Free Word 715
gairrhydd Cardiff’s Student Weekly
Monday 4 March 2002
HELL’S ANGEL
LOCAL BOY
Features uncover the gory tale of Jack the Ripper
Arts and artist Andre Stitt take the city centre by storm
MIND OVER MATTER Film review A Beautiful Mind
BEST CAMPAIGNING NEWSPAPER IN THE GUARDIAN STUDENT MEDIA AWARDS
Minister slams extravagant students Education Minister tells students to ‘get part time work’ to pay for University studies by Dominic O’Neill HIGHER EDUCATION Minister Margaret Hodge enraged students last week by saying she was “not too concerned” about them taking on part-time work in addition to their studies. She admitted that her comments were “controversial” and also revealed that the Government is considering over 70 different options in reforming student support. Speaking to epolitx.com, she said, “I’m not too concerned about students’ doing part-time work when they are studying. A lot of kids are getting their second chance [of going] into A-level’s now, and there’s no state support for that.
What we’ve got to ensure is that there’s a proper balance so that the work doesn’t impinge on their study.” Student Union leaders have reacted angrily, however, accusing the minister of not understanding the current student support system. Ms Hodge pointed to expensive “lifestyle choices” as the reason behind student debt, citing a recent survey that indicated students spend an average of £25 a week on alcohol. The NUS countered her comments with concrete evidence showing how students’ grades suffer because of part-time work. A recent survey has also shown that after loan repayments, the average student was left with £13 a week less to live on than a
AGONY
young person on Jobseekers Allowance. NUS vice president of education, Brooks Duke, said “These comments are quite astonishing coming from an Education Minister and are further proof that the Margaret Hodge does not understand the problems with the current funding system. “It is no good her citing ‘extravagant’ lifestyles as a defence. It is not the well-off students that are missing lectures and coursework deadlines due to the amount of paid work they are forced to undertake just to keep their heads above water. He continued “Ms Hodge needs to address the huge disparity between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ on campus. Illinformed comments like this do little but suggest the government is a long way from getting things right.”
CRUSHED : Cardiff player feels the pain of defeat
by Chris Wathan CARDIFF SLUMPED to yet another Varsity defeat against Swansea last Wednesday, going down 21-3 at the St. Helens stadium last Wednesday. The loss means it is the sixth time in as many years that Cardiff have failed to claim the coveted title of ‘Best in Wales’. Yet the day was still heralded a success with nearly 500 Cardiff fans making the trip down the M4 for the match, while various AU teams successfully combined to capture the Varsity Sports
Shield. Athletic Union President, Caz Noyes, said, “It’s been a success getting everyone here and the teams have done really well to take the shield. But I am gutted for the boys.” Noyes’ sentiments were seconded by Union President Tom McGarry. “It was a successful day in terms of the number of people who came down here. I do feel disappointed for the boys but they’ll come home to a hero’s welcome.” For a full match report, pictures and interviews turn to sport.
Creative write-off for Uni lecturer by Lydia Kirby CARDIFF UNIVERSITY lecturers were outraged when a doctor from the Creative Writing Department was dismissed from the MA course he had helped to design. Associate Lecturer Dr. Colin Evans was given one month’s notice last December after 40 years working at Cardiff University. In a letter from the new course convener,
Lauri Ramsey, Dr. Evans was told his ‘contribution’ would no longer be required as the University wanted to ‘re-orient’ the course. She added, “I hope your works for the creative writing course have provided you with enjoyment in your retirement.” The dismissal of Dr Evans, 64, who was working 5 days a week as an associate lecturer at Cardiff and Birkbeck University,
sparked several members of his department to write letters of complaint to David Skilton, the Head of the Department. Lecturer Norman Schwenk said, “No one has contributed more to creative writing than Colin Evans. The casual, brutal and cowardly sacking of Colin Evans has at a stroke underdone years of effort in building morale and a sense of status among part-time teaching
staff.” However, a spokeswoman for Cardiff University defended Dr, Ramsey’s decision said, “The treatment of Dr. Evans has been fair and entirely consistent with the terms of his employment.” She added, “The changes are part of the new organisation and ambition for creative writing at Cardiff, which are in the interest of the students.”
INSIDE: YOUR SABBATICAL ELECTIONS 2002 PULLOUT