Dominic Williams News Editor
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Cardiff Students’ Union: Students’ Union President Tomos Evans tells us of the changes being made to the way societies will run this year. Credit: Tehreem Sultan
Freshers’ and societies recruitment is there any news on how it will be running this year? “I think we are really emphasizing to societies, that society fairs should not be the “banking all of our money on it”. I think lots of societies are diverting a lot of diversity, energy, and impunity into making virtual activities so that if the freshers fairs don’t happen, they can offer the same sort of service to students. “I’m amazed at the creativity people to have, but yes, we’re trying our best currently and will keep you posted. ‘’ COVID-19 has undoubtedly affected life in all aspects, and University life is no different. Changes will have to be made to societies this year, but these challenges are being carefully examined by the SU and by the work of society leaders. Cardiff University has a wide range of societies, which are open to students starting university this September.
COVID-19 plastic impact could last forever
Warning that damage of single-use plastic during the COVID-19 pandemic could be catastrophic
Tirion Davies Editor-in-Chief
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uring the COVID-19 pandemic, many changes were introduced when it came to safety measures, including banning the use of reusable cups, and introducing disposable face coverings. As plastic cups, gloves and disposable face coverings get dropped on to beaches and littered across cities, the head of The Plastic Research Centre of Wales at Bangor University noted that the damage of single-use plastic during the pandemic could “last forever”. What is now being called the Blue Planet effect was taking a step forward before the pandemic, with refill schemes and sustainable packaging introduced by the Welsh Gov-
ernment to reduce the environmental impact. Yet, during the pandemic, refill schemes were put on hold and more plastic was introduced to avoid the further spread of COVID-19. Although, this increase in the use of plastic is now being called a “back step” in the fight against pollution. According to a UK government report published in 2018, at least 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away each year in the UK. Following the ban of reusable cups by many coffee chains in March, July saw 119 experts from across the globe sign a statement, concluding reusable containers posed no threat to the public during the pandemic. Single-use face coverings have been found to have a significant impact on the environment. As these
face coverings are cheap to buy for the general public, the increased use has been seen nationwide. But many have noticed the constant littering of these masks. Clare Reed, of the Marine Conservation Society stated to the BBC, “if you drop a mask today it will remain in the environment for many, many years”. The Welsh Government stated it had promoted the responsible disposal of masks in campaigns, and always encouraged the population to use reusable, washable face coverings wherever possible. Although, while single-use plastic is damaging to the environment, it’s impact has already been felt and introducing further alternative systems with a different kind of PPE could be catastrophic for companies
who have already spent hundreds of pounds on plastic-based PPE to protect their staff. A Welsh Government spokesperson explained to the BBC, “There has been an increase in single-use items during the coronavirus pandemic and we are working with businesses to help reduce their environmental impact and to support recycled and reusable alternatives”. The impact of single-use plastics during the pandemic has already been damaging through the use of plastics and plastic-based items. But with plastic being an important tool in preventing the spread of the virus and saving lives, alternatives will need to be introduced to lessen the environmental impact of single-use plastic for a world postpandemic.
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terms of food court and the Taf will be running table service, like you’d see with establishments in town. We have a tested app where you can order food and have them delivered to you while being socially distanced.” Were you in any societies yourself and if so, how did this affect your university life? “I’ve been in Cardiff a while and this is my 5th year now. But I joined a couple of societies, with the main one being Upride, a society in my first year and I think societies really do make your time at university. “Getting involved in societies gave me a confidence that I’ve never had. I think coming to university can be so scary and even though I’d had older friends that had been to uni, it is really a completely different thing going to uni [than hearing about it] and I think getting involved in societies gave me a confidence that I never knew I was lacking.” Freshers Fair is a huge part of
NEWS
s the forthcoming academic year approaches, it’s important to remember societies are an integral part of University life. Cardiff University Students’ Union President Tomos Evans speaks to Gair Rhydd about how societies will work due to the impact of COVID-19. With COVID-19 massively affecting financial issues within the SU, will society budgets see cuts? ‘’Unfortunately, yes there will have to be society cuts and I think that’s reflected in the whole of society really; companies and organisations have had to make cuts to make do. It’s no surprise the [Students’] Union and the majority of our income for the Union comes from nighttime activities, pub nights and VK sales, so with everything that has happened with COVID and I think the situation we are in, [it] means that societies will have to have their budgets cut. “One of the reasons students get involved in societies is due to the learning opportunities, such as all those transferable skills. But students are creative and innovative, and I’m sure the majority of our students will be able to find new ways and innovative ways of engaging with their students on a slightly limited resource fund.’’ Have the right changes been made to accommodate new social distancing and COVID-19 rules? ‘’Safety is such a priority for us and we want to make sure when students come to Cardiff and to university in general they feel safe and protected on campus and we have a responsibility to do that.
“We’ve been working really closely following the government guidelines to make sure societies are acting in a safe way and it’s quite fortunate actually the Students’ Union has quite a large building so will be able to introduce one-way path systems, and that sort of thing to make sure students are protected and staying safe. “We’ve also got lots of different things we’ve changed around the Union to make sure students can socially distance whilst meeting up with flatmates and having a drink.’’ Has there been any more information on office-based societies and when they could possibly reenter their office spaces? “I wouldn’t want to necessarily say much about on what I’m anticipating, but I guess the only thing I can say is that we are following government guidelines closely to make sure things are safe but I think also the fact that things are potentially or majority virtualized I think that’s can be a benefit to lots of societies. “Societies can now engage with students who might have never got engaged before, distanced learners or students who are on a completely different timetable. I imagine a lot of the changes that have happened now will probably persist long after the pandemic has finished because it just allows you to get involved with a lot more people in a very different way.’’ What changes have been made within the Students’ Union for the upcoming academic year? “The number one thing is that we are encouraging students to do things virtually and also hoping some of the office based stuff can come back when things are eased off slightly. “In general, most of our activity in
NEWYDDION
The Cardiff University Students’ Union President speaks with Gair Rhydd about the future of societies
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An interview with Tomos Evans
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Your news desk Zoe Kramer Dominic Williams Luthien Evans Sam Portillo
