IMPERIAL COLLEGE UNION PRESENTS
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k r o w at the
union
n us Register online for your opportunity to joi at our Student Staff Recruitment week! There are plenty of opportunities for casual work in the Union. With different pay rates and shifts available at all times of the day, there is sure to be a position that fits in with your studies.
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Go online to imperialcollegeunion.org/jobs to register your interest. You will need to be available 26 - 28 September.
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Welcome to Imperial
Bienvenue, willkommen... oh, you get it possible we provide student-friendly prices at our venues and campus shops. Furthermore we offer services and advice to make sure any problems you come across can be dealt with effectively.
How big is the Union?
Scott Heath Union President
Congratulations on your results and welcome to Imperial College London. As a member of the Imperial College Student Community you are automatically part of the Union, a democratic body run by students, for students.
So what is this Union thing? When people read the word ‘union’ they often think of protests, strikes and heated arguments. At Imperial (and most other Universities) the Union is nothing like this. We represent your views to all levels of college, nationally and internationally – making the student voice heard. We have facilities that ensure you can follow the work hard, play hard ethos with around 300 Clubs, Societies & Projects; our newly renovated bars and nightclub and frequent campus-wide events. To make sure your money goes as far as imperialcollegeunion.org
The Union has over 15,000 members who are all undergraduate or postgraduate students. Of these, 2,500 volunteer their time to represent your views in meetings, organise sports matches and training, host events, help with club finances and much more! Our student volunteers are very dedicated and enthusiastic and there are opportunities throughout the year for you to join them too.
You only have one life… As the saying goes: “You have only one life, live it”. Here at Imperial College Union we do our best to make sure you do exactly that. Make time to visit the Freshers’ Fair. Talk to Clubs, Societies & Projects to see if you want to get involved with what they do. Visit our website and see what have planned for your first weeks, as well as seeing what we, your Sabbatical Officers, get up to. But most importantly: get excited! University is a life-changing experience and we all want to make sure it’s as good as it can be. So I invite you to flick through these pages to explore some of the amazing things the Union and London have to offer and most importantly wish you the best of luck for the year ahead. Scott Heath Union President T: 020 7594 8060 E: president@imperial.ac.uk
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Contents and stuff
I’m a sucker for narrative structure
Part I
An Introduction Starting you off with what you can expect from your first few weeks here, including getting to grips with your surroundings.
6 – 15 Part II
Student Life Now we get to all the good stuff – a mixture of advice and warnings about what life as a student is all about.
16 – 25 Part III
Your Union The final twist just before the end, here you’ll find out just who represents you at Imperial, along with crucial contact details.
26 – 32
– What to bring – Your first day in Halls – Living in Halls – Life on Campus – Life in South Kensington – Food & Drink
– Alcohol & Drugs – Sex & Sexuality – Money & Jobs – Getting an education – Getting around London – What’s on in London
– What is the Union? – Faculty Union – International Students – Important Contacts
Credits Edited and designed by: Matt Colvin Words by: Matt Colvin Printed by: Indigo Press, Southampton Copyright © Imperial College Union 2011
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Special Thanks: Charles Betts, Rebecca Coxhead, Alex Karapetian, Alex Mckee, Navid Nabijou, Alex Nowbar, Kadhim Shubber, Simon Worthington and the Sabbatical Officers. imperialcollegeunion.org
Finding that balance
Yep, find that balance, especially if drunk
Matthew Colvin Felix Editor
Hi, I’m Matt, the Editor of Imperial’s very own student newspaper, Felix. I’m also the Editor of this very handbook, which has been purpose built to give you a little taster of just what to expect from being a Fresher. I guess I should start by congratulating you on getting here. Hey, you made it! But then you’ve probably had weeks of that already, so let’s skip the formalities and get you ready for the year. Now I’m not saying that I have all the answers to your questions, but this handbook is definitely a solid (yet reassuringly tonguein-cheek) starting point for diving headfirst into the swimming pool of university. Lame metaphors aside, hopefully you’ll be a little calmer and a bit more informed about what’s ahead of you. And believe me, life really begins here. There’ll be great times, there’ll be tough times, there’ll be times when you lock yourself out of your room 15 minutes before an interview in nothing but a towel (true story), but it’s all part of the package – and imperialcollegeunion.org
I’ve got to say I’m pretty jealous that you’ll be going through it all for the first time. You’re here to study, let’s not forget that. But it’s just as important to remember that there’s so much more to the university experience. It’s time to get out there and meet new friends. You won’t just meet them while living in Halls either – there are over 300 Clubs, Societies & Projects to get involved in. Whether you get your adrenaline fixes from skydiving or knitting, there are an incredible amount of ways to get involved in something that doesn’t revolve around taking lecture notes from a bored professor (it’s more common than you think). It’s what I did with Felix, and now I’ve scored a year out from studying to bring it to you every week. Sure, you can follow this advice to the letter, but it’s really about you finding out for yourself how to make the most of the next year and finding that magic balance of work, friends and everything in between. Just one bit of personal advice from me though – make sure you don’t neglect your work through first year. You don’t want to end up propping up the bar all year with a mate just to see them pass with flying colours and you failing miserably. It’ll stand you on more than solid ground for the next few years, promise. Lastly, get in contact! The newspaper belongs to you – the students. You’ll get a first taste of it the day you arrive, and if you want to get involved or if you have any comments (positive or negative, I don’t really mind) just send me an email. If you want to go all out, come pay us a visit in the West Wing of Beit Quad when you get here. It’ll be totally worth it. Matthew Colvin Felix Editor T: 02075948072 E: felix@imperial.ac.uk
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PROTIP: Nothing illegal
So this is it. The big moment. You’re about to leave home and gain a little bit more independence. They might as well rename moving-in day as Independence Day, except Will Smith won’t be here to sucker punch you in the face personally and yell, “Welcome to Imperial”. What you will have, however, are top tips from yours truly on getting to grips with this leap into the unknown – starting with the most crucial of questions: what to bring?
Bring it! Bedding If you want a decent night’s sleep at some point, then you’ll want to bring sheets, duvets, pillows – the full works. I recommend 100% Egyptian cotton bed linen, but then I would, since I also own several massive yachts and eat caviar for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s important to have three meals a day, remember this. Bringing me onto... Kitchen Stuff No need to ruin your parents’ suspension by strapping a fridge-freezer to the car roof. The same goes for ovens, microwaves, toasters and kettles. These can all be found in your nearest kitchen in halls. Everything else is fair game. Cutlery is crucial. Plenty of glasses can also prove handy for a few socialising drinks. Potato mashers may or may not win you friends. Laptop OK, so if you decide to buy a shiny new one your shiny new student bank account might be overdraft before you even begin term. Honestly though, you don’t want it crashing the night before an urgent report is due in, or before you get ‘added’ to ‘Google 2.0
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Book’ or whatever it is you crazy kids are up to nowadays. Then again, I’ve had mine for five years now and despite it sounding like a hairdryer from the Industrial Revolution, it runs as smoothly as an average jazz club. Aww yeah, it’s all about Vista.
Don’t bring it! Despite the ominous heading, it’s not my place to stop you bringing anything that’ll end up making you more comfortable. Just hear out the following suggestions though, they might just be the most important decisions you ever make! (Hint: they won’t be.) Iron + Ironing Board Well, I’m not going to stop you if you want to bring your own personal iron and ironing board, but standard issue equipment will be provided by halls. You’ll probably find more use for your own as an impromptu snowboard, which is to say, no use at all. Rice Cooker Bit of a controversial one here: your halls may have certain safety regulations regarding them. It might be an idea to get in contact with your warden to check whether yours is safe or liable to burn the place down - and believe me, 4am fire alarms are something you’ll want to avoid as much as possible.
“Bring a passport or a driving licence if you’re 18 or over, otherwise no clubs or pubs for you.”
CO SU LI G NF G IR ES T TS H
What to bring?
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Your first day in Halls
We we we so excited, we so excited
So you’ve rocked up to the front door like you own the place. Or potentially you’re sitting in the back seat of the car hoping that Dad doesn’t embarrass you in front of the lovely people helping new arrivals out.
So now what? Sort out that luggage There’ll be plenty of it too. Hopefully, your halls will have their seniors and subwardens on the prowl (more on them later). These lads and lasses will be more than happy to help you with your luggage. Which is helpful, seeing as there will always be stairs involved in getting to your new pad, no matter what, probably. Saying goodbye to your loved ones An emotional moment for anyone, after all, they drove you down here. Take the opportunity to say thanks for paying for this
journey into the unknown – that is, unless you just shoved them back in the car. Either way, it’s time to say goodbye for the moment. For want of a better phrase, they’d be cramping your style if they were camping out on your floor. Get socialising! Your room is sorted. Unpacking is either done or ‘can wait until later’. Now it’s time to get out there and show your face to the neighbours. Your first port of call will no doubt be the kitchen. Go and grab those glasses I mentioned earlier and make sure you have your introductory sentence perfected – you’ll be sick of it by the end of the week. If you’re back in your room, why not open the door? People are bound to say hello, especially if you’ve got a novelty doorstop. Just remember one thing, while the first day is important, it isn’t everything! After all, not to worry you or anything, but you’ve got years ahead of you here.
“Go out and enjoy yourselves!” Arriving at halls was initially quite intimidating, but knowing we were all in the same situation was somewhat comforting. In true geek style, a few people from my floor got together with me to get our Internet access set up, prompting introductions and critique over one another’s tech. We were given a really warm welcome by the subwardens and hall seniors, and spent a while getting to know everyone on my floor over some drinks in the kitchen. That evening, it wasn’t long before people knocked on imperialcollegeunion.org
My First Day
by Alex Karapetian
my door asking if I wanted to go out, and so started my first (and definitely not last) night out at Uni. We checked out the Union, played “Ring of Fire” (luckily avoided breaking the circle – give it a go) and witnessed the start of student life, marked with a traffic cone ending up outside my room at the end of the night. It’s safe to say living in Halls was one of the best experiences I’ve had, so there’s nothing more for me to say than – go out and enjoy yourselves!
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Living in Halls
It’s like staying in a hotel...
It’s time to settle down and get used to your home for the next year – why not get acquainted with the top dogs?
Wardens These guys and gals will most probably be some of Imperial’s top academics – who can’t quite let go of student life. The Hollywood A-listers of Halls, they’ll have been hired for their friendly demeanour and ability to help with any sort of problems you might face throughout your stay. Make sure to stay on their good side though. They probably won’t be quite so sympathetic if you wind up topless in the common room doing unholy things to the pool table.
Hall Seniors More like Z-list celebrities, but no less enthusiastic. These folks are students still studying towards their degrees – who can’t quite make the jump into finding private housing and/or love Freshers just that little bit extra, if you know what I mean. Track them down if you’re after friendly advice that could qualify as banter. They will most likely provide you with tips on what London has to offer. Alternatively, they may impart you with crucial information about Imperial life.
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Places to go...people to see This dream team of Wardens and Seniors have no doubt been busy plotting plenty of events to keep you partying on through Freshers’ Week (or Welcome Week, or whatever the heck it’s called now). The fun doesn’t end after Week One, though. While living in Halls, you’ll have the chance to take part in a whole manner of activities, often at a massively subsidised price. My advice? Go for it! In my first term, we ended up doing anything from ice skating to seeing some top West End shows – I’m talking front row for under a tenner. These are fantastic ways of seeing London with your friends and you’ll miss the low, low prices when you’re roughing it in private accomodation.
Awkward situations in Halls By Hugh Grant
Gosh, if there’s a chance of being more awkward than any character that I’ve played during my illustrious film career, you’ll find it in halls. While I’m taking a break from unmasking the latest corruptions in the media, allow me to offer some guidance on exactly the kind of situations you might come across: - You might take the fancy of a hall senior, perhaps. Of course, I’d handle that nonsense by retiring to my room and brewing a pot of tea while I pretend to be the Prime Minister. - You’ll bump into someone familiar that you recognise from your first week here. They strike up a conversation with you, using
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...but with no room service, unfortunately
Sharing a room So you wanted to save on the cost of living in London, huh? Ranked location above price? Then you might just have ended up in a double, or even *yikes* triple room. Better calm down, take it from me. I ended up in a triple room in my first year and had a great time. Sure, you might not end up being best buddies with a room-mate, but it’s one hell of a way to break the ice quickly. Just make sure not to take things too far. Cranking those laptop speakers to the max at 3am with some class dubstep isn’t exactly going to do much for inter-room relations. Things could get a little...awkward at times (see Hugh’s advice below) but play your cards right and you might just end up with a firm friend for the future.
your name. Unfortunately, you recall nothing about the other person. In this case, I’d recommend mumbling something about ‘having other business to attend to’. You, on the other hand, might feel compelled to admit your forgetfulness, after all, it happens to the best of us. - Oh, cripes, you’re sharing a room with another individual or two – and your roommate has another individual around who they’d quite like to be more acquainted with. Anything goes in this case, chaps. Best of luck and all that, eh?
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“Wash your stuff up right after a meal. Plates pile up fast, and the cleaners will just end up throwing it all out.”
CO SU LI G NF G IR ES T TS H
Living halls in Halls
Schmoozing You’ve made connections and think you’ve sussed everyone out – what to do now? Drinking Games If you don’t drink, break out the OJ and mess in anyway. It’s the quintessential icebreaker. You will definitely meet many, many people who will introduce you to an incredible amount of games – some involving cards, some involving whispered half truths and others with no other aim than to get a little bit sozzled. Be sensible, kids – you don’t want to end up with a traffic cone on your head in the morning. Conveniently, that reminds me – send your Freshers’ photos to the newspaper at felix@ imperial.ac.uk and we could potentially print them in our “Drunken Mate of the Week” feature. Always ask for permission, folks. Go out London is at your fingertips, so get a group together and head on out. Go for a picnic in Hyde Park or party in a dingy Soho basement – the choice is yours. Whatever you do, don’t relive my youth and attempt to “pre-lash” by the river at Embankment. That night didn’t involve much “lashing”, rather girls crying into their bottles of WKD. Check out the What’s On section on Page 24 for more ideas.
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Life on Campus
It’s where all the cool kids hang out
Congratulations! You’ve navigated the metaphorical minefield that is Welcome Week, but your introduction to university life has only just begun. You’ve met the new faces, but now it’s time to get acquainted with a new setting - your campus.
Where to go? Union Building Just north of the main campus, this is home to the newly refurbished (if last October can be considered ‘new’) bar and nightclub, known as FiveSixEight (bonus points if you get it) and Metric respectively, alongside classic student residence Beit Hall.
Health Centre/ Dental Surgery Now I’m no medic, but I’m pretty sure your health is kind of important. Luckily, we’ve not only got our own GP right here in Prince’s Gardens, but our own dentists too! You can make an appointment with them if you have any problems or visit the Nurses’ Open Clinic for any minor issues. Student Hub They don’t call it the hub for nothing – this is the most happening place on campus – if you have any problems regarding your fees, accommodation, registration or visa, that is. Have a visit if you’re hardcore enough – rock on up to the third floor of the Sherfield Building. Banks Well, it’s just the one on campus. You can find a branch of Santander on the walkway alongside free ATMs inside Sherfield. If you’re looking for a wider range of places to withdraw some of that cold hard cash, take a look at the next page for those in the local area.
Just another classy night in the Union Bar – standard
Ethos Gym If you attended an Open Day, odds are you’ll have been told all about this place. This might have had something to do with the fact that Imperial students get in here for free throughout their degree (bar a £25 induction fee). That’s right, a free gym and swimming pool especially for you (and everyone else, obviously, but let’s ignore that). Exercise classes are run here too, at very cheap prices.
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Union Shop Now I know that there are those of you out who can’t wait to splash that cash on an Imperial College London branded article of clothing. Well, the Union Shop doesn’t only stock these. Oh, no sir. There’s stationery too. (NB: It sells Ethernet cables too for you internet aficionados.) The Library It’s probably best to get to know it sooner rather than later, though you’ll most likely have an induction session as part of your course. It’s not all academic though, there’s a great fiction section, along with a DVD collection when those books are just too much to handle. imperialcollegeunion.org
Living Life in on South Campus Kensington in halls
You can literally taste the money
South Kensington is, for lack of a better word, posh. While it might not be the most studentfocused area in London, it doesn’t mean you can’t make it worthwhile!
Entertainment The Builder’s Arms Close to the nearby Gloucester Road, this pub is as close as you’re going to get to standard student fare in the surrounding area. Alongisde a wide selection of beers, there’s also a free Comedy Night on Mondays that’s pretty popular with students, so have a look if the Union Bar is getting too much to handle. Boujis An example of somewhere you will most likely not get into, this private members club is reserved for the likes of royals and Chelsea dwellers. It’s like that reality television show about Chelsea, actually, but for real. A quick online search can’t even tell us how much a drink is – never a good sign.
Natural History Museum Yeah, yeah, it’s got that massive dinosaur, but it’s not all about that - there’s the earthquake simulator too! Extremely mild terror has never been bettered. Victoria and Albert Museum The world’s greatest museum of art and design, according to some. Meaning plenty of sculptures and Elizabethan duvets, if that’s what you’re into.
Just to warn you, some of these individuals have in fact been spotted in the local area - classic South Ken
Museums
Shopping
One of the great things about South Kensington is the incredible number of museums that surround the College. And the best part? They’re all free. If you’ve got nothing to do on a rainy afternoon, why not take a look inside?
Sure, Harrods might be a 10 minute walk away, but if you don’t want to go bankrupt within your first month it’s probably best to do your grocery shopping elsewhere. On Cromwell Road you’ll find a massive Sainsbury’s – only 10 minutes away from College. With bargains like 9p curry sauce, how can you go wrong? (The answer is very.) Alternatively you could visit Waitrose or Tesco Express on Gloucester Road, both smaller and on the slightly more expensive side. If there’s simply too much to buy, you could always shop in style – online.
Science Museum Relive your childhood with a vast collection of important scientific objects, or just relive it literally by messing around in the hands-on area. Free 3D (science-y) films for Imperial students too. imperialcollegeunion.org
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Food & Drink
Stop ordering takeaways and get out of that room...
“South Ken is a culinary desert” Life in South Kensington is great. But, there is one problem that everyone encounters at some point: food. When it comes to chowing down, South Ken is a bit of a culinary desert. The nearest eating places are on campus, and after that it’s a 6 or 7 minute walk to Gloucester Road or South Kensington Station for the next nearest. Lunch is pretty straight-forward, you’ll probably wind up at one of the many campus
Gloucester Road The Sandwich Shop Legend has it that this baguettery was originally called ‘Sandwich World’, but since every Imperial student has and always will know it as “the sandwich shop” they thought, ‘bugger it, we may as well just call it that’. Loved and frequented by many students, a large variety of fillings and even non-sandwich foodstuffs like pasta, curry and pizza are served by this cheap and cheerful canteen. Café Forum With its fantastically classic décor, this reserved establishment manages to hold down both being one of the most atmospheric places in South Kensington whilst also, surprisingly, being pretty much the cheapest place for a hot meal or a coffee. The food’s good too: authentic and made
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Chowing down: a guide by Simon Worthington
eating places (or, if you’re a medic, a hospital canteen). College food is generally good, with plenty of variety, but it’s not the best value so you might like to investigate other places to eat off the campus. Evening is not so easy. If you’re gonna go out, you don’t want to waste a trip eating somewhere shabby, so I’ve taken the opportunity to list some of my favourite places near South Kensington that you might like to visit for lunch or in the evening, and I’ve also given you a frank analysis of a few of the big-hitting eating places on campus.
fresh every day. Plus, it’s open until late (at least 11pm) so it’s perfect if you’re out late and fancy a snack.
On campus QT’s Shop (JCR) The mecca of all of Imperial’s cafés. This leviathan, taking up pride of place in the JCR, serves the fullest range of sandwiches, snacks, hot baps, savoury pastries and sushi available anywhere on campus. Imperial’s sandwiches may be dearer than other local stores (see ‘The Sandwich Shop’) but the ones in white packets are pretty tasty, the others not so much. QT’s also serves weird Japanese drinks – avoid (unless you’re fond of them). The Deli Bar (JCR) This counter on the far right of the JCR is our very own “deli”, but instead of serving up weird cheeses and overpriced tubs of imperialcollegeunion.org
Food & Drink
PROTIP: That doesn’t mean “go to McDonald’s”
olives, it offers a diverse selection of fresh baguettes, made to order. It’s kind of like Subway, but designed for your Dad, although you can’t cuss the fresher, tastier Not ingredients. Paradoxically, the quite the bread sometimes ends up a bit Sandwich thick and dry, so swill it down with Shop lots of Lipton Iced Tea. Fast Food (JCR) If you’ve been reading through the college lunch options and been silently panicking at the lack of chips, burgers, and baked beans, don’t worry – you are not the first and you will not be the last. Thankfully, to satisfy that greasy itch there’s the JCR’s fast food bar, serving up the aforementioned items alongside meals like fish and chips. Warning – you will feel very greasy. Enjay’s Pancakes (JCR) Tucked away in the corner of the JCR, Enjay’s servers up fresh pancakes, both savoury and sweet. It’s a bit of weird one, a crêpe bar, because unless you’re really special, you probably don’t want to eat pancakes every day. It may sound like an amazing idea (trust me, I just had to re-read my own sentence to convince myself) but the novelty wears off. When you do give in and get one for a change from your boring routine, though, they are pretty tasty – especially the savoury options. SCR The closest you’ll get to eating in the SCR for the next four years will be by pressing your chubby face up against the window and gawking at the mature diners within. That’s imperialcollegeunion.org
because the SCR only serves staff and PhD students – no undergraduates are admitted. Whatever, I didn’t even want to go in anyway! Queen’s Tower Rooms The QTR is the jewel in the crown of Imperial’s eateries. If you want a massive meal at lunchtime, this is the place to go, and you can choose from Oriental, Indian or classic English favourites. Although the meals aren’t cheap, they’re actually great value as the Meal Deal gives you a lot of food for your money. You won’t walk away hungry, in fact, you probably won’t be able to walk away at all. Library Café In Central Library, everyone So bad it’s good looks like they’re slowly losing the will to live – don’t worry, you will soon be like them! And when that happens – good news! You don’t even have to leave the Library, because the canteen on the ground floor is open well into the evening for coffee, sandwiches and full hot meals. Despite the small size of the place, the lunchtime and evening meals are actually a good alternative to the Queen’s Tower Rooms if you want a smaller, cheaper option. FiveSixEight If you’re hungry and looking for some standard bar fare head to FiveSixEight, where you’ll find English favourites like burgers, pizza, and… wait, what? Bison burger? What the hell is going on? Looks like the Union is helping its students fulfil the dream of eating outside
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Food & Drink
It ain’t all organic markets round here
the box. The menu changes occasionally, and alongside the usual pub grub it’s to be expected that there’ll be a bizarre meal that Heston Blumenthal would be proud of. Eastside Bar This bar slash restaurant at the bottom of Linstead Hall in Prince’s Gardens serves up the same sort of food as the Union, only a bit more expensive. Expect lasagne and salad rather than burgers and fries, and given the extra dough it’s not bad stuff, generally. The nachos are a good value choice, or try the Eastside Sharer for the perfect sized end to a meal.
South Kensington Oriental Canteen The canteen is tiny, the waiters are abrupt and the portions are not as big as they could be, but surprisingly, the food from the Oriental Canteen is actually pretty good. Chances are high that you’ll find something you like on the varied menu and when it arrives it’s simple, tasty and, unlike many other places in South Kensington, without a single hit of pretension. Little Japan Little Japan is the downmarket little brother of the Oriental Canteen, serving up huge portions of Japanese food at rock-bottom prices. If you can get past the seventies décor and the more-often-that-not slightly dodgy looking meat, you can actually enjoy a pretty authentic Japanese café meal here. The TV sometimes shows horror movies, which can lead to a rather peculiar dining experience.
Wafflemeister Despite sounding like some obscure European wrestler, this tiny box serves up delicious Belgian waffles smothered in various combinations of chocolate, cream and fruit, as well as seemingly obligatory frozen yoghurt. All this at a price cheap enough for a student wallet – and that’s before the discount available exclusively for Imperial students! Snog “Fancy a Snog?” “How was your first Snog?” Yes, haha, very funny, you really are very clever. These are the Seal sorts of jokes you will be hearing of when you first visit Snog, an uberapproval trendy parlour that sells frozen yoghurt (or “fro-yo”, as I’m sure they’d prefer). With its rainbow lights and smooth choons it’s certainly a pretty cool place, and the yogurt itself is pretty good as well. If you can afford it that is.
Serious black-and-white Gordon Ramsay approves of this guide. He’s a very proud man
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South Kensington Campus
South Kensington Campus
Hyde Park
Ken sing ton Gor e
Pr in ce ’s G at e
Q ue e n’s G ate
Royal Albert Hall
2 1 Beit
Prince’s Gate Gardens
Quad
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Bessemer ACEX
Huxley
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25 24
Ethos Sports Centre
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5
Pr i n c e ’ s G a r d e n s ( N o r th S i d e )
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20
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Queen’s Lawn
22 Faculty
27
26
Skempton
Library
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35 18
21
Sherfield
Business School
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28 Mechanical Engineering
E x h i b i tio n Ro a d
6
3
Royal School of Mines
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9
Electrical Engineering
7
Bone
Blackett
Roderic Hill
Pr i n ce Con sor t Road 8
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Prince’s Gardens
23 Pr i n c e ’ s G a r d e n s ( W a tts W a y )
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Southside
I m p e ri a l C o l l e g e Ro a d 30
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Chemistry
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33 Sir Alexander Fleming
5 0 me t r e s
Chemistry RCS1
34 South Kensington
Frankland Road
Cromwell Road T h u rl
la c oe P
e
Vehicle entrance Thurloe Street
Buildings where wheelchair access is not possible at this time
1 2 3 4
Beit Quadrangle Imperial College Union Ethos Sports Centre Prince’s Gdns, North Side Garden Hall 5 Weeks Hall 6 Blackett Laboratory 7 Roderic Hill Building 8 Bone Building 9 Royal School of Mines 10 Aston Webb
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11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Bessemer Building Goldsmiths Building Huxley Building ACE Extension William Penney Laboratory Electrical Engineering Business School 53 Prince’s Gate Eastside
20 Sherfield Building Student Hub Conference Office 21 Grantham Institute for Climate Change 22 Faculty Building 23 58 Prince’s Gate 24 170 Queen’s Gate 25 Imperial College and Science Museum Libraries 26 Queen’s Tower
27 Skempton Building 28 Mechanical Engineering Building 29 Southside 30 Wolfson Building 31 Flowers Building 32 Chemistry Building 33 Sir Alexander Fleming Building 34 Chemistry RCS1 35 52 Prince’s Gate
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Alcohol & Drugs
Stay away from the Special Brew
Now you’ve been properly introduced to life around halls and campus, let’s dive right into the good stuff – your personal life.
Alcohol Whether you drink or not, alcohol will always be part of student life in the UK. But if you don’t partake in a few bevvies once in a while, that’s fine! Don’t let your own personal beliefs stop you from getting out there and socialising. You’re far better off knowing someone who accepts that rather than someone who doesn’t. For those of you that do drink, here are some top tips to make sure that you’re as safe as can be while out “on the lash” or “lashing it up” or whatever – please think up a better term this year, whatever you do. Look out for others So you’re having a pretty good time with your mates - just take a look at that guy over there, he’s properly going for some crazy moves on the floor. And by crazy moves, I mean he is literally rolling around on the floor in a drunken haze. What a lad. But how is he going to get home? I know I’d feel pretty guilty if a friend ended up in a police station, or America, or worse. Do the sensible thing and look out for your friends. Look out for yourself Outside of campus especially, there’s always a real risk that someone might be compelled to spike your drink. Easy way around this – don’t leave it unattended or, alternatively, make sure someone you trust looks after it. This works with the previous point as well. If your friend is way too drunk to be in control and being taken home by a stranger, chances are their intentions aren’t all too honest, guv – don’t let it happen!
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Look out for hangovers Fry-ups don’t work, and neither does toothpaste. Believe me, I’ve tried. There’s no magic cure for hangovers, but you can reduce the impact in the morning by drinking plenty of water throughout the night to stay hydrated. Crucial to remember if you’ve got to deliver the presentation of your life the next morning – you absolute lad.
Drugs Without sounding too much like an East End geezer, let’s not mess around here. They’re illegal. If you’re caught by the university or the police possessing, taking, or buying drugs then you’ll be in worse trouble than that time you were told off by your grandparents for putting your elbows on the dinner table. A lot worse. It’s probably also useful/obvious to point out that drugs can be addictive and harmful. That being said, you still need to know the basics so that you don’t end up trying to eat your own hands or something equally bizarre. Buying drugs The ground rule is: don’t buy drugs from strangers off the street. This is London we’re talking about, and much like any tourist shop, they’ll only rip you off, or, in certain cases, mug you (don’t ask). You never know what you’re going to get, and you probably don’t want to know either. Probably best to avoid a trip to A&E.
“Being intoxicated before deadlines is not cool, guys.” NICOLAS CAGE CONSIDERS imperialcollegeunion.org
Alcohol Drugs & Drugs Drink
Hardcore calculus is like tripping, so I’m told
Cannabis If there’s one drug you’re likely to come across as a student, it’s this one. Most commonly smoked, if you’re thinking of sitting around in your room all day with a bag, think again. That’s a one way ticket to a fire alarm, son. If you smoke it, it’ll lead to you becoming “high”, basically meaning relaxed, happy and chilled out, man. Bear in mind that you can’t overdose unless you’re actively trying to, though too much can result in discomfort. Other side effects include laziness, becoming more boring and a significant risk of mental illness. Just think of all that socialising/work you could be doing! Mephedrone, MDMA and Ecstasy So you might remember all those shenanigans in the media last year that led former “legal high” mephedrone to becoming labelled as pretty much the most dangerous thing ever, but here are the facts. Along with MDMA and ecstasy, mephedrone substantially raises your heart rate, thereby lowering your inhibitions. Your comedown the next morning can leave you extremely depressed. The danger lies in mixing these drugs with other drugs and/or alcohol, alongside drinking too much or too little water. Those with rare heart conditions are advised to steer well clear. Cocaine I know you’re angling to be a city banker, but come on, it’s not the 80s any more. If you do insist on spending an outrageous amount of money on the white powder however, bear in mind that it’ll make you feel extremely confident, but in actual fact you’ll seem like a Class A moron. And even more Yep, we’ve barely scratched the surface – and that’s not a heroin related pun. Best not to get mixed up in that, eh? imperialcollegeunion.org
Nicolas Massie
Deputy President (Welfare)
T: 020 7594 8060 E: dpwelfare@ic.ac.uk
Hello and Welcome! I’m Nicolas Massie, your Deputy President (Welfare). You’re going to have a great time here. I can personally guarantee it. Even if you find the work challenging, you miss home, (nobody cooks and cleans like parents…) you’re shattered and can’t face the light of day, (up all night playing cards in the kitchen AGAIN) you grapple with your sexuality and your God(s) on a daily basis and you can’t find ANYBODY who enjoys your particular brand of body odour – by the time move out day ticks around I defy you to tell me you haven’t had an incredible first year. This is an amazing opportunity for change and growth. You’re away from home, have a new set of friends – you really can do anything. All that said… If things do start to go wrong, everything becomes a bit too much, or you just want someone to talk to (about anything) there are HORDES clamouring to support and assist you – you just have to give them half a chance. Talk to someone. Check out the Welfare Handbook for everything you could ever hope to know about the support available for you at Imperial. Earlier I defied you to tell me if you weren’t having a good time. I stand by that. Send me an email or phone and I’ll help you out. It’s what I’m here for.
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Sex & Sexuality
Check yo self before you wreck yo self
Sure, you’re at one of the UKs premier science institutions, but let’s just get right to it, there’s going to be sex. No matter what you might have heard, whether from rumours on the street or online forums, the male to female ratio at Imperial doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to a life of chastity. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be responsible about it, though. The tricky part is getting out there and telling that girl or guy you fancy in lectures just how you’d be great for each other. Give it a go, it might just work! Disclaimer: This may not always work. But hey, at least you tried, right? In short, don’t obsess about it. Have fun, make friends and love will come naturally. Geez, it sounds like I’m scripting a Disney movie, sorry everyone.
Coming out at Imperial You shouldn’t be worried about being openly gay at Imperial – here you’ll find a network devoted to supporting you. In July, Imperial was classed as one of only four UK unis to fulfil all the criteria on a Stonewall survey studying LGBT policies at university. This year, Imperial was also placed in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index for the second year running. Our active LGBT student society, IQ, provide support for students and organise social events throughout the year, working closely with college staff to ensure that no student is discriminated against.
Sexual Health Hint: Use a condom. You can have all the excuses you want, but you won’t be laughing when you end up with a STD that doesn’t show any symptoms. They’re available for free from the Health Centre, Union and if you take a look in your Welcome Pack you might even find some there. We spoil you. But wait! You didn’t use one? You’d better get moving along to your local GUM (GenitoUrinary Medicine) Clinic for a STD checkup and emergency contraception if you need it. While appointment only, you can obtain an emergency appointment if you need the pill or require help following a sexual assault. John Hunter Clinic St Stephen’s Centre Chelsea and Westminster Hospital 369 Fulham Road London SW10 9NH Appointments: 020 3315 6699 Alternatively, you can pay the Imperial College Health Centre a visit if you need some advice on sexual health and pregnancy, but if this is a bit too close to home for you, then the GUM Clinic is your best bet.
Awwwwwww yeaaaaaaaaaah. Absolute filth, I know
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Money Drugs & Jobs
Alan Sugar never had to deal with a student loan
Money Part of your newfound independence revolves around choosing how to spend your money, whether loaned or earned through hard graft. It might be tempting to blow it all within a week by planning an impromptu Freshers’ trip abroad (Bruges, standard), but it might be an idea to take a step back and consider other ways of handling your finances. Internet Banking Pretend you’re a city trader a few years early and get connected to your student account online. It’s useful to keep a track on how quickly that money is leaving, preparing you for… Overdraft Well, if you’ve gone ahead and blown it all anyway, you might be lucky enough to hold an account that provides you with interest free overdraft. Some banks offer up to £3000 beyond what’s in your account to help pay for accommodation, shopping and food and drink. This doesn’t entitle you to keep spending though. You’ll have to pay back the overdraft eventually so it’s wise to keep an eye on exactly how much you’re wasting on pints of Fosters (come on, it’s terrible). Get a job Imperial College Union offers staff positions not only at the Union Shop, but also behind the bar or at Union events as a steward, all great ways of lining your pockets and meeting new people. Student Beans/ Groupon Pretty much the go-to sites for student discounts, here you’ll find plenty of ways to make everything a whole lot cheaper. imperialcollegeunion.org
Michael Foster
Deputy President (Finance & Services)
T: 020 7594 8060 E: dpfs@imperial.ac.uk
My name is Michael Foster, and I am taking a year out of my Medicine degree to be Deputy President (Finance & Services) for this year. I will be responsible for all of the Union’s finances and its commercial operations. I am the students’ representative on how we manage our finances and run our services, and my goal will be to try to use our facilities in the best way to benefit as many students as possible. This includes clubnights, live bands, pub quizzes and bar nights in our state-of-the-art club, Metric, as well as taking care of our other venues (FiveSixEight, Reynolds and the Union Bar). I am also responsible for managing the finances of all the Clubs, Societies & Projects available at the Union, as well as the Union Shop and Newsagent on the main walkway. I will be working towards getting a cashless payment system in all our bars and shops this year, so that students should be able to use their college ID cards to pay for everything from pints to pencils. If you want to get involved in what events are run in the Union, you can stand for election to the Entertainments Committee. This discusses, for instance, where we want to take the Summer Ball this year. It’s a great way to have your say and contribute to what happens at your Union.
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Getting an education
It’s what you came here for, right? Right?
All good things must come to an end, and soon enough you’ll be thrown headfirst into lectures and labs and all that ‘work’ stuff they all tell you about when you apply but you end up storing at the back of your mind. Until now. Despite the inconvenience of having to do actual hardcore thinking, it’s good to be aware of just what your professors have got up their sleeves.
If Einstein was lecturing today he’d probably be your favourite. Smoking a pipe like he’s the boss, what a lad
Don’t Panic So at school you might have been the academic highflyer. Let me warn you right now, hotshot – this isn’t necessarily the case any more. Even if you sailed through A-Levels or punched the IB in the face, the workload has come as a shock to many students before you, and if you don’t keep on your toes like Frank Bruno in his prime you could get left behind. Unfortunately, there’s only one real way to survive the storm of work that’s heading your way. It’s a simple matter of going to lectures and labs and making sure you find some time each week to get some good old-fashioned work done. Your tutors will love you for it, and you’ll have a much less difficult time when it comes to that dreaded exam period. I know it’s easy to find lectures utterly boring (especially when the lecturer can’t find the enthusiasm to actually teach you something you can understand) but that’s
“You are the one who epitomises cool” The single most important thing to consider when you rock up to your lectures is where you sit and who you sit with. You need to figure out who you’re going to be. Are you going to be a John Middleton, taking your rightful place in the middle next to a bunch of other people whose names you’ll probably never know, or at least never remember? Or perhaps you’re more of a Sarah Keane, sitting at the front (but sometimes outraging the middlers by sitting with them in the middle of a
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Your First Lectures by Alex Nowbar
row and then disturbing everyone by trying to reach the lectern immediately after the lecture to ask unnecessary questions). Let’s not forget Jenny Maverick at the back, chatting and texting, whose reasons for attendance include parental pressure and the lecture being at a suitable time (after 2pm). Just remember that you are the one who epitomises cool and if another Fresher questions anything you do, make reference to this being university (in other words anything goes, you’re not at school anymore). imperialcollegeunion.org
Sex Getting & anSexuality education
Bruv, I was h’educated in da streetz
where everyone else comes in. If you’re finding it incredibly dull and difficult, odds are so are plenty of other people.
Jason Parmar
Deputy President (Education)
Help is at hand When the going gets tough, drop the clichés and find some help. You’ll be assigned a Personal Tutor at the start of the year who’ll be your first port of call, and who may or may not be that interested in you. If you have any issues with your Personal Tutor, head to the Senior Tutor in your department. Departments have plenty of help available, such as Departmental Representatives – students who want to make your course the best it can possibly be. Make use of them, you don’t want to be struggling with your workload late in the year when you could’ve sorted it out earlier.
T: 020 7594 8060 E: dpeducation@ic.ac.uk
Hi everyone! I’m Jason Parmar and I’ve taken a year out of my Chemistry degree to be your Deputy President (Education). My job is to make sure your academic experience here at Imperial is one of the best in the world (not a simple task). I sit on loads of committees to make sure you’re all fairly represented in your Department, Faculty and College as well as helping coordinate the massive representation network we have. Welcome Week will be one of the most enjoyable but also one of the most intense weeks of your life. Even though you’ll have what feels like the world’s biggest hangover, make sure you take full advantage of the first few weeks of lectures. You’ll be bombarded with a ton of information, meet your personal tutor and, most importantly, be electing your Year Reps! This year will also see the launch of the Union Wiki, a space for students in all departments to share and discuss lecture notes and course related problems. Feel free to come see me (I don’t bite) or email me about anything to do with education or representation and remember it’s the students that make Imperial College Union what it is, so make sure you get involved!
You want to keep a hold of your limes, unlike this guy
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Getting around London
I prefer private helicopters actually...
While there might be a LOT of stuff practically on your doorstep, you’ll soon find that there’s a lot more out there that’s even better. One catch – you’ll need to master the incredible force that is London transport if you stand any chance of getting any reasonable distance beyond College.
Oyster Card First things first, get one of these. Using Oyster is the cheapest way of getting around the capital when using the Underground, bus, or train - especially vital for late night travel. You can pick one up for £5 in any tube station.
Tube This is the big one. The London Underground can get you anywhere around London with a minimum of fuss much quicker than any bus, though of course, this makes it more expensive. If you’ve got somewhere to get too at a certain time, this is the most reliable way of ensuring that you’re not going to show up half an hour late because of generic London traffic. Soon you’ll figure out all the best routes around the city, but until then, the Transport for London website is your new best friend – make sure you treat it right. Just input your destination and time of travel and it’ll show you which train to take, whether any changes are needed and how long it will take. Occasionally there will be closures to certain lines at the weekend, so make sure you check ahead! One not so good thing about the Underground is the fact that it’ll occasionally get pretty busy, especially when you’ve got commuters around. To tackle the pressing heat and general unpleasantness, why
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not take a leaf out of my book and try and strike up a conversation or two? On second thoughts, don’t. Last time I tried it I ended up on the receiving end of a burgeoning stand up comedian. You’ve got to support local talent, I know, but the guy was dreadful.
Bus If there’s one thing you can rely on, it’s that buses will never turn up when you need them. In fact, on some occasions it’s probably quicker to take a casual stroll to wherever it is you need to go. I’m not a massive fan, and if you need to get somewhere quickly, and somewhere that’s less than 30 minutes away, it’s probably a better idea to walk it. Not to mention that the people on that bus with you can vary wildly. There’s a video floating around somewhere on the interwebz of a young chap smashing his way through the exit doors as if he was Schwarzenegger’s Terminator. This is probably half as incredible as some of the sights I’ve seen, believe me. It’s best to save a bus journey for a late night journey back home. Night buses can get pretty hairy as it is. Don’t make eye contact with that crazy looking man holding the can of Fosters. I mean, he’s drinking Fosters for the love of God.
Your average Transport for London passenger in action
imperialcollegeunion.org
Getting Sex & around anSexuality education London
...or my chauffeured Rolls Royce
Walking
Cycling
Even though you might not realise it after using other forms of transport for a while, it’s worthwhile to remember that a lot of places in London are a short walk away from College. You could literally save a fortune. For example, you can find yourself on Oxford Street within half an hour – why you’d want to be there is anyone’s guess. Shopping? What’s shopping?
Brave enough to consider cycling? You have my endless respect. You’ll be sharing the road with buses, lorries and terrible drivers, but if you can get beyond this, then cycling is definitely one of the most rewarding forms of transport there is. It’s cheap (depending on the cost of your bike, natch) and fast and there are even health benefits – I know, right? But you’ve got to be constantly aware of the road and have enough self-esteem to wear a helmet – it might just save your life. It’s also a legal requirement to have front and back reflectors alongside having lights on at night; don’t let the Man take you down!
Taxi Right off the bat, you’ll need to know that there are some not very nice individuals out there driving unlicensed cabs on the prowl for unaware students. Things will definitely take a turn for the worse if you stray into one of them – so make sure you’re prepared by following this advice. If you’re aiming to get a taxi, it’s a pretty good idea to use the Cabwise number to get the number of local licensed taxi firms – note it down there, you never know when you might need it. Failing that, make sure you only go for black cabs (check that it’s licensed first!) or a pre-booked one. Other than after a late night out, you won’t be getting taxis that often, not unless you’ve got cash to burn in style. Yep, they’re pretty expensive, so it’s best to get a group together if you’re going to get one at all and share the cost.
Barclays Cycle Hire More commonly referred to as ‘Boris Bikes’ after the Mayor of London himself. You can hire a bike from one of the many docking stations around the city and drop them back at any other station you like. There’s no need to sign up and you can pay by debit card. This is something to consider if you really want to cycle but can’t be bothered to haul your bike all the way to London.
IMPOR
TANT!
Blimey, Arnold’s doing well in the picture stakes today
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What’s on in London
Or, how fast can we get to Buckingham Palace?
It’s all well and good getting out and about, but I’m of the belief that it’s always about the destination. Profound, I know. London Transport is at your feet, but what are you gonna do with it? Here are some destinations to get the tourist inside you ready to go and take some serious pictures – except where it’s not allowed.
The Great Outdoors Park Life Urban life isn’t for everyone, so why not head away from the hustle and bustle for a bit and take in some of the greener sights that London has to offer? Hyde Park is only a two minute walk away from Imperial and includes the Serpentine Lake, where you can hire a pedalo if you’re brave enough. Alternatively, there’s Hampstead Heath or Regent’s Park a little further away. Or, if you’re in a botanical mood, head over to Kew Gardens in South West London, and check out Richmond Park while you’re over there. The Southbank An area that’s a personal favourite of mine, kick back on the southern side of the Thames, checking out the fantastic views of Westminster and The London Eye. If you’re feeling up for some theatre, stroll down to Southwark and catch a play at Shakespeare’s Globe. Standing tickets are only £5 and trust me, it’s an absolute bargain, forsooth.
Shopping Oxford Street A merciless juggernaut of brands and mainstream shopping, you’ll also find some killer waffle stalls. The pavements will be
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packed with no exception but if it’s classic high street shopping you’re after, high streets don’t get bigger than this. Only the brave should venture into Primark, or as I like to call it, the twentieth circle of Hell. Harrods Pretty much on South Kensington’s doorstep and packed to the rafters with wacky design choices, be prepared to come here and watch tourists walk around and not really buy anything. That’ll probably include you too, i.e. expensive beyond belief. East London If it’s new age fun with a vintage feel you’re after (and who can blame you), then East London’s your place. Head towards Shoreditch and you’re guaranteed to find (amongst the hipsters) second hand clothes shops or vintage stores wherever you turn. Heading back, Camden Market’s a popular destination for bargain hunters and granted, if you keep on your toes you might find that lucky jacket – ooh, suits you sir. Stick around the area and track down some live music afterwards while you’re at it.
Entertainment Clubbing Honestly, everyone’s going to have their favourite, especially after your first week here. It’ll depend entirely on whether you’re looking to get positively drunk and talk nonsense on the bus ride home, or whether you actively want to search out great music. Either way, there’s plenty of scope for both options – you’ll have to look around. Cinemas Crazy expensive – look for discounts online! imperialcollegeunion.org
Gettingon Sex What’s & Sexuality in London
Cor blimey guv’nor, you’re ‘avin a giraffe, mate
“I urge you to go and explore the capital” Clichés are at best banal, at worst misguided. Yet every year, they inundate Freshers. Family and friends – they’re all guilty, all too willing to spread nonsensical, sluggish advice to anxious 1st years. We know, despite their solemn intentions, that they’re wrong. If clichés were true, your personal tutor would work in an oak panelled study, reading ‘A Brief History of Time’ in a smoking jacket with a glass of sherry. But it seems no one has found a better way of parting advice to 1st years. So I too must become a conscious villain of semantics. We go to University to broaden our minds. Where better to do that than London? I urge you to resist falling into the student time warp that is Countdown, and go and explore the capital. The variation
“Look for the smaller details” There are many ways to experience London. Sure, there are all the obvious, in-your-face attractions: the endless parade of photogenic landmarks, the wealth of museums and galleries, the diverse and hedonistic nightlife. But to really feel the pulse of the city, look for the smaller details. Fancy browsing a collection of fully posable rodent skeletons? How about grabbing a bite to eat at a restaurant serving only humus? The joy of London is in discovering places you had thought couldn’t exist. imperialcollegeunion.org
Broaden your mind by Charles Betts
of venues will inevitably bring a variation of enjoyment. You’ll end up in clubs that are tacky, dunderheaded, and decadent. But then you’ll potter into bars with unexpectedly delightful rooftop gardens, with phenomenal views, and it’ll be a real treat to sit in the fresh air on a warm spring evening, high above the fumes. Having a really, really good time. And then there’s the British Museum, dim sum in Chinatown, lazing in Hyde Park, and so much more. Even those kebab shops on Oxford Street at 2am are an experience… Yes, it’s a cliché. But University will give you the best days of your life if you let it. It is not out of the question, in fact, that you also manage to get a stonking degree in the process.
Experience London by Navid Nabijou
Without a doubt, the best way to experience this remarkable city is to explore it for yourself – on foot. Given its vast size, this might seem like a daunting proposition. But fear not: London is made up of dozens of compact districts, each with a distinct character and easily manageable in an afternoon. Be adventurous. Take the Tube somewhere you’ve never been before, and just get lost! As someone who’s lived here all his life, there’s nothing more rewarding than to discover a unique, hidden gem.
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What is the Union?
More complex than a Christopher Nolan film
You might have noticed me banging on about the ‘Union’ as if you know the ins and outs of it already, and if you’ve been turning those pages in feverish anticipation, trying to figure out just what’s in store for you, then you’re in for a real treat. The next few pages are nothing but Union shenanigans, you lucky, lucky person, you.
What is the Union? A question on a par with ‘What is the Matrix?’, the Union at heart is here to defend your rights as an Imperial student and improve life across university for all students. It is run by democratically elected student officers, otherwise known as Sabbatical Officers (Sabbs). The Sabbs are here to represent your views and run the Union in a fair and effective way. Heading up the student team is the Union President, followed by four Deputy Presidents who each focus on different areas on Union activity (Finance & Services, Education, Clubs & Societies and Welfare). The Felix Editor and the Medics’ President are also sabbatical officers, though while they work closely with the Union, they also have independence from it. Each position is held for 13 months with elections being held in the Spring Term. Decisions made
Sure, he knows kung fu – but would he be able to explain the Union in this much detail? I don’t think so
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by the Sabbs must be approved by Union committees, generally consisting of the Union Council, Executive and the Trustee Board. Council Union Council acts as the first stage in decision making. If a paper fails to make the grade here, then it will not pass at all. Council determines policy for the whole Union and its constituent parts and is also responsible for setting the Union’s rules and regulations in place. About 50 members sit on Council, with anyone allowed to present a paper, and all students are welcome to attend. Union Exec This committee is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the Union. It acts as the management board of the organisation and meets fortnightly during term time. It has the power to pass policy on various issues throughout the Union on the Council’s behalf and focuses more on operational areas of the Union. It is made up of the eight most senior officers in the Union and four other senior officers appointed by the Council from both the Clubs & Societies board and the Representation & Welfare board. Union Court A committee designed to ensure the functioning of the Union as a democratic body. This makes sure that Union Officers, returning officers and committees – including the Union Council and Executive Committee – follow the rules set in place by the Union. It also serves as the appeal body in all Union elections, referenda, media disputes and some disciplinary matters. While it doesn’t make policy, the Court can decide what can and cannot be done by whom. It can also block, or “quash”, any unconstitutional decision, or any decision against other superior rules – rules that are imperialcollegeunion.org
Alcohol Drugsis What & the Drugs Drink Union?
Represent. Word to your mother, homeslice
passed by the relevant student committees. Trustee Board This is the sovereign and governing body of the Union. It is made up of elected student trustees, the Union President, Council Chair, Court Chair and external trustees. An election for student trustees is held in the Spring term.
If you have a problem with your course, then you can inform your Year Representative, who will in turn report to the Departmental Representative. If the issue cannot be resolved by this time, then the Faculty Union President will be informed. It is likely that the issue will be resolved by this point but if this isn’t case then taking the case to the Union is the next step.
Representation
Too many men – Imperial in a nutshell amirite?
Faculty Unions There are three faculties at Imperial: the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Natural Science. Each faculty has its own students’ union, whose role it is to represent you at a Faculty level. Engineers are represented by the City and Guilds College Union (CGCU). Medics, by Imperial College School of Medicine Students’ Union (ICSMSU) and scientists by the Royal College of Science Union (RCSU). The Royal School of Mines isn’t a main faculty like the others (miners are represented by the CGCU), though it helps to organise events and creates a community amongst Imperial’s miners. Not only do the Faculty Unions look after your education and welfare by representing you on different departmental committees, but they also help to organise social events such as bar nights to foster a community spirit within your faculty. imperialcollegeunion.org
If you need someone to fight for your right to party, I regret to inform you that it’s not 1987 and that the Beastie Boys are now looking like your wacky uncle. What the Union can do, however, is fight for you as a student. Representation exists at all levels of university life, with Year Reps being elected early in your first term, up to the Union President being elected in the Spring. Make use of what’s offer, after all, it’s your Union. Alternatively, get in touch with Felix if you feel that you’re being let down by your course in one way or another. A healthy dose of public pressure goes a long way. The newspaper is the student voice of Imperial so if you make your voice heard it’ll be hard for College to ignore the issue.
CHARLIE SHEEN SAYS
“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that having representation is totally winning.”
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Faculty Unions
So many choices, it’s like Harry Potter or something...
ICSMSU
“We hope to help you get the best out of university life” Hello! My name is Suzie Rayner and I am the President of Imperial College School of Medicine Students’ Union (ICSMSU). Within the Faculty of Medicine, we are lucky enough to have our own sabbatical president to run ICSMSU. Having just finished my 4th year of Medicine, I am taking a year out of my studies to represent you, and I work alongside 15 SU officers. We hope to help you get the best out of all aspects of university life, whether it be educational, social or welfare issues. So why do we exist in addition to Imperial
Medics
College Union? ICSMSU is here to specifically look after the Medical, Biomedical and Pharmacology students (although anyone is welcome to come along to our events!). Our committee is made up of students from these subjects, and this lets us provide the best support for you as we have firsthand experience. Many medical students will be here for as long as six years, so good support is crucial! Do pop in and say hello – my office is on the ground floor of the SAF building and my door is always open! Please visit our website at www. icsmsu.com for further information. Suzie Rayner - ICSMSU President icsm.president@imperial.ac.uk
“University is what you make of it, so don’t miss out” If you’re a scientist then the Royal College of Science Union, or RCSU, is your Faculty Union. Since its founding in 1881, it has aimed to represent your views, broaden your University experience and provide welfare support. Made up of a team of student volunteers, we organise a vast range of events, from Autumn and Summer Balls to Bar Nights and Guest Lectures. Our network of Departmental Representatives aim to voice the opinions of the student body and our dedicated Academic Affairs and Welfare Officers are there to help you out if things
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RCSU
Scientists
go wrong. If you’re from one of the following departments then you’re automatically a member: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Joint Maths and Computing. So get involved! Run in the forthcoming elections to become a Year Rep, write an article for our Science publication Broadsheet, help raise money for charity with the RCSU Raising and Giving (RAG) team or enter our yearly essay writing competition, ‘The Science Challenge’. University is what you make of it, so don’t miss out and we hope you have a fantastic year ahead of you. Luke Kanczes - RCSU President rcsu.president@imperial.ac.uk imperialcollegeunion.org
Faculty Unions
...only it’s really, really not
“The CGCU has become bigger and better than ever before” Dear Engineers, May I warmly welcome you all to City and Guilds College Union! If you are studying engineering, then you are automatically part of us! We organise spectacular social events, such as club nights and bar nights which are hugely popular with a student price tag! Our committee is fully prepared to start off the year with a bang – the Freshers’ Dinner. It is the flagship event of the year and is not to be missed! On top of that, we also hold careers events to provide professional opportunities for our 6000 students at Imperial.
imperialcollegeunion.org
Engineers
Being an Imperial Engineer is more than just solving problems by making assumptions; it’s also about embracing the traditions of the City and Guilds, like Mascotry! Namely, it is the art of stealing other Faculty Union’s Mascots in exchange for a ransom with the proceeds going to charity. I reassure you that the CGCU, as a Faculty Union, has become bigger and better than ever before. I strongly encourage you to look out for our events laid down for you throughout the year and embrace our traditions as Imperial Engineers! Jacky Kwan - CGCU President engineering.president@imperial.ac.uk
“Anyone is welcome to join our clubs and sports teams” Hello Freshers! The Royal School of Mines predates Imperial itself, and is home to students of Materials Science and Earth Sciences at Imperial College. My name is Richard “Chumble” Simons and I’m the RSMU President this year. My role is to oversee the smooth running of the various events run by the RSMU Exec and its clubs and sports teams, as well as acting as a voice for the students of the RSM on several ICU boards and ensuring that we don’t run ourselves into too much debt via the Union Bar!
CGCU
RSMU Miners
Though our events are put on for the benefit of the students within the RSM, anyone is welcome to join our clubs and sports teams and get involved with one of the most friendly, out-going and outrageous student groups at Imperial! There’s the Freshers’ Dinner, where the newest members of the RSM are graciously “hosted” by older students; our infamous bar nights and the absolutely unforgettable (though often not remembered in full) BOTTLE MATCH, a weekend of sport, camaraderie and debauchery against our ancient rivals the Camborne School of Mines! Richard Simons - RSMU President rsm.chair@imperial.ac.uk
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International Students
I visited the UK and all I got was this lame advice
I’m just gonna spare a thought now for those of you who’ve packed up your bags and are preparing to jet halfway round the world, ready to get to grips with a whole new culture. Nice job, you’ve picked the right culture to get to grips with. Now I’m sure you’ve already had a load of advice from our International Office, so here’s a few extra nuggets of wisdom to add on.
might have. Soon enough, you’ll be blowing money all over the place like a true student. Clubs, Societies & Pojects With over 300 clubs and societies here at Imperial, there’s bound to be a group for you, wherever you’re from. Keep in mind that it’s a good idea to get out there and socialise with people from other backgrounds too! Oyster Card If you’re registering for one, you’ll need to pay a £5 application fee by using a UK debit or credit card. Until your UK bank account is set up, your best bet is to get a Student Oyster photocard application from the Student Hub in Sherfield. They’ll also be able to provide you with a cheque to handle the £5 fee.
Contact International Office Room 164 Sherfield Building, Level 1 international@imperial.ac.uk +44 (0)20 7594 8040 Calm down everyone, you\re not going to get chased around by inept criminals – that is, unless you’re in the wrong part of town at 3am. Yo, stick together
Excellent tips Money Without it, you’re going to be pretty lost. The most important thing to have in place is a UK bank account. Luckily we have our very own branch of Santander on campus on the walkway; the bank is experienced with handling international students and will be more than happy to assist you with any problems you
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This doesn’t in any way represent London as a whole, in fact, it’s more of a stereotype. Buses jumping over Tower Bridge, though? That’s happening all the time
imperialcollegeunion.org
Important Contacts
More contacts than a dodgy backstreet optician
Even though you might feel that asking for help can be difficult, keep in mind that there is an absolute ton of people who want to give you that help – both in and outside Imperial. Your Deputy President (Welfare) Nicolas Massie and Student Adviser Nigel Cooke are great starting points, they can help you with almost anything or, if needs be, point you towards someone more experienced with dealing with your issue. Aside from this, the University has a Counselling Service, dedicated to ensuring that any stigmas that might surround mental health issues are irrelevant. It is entirely normal to book an appointment, especially with the significant upheaval of adjusting to all aspects of university life. The College can also help and provide you with advice about any financial issues you may come across. Get in touch with the Student Funding Officer for further information.
Welfare Nicolas Massie Deputy President (Welfare) dpwelfare@imperial.ac.uk 020 7595 8064 Nigel Cooke Student Adviser advice@imperial.ac.uk 020 7594 8067 The Chaplaincy Centre chaplaincy@imperial.ac.uk 020 7594 9600 London Nightline listening@nightline.org.uk 020 7631 0101 Samaritans www.samaritans.org jo@samaritans.org 08457 909 090
Sex The John Hunter Clinic Appointments: 020 3315 6699 Health Advisers: 020 3315 6155/6156 British Pregnancy Advisory Service www.bpas.org 08457 304 030
Health
At least society has moved on so far that we don’t have to contact people from places like this.
imperialcollegeunion.org
Student Counselling Service www3.imperial.ac.uk/counselling counselling@imperial.ac.uk 020 7594 9637 Continued overleaf...
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Important Contacts
When carrier pigeons just won’t do
Imperial College Health Centre www.imperialcollegehealthcentre.co.uk healthcentre@imperial.ac.uk 020 7584 6301 or 020 7594 9375/6 Alcoholics Anonymous www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk 08457 697 555 NHS Go Smokefree www.nhs.uk/gosmokefree 0800 022 4 332 FRANK www.talktofrank.com 0800 77 66 00 Spend smart, follow good advice, and this sight could become reality. Shame it’s the wrong currency, eh? Jokes, top banter right there
Money Amanda James Student Funding Officer student.funding@imperial.ac.uk 020 7594 8130 Student Finance England www.direct.gov.uk 0845 300 50 90
Whatever the time, you can always find someone to talk to. Heck, those lights pretty much make it daytime
Disability Mary Bown Senior Disability Advisor disabilities@imperial.ac.uk 020 7594 9755
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Student Finance Northern Ireland www.studentfinanceni.co.uk 08456 00 0662 Student Finance Wales www.studentfinancewales.co.uk 08456 028 845 Student Finance Scotland www.student-support-saas.gov.uk 0300 555 0505 imperialcollegeunion.org
s Hooudndie er from
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shop
Imperial College Union Shop Sherfield Walkway Imperial College London London SW7 2AZ tel: +44 (0)20 7594 8473 fax: +44 (0)20 7594 8474 email: imperialshop@imperial.ac.uk
Imperial College Union Beit Quadrangle Prince Consort Road London SW7 2BB
Tel: 020 7594 8060 Fax: 020 7594 8065 Email: union@imperial.ac.uk Twitter: @icunion imperialcollegeunion.org