.

Learn Welsh with the Taf-Od Elections

Undeb Myfyrwyr= Students’ Union In-deb Mer-fhyr-wir Llais y Myfyrwyr = Student Voice Llice er Mer-fhyr-wir Llywydd = President Llow-idd

“

Credaf fod y ffordd y mae Gareth wedi ymateb i’r sefyllfa hon yn hollol anghywir fel model rôl i Gymru gyfan.

”

TAF-OD 27

Her Howley hyd yn hyn

Eirian Jones sy’n adolygu perfformiad carfan Cymru hyd yn hyn, ac yn ystyried beth sydd rhaid iddynt wneud yn yr wythnosau nesaf

Eirian Jones

Caradog Davies ac Eirian Jones

O

s nad ydych chi wedi sylwi bod y Chwe Gwlad wedi hen ddechrau erbyn hyn, rydych yn siŵr o fod wedi bod yn trigo mewn ogof am y tair wythnos ddiwethaf.

Wrth fynd i mewn i’r bencampwriaeth, hawdd dweud nad oedd y Cymry yn ffyddiog o lwyddiant.

Ond wrth gwrs, cyflwynwyd amryw o reolau newydd ynglŷn â phwyntiau bonws, gyda phwynt ychwanegol yn cael ei rhoi am sgorio pedwar cais, pwynt am golli o fewn saith pwynt, a tri phwynt am ennill y gamp lawn.

Wrth gwrs dylem ni fel cefnogwyr weld rygbi llawer mwy ymosodol, yn debycach i rygbi hemisffer i’r de.

Dechreuodd ymgais Cymru a Robert Howley i goncro Ewrop yn y Stadio Olympico yn Rhufain ar y 5ed o Chwefror. Dechreuad braidd yn araf a fu yn y cychwyn gyda nifer o’r chwaraewyr mwyaf profiadol, fel Dan Biggar, yn trafferthu i ddelio gyda’r Eidalwyr, yn enwedig y cawr Sergio Parise.

Roedd angen i Rob Howley newid ei dactegau ar gyfer yr ail hanner, yn enwedig wedi cais Edoardo Gori, gydag unig bwyntiau’r Cymry yn dod o

gic cosb Leigh Halfpenny. Gwelwyd gwelliant yn y perfformiad yn yr ail hanner, yn enwedig wedi i Biggar, a berfformiodd yn siomedig, adael y cae gydag anaf, â Sam Davies yn cymryd ei le.

Dechreuodd Gymru sgorio ceisiau yn ystod ugain munud olaf y gêm, wrth i’r Eidalwyr ddechrau blino, ac wedi iddynt golli dyn i’r gell cosb dyma’r Cymry yn croesi’r gwyngalch dair gwaith gyda ceisiau yn dod gan Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams a George North, ond, ni lwyddodd y Cymry i ennill pwynt bonws. Pwynt a all fod yn dyngedfennol yn y tabl erbyn diwedd mis Mawrth.

Hawdd dweud mai uchafbwynt y dydd i’r Cymry oedd gweld Davies a Williams yn efelychu’r meme ‘Salt Bae’ wrth ddathlu eu ceisiau. Roedd angen perfformiad gwell os oedd Cymru am drechu’r hen elyn yn eu gêm nesaf.

Daeth y crysau gwynion i Gaerdydd mewn hwyliau da, heb golli yn eu pymtheg gêm ddiwethaf. Daeth siom i Gymru yn y dyddiau cyn y gêm gyda George North yn gorfod tynnu allan o’r garfan oherwydd anaf, a’r annib-

ynadwy Alex Cuthbert yn cymryd ei le, cwestiynodd lawer o gefnogwyr penderfyniad Rob Howley i beidio â rhoi cyfle i’r asgellwr ifanc o’r Scarlets, Steff Evans, sydd yn drydydd yn nhabl nifer o geisiau y Pro 12 eleni.

Roedd y gêm yn dynn o’r cychwyn cyntaf, gyda’r ddau dîm yn bygwth llinell gais y llall. Ond y Saeson oedd y cyntaf i groesi’r llinell gais, gyda’r mewnwr Ben Youngs yn ennill 5 pwynt i’r Saeson.

Roedd hi’n edrych fel y byddai tîm y rhosynnau cochion yn mynd i fewn i’r egwyl ar y blaen, cyn i Liam Williams, dorri trwy’r linell amddiffyn, wedi iddo ddod i fewn o’r asgell a chroesi, gan sicrhau byddai Cymru ar y blaen ar ddechrau’r ail hanner. Bu’r ddau dîm yn trosi ciciau cosb bob yn ail, gyda’r Cymru yn gweld y mwyaf o’r bêl ac yn gwasgu ar linell gais y Saeson, am y mwyafrif o’r ail hanner.

Ond, nid oedd y Cymru yn gallu canfod yr ail gais, a fyddai wedi sicrhau’r fuddugoliaeth. Gyda phum munud i fynd, a Cymru y tu ôl i wyngalch ei hun, dyma gic chwit-chwat yn dod oddi ar esgid Jonathan Davies i ddwylo George Ford, a basiodd y bêl

allan i Owen Farrell, cyn iddo roi’r bêl i Elliot Daly a frasgamodd heibio tacl gwan Alex Cuthbert, cyn cyrraedd y linell gais gan dorri calonnau cenedl gyfan.

Perfformiad da, canlyniad siomedig, ond gallwn barhau i hel atgofion melys o gêm Cwpan y Byd. Felly, beth sydd nesaf? Mae gan Gymru gyfan benwythnos cyn iddynt deithio i Gaeredin i wynebu’r Albanwyr yn Murrayfield. O dan Vern Cotter, mae perfformiadau’r Alban wedi gwella yn sylweddol, yn enwedig wedi iddyn nhw guro’r Gwyddelod a dod yn agos yn erbyn y Ffrancwyr ym Mharis.

Daw’r Gwyddelod i Gaerdydd pythefnos yn ddiweddarach, gyda’r ddau dîm yn gobeithio i ddal y Saeson. Bydd y gêm derfynol yn erbyn Ffrainc. Er mwyn i Gymru ennill y Chwe Gwlad, bydd rhaid i ni ennill pob un gêm sydd i ddod, a gobeithio y bydd Lloegr yn colli o leiaf un o’i gemau yn ystod y mis nesaf.

Mi fydd yn dasg eithriadol o anodd, ond wedi’r cyfan, mae’r garfan wedi rhoi siociau anhygoel i ni yn y gorffennol!

Yn y llun: Cymru yn ymarfer cyn y gem yn erbyn Lloegr (Tarddiad: Sion Mckee).

“

Daeth y crysau gwynion i Gaerdydd mewn hwyliau da, heb golli yn eu pymtheg gêm ddiwethaf. Daeth siom i Gymru yn y dyddiau cyn y gêm gyda George North Dyma adolygiad Eirian a Caradog o berfformiad y chwaraewyr yn erbyn Lloegr yn gorfod tynnu allan o’r Cefnwyr Leigh Halfpenny – 6, Liam Williams – 8, Jonathan Davies – 7, Scott Williams - 8, Alex Cuthbert garfan oherwydd anaf, a’r – 4, Dan Biggar - 7, Rhys Webb – 7 annibynadwy Blaenwyr Alex Cuthbert Ross Moriaty – 7, Justin Tipuric – 6, Sam Warbuton – 6, Alun Wyn Jones – 7, Jake Ball – 6, yn cymryd ei le.

Tomas Francis - 6, Ken Owens - 7, Rob Evans - 6

”

28 SPORT

James Lloyd

“

Page balances his time playing snooker and studying for GCSEs at Ebbw Fawr Community School.

”

Memorable week for teenager Page P romising teenager Jackson Page caused shockwaves at last week’s Coral Welsh Open.

The 15-year-old snooker amateur was granted a wild card place in the event at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena and reached the last 32 of the competition before being knocked out by world number four Judd Trump.

Page is the World Under-18 Champion and learns under the wing of veteran Mark Williams – who has tipped the youngster for stardom.

The Ebbw Vale born potter showed signs of his talent with some outrageous pots in the opening round win against Jason Weston, notably a stunning pink in the deciding frame.

Page went on to beat John Astley in the second round, causing a media frenzy around him.

The teen featured in the national papers on Thursday morning and was given interviews on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2.

An ecstatic Page explained his joy after a memorable week in the Welsh capital.

He said: “I’d have been happy even if I got knocked out first round, as long as I gave it a good go. To win two games is great, you can’t ask for too much at my age against Judd.

“It was great out there but there were a lot of nerves and pressure too. I had a lot of support behind me and when you have someone like Judd breaking out like that, it doesn’t help. I don’t think I had a good chance really until the last frame.”

Pictured: Jackson Page in action against Judd Trump last Thursday. (via World Snooker).

“ Speaking after his opening win against Weston, Page explained his joy.

He said: “The crowd was great, especially being on one of the main tables. I definitely didn’t expect that, I thought I was going to be on one of the other tables, as you would expect being a 15-year-old.

“When I found out I was on one of the main tables, I thought: ‘this will be fun.’”

Page balances his time playing snooker and studying for GCSEs at Ebbw Fawr Community School.

And the whizzkid admits his academic ability is key to the school allowing him time off to enter tournaments and bump shoulders with snooker greats.

“I am quite lucky to be in the top set in school,” Page said.

“Without revising I can still manage to get a C grade which helps really.

That’s why they give a bit of leeway with that”.

“It is great to be good at both school and at snooker. Snooker is definitely the better one, though.”

Page also praised the impact of twotime world champion Williams on his playing development.

He said: “Mark is great. We have a lot of games; and he has helped me a lot. It is the way he goes about the game; that is where I learn.

“How he plays is unreal, his positional play around the black is superb, you couldn’t ask for better. When you see these players like Mark playing those shots, it triggers the way you play and you learn from it.”

Page is the World Under-18 Champion and learns under the wing of veteran Mark Williams – who has tipped the youngster for stardom.

”

Alex Cuthbert Social Media abuse: Why this unsporting idiocy must stop Gareth Axenderrie

“

Sometimes people get caught up focussing on the athlete and not the person.

Blaine Scully

”

W

inning and losing in international sport is decided by the finest margins; England’s last gasp victory in Cardiff last weekend reminded us of that very fact. As Jonathan Davies’ clearance headed into midfield instead of touch, Wales found out about these margins in the cruellest of ways.

One player fell from potential hero to absolute zero in the seconds that followed. Alex Cuthbert, drafted into the starting fifteen at the final hour in the absence of George North, failed to cover a sublime pass from Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly skinned him on the outside to give England victory.

The vitriol that followed from the Welsh public was simply unacceptable, and although Cuthbert had a decent game, it would appear he is under the poisonous microscope more than ever.

The tweets started off tamely: “Alex Cuthbert and professional rugby player should never be used in the same sentence”. “Alex Cuthbert should never be able to wear a Welsh jersey again”. But as anger grew and more beers were downed, the rhetoric took a nasty turn: “Alex Cuthbert for the death penalty”. “Alex Cuth-

bert is an absolute fucking nonce”.

These keyboard warriors failed to realise that Cuthbert was not the cause for Wales’ doom and gloom.

Coach Rob Howley dragged star man Ross Moriarty off when he was bossing the game. Wales’ lineout went missing when they had an attacking scrum deep in English territory. Jonathan Davies failed to find touch when he simple had to. In fact, Cuthbert made a try saving tackle moments before the Daly try, but this didn’t prevent him becoming a scapegoat once again.

Blaine Scully, Cuthbert’s teammate at the Cardiff Blues, had a polite reminder for a section of the Welsh public in the aftermath.

“Alex is a good pro, and he has demonstrated that throughout the years. He’s in the arena, and we all understand it’s a real honour to be in there.”

“I think it’s tough because people care a lot and that’s where it comes from. Fair or not, that’s the situation that we all find ourselves in at one point or another in our careers.”

“Sometimes people get caught up focussing on the athlete and not the person. We are professional athletes in the arena, that’s how we are seen

and that’s how we approach things.

It’s part of sport but I think we should all back Alex every time.”

Cuthbert isn’t the first sportsman to receive abuse from his own fans.

England football fans signed a petition to the FA to attempt to exclude Tom Cleverley from their World Cup squad. Earlier this month a Crystal Palace fan confronted Damien Dela-

ney on the field following a loss to Sunderland.

The professional sports arena will always generate passion and emotion, that’s why we love it so dearly.

That said, the abuse of men and women who simply give their all for their team and their country, is and always will be unacceptable. It’s a game at the end of the day.

Pictured: Alex Cuthbert in action for Cardiff Blues (Via Flickr).

SPORT 29

“You don’t have time to get scared.”

Life as a Road Racer

James Lloyd

“

The wind tries to rip you out of the seat all the time, but the sensation of speed is weird as you’re always looking at the furthest point.

Matthew Rees

”

M

atthew Rees lives a fairly normal life up in Aberdare, South Wales. By day he runs a portable toilet hiring business with his brother and lives with his girlfriend Danielle.

But come summer, those normalities are transformed and Rees becomes a different man, living a totally changed and rather unique life.

“I become an adrenaline junkie,” he says – grinning whilst sipping a flat white at a Costa Coffee, Junction 33 off the M4. That is one way of putting it, but it certainly goes beyond that.

From the cold, wet winter days of South Wales to wrestling a 1000cc motorbike at 190 mph on public roads on the Isle of Man, Rees’ life is a bit of a contrast when April arrives.

“You don’t have time to get scared,” he insists. “Everything is a blur in the hedges really. It is hard to sum it all up as I’ve never really given it much thought.

“It’s exhilarating, like an out of body experience.”

It is difficult to grasp what road racers like Rees actually go through as most mere mortals have barely made it past 70 mph in a car on the motorway.

“I wouldn’t know how fast I have been,” adds Rees. “It is close to 200 miles per hour which is amazing really.

“Having said that when you’re doing 190 mph it doesn’t really feel like you’re doing those speeds because you’ve been going so fast for so long.

“Everything just slows down in your brain, your brain adjusts to the speed you’re going, so it feels slower than what you’re doing.

“The wind tries to rip you out of the seat all the time, but the sensation of speed is weird as you’re always looking at the furthest point.”

Rees has been competing at the notorious Isle of Man TT for two years – a 37.75-mile course formed of public roads that has taken 252 lives, five of which coming last year.

Unfortunately, that is the danger of what is a fantastically compelling and exciting sport. Rees and his fellow riders know and understand that, but it is part of the game.

Rees himself admitted to a close call at last year’s TT, skimming a wall at around 140 mph whilst going over a small leap in the road.

“Sometimes you get some close shaves,” he says in a starker, more serious tone. “I had one last year at Ballacrye [TT], I went over by the wall on the right hand side, literally shaving it.

“I couldn’t believe it, things like that don’t bother you until you get off the bike and think ‘fucking hell that was close’. At the time the adrenaline is going so it doesn’t faze you.”

No one ever taught Rees to race a motorbike, it came out of a passion for two-wheels and the desire and grit to go and race them. Being a road racer is a hobby above all, there is no pay for the privateer riders like Rees, just the gain of excitement and the thrills of the close shaves.

Top riders like 25-time TT winner John McGuinness and part-time TV presenter Guy Martin are able to make some sort of living out of it, but not Matthew – which he doesn’t mind.

“It is very expensive, but it is worth every penny for the buzz,” he insists.

“I’m not complaining because I love it.”

Rees has set himself targets of reaching a Top 20 finish as well as attaining an average lap speed of 127 mph around the Mountain Course.

He will mount his own Kawasaki ZX-10r for the road racing season

Pictured: Dipping between stone walls. Matthew Rees through Tower Bends at the Isle of Man TT (via Danielle Ashburner)

beginning in April at Tandragree with support from Kickstart Motorcycles and Phil Morris Racing.

Attention swiftly switches back to racing on public roads and darting in between curbs, buildings, telegraph poles, brick walls, stone walls, hedges, you name it, the Isle of Man, the Ulster Grand Prix, the North West 200 has it.

“Everything gets blanked out, you have to think about the race really and not much else,” Rees adds.

“It is hard to do as there are a lot of things going on.

“Everything goes silent when the helmet goes on. I try and keep myself entertained until my helmet is on which means it is time to go.

“Danielle is by the side of me, I got my father there too. I stay entertained, I keep my mind occupied until I am ready to go. I keep talking really, I don’t tend to get nervous or anything like that, I’m very chilled out.”

Asked to some up what it is like to be a road racer, Rees gives the perfect response which captures it with the most intricate and daring detail.

With a bit of a cheeky smirk he says: “The best way to describe it is when you are going through Kirk Michael and you see speed signs saying 30 mph, and you are anything between 150 to 170 mph through a terraced street.

“With the bikes echoing, the little bends become bigger, you are curb to curb on the yellow lines, literally inches away, it is amazing.”

Rees is clearly a man on a mission for 2017. Gruelling amounts of hours are being spent in the gym getting fitter to tackle the demands of clinging onto a motorbike on bumpy, public roads.

When April arrives, both in the body and mind there will be something a little different about Matthew – he will become more focussed, more determined, more daring.

But on the face, Rees will be the same, bubbly Welsh boy he is, grinning away in the racing paddock – doing himself and his family proud.

“

Attention swiftly switches back to racing on public roads and darting in between curbs, buildings, telegraph poles, brick walls, stone walls, hedges, you name it, the Isle of Man, the Ulster Grand Prix, the North West 200 has it.

”

30 SPORT

A solid start but humbled by a resilient England side - Frustrating opening for Wales Pictured: Ross Moriarty and Dan Lydiate carry the ball forwards against Italy last year. (via Flickr)

Rich Jones

Gareth Axenderrie Cardiff Blues Columnist

T

wo games into the 2017 Six Nations, and Wales’ heartbreaking defeat against England remains as raw as ever.

In a game being lauded by many as one of the great Six Nations encounters in recent years, the Welsh were undone by a 76th minute Eliot Daly try and slipped to a 21-16 defeat.

A herculean effort from Rob Howley’s side, who headed into the game as huge underdogs, saw them recapture the hearts of fans on a day filled with energy and passion in Cardiff.

But rugby is ultimately a results business, and momentary lapses in concentration at crucial moments have left Wales on the back foot.

Wales have shown glimpses of their best and worst during the opening two games. They were lacklustre in the first half of their first game against Italy but came on strong to win 33-7 after a superb final half an hour.

O

ne story echoes around the corridors of The Arms Park this week, news that the region have signed centre Jack Roberts from Leicester Tigers. The 25-year-old has been a rising star in the Tigers’ ranks this season. They’ve had a turbulent couple of months culminating in the recent sacking of head coach Richard Cockerill, but Roberts has been a silver lining in a dark cloud. The Blues’ have been enshrouded in a similar atmosphere of pessimism in recent weeks, and this new acquisition is a timely boost to morale.

An even bigger fillip however is the

Against England, they were on top for long periods but a poor Jonathan Davies kick which failed to find touch set free a match-winning counter attack for the visitors.

The first two games have given a realistic view of where Wales currently stand. They still have the ability to compete with the best, particularly in front of their home fans at the Principality Stadium, but their inconsistencies will prevent them from mounting a challenge for the title.

Whilst Howley’s side had enough quality to overcome a dogged Italy side, they always looked the team with less quality when pitted against Eddie Jones’ in-form England.

They made up for their shortcomings with physicality and brutality, personified by a sensational performance from bruising back row Ross Moriarty.

But aside from one well-worked move, with Scott Williams’ dummy

run setting free Liam Williams for a try, they seemed to lack a cutting edge.

England, on the other hand, often threatened with ball in hand and Wales’ well-organised defence needed to come up with several big stops in their own 22.

They took advantage of Davies’ wayward kick with a ruthlessness which you have to doubt Wales would have exhibited in a similar position.

The front row have performed well in the opening two fixtures, with the scrum giving them a solid base, whilst Sam Warburton has shown signs of returning to top form with two of his best international displays in recent memory.

The return of Taulupe Faletau, combined with the good form of Justin Tipuric and Moriarty, gives Howley a selection headache for all the right reasons ahead of their next

three games.

Rhys Webb has also returned from injury and picked up where he left off at scrum half, whilst Liam Williams has looked a constant threat on the wing.

However, there is still plenty to work on for Wales and they will be focused on trying to demonstrate improvement in the remainder of their games.

Moving forwards, the Six Nations remains wide open after an intriguing mix of results in the opening two rounds.

Falling agonisingly short of a bonus point in Rome may well cost Wales a place or two in the standings at the end of the competition, although there is still plenty of rugby to be played.

They are back in action at Murrayfield on Saturday before hosting Ireland and travelling to France in their final two fixtures.

fact that Roberts is Welsh, and up and coming Welsh centres are at a rare premium throughout the Welsh regions at the moment.

There’s no denying that centre is one of Wales’ real weak areas. The new expansive game plan appears to have marginalised Jamie Roberts, which leaves just Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies as premier centres in the squad.

Both, on their day, are as good as anybody in the northern hemisphere, but beyond them, there’s not too much depth.

Ashley Beck has all the qualities of an international centre, but he has

been crocked by injury for too long.

Tyler Morgan at the Dragons had the blueprint to become the next big thing in Welsh rugby, but has stalled over the last twelve months. The rest of the regions have centres of an international flavour; quality players like Matevesi and Parkes, but they’re of no use to the national set up.

The Blues possess Lee-Lo and Halaholo in their ranks. The Samoan and Kiwi combination is beginning to tick and looking like the making of a real centre partnership. Beyond that, there’s Cory Allen, but whispers suggest that his departure to the Ospreys is

imminent, with Roberts being his successor. That would be a real shame, as Allen is a Cardiff boy. It’s all too similar to this time last year when the Blues lost another homegrown talent in Rhys Patchell to the Scarlets with Steven Shingler moving the opposite way.

For Welsh and regional success, there needs to be strength in depth.

Roberts, a 25-year-old Welsh product playing in the centre for the Blues is just what Welsh rugby needs. It would be even better if he could be partnered by a fellow Welshman, but for now, it appears Cardiff is not big enough for the both of them.

“

But rugby is ultimately a results business, and momentary lapses in concentration at crucial moments have left Wales on the back foot.

”

SPORT 31

Con’t: How the players rated: Cardiff 26-7 USW Rich Jones Backs:

Harry Borg Cardiff City Columnist

Forwards:

15: Julian Mogg - 8 out of 10 - Put Cardiff on the front foot with opening two tries and was always a big threat in attack.

1: Sam Starks - 8 - Integral to a huge scrummaging effort from Cardiff in the first half.

14: Owen Williams 7 - Set the tone with some big hits in the first half and put in a solid performance.

2: Jack Haines - 8 - Not hugely involved in open play but at the heart of Cardiff ’s most dominant areas, the scrum and the line-out.

13: Rhodri Walls - 7 - Contributed to a slick Cardiff back line who made numerous line breaks and always threatened.

3: Aled Rees - 8 - Cardiff ’s scrum offered the base for their first half success, with the whole front row superb.

12: Harry Griffiths - 6 - Did simple things well and generally made good decisions with ball in hand.

4: Ben Egan - 7 - Contributed to a big physical effort from the Cardiff forwards, who dominated the game.

11: Harri Lang - 7 - Scored a well-worked try and was solid in defence - a good day at the office.

5: Jack McGrath -7 - Some superb catches at the line-out and made some good tackles.

10: James Davies - 8 - Similar to his performance against Swansea moved the ball on quickly and kicked well throughout.

6: Luke Waller - 7 - Disruptive at the breakdown as USW struggled to find any rhythm.

9: Louie Silver - 6 - Solid performance from the scrum-half, who didn’t quite benefit from the quick ball he did a week earlier against Swansea.

7: Aron Hughes - 7 - Defensively sound and fairly involved in attack as a ball carrier.

Replacements: F.Young, R.Jenkins, A.Williams, O.Hitchings, T.Bell, F.Robjohn, D.Brooks, O.Evans .

8: Chris Williams - 8 - Another impressive display from the Chairman, who brings a big presence at No.8.

L

ove is arguably the strongest emotion there is. The complex nature of love often reduces discourse of love to clichés: All you need is love, love conquers all, blinded by love. Although clichés seem lazy they are based in truth. Over-dependence on clichés is one of the crossovers between love and football. Philosopher Gottfried Leibniz said that love is ‘to be delighted by the happiness of another’ this definition probably comes closest to describing the ideal relationship football fans have with players, managers and their club.

There is an awful lot to be happy

about if you are a Cardiff City fan at this moment in time. On Tuesday night the City faithful were chanting “we’re only here ‘cause we’re single” but what they did not realise is they are already in one of the most volatile relationships there can be; a fan and their club. But if one of those Bluebirds fans did find themselves feeling lonely on Valentine’s Day it was surely made all the better by Neil Warnock’s team delivering something of exquisite beauty; a 90th minute winner.

That chant actually goes a long way in revealing the optimistic mood surrounding the club at the moment.

Back-to-back victories against two sides

who are fighting for play-off places in Leeds and Derby is an excellent set of results. These six points elevated Cardiff into the top-half of the table for the first time since the opening day. Any early season nerves of relegation have now been completely eradicated. With Warnock’s side sitting in 12th place they can play with a freedom that those battling for relegation simply cannot afford.

Cardiff’s defence has conceded 47 goals though making it the fourth worst defence in the league. If he wants this side ready to help him achieve that record-breaking eighth promotion he is

going to need to fix his leaky backline.

The Bluebirds concede 1.47 goals per match which is something Warnock must work on whether on the training ground or whatever local park he deems fit. Up the other end of the pitch the attack is looking more fluid as a result of Warnock’s faith in the young pair Kadeem Harris and Kenneth Zohore who bring pace, guile, energy and strength.

Falling in love with your football club is a wonderful experience and at the Cardiff City Stadium you can really see fans falling in love with their club again.

Pictured: Action from Wednesday’s fixture at Llanrumney.

(Via Ines Teixeira-Dias).

sport

Editors: James Lloyd Mark Wyatt Rich Jones Gareth Axenderrie @GairRhyddSport sport@gairrhydd.com gairrhydd.com/sport

Also this week

EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Rees on life as a Road Racer P29>>

Cardiff Men’s Rugby cruise past USW 26-7 to clinch second derby win in as many games

Rugby: Scully backs Blues team-mate Cuthbert P28>>

Alun Wyn Davies side build on from Swansea victory with comfortable USW triumph Mark Wyatt

C

ardiff men’s rugby first team followed on from their victory over Swansea by running out 26-7 winners over USW last Wednesday at Llanrumney.

The result leaves Cardiff unbeaten at home this season in the BUCS South A Division and in second place behind Bristol, who will visit Cardiff this week.

The game started off brightly for the hosts as Cardiff dominated the early scrums and were effective at the breakdown.

The first try didn’t take long as Louie Silver’s box-kick resulted in a try by man of the match Julian Mogg.

Owen Williams then set the tempo of the match with some big tackling that eventually led to another try

by Mogg, which James Davies duly converted to take Cardiff into a 12-0 lead with less than 20 minutes on the

clock.

Cardiff looked in a bullish mood as hooker Jack Haines showed off their impressive drilling at lineouts and it wasn’t long before the home side added to the scoreboard.

Fly-half Davies got himself a try after a good deal of pressure and converted simply to give Cardiff a great deal confidence going into half-time.

Yet it was USW who controlled the game after the restart, pinning Cardiff down in their own 22 for a lengthy spell of possession.

It seemed for a moment as if Cardiff had weathered the storm, but a string of penalties for USW saw them eventually bundle the ball over after a scrum to get their first points of the afternoon.

The visitors’ revival was short-lived however as Cardiff demonstrated their superior fitness levels by dominating the rest of the encounter.

Harri Long touched down for try number four as he ran free after

some quick passing across the back line – with Davies adding the extras to complete a comfortable match for Cardiff.

The result leaves Cardiff within touching distance of securing a BUCS South A Division top two place.

Cardiff have two games remaining in the division, first playing low lying Exeter and then hosting table topping Bristol in a mouth-watering clash.

With a new league format to contest with this year, Cardiff will face a tough test to be promoted into the National League for the 2017/18 season, but with their current fine form it should be an exciting challenge.

With the league drawing to a close, eyes will now turn to the showpiece of the rugby calendar - the Welsh Varsity.

Cardiff got the better of Swansea the last time they met and here’s hoping they can repoduce a perfomance similar when they meet at the Principality Stadium on April 5th.

Pictured: Cardiff University huddle up ahead of their game against Swansea last week (via Ines TeixeiraDias)

Continued on page 31

Rugby: Review of Wales’ progress after two Six Nations games P30>>

Snooker: 15-year-old schoolboy stuns snooker world P28>>