rhifyn 1153 issue 1153
gair rhydd
16 mawrth 2020 16 march 2020
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Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
Inside: Gair Rhydd looks into Extinction Rebellion and climate change activism (pages 8, 9 and 10)
Cardiff University sets out their response to the Covid-19 outbreak
Mustakim Hasnath Features Editor Charlotte King Head of News
O
n March 11, Cardiff University students in the School of Chemistry received an email from their School informing them that they are following the Government’s advice with regards to the Covid-19 outbreak and that they “are planning for a range of scenarios including University closure.” Towards the end of last week, the British Government announced that the UK was officially entering the ‘delay’ phase in the battle against Covid-19, moving away from trying to contain the spread of the virus and are now aiming to delay widespread infection. At the same time, more and more countries began to introduce lockdown measures in an attempt to protect their citizens from the illness. Ireland, Denmark, Austria and Israel closed all schools, Italy intensified its lockdown measures, and the US announced it is refusing entry to all travellers from Europe bar the UK and Ireland. However, despite increasing school closures across the continent, the British Government have made it clear that they do not plan to close schools or universities at this stage. Colin Riordan, Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, reached out to Cardiff University students last week to update them on the University’s response to the developing Covid-19 outbreak. “As some of you will be aware”, Riordan stated, “a University-wide contingency group has been meeting regularly since this issue first emerged in December. “I want to assure everyone that the safety of our students, staff and the wider Cardiff community is paramount. With that in mind we should continue to conduct our daily lives in the light of the advice we are receiving from public health authorities.” The University is reportedly already working through “various scenarios”
which include “alternative forms of working and teaching.” Cardiff University has currently cancelled or postponed all student field trips and placements outside of the UK, students on placement in international locations will be contacted and offered support if they wish to return home, all workrelated travel outside of the UK for staff-members has been postponed, and those organising large-scale conferences and events are encouraged to consider virtual alternatives. When considering the response from universities across the entire country, a mixed picture emerges. Last Thursday, Durham University announced that it was cancelling all classroom lectures and teaching will be conducted online. Manchester Metropolitan University also announced that it is ending face-to-face lectures a week before the end of term with no contact teaching taking place after March 27, but have said that if the Government requests lectures to end earlier then the University will comply. On Thursday last week, after a meeting with the Government’s emergency COBRA committee, Boris Johnson urged anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, however mild, to stay at home for seven days in what is described as “the worst public health crisis in a generation.” Earlier last week, vice-chancellors from universities across the UK informed the Government that shutting universities down completely would be “impossible” because there are thousands of students across the country who have nowhere else to go. A Cardiff University spokesperson told Gair Rhydd: “The safety of our students, staff and the wider Cardiff community in which we live is paramount. Since Coronavirus first emerged, the University’s Incident Response Team has been closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds” and “for those following Government or University advice to return [from abroad] we will ensure that that there is no financial disadvantage”.
The Norwegian Church: The future of the iconic landmark is in doubt. Source: Craig Williams
The future of Cardiff Bay’s iconic Norwegian Church in doubt
ardiff Bay’s Norwegian Church, is facing doubts over its future ownership. Last year, Cardiff Council suggested making the Church
into a commercial centre which prompted a critical response from the Welsh Norwegian Society, accusing the Council of “financial mismanagement”. The Church is currently owned and managed by the Norwegian Church Preservation Trust and the site is re-
Chancellor announces return to borrowing
Celebrating the Cardiff University women of Welsh part of climate history change study
Tom-Henry Jones Politics Editor
Tirion Davies @Caerdydd Editor
Siôn Ford Contributor
C T
he Government announced their first budget on Wednesday May 11. Gair Rhydd’s Politics desk has broken down the key pledges. Announcing plans for a number of key areas including the environment and taxation, the new budget includes large increases in borrowing, while other money-making policies have been scrapped. More money is also being given to the Welsh Government in light of the recent flooding that has occurred throughout the UK. To read more on the budget’s key promises, turn to page 16. 16
P
eople all over the world recently celebrated International Women’s Day, and took the opportunity to reflect on some of the iconic women in Welsh history. From Frances Hoggan to Megan Lloyd-George, our country’s rich history is full of inspiring women, and in this week’s @Caerdydd, we take a look at the stories of some of the women who have contributed so much to our country’s culture. To read more about some of the iconic women in Welsh history, head over to page 34. 34
garded as being important both historically and culturally. Whilst there are talks of the Church being transferred to community ownership, the final decision resides with the Preservation Trust. Turn to page 4 to read more on the Church’s future.
4
Jo Field Contributor
A
new survey has revealed that climate change is now ranked the second-most important issue in the public eye. The survey was carried out by researchers from Cardiff University and Climate Outreach. It demonstrates the shifting attitudes of the public towards climate change and how it is a real concern amongst many. A large proportion of people believed that the recent flooding and storm events were caused because of climate change. Read more on page 31 on what the study entailed. 31