The Knowledge, Issue 5, May - June 2010

May - July

Issue 5

Goodbye from your Sabbs!

Win tickets to see Pendulum A year in volunteering

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May 2010 | the knowledge

CONTENTS

union news

Goodbye from your VP Activities & Comms

2,3 & 6

Goodbyes from your Sabbs!

4-5 A year in Volunteering 8 Societies Awards 10

UPSU Tips for the Summer Ball

18

Win tickets to see Pendulum Live

21-23

Sports News

24

Summer Ball line-up!

Editor James Redfearn Design & Layout Dannii Newman Oli Horne

They say all good things come to an end....and it would appear that ‘they’ (whoever they are) are not wrong. Alas, it is coming to the end of my two years as your VP Activities and Communications, and four years of involvement with the Students’ Union. So, as this is my last article for the Knowledge newspaper, I would like to reflect on some of my UPSU Highlights and say a few thank-yous.

It’s hard to pick any favourite moment from my time at the Union, and in fact when I was recently asked what my favourite thing about UPSU was, I was forced to answer in a fairly vague way. My answer was ‘the people,’ and my answer still stands. The Union literally would not be the fantastic place it is without the people that work there, and the students who get involved.

From the 150 Student staff to our longest serving permanent staff members,

from Course reps to Sports Club committees, the Union relies on its people to keep it going. But it’s not just the inspiring commitment of these people that makes them my favourite thing about UPSU, it’s their good humour, approachability and openness that always impresses me.

I think if you asked people for one word to sum up the work of the Union, a regular response would be ‘fun,’ and I think that has a lot to do with the people involved.

However, as a communications officer I am often seen telling the media, community and University, about the great work of our students, and this is a great role to have. Another favourite thing about the Union then is being able to talk at length about how wrong some people are when they say students are bad for our community. Through societies and sports clubs we raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity, and through volunteering this year we have contributed over £46k’s worth of students’ time to community projects.

The first thank you I have is to the students I have worked with over the past two years. The 50-plus societies’ committees, the sports committees, the volunteers,

EDITOR SAYS Welcome to the last issue of the Knowledge for the academic year 2009/10, and indeed the last issue that I will have co-ordinated. Within this issue you’ll find more articles from UPSU than usual, as it is that time of year when officers have a lot to say (‘cause we’re leaving!) and students have less to say due to commitments to exams and dissertations.

In this article you’ll be able to read all about what the Union has achieved this year, and I hope you are impressed and proud of these achievements.

Believe me, your Union is a great place, so if you have ever considered getting more involved, stop talking about it and do it.

Without students we would literally be nothing, so we do need you!

This is also the last issue being compiled and designed by our part time marketing student member of staff, Danielle Newman. I’m

student parliamentarians and many more; thanks for your support, involvement and enthusiasm for the Union.

To the staff of the Union I’d like to say again (I say it a lot!) a huge thank you for all your support over the past two years. The staff do a great job behind the scenes to keep things running at the Union, and often go unnoticed I would like also to thank the Sabbatical Team for being so supportive throughout the year. Of course we’ve had our disagreements along the way, but it’s genuinely been a pleasure working with all of them; some of the most hardworking people I have met.

I am genuinely gutted that I cannot continue working for you all, but I am confident that my role is in safe hands next year as I hand over to my successor, Abi Pettit.

For those of you who are still here next year, I’m jealous, and to those of you who are moving on I wish you all the best for the future. It’s been a pleasure.

Goodbye James Redfearn VP Activities & Comms

sure you’ll agree that she’s done a great job over the past few years, especially this year with the new size and new look paper. A big thanks to Dannii for all her help and support through the last few years.

I hope you enjoy this issue, and I look forward to seeing the paper developing further from afar next year. All the best to you students too, good luck for your exams, have a great summer and I’ll see you at the Summer Ball!

James

May 2010 | the knowledge

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union news

Goodbye from your President and vote in the elections. It is almost impossible for the SU to develop into what you need it to be if you don’t tell us what you want.

The students’ union cannot run without sabbatical officers. I didn’t know what sabbs were until my second year at uni, and never ever thought I would run in an election to be SU president, but as we all know, a lot can change during your time at uni. Sabbs are there to ensure that your SU is run for students, by students, representing your views and supporting your needs. Students’ Unions are great; they are a place to meet new people, learn new things, they provide opportunities for personal development and experiences that could otherwise be impossible.

There is so much the SU can do for you, as at the end of the day, that is the purpose of a Students’ Union, to fulfill your needs, so if you want it, we do it! Well, that is how it should be. Unfortunately, too many people see the SU as a bar or a nightclub, and don’t see it for everything it truly is. The SU is filled with amazing staff who are committed to enhancing your student experience. If you’re around next year, please take the time to join a new society or club, volunteer, have a chat in the advice centre, attend the SU meetings, be a course rep, fundraise for charity,

I have been at the SU for 2 years now, as Deputy President and President. When I started I was incredibly naïve, really enthusiastic and excited to make a difference to the lives of students. Over my 2 years, I have seen and learnt a lot, become a bit more cynical, definitely more mature and learnt skills that I would never have at this stage in my life, if it weren’t for the Students’ Union. I have dealt with things I never imagined I would and for that reason, although it can be tiring and stressful at times, being a sabb is the most incredible opportunity, and I would encourage you all to go for it.

Over the past 2 years the sabbs have worked tirelessly to make UPSU a more professional working environment, and while that may not immediately affect you as a student, it certainly has knockon effects. We have had the best elections ever, our biggest turnout at an annual general meeting, won national awards for our bar, won the most improved students’ union award for sustainability, won Varsity, been awarded funding for volunteering, increased our student support in the advice centre, trained and supported more course reps than ever, reviewed our governance and management structures, and appointed a new and improved trustee board. It has been an incredible two years, and I am really sad to be leaving. I have done my best for you and UPSU, and I hope

that the sabb team has made a difference to you this year.

I never thought I’d be here as your SU president, as I was just a typical student during my degree, but I am so happy my friends convinced me to run in the elections two years ago. I’ve had my time now, I’ve done my best, and now it is time to hand over to a brand new team. I’m really excited that Seena is taking over from me as President, as I know she will do an amazing job for you all. I want to wish the new team the best of luck for the future, and to let them know that I have every confidence in them all…you’ve elected a good bunch there! Good luck team!

And finally, I want to say thank you to you for reading this (I wanted it to be witty but it ended up like this, sorry) thank you for being involved in the SU, and for making it so great. It is your SU never forget that. I want to thank all of the staff at UPSU, it would be impossible to list everyone here, so I’ll save that for the leaving speech, but you are inspirational, and it has been an honour and a privilege to work with you. Most importantly I would like to thank my fellow sabbs; you have all been fantastic to work with, and I am so proud and thankful for everything you have done.

So that’s it from me, sorry to make this so serious, but I suppose that the role of Pres. It’s been an absolute pleasure, thank you and goodbye.

Aleshia x

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May 2010 | the knowledge

union news

A YEAR IN VOLUNTEERING Record numbers of volunteers have signed up and have been involved in volunteering this year contributing 8000 hours to local and wider community organisations.

Volunteering here at UPSU has grown over the years and the diversity and range of activities and who we work with is now impressive.

Every year we see more and more societies and sports clubs engaging with volunteering and we are thrilled to work with them, they take part in conservation activities, organise events and just get stuck in! All this work resulted in the nominations for this year’s UPSU Volunteer Awards being more varied than normal.

The Volunteer in Plymouth (ViP) Committee have yet again been really hard at work with their student led projects. They have created new ones, such as the Igomango conservation project, and developed and expanded the long-standing ones. For example the Moor Trees project has been out volunteering 21 times this year and has amassed an amazing 733 hours.

UPSU staff raised over £1000 this year for charities ranging from the British Heart Foundation to Cancer Research UK. Not only that but they have been out volunteering at tea dances, lunch clubs, conservation

projects and much more. New projects and partnerships have been formed such as the Cybermentor on-line mentoring project with Beatbullying, and so far 99 students have been trained by the Beatbullying team.

Events such as the Musical Theatre’s School’s Workshop, the Ethical Threads Fashion Show, and the Moor Trees Big Plant have been huge successes.

482 students have accessed free training which included child protection, safe tool handling, delivering of an environmental project, first aid and disability equality training.

61 students are currently finishing off their reflective journals for the newly created Learning through Volunteering. This module will next year feed into the Plymouth Award which aims to recognise all aspects of informal learning that you guys carry out. All will be revealed soon!

The Volunteer Department was one of 13 Student’s Unions to win a grant from the vinspiredstudents programme in December for their i-buddy scheme. The team are working with students and community partners on the exciting

new project designed to support students with disabilities to engage in volunteer opportunities. UPSU are keen that our volunteer projects are accessible to all, so we recruit and train volunteer buddies, to support students with additional needs to be involved in volunteering.

So far, students with disabilities have been able to participate fully in lots of our volunteer opportunities, from conservation work to helping out with our inter-generational tea dance with Plymouth Befriending Consortium.

RELAYS (Regional Educational Legacy for Arts and Youth Sport) have had a busy year, the 40 strong team of volunteers have contributed over 300 hours of volunteering.

The dedicated student volunteers have worked with RELAYS on projects such as ‘Football First Thing’ at Mount Street Primary school, the Hoops 4 Health programme with Plymouth Raiders as well as the one day events, such as the Media Bus, Plymouth Schools Pananthlon, Indoor Rowing Championships and the BUCS Surf Championships.

RELAYS also worked in partnership with students’ from the Musical Theatre Group during their workshop for primary school children.

May 2010 | the knowledge

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union news

VOLUNTEER AWARDS! Photographs: David Hedges

Award

Winner

Highly Commended

Volunteer Personality of the Year

David Fraser

Conor Reid

Community Project

Mount StreetSchool Football First Thing

Moor View Park

Staff Award

Tracey Priestman

Eva Christian

Volunteer Team of the Year

PLUGS

Relays Hoops 4 Health

Friend of UPSU Award

Rebecca Catterall

Peter Jones

Event of the Year

MTG Workshop

Moor Trees Big Tree Plant

Leadership Award

Sarah Courtnage

Andrew Robinson

Dedication

Barnaby Smyth

Sarah Pitts Kirti Ramesh

Outstanding Contribution

Eni Tmi-Biu

Victoria King

New Project Award

Cybermentors

Mount Street Readers

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May 2010 | the knowledge

union news

The End is Nigh Tom Vennard UPSU Deputy President 2009/10 When I first applied for this position I was definitely given the wrong job description!

Pay & Expenses – Never ending Unlimited Worldwide Travel A Penthouse Suite Free Nando’s Cake at every meeting I can honestly say that UPSU did not provide any of the above for me! Outrageous I know. I mean, I have to work at least 37 hours a week, I’m on a salary, I don’t have a Penthouse and worst of all, there is only ever cheesecake at our meetings! (Which is wrong on so many levels)? Luckily for me, UPSU has an excellent Advice Centre (situated on the first floor) and I was able to seek FREE Independent Advice on this matter.

I also had to share an office with four other people! Aleshia Sampson (el Presidente) who forces us to eat Humbugs and makes strange noises! James Redfearn (Acts & Comms) he constantly drinks tea, is never in the office and has a strange fascination with Geography!

Next there’s Chris (Sports) Rees, he created the word Boom, has a thing about cleanliness and secretly loves Men’s rugby. We were also joined

by Ed Marshall, (Ed & Welfare) you may have seen him wandering around campus with bright orange hair; he has a way with words and just loves Course Reps.

On a more serious and heart felt note, this year has been amazing, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to all our partner colleges, met the

most amazing students, worked with amazing staff and had the opportunity to further enhance my professional and personal development skills.

I shall be sad to go, but safe in The Knowledge that the University of Plymouth Students’ Union is becoming bigger and better than ever and that’s thanks to our staff who consistently improve ways of working, continually improving the student experience.

A speedy reflection This year has been a challenging but ultimately rewarding roller-coaster ride. The experience of being a Sabbatical Officer is something that will undoubtedly shape me for the rest of my life. I’ve been extremely lucky to work with all the people I have this year: students, lecturers, community members, the police, staff, course reps, and of course fellow sabbatical officers. I’ve learnt from such a wide range of people, skills in such wide varieties of areas that I feel extremely privileged.

I’ve grown immensely from the experience and I’d urge anyone who has an interest in student politics to run for election next year.

In the future, I can see our Union developing to become more

inclusive, with a greater capacity to be shaping the academic experiences in university. I see it as a Union that will be more attuned to the needs of the diverse range of students that make up the University and a hub for all to feel a proud part of. After the Union Awards season is just over and we are beginning to see the start of exams, it is a time of the year which is fraught with stress that has been accumulating and emotions that have been piling up.

Now is the time to produce your best but then speedily reflect on the year and all you have accomplished.

I don’t see my experience ending when I hand over in July; through all that I’ve learnt and want to continue learning, I see this as only the

beginning of a cycle of experience.

As there is an end there is a beginning. To end the last knowledge article I shall write as VP Education and Welfare, I want to offer thanks to all the people I have had the joy of interacting with, at whatever level; you know who you are. Thank you.

Ed Marshall VP Education and Welfare

May 2010 | the knowledge

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Graduate study at Maastricht University:

Dreaming spires without spiraling debt

The Times recently described studying at Maastricht University as ‘life amid the dreaming spires of Maastricht’ and rightly made the link English-taught Bachelor’s and to the famous UK universities that share this Master’s Programmes: characteristic. At Maastricht University students can expect to follow Masters programmes which Internationally recognised are excellent in terms of research and education and renowned and rated accordingly in various international Enjoy Maastricht’s beauty publications. Indeed the University could be and student life called a Ratings high flier rising as it did 60 places Competitive tuition fees: in just one year in the Times Higher Education € 1672/year 2010 Supplement of the top two hundred universities. nd The university leaped from 172 position in 2006 Single year Master’s programmes to 116th in 2009. This year our School of Business and Economics was rated by the Financial Times as the 29th best Business School in Europe for the There are still places available at the university management programmes offered. for a range of Master courses. This is expected to be a stark contrast to the UK where the The university is international in location and economic crisis is leading to dramatic increases in terms of students and staff. It is situated in in postgraduate applications. the heart of Europe and attracts students from all the surrounding countries and much further In addition to the high standard of our education afield. Most of the Master courses are in English and research the fees charged by the University and take place in small groups following the are only a fraction of those charged by UK innovative Problem Based Learning method of universities. The Dutch government sets the fee teaching which fosters teamwork and leadership levels that universities can charge. Many Master skills. Employers value Maastricht students courses in the area of finance and management highly for their knowledge and ability to work in the UK cost between 8-18,000 pounds per together constructively in teams. Academic and year whereas they cost 1620 Euros at Maastricht.

Career prospects are excellent for our students.

Students can expect proven research and educational quality at the university without the debt mountain that they would have after studying in the UK.

For further information or to receive one of a range of brochures, please contact us via:

www.maastrichtuniversity.nl | info-uk@maastrichtuniversity.nl

OBS 6141 Plymouth 245x180.indd 1

07-05-10 11:30

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May 2010 | the knowledge

Photo: David Hedges

UPSU & Societies Awards The Societies & UPSU Awards took place on the 29th April, and were the third in a trilogy of ceremonies designed to reflect on another successful year at UPSU, and reward students for their contributions to student-led Societies and the Union more generally. These awards represent the culmination of a hugely successful year for the Students’ Union, and literally thousands of students’ hours spent volunteering, organising events and much more. Through the work of Student-led societies, volunteers and staff, the Students’ Union has also raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities, both local and national.

socials, workshops and rehearsals for their members, but also ran workshops with local school children to get them interested in Musical Theatre. This particular event involved 100 school children, and ended in a performance to local community members. On top of this the society raised funds in order to run the week-long production of ‘Grease’ in the Main Hall. This sold over 800 tickets and was a great event. A well deserving Society of the Year Societies Person of the Year: David Jones

In attendance at the Societies & UPSU Awards were 130 students, staff and University representatives with students and staff nominated in a total of 13 award categories. Each nominee had achieved great things within their society and the Students’ Union, but of course there could only be one winner in each category.

Some of those winners and their achievements are below:

Dave has been involved with a number of societies this year, chairing MedSoc (one of the Union’s largest societies) and also taking on a committee role within Sexpression. Not only that but he sits on the Peninsula societies committee, Chairs UPSU Societies Committee and sits on UPSU Student Parliament. He is also a very dedicated charity fundraiser, and positive role model for all students.

Society of the Year: Musical Theatre Group

Outstanding Contribution to UPSU: Eni Timi-Biu

This year’s society of the year provides another excellent example of a society working to bring the community together with students, promoting the activity they take part in and improving the image of students, whilst all the while remembering the importance of having fun!

Eni has been heavily involved with the Students’ Union for the majority of her time at the University of Plymouth. During this time she has been an active volunteer and society member. She has also volunteered within the Community as a Youth Leader and with Student Action for Refugees (START), plus she was a Course rep last year. This year alone she has Chaired the Amnesty

This year the society ran regular

International Soceity, sat on the committee for Law and Criminal Justice Society and taken an active role in UPSU Campaigns. This award is well deserved and we thank Eni for her huge contributions to UPSU over the years.

Other Winners: New Society of the Year: Marine Biology Society Event of the Year: Designers Society Exhibition Community Involvement Award: Plymouth Sexpression Campaign of the Year: Amnesty International Burma Campaign Campaigner of the Year: Emma Wilson Parliamentarian of the Year: Benjamin Millward UPSU Personality Award: David Fraser Congratulations and thanks must go to all our winners, plus all Highly Commended entries and nominees.

The work that the Students’ Union does would not be possible without students giving up their time to volunteer, run societies and clubs and be course representatives.

Here’s to another great year next year!

James Redfearn VP Activities & Communications

May 2010 | the knowledge

page 9

The Year of Change for the LCJS This year the Law & Criminal Justice Society committee had the vision that the society would improve on previous years and so began the year of change.

In September we had record amounts of people signing up to the Society, which was a fantastic start to the year. The Social Secretary, Morwenna Luxford-Leach, then provided all those new members with the first Freshers Booze Cruise which would be used as an ‘Ice Breaker’ event for all those Freshers who weren’t already acquainted with fellow members of the society and also the new committee. This event went down well and sold out very quickly. This gave us, the committee, evidence that the year had started as we wanted it to go forward.

The next big event was the annual Cheese and Wine evening which has previously been the biggest networking event of the year and where professionals from Solicitors firms and Barristers Chambers were in attendance. This year, however, we wanted to make a change to the Cheese and Wine evening and make it bigger and better than ever. We sought out a venue to match those words and nothing could be more of an impressive backdrop than the National Marine Aquarium on the Barbican. We also wanted more professionals to attend, but also not just the stereo typical professionals such as Barristers and Solicitors so we also invited members of the

organised by Jacqui Scott, to date which had its final judged

by Tim Seal and Samantha Lee from Bond Pearce LLP, one of the biggest solicitors firms in Plymouth!

local Youth Offending Service, Social Services, Probation Service, Police Force, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and also members of the Plymouth City Council Legal Department. My thanks must go out to Eni Timi-Biu, Jessica Maidment and Radoslav Petsov for the main organisation of this event. It was the most successful Cheese and Wine Evening ever! Could the year get much better than this?

Well, we did very well to try and improve on the impact of the Cheese and Wine Evening with our first participation in the National Negotiations Competition, International Mooting Competition and National Mooting Competition where his honour Judge Paul Darlow sat as a judge in Plymouth Crown Court. As well as our standard yearly events such as Internal Mooting Competition, organised by Charlie Bird and Raegan Leather, that had its semi finals and finals held at Plymouth Crown Court with his honour Judge William Taylor who volunteered as a judge at the event.

We also had the most successful Internal Negotiations competition,

As we have had such a good year we were keen to ensure that whoever took over from this years committee would be as determined as us to build on the foundations that had been laid to make this society the best it could possibly be. An AGM ‘Pack’ was sent out with the job description of all the positions available and it had a good response, as many were not sure as to what each position involved. A new committee was voted for and all positions filled.

For a Society to run at its best you must have a team leading that society who are always at their best and I must thank the remainder of the committee who have all played a key role in the vital improvements to the society. They are Olivia Slade (Vice President), Chloe Harvey (Secretary), Mel Rylatt (Treasurer) and Fliss Perraton (Health and Safety officer). We have had that best team this year and I hope the new President Jessica Maidment and her new committee the best of luck for leading the society into next year.

By Richard Blackmore, President, Law & Criminal Justice Society 2009-2010

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May 2010 | the knowledge

May 2010 | the knowledge

page 11

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page 12

May 2010 | the knowledge

Final Year Students - keep in touch!

The University of Plymouth’s alumni programme aims to keep you in touch with the University, and each other, after graduation.

Welcome to the Alumni c ommunity

!

We look forward to seeing and keepin you at gr aduation, g in touc h with you in the co The alumni pro ming yea gramme aim rs. s to keep yo with ea

ch other, and u in touch wi some key ele th the unive ments of the rsity and s A monthly e-n package we ewsletter – Ev offer are; olve s A yearly ma gazine with ne ws on developme s The alumn nts – Plymouth i events calen ’s Progress dar is constan Look out for tly updated on informal netw our website. orking events beyond, sector in the South -specific even West and ts aimed at ke topical issue eping you up s in your field to date with and internati s We are est onal alumni ablishing an gro ups. alu mni careers advice and gu network which idance to stu wi ll de offer nts considerin specific field. g a career in This guidanc a e is also avail graduates loo able to recen king to make t their way in their chosen Keep in to career.

www.plymou

uch!

th.ac.uk/al

umni

From attending our social and networking events, signing up to the alumni careers network, and reading our monthly e-newsletter and annual magazine, there are a number of ways for you to get involved – all we need are your up to date contact details!

For more information, please visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/alumni or email alumni@plymouth.ac.uk.

The Devon Games to Inspire is looking for students to volunteer!

• The Devon Games to Inspire 2010 will be held At Tavistock College and the surrounding area on Saturday 10th July. This event will replace the Devon Youth Games that has run with great success for the last ten years.

• 1400 participants (between the ages of eight and sixteen) are expected to take part, in teams from local authorities across the county, to compete in the 15 different sports/ cultural activities.

• All 15 sports competitions will take place in their own sporting areas as well as cultural activities.

• Some participants will have the opportunity to visit cultural activities throughout the day (in between their matches/performances).

the swim. Marshalling and directing participants in the run.

• Table Tennis: Umpiring matches, assisting the events co-ordinator and scoring.

• Cricket: Qualified umpires or coaches

• We are looking for students to help out on the day. Lunch, t-shirt and transport provided!

• At 4:00 pm approx the Games will end and medals will be handed out for each sport in each sporting area.

All participants will then make their way to the stage for the Closing Ceremony where the overall winners of the games will be announced.

The games will close at 5:00pm approx.

What happens on the day?

How to get involved as a volunteer:

• Pre event organisation: Assisting events co-ordinators with setting up equipment on the Friday afternoon and/or early Saturday morning.

• Participants will start arriving at 8:00 am for the Opening Ceremony.

• Athletics: Volunteers required to help run and score individual events, e.g. standing long jump, speed bounce, sit and reach etc.

For more information and to sign up please contact Jo Reed (RELAYS School Events Coordinator)

• Aquathlon: (swim and run) Recording results, counting laps in

joanna.reed@su.plymouth.ac.uk 01752 588389

• Participants will then depart to their sporting venues and the Games will commence.

• Tag Rugby, Volleyball , Badminton, Netball, High5s, Mini Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Gymnastics, Street Sports: Assisting the events co-ordinators, with scoring/ results/ directing children etc.

May 2010 | the knowledge

page 13

global news

By Anonymous

Liberal Democracy – At Home and Abroad The May 6 parliamentary elections have dominated news coverage and debate across the United Kingdom, especially so as a result of the three American-style live televised debates involving the three main parties. The United Kingdom has a long and proud history of liberal democracy, but perhaps less well known is the European Union’s combined foreign policy agenda of foreign democracy promotion, of which the United Kingdom is a part.

This commendable goal of exporting human rights, civil liberties and representative government is shared

by America, as through the American 2002 National Security Strategy.

The ongoing NATO led International Stabilisation and Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan is part-in-parcel with this combined foreign policy, while is it legitimised

by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386. The conflict in Afghanistan is a relatively quiet issue in the May 6 elections though, considering it is now the only ongoing war involving British forces, through British involvement in Iraq having ended. The British involvement in Afghanistan, being based around the brigade sized force in Helmand Province, and the Provincial Reconstruction Team based in Lashkar Gah, is supported by all three major parties in British politics.

The Liberal Democrats seek an earlier exit than either Labour or the Conservatives, but not even they call for a unilateral withdrawal, as they do with regards to the Trident nuclear deterrent.

With no main party promising a swift withdrawal from Afghanistan, those British voters who strongly disagree with the conflict have limited direction in which to use their ballot.

However should we be looking to

leave Afghanistan before the mission is accomplished? It can perhaps be surmised that British forces are in Afghanistan for two reasons; firstly to support America in the aftermath of the 9/11 atrocities and defend British interests by preventing Afghanistan from remaining a haven for terrorists, and secondly to support the fledgling democratic government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and help the Afghan people.

The Karzai Government of Afghanistan has been subject to substantial criticism amidst allegations of corruption. Much of this criticism is with regards to the recent 2009 elections, and includes the likes of “ghost polling stations” among other irregularities. However, surely the mission to improve the lives of ordinary Afghan’s, and providing them with representative government, is a mission worth seeing to the end? While those who vote for one of the three main parties in the May 6 elections are voting to continue the British involvement, many voters are a very part of this involvement. Many students join the University Officer Training Corps, or the navy or airforce equivalent, while others are active in the nations reserve forces. Such employment can be an interesting and active alternative to part-time work, such as working behind a bar or delivering pizzas. Whereas many students take

a year to study abroad, or to work in industry; serving in the reserve forces even allows students to volunteer to serve in Afghanistan for a ‘gap-year’ of sorts.

A liberal and democratic Afghanistan is good for Afghanistan, and it is good for the world, especially if one subscribes to the notions of democratic peace theory. Islam, the dominant religion in Afghanistan, is a peace loving and tolerant religion.

Many notions within Islam, such as the umma (or Muslim community), the shura (practice of consultation) and the majlis (assembly of peers) relate well with Western notions of democracy. Traditional Afghan interpretations of Islam have been liberal, with majlis translating into Pashtu as jirga, with loya jirgas, or clan meetings, forming a type of traditional ‘assembly democracy’.

Karzai’s provisional government was originally appointed by such a loya jirga.

Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff during the author’s service in Afghanistan, when recently delivering a speech to the Chatham House Institute, said “the legacy of ‘Blair’s Wars’ is a political generation who may have formed the view that military intervention is prohibitively costly – in terms of both political and financial capital and above all in the human cost”. However, when musing what is ‘prohibitively costly’, perhaps one should remember the republican’s slogan printed on posters during the fight against fascism in the Spanish Civil War, that “if you tolerate this, your children will be next”. It was this slogan that the Manic Street Preachers sang of in their song of the same name.

Bringing democracy to Afghanistan is surely not ‘prohibitively costly’.

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May 2010 | the knowledge

union news

Your Students’ Union are National Winners!

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union (UPSU) claimed a prestigious award at a glitzy students’ awards ceremony on Wednesday 31st March 2010. 71 students’ unions from the length and breadth of the country were recognised by NUS Services’ sixth annual Best Bar None Awards for their exceptional work in promoting safe alcohol retailing and student safety but it was Plymouth that took top honours as the overall winner.

Students’ unions have always considered the welfare of their students and at a time when negative perceptions of the licensed trade prevails, particularly with regards to student drinking, the Best Bar None format is a positive leap in improving the standards, and indeed the perceptions, of alcohol retailing.

In Demand DJ, Alex James was on hand to present the ceremony, which officially wrapped up the rigorous five month assessment process.

During this time the entrants were required to complete a workbook, which included 96 measured criteria, and undertake a thorough on-site assessment from a Best Bar None representative.

This year’s process has been applauded by NUS and Noctis, with 72% of the entrants successfully

achieving over 80% of the measured criteria. More importantly, Best Bar None provides a valuable opportunity for students’ unions to continually improve their operating procedures and demonstrate to the nation that they are responsible when it comes to the selling of alcohol.

On being presented with their award, Rob Gofton, Director of Communications & Social Enterprise at Plymouth said, “I’m immensely proud of all the team, everyone’s done a great job and put in a lot of hard work and I think that everyone needs to take credit because it’s well deserved”.

Proving that unions take the welfare of their students seriously, the last three years of NUS Services’ Best Bar None Scheme has successfully encouraged unions to provide free drinking water to customers.

One step behind this policy is the Government, whose mandatory code for the licensed industry has forced all licensed outlets to provide free water, but only from April this year.

Eight students’ unions collected the prestigious Gold award, having achieved over 93% of the required criteria. A further 14 students’ unions gained the Silver award and 49 the Bronze award.

Ronnie Lannin, the Commercial Operations Manager at Plymouth went on to say, “…congratulations to everyone that entered. I think it’s a great scheme and it’s nice to be recognised. Everyone that entered is going in the right direction and as students’ unions I think we’re leading the way and showing the country how to do it.”

University of Plymouth Students’ Union led the Gold standard, after meeting a massive 97.9% of the measured criteria. They were applauded for setting a new standard in the quality of licensed trade provision on campus, something which all unions will be striving to achieve in 2011.

James Redfearn, Vice President UPSU said “UPSU is extremely pleased to have been awarded ‘Best Bar None’ status for the fourth year running, last year we won the award for the South West & Wales region and now we have been crowed national champions.

This is a testament to the constant professionalism, hard work and dedication of our staff and their constant efforts to make our venue a safe and responsible environment.

Everyone within the organisation has contributed to this success and we are justifiably proud of this achievement.”

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May 2010 | the knowledge

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PROUD SPONSORS OF THE UPSU SUMMER BALL 2010

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May 2010 | the knowledge

Bartlett, is currently playing in the Mailcoach pub adjacent to the Royal and Derngate Theatre, Northampton as part of the theatre’s Addicted to You season.

Peter Falk as he pits his wits against a master criminal. Psychiatrist Roy Fleming and his wife are celebrating their anniversary when he is called to deal with a female patient. On returning he has to soothe his angry wife with the promise of a vacation.

When Fleming’s wife is found dead, Columbo is brought in to investigate and seeds of doubt are planted in his mind.

reviews

Upcoming Theatre Royal Shows

Coming soon to the Theatre Royal Plymouth “The Empire” By DC Moore Drum Theatre Plymouth Thursday 13 May - Saturday 29 May 2010 Helmand in the height of summer.

Gary, a British soldier, and Hafizullah, his Afghan colleague, guard an injured young prisoner, Zia, found in the heat of battle. Gary wants answers, Hafizullah just wants to make it through the day, and Zia thinks there’s been a big mistake.

The Empire, a Drum Theatre co production with the Royal Court, will be at the Drum Theatre from Thursday 13 May until Saturday 29 May 2010.

The cast includes Josef Altin, Joe Armstrong, Imran Khan, Nav Sidhu and Rufus Wright. The production is directed by Mike Bradwell, designed

by Bob Bailey, with lighting by Jason Taylor and sound by Nick Manning.

DC Moore’s second full-length play dissects the politics of occupation, home and abroad. A graduate of the young writer’s programme, his other theatre credits include Britney, Royal Court Ignition, Later, Paines Plough and Julius at Latitude Festival.

His play Honest, directed by Mike

Previous Drum Theatre collaborations with the Royal Court include Stoning Mary (2005) and The Girlfriend Experience (2008).

Student Tickets are just £8 Middle Ground Theatre Company presents: Columbo Theatre Royal Plymouth Monday 12 July – Friday 16 July 2010 Middle Ground Theatre Company presents Prescription: Murder, featuring the legendary lieutenant Columbo in his first ever case. International star Dirk Benedict will be taking to the Theatre Royal stage in the title role from Monday 12 July until Friday 16 July 2010. In this, Columbo’s first ever outing, we see the genius of the character made famous by

Dirk Benedict is known by millions for his roles as Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck in the A-Team and Lieutenant Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica.

He is joined by acclaimed British actor Patrick Ryecart who is best known for his roles in Hustle and Jericho. They are joined by Karen Drury who is probably best known as the ill-fated Susannah Farnham in Brookside for which she won the Best Actress Award at the British soap and Inside Soap Awards, and was nominated for a TV BAFTA. Student Tickets just £7 For more information or to book tickets please contact the Theatre Royal Box Office on (01752) 267222 or online at www.theatreroyal.com

May 2010 | the knowledge

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Frescoes of the Serbian Orthodox Churches

The blueprint for resurrection of the Serbian Empire

by Bartosz Lyszkiewicz “The old rulers, the old Nemanjices, They had their reign and the time has passed them by. Never did they pile up riches in heaps. They build churches, all in their memory.

They built many stately monasteries They ordered built high Decani, the church, (…) above flat Pec built a patriarchate and white Devic in Drenica region, and Peter’s Church near Pazar, the city (…)”

In most of the European countries it was the castles that outlined the borders of regions and states. These strongholds remained the symbols of the central power for centuries, protecting the local societies and the trading routes. The greatest cities of the Old Continent developed from meaningless settlements placed on the strategic routes. In the case of Serbia the castles did not become the basis for the future state; in fact, there are only a few significant fortresses which defended the Great Serbian Empire in the 13th century.

In this particular region the might of each successive despot was recognised by his enemies through the monasteries which task was to defend the religion and the traditions of the local communities.

In the European tradition of Christianity is closely linked to the despots or tsars in charge of the government. According to this convention the heavenly protector sent to the earthly kingdom to give his peoples prosperity could extend his kingdom only with the devotion

of his army and the blessing of the state church. The distant regions remained under the influence of each ruler for as long as the local priests received the support from the ruling family. The monasteries, which gathered the clergy, became the centres’ for education and spirituality.

With the rapid rise of the Serbian Empire, under the Nemanjic family, these local cultural centres gained an enormous wealth and power.

After the state fell under the Ottoman rule, these religious institutions became responsible for maintaining the continuity of the Serbian state.

The journey to the hearth of the land’s most famous monasteries shed the light on the political situation surrounding their establishment as well as the impact on the generations of the Serbs redefining future frontiers of the medieval empire. My thorough examination of the monasteries with their architecture and frescoes provides the image of the society struggling throughout the centuries to leave its permanent trace in the areas threatened by the outside invasion. The evidence observed on the walls of the temples and combined with the Serbian epic poetry presents the viewers with the picture of wither political strength or weakness of the successive rulers.

This fact is significant for the entire research as it draws the early and yet unuttered vision of nationalism before the philosophy of the French Revolution (1789-1799) changed the enlightened idea into what was to become the struggle for self-

determination of nation-states.

The research lead in Serbia is significant for the entire world.

Serbia was labelled a nationalistic state after the war that broke out in Kosovo in 1999. The only way to understand the mentality of the South Slavs and their past is to travel to this beautiful country and to speak to its people of the generations which remember the communism era or the more recent conflicts between the former Yugoslav republics. There is much to learn from every person met on the streets of mysterious Belgrade or the mountain villages of Montenegro sharing their experience of the post war independent states.

My research is far from the end and it will require another long visit that could help the researchers establish the future course of the Serbian society. There is much to learn from the history but if we want to learn about the past of a society a close observation and the discussion with contemporary society is required.

There is much that Serbia can learn from the Western Europe but at the same time there is a great deal of Europe could learn from Serbia.

The distinct identity of the societies of the Balkans is visible in each of the monasteries that survived the Ottoman rule. The key to understanding of the Serbian society lies within the temples’ icons and frescoes not only for their religious value but the incredible aesthetical experience.

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reviews

May 2010 | the knowledge

May 2010 | the knowledge

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university news

Advice Centre Appeals Information What to do if it does not go according to plan:

of a summer Assessment Board.

If you are on a non-standard undergraduate programme (e.g. in nursing/health professions) or on a taught postgraduate programme, you must submit your appeal by no later than 10 working days after the date of publication of the official results list (not the date of issue of your transcript).

1. Don’t panic, if you don’t think an exam went well, then unless you have valid extenuating circumstances, there is not a lot you can do until you receive your transcript.

The Students’ Union Advice Centre offers free, impartial and confidential advice. So if you want to discuss whether to appeal or you want someone to read through your appeal before you submit it then either drop in, email or telephone

2. If when you get your results you have failed some or all of your modules the assessment board will tell you if and when you can re sit. There are only two grounds for appeal of their decision 1) If the assessments were not conducted in accordance with the current Assessment Regulations; 2) Some other material irregularity, related to assessment, has occurred.

3. If you are going to make an appeal then the appeal pro forma can be found in the Rules and Regulations section of your Student handbook.

advice advert.pdf

14/8/08

us. We are normally open between 10am-4pm Monday – Friday, however, outside of term time please check our website for up to date opening times and contact details: http://www.upsu.com/ content/110655/advice_support__ welfare/what_if_i_need_advice_/ In addition - there could be financial consequences if you are required to re-sit any coursework or examination over the next academic year or you opt to change course.

Upsu:advice can give you up to the minute information on the financial implications of your decision.

16:02:46

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4. There are strict time limit for appeals. If you are on a standard undergraduate programme (this covers most degree and HND programmes), you must submit your appeal to the University’s Governance Unit by no later than Friday 23 July 2010 if you are appealing against the decision

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Tel: 01752 588373 Come see us at the Students' Union

Worries? However big or small, come visit upsu:advice for a chat your voice, your choice, your union

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May 2010 | the knowledge

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May 2010 | the knowledge

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sports & societies

ANOTHER YEAR OF SPORT! VARSITY – WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! We have all been witness to something truly fascinating this year...

for the event in helping it to become more professional and efficient in its delivery. We must also give thanks to all the sponsors, marketing team at UPSU, the venues and facilities used, as well as all others this year, including this year’s Charities...

This year’s Varsity raised exactly £11,395.32 for the Anthony Nolan Trust and The Motor Neurone Disease Association this is an absolutely incredible accomplishment and one that I am sure will be built upon in the future, but definitely deserves a huge congratulations!!!

So, this is it. What a great year! It has gone far too quickly, however a huge thanks must go to you guys for getting involved and making your University a fantastic place to play sport. Yes, there are plenty of areas to develop and if you believe there is something that should be looked at, come in and speak to me or any of the team.

Varsity originally started as a challenge between the men’s rugby teams. Its primary aim was to raise money for charity but additionally, helped to fuel a healthy sporting rivalry between the university and the college (now University College).

It certainly has done its history proud when I say that this year has seen students from both intuitions compete in the most intense Varsity event in its existence. Not only have we seen an increase, once again, in the number of sports played, but also the number of students competing and most of all number of students supporting this fantastic event.

In the next few hundred words or so, I hope you will be able to see the fantastic results and facts from this year in sport. Please enjoy....

A huge thanks must go to the newly formed Varsity committee, who this year for the first time has formalised a constitution and code of conduct

• Sports & Societies Fair changed to a one day extravaganza!!

some successes were Gold medals in Surf and Judo BUCS Championships

which had a positive impact on the Men’s and Ladies Rugby teams performance

• A Varsity committee was formed with representatives from UPSU and UCP Marjon with a full constitution and set criteria

• Team Plymouth branding and kit for BUCS teams was created and will be launched in September 2010

This event will only go on and develop into something bigger every year and I think we can all appreciate all the hard work that has gone in to it.

After 26 games played and 15 Games won, with a score of 31 – 21, this year’s VARSITY CHAMPIONS are The University of Plymouth.

• 6110 sports cards were sold • There were 58 sports clubs • 32 teams entered BUCS Wednesday leagues who travelled all over the western Region • Men’s Rugby 1, Ladies Hockey 1 and Squash 1 all won gold medals in the BUCS Conference Cup • UPSU funded 33 sports clubs to attend National competitions and

• A Sports Advisory Group was set up and chaired by the Dean of Health to commence with a University of Plymouth Sports Strategy • A successful partnership was set up between the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Albion RFC

• Over 1000 hours of volunteering in the Community were completed by Sports Clubs • Over £15,000 raised by Sports Clubs for various charities throughout the year

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May 2010 | the knowledge

May 2010 | the knowledge

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sports & societies

Badminton Round Up by- Hayley Bridgman

This year the University Badminton Club have been a part of many great events. At the begining of the year we took some of the members up to Nottingham to play in the BUCS championships for the first time. This was a very successful trip, getting further than we imagined with Olly Crichton and Hayley Bridgman getting into the quarter finals of the mixed tournament. We will strive to make this an annual trip in the years to come. We have also taken part in all of the tournaments being played in and around Plymouth, Martyn Allen and Emily Nicholls winning the mixed Christmas tournament, with Christopher Lightfoot and Lyndsey Cooper coming a close second. On the 29th March, the annual Plymouth and District Open

Tournament was played, all pairs played well, with the mens sinlgles being won by Pete Gibbons and the ladies sinlgles by Bonny Mo, of the University team.

On the 20th March 14 members of the badminton team took part in an organised Badminton-athon; playing continuous badminton for 24 hours, to raise money for Sports Relief. We also had ‘donate to play’ on the other courts, in which many people came along to. There was also excruciating leg waxing for the badminton boys involved. The club has so far managed to raise just under £1000 pounds, and money is still being collected.

have now concluded their season, with the Ladies A team winning their league and the 2nd mixed team winning their division. With many other teams just shy of winning theirs. However the final victory of the year was beating the Marjon Badminton team during Varsity week, very close matches and a great win. A big thank you to all those invloved in the badminton teams this year, the amount of interest, the comittment, and level of badminton being played has been outstanding and a pleasure to be a part of. The new committee for next year will be brining in coaches and more sessions to better the club and to hopefully take it to the next level.

The Plymouth Badminton League

Mens Basketball Club After a good and competent season the University of Plymouth Mens Basketball Club or UPBC have decided it’s time to change their face. The Club have been known as UPBC for the last couple of years, after a succession of unsuccessful names, such as Pumas and Drakes they have decided to put it to the students to rename their club. The re brand was decided in conjunction with the introduction of “Team Plymouth”.

After much deliberation by the committee the new name was narrowed down to 6 options, they were Pirates, Rockets, Hawks, Sharks, Phantoms and Devils.

These 6 options were put to the students via an online poll, 101 votes were cast with the top

3 names running very closely pirates and phantoms came runners up each getting 27% of the vote, the winner with 28% was the Sharks. The club then went onto to open up a design competition for the new logo, with many designs being entered the committee narrowed it down to the 5 best. The designers were given a brief, stipulating a select number of colours that were to be used and the wording to be used on the logo. The competition is still running and will be till 15th May, the more votes that are made, the better. If you wish to vote then please find us on our Facebook group “ReBranding Competition”

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May 2010 | the knowledge