The Lion - Issue 2

Freshers’ Week

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Our verdict on the events

Browne Review

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James Johnston tells us where he’s got it wrong

The

Heythrop Students’ Union Volume 1 Issue 2 Tuesday 19th October 2010 heythropstudentsunion.co.uk

...Avoid?

11

Mollie Puttock on a feminist’s nightmare

Lion

College catering sparks Union Petition Alex Hackett News Editor Welfare team Rebecca FitzGerald and John Ord are leading a Union drive to improve the quality of catering for Heythrop’s Alban Hall residents. An online petition has been set up by the two after the College has been reported to have received complaints “en masse” from new and existing students.

CATERED: The College Dining Room © Heythrop Archive

Browne Review on Higher Education Released Gala Jackson-Coombs Comment Editor Lord Browne’s review on tuition fees has just been released, detailing his personal findings while researching and some possible proposals.

He finds that universities need more funding, and that this funding, because of necessary cuts to the education sec-

tor, should come from either removing the cap on undergraduate tuition fees, or increasing the interest on student loans in some form of “Graduate Tax”. However, the National Union of Students (NUS) and other prominent student organisations believe that an increase in the overall cost of degrees will begin to discourage those from low-income backgrounds to enter higher education. Also, as institutions are allowed to charge what they wish for courses, less wealthy students may be less attracted to expensive universities and courses, causing a significant decrease in skilled

graduates in certain subject areas. Aaron Porter, President of the NUS said that increasing tuition fees “would increasingly pressure on students to make decisions based on cost rather than academic ability or ambition. Those already feeling the pinch will clearly be unwilling to take such a gamble and face being priced out of the universities that would opt to charge sky-high fees.”

Lord Browne’s review of the effectiveness of the cap on tuition fees was com Continued P9>

The complaints are thought to centre around the College’s recently changed catering system for residents which now limits them to a single meal at breakfast and dinner, constituting of a limited amount of food items per meal. All other meals including lunch, snacks or drinks must be paid for out of pocket.

On the petition the team explain that “The meals provided by the canteen are expensive, crippling the students financially and not supporting them enough physically to ensure that they are fully able to commit to their studies to the level that is required of them. The extra charge for things that should be considered as standard (and that are considered as standard in other halls that charge less for the food) is putting students between a rock and a hard place that they are unequipped to deal with.”

One of the main issues the team are raising is the disparity in the price to

the quantity of food provided. The team compare the canteen to Garden Halls, and Intercollegiate Hall of the University of London “The fees for the halls are approximately £2,200 per term, which will come to almost £7,000 for the year.

This includes the cost of food, which is meant to cover 12 meals per week (breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday).

This equates to £3.75 per meal...Bearing in mind Garden Halls only charge approximately £5,500 per year and provide 14 meals a week and the meals are larger in size and last longer this seems unfair as the students in halls are paying a lot more and are receiving less.”

The petition, which has been circulating round students via Facebook and the Union’s website, has generated over Continued on P3> Advertisement

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TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

NEWS New Union Constitution passed at First General Meeting

theheythroplion.co.uk

twitter.com/theheythroplion facebook.com/theheythroplion

HSU Vice President for Develpment Chris Nicholson reports on the OGM Chris Nicholson Development Officer Wednesday 13th saw the first general meeting of the year. The Union approved the new constitution that I’ve spent many hours on and got a little emotional about it on those long evenings working late on that document.

The passing of the new constitution by the general meeting allows me to breath a huge sigh of relief and all that remains is for it to be approved by the board of the governors in November.

We also passed the proposal for Roy Dorey to become an honorary member of the HSU, a small token of appreciation for his work at the college which has greatly benefited the lives of our students here, for you first years who probably never came into contact with Roy you really missed out.

Please recycle your Lion at one of the many recycle bins around college

The Lord Browne report was outlined magnificently by James (with only the 14 profanities) and the Union position regarding the proposals suggested by the former BP chief were clearly set out. The few positives taken from the report were identified as well as the ‘not so wonderful’ parts which I won’t reiterate here. Vice President for Campaigns Philip Woods outlined his campaign plan for the ‘funding our future campaign’ and has set out a clear plan for how the HSU can best work successfully alongside other colleges to fight against proposals which will be so devastating for future students.

A motion was also put forward by exMature and Postgraduates Officer Matt

OMG OGM: Poster of Ordinary General meeting © Heythrop Archive

McLaren, proposing the Union support a ‘Yes’ vote in the national referendum to be held in May of next year. This referendum is on whether there should be a change in the voting system conduced during national elections, from first past the post to AV. The proposal was rejected as it was agreed that it is not the place of a students’ union to support any particular vote in the referendum, instead it was agreed the SU’s role will be to inform students of the referwww endum and of both points of view. Despite the proposal having been rejected it sparked a lively debate which did

News Editor

Alex Hackett

Alex Hackett

Co-Creator and Editor

Features Editor

Gala Jackson-Coombs

Editor

Katie Plumb The Lion is the independent student newspaper of Heythrop College, University of London. We distribute at least 1000 free copies during term time around campus and to popular student venues in and around Kensington.

Alex Hackett

Comment Editor

Gala Jackson-Coombs

Culture Editor

John Arthur Craven Ord

Societies Editor Gala Jackson-Coombs Katie Plumb

There will be two further General Meetings in the new year where your voice can be heard, in the mean time if there is anything else that you want to suggest to your Union or if you have any feedback on our performance during the last meeting, we would be glad to hear from you.

To view the newly passed constiwww.heythropstudentsunion.co.uk tution, or for more information

The Co-Creator and Editor-in-Chief

much to highlight the issues at stake.

about Union General Meetings, visit the HSU Website

Editorial Team

NEXT DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

25.10.10

Please send your submissions to: comsandpubs@heythropcollege.ac.uk The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editors or of the Heythrop Students’ Union. Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright for any material used in this issue, and to ensure the accuracy of this fortnight’s stories. © HackJack Ltd. 2010, 639 Nell Gwynn House, Sloane Ave, Kensington, London SW3 3BE Pages 1 -8 - Designed by Alex Hackett Pages 9 -16 - Designed by Gala Jackson-Coombs

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TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

Students complain about College Canteen Alex Hackett News Editor >Continued from P1 50 signatures on its first weekend online, with new signatories joining rapidly. Philip Woods, Vice President for campaigns, has also vocally backed the team’s movement, stating publically on the petition that “Residents have been deceived, their physical welfare is seriously under threat, and they are being financially crippled. This is not acceptable.”

As well as the catering itself, the team have also highlighted the College’s handling of students’ complaints themselves, and have been alleged to be “complacent” in the face of union intervention. In an interview with The Lion, Rebecca claimed that “On Friday afternoon (15th October 2010) two Union members asked to see the complaints that had been filed by students, Judith Crimmins, accommodation manager at the college, told John Ord that no written complaints had been made. We know for a fact this isn’t true” As yet, no written complaints have been unearthed by the team; however Rebecca notes that “whilst the complaints that have gone to the college have mysteriously disappeared, I’ve had many complaints about it and the Residential Assistants have heard complaints about it. It’s unavoidable; the students just hate this system.”

Estates Manager Chris Pedley has replied to the points put to the College, “[Heythrop has] received only a few complaints about the catering provide to Alban Hall residents. In general our impression is that the quality of the food and service provided is appreciated.”

Mr Pedley goes on to defend the decision to change to the new catering system, stating “This [system change] was done in the light of experience of the previous system which was wasteful, difficult to administer and benefited neither the residents nor the College. It also brings the College better into line with other University of London halls of residence. Those who will remember residents desperately buying up bottles of water and sweets to make up their allowance will understand why a change was desirable.”

To sign the petition, visit the link of the union’s website at heythropstudentsunion.co.uk For more information from the welfare team, email malewelfare@ heythropcollege.ac.uk or femalewelfare@ heythropcollege.ac.uk

NEWS

Riots Break out in Serbia over LGBT March

Heythrop LGBT Society Co-President Ashley Doolan reports on the anarchy of the march and how this will effect Serbia’s entrance into the European Union Ashley Doolan LGBT Society President On 10th October 2010, violent clashes between far right extremists and the police force plunged central Belgrade into chaos. With over 100 people injured, mostly police officers, and many areas of central Belgrade littered with stones, bottles and overturned cars, the number of marchers injured remained surprisingly small as police battled to keep the rioters away from the parade area.

For the first time in almost a decade the city of Belgrade was host to a Gay Pride event, a chance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members of Serbian society, as well as their supporters, to celebrate their sexuality and the right to express that freely in a country which only 20 years previously, had been in the grip of far right politics and Slobodan Milosevic’s “strong man” approach to minority groups. Despite a failed attempt in 2009 to hold a rally, the authorities felt that the security risk was too high, an estimated 1500 people gathered in and around central Belgrade’s Manjez Park to march through the city centre. The authorities had mobilised an estimated 5000 police officers in anticipation of trouble from right wing and religious protestors.

At the start of the day hundreds of right wing nationalists and those claiming to be religious loyalists arrived in central Belgrade chanting “death to homosexuals” and “the hunt has begun” making it quite clear that they intended to cease the march by any means possible in order to root out the “evil” that they see as tainting their society. One protestor, an engineer claiming to be a “religious nationalist”, was quoted as saying, “The government wishes to protect a deviant, wicked and non-religious minority against the good and law-abiding majority”. This crowd proceeded to march towards the Manjez Park area where those attending the Gay Pride rally were gathered to hear a speech made by the head of the EU mission to Serbia, Vincent Degert. The protestors quickly turned violent when they came into contact with the police who had been placed in order to defend parade and running street battles broke out around the city as they tried to out manoeuvre them and reach the parade. Rocks, petrol bombs and glass were thrown into the lines of riot police and many were seen retreating, bleeding profusely but the line remained strong. Many fires also broke out around the city as protestors began to overturn cars and at one point a stolen tram was driven at a line of riot police. The rioters soon

PRIDE: London Gay Pride March © Flickr - anenomeprojectors

turned to looting local businesses and many shops were raided for goods including Belgrade’s branch of Benetton, the woollen goods seller.

The police were finally able to break up the protest but great damage had been done to many areas of the city centre, including both the headquarters of the Democratic Party and their allies in government the Socialist party, apparently targeted for their support of the march. The Austrian Embassy had also been set alight during the violence but the fire was quickly brought under control doing minimal damage. Amongst all this violence, only one member of the Gay Pride march was injured, attacked by a group of nationalists whilst walking home from the march. Over 200 right wing protestors were arrested in the end, many from the Terazije Boulevard area where most of the violence took place. Democratic Party spokesperson, Jelana Trivan, claimed that the protests were nothing to do with morality or religion, believing instead that most of the protestors were people who just enjoyed violence and to revel in the chance to cause destruction. Defence minister, Dragan Sutanovac, called it, “a sad day for Serbia” and the coalition has vowed to take a hardline against any who are known to have taken part in the violence.

The previous day a protest had been

held in central Belgrade by right leaning Serbs as well as members of the Orthodox Church, which is still the predominant religion in Serbia, to condemn the parade, claiming it to be against the church and against the strong family-centric ethos of Serbian society. Prominent members of the church condemned the parade but also warned against the use of violence in an attempt to break up the event. As a society, Serbia is still reeling from the conflicts of the 1990s, with Croatia and the NATO assault during the unrest in Kosovo still fresh in peoples minds, so many would argue that it is of no surprise that many in the country are suspicious of minority groups. The previous attempt at a Pride event in Belgrade in 2001 would seem to evidence this. Two thousand right wing supporters and football hooligans descended on central Belgrade and violently broke apart the rally, seriously injuring many of the marchers whilst the 50 police deployed in defence looked on, only reacting when they themselves were attacked. The lack of a public outcry said more of the opinion of Serbian people than the attack itself, and it became apparent to many that Serbia still had much work to do with regards to protection of the rights of minorities.

It is for this reason that many members of the Serbian government publically supported this year’s march, as they

saw it as an opportunity for Serbia to brush off its past reputation as a socially damaged country. President Tadic was quoted as saying “Serbia will secure human rights for all its citizens, regardless of their diversity” and although he and many other top government officials were not personally present at the march, it is clear that the message was that of support for the event. This was vital seeing as many observers around the world would have had their eyes on Serbia, a potential candidate for EU membership in the future, to see how far the country had come since the 90’s and to judge their status as a modern and developed state. The parade itself took place only two days before US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was due to visit in Belgrade in order to promote US support for Serbia’s entry into the EU. The reaction of Serbian authorities could then in some way be seen as a success, as the protestors were indeed defended and even though the majority of Serbians were against the march, the police’s ability to defend it shows some form of progress in the Serbian state itself. Whether this will be enough to prove to those responsible that Serbia is ready to be part of a modern Europe, for the moment, remains to be seen.

For more information about Heythrop’s LGBT Society, please email lgbt@ heythropstudentsunion.co.uk

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EXCLUSIVE

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

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TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

EXCLUSIVE Confessions

of a Fresher

FRESHERS’ WEEK: The Verdict

Sajida Mohammed We have asked everyone from the Freshers to Fresher Stewards what they thought of each event on being fresh from Monday to Wednesday is reviewed by Katie Plumb UCAS and new to Thursday to Sunday is reviewed by Gala Jackson-Coombs college Sajida Mohammed 1st year Undergraduate Excitement and fear; it’s that feeling you get when you’re starting something new. For me, it was more fear than excitement; fear of the unknown. Especially when I found out that Heythrop is, let’s say, a well kept secret. Here’s a conversation I’ve had so many times, with too many different people; ‘So what University are you going to?’

‘Heythrop.’

‘Heathrow???’

‘No, Heythrop.’

‘Where’s that?’

So, as you can tell, that didn’t exactly help ease my anxiety. As I panicked, worried I wouldn’t meet any friends, my sister said to me so articulately ‘It’s your first day, your all going to be wondering around like headless chickens anyway’, which I believe was quite accurate for our Freshers’ Week.

It all started when I clicked on the most important word on the UCAS website.

At that very confusing point in time, when I’m trying to decide where I really want to spend the next three years of my life, it’s the most straight down the line simple word in my vocab. FIRM. That’s the word. I mean it’s so, well, firm isn’t it? Even when I eventually got accepted (after feeling, like everyone else, that I’d officially flopped my A-Levels) I just couldn’t shake that doubt, ‘Have I really made the right choice?’

Aside from that, it’s a total pain when the SLC are being total * unintelligible blabber* and every one’s calling you a Fresher. Has there ever been a more annoying term in history? (However I do agree hands down...Newbie is a lot worse).Then that day comes, THAT day before THE day and all your thinking is ‘I wonder how tomorrow’s going to be’. It’s not really pleasant if you’ve got a family like mine where everyone says; ‘Aaaaaaw, look, she’s even ironing her clothes the day before!!’ Or ‘Oh my God, did you actually just wash your hair?!’ As if I haven’t done that for the past 19 years of my life...

Then the ten different alarms I set to wake me up on THE day do their job and I get ready. I look okay, I think, before I leave the house and catch the tube, where as usual everyone’s shoving their underarms in your face. I walk in through those Heythrop College doors and I visualise headless chickens with the words ‘Potential friend?’ plastered on their heads. Very quickly I realise everyone’s so laid back and I start to feel good. I suddenly feel stupid for even worrying. As I walk home, with that satisfied smile on my face I’m thinking, ‘Maybe this Heathrow Heythrop won’t be so bad.

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday

£113

Average amount spent:

On Monday afternoon, after registration, a barbeque in the garden got underway, though behind schedule. The events team’s quick thinking resulted in a rum-hunt to make the barbeque delay time fly by.

Tuesday hosted Heythrop’s annual Freshers’ Fayre. The Loyola Hall was packed full of all the wide range of societies Heythrop has to offer, from the Women’s Institute to the newly-founded Badminton Society.

Wednesday saw Heythrop Principal, John McDade, welcome staff and student alike to the new year at Heythrop. He spoke of the importance of our study of both Theism and Atheism to gaining knowledge.

It was an ideal time for students to all meet each other with members of the HSU Executive mingling, hoping to answer any questions our new and fresh students might ask.

The first issue of the Lion was available for everyone to pour over. Our stall was a great way for the editors to share their vision and excitement with the rest of the Students’ Union.

The theme of delay seemed to carry on when the Party Bus was over half an hour late. Though this delay was outside of the organiser’s control. For those who got on the bus, a great time was had. Pumping bass and dancing all the way to Whitechapel. Those who did not manage to get on the bus did not have such an exciting journey to the East London venue. Many had to trek across London on the Tube, resulting in the arrival of some very weary Freshers.

The event itself was packed, with some great tunes, our very own president playing a set. There was a mosh pit, interesting toilets and very loud music.

The night was enjoyed by many but was not to everyone’s taste.

One Fresher said “As a first event it wasn’t up to scratch, and the vodka ran out!”

With the success of the Fayre behind them, the Lion editorial team pulled off a fantastic launch that evening.

Students, staff and alumni gathered at the Builders’ Arms to see the launch of Heythrop’s brand new student newspaper.

Taking a moment from his speech, the held up a copy of the Lion and congratulated the editorial team on their hard work over the summer to create such a professional publication. His speech will no doubt be remembered by those who heard it, it hold particular significance because this is his last year as principal. Next year’s freshers will not have such a verbal treat in store.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

The plans for the evening were centred around the themes of fire and ice. Many freshers went to great lengths to dress up for the event, looking amazing in red and blue costumes. Unfortunately, the planned first venue was too full to accommodate us, so we quickly moved on to The Intrepid Fox, where freshers grabbed a quick drink at the fiery venue before heading on to Moonlighting.

The whole day was packed with ULU events, allowing freshers to mingle with students from the other colleges of University of London. The ULU Freshers’ Fayre took place during the day on Friday, with many freshers traipsing back to campus laden with freebies. Later on in the evening, Heythrop took over ULU with our ULU Fresher Festival, with drinks at £1.50 for the whole night it was another affordable night out for all students.

Today added culture to a week that seemed to lack it.

A tour around the Natural history museum was attended few but those who went enjoyed.

It showed the new students what great cultural heritage surrounds them.

Sunday during the day had no planned event, which was a relief as it gave us all a well-needed rest before the events of the evening. The big blow-out last event for the week was held at the Vodka Revolution bar in Tottenham Court Road.

The HSU had booked the whole venue exclusively for Heythrop Students, and offered drinks tokens to students to get cheaper drinks.

Moonlighting had its alternative night, and with a bit of smooth talking we managed to get Heythropians into the venue with a student discount, some even without ID. Because we, at the Union, are superheroes. With a £1 entry, and £1.50 drinks, it is fair to say that all in attendance were well-lubricated.

There was much dancing, drinking and singing, with everyone joining into the chorus of Mr.Brightside. The night ended in early hours, as the last group of freshers staggered home with the Union Officers at around 2am. Overall, it was a tremendously cheap night out, and many freshers thought it to be one of the best nights of the week.

With free food, speeches and music provided by Heythrop’s own talent, it was a classic Heythrop night out.

Many Freshers spoke favourable about the night “The best so far, there really isnt anything better than sitting in a pub, with some music, a pint and a newspaper” said one Fresher.

The place was packed to the rafters with students, and the music was blaring from all sides of the Malet street building. The ULU Big Band kept guests entertained downstairs in the Cafe, while upstairs we were astounded by the talents of Islington Boys Club and Handshake. We also heard the talents of Niteflights, James the President’s band, who wowed the crowds. The night was finished by King Tubby Soundsystem, with their mellow reggae mix. The carribean BBQ was fantastic, with vegetarian options as well as chicken. Overall, the night was enjoyed by all, including the students of all UL colleges. The music was amazing, with the whole crowd dancing along, drinking very cheap pints. A firm favourite for the greatest night of the week.

The afternoon was one of rest, a time to snooze and recover from the events so far. The evening is seen by many as the best Freshers’ event of the week, the Medieval Banquet. Freshers donning copious amounts of tin foil, made their way to St Katharine’s Dock by Tower Bridge. After a short wait in the rain, due to the surprising efficiency of the Circle Line, they were welcomed by several pretty wenches. It was an evening of unlimited ale and wine and musical entertainment.

Once the banquet was over, the lights were dimmed and some classic dance tracks played. Definitely a night enjoyed by all.

A film night ended the day in a chilled out style.The planned film was replaced by several episodes of Family Guy. Though it was not highly attended it gave the break that several freshers craved. Perhaps some more structure would have made for more fun.

Saturday, as an event was a great break from the hectic nature of the week, and allowed many freshers to rest their hungover-ridden heads before the blow-out party on Sunday evening.

Average bedtime:

3:31 Average alcohol consumed:

12 units a day

The funny money roulette tables went down very well with the guests, many betting high and winning, and then losing it all again. Some developed a gambling habit, bribing other guests for their chips. Most had lost all their chips by the end of the night. The music was good, the drinks were cheap and overall, I feel like it was a great night out.

It was a shame that many chose not to attend, as for me it was one of the highlights of Freshers’ Week.

The night ended quite early at 11pm, but many partied on into the small hours in the heart of Soho. With only one hospital trip for alcohol poisoning the whole week, we have made sure that all Heythropians survived the initiation, congratulations!

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TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

NEWS

THE BROWNE REVIEW: Heythrop Speaks Out

NUS President Aaron Porter: Browne Review is “Foolish” and “Lazy” Gala Jackson-Coombs Comment Editor >Continued from P1 mmisioned by the last Labour Governement and has taken years to complete. Lord Browne hopes to protect households with low-incomes from increases in interest and fees by raising the earnings threshold to £21,000 from the current £15,000. Also, if a graduate’s pay decreases, so too will his repayments, like the current repayment scheme. However, some say Browne has failed to take into account how hikes in interest affect those from middle income backgrounds greater than it does the wealthy, because poorer families will take decades to pay back the same amount and therefore will be charged more interest.

Models prepared by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the NUS suggest that the total cost of fees for those in the income group £35,000-£40,000 would be £37,800, over a 30-year repayment period; for those earning £100,000, the cost would be £31,849, assuming a repayment of only four years. These figures show that those earning a higher salary will be paying roughly £6,000 less than those with lower incomes, due to the longer repayment period required.

Business Secretary Vince Cable intends to make Browne’s proposal more progressive and palatable to Liberal Democrat MPs and the NUS by suggesting a tiered interest model, in which the higher the income, the higher the percentage of interest. Nevertheless, many Liberal Democrat MPs have said they will go against their coalition agreement with the Conservatives to abstain, voting no instead to honour their pledge to not increase tuition fees with the NUS. Aaron Porter, President of the NUS said, “The Liberal Democrats signed up to a pledge at the time of the general election. I don’t see how it’s

CUTS: Browne Review looms large over students - Image © BP/Flickr

possible for Liberal Democrats to burden students and their families with this level of debt.” The coalition is made up of 83 MPs, meaning that 42 MPs of the coalition would have to vote no to the proposal.

There are some positives to Browne’s report. He suggests increasing the maximum maintenance loan to allow students not to rely on funding from family or the banks; however he does not mention if London students will still get higher maintenance loans due to London weighting. Also, he recommends that graduates can make taxdeductible gifts to their chosen HEI higher education institute), making

it easier and more cost-effective for graduates to support their university of choice, hopefully increasing private investment in institutions.

promotes greater advice for students to allow t to make more informed choices about which course to study and what institution to attend.

Browne asserts continuously in his review that funding will “follow the student”, directly benefitting them and not disappear into the institutions. He goes on to encourage HEIs to compete against each other for the best students, using competitive prices and the quality of teaching and facilities to entice them to study at their university. In the review the student is looked upon as a consumer, promoting that if you “pay more”, you “get more”, with institutions run as businesses. Browne also

Browne aims to increase the amount of students in institutions by 10% and increase the amount of private funding they receive, insisting the current state of the higher education system is “unsustainable”.

Lord Browne’s review and findings are just suggestions to government, and they have no obligation to act on his recommendations. Nevertheless, many suspect the government to implement some of the proposals mentioned in the

report.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has condemned the government’s support for an increase on tuition fees, calling the report “foolish, risky, lazy, complacent and dangerous”, insisting that the government are putting the strain of the financial climate on the shoulders of undeserving students and graduates. The organisation has planned a national demo called “Demolition 2010” to rally against proposals for cuts in higher education.

The demo will take place on November 10th. For more information, visit www.demo2010.org.

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TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

NEWS

“Why Lord Browne’s got it wrong” HSU President James Johnston explains why he disagrees with most of the Browne Review

Let’s get this out of the way first; there are a couple of good things in Browne’s report. His proposals for funding parttime students are good. He argues that you should be earning 21,000 a year before you pay your fees back, and he seems to have a system in place for helping prospective students for whom money is tight. If the whole report was these three proposals, Browne would be on to something.

Unfortunately there is more. And a lot of it is a pile of piss. Here are a couple of my favourite bits.

Have some statistics. I heard somewhere that 34.5% of all statistics are bullshit but I think these ones are quite reliable. First of all, Browne seems to argue that by lifting the cap on fees and charging students more for their degrees, they will get a better service from their HEI. He maybe forgets that 4 years ago fees tripled, and we are yet to see any real increase in quality and student satisfaction as a result. Also, on average it is estimated that Arts graduates earn roughly 34,000 more over the course of their lifetime as a direct result of their degree. For Philosophy graduates I believe the figure is around 45,000. So if a university charged 7,000 a year (and believe me, many institutions will charge a hell of a lot more), these extra lifetime earnings would barely (if at all) cover the cost of the degree. And as Browne thinks we all do degrees because we want to earn money, his logic seems faulty.

Perhaps this is because he doesn’t see Arts subjects as real subjects.

Now I class the degrees Heythrop offers as arts broadly arts based. They may not be, but they attract people who have a love for and an interest in the arts. And it’s what I think, if you disagree write an angry letter or complain to the BBC. Browne infers that “Public investment [should] be targeted on the teaching of priority subjects”. These priority subjects are science, medicine (fair enough) and technology based, although special mention is given to ‘strategically important language courses’.

This will undoubtedly mean that insti-

The deeply worrying thing about Lord Browne’s document is that he seems to completely misunderstand Higher Education. The former BP boss seems to be under the impression that

“

You’re totally right to deny people the chance of funding before they have even got the chance to apply anywhere...No. Shut up

“

James Johnston President

tutions teaching silly arts degrees that hurt the economy should have their funding cut, and the money used to build language schools for businessmen-in-training. After all, the silly arts institutions would probably spend their silly funding on silly paints for painting silly things that don’t even LOOK like things anyway. Silly arts institutions... I honestly hate to think what his view of Heythrop would be.

students see a university degree as an arbitrary document, a tiresome 3 year barrier between them and a lifetime of gleefully pumping money into the economy. Throughout the report, you cannot fail to get the sense that Browne is fundamentally out of touch with why many young people choose to go to university. Granted, some go to university to boost career prospects, but for me and many others Higher Education is about a love of a subject, and a wish to learn more about the world, about yourself and about other people. If we all came to Heythrop to boost our future earnings and get a piece of paper, surely someone should’ve suggested by now that we all learn from textbooks and computers rather than those pricey philosophy, theology and psychology scholars.

This leads me to what in my view is the most ridiculous and downright chilling proposal in Browne’s report. On page 28 he writes that “Entitlement to Student Finance will be determined by a minimum entry standard based on aptitude. This will ensure the system is responding to demand from those who are qualified to benefit from Higher Education.” Yes, that was a direct quote. Yes, he is actually saying that before you even have the chance to apply to an individual university, you need to be officially qualified to benefit from the experience and OK it with the government. Well done Lord Browne, congratulations on your thorough understanding of how education works. It seems totally rational that Higher Education should only be available by those privileged enough to benefit from it, and you’re totally right to deny a huge group of people the chance of funding before they have even got the chance to apply anywhere. No. Shut up. What about older students without A-Levels returning to education Lord Browne?

What about intelligent, brilliant, interested students without the pieces of paper to prove they are? Go and talk to some ACTUAL people. Who gave you this job and what were they injecting into their eyeballs?

I have just picked up on a couple of the more ridiculous proposals here. I urge you all to read the full report, which I will send round your college emails.

PLEASE remember this. The Browne Review is just the advice of an ex BP chief. It has not gone through parliament and it is YOUR job to keep things that way. Join the NUS National Demonstration on the 10th of November, Lobby your MP and keep up to date with what is going on. We owe it to our children, we owe it to our grandchildren and we owe it to anybody who has had and will have the benefits of Higher Education in this country. I hope you’re pissed off, you SHOULD be pissed off.

Now stop reading this, get up and go and make a difference.

Ask James Questions asked and answered on the President’s Formspring Wouldn’t a College visit to Israel, Rome or Greece be nice...

Yes. Give us some money.

Are people’s lives more important than Doctrine?

But I don’t understand, people’s lives are really important to Doctors...

Is abortion murder?

Depends what you’re aborting. Trips to Jack Wills should definitely be aborted.

Do you think there’s a need for a Catholic Soc? No. What time is the HSU shop open in the basement?

Generally from about 10am to 5/6pm on weekdays. We run it out of our office, so if it’s shut and you see a union member, just ask!

Now Freshers’ is over what events will the HSU be organizing to keep the momentum going?

Well there’s Halloween this month, and loads of society events to keep things interesting!

Is any part of Leviticus 18 a problem for you?

Yes. How do you feel?

Man, I feel like a woman.

Have you ever, or will you ever, pack fudge if times get hard?

Ask me in a year.

Critically Assess the HSU I would critically acclaim us.

Why are you such dick?

Why you are not ask question so good?.

True or false, Mohandas Gandhi?

Depends if we are looking at the matter from a realist or anti-realist perspective.

I want to change one of my modules. How do I do this ?

Contact Student Services asap!

How do you feel about the Roman Catholic Church’s institutional homophobia and unethical anti-gay discrimination?

Its worth noting that millions of Catholics have no problem with homosexuality. My personal view is that if you are anti-gay you are simply wrong and I will lose a lot of respect for you...

Necrophilia or Mass Genocide?

Neither, silly! Thats naughty!

Did you ever find your brother Wally?

Well done, I see what you did there.

Agree or Disagree?

Send us your opinion of the Browne Review to comsandpubs@ heythropcollege.ac.uk

Drawning of James by John C Ross - 3rd year Undergraduate

Post your questions to James at formspring.me/askthepresident

8

CuLTUrE

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

Theatre: Deathtrap John Ord Culture Editor

 Venue: Noël Coward Theatre Dates: 21 Aug 10 Author: Ira Levin Director: Matthew Warchus Cast Includes: Simon Russell Beale, Claire Skinner, Jonathan Groff, Estelle Parsons, Terry Beaver Deathtrap was written by Ira Levin in 1978, and still holds the record for the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway, having run for a grand total of 1,809 performances. The play runs with more twists and turns than a dizzy ballerina and excels in both the comedic scripting and the sudden bursts into thriller, enhanced by the naturally lighthearted default of the play and seemingly effortless witticism with which Levin laces the script.

Sidney Bruhl (Simon Russell Beale) is a playwright in dire need of a box office smash having spent the last eighteen years living off his last success and his wife’s dwindling monies. When one of the students on his seminar course, Clifford (Jonathan Groff), sends him the manuscript of his ‘firstborn child’ he is torn between the urge to steal the play or to collaborate on it. The question is; is the play (Deathtrap) worth killing for?

At first glance of the set one is already inclined to answer in the affirmative.

Bruhl’s living room (which acts as the sole location for the play) is elegantly designed down to even the subtlest detail, the walls and rafters adorned with antique weapons and inspirations for Bruhl’s thriller plays. It’s enough to excite the twelve year-old inside any of us.

The magnificence of the set is, however,

rightfully overshadowed by the quality of the acting. Simon Russell Beale plays Sidney Bruhl in such an assured and familiar way that he is wholly convincing in the part, engaging the audience in the dilemma that faces him. It’s not an easy script to act by any means. The constant seesaw between comedy and thriller is difficult to gauge and coupled with the ever-present meta-theatrical elements to the play (at one point Bruhl comments on a character moving stage right, just as Clifford does so) it means that keeping abreast of the constant changes at any particular time is demanding work. Beale, however, makes it look almost second nature and captures perfectly the subtle nuances in Bruhl’s character, masterfully adapting to each new revelation and thus making it easier for the audience to understand as well. Without such a strong performance in the lead part, the play could very easily become hard to follow but Beale prevents this. He provides what is a very strong foundation indeed for his fellow actors to build on, which they do almost without fault.

Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Myra Bruhl, plays her in a way that you are always expecting more from her character, adding again to the suspense and uncertainty that permeates the play. During the interval I puzzled with my companion as to whether or not there would be more to come from her or whether Levin was just writing the script in such a brilliant way that anything, including the impossible, seemed plausible.

Jonathan Groff (Glee) sinks his teeth into the darker side of Clifford Anderson in a fashion that becomes thoroughly enjoyable to behold as all the twists begin to materialise. His onstage relationship with Beale stands out as one that works very well, the two comfortable with each other and able to bounce off each other to deliver what the parts require them to.

It strikes me that one of the criteria of a good suspense-driven thriller is one that keeps the audience in the dark as long as possible over what is to hap-

Music: Has the ‘Age of Gaga’ Passed?

Almaz Messenger 2nd Year Undergraduate Approximately 2 years ago, a peroxide blonde powerhouse of a little lady burst through our eardrums and bombarded our eyes. Love her or hate her, almost as fast as she had arrived, the world was hers. Quicker than you can say ‘Ale-

Alejandro’ you could expect to be greeted by at least 56 different references to Gaga in any given day. And she only got bigger. Propelled by her army of ‘little monsters’, Glee lovers and every teen girl in the universe she grew into a gargantuan force. Every newspaper had her bizarrely be-spectacled face on the front page at sometime during the week. Even the serious lot. Lobsters on her head, videos drenched in eager

pen and that the best way to do this is to keep as many options open as possible. The dedication that must have gone into the writing of a show that wholly succeeds in doing this has clearly been mirrored in almost every aspect of the show, from the meticulous detail on the set to the subtle nuances of the acting.

There was very little that I didn’t enjoy.

The addition of birdsong at intermittent intervals has never been something I’ve been a fan of and this production was no different. It didn’t really add anything and although it wasn’t actively distracting, I don’t think it was entirely justified. The same can be said for the music that was used, obviously intendhomo-eroticism, meat dresses, teacups and a googolplex of awards later, are we collectively bored of her already? Is her constant re-invention becoming simply uninteresting? Yes and yes. You can’t doubt her talent, you can’t query the amount of fuel she puts into the Gaga Machine, but it doesn’t stop you finding yourself trying to stifle a hearty yawn.

Suddenly, it’s not that interesting anymore. The perpetual changing persona of Gaga is becoming the norm rather than something to gawp at in abject wonder or utter hate. But why?

Because it would be much more interesting if she, maybe, just for a minute, appeared sane. Let me explain. The reason Beyonce has stuck around for so long is her ability to separate the

ed to dramatise suspense and fear but in actuality did very little towards this.

I think that such effects serve a better purpose on television and are very hard to work into the theatre and even the talent behind this production seemed to struggle. My only other gripe would be that the programme (which I always like to pore over) had remarkably little to do with the production, which upset me.

These are, however, minor quibbles with a show that was engaging on every level and thoroughly enjoyable. There may be doubters about how a thriller can be comedic but I can assure you that once you’ve seen this (and I urge performer from the woman, and kept the latter shrouded in mystery. Gaga, on the other hand, is at any given time more exposed that a skinned mouse in the Sahara. ‘Gaga’, it seems, has taken over the woman as well as the stage.

There’s no depth; it’s all very one dimensional, and now we’re fed up. You feel like you could have a little chat with Beyonce over a cup of tea, talk to her without old Sasha Fierce getting in the way. You get the impression if you had a chat with Gaga you’d just get utterly bored after a minute – you know everything there is to know about her and her craziness would probably grate.

Don’t get me wrong; everyone loves a bit of Gaga, even if your heart burns in disdain at the mere mention of

you to) that it will be clear as the full moon on a dark and stormy night. At least, it was to me when my companion went from laughing to himself to leaping halfway across my seat in shock within a couple of seconds.

If you want to engage in something that twists and surprises you between bouts of laughter, I can think of no better show than this, especially with such a good team behind it. You’ll regret it if you don’t go.

In the words of Sidney Bruhl, ‘even a gifted director couldn’t hurt it.’

her name. There’s always that song that at least gets you to tap your foot.

And let’s face it, when people think of 2009/2010 they’ll think of Gaga – she already has a legacy. But is it the one she’ll want? All of her quirks and carefully manufactured persona now veer into the territory of non-descript, seeing as she has saturated us with it for two years with no break. She has turned the wild into normal, the bizarre into mundane. How long can she borrow a few shocking style tips from Madonna or David Bowie and times them by ten, or create ten minute long music videos stuffed with controversial religious connotations? To be honest, probably until Armageddon…

We just don’t care anymore, Stefani.

9

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

John Underwood Alumnus Wall Street is one of the very few films which can genuinely be said to have had a visible impact on the shape of the modern world. Ever since its 1987 release, director Oliver Stone and star Michael Douglas have reported encounters with fans who confessed that their career choices were based on the example set by spectacularly ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko, and in the wake of the 2008 financial meltdown the finger has been repeatedly pointed at Stone’s indulgent portrait of success and excess as a contributory factor to modern traders’ devil-maycare recklessness. Whether or not it was truly relevant, Wall Street is for many people the definitive financial thriller; its long-awaited sequel Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps was always going to have a lot to live up to.

It’s October 2001, and former prince of Wall Street Gordon Gekko (Douglas) is released from prison after serving eight years for insider dealing and securities fraud. Fastforward seven years and he’s eking out a living on the lecture circuit, questioning “Is Greed Good?” with a new book and mourning his non-existent relationship with adult daughter Winnie (Mulligan). Said daughter, whose character can be defined in every particular by the adjectives ‘liberal’, ‘pixie-haired’ and ‘weepy’, is somehow ignoring her towering daddy-was-anevil-financier resentment just enough to be sleeping with dynamic young trader Jacob (LaBeouf), who has never met his prospective father in law.

behind Gordon’s hefty jail sentence the film suddenly has a shiny new antagonist. Against the backdrop of the global financial meltdown, a series of intertwined dramas play out across the city – Gordon tries to save the world from the apocalypse on the horizon, Jacob struggles to save both his relationship and his pet investment project (cold fusion, natch) and Winnie just wants a big jumper and a Cup-a-Soup. And James? When Jacob asks how much it would take him to get out of the market, he simply replies “More.”

When Jacob’s company collapses and his mentor (Frank Langella) steps in front of a train, Jacob seeks out the reformed Gekko to offer him a trade – access to his daughter in return for help finding out who wrecked Jacob’s career and wrote off his pseudo-daddy.

It becomes apparent that shady banker Bretton James (Josh Brolin) scooped up quite a lot of dough when Jacob’s firm failed, and once we realise he was

There’s a lot about Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps that’s very inventive and a lot of fun to watch. Visually, it’s a treat – the swirling graphics of modern trading software are ingeniously used to clothe the city in light and numbers which are pointedly illusory, and the sweeping shots of NYC skyline are as emotive as ever they were (although when you think of the original Wall Street’s establishing shots the absence of the Twin

Gaming: Halo Reach

Anyway, to the game. I had preordered my copy so that I could join the revolution and play on release day. As you might have seen or heard, this was to be the last installment of the Halo franchise made by Bungie. I must admit, I have not always been a huge fan of the Halo series, regarding it largely as a good game to throw on when friends would come over, which it most certainly still is. As such I did not know quite what to expect of this final piece of gaming history.

Mike Edwards 2nd year Undergraduate First Person Shooter (FPS) Xbox 360 exclusive Developed by Bungie with Microsoft 1-4 players offline 2-16 players online Rated 16+ Having played all of the Halo FPS games and completing all of them (but as an average gamer, not always on Legendary) I would regard myself as being in a fairly decent position to be reviewing it, although I am far from professional. Gaming has been a stable part of my life since the age of six and, as such, I know my way around a console (and am fairly well versed in PC gaming too).

© Wall Street - The Movie

The cutscene leading to the main menu gave nothing away as to the story line, and simply helped to build the tension and excitement. I proceeded to start the game on Normal difficulty to get an ‘everyman’ experience. An understated opening cutscene ensued, which subtly showed off the improved, breath-taking graphics, scenery and landscapes. We are introduced to our protagonist, simply named ‘Noble Six’, and the rest of Noble Team. He has just joined the team as a replacement and they are an elite squad of Spartan warriors, (for those new to the series

Towers becomes grotesquely in-yourface). Unfortunately, very little else is new or innovative. The film is based on real-life events, which has hamstrung writers Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff to a large extent – the sub-prime mortgage crash was very unfortunate, but in terms of a dizzyingly exciting drama it doesn’t really deliver.

This presumably explains the emphasis on family and fractured relationships as opposed to the plot-driven motif of the first film, but we didn’t come to see Gordon Gekko as a reformed character and wannabe doting father – antihero is all very well, but making him anti-interesting was a crime. Having said that, Douglas’ performance was a worthy follow-on from his last outing as Gordon – he’s older, wiser and less brash, but still possessed of the fiery streak which made him the greatest of his kind. It’s just a shame he has so little to do. The same goes for Carey Mulligan, a superb actress who was patronised to within that’s not Spartan in the sense of the Ancient Greek city). Soon after being introduced we board a transport and are taken to our first mission that, as with most games in recent years, begins with a tutorial.

After having been eased in we move into the real game, which is extremely well balanced and varied, offering something for most gamers. We see missions varying from a slow, stealthy, nighttime assault on a Covenant-held area moving into fast paced, all-out firefights more synonymous to the Halo series. Later on we are introduced to a completely new element of gaming to the Halo series: space based combat.

We pilot a fighter ship and experience ‘dog-fighting’ in a full 3D battle, in the sense that combatants attack from all angles, which gives a really immersive experience that left me wondering why Bungie had not developed and used this element in more of their games.

One of the elements that appealed most to me and I found incredible throughout the game was that I actually cared about what was happening to

an inch of her life by her boring, pathetic “Ooh, I’m a pinko journalist with delicate sensibilities and a low tolerance for bullshit!” part. And Shia? Oh, Shia.

Why did you ever think a suit would be your look? Get back to running after Harrison Ford or (preferably) doing battle with stupid robots. It suited you, you and your bland little face and your pointless flashes of braggadocio.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is enjoyable to watch (until the final fifteen minutes – trust me, just walk out). If I’d never seen the original, I’m sure I would have enjoyed it even more, but the unbridled euphoria of watching a film as utterly bloody brilliant as Wall Street just hammers home how much better this one could have been.

Read more of John’s film reviews at bestforfilm.com my comrades. The storyline had me gripping my controller with white knuckles at times and by the end of the game I was actually emotional, which surprised me greatly. However, this is the mark of great game; that you are actually involved, you’re not just playing it and watching things on a screen, you’re feeling what’s happening and you want to know what is coming next. As Ben ‘Yahtzee’ Croshaw (Zero Punctuation for the Escapist Magazine) says, there are two types of games: games you stop playing because you’re bored, and games you stop playing because you realise you should have eaten three hours ago. Halo Reach is most definitely the latter.

The story may have appeared shorter than some games, but I would assure you that it is both epic and moving, and most definitely a fantastic gaming experience. Furthermore, as with all Halo games, there are also the online or offline multiplayer modes. This adds so much to the game as there are allnew maps, new game types and new game elements. There are also twoplayer offline and four-player online

Want to Advertise here?

Email comsandpubs@heythropcollege.ac.uk

Film: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

CULTURE

co-operative campaign modes. Bungie have also improved the Forge mode, in which it is possible to create your own multiplayer map, and share it online if you feel confident in it. You can also shop around and download other peoples’ contributions. For example, I tried a ‘Death Star’ based map, which turned out to be a bit buggy but fun nevertheless.

The game, for me at least, is now a firm favorite and will be dominating my television screen for a long time to come. I strongly recommend the game for both hardcore and casual gamers alike.

10

• Editor chall en action as “unc ges President’s onstitutional”

Alex Hacke tt News Editor

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

all our student s and I do not wa is of the highest priority nt this sort of found by unsu thing to be sp no doubt that ecting students. I am in the vile imag e of a hand grabbing a ha nd of David hang ful of money with a Star ing from it dr horrific mem udges up ories for man y of ish friends wh o so many of wi our Jewfriends and fa ll have had mily suffer at the hands of the Nazi’s”.

“COMMENT.”

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Gala 3% of street ro Dear Heythrop Students, Jackson-Co A LiberalThDemocrat e Board doesstudy in 2007 solved in conj bberies in London are ombs ho we ver go lege) to all stu unction with on ee with to suggestedgrthat, “A M comparison of the C disaomment Edito dence. This CCTV evide s Solomon’s is that the camer nts of the college said r verdict that article is inin With the revelation that our esteemed number th unafraid of be due to criminals being ofe cameras each London as themselves deed anti-Semitic – ly filming the were maining caught on do no t obscuring th en feelproportion college appears to have placed CCTV borough with the crimes “We that we areofgu In April 20 eir face from film, and various build trances and exits of the ilty of antiSemitism but 10, students ings, but that committing a view when cameras in several “strategic loca- solved there found that police are no accept an re em ce th cr some of the cameras woul ived ail statin ime. at our complai ants feel diffe d be in “certa rently. tions”, I thought perhaps a little inves- more likely to catch offenders in n- circuit televisi g that CCTV (closed” in ot tegic locations on) was goin It remains to ”. I have inqu her strain tigation was in order, just so we can all areas with st g al hundreds of cameras be to th led arou ired as to e specific loca seen if they wi be effe In his letter tio ll prove to ctive to th to the “health, nd campus to insure the Lo feel more...open...about than inJo those hardly any. in the email, bu ns that were eluded safety and se Fast, reliable the matter. urnaliswith that installing e college, considering m Support Ne ndon Student t as service at comp th H cu is ey ri ar th ty tic pr an rop’s staff an ” of re twork, le goes to es d etitive prices. nison also calle latively expens monitoring CCTV is ed s I am yet to receive a re d students. d into questio Joe Reninfo@kensingto ply. Allegive. Heythrop ly, there will be the legitiacy man’s But first, a brief history of Ms Soview one of how neffecn-cars.co.uk This is m only college is not the te on e lomon pl Th ac ed er in ’s e in +44(0)2of0CCTV: ac th en, to discou are an tions beliehas “It is our f that don to have CC e University of Lonrage theft, lo the cantive CCTV been far: “It’s been 76 it is aso min CCTV cameras estimated 4.2 million ority and to find th ss of stock TV on its cam of colleges that Fax: +44(0)20 03 1000 are up in the UK, wh set by thonly e culprits. Th smiths, Quee pus, Goldfiasco: 3 th per cent CCTV or Closed-Circuit Television e article, 7603was to ich ro eq is claim is yet ug n to ua 2232 an utter hl M tes ha be confirmed y 1 camera fo arys, and UC ereby making Clare’s action ve by r every 14 peop L also CCTV system the college. undemocra in the country bytic...

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nuclear destruction; an auspicious start then.

The first place in England to use CCTV was Kings Lynn, Norfolk, which installed the cameras in 1995 and recorded the following result on the effectiveness of CCTV, “Only six percent of the incidents brought to the operators’ attention resulted in police contacting a suspect and usually the role of the camera system was to monitor the movements and/or the arrests of suspects. The cameras were also used to locate suspects although this was less common. It is worth noting that although over 300 tape reviews were carried out, only in three cases did this result directly in the identification of a suspect. In the vast majority of cases when officers requested tape reviews of areas where crimes had been committed, nothing of particular use had been recorded by the cameras.” Pretty effective then.

CCTV quick took off as a tool of crime detection and prevention in the early 2000s, due to an influential Home Office study commissioned in 1994, entitled ‘CCTV, looking out for you.’ It is estimated there are now 4, 200,000 Cameras in the UK, after they took off in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Head of the Visual Images, Identifications and Detections Office (VIIDO) at New Scotland Yard, speaking this week at a security World Conference.

As a tool for safety and the catching of genuine criminal activity, CCTV would appear to have a perhaps limited effectiveness, at least in statistical terms.

Thus, what purpose does CCTV have in Heythrop College? If the purpose of the cameras was merely for the prevention of crime and, to quote Christopher Pedley, “to ensure the safety and well-being of all those using the campus and particularly those who are resident...” you would assume that the cameras used merely covered the main entrance in and out of the college. The source of any outside threat to the students would inevitably have to come either through the gates or the main entrance, both of which require the clearance of the security to pass, at least in theory.

Thus, in the interest of seeing just where these cameras are and whether they do actually provide a protection for ‘all those using the campus’ and are purely based around protection, rather than observation with Orwellian overtones, I had a small exploration of the college.

This is a list of CCTV in Heythrop that I am so far aware of: - Main Entrance. (both outside and inside) - Main Entrance (along corridor that does NOT lead to computer room) Maria Eugene Centre; Just outside the door, has a range of up to the laundry room of halls.

- Entrance to Alban halls; both outside the front door and by the lift.

- Around both walls by the bike shed.

- By the Gate entrance - Covering the entry to the Loyola Hall (door, left) - On wall, next to door that leads to both the accommodation office and canteen from main Heythrop square.

- First door as you come into the Alban halls (non-lift entrance) second floor entrance to the Brinkman room.

This is by no means a comprehensive

Thriving Vocations James Barber 2nd year Theology Catholic media have long been reporting that a vocations crisis is looming in England. These claims have been substantiated by small numbers entering seminaries, sparse ordinations, and advancing seniority among secular clergy. In Westminster diocese alone, fifty percent of active priests will be lost to retirement within ten years, worrying only because the grand total of men preparing for priesthood is insufficient to replace

them. Doom and gloom as always, but there is light breaking on the horizon. Major monastic orders like the Carthusians, Dominicans, Franciscans and Benedictines, are seeing surging interest in contemplative and apostolic life. This outpouring has been so great the Carthusian mother-house, the Grande Chartreuse, has closed its novitiate, no longer accepting new monks into the order; and some other monasteries face similar dilemmas.

History whispers of monastic strength having secular ramifications, such as what we are seeing in Allen Hall now, where eleven new students were

admitted to London’s seminary just this year, all of them with prospects of priesthood.

Aside from the “official” institutions, there are hundreds across Britain who participate in prayerful discernment meetings. These sessions invite any who want to determine God’s plan for them, whether their calling is through the single, married, or priestly life. Among London students, UCL’s Catholic Society pioneers this work, able to do so because of their chapel, priests, and full administrative staff. Other groups exist, such as Westminster Cathedral which

list of the CCTV, and please do send in your personal observations and pictures to the student newspaper so we can all feel the benefit of being just that little bit more open. As this list would suggest, CCTV at Heythrop is far more extensive than simply covering the main entrances to and from the college at the gate and entrance. In a more sinister turn, it turns out that these cameras can also freeze and zoom in on various images. For instance, the Marie Eugene Centre Camera can potentially see the laundry room of the Alban halls; a hub of criminal activity.

Whilst the passage to and from the bike shed has been known to have dangerous gangs associated with it, my point is thus. CCTV is for the protection and not observation of the students. If it was truly for the pure protection of the students, I would suggest three cameras:

Any individual attempting to gain access to the College must pass through one of these three entrances and thus be seen or at least pass by security. This is especially true at night time; generally the gate is locked and thus all students must pass through main entrance to gain access to halls and thus be vetted by security. What I fundamentally object to is the use of CCTV where is it not needed, not wanted and an infringement on our ability to walk freely, unobserved through our college.

- Main entrance - Gates - Marie Eugene Centre on the INSIDE of the door. meets every fourth Friday. Bands like these gather across the country, without these groups we could never ascertain numbers beyond a year ahead, having only seminary applicants to go by; but thanks to well-managed operations like these it looks like there are many more vocations to come, thriving thanks to prayerful discernment and knowledge that bishops care enough to support them wherever they are, no gender excluded.

Institutional support culminated in the Year for Priests being inaugurated for June ‘09-’10, when the whole Catholic Church emphasised praying for the sustenance of seminarians and for strong vocations. Millions showed support for their clergy across the globe during the year, whether through

The CCTV cameras at Heythrop College

prayer or public fortification, which has resulted in greater awareness of what the priest is; spiritually, pastorally, temporally, and individually.

Among her movements the Church strengthened her commitment to a celibate priesthood, gave national retreats to rejuvenate drained clergy, and made known to the world the great love the People of God have for their ordained priests. England made great responses to this call to boost awareness of vocation, requesting the relics of St Therésè of Lisieux and organising national events, like Invocation 2010.

Men and women of all ages have been asked to question their purpose, and we will be witnessing their responses for years to come.

11

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

COMMENT Snog, Marry, Avoid?

A Feminist Nightmare Ms Mollie Puttock 2nd year Undergraduate

top quality children’s programmes and distinctive cultural output”. Now where does a mindless program such as this fit in within the agenda?

I am sure many of you, either as a form of procrastination or as a drunken badly executed flick through the television, have stumbled across a program which I can only describe as a hideous assault of the senses. Snog, Marry, Avoid? (for those lucky few whom are not acquainted with it) is a reality show featuring ex-Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost interviewing young people and sending them to a militant robotic device named P.O.D (Personal Overhaul Device) for a make-under. Those who are made-under tend to be either people who have taken current fashions to the extreme with hair extensions, fake tans, and outfits that put the wearer on the wrong side of the indecent exposure laws, or those with more alternative tastes such as bikers, punks or goths.

The whole idea of the programme is to promote natural beauty, yet the host (Jenny Frost) not only has dyed blonde hair but has also had breast enhancement surgery and is way under the average weight and size of a healthy female.

Which is in some ways fair enough, as who am I to judge how someone presents themselves. Yet, to the young women who watch this programme this is a very unrealistic role model and the apparent whole goal of the program is to judge others.

I have found so many problems with the general concept of this program, the first cause for my confusion is the fact that it is commissioned by the BBC who stated earlier this year that “The BBC will also re-evaluate its priorities, promising to focus on British comedy and drama, cutting- edge journalism,

The most disturbing part of this whole affair is the assumed rule that all women dress themselves up only in order to attract men. Every victim of the programme is put through a videotape of men saying that they would avoid them and they would expect them to steal their watch or something equally derogative. Surely these young women need to have their self esteem built up in order to make them feel happy and beautiful in their own skin, rather than being knocked down a further peg by this demeaning ordeal which will cause embarrassment and distress.

Hands of a Sculptor Rebecca Sear President of Poetry Society Heythrop’s very own Male Welfare officer and resident Noel Coward talks poetry, publishing and Philip Larkin.

And erotica.

The Lion: Why did you decide to self-publish your poetry?

John: There’s a massive culture within writers who believe that self-publishing is cheating. This is completely wrong and a product of a capitalist society; lots of successful writers began by selfpublishing like Hemingway, Oscar Wilde I believe also, to name a few. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Overcoming this was my first hurdle.

L: So what would have been the alternative?

J: The alternative would have been keeping it all in a big folder and not sending it off. I’m very self-critical – I always see my work as very childish. I can’t think that anything I write is particularly good. This would have led to me doing a frequent cull of my work, losing about half of it and meaning no one gets to read it. For some reason, in my head, the end point of all writing is publication. Now that I’ve got that part done, I can move on with the next part of my life and the next project. I intend to self-publish for as long as it takes to get noticed. It’s just a case of not stopping until someone will publish it for me.

L: What would be the main themes and ideas behind your work?

J: From my point of view, the subtitle of the book is ‘Love Poems’ and I’m aware of the implications of that whole area.

I could readily disagree with most peo-

ple’s definitions of what love poetry is.

Love poems are not there to say ‘ohh I love you sooo much, the world’s amazing’, love poetry is any poetry which has love at the core. The more I write, the more I realise that everything comes back to that. Two themes which run through a lot of what I write are love and loneliness.

L: Do you have any writers who influence you?

J: I went through a phase of loving Philip Larkin and his very deadpan, cynical views of things. Quite a few of my poems have that Larkin-esque twist. I recently saw a performance poet called A.F. Harold, and bought his book ‘Logic and the Heart’. It’s one of the few collections that have really stuck with me. It’s more metaphysical; I don’t really write much poetry of that type but I love it.

L: Do you write anything else?

J: I’m currently writing a play which I’m hoping to direct with HeADS at Easter called either ‘Two’s Company’ or ‘Three’s a Crowd’. It depends on the final scene. I’m busy researching for that at the moment. Other than that I write short stories, songs, pretty much everything. I like to keep doors open!

L: What would you say to people who think that poetry is a dead art?

J: I would say they’ve been reading the wrong stuff! When people think of poetry, they automatically think of the romantics: Wordsworth, Keats etc.

There are more recent people like Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy who write very, very contemporary stuff. –There are people with awful memories of her from GSCE English Lit. Bad example?

- Maybe...I use her as an example fully aware that I can’t stand her! And again, it’s a case of people having a narrow view of poetry given to them by teach-

Jenny Frost on Snog, Marry, Avoid?

I find myself dressing in what I like and what I feel good in, for many women a huge part of fashion is the confidence it can bring and perhaps this is not right.

Each and every day we are bombarded by posters, flyers, window displays and televised images that create within our minds a truly distorted understanding of the female body that has led many,

including myself, to calorie counting, fad dieting and painful beauty treatments (ever had a bikini wax?). This needs to change, yet it will not until the fashion industry fully admits to using some models with eating disorders etc. and start using healthy women of every shape and size; but due to our conformist aesthetically controlled society, it may never happen.

© BBC

As our sisters of the 1970’s exclaimed so rightfully “reclaim the night”. We too need to band together and help one another, as now feminism seems to have come full circle and women are perhaps worse off now than then. Thus simply reclaim yourselves ladies! We are all incredible, attractive and talented individuals (and all you lovely men too!), we just need to truly believe it.

ers. Also having a bad time studying something, to which I say, whenever you study something, it destroys it. I had that with ‘Catcher in the Rye’. At the time I hated it; a few years later I loved it. It always dampens your appreciation.

L: Did you go to poetry society last year? Any good?

J: I did. I went towards the end and thoroughly enjoyed it. The themed events were great fun. Donnie, who ran it, would set the theme and we’d all bring something relating. I remember the erotic session (of course you do, John...) very, very different. It inspired me to write something afterwards which wasn’t so much erotic as ...sensual. That was fun. I’m writing a parody erotic piece at the moment called ‘She had an Orgasm on the Bayswater Road’.

Anyway, poetry society was really good.

It was inspiring to meet people so wholly different to myself. Meeting people who live a different lifestyle is always amazing; I thoroughly enjoyed it.

L: What would you say poetry society can offer to non-writers?

J: The poetry. That’s almost a backwards question. The way I see it, it’s there for people who appreciate the art form; who are inquisitive about where poetry has been, where it is going.

There’s such a broad spectrum and so much to be learned and explored.

L: Where do you think poetry is going?

J: Somewhere very cynical. I don’t read too many cheerful poems these days, they’re often quite dark. My next volumes will be more uplifting, I’ve a few ideas for titles. It’d be great for the poetically minded in general to appreciate songs and lyrics more. Throw some Noel Coward in – it’s fun, it’s witty and cheeky. We could definitely do with some more Noel Coward.

L: Do you have any recommendations for poetry virgins?

J: Yes. Certainly avoid the war poets and start easy. Begin with things you’ve heard of like the ‘Nations Favourite’

poetry books which will probably have [Kipling’s] ‘If’ right at the front. It’s a fun book. It’s just about finding the style that fits with you then you can explore it further, at poetry society of course.

L: Any tips for aspiring writers?

J: Yeah. Never, ever stop. Even if it is awful and your friends tell you it’s rubbish, and badly expressed. Don’t give up and never throw anything away.

Even if it’s awful you can come back to it years later and use that same fundamental idea. Then you can rehash it. I went through a period of people telling me that my writing was awful. I sat down with my editor and flatmate and made him read everything and help me.

Just because it’s something you wrote when you were 14, it isn’t necessarily bad. The first poem in my book I wrote at that age!

L: Explain the title a little...

J: ‘Hands of a sculptor’ is the title of a poem which I feel is one of my best ones. It’s essentially about starting from scratch and crafting something out of nothing. On a fundamental level, I’m taking the raw ideas and making them into something coherent. The poem itself talks about a man who finds himself playing a sculptor to the ‘raw material’ of people, and the recurring cycle of transforming people. Autobiographical? You can only really write about what you know.

L: Anything else?

J: Come to poetry society! If you have any interest in writing anything and you would like a mentor/editor then I’d be happy to help. Also, you can buy my book from me for a mere £6, and if you’re lucky enough I just might sign it.

12

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

COMMENT

The Cuts Agenda What Lies Beneath?

Joshua White st 1 year Undergraduate

The government’s cuts agenda has the potential to finish off the “Welfare State”. It was constructed after World War 2 in much worse conditions than we face today and based on a progressive state, redistributive taxes and social justice. It’s important to remember that the social democratic era from 1945 to 1975 was marked by high rates of economic growth and productivity, with historically low levels of unemployment and high wages. During this era, government debt was high, often higher than it is today. But since these austerity measures are soon to be announced we should consider the logic behind the savage cuts that the Con-Dems are about to ram down our throats. As these cuts will significantly reduce the spending that helped drive the economy out of recession we should consider the notion of “creative destruction”.

What is creative destruction? It was the brainchild of Joseph Schumpeter, an Austrian economist and political scientist, as a way of taking advantage of crises and subsequent recessions to strive for radical innovation in the economy. Schumpeter believed that long-term economic growth would be sustained by this endogenous process.

Schumpeter was deeply opposed to Keynesian economics and an important figure in evolutionary economics, he saw the Great Depression as a “cooling off” period which could enable surviving firms to take-over firms that were insufficiently competitive. Avoiding a

double-dip recession might not be high on the Coalition’s priorities, as it could arguably allow the most successful entrepreneurs to buy-out rivals who are less efficient and productive. Arguably it’s similar to the corporate raids of the 1980s, that tore apart old bureaucratic monopolies, theoretically leaving the most successful firms unscathed.

It’s likely that this approach to the economy would have dire social consequences, leading to greater inequality as unemployment rises. The cabinet consists of around 22 people, 19 of which are male and 18 of which are millionaires, which might lead us to conclude that they do not hold the interests of the common man at heart - especially as most come from a background of wealth and privilege and attended the finest private schools and universities in our country. Take David Cameron, he’s a descendant of King William IV and is the fifth cousin of the Queen twice removed. At Oxford, Cameron was a member of the Bullingdon Club and spent over £3,000 on his “uniform”. Cameron’s first job was at the Conservative Research Department, which he was given thanks to the intervention of a Royal equerry.

Considering that David Cameron is essentially a product of affirmative action for rich white men, it would seem that he may not be acting for the “common good”. We can tell more about who he represents from his record as Conservative leader. As Conservative leader, he raised £16 million in funding from the City of London over 4 years. Cameron also won over the support of Rupert Murdoch, and by extension 40% of the

Too Many Questions!

Georgia Stavri 1 year Undergraduate

During our educational journey, we are bombarded with information about finding work in the future.

However, that’s all it is- information.

It’s not necessarily useful when you are trying to focus on the matter in handactually gaining your qualifications.

Hence, some youth today are confused about their next step in the world.

Should I look for jobs in I.T or administration…? But why should we feel pressurised to prepare ourselves fully for the future? Shouldn’t life contain an element of freedom? Why aren’t we able to ride the waves of the ocean without a care in the world? Why can’t we live the life that we have imagined?

Who’s to say that we want to work a

It could also be that the government is currently acting to initiate a sort of economic “shock therapy” that will dissolve the welfare state and the last remnants of social democracy over a short period of time. We may be kept in a state of “shock” by the financial crisis of 2008, the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the growing threat of terrorism. Naturally, the Conservative Party is brandishing the Union Jack on their logo and talking of the “national interest”. The idea is to use exaggerated threats to justify oppression at home, to push through unpopular policies whilst the public is still in a state of “shock”. We saw the same tactics under Thatcher. The Falklands war of 1982 gave Thatcher a boost in the polls as hundreds died.

This gave her administration the opportunity to push through legislation against trade unions and to privatise vast sectors of British industry.

‘normal’ nine to five job and be satisfied with this?

Surely, we should be able to enjoy our educational journey on the basis that we want to learn. We are like sponges; soaking up lots of information and knowledge. Perhaps some of us want to learn for the sheer enjoyment, instead of it being necessary for a particular career.

The social norm is to go to school, then an institution of higher education in order to lead us to a career. However, due to the current climate we are lucky if we find a position for un-paid work experience. Forgive me; for I am not being pessimistic, I am merely being realistic.

People claim to offer advice but, are they really helping when all they seem to do is send us into a panic of; ‘what am I going to do after education?’

So who do you turn to? All these questions and no ‘real’ answers; perhaps it’s time to bite the bullet and make your own decisions!

© The PM’s Office

The Conservatives promised us “change” during the campaigns and “change” they will deliver unto us. But it will only be the continued paradigm shift that began under Thatcher and was furthered by Blair. The Liberals have not “diluted” the Conservative Party and were on board for the cuts

the second the Conservatives tried to forge an alliance with them. As the Lib Dems try to put a “progressive” face on the Coalition, the Conservatives will appeal to Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant tendencies in the working-class for support. All the while the economic

Letters to the Editor

Interested in Journalism?

Nis Chrisolson A Lion Fan Dear Sir/Sirette,

st

It seems that due to a terrible economic climate the younger generation in particular are suffering. Jobs are scarce, internships are difficult to come across and being unemployed just won’t cut it.

So, what do we do after education?

British media. In short, the government has a dual constituency, the uberrich and the rest of society, through a precarious balancing act - trying to appease both classes - the Con-Dems will try to stay in power. It will end badly of course, as it did with New Labour.

Creative destruction, as leading to rapid deflation, could enable the richest of the rich to take-over smaller firms and purge the markets of competition.

I was really impressed with the debut of the Lion newspaper, and would like to commend the choice of article on page two of your publication and am just enquiring if there will be a follow up article and ideally a photo shoot in the near future. I was also wondering if there will be a Vice President Development calendar and other branded goods, as it is a market that could not in my mind be saturated. It only remains for me to give a great big pat on the back to the Communications and Publications team and their Appointee for their hard work in putting this wonderful paper together.

Yours, eagerly awaiting the next issue, Nis Chrisolson P.s. the calendars would be a hit with the middle aged house wives, I do believe.

programme has been drawn up for the richest of the rich, to insulate them from the harshest of recessions and the austere follow-up to it. Time will tell if the Con-Dems will succeed, as the cuts agenda has yet to be revealed for all to inspect.

Write for The Lion! Join our Writers’ Group on Facebook to keep up to date with competitions, writers’ meets as well as writers’ trips!

Submit your articles to comsandpubs@heythropcollege.ac.uk

The

Lion

13

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

COMMENT

A Word About Welfare...

A message from your Welfare team on extra-curricular activities.

John Ord Male Welfare This week’s section is geared at giving you advice about keeping yourself active and achieving a well-rounded experience at university, as there is a lot more available to Heythrop students than just lectures and tutorials, as good as they may be.

Academic life at Heythrop can put quite a strain on your mental faculties, often draining you and leaving you heavyheaded and gloomy. Exercise releases adrenaline and endorphins that help to counteract this and lift the brain into a more energetic state, thus allowing you to work harder at your studies as well as other things that you’re taking up whilst you’re here. If your mind is tired but your body is still full of energy, you’ll find yourself losing concentration rapidly and being frustrated by an inability to sleep, due to your body wanting to get up and go even though your mind can’t stand the thought. Using your body as much as you’re using your mind is the key to being able to excel in the lectures and other pursuits.

All of this activity can become quite exhausting, which is good as it will ensure that you fall asleep well and deeply at night so your body recovers and recuperates better during the sleep cycle.

This does, however, mean that you will be expending a lot of energy, which means that you will need to make sure that you are eating a balanced diet that is giving you enough energy to be “on the ball” when it comes to both lectures and extra-curricular activities.

There are many forums at Heythrop where you can involve yourself in things that will provide that much needed break from the rigour of academic thought. The thriving societies at the college (evident from the Freshers’ Fayre and the Sport and Societies section of this paper) are one of the best outlets for this. From football to drama, bike polo to music, there’s something for everyone to find a new passion and something to keep themselves active while outside the lecture hall.

Another good resource that we have, thanks to HSU President James Johnston, is the use of the Imperial College Gym and I heartily encourage everyone to make good use of it. We (the Welfare Team) are planning a Healthy Eating Week, which will not only include courses and information about good

diet and lifestyle, but will also include an introductory session at the Imperial Gym. It costs £30 a month, same as ULU gym. It’s available at off-peak times and all you need is an Imperial College Union card. Show them that alongside your Heythrop card and you’ll have access including an induction session.

Student support is something that is undergoing something of an evolution within the college at the moment and this is probably most evident in the increased presence of the college counsellor. Daisy Hayes is available on Mondays and Wednesdays in the afternoons from 1:30 to 5:30. Appointments can be booked via Dominic McLoughlin by sending him an email (d.mcloughlin@ heythrop.ac.uk) or by dropping into his office and speaking to him about it. You can also drop in to see Daisy herself if she is not engaged (i.e. if her door is open). Her room is found one flight up the Whitaker Staircase and is labelled clearly.

Student counselling is something that is very useful to have, even though you may be the kind of person who is skeptical about the benefits. Counsellors are trained to listen carefully and pick up on what is at the heart of what is causing you difficulty, even if you’re not entirely sure about it yourself. Having a second opinion on something is always a great stimulus for new ideas and can also be a refreshing change of perspective if you’ve been stuck for a while. The counselor will also be an active participant in developing a plan to move forward, which can be a great help.

One of the main issues that can affect people having just moved to university, is the transition between working to the standard of ‘A’ Levels and to university level, the transition between school life and university life. In school, things are clearly regimented, but in university things are far more liberal and the emphasis is on becoming ‘autonomous learners’, capable of learning on your own and developing your individuality and autonomy. This can be quite a difficult thing to adapt to and this is something that Kim Burke, Manager of Student Transitions has been hired to work on. There will be more on this in the next issue and I urge you to keep an eye out for it.

Also in the next issue, the Union Executive will have organised office hours where people will be in the office at set times every week. This list will be published for ease of communication. If you have any questions about welfare issues feel free to email your Welfare Team: malewelfare@heyhthropcollege. ac.uk and femalewelfare@heythropcollege.ac.uk The Ethos Gym at Imperial College

©Francis Mayne

For more information about the Welfare Team or any other Executive Committee Member, visit the HSU’s Website

heythropstudentsunion.co.uk

14

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

Sport & Societies Poetry for Poetry’s Sake

Bike Polo : 1st Meeting Report

Rebecca Sear President of Poetry

Joe Walsh President of Bike Polo

Our first meet up of the year will be on Tuesday 19th October at 6pm (venue tbc) with the theme of Hedonism. Think poetry for poetry’s sake; pure and unadulterated joy, pleasure and frivolity. To illustrate, here’s a poem by John Keats:

On Thursday Evening, at 4:30pm, the first meeting of the Heythrop Bike Polo Society began. Ten intrepid individuals set out to play a sport unheard of in Heythrop’s history. After a trek to Notting Hill, we arrived at Westway Sports Centre.

Give me wine, women and snuff Give me women, wine, and snuff Untill I cry out “hold, enough!”

You may do so sans objection Till the day of resurrection: For, bless my beard, they aye shall be My beloved Trinity.

John

Keats

Be imaginative, and feel free to use the term loosely. Bring with you some poetry (your own or someone else’s!), and some ideas about things you’d like to do this year in the society. I’m thinking themes, visiting poets, visiting places of interest in London etc.; essentially anything that you would enjoy. Also, we’ll have some time to read out self-penned poetry at the end, and this needn’t be thematic. I can’t stress enough - even if you don’t want to read you’re welcome to just come and listen!

Contact: rebecca.sear@heythropcollege.ac.uk

Taking the plunge, we launched straight into a game, letting everyone have a try first hand. For those you who didn’t read my previous article, Bike Polo is a very simple game. The rules are as follows. Two goals, one ball, ten minutes. If you fall off, you must return to the centre of the court to ‘tap in’ before starting to replay. In theory, there should be NO DIRECT CONTACT, but, in practice, this almost never happens!

Immediately, several things became rather obvious.

Road Bikes (The bikes those rather serious chaps in lycra ride) are really rubbish for bike polo. I personally found this out exactly two minutes into the ten minute game when I could not stop at a rather crucial point and cannoned into a fence!

cones and then using the mallet to hit the ball into a ‘goal’ (which certainly did not consist of a jumper and rucksack!). I have photographic evidence to show that after ten minutes every single person managed to both manoeuvre and score! This just shows that Bike Polo is something everyone can pick up pretty quickly!

Next, we tried an exercise devised by Annie Sykes.We split into two teams, set up two cones at the far end of the court and began a relay race -the idea was to dribble the ball down, go round the cone and come back.

It all started so promisingly for my team.

We were one person ahead, the ball passed smoothly from player to player, but then disaster set in. A misplaced hit sent us back to a level position and before we knew it, those dastardly individuals on the other team had somehow beaten us. Again.

Finally, with just ten minutes before we

Aishah Mehmood President of Islamic Soc I would firstly like to say, thank you to everyone who signed up to the Islamic Society at the Freshers Fayre! It was awesome chatting to some of you. However if you didn’t sign up, don’t worry it’s never too late! You are always welcome to join our future events.

got chucked out, we all headed out to try another game to test out our mad skillz.

The players lined up. The atmosphere was tense. The whistle (Annie shouting ‘one, two, three, GO’) went. Team A (Annie, Natalia and I) faced up against Team B (Tom, Luke and Luke) It was a massacre. Team B were all over us. A Heroic wheel block, a frantic defence, a frankly absurd wheel skid and several brilliant attempts on Team B’s goal was for naught as we found ourselves rapidly defending against the onslaught from Team B. With the eventual score at 4-2, Team A had lost.

One of the greatest things about studying at Heythrop is that London is right on your doorstep! There is no excuse for missing opportunities, including checking out some incredible exhibitions at museums in London. I thought I would recommend two interesting exhibitions for you to visit. This is a rare opportunity to experience Islamic Art and History at two of the most renowned museums, The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and The British Museum. The great thing is that for both exhibitions entry is free!

We cycled/walked back through the dark of Holland Park, after an epic first session and I hope you’ll come along on a Thursday to see what it’s all about! We meet Thursdays at 4:30 by the bike shed or reception. You need nothing other than yourself and some warm clothing to give it a go! Everyone gets to play! Come along, what could possibly go wrong?

The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) - The Jameel Gallery

Secondly, Bike Polo is brilliant. Within a few minutes nearly everyone had had a go at playing and it had begun to get a little competitive, with even those who had expressed the opinion that, ‘they had only just started to ride, let alone hit a ball AND ride’ seemed to get suspiciously into the game with what looked alarmingly like enthusiasm.

We had 7 bikes, so we divided into two teams of three and four.The team of three (with myself as Captain) were bitterly defeated in a close 2-1 battle by the opposing squad of four. Next, we tried a little training; a simple matter of riding between four

Carpe Diem

This award winning gallery is home to the most beautiful Islamic art that your eyes will gaze upon! The gallery houses over 400 objects, including ceramics, textiles, carpets, metalwork, glass and woodwork. These date from the 8th and 9th century, during the time of the Islamic caliphate to the years preceding the First World War. Having visited the gallery myself, I can say that it is a must for anyone who is eager to explore Islamic history through art!

Entry: FREE Opening Times: 10.00 to 17.45 daily 10.00 to 22.00 Fridays For further information, please visit: www.vam.co.uk The British Museum - ‘The Islamic World’ (Room 34)

The Bike Polo Society

Heythrop Folk Society Presents...

The

Heythrop Ceilidh

This room explores Islamic faith, calligraphy, art & science as well as Islam’s prominence amongst world cultures.

The exhibition includes: tiles featuring calligraphic decoration, gilded glass mosque lamps, metalwork and early scientific instruments, giving a geographical and chronological view of the history and art of the Islamic lands.

There is also a daily free gallery tour which starts at 2.00pm, lasting for about 30 minutes.

CEI-LIDH [kay-lee] - noun A shindig, party, gathering or the like, at which dancing, singing and storytelling are the traditional forms of entertainment.

Entry: FREE

Come along, have a flagon of scrumpy, dance the night away with the SOAS Ceilidh Band and hear some of Heythrop's most talented rootsinspired musicians perform.

For further information, please visit: www.britishmuseum.org

Monday 1st November, 7:30pm in Loyola Hall, tickets £2 to include a free drink.

Opening Times: 10.00 – 17.30

I hope both of these wonderful exhibitions will interest some of you! For any more information about Islamic Society, contact me at my new email address: heythropislamicsoc@heythropcollege. ac.uk Next Meeting: 26th October, 1.30pm in the TV Room.

15

TUESDAY 19TH OCTOBER | THE LION

Heterophobia “Doolan’s Nook”

Ashley Doolan President of LGBT As co-president of the LGBT society here at Heythrop you can imagine that the thought of our first event of the year, taking young people who didn’t know their way around London and who I’d experienced firsthand could drink copious amounts of alcohol in very short amounts of time to one of the busiest and most confusing parts of London, filled me with excitement, pride and sheer abject terror. Many things crossed my mind, I’m going to lose them, they’re going to get drunk and kiss someone they regret, I’m going to end the night in A&E and many other such scenarios danced around my head in the days leading up to the event but the one issue that I hadn’t considered, because frankly I hadn’t considered it an issue, turned out to be the one thing that put a dampener on the whole night.

As a head of the LGBT society and someone who has been part of many gay campaigns and events in the past, including both Birmingham and London Pride, the one thing that has always warmed my heart and made me glad to be a homosexual in Britain is the sheer amount of support and tolerance from people that is present at many of these events. Days such as London Pride for example can see 80 year old heterosexual grandma and her 19 year old gay grandchild walking down the road hand in hand celebrating the British tolerance of all minorities and the freedom to be who you are.

Of course I am not at all trying to pretend that everything is hunky dory and that the gay life is all sunshine, rainbows and Lady GaGa, as I presume any sensible person could attest to, but tolerance and understanding of different sexualities is definitely something which is improving year on year and it is no different here at our very own college. After a record number of people signed up to the LGBT mailing list this year (thanks again) and feeding off everyone’s obvious enthusiasm for our event I was ready for a good time Wednesday evening.

Imagine my shock and surprise then when I was told at one of the local Soho gay bars, which I will not name here but let’s just say its name is pretty self evident, that I would not be allowed to bring the straight members of the group who had come out to celebrate as part of LGBT society into the club with me because, “the club has a heterosexual quota that had already been filled”.

Although I put further questions to the door staff and even the bar manager for that night neither were able to provide a sufficient response other than that the implicit reason behind their refusal from the club was the fear that these “heterosexuals” would cause trouble and intimidate the gay customers.

This event got me thinking over the next few days, have some members of

the homosexual community gone full circle and become guilty of the very prejudice that they themselves fight so hard against? Terms such as “breeder” and “hetero” are indeed used as derogatory terms of abuse within the gay community and very often the “straights” are the butt of a joke during a night out, but is there a line where the banter just becomes pure prejudice? Disallowing members of the heterosexual community into a “gay” venue because of an implicit and unfounded belief that they will be violent and cause trouble is, in my opinion, the same as not allowing a woman the right to be a high ranking professional because she’s prone to fits of emotional instability. In both cases the opinion is founded on stereotypes which were built up around fear and ignorance in order to justify actions against said party. When women first started to make progress in the workplace men felt intimidated and in response used the excuse of women’s “emotional” nature as a reason to prevent them from entering the higher levels. Similarly many gay individuals still associate heterosexuals with those people that prevented equal rights and made the lives of homosexuals difficult in previous generations and as a result paint all heterosexuals with the same brush.

As a person who doesn’t believe in defining yourself in terms of merely your sexuality I fail to understand this mindset. I have never formed a preconception of a person based merely on a single quality of theirs. Basing my opinion of someone based on who they prefer sexually and romantically is to me as abstract and pointless as basing my opinion of someone on whether they are left or right handed.

To pluck a word from my “apparently” growing philosophical knowledge I would claim that forming opinions in this way is to form an extremely reduced picture of what a certain person is as a human. I’m not about to go into a full blown assessment of what constitutes humanity and the criteria that should and should not be assessed, but , I do believe, and I’m sure that most of you will agree that to base an opinion based on one quality is an impractical method of assessing a person. It is for this reason that I despair for those members of the homosexual community who live their lives suspicious and mistrusting of heterosexuals because if they were to try and get to know a couple, I’m sure they would realise they’re not all as bad as they think. There are of course members of the heterosexual community who do have a problem with homosexuals and would make their lives difficult, but fortunately they are the minority which is lessening rapidly every year.

I suppose what I’ve been trying to say through all the ranting/rambling is that I believe we have a lot more to offer beyond our sexual preference and to draw opinions based merely on this basis is to deny the other any more substance than merely who they sleep with and a bunch of misconceived stereotypes that follow from said preference. To put it a different way, just because Socrates is a man, that doesn’t mean he’s only mortal, try probing a little deeper.

SPORT & SOCIETIES

HeADS Masterclasses

Richard Digby-Day Artistic Director, Fordham University London Dramatic Academy

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and an eminent man of the theatre, Richard Digby Day has worked with many of the United Kingdom’s leading actors of stage and screen and is credited with discovering Ralph Fiennes and Hugh Grant. The director of London’s Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park for 18 years, his work for the Company has included over twenty major productions of plays by Shakespeare and Shaw. Digby Day has directed five major British regional theatres. His work has been seen in the West End and on tour extensively throughout the UK, Canada, Denmark, and Ireland. He has taught and lectured in many programs and universities both in the UK and in the United States.

Now he comes to bring masterclasses to the students of Heythrop College with his teachers from Fordham University to share with us their valuable expertise.

We will offer 3 classes as follows: Voice & Speech Movement Acting The time and dates are 2:30-3:30pm November 3, 17 & 24.

The courses will cost £2 each.

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[Wednesday]

[Friday]

Karate ÂŁ3 entry 1930 hrs - 2100hrs

Aikido free entry 1800 hrs - 2000 hrs