Durham rejoins NUS after referendum
José Henriquez: pastor to the Chilean miners
Full coverage: News Features, 6 & 7
Palatinate, Profile, 11
PALATINATE
The official student newspaper of Durham Students’ Union since 1948
Tuesday 8th February 2011 | Edition 726 www.palatinate.org.uk
University to impose 38-week let on college accommodation JCR presidents write open letter to vice-chancellor Concerns raised over out-of-term welfare provisions
Daniel Johnson
College JCRs and presidents have been deeply critical of the University’s decision to impose a compulsory 38-week let on incoming students. In an open letter to Vice-Chancellor Chris Higgins, JCR presidents criticized the effect the changes could have on student welfare, catering and the cost of accommodation. It also questioned whether there was any significant demand for a 38-week let amongst students. The decision taken on 24 November 2010, will mean returning students can choose between a 33 and a 38-week let, whilst a 38-week let will be mandatory for incoming students. Emily Warburton-Brown, Chair of JCR Presidents’ Committee, wrote: “We feel, very strongly, that the introduction of 38 week lets seems only to be a short-term solution to a problem where only a long-term strategy will do. “It’s clear that there are a certain percentage of students who have opted to take 38 week lets, and we understand that a very small number of our constituents value them. “However, those who choose to remain are offered a very different ‘student experience,’ one with only very limited self-catering facilities (with limited, or no scope to develop further facilities), or a non-existent (or as yet un-costed) catering package.” Presidents’ Committee bluntly described 38-week lets as “like paying for a hotel for the week and not being able to use it on the Tuesday and Thursday.” John Ashworth, Dean of Colleges at Durham University, was adamant that 38-week lets will improve the student experience. He said: “We hope the move will enhance the student experience by offering a flexibility which allows students to access their rooms during non-term times, except during periods of college closures such as Christmas, where special arrangements will continue to be made for those students in Durham at that time. “This means that students will be
‘Experience Durham’: the future for your society? SAM GUNTER
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Against all the odds: 8 miles long, over 5,000 competitors and being forced to sign a ‘death warrant’ before racing. Turn to page 17 for a round-up of DUCK fared at the 2011 Tough Guy competition in Wolvehampton
able to leave and return to college when they choose, if for example they have a study or personal need which requires them to be in Durham during vacations.” Durham Students’ Union (DSU) President, Sam Roseveare, told Palatinate that “the decision was not subject to any meaningful consultation, it is not supported by a large number of college staff and it represents an additional charge for something that students don’t want, or in most cases need. “It’s a bit like being charged for the packaging around a product, and whilst this doesn’t affect current students, it represents a bad deal for future ones.” Whilst the open letter acknowledged the present financial climate
and the significant cost of Colleges Division, it expressed grave concerns about the effect the plans will have on student welfare and the perceived lack of foresight on the part of the university regarding the issue. “The lack of welfare support, both in colleges and centrally in Durham is something that does not seem to have been considered. “During term-time, students have the support of the Senior Tutor, President, Nightline and the counselling service. These are important services that help add to the ‘Durham Difference.’ If we are to offer 38 week lets, it is important to keep these services running as well, especially as Easter can be a very stressful time for students as it is
FREE
Jack Battersby
Plans are underway for the launch of Experience Durham, a University-led initiative aimed at coordinating extracurricular activities in sport, music, the arts and outreach. Directed by Dr Peter Warburton, the programme hopes to replicate the success of Team Durham in promoting the University’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading sporting institutions. The wide-ranging plans will see the introduction of three sabbatical positions for drama, music and student media. Supported by alumni donations and corporate sponsorship, senior University staff also hope to build a ‘Student Experience Arena’, a multi-purpose facility based in Durham City designed to host large scale music, drama and sporting events. However, concerns have been raised over the speed at which the plans have been introduced. James Hubbard of Student Community Action (SCA) said: “Experience Durham has serious ramifications for all student-led societies included within its proposals. “Every party involved should take seriously the impact this will have.” The introduction of the programme has prompted a debate on the role of the University in extra-curricular activities. A report prepared by Dean of Experience Durham Dr Peter Warburton stated that the initiative would ‘Increase the profile of our activity externally to help us attract the most talented students...whilst also attaining the interest of funding partners.’ Over 190 clubs and societies are currently affiliated to the DSU, which offers financial support and ensures all groups are run to promote the interests of Durham students. Under the proposals, arts and music societies would be invited to affiliate with Experience Durham, with sabbatical officers liaising between students and the University. DSU Societies and Student Development Officer Kristina Hagen has contacted a number of society presidents to hear students’ opinions on the shake-up. As the consultation process takes place, Palatinate would like to hear your views on the proposed changes.
just before the examination period.” Four College JCRs (Hatfield, Mary’s, St. Cuthbert’s, and Trevelyan College) have mandated to fight against the proposal. Postgraduate Officer Ian Williamson added his voice to the opponents of compulsory 38-week lets. “From a postgraduate perspective, we have been complaining about the lack of out-of-term facilities for a number of years, and any extra residents in colleges will simply compound these problems. “The University’s handling of this issue once again demonstrates that not everyone in Old Shire Hall is singing E-mail your comments to editor@palatioff the same hymn sheet when it comes nate.org.uk, and visit our website for the to improving the student experience.” latest developments.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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Editorial Favourites, letters, corrections and editorial Editorial
www.palatinate.org.uk
PALATINATE The ‘Durham Experience’? Those of you in third year will currently, no doubt, be finding yourselves bombarded by emails, letters, Twitter and Facebook posts, and probably even owls. I’m pretty sure I can see Hedwig in the tree up there bopping along to the sound of Revolver as I type. And what are all these people/ animals so desperately trying to tell you? They want you to take part in the National Student Survey. No one likes doing surveys. Or at least, the thought of following five links to get to said survey and then having to look up obscure details such as numbers which to a computer are synonymous with your name is enough to put you off when you’re rushing to get those last summatives out of the way so that you can crack on with the old dissertation. (Yes, it’s still there, even though you tried to ignore it in the hope that it would get bored and skulk away to write itself). But there’s nothing like a little procrastination, eh? Or so I said to myself earlier today when I found myself in said situation – and after three years of giving so much (or so little) of your time to your degree, it’s important to pass on that experience to future generations of students. Now that fees are on the up, it’s even more crucial that those applying to university get as much information about what they can expect from their time at Durham.
Once you get beyond the tedious details step, you might be surprised to find how few questions there are. On the one hand, pleasantly so: you won’t have to spend hours answering questions that are almost-the-samebut-slightly-different, you can just say it like it is. ‘I like/dislike/have no opinion on my course’s subject matter/teaching style/feedback policy.’ Or something along those lines. The survey is about your course, and as such cuts to the quick of your academic experience in a few questions; it is a worthwhile undertaking. Yet Durham, as clichéd as it sounds, is about so much more than academia, so to prolong that procrastination you think: ‘Are they really asking me to condense my three years of making friends and enemies, of beginnings, middles and ends into six or seven questions which do not touch on any of this? Can essays, relationships and sports’ fixtures, Klute and Hound, Tough Guy and the cathedral carol service, and late nights in the Palatinate office be reduced to multiple choice answers?’ I could go on... My point is this. Durham University has a renowned reputation in this country. In part this is for its academic prowess, but it is also for the energy with which its students throw themselves into the innumerable extra-curricular activities on offer (see page 17
for a literal example). Take any society, and in it you will find an arm or a leg or perhaps the odd whole body of everyone involved, from the president to its newest member. Durham may be a small place, but it doesn’t want for opportunities (though of course there’s always room for more!) The University has proposed a new vision: Experience Durham (front page) in which it plans to “[provide] the mechanism for coordinating sport, music, arts and outreach (staff and student volunteering) activities across the university to create an environment in which everyone can reach their full potential and to maximise the University’s contribution in enriching communities both locally and around the world.” Think Team Durham on a larger scale. You might feel stuck between a rock and a hard place like Aron Ralston, or find that the only words you can say with ease are expletives, à la Colin Firth and his kingly speech because the society or societies which possess a little bit of you are threatened by this. Or you might see it as a chance to make it even better. Either way, it will be the Marmite of Durham over the coming months, I am sure, so watch the debate blossom here and at www.palatinate.org.uk. - Rosanna Boscawen
The week ahead on Palatinate TV
08.02.2011 No. 726 Contents Palatinate
News pages 3-5
News Features pages 6-7 Careers pages 8- 9 Profile page 11 Comment page 12-15 Sport pages 17-20
indigo
Reviews page 2 Cover Story page 3 Features pages 4-5 Food & Drink page 6 Travel indigo, page 7 Fashion pages 8-9
Film & TV page 10 Visual Arts page 11 Stage pages 12 Music page 13 - 14 Books page 15 Games & Photography page 16
Favourites Stage indigo, page 12
‘The Producers’
DULOG’s annual Gala show reviewed Features indigo, page 5
Durham fashion: can students afford to be cool?
Jailbreak 2010: follow in the tracks of the participants
Coming out in Durham
How does Durham respond to coming out?
The Vane Tempest sessions: we interview the bands
The happiness society: tackling student cynicism
www.palatinate.org.uk/tv
Careers Palatinate, page 8
Anonymous Interns
Editorial vacancies Deputy Multimedia Editor Palatinate TV is Durham’s fastestgrowing broadcast media outlet, with a dedicated team of producers, technicians and presenters.
We are looking for someone to assist in managing our video output and bringing a creative flair to productions. For a job description and application form, e-mail ptv@palatinate.org.uk. No previous experience is neccessary.
Paid and unpaid internships investigated
Palatinate is published by Durham Students’ Union on a fortnightly basis during term and is editorially independent. All contributors and editors are full-time students at Durham. Send letters to: Editor, Palatinate, Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AN. Alternatively, send an e-mail to editor@palatinate.org.uk
Editorial Board
Editors-in-Chief Jack Battersby Rosanna Boscawen editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Editor Sophie Zeldin-O’Neill deputy.editor@palatinate.org.uk News Editor Daniel Johnson news@palatinate.org.uk News Features Editor Hugh Anderson-Elliott news.features@palatinate.org.uk Deputy News Editors Mei Leng Yew Sarah Ingrams Hannah Shaddock deputy.news@palatinate.org.uk Queen’s Campus News Editor Lea Georgeson queens@palatinate.org.uk Careers Editor Rachael Revesz careers@palatinate.org.uk Profile Editor David Wynne-Griffith profile@palatinate.org.uk Comment Editor Alexandra Bottomer comment@palatinate.org.uk Sport Editor John Burn-Murdoch sport@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Sport Editor Hugo Morrissey deputy.sport@palatinate.org.uk Indigo Editors Daniel Dyson & Madeleine Cuff indigo@palatinate.org.uk Features Editor Alison Moulds feature@palatinate.org.uk Food and Drink Editor Charlotte Allen food@palatinate.org.uk Travel Editor Jess Jones travel@palatinate.org.uk Fashion Editor Antonia Thier fashion@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Fashion Editors Laura Gregory, Rachel Bailin & Tom Weller deputy.fashion@palatinate.org.uk Visual Arts Editor Tamara Gates visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk Film and Television Editor Madeleine Cuff film@palatinate.org.uk Stage Editors Kathy Laszlo & Lyndsey Fineran stage@palatinate.org.uk Music Editors Olivia Swash & Nico Franks music@palatinate.org.uk Books Editor James Leadill books@palatinate.org.uk Games Editor Jon Zhu games@palatinate.org.uk Chief Sub-Editor Lisa Paul sub-editing@palatinate.org.uk Section Sub-Editors Joanna Turner, Olivia Mercer, Kayleigh Brandon & Gemma Neale Website Editor Chris Miley web.editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Web Editors Tom Weightman & Chris Wastell deputy.web@palatinate.org.uk Photography Editor Quin Murray photography@palatinate.org.uk Illustrations Editors David Drysdale & Claire Coombes illustration@palatinate.org.uk Multimedia Editor Alex Parsons ptv@palatinate.org.uk Publicity Editor Charlie Taverner publicity@palatinate.org.uk
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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Durham News In focus: Ehsan Abdoh-Tabrizi
www.palatinate.org.uk
The plight of a Durham student
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Palatinate investigates Ehsan Abdoh-Tabrizi’s imprisonment and the campaign for his release letter, addressed to Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, Head of the Judiciary in Iran. It requested confirmation that Ehsan’s “case may be brought to trial in the near future”. On New Year’s Day this year, Ehsan was sentenced to a two year prison term for insulting the president, followed by three years for assembly and conspiracy against the regime and a final two years for collaborating with foreign agents. Ehsan believes that the foundation for his arrest can be traced to his presence at a street protest on 27th Dec 2009. The anti-government protests were held after hardline leader Mah-
Mei Leng Yew
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fortnight ago, Palatinate revealed that Ehsan Abdoh-Tabrizi, a PhD student at the University had been sentenced to 7 years in prison, after spending a year imprisoned without trial in Iran. Since Ehsan’s arrest in mid-January 2010, the University has been accused of complacency in their response, and of attempting to prevent both The Guardian and ITV News from publicising Ehsan’s situation. The University has also been attacked for hosting a series of pro-Iranian regime conferences funded by the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRCO). This organisation aims to promote Iranian culture and is the equivalent of the British Council. While the IRCO did not dictate which papers would be presented at the conferences, Dr Colin Turner, codirector of Durham’s Centre for Iranian Studies, has since admitted that the series had been “monopolised” by proregime replacement speakers. The University has been placed under a critical media spotlight, as the response to Ehsan’s imprisonment had until then been limited to private correspondence with the Iranian embassy in London. While staff at the University of Essex, where Ehsan completed his MA, drew up a petition calling for his release, their counterparts in Durham were told that they could only sign such a petition in a personal capacity, without University endorsement. When a group of concerned supporters formed the Campaign to Free Ehsan (CFE) and circulate an online petition to all University staff, only a handful signed. Since the increase of media interest in Ehsan’s plight, there has been a U-turn in the University’s strategy of response. In a statement last August, Pro-ViceChancellor Anthony Forster explained the University’s silence hitherto: “Fol-
lowing discussions with Ehsan’s father, the University agreed that it would not seek publicity as there was no indication that this would help Ehsan’s case. The University was assured by Ehsan’s
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Ehsan was arrested whilst visiting family in Iran in January 2010
father on a number of occasions that its position of official but discrete engagement with the Embassy was the right course of action”. However, the CFE contest this, as Ehsan’s father has encouraged them to lobby on his son’s behalf. The CFE were responsible for bringing the media’s attention to Ehsan and they are now looking to co-ordinate with the DSU and gain support from the University’s student community. This began last week in the form of an emergency debate at the Durham Union Society. Afshin Shahi, an Iranian doctoral student in Durham who is also leading the CFE, argued in favour of the motion “This House believes that Durham University should actively
campaign for the release of Ehsan Abdoh-Tabrizi”. Since publically acknowledging Ehsan’s arrest, the University has sent an open letter to Mr Movahedian, the Ambassador of London’s Iranian Embassy, asking him “to exert whatever influence [he] can to ensure [Ehsan’s] case is resolved as soon as possible”. They received no response and another open letter was sent to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Raising concerns that Ehsan was “not being treated in accordance with basic principles of justice”, the University again asked for the case to be “settled as quickly and as fairly as possible”. There was no reply. Finally, the University sent a third
The number of years Ehsan was sentenced for “insulting the leader”
moud Ahmadinejad was re-elected for a second term in a poll marred by allegations of fraud. The CFE believe that Ehsan is also a victim of phone-tapping, as opinions expressed during private conversations are being used against him. It is also possible that Ehsan was targeted because his father, Hossein, the manager of the banned reformist newspaper Sarmayeh, had previously been an outspoken critic of President Ahmadinejad. Ehsan’s family have now lodged a notice to appeal. However, Afshin has pointed out that there is no way of knowing when or if he will be given an appeal date. Over the past year, Ehsan has been physically tortured and gone on hunger-strike, consequently losing 20 kg in weight. Afshin added, “The appeal would be Ehsan’s last chance. That’s why we have to work together to make a civilised national campaign. Over the last few months, the University has changed their policy in regards to Ehsan and we are extremely happy about that. We hope now to systemise our campaign and synchronise our action with the wider University authorities”. Alice Thubron, President of the The Durham University Amnesty International Society, described Ehsan’s imprisonment as “a stark reminder of the human rights crisis in Iran. Peaceful [people] exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association are targeted by the Iranian authorities”. With Durham’s student population rallying behind Ehsan, the University has once again altered its policy. Following a review on 1st Feb, Prof Forster said, “The University has agreed with Ehsan’s family to do what we can to support any efforts to ensure Ehsan is not forgotten. The family believes that Ehsan’s friends and fellow students in Durham can also play an important role in keeping the case in the public consciousness”.
“Still angry, still here”: Student protestors take to the streets again Huw Silk
University and sixth-form students have taken part in further protests across the country as the campaign continues against the government’s increase of the tuition fee cap. The trade union-organised action at the end of January attracted thousands to the streets, providing an indication that student anger has not abated since
the more high-profile demonstrations of last year. The largest protests took place in Manchester and in London, where the rally was once again centred on Whitehall and Westminster. Despite the government’s insistence that the new tuition fee arrangements are more progressive than the measures which they replaced, Sally Hunt, the general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), accused minis-
ters of “betraying an entire generation”. There was little evidence of violence akin to that which marred the major protests in November and December 2010, although several hundred protestors in Manchester broke through a police cordon, entering streets that were full of Saturday shoppers. Police condemned the movement and announced that twenty people had been arrested as a result. In an unwelcome development for
the demonstrators, there were signs of divisions amongst the students themselves. The president of the NUS, Aaron Porter, was confronted by up to 150 participants who demanded his resignation if he did not take a more hardline anti-cuts stance. Mr Porter, who was advised by police to cancel his plans to address the crowd as a result of the incident, was escorted to safety.
Cathedral hosts Chilean Miner Tim Perry
Durham Cathedral was packed on Monday as locals and students heard one of the 33 Chilean miners rescued last year speak about his time underground. Accompanied by his wife Blanca, José Henriquez – known as the pastor of the group – spoke of all aspects of the ordeal as well as his role as their spiritual leader. José was interviewed on his background, underground life and survival, while he also spoke of how he taught each of the miners individually how to pray and to worship God, ran regular Bible studies and prayer sessions, and how 22 of the miners gave their lives to Jesus whilst trapped. The evening also featured tunes from the Westoe Brass Band, hymns, and José himself praying for the congregation. Mr Henriquez was also accompanied by Alf Cooper, the President of Chile’s chaplain and the man who led prayers for the miners above ground throughout the 69-day rescue effort. Mr Cooper – a descendant of English ancestors who settled in Chile and who himself was educated in England – acted as translator for Spanish-speaking José and Blanca.
José ran daily prayer sessions
Mr Cooper described the events from his point of view including a prayer meeting with government ministers, and how the president of Chile himself, despite an apparently busy schedule, attended a thanksgiving service following the discovery of the miners. Blanca Henriquez spoke of how she encouraged the rest of the wives of miners to pray, and how she – like José – never lost hope in God. 56-year-old drill master Mr Henriquez, the 24th to be rescued, had been a miner for 33 years, although he had been advised against taking up the profession after his father’s warnings of the dangers of the job. The grandson of pastors, he has also had an active music and evangelism ministry throughout his life. The three Chileans are currently on a nine-day UK tour entitled “The 34th Man Tour”, run by the Church Mission Society.
Palatinate interviews José: p11 >
Newspaper delivery service launched A new service promising to deliver discounted newspapers direct to your door is to be launched on 7th Feb. Imaginatively calling itself Durham Newspaper Delivery, the company offers a range of national papers for 90 pence or less. The service is available for all student residents in Durham. Papers are delivered every weekday before SARAH INGRAMS 8am.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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News Durham Durham News
Durham News
www.palatinate.org.uk
Former radical Muslim addresses Union Society Martin Dorset-Purkis
Urally is coming and we’re unwarrantedly excited about it. This summer, for a month, grab any excuse for a car, a few mates and come drive with us in the most exciting charity endurance driving challenge/adventure since wacky races. The premise is simple but brilliant. You choose the month long route around Europe, and the Urally organisers will set the challenges. Your aim is just to gain the most points possible and pursue the coveted title of Urally champions. Some challenges can be done anywhere. For 20 points you can organise a protest against flat pack furniture to last at least one hour and include at least one banner and one chant. Bonus points in this challenge come from signing 20+ up to your petition against said furniture or for proof of being dispersed by police. Other challenges are more placespecific and your route planning should try to encompass as many of these as possible. You might start by driving around the Nurburg ring in Germany for 10 points, Move on to Italy to make a human pyramid next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before heading over to Norway to take on locals at beach volleyball in Langøyene, before climbing a 5000m peak in the alps for a final 20 points. So even if you don’t get crowned champions – who looses from Urally? Well no-one. In fact actually there’s another winner – PEAS, the charity which Urally supports. PEAS stands for Promoting Equality in African Schools and aims to widen access to education in Uganda by founding and developing sustainable, low-fee secondary schools.
“students are the power in society” After the Soviet withdrawal, he helped to set up the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, hoping to establish an Islamic state in Libya. He then went to Sudan where he forged close links with Osama bin Laden and Ayman alZawahiri. After warning al-Qaeda of the danger of their aims, he distanced himself from the group and resigned from his own jihadist organisation. He subsequently joined Quilliam, the world’s first counter-extremism organisation. Here, he published an open letter to his former friend Osama bin Laden. It criticised him for killing innocent civilians and asked him to stop
Trevs hosts alumni art exhibition Claire Read
SCA Column Rachel Partlett
Welcome back to SCA! This term is packed full of exciting events to get involved in; with Student Volunteering Week, the Exec hand over and the oSCArs coming up it’s a great time to make your mark. The oSCArs, on the 27th of February in Castle Great Hall, is an awards evening celebrating all the volunteering you’ve been doing this year. Tickets are free to members and include a buffet and drinks reception, but we have limited number so email community.action@dur.ac.uk to reserve yours now! However, why wait for these events? Whether you’re a fresher finding your feet, a second year looking for a passion or a third year hoping for some dissertation procrastination, we guarantee SCA has got something for you! There are plenty of projects just waiting for you to get in touch. Alternatively, do you have an idea to improve SCA or to make a difference to the way SCA runs? For more information contact community. action@dur.ac.uk or pop into the office on the top floor of the DSU!
Noman Benotman, a former Libyan jihadist leader, spoke at the Durham Union Society on Monday. He spoke about his captivating past, reasons behind al-Qaeda’s anti-western behaviour and possible solutions to terrorism. Born in Libya in 1967, Noman Benotman’s interest in radical Islamism began in the 1980’s. He had been forced out of university because he was considered to be an “anti-revolutionist”. After numerous attempts to re-enter education and pressure to work in the family business in Spain, he returned to Libya. There, he began to practice Islam and soon left for Afghanistan to fight against the Soviet Union. He stated how difficult it was to “be a civilian who became a militant”.
Five foundation year alumnae of Trevelyan College have returned to open an exhibition of their work to be held at the college throughout this month. The Parson’s Field Painters, whose name comes from the house they lived in as first years, are a group of former students who, having led careers ranging from the BBC and LibDem politics to Olympic rowing, have begun to meet regularly to paint. Trevelyan College’s first principal, Joan Bernard, suggested they hold the exhibition, which is being hosted by the Trevelyan College Fine Arts Committee. Gillie Bradshaw, the Committee’s administrator, said “There was a real buzz in the air. It’s been great fun welcoming them back. Trevelyan is quite an arty college and students take an active part in hosting exhibitions each term”. The paintings are on sale and the exhibition runs until 11th March.
al-Qaeda’s armed operations. This letter was widely publicised in the Muslim world. Noman Benotman explained how misunderstanding Islam can create terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda.
CHRIS WILLETTS
CHRIS WILLETTS
DUCK Officer’s Column
Rowena Caine
Noman originally forged close links with Osama bin Laden
“If you must fight against a society after it has given you a safe haven,” he stated, “you must leave the country and let them know before you attack. This is the real Islam.” Benotman also provided possible solutions to terrorism around the world. He believes that al-Qaeda has prepared the West for future attacks. “If we can contain something as strong as al-Qaeda,” he argued, “it will send a message to the other extremist groups.” Benotman feels that it is a Muslim’s duty to speak out and to protect the correct Islam. Guy Miscampbell, a second year Politics and Economics student and Director of debating, described the address as “insightful” and felt that it “explained solutions in great depth.” Noman Benotman expressed his pleasure to be in Durham. He stressed the importance of “making students aware of terrorism and radical Islam” and stated that “students are the power in society.”
Welfare week Chinese New Year welcomed a success with Lion Dance and parade Jess Gordon
Last week, Durham Welfare Committee hosted ‘Disabilities Awareness Week’. One of several welfare campaigns run throughout the year, Disabilities Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness and combat stigma surrounding those with a disability. As a part of the campaign, the University organised several talks, featuring prolific guest speakers. The events were held at the Lindisfarne Centre in St. Aidans. Speaking on behalf of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Mark Wright delivered an explanation of the 2010 Equality Act before hosting a discussion concerning changes to disabled peoples’ opportunities in light of those forecast for Higher Education. On Wednesday night, Natalie Crisp, the former DSU President, hosted an Autism Awareness Workshop. Students attended a discussion forum on Thursday concerning ‘The Future of Disability Rights’. Panelists included: leading researcher in disability policy Alan Roulstone, co-chair of the Autistic Rights Movement UK, Russell Stronach, and Aaron Baker, Senior Lecturer in Law. Hild Bede’s Welfare Representative Kate Newton explained: “disabilities week is one of the most important campaign weeks run within the university. There are 8.5 million disabled people in the UK – that’s one seventh of the population”.
The display featured two expert dancers from Oceans Apart Kung Fu Club Charlotte Kertrestel
Crowds lined the streets of Durham last Saturday, as the city welcomed in the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. The infamous procession, which featured local dancers and musicians, was just as energetic and colourful as last year’s event. The Lion Dance began at 13.00 at Market Place, proceeding to Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, The Gates, the Indoor Market, Millennium Place and Walkergate for a series of ceremonial dances throughout the afternoon. Each year, the impressive costumes and performances bring throngs of people to the streets of the city. The display featured two expert
dancers from Oceans Apart Kung Fu Club, wearing a lion costume with fluttering eyelids and a moveable jaw, and accompanied by a host of percussionists. The parade featured a tradition in which the lion chewed on a lettuce before spitting it out to a chosen dignitary from the city. It is said that catching the lettuce will bring the city good luck for the rest of the year. The parade is part of several events celebrating the Chinese New Year. On Thursday 17th February, The Oriental Museum will host a Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, offering the opportunity to visit the museum at night and take part in a dragon parade.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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National News
www.palatinate.org.uk DSU President’s Column Sam Roseveare
Yesterday evening was spent with a meal at Spags with the DSU Exec, followed by a very good ISA event at the Boathouse. However, the night has taken its toll, and I’m feeling a little groggy as the screen glares back. Last week, the student body voted to re-affiliate to the NUS. As you might expect, I am relieved, and glad that the turnout in the referendum not only greater than the previous two, but the biggest turnout we’ve seen in recent years. Credit must go to Ustinov and Butler, for pushing out huge percentage increase in turnout, as well as Collingwood and Trevelyan, who voted in the greatest numbers. With the referendum past, it’s time to look over the issues of the coming weeks and months. No doubt the candidates for my position next year will wax lyrical about the challenges they plan to face off, and the election begins in full swing with the close of nominations next week. Alongside the trustee and sabbatical elections, we also have the prospect of NUS delegates being elected. Although the elections will come around later this year, we’ll have full knowledge of the issues being debated, which should help inform your choice of candidates. Over the course of the next month, and with considerable delay, HEFCE are beginning consultation with HEIs (i.e. Durham) over the white paper. We’ve got the intention now – fees will rise to between £6k and £9k, and all that remains is to see how it will be put into place. Delays in consultation can only mean one thing: politics. Whatever the detail, it’s likely to be messy, so we’ll be following the threads as best we can. Bill Bryson will step down as Chancellor at the end of this academic year, and we’ll be looking at how to celebrate his Chancellorship as it draws to a close. Bill’s been a really active member of the Durham community, and we’d welcome any suggestions you may have on how best to celebrate his contribution to the University. Please forward any suggestions to dsu.president@durham.ac.uk. We’re also having a close look at the use of Dunelm House. Regardless of how you feel about the 20th century’s greatest contribution to medieval architecture, I think there is broad agreement that the insides of this concrete beast can be put to better use. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, we’re continuing to receive comments and suggestions for how the space can be better used. Bear in mind that outright demolition is not an option, and lacks originality, I’m afraid... Again, suggestions to dsu.president@durham.ac.uk Finally, and most importantly, the National Student Survey (NSS) began on the 24th January, and continues over the course of the next few weeks. Its importance to the University is paramount, and the results of the survey are subjected to many hours of analysis, discussion and in some instances down-right soul searching. The College which gets the highest turnout is awarded £500. Mary’s used it for their graduation dinners last year. Conducted by Ipsos MORI, the survey can be accessed on-line at www.thestudentsurvey.com To contact Sam, e-mail: dsu.president@durham.ac.uk
‘Gap yah’ graduates favoured by employers, research reveals Sarah Ingrams
N
ew research reveals that over half of managers consider gap years to be as important as degrees when looking for new recruits. The study, commissioned by Projects Abroad, found that 60% of business managers believed that gap years were just as important or more important than degrees when short listing candidates for interview.
anyone who ever doubted the value of overseas gap year travel. To learn that gap year experiences hold an equal footing with employers alongside a degree, really shows just how far this once ‘off-the-wall’ concept has come”. said they 6/10 Managers believe gap years are just as important as degrees
tial impacts of the government’s decision to increase university tuition fees. With fees soaring to as much as £9,000 per year and budget airlines offering flights for under £100, the prospect of travelling instead of studying is tempting; even more so if it’s equally valued by employers. On the other hand, following recent headlines stating that graduate unemployment is at the highest level in a decade, students may turn to gap
Weird World News Musical tie banned from the commons MPs are used to being heckled in the Commons, particularly if it is a Tory MP discussing education cuts. However, even Nadhim Zahawi, the MP for Stratford Upon Avon, did not expect to be met with such persistent interruption when he began his speech on a lack of funding for the EMA scheme. Mr Zahawi’s tie was so incensed that it could not help but emit a earpiercing tune for over 20 seconds, before the MP managed to silence it. The musical tie, who works with a charity to champion bowel cancer awareness, will not be allowed back into the chambers again after the Deputy Speaker, Dawn Primarolo, advised Mr Zahawi MP to be “more selective with the ties that he wears”. However, one member of the public did remark that for once, it had been nice to see something in the chamber who would give a response when pressed.
Takeaway tracksuit ban
The Projects Abroad study found that 60% of 253 business managers believed that gap years are just as important as degrees
253 managers, spanning various sectors and regions of the UK, were asked to rate the importance of a gap year against a degree. Just 44% valued the traditional university degree as more important than a gap year. Meanwhile, 7% believed that a gap year was more crucial than a degree. The remaining 53% gave the two options equal weighting when assessing job applicants. These findings suggest that UK employers recognise the merit of gap years; a welcome reassurance for those who took a year out before university. Dr. Peter Slowe, founder and director of Projects Abroad, said: “These findings serve as a real wake-up call to
And a gap year can help develop skills valued by employers. The Prospects website, which offers advice on graduate careers, cites team work, gaining a broader vision and organisation as just some of the key competencies gained on a gap year. Such skills are valued the most by employers in the HR, travel & transport and healthcare sectors, who the study revealed are the most likely to see gap years as equally desirable as a degree. In contrast, the engineering sector places most value on the traditional degree. But the findings may still come as a surprise to some. A decline in gap year travel is one of the immediate poten-
years to give them the edge over other applicants. Dr. Slowe said: “In a climate where graduates in particular face fierce competition in the job market and need every opportunity to stand out from the crowd, we should be encouraging young people in this country to embrace the idea of gap year travel”. He added: “Gap years can offer great life experiences and can be hugely rewarding”. www.prospects.ac.uk stresses that “employers value gap years, but only if they have been well thought through and structured so that you can sell them in a relevant way”.
Mixed messages for job-seeking graduates Hannah Shaddock
Job-seeking graduates are facing fresh obstacles this week, as reports reveal changing attitudes towards the value of a university education. Information recently released by the Office of National Statistics shows that around a fifth of graduates are unemployed, with recent graduates faring the worst. However, the statistics did show that young graduates are still more likely to find a job that those without a degree, with 11.6% of 21-24 year old graduates unemployed, compared to 14.6% of young people without a university education. Although graduates are apparently more sought-after in the jobs market, a recent survey has revealed that many are dissatisfied with the experience their degree gave them, believing that their university education did not
equip them with the skills looked for by potential employers. The survey, by website totaljobs. com, showed that 38% of recent gradu-
38%
The percentage of recent graduates who have claimed jobseekers allowance since completing their degree SOURCE: WWW.TOTALJOBS.COM
ates have had to claim jobseeker’s allowance since completing their degree. Nearly half (44%) of the 448 graduates questioned said they did not believe that university had prepared them for work, while a quarter said that they would not recommend higher education to sixth form students. Mike Fetters, graduate director at totaljobs.com, suggested that plans to triple tuition fees may help the current
situation, as higher fees will “focus the minds of those wishing to go to university on which skills are most in demand in the jobs market”. Concern at the unemployment rates amongst graduates prompted the news earlier this year that several universities are proposing to award marks to students on some degree courses who show corporate skills and initiative. Durham University has announced that it will offer degrees sponsored by management firm KPMG, who will pay the fees of 75 students studying for a BSc in business. However, the outlook for graduates is not entirely bleak. Statistics also show a rise in the number of graduate jobs available, with a survey of around 200 UK employers indicating that graduate opportunities have increased by 8.9%
A McDonald’s branch in Leyland, Lancs is refusing to serve under-18s wearing tracksuits after 7pm, in the hopes of deterring what the manager has called “gang-style fighting”. Potential customers were turned away and only served when they returned 15 minutes later wearing a suit and tie. Although pleased with the two cheeseburgers, fries and a drink he eventually purchased, Scott Wilson was still incensed that his jogging bottoms had not been respectable enough for the up-market fast food chain. McDonald’s is only one in a long line of establishments imposing dress codes on their clientele. Customers at a Tesco’s store in Cardiff are refused entrance if they arrive wearing pyjamas, nightgowns or slippers, while Santa hats were banned from a pub in Somerset in 2006.
Top Gun in China A television channel in China has been accused of using Hollywood film footage in a recent news report. The channel, China’s state broadcaster, is thought to have used scenes from Top Gun in an item about China’s Air Force, which also contained interviews with top military figures. The channel claimed that the footage showed a live-fire exercise, but many viewers noted the similarity with a scene from Top Gun, in which a plane is fired at and then bursts in to flames. An insider for the channel said that it is not the first time that this has happened, with film footage often used by “lazy” editors.
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Email news@palatinate.org.uk
6
Newsreferendum Durham NUS
Tuesday 8th February 2011 | PALATINATE
www.palatinate.org.uk
Durham rejoins the NUS
.
Yet another referendum on affiliation to the NUS results in a reversal of the previous result Roseveare’s personal and public support for the pro-NUS campaign. The
Hugh Anderson-Elliott & Daniel Johnson
3780
The number of
Only a year after Durham students students who voted to disaffiliate from the NUS, voted Durham Students’ Union (DSU) is to re-affiliate. 60.4% voted in favour in the online vote last week, a larger margin of DSU President admitted that had stuvictory than the 51.8% winning total dents voted to remain apart from NUS, achieved by the ‘No to NUS’ campaign he would have proposed a vote of no confidence in himself. Roseveare insisted that there was “no conflict of interest”, adding that he believes “it’s highly unusual for Sabbatical Officers not to take a position.” However, this is entirely the opposite standpoint to that held by Roseveare’s predecessor, Natalie Crisp, who said at the time of the previous referendum: “As a student union, we were completely neutral on this. We presented information from both sides. We facilitated both the yes and no campaigns.” She Sam Roseveare, DSU President went on to add, “We’ve got to be reactive to what our members want.” this time last year. Speaking to Palatinate on Rose2282 students voted yes to the mo- veare’s role, Joe Taylor, head of the ‘No tion “Should Durham Students’ Union to NUS’ campaign said: “I do feel this be affiliated to the National Union of biased the response of many students.” Students”, with 1498 voting against. Nonetheless, he also described this as Sam Roseveare, who openly supported “not intrinsically a problem...It is just NUS during the campaign, said: “I am unfortunate that some of his campaigndelighted that the student body has ing was poorly researched and thus invoted as I had hoped. By reaffiliating accurate”. with NUS, we will regain access to a naThere were also accusations of foul tional voice and will make our position play, for which the ‘Yes’ campaign paid stronger.” a nominal penalty of 19 votes for disSpeaking about the result, a spokes- playing posters in the DSU. man for the ‘No’ campaign described it as “not entirely surprising.” In acknowledging defeat on their website, the ‘No to NUS’ campaign was keen to point out that it “is notable that the No campaign was entirely run and organised by Durham students,” highlighting the perceived mismatch between the resources of the two campaigns with the DSU taking such an active role. Letter to the DUS from the NUS Questions had been raised both about the timing of the referendum and the comparative ability of each side to The turnout was markedly higher run their campaigns. than in the previous two referenda, Mr Roseveare insisted that all con- with 21.6% of the student body voting, cerned have been aware of the date of compared with just 14.5% in last year’s the referendum for some time. “The vote which led to the DSU disaffiliating No campaign were fully aware that this from NUS. was happening, and we have had this in Kristina Hagen, DSU Societies and our diaries since June”. Student Development Officer, said: Concerns were also expressed about “I’m overjoyed at the absolutely fantastic turnout. It’s great to see such an increase and it’s really encouraging for the future.” St. Cuthbert’s Society was the only college in which the majority of students voted against reaffiliation. The lowest turnout was at Stephenson College, where just 5.34% of students voted, whereas Collingwood and Grey made up almost a quarter of the overall turnout. The vote took place almost exactly a year since Durham students chose to disaffiliate from the NUS in last year’s referendum, which was called after the aggressive actions of the NUS caused a debate about multiculturalism at the Durham Union Society to be cancelled. Controversy began when two executive members of the NUS sent a letter to the Union Society which seemed to threaten violence if the debate, featuring members of the British National DSU President Sam Roseveare
“We will regain access to a national voice which will make the DSU’s position stronger”
“If any students are hurt in and around this event the responsibility will lie with you”
Aarom Porter, President of the NUS, debates the affiliation motion at the Union Society. The DSU President Sam Roseveare supported him as second speaker, in a move that has sparked some controversy, as other DSU sabbatical officers remained neutral during the campaign
CHRIS WILLETTS
Party, went ahead. The letter attracted significant criticism with its strongly-worded claims, asserting that the NUS would be “mobilising nationally and organising coach loads of students to demonstrate at your university,” and “If any students are hurt in and around this event, the responsibility will lie with you.” The debate was subsequently cancelled after the University deemed it a safety risk to go ahead. An internet campaign, known as “Durham University Students for Freedom of Speech”, was set up in response, and attracted several thousand members. In recognition of the high profile of the case, last year’s NUS President Wes Streeting came to Durham to personally address the issue in front of a crowd of around 300 students. Although he agreed that the NUS had made a “huge, monumental cockup”, Streeting’s appearance did little to
appease students and a petition was filed shortly afterwards which prompted the referendum. Despite the fact that a vote had already
51.6%
The pecentage of no votes last year’
been held on the issue in November, with 80% voting in favour of affiliation with the NUS, a second referendum took place in March. The result was close, but the majority of students voted in favour of the motion, with 1295 students voting to leave the NUS, and 1217 voting to stay. According to the DSU constitution a referendum may be called on any issue by ‘any member via a secure petition signed by 3% of the membership’.
As such, purely with the number of no votes in the referendum just passed, any campaign to disaffiliate from the NUS can simply call another university wide referendum. The number of ‘no’ votes was 1498, and at just under ten percent of the DSU membership, this is more than enough to force another referendum. However in November last year the DSU council approved an additional clause to the standing orders, namely the brand new C 2.1.4 which now states, ‘Only one referendum on any given topic shall be held per academic year, except in the case of constitutional amendments.’ This has not yet been added to the document of Standing Orders available on the DSU’s website. While 12 months at least is thus assured, Roseveare added that he hopes “this decision will last for a little longer than 12 months.”
E
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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NUS referendum
www.palatinate.org.uk
as over 60% vote in favour Questions over role of DSU President Sam Roseveare in ‘Yes’ campaign CHRIS WILLETTS
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The financial question Leila Habbal
The votes are officially in and the student body has spoken; Durham University is now re-affiliated with the NUS. Since the disaffiliation last year, it is clear that much has changed in the minds of students regarding this heavily debated issue. But what actually are the benefits from being a member? The most debated and documented aspect of the campaign was cost-effectiveness; is it really financially advantageous to be part of the NUS? The DSU has maintained throughout the campaign that affiliation saves the university money, mainly through cheaper alcohol. This despite former NUS president Wes Streeting admitting in Durham last year that “joining NUS does not turn a profit”, which all assumed to mean that it does not actually save money. Streeting also said this at a time when membership fee was £18,584. It is now £24,841, an increase of a third. According to data provided by NUS Services Limited (NUSSL), it is be advantageous to be affiliated to secure the discounted alcohol. The DSU makes
roughly an 18.75% saving in using the NUS as their supplier for alcohol as opposed to using the main alternative The University Catering Organisation (TUCO). For example, if disaffiliated, the DSU would pay an extra £15 per barrel of beer, totaling £3.5k extra per annum. However, opponents of reaffiliation directly contest these figures, and describe the data provided by the DSU as “a highly biased analysis”, accusing them of providing incomplete data. Affiliation to the NUS does of course allow various discounts at many retail stores. However, the ‘No to NUS’ has been swift to point out that some
2514
The number of bottles of spirits ordered by St. Cuth’s
of these do not require NUS affiliation. Most notable was the confusion over discounts at Topshop, which was represented as only available to NUS affiliated students.
The Vital statistics: the numbers we should know
£24, 841
The annual membership fee of the NUS, up from £18,584 last year
21.6% 19
The student turnout for this referendum, around a third higher than last year
2,000,000 + Debate overheard: some of the better points from around Durham “Girl: I thought the “Girl 1: “are you going to “Why do all the vote in the referendum?” acronyms have to be NUS was our three letters long and debating club, why Girl 2: “Nah I’m not. I thought we already voted would we want to have a U in them, I last year?” really can’t handle it leave that? Girl 1: “Apparently. What anymore! The NUS Boy: Because they can’t be related to us, invited the BNP you is NUS anyway?”
it hasn’t got a D in it.”
idiot, we’re disaffiliating them.”
Girl 2: “I think they are a drinks company.. .””
The ‘Yes’votes deducted for infringements of the rules by the ‘Yes campaign’ Approximate membership of NUS, which represents 600 student unions
Durham participation poor yet again Hugh Aderson-Elliott
Although DSU Societies and Student Development Officer Kristina Hagen described the number of students who went online to vote as an “absolutely fantastic turnout”, one once again observed the apathy that appears to be consistent among Durham students. In the context of past referenda, a turnout of 21.6% is a perfectly reasonable. When past voting figures are taken into account this is in reality 50% higher than expected, with only 14.5% voting last year. This was despite the high profile dispute involving freedom of speech and the BNP, two pretty arresting and public issues.
In real terms, the fact that only one in five students could be bothered to take the twenty seconds to vote online is a damning indictment of the involvement of the Durham student. Hopefully this means nothing more than many of us just didn’t have time to read up on the facts. After poor turnout in protests over education cuts and tuition fees, despite the monopoly that they held over the national media for several weeks, it was clear that Durham was not exactly a hotbed of political opinion or debate. But no longer do we have the excuses that it was all very far away, or that it wasn’t really affecting us. This was local, immediate, and we didn’t even have to stand in the cold. In fact we could all have voted in bed.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
8
Careers
Careers
www.palatinate.org.uk
The Anonymous Interns are fighting back
The plight of interns is finally making it into the headlines: websites such as Intern Aware and Interns Anonymous are active forums where students can be sure that their voice is being heard Rachael Revesz
M
y ‘stint’ at several national newspapers left me with a large overdraft and hideous memories of hour-long inaudible dictaphone recordings, long afternoons of scouring Google news and frequent, pointless inbox-scouring sessions (it was always empty). Having said that, however, I made contacts, managed to write by-lines, gained a deeper insight into the atmosphere of a hectic newsroom and developed my ‘interpersonal skills’ as I was required to approach people on the street to gather public opinion on topical issues. I made many cups of coffee, but only because I volunteered. And, amazingly
enough, I came out of that experience still wanting to be a journalist. Internships, although seen as a “must-have” in many industries, come in varying forms. Although the current national minimum wage is £5.93 per hour for anyone of 21 years of age or over, interns are more often than not working for free. Some don’t even get travel expenses. But whether the internship is paid or unpaid, surely an internship provides crucial work experience, industry knowledge, valuable contacts and a major boost for the CV? That’s not enough, according to Alex Try, Co-Founder of Internsanonymous.co.uk, a blog which has, over the past two years, successfully recorded the ups and downs of paid and unpaid interns as they slowly trundle towards that first job. Speaking of unpaid work placements, Alex explains; “The only people who get ahead are those that can afford to get ahead. The knock-on effect regarding social mobility is obvious. What’s more, previously paid entry-level jobs are now being replaced by rolling three month unpaid internship schemes”.
The phenomenon of the unpaid disgruntled intern has struck a chord among thousands of graduates across the country, as they unite to complain about their dire experiences and work placements from hell. Their active forum at Interns Anonymous, buzzing with irritation, is a first of its kind, proving that students may put up with what they’re given for a few weeks or months, but that doesn’t mean they will keep quiet about it. Alex Try spent a year applying for jobs after graduating and undertook a three month unpaid placement with a Westminster based Think Tank. He says; “What almost every intern who writes to us agrees on is that internships have become a pre-requisite for getting on that first step of the job ladder”. But why is there such a discrepancy between different industries? While banking interns are only taken on, in most cases, to be paid and even possibly be offered a lucrative job at the end of it, why are those in the creative field struggling to make ends meet? “Politics and the media are notorious for unpaid work,” Alex explains. “But now it’s very unlikely that even lawyers, accountants or graphic designers will make it without slaving away for months on end”. It looked like things might change, however: as part of Labour’s manifesto under Ed Milliband, interns would receive payment. But then I met a Durham student who had spent six weeks interning for a major Labour MP last summer, who hadn’t even received travel expenses. “The opportunity to work in the Westminster Village was truly valuable, with or without paid expenses,” he was quick to tell me. This very same MP’s photograph is featured on the website Intern Aware, smiling and holding a signed document to recognise his
What do Durham students have to say about their internships? I worked for Redken (part of L’Oréal UK ) as a marketing intern with a salary of £18,000 p.a. before taxes. The colleagues I worked with were incredibly down to earth and disproved the preconceptions I had about what kind of people a cosmetics giant might employ. I was one of the luckier interns in that I worked 9-5 (some arrived at 8am and stayed until 8pm) and was allowed to take an hour lunch break. Internships seem to vary wildly at L’Oréal. While some interns are given huge amounts of responsibility, others are not. Despite being a minority, some of my colleagues had a bad time working at L’Oréal because of constantly receiving huge amounts of work they couldn’t manage. Anonymous, St Cuthbert’s Society
long term love so much more. Louisa Robinson I got an internship with an Italian tourism company as part of my degree. It was a three-month successful experience, because I learnt a lot in translation and tourism management; nonetheless I got neither travel expenses nor a vague chance for any future job agreement. Hence young people get exploited and have to struggle even just to cope with their expenses. Giuseppe Lenzo
I did a threeweek unpaid “rare opportunity” internship with a casting agency in central London. I have just sent off my applicaI was handed a short film project tion to try to secure a graduate on my first day and had to organplacement at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle, which offers an unpaid ise outreach programmes. I often 8 week programme of 20 hours per stayed in the office past 6pm. I week. I think this placement would learnt that they just took on free interns every few weeks to help out present me with a bolthole to network and get to know the in- with the projects. Not really a rare ner workings of the theatre. Should opportunity! I be successful, I would happily give Emily Canfor-Dumas, Hilde Bede up my paid catering assistant post I did a two week internship over the to give my full energy to pursuing Christmas holidays at the something I will in the commitment to their manifesto. Ben Lyons, Co-Director of Intern Aware, a website which campaigns for the rights of unpaid interns, estimates that 99% of Parliamentary interns are unpaid. He told Palatinate; “It is highly disappointing if MPs who have promised to campaign to end unpaid internships don’t practice what they preach. Moreover, there are very damaging implications for British democracy if only the relatively well-off can afford to start careers in politics”. With these facts in mind, Intern Aware are campaigning to end the exploitation of interns in Parliament, hoping thereby to ensure that it is not just those with money or high-up connections who receive the best opportunities. So, in view of the national minimum wage laws, should the unpaid interns be fighting for their rights? Alex Try thinks we should. “If you do more than shadowing for a few weeks, are relied upon to produce work, have set hours – and don’t get paid
– then you can take your employer to court and claim back a wage. Sadly, the competition for jobs is so fierce that only a small minority of interns are willing to complain”. Nick Petrie, one of the co-founders of “Wannabe Hacks”, a blog which documents five young journalists’ attempts to crack the industry, laments how ‘intern’ has become a dirty word. “There is an assumption now that being an intern means you will be being taken advantage of - exploited and whilst not always true, I often wonder why companies bother to offer a scheme in the first place when they invest so little time and imagination into them. Having interned at a few different companies now it has become clear that you can never be quite sure what you will get”. And according to Nick, there doesn’t seem to be much hope in the near future: “This is a huge problem with a system that is already broken, not only are internships elitist and London centric (says an all too
Sunday Times and thought it was really not worth it – I basically paid £80 in travelcards to sit at a desk doing nothing all day! Sophia R. James I completed an unpaid internship with M&C Saatchi, a top advertising agency. On the first day, I was assigned to an account handling team and given responsibility for creating a presentation comparing various newspaper adverts. I was given client exposure through meetings, spent a day at a recording studio and helped with their campaigns. Even if you have to pay for accommodation in
London, anyone who wants a taste of advertising should apply with no reservation! James B, St Cuthbert’s Society How was your internship? Write to careers@palatinate.org.uk aware middles class, white, male Londoner) but they lack quality and consistency of opportunity”. Maybe, after all, there are other opportunities to showcase our talent and abilities? Nick agrees. “Dig deep, find your inner entrepreneurial spirit and show people what you can do. Self-created projects like Wannabe Hacks have taken me much further in life than any opportunity offered to me”.
For more information visit these websites: www.internaware.org.uk www.internsanonymous. co.uk www.wannabehacks. co.uk Read more from Nick Petrie and Alex Try at www.palatinate.org.uk.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
9
Durham News Careers
www.palatinate.org.uk
With great power comes great responsibility Muzaffar Khan argues that this concept is gaining a new momentum as Harvard and other business schools adapt their MBA curriculums. The aim: instill a sense of moral obligation into the next generation of wealthy bankers Rachael Revesz
Muzaffar Khan is what one might call a “big-shot”. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, the 41 year old made his fortune at various banks on Wall Street and in London (at one point working as a consultant to the Man Group Plc with $75bn in AUM). He has now turned his attention towards activities such as the promotion of renewable energy and mentoring young people who have the capacity to achieve yet, for whatever reason, are not fulfilling their potential.
“How do you create a structure where people who take the risk also bare its cost?”
Durham is to expect him on February 12th, along with Hugh Pym, a financial and political journalist, and Howard Wheeldon, a senior strategist and economic expert, to talk to students about the financial crisis and its impact on a global scale, the developmental challenges we face and the most innovative ways to deal with them. The students who come to the seminar will also get very specific advice on how to get top jobs in the city, as well as tips on how to improve their grades. We should probably listen to the panellists. After all, one of Khan’s first LSE student mentees, Jan Sramek, the UK A-level record holder with £100,000 worth of scholarships under his belt, was named one of 100 Rising Stars by Financial News – all before his 23rd birthday. But what pushes so many graduates towards the city in the first place? “Money”, is Khan’s simple response. “Who can afford a four bedroom house in London, if not bankers? People realise that a banker’s salary allows them to lead an affluent lifestyle”. I supposed that this was also Khan’s motivation. “Not really. When I had made enough to live on, the drive for me was how I could contribute to the world”.
“Money wasn’t really my motivation. The drive for me was to contribute to the world.” Khan retired almost eight years ago – “retired” here means working as Managing Director and Principal Board Member of several social enterprises and international charities – but insists that he wasn’t tired of making money in the hedge fund world. “I see society as having rights on me as well. Our activities are supported and nurtured by the taxpayer and, on some level, I owe my achievement to them. I have this in mind in the way I trade, in the way I interact with clients: it’s always on the back of my mind that society at large is a partner in my success”.
Two words: Fred Goodwin. Surely the wealthy are only in a position to give so much back since they have taken so much in the beginning? “Bankers are simply acting as rational economic agents: they can and do move if they are offered a higher salary elsewhere. What is more important to focus on is how transparent and responsible banks are in the way they take risks”. But Khan does deplore the obvious contradiction in the banking system. “When banks make a profit, bankers get paid. When banks make a loss, the taxpayer foots the bill and the bankers still get paid. There is something inherently difficult to accept about that. How do you create a structure where people who take the risk also bear the cost of that risk?” Khan explains that, due to the massive bail out of the worldwide banking centre by the taxpayer, money has been reallocated from health, education and welfare payments to propping up the financial system, and undeniably these cuts in social spending have left scars. Furthermore, the worldwide developmental challenges that will be discussed in Durham’s seminar – such as global poverty, education, health care and the environment – have been exacerbated by the financial crisis, and therefore our sense of obligation to give something back, when working in this lucrative banking industry, should be even greater. But how does all this affect our out-
look, or help us on the road to success? “It’s the idea behind it,” Khan responds. “It’s fine to make a lot of money, but it is important that the wealthiest people have a symbiotic relationship with their wealth creators – i.e. the people. At its finest, that translates into people such as Bill Gates, who give large amounts of money to good causes. By doing these things, we are facilitating other people’s transition into society”.
“The great thing about Durham is how much power you students have to get what you want.” But it’s not just global poverty that business people such as Khan are fighting. “Aspirational poverty” is often the reason cited behind under-achieving. In order to get that top job and to increase our self-belief, there are two core pieces of advice, according to Khan, that are worth listening to. Firstly, finding a good mentor is the key to success. “Without advice or people to support and guide you, the journey will be much harder. Students tend to spend a lot of time discussing career options with each other, which can run the risk of the blind leading the blind. Having direct communications with some-
body who is already in the City is much more helpful”. Khan has co-authored a book with his mentee Jan Smarek– “Racing Towards Excellence” – which contains “5% of his knowledge – a great start” for any City wannabe. When asked about his somewhat idealistic ideas of worklife balance in the book, Khan insists that this balance is possible, especially if we bag ourselves a good mentor. But how do we go about finding one? “Durham is particularly lucky in that, because of its reputation, in any given year you could get 100 speakers to come and give talks. The problem is, do students attend? Do the societies work together to find the speakers? How many students get involved and vote in their elections? The great thing is how much power you guys have in getting what you want. So it’s sad to see how poorly-attended these lectures are”. The second core piece of advice is to obtain the highest class of degree that you can. “Students often don’t understand how important a 2:1 can be: it is a basic filter, especially for front office jobs in sales, trading and investment banking. Your employer has nothing else objective to go on. It’s a strict benchmark, and an easy quantifiable one”. The forum of high-profile speakers in which Khan will be participating takes place on 12th February, in conjunction with the Durham University Investment and Finance Group (DUIFG), and should prove to stimulate exciting
Muzaffar Khan: Bio Moved to England from Pakistan aged 11. Obtained BSc at LSE in Industrial and Business Economics Obtained MA in English Literature at King’s College, London 1994/95 - tested careers at Citibank as private then investment banker Worked as foreign exchange trader then head of income at Barclays Capital Promoted to strategist at Moore Capital Retired March 2003 Became Vice Chairman of ACOPS (marine charity) 2007 - obtained 2nd MA at LSE in development studies and started mentoring uni students Became consultant to Man Group Plc Co-authored book “Racing Towards Excellence” 2011 - Principal and Board Member of Space Energy AG and Managing Director of Alchemy Ventures Ltd, a social enterprise fighting aspirational poverty
Muzaffar Khan urges Durham students to attend the forum on 12 February
debate as well as giving a broader perspective on the world of finance.
“Students often don’t understand the importance of the class of their degree.”
“I hope that the Durham students can come away from this seminar having cultivated a sense of moral responsibility, so that they can contribute to creating a world with fair rules, integrity and mutual benefit. Without that all you create is an a moral vacuum”. So come along to profit from the combined experience of these panellists. Who can argue with a man who managed the largest hedge fund in the world? “Students don’t understand that advice – or at least the right kind at the right time – is much more powerful than just walking out with a degree”.
The DUIFG forum will be held in the Palace Green Debating Chamber on the 12th of February at 7pm until 8.30pm. Attendance is free and open to all students.
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Durhamminer News Chilean
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José Henriquez: The Pastor of Atacama
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“While we can pray there is still hope. Prayer is Christianity’s oxygen.” After these sessions, the Pastor himself told Palatinate that he would “distribute prayer tasks to be completed during the day”. Not only did this provide the men with sorely needed distraction from their disastrous predicament, it also crucially gave them peaceful minds, fixated upon hope, not despair. Mr Henriquez, gave a vivid description of the chilling moment in which an explosive collapse trapped him in the chamber under 720 meters of robust rock. “I was in the shelter at the time of the explosion. There is no time to even think in a moment like that, one tends to just react, not think. I couldn’t see further than one meter in front of my face for the next 4 hours”. In the moment when they realized that they were trapped, Mr Henriquez was typically adamant: “I cried to God and he answered me urging me to call them together”. On what must have been a difficult memory to recount, Mr Henriquez spoke of the “devastating blow that we
True Inspiration: Mr. Henriquez is currently on a world tour preaching at various Cathedrals about his Christian faith and the miners’ story suffered when we realized that it was impossible to escape”. However, the hardest step was yet to come. How would they begin to cope with the harsh conditions of the mine? How would they survive with only 3 days worth of food and 1 day’s worth of drinking water? And the most impending question of all, would they be rescued? Faced with these mortal dilemmas, the most mentally robust of men could be forgiven to resorting to maddening despair. Not José Henriquez. On that fateful first day when he “slept on the seat of my machinery truck”, he confessed to Palatinate that he had “put himself in the hands of God”. As the prayer leader of the group he managed to get non-believing Christians to “kneel down in the dirty mud and humble ourselves before God”. For Mr Henriquez, the safe passage back to the outside world rested on their mutual faith in “the living God who answers prayer”. However, it was the actual unearthing of the miners that Mr Henriquez believes was the final proof of divine intervention. As many drilling operations skirted around the outside of the miners tiny chamber, José admitted to Palatinate that “we thought that they would give us up for dead”. But, as yet another drill threatened to narrowly pass them by, it struck a rogue rock formation with such force that it was deflected into the chamber where the miners resided. On this apparently miraculous occurrence, Mr Henriquez explained that “even unbelieving scientists said that it was a miracle that the drill bit hit a rock and deflected into our chamber”. For the ever-faithful Pastor, this was no miracle, but an act of God.
Since their miraculous rescue, the 33 miners have gone from the sheltered life of the small town of Copiacó in the Atacama Desert, to global stardom, some attending football matches in private boxes at Old Trafford and others visiting Graceland, the renowned mansion of Elvis Presley. However, José Henriquez’s new ‘rockstar’ status has only fuelled his overflowing spirituality. He humbly admitted to Palatinate that “I try and take it as simply as I can with humility. While this celebrity lasts I would like it to be a bridge to take the message of Jesus to the world”. Indeed, his newfound global recognition seems to have become a tool for his preaching, as “people all seem to know me, and so I am able to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them”. Mr Henriquez’s wife, Blanca, said that thanks to her enduring faith she “had never doubted” that her husband would return to the surface. During the 76-day ordeal, she told Palatinate that
“We thought that they might give us up for dead.”
she had simply “got down on her knees praying, fasting and humbling myself before God”. Showing his intrinsic humility, Mr Henriquez reached out to those who had lost their lives within the Durham mining community over the years as he spoke to an engrossed congregation at Durham Cathedral. He pleaded that “God bless every one of you as you extend your good faith to
others miners”. The disaster’s tumultuous end has undoubtedly changed the face of Chile for years to come. Before the crisis many would have defined Chile in terms of Augusto Pinochet’s authoritarian rule. Now, 33 miners stand for Chile’s finest hour. Of these 33, surely there is no better representative Mr Henriquez who embodies the enduring faith that allowed him and his compatriots to defy all the odds. As he moves on to no lesser venue than the White House to head the Presidential Prayer service, Durham should be proud to have hosted such a testament to the power of religious faith.
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heir story gripped the world and united a nation for 76 days. So when the man who kept the 33 trapped Chilean miners’ spiritual torch burning came to Durham to recount his tale and preach about his inner spirituality, there was no surprises that José Henriquez, otherwise known as ‘The Pastor’, attracted substantial media attention. Palatinate caught up with Mr Henriquez and his wife in Durham Cathedral to talk about his ordeal in the mine, and life since coming back to the surface. The 56 year-old miner who was the 24th to be saved from the murky depths spoke of his abounding Christian faith, which had guided him so closely through his 76-day separation from the outside world. During his entrapment, he acted as a biblical teacher, hosting prayer sessions and engendering spiritual hope. Set against the appropriate backdrop of Durham’s World Heritage Cathedral, Mr Henriquez acknowledged the crucial role that Christian prayer had played in the team’s survival. He proclaimed to Palatinate that “prayer is the oxygen of Christianity, and while we can pray, there is hope”. Mr Henriquez, a Pentecostal preacher, was undoubtedly a seminal figure for ‘los 33’. His preaching allowed 22 of the miners to convert themselves into believing Christians as he had led twicedaily prayer sessions in which the miners‘ formed a prayer chain, holding hands and praying.
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José Henriquez, one of the 33 Chilean miners to be saved from entrapment last year speaks to Palatinate about his gruelling ordeal, his heartfelt Christian faith that kept him alive and his new celebrity life after leaving the mine.
Blanca Henriquez never doubted that her husband would return
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Comment From the Union
Durham News
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Well-rounded individuals?
In the world of gap yahs and innumerable extra-curriculars students need a diverse skillset
Rishi Mansigani
www.dus.org.uk
young people, students need to know they will leave university with a skill set that can be more than abstractly applied to the workplace. And this doesn’t have to come at the expense of academic excellence. Universities like Durham will hopefully always remain centres that promote the joy of knowledge, and if a part of this is dedicated to knowledge that will be practical for students after they leave university, I see no problem with that. I’m not calling for universities to abandon traditional degree courses, far from it; instead, I think it is important simply to recognise the changing environment we live in and adapt accordingly. There can never be progress without change, and surely progress is what academia is all about.
As Facebook takes its place at the table of business high-rollers, users will have to ask how their personal information is treated. On the back of a successful 2010, including a silver screen debut, the social media goliath welcomed in the new year by accepting a $375 million investment offer from Goldman Sachs. Like sending the two Miliband brothers on a team-building exercise in Cumbria, nothing good can come of this. For one, the deal estimates Facebook’s worth at a giddying $50 billion, a potentially inflated sum when you look at the company’s reported revenue of just $1.2 billion over the first three quarters of 2010. But enough with this monetary dandyism, what of the unwashed masses who use the thing? Well, the noticeably gaping numerical chasm between revenue and worth suggests that financial value is being uncovered elsewhere on Facebook. A bounty is slowly collating above the heads of its 600 million usership and more importantly, the keg loads of information Facebook has on them. Addresses, birthdays, phone numbers. What’s to stop Facebook auctioning its users’ information and details to the highest bidder, with such flimsy
privacy agreements? Goldman Sachs and co. has seen worse. After all, the parents of royal fiancée Kate Middleton were known to derive a sizeable chunk of revenue for their business, ‘Party Pieces’, by selling their clients’ contact details to relevant companies.
edge this may sound like the ramblings of an apocalyptic prophet, touring the country and living out of a caravan and stockpiles of tinned food, or even Morpheus incarnate, offering the ‘blue pill’ of online salvation. Unfortunately for any leather suppliers, I am neither. I’m just not keen on the idea of my postcode being bootlegged across the web to any Tom, Dick and Hameed. So when China gets their teeth into global advertising and start sending Viagra discounts to my new address in the Shire, I’ll be Chairman LMAOing. As a further measure, next time I see a status update saying “just off to the South of France in daddy’s yacht”, I will not be ‘liking’ it. Instead while they are enjoying the sun, I will round up a posse and march on the offender’s home address (conveniently located in the ‘contact information’ section), kicking down the door and kidnapping the new puppy they put photos up of last week. It’s for the best. The socially transparent era of tweeting your bowel movements is over. Long live privacy!
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Christian Seiersen hates: Facebook “privacy”
With more extensive information at their digital fingertips, Facebook could do one better. After seven years of loyal service; nursing our hangovers, publishing our ethereal musings and inviting us to join groups detailing the post-mortem of a phone lost to the supernatural clutches of a festival bog, is Facebook preparing to throw us to the corporate lions? Are our witty wall posts destined to be salivated over by a wispy-cheeked researcher, hell-bent on proving the neo-Nazi tendencies of Generation Y? Not on my watch. At this crucial juncture, I acknowl-
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police have had a field day over this announcement, claiming that such reforms undermine the very fabric on which universities are based. Of course, there is no denying that universities are, first and foremost, institutions of academia, and as such, they should focus on academic rather than vocational training, a type of training more largely associated with that dirty word in academic circles, the ‘polytechnic’. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure students do still come to university to study a subject they love, but for many people the promise of a good job at the end of three years of hard work is a vital factor in their decision-making process. So why shouldn’t we be encouraged to develop skills outside of those that are strictly ‘academic’? I, for one, believe this is exactly the kind of thing that makes Durham such a great place to study. People need to sit up and realise that in order for university to remain a financially viable option for
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tenth of the price on the continent. So how on earth are we supposed to over-achieve in all these areas simultaneously like the good Durham Analysis University students that we are? Well, it appears our own dear alma mater has come up with the solution. eing a student can be terribly The University, along with other depressing nowadays. Gone is institutions including UCL and the the time when it was acceptable University of Leicester, has proposed to emerge from three years of univerto award academic credit to students sity in a beer-soaked haze, proudly for “student employment or shortclutching your 2:2 and laughing at the term community and work-based First-wielding ‘geeks’. placements that have involved the apAnything but outstanding degree plication or development of academic results simply won’t cut it in today’s knowledge and skills”. Ta-dah, there increasingly competitive job market. you have it, a system that encompasses But that is only the start. both academic knowledge and corpoAs if we weren’t under enough rate development. pressure during the term, we spend our This is an interesting move from a holidays on internships and work expe- traditional university like Durham. The rience placements trying to gain access University has always shied away from to the impenetrable corporate world. more ‘vocational’ degrees in favour of And that, of course, is if we’re not conventional courses, with academdoing charity work in the local comics insisting the aim of university is munity/participating in extra-curricto instill long-term thinking skills in ular activities/taking on positions of students. ‘leadership’/feeling guilty that we’re But it seems that Durham has not doing any of the above. realised this is no longer enough. Plans Soon we’ll also have to find time to introduce an Accounting course in to get a part-time job to fund up to collaboration with KPMG are further £9,000 per year in fees, all so we can evidence of the University’s attempts come out unemployed like all the to provide students with the necessary other thousands of graduates across skills for the world beyond the lecture the country; not forgetting that we’ll halls. then possibly have to spend up to anBut are these really the skills we other £8,000 on a post-graduate course hope to come out of university with? just to gain the skills we need for our Surely if we were simply looking for chosen professions. corporate skills we wouldn’t bother It’s enough to make you want to going to university at all. abandon the UK for university at a Predictably, the ‘dumbing-down’ Charlotte Henley
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Welcome back to Durham and to Epiphany term at the Durham Union Society. At the beginning of Epiphany term, many students often have a sudden realisation that they haven’t got involved with as much as they intended to at the start of the year. For some students it’s a time to get more involved in academia and engrossed in their subject and, for others, it’s a time to get more involved in the plethora of incredible societies Durham offers. I hope that for many of you Epiphany term will provide the opportunity to attend some of the events that your Union is putting on for you. This term at the Union we will be exploring topics such as the success of the Coalition Government and whether the Church has failed Christianity, as well as whether we should fight for Queen and Country and the divisive debate on tuition fees. I am sure the debates will be both entertaining and informative. Guests at last Friday’s (January 28th) debate ranged from Page three models to the head of the Communist Marxist Lennist Party. In addition to our usual programme of Friday Night Debates, this term the Union has at least eight high profile addresses scheduled with speakers including ex-secret service agents, former extremists, historians, Olympic athletes, diplomats and even the ex-head of the Army. Our first address from Norman Benotman, a former Islamic extremist, who now works to disband extremist groups will be at 8pm on January 31st in the Debating Chamber and is open to everyone at the University. The Union puts on more than just debates and addresses, and our social calendar this term is packed with events for everyone from our Epiphany ball on February 4th with an exclusive after party featuring Itchy Feet, to wine and chocolate tasting, cocktail making classes, theatre trips and much more. There’s something for everyone in this term’s social calender. The DUS is your Society; please do get involved . We want to innovate the society and always put on the best possible events for our members. I hope to see you soon at one of our events or at our bar 24 North Bailey.
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The rainbow line between faith and the law Careful legal deliberation is required to assert the distinction between personal faith and public discrimination sphere. Privately, they may hold their opinions on premarital sex. However, the Equality Act (Sexual Orientations) Essay regulations 2007 makes illegal regulations which prohibit the provision of goods, services, facilities, education t has been hard to escape the media and management on the grounds of furore over the gay couple, who sexual orientation. have just been awarded £1,800 each Defenders have pointed to the fact in compensation from the Christian that the Bulls had explained clearly Bed & Breakfast owners who refused on their website that they will not to let them stay. provide double beds for unmarried As the debate has swelled, the NGO customers because of their beliefs. Liberty has acted in the interests of the However, statements of illegal gay couple supported by the Human practice do little to mitigate the Rights and Equality Commissions, legality of something laid down in whilst the Christian Institute has statute law. Moreover, others have funded the defence. pointed to the fact that the wordIt galvanizes opinions because the ing of their disclaimer shows it is a issue of liberty is varied and subjective. judgement related to sexual conduct Both sides claim their liberty has been outside of marriage happening under restricted. Martin Hall and Steven their roof, rather than a statement of Preddy believe they were discrimioutright homophobia. nated against when they were denied The gay couple, who are joined in equal access to the Bed & Breakfast civil partnership, could never qualify to Hotel as a homosexual couple. stay in the Chymorvah Hotel, making The Bulls, the Christian couple in it an issue of their sexual orientation. question, think that their liberty to The unfortunate Chris Grayling follow their own conscience in their speculated that the distinction in the own home and only offer double beds Bulls’ favour was that they were trying to married customers has been stolen to regulate what happened in the own from then. home they lived in, but this is not laid As the Bulls are set to appeal this out in law. No one has forced the Bulls ruling, the debate continues. It must to work in the service industry, where be clarified into two distinct areas: laws have been instituted to protect what the law states and why these laws against discrimination. should underpin a supposedly liberal Of course the answer to whether society. these laws are just is more subjective Of incredible significance is that than the interpretation of the law. the law follows the liberal distinction When a society has a heterogeneous between the public and the private. collection of moral viewpoints, there Thus while the couple have not incited is a healthy pluralism of competing hatred for homosexuals and tried to ideals. Hazelmary Bull has linked her impose their opinions on others, the case to the marginalization of Christian fact that they run a business in the serv- views. ice industry means that their “convicYet she must accept that in a liberal tions” do not have a place in this public society no religion has a monopoly Michelle Wisson
on what is morally acceptable. Repeatedly, supporters of
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the gay couple have questioned how quickly the legal dispute would have been resolved if they had been turned away due to religion or race. Let us question in what way this case is different from stopping black people from sitting on buses or putting up signs in pubs that say “No Irish Allowed”? Essentially, the hotel creates a segregation between customers who do and don’t qualify to stay and that is, to be generous, at least passive discrimination. The difference in this case is the societal respect, which actually does exist for Christian morals. There is no societal respect in the same way to justify denying someone on the grounds of race, which would be deemed far more abhorrent and antiquated. Therefore, I would argue that, in fact, the prevalence of Christian morality, underscoring British history, may be decreasing, but still exists or such a debate would never have exploded
in such a way. Many are compassionate for the Bulls, who are acting out of faith and religion, which the judge has explicitly stated does not appear malicious in intent. This is why they have been granted their appeal. However, despite it being their business, their house and their consciences, they were both unfair and illegal. Throughout history, social movements have found discrimination is often systemic below the surface. As the struggle for feminism propelled into radical depths in the 1970s, it was the all-pervasiveness of the system of “patriarchy” restricting women that led women to protest that “the private is the public”. In this liberal society, the debate is not to stop the couple from having private views against premarital sex. That is their choice; their liberty connected to their religion. There cannot be places for hetero-
sexual couples but not homosexuals; a feeling of us and them. It is unhealthy and is part of the systemic sexual discrimination which exists, exemplified in crimes against homosexuals such as the recent murder of a gay civil servant. Mrs Bull reacted to the judgement by saying that “Much has been said about equality and diversity but it seems that some are more equal than others”. She misses the point. In a liberal society there cannot be some discrimination which is more equal than others. It all must be curbed to allow all views and all peoples to exist alongside each other.
The United Kingdom asylum system is not fit for purpose
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hat would drive you to leave your country and begin an entirely new life in an unfamiliar place? Many international students will tell you that it’s their academic ambition, as well as the excitement of discovering a new culture and way of life. If only refugees who arrive in the UK could be offered a support system that attends equally to their needs, and inspires prospects that are as bright. Unfortunately this is often far from the case. Many have undergone horrific ordeals prior to seeking asylum, such as torture, rape or loss of a loved one. Others are denied basic human liberties in their own country, and are fleeing from persecution for their religious or political beliefs. They are forced to leave their country in order to have any hope of survival; and even on arrival in the UK, their safety is rarely guaranteed. You might argue that any experience
and subsequently failure to make a fair decision. A young Iranian named Afshin told the BBC about his application for asylum in the UK, followed by a five year wait which eventually resulted in a refusal. The system appears to dance around the details and create unnecessary loopholes to avoid decisions, whereas it should be committed to resolving these issues fairly and efficiently. The result is often several years lost in a kind of international limbo with no real integration in the UK, and absolutely no way of returning safely to their country of nationality. Those in the process of applying for asylum are also denied the right to work in the UK, and in many cases even voluntary work is not permitted. So although they have been perfect-
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in the UK is some improvement on life in a conflict zone, but when a refugee states in a hearing that his transition felt like “jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire,” you are forced to think otherwise. The Independent Asylum Commission review also concluded that the system of recent years could not be deemed “fit for purpose”, a term simply confirming the application of the system as firm, fair, and humane – the fundamental characteristics of what you might consider an efficient human rights system. So what are the main issues? Testimonies of past asylum seekers have detailed experiences where Home Office officials simply show a lack of understanding for applicants’ situations,
ly qualified for a particular profession in their former country, the UK asylum system forces them into a gap in their career, making it all the more difficult to work their way back into the job market following their outcome. Another problem is that the system is based upon restrictive and out-dated definitions. Since 1951, the United Nations Refugee Convention has been the cornerstone of the UN’s efforts to help and protect refugees worldwide. The convention defines a refugee as someone who is outside of their country of nationality and has a wellfounded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership of a social group. The problem of having such a rigid definition is that, despite being years old, modern practice refuses to adapt itself to new needs that evolve with cultural and social change. The emancipation of women in the Middle East, and environmental refugees would not be covered by the current convention, yet this does not go to say that their application for asylum is any less genuine. So when people come to UK seeking sanctuary, only to be confronted with new forms of hostility and new found obstacles, the situation says little
about the humanity of our society. It also does little to improve the UK’s international reputation. However, if the value of a multicultural society has shown that it can be fostered within the student population, then it has the potential to reach the wider community. STAR (Student Action for Refugees) works to push for improvement in the UK asylum system through petitions. Volunteer projects that build direct relations with current refugees also helps to improve their experiences in the UK, as well as providing students with an insight to the reality of the situation, and shaping a more positive reception of refugees in the future. On Wednesday 23rd February, STAR is hosting Asylum Dialogues, a play by ‘Ice and Fire’ - a theatre company who distinguish themselves by exploring human rights stories through performance. This will be followed by a few words from the director. If you are interested in finding out more about the issues that are implicated in the asylum system, sharing your own views on the subject, or simply the power of theatre, the event is free, and you are most welcome to attend. AsylumDialogues, Free entry Wednesday 23rd February Leech Hall (St. John’s College) 7pm
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www.palatinate.org.uk FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Obama and Sarkozy: A special relationship James Ufland
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Foreign aid is a waste of money James Cochrane-Dyet
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ew would begrudge the Government’s commitment to give 0.7% of gross national product as developmental aid, even in these times of economic hardship, but only under the assumption that aid was working. In reality, foreign aid is often wasted, misallocated and, in cases, detrimental to its fundamental objectives. In light of this, I suggest that the parlous state of public finances in Britain as we enter the New Year provides a perfect, albeit controversial, opportunity for British taxpayers to end the postcolonial developmental aid experiment and the chance to explore more practical (not to mention cheaper), solutions to Africa’s problems. In the last half century, free and independent African nations have seen very little of the growth and development of their economically accelerating counterparts both east and west. Poverty remains endemic, democracy a facade, and in numerous cases the UN Millennium Development Goals seem as distant and unrealistically optimistic as they ever have been. Malawi, where my family lives, is the fourth poorest country in the world despite receiving huge sums of aid from the UK and others during 47 years of independence. Thousands of teachers, doctors, nurses, and millions of pounds better off, Malawi’s GDP is currently almost 30% aid from overseas, and yet it has fallen from the promise of independence to its current Foreign Office classification as a “fragile state”. Africa’s persistent attachment to developmental aid is mirrored in the policies of its aid donors, and Britain is no exception. The Tories traditionally maintained a deep scepticism regarding the virtues of foreign aid, says Peter Osborne in The Daily Telegraph. Yet today they share the conviction of nauseating celebrity do-gooders Bono and Bob Geldof and share in their narcissist orgy of megalomaniac money-throwing. While other government departments have made difficult sacrifices, the Department of
International Development (DFID) will see its £8.7 billion budget rise by an enormous 37% over the next four years to meet the 0.7% target. Surely, as many African countries celebrate fifty years since independence, the UK should be gradually stemming the flow of developmental aid that Africans receive, not increasing it with patronising consistency? Where is the exit strategy and most importantly, where is the economic growth? In light of the recent report by humanitarian group Human Rights Watch, which shows in considerable detail how incapable DFID is of monitoring, for example, its £300 million annual contribution to Ethiopia, are our government’s convictions not embarrassingly naive? Human Rights Watch illustrated the intolerable use of British taxpayers’ money to reward loyalty within the Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi‘s regime of clientelist vultures. Sadly, the same story is true across
“Destroying the myth that aid works means making charity history” much of the continent and cases of successful developmental aid such at that used at the South Sudan Referendum earlier this month are sadly outweighed on a massive scale by aid that is squandered beyond accountability and often in direct contradiction to its developmental objectives. Moreover, while DFID’s foreign aid is increasing, its administrative budget is being cut back mercilessly, dooming its monitoring role to failure and making promises of future “checks and balances” increasingly futile. Having spent over ten years living in Africa, I must be clear that the target of my criticism is not the work of NGOs which often tirelessly and selflessly endeavour to better human lives (although many are overly bureaucratic, uncoordinated and out of touch). However, much of Africa is still dirt poor and, in terms of British foreign
aid, charity is not working according to its objectives; indeed, in many cases it does little more than stunt growth and subsidise bad governance. As a generous spirited nation, if the British people really want to see African development happen, then let us abolish the Common Agricultural Policy, which keeps African agricultural exports out of the European market, tilts the global playing field, and condemns Africa to chronic underdevelopment. It is specifically this extraordinarily bad policy, combined with poor governance and suffocating bureaucracy which prevents Africans from taking their own initiative and lifting themselves out of poverty independent of the pretensions of European intervention, and independent of European (and increasingly Asian) conditions and colonial legacies. Andrew Mitchell, the Secretary of State for International Development, speaks of a “moral imperative” to combat poverty around the world, and many Africans couldn’t agree more. Andrew Mwenda, Ugandan journalist, founder and owner of The Independent, Uganda’s premier current affair’s news magazine, is one of them. In a recent letter to The Times, he appeals to an absent British rationality: “The British have a unique opportunity to cut the deficit and help Africa: please, ask your new government to stop your aid!” Though regrettably falling beyond the narrow scope of this article, I recommend the writings of economist Peter Bauer who maintains that foreign aid handicaps economic growth by sowing the seeds of corruption and complacency, and destabilizing civil society. Placing a very large question mark over the trajectory of political development in Africa, and supported by Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan among others, Moyo makes a compelling case for a new approach to Africa. Destroying the myth that aid works, she says, means making charity history.
We don’t have a stronger friend and a stronger ally than Nicolas Sarkozy, and the French people”, were the offending words uttered by President Obama as he greeted the French President outside the White House. It might have just been intended as a polite platitude rather than a profound pronouncement, but it still came as a shock to the system. How times have changed. It was only in 2003 that the House of Representatives officially renamed French fries “freedom fries” in protest at France’s opposition to the war in Iraq, whilst Tony Blair was being presented with America’s highest civilian honour. Fastforward to 2011 and whilst Nicolas Sarkozy was being feted in Washington DC, across the pond the last rites were being administered to what Winston Churchill first described as the “special relationship” between the United Kingdom and the United States. Truth be told the 70-year-old “special relationship” has been on the rocks for some time. And, ironically, the seeds of this particular break-up were sown during those halcyon days of 2003, when the union seemed truly enduring. First formed after the shared experience of the Second World War and cemented by the successful struggle against the USSR and the victorious First Gulf War; the “special relationship” has unravelled in the aftermath of the Second Gulf War, a war that has proved impossible to win. On both sides, the perceived failure of the Iraqi mission and the ongoing tribulations of the War on Terror have provoked a re-evaluation of not so much foreign policy, but rather strategy. Where there was once was unilateralism, there is now multilateralism. The Bush years taught America the value of global co-operation, the Blair years taught Britain the drawbacks of playing the role of America’s ‘poodle’. American and British troops are still fighting side by side in Afghanistan and economic relations are still strong but the two countries are no longer the best of friends.
RIC
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In recent times, the premature release of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and the BP oil spill in the Gulf have driven the once bosom allies further apart. On these shores, fingers have been pointed at President Obama and his perceived personal anti-British bias (his grandfather was tortured by the British army in Kenya). In the States, a shift in British rhetoric and approach has been noted. ‘Solid not slavish’ ties with the USA is the mantra of the new British government. No longer standing shoulder-to-shoulder with America but rather keeping her at arm’s length. However, is this demise of the ‘special relationship’ really in the interest of both sides? As the ‘junior partner’, we surely have the more to lose. British influence in the world is wavering. The experience of the seemingly interminable struggle in Afghanistan and our cavernous budget deficit will make future ventures onto the world stage less ambitious and decisive. But, after being accustomed to playing an important role in global politics for so long, are we really ready for such a dramatic retreat from world affairs? The obvious alternative to the “special relationship” is the EU, but to many Britons it remains a dirtier word than even George Bush. Further integration into Europe and a common European foreign policy as envisaged by the Lisbon treaty? No, thank you. To go from being an independent voice to one of twenty-seven is hardly a step forward. As recent events have shown anyway, the dream of a cohesive European super-state is thankfully still precisely that. Much has been said recently about the growing power of the so-called BRIC countries – do any of they offer a better option than the US? Brazil? Not enough in common. India? Promising, although the nation still has a long way to progress, both economically and politically. Russia and China? Three words spring to mind: human rights record. So, on reflection perhaps the “special relationship” wasn’t that bad after all. Nicolas Sarkozy might be willing to accept Obama’s praise now, but not so long ago he was only too happy to inform reporters that the President was “not always up to standard on decisionmaking and efficiency”. Their mutual love-in seems to be based more on practicality (Sarkozy is currently President of the G20) than a shared ideology. A modern day Reagan and Thatcher they are not. For all our differences, America and Britain still share a unique bond in today’s world. Yes, we might find them too religious and extreme for our liking, but the world we live in today is very much an American-shaped world. And although our influence may be limited, surely it is better to be the ‘junior partner’ to the world’s superpower than an independent power to whom nobody listens. The “special relationship” might no longer be “special”, but an Anglo-American alliance still serves the interests of both parties.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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Durham News Comment
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Should Durham students have reaffiliated with the NUS?
Afterthe recent vote to reaffiliate with the National Union of Student, our writers decide if it was the right choice THE CBI
Rachael Revesz YES
NO
A
I
forlornly surveyed the half-empty debating chamber on Sunday January 23rd – supposedly 77 people were “attending” the NUS debate on the Facebook group, yet there were only around 30 people present. The referendum was the next day. When it came to question time, students didn’t hesitate: why had the referendum been sprung on us at such short notice? Why was the referendum in January? Why did everything revolving around the DSU seem so under-advertised? I was tempted to agree with their concerns. Maybe the genuine problem here was not the DSU President’s outspoken pro-NUS stance, NUSSL drinks prices or Aaron Porter’s supposed motives to surge ahead in the Labour party: the problem was that 210 people were “not attending”, 51 were “maybe attending” and 635 were “awaiting reply”. The pro-speakers at the debate were DSU president Sam Roseveare and NUS President Aaron Porter. The two opposers were Andrew Keenan, ex-President of St Andrews University, and Chris Sibbald, Honorary Secretary of Glasgow University Union, both of these institutions being non-NUS affiliated. All speakers were articulate, yet only one was red-faced with passion and, interestingly enough, that was Chris Sibbald: the only current unpaid student amongst them. The proposers argued that NUS affiliation is an opportunity to be represented at a national level; yet Chris Sibbald countered that we should not have to pay around £25k every year to be represented: we can make our own voices heard. But with only thirty people bothered to turn up to the debate, would we be able to fill a bus to London, let alone lobby the government? However, there are other universities which do not seem to need NUS support. Why does Glasgow University, for example, manage its oldest union very well without paid sabbatical positions? Why do they have in fact two unions, with shops and events that are heavily attended? Why do they have a high voter turnout of over 70% in elections? And, more precisely, why do we not have all these things? Apathy is the major problem facing Durham University as a whole. The collegiate system, while intensifying internal solidarity, prevents student engagement on a wider scale. We elect our college presidents and welfare officers, but in contrast the work of the DSU and their representatives seems insignificant – one step too far removed from our own lives. Because when it comes to things which have an influence on our future, we, as a student body, remain worryingly uninterested. The DSU building itself is like a ghost town. The shop closed down to be replaced by the “Activities Centre” – the activities mostly restricted to students eating their lunch or checking their emails. The DSU is in debt. Yet most of us don’t
Jonny Arnold
Aaron Porter, President of the NUS, spoke at the DUS in support of the reaffiliation campaign
question where they are spending their money. Well, it’s all online. Looking at the University’s turnover (last year almost £249 million) you can see a complete breakdown of expenditures, such as staff members’ salaries. Do we ever stop and think; where is my money going? If we were mostly unaware of the required £25k per year to affiliate
“I don’t feel like our internal student body has the capacity to support me” with the NUS, what else don’t we know about? Despite the best efforts of our undeniably hard-working sabbatical officers, the current referendum and its advertisement went largely unheard. However, we all got the emails.
We got harassed; bombarded with leaflets and badges: Durham has been flooded with volunteer NUS campaigners – for the pro side, I might add. The vibrancy of student politics in other universities is hardly felt in our remote, north-east location: it’s as if we’re in hibernation, wrapped up in the longstanding “somewhere in the UK top ten” reputation. So I voted yes to the NUS referendum. I would like that we didn’t have to “pay to be represented”. I would love that we had the strength and capacity to represent ourselves. For me, this isn’t about making sure we can acquire different types of lager in Kingsgate or my 10% discount at Topshop; this is about the fact that I don’t feel like our internal student body has the capacity to support me. We are totally in the dark and we can’t blame the under-advertisement of debates, the NUS or the watery words of Aaron Porter. We have to admit, that deep down, most of us just don’t care enough. Did you even notice the Facebook group?
llow me to explain why the decision to re-affiliate with the NUS was the wrong one. To begin, let me fire a poison-tipped arrow through those who voted ‘Yes’ to keep their Topshop discount. The NUS logo means very little to the person behind the counter, who looks for a piece of plastic with a university’s name and an awful photo of you on it. Let me explain how much that Topshop discount is: it cost £24,801.03 to be affiliated with the NUS this year. That’s a lot of money. £24,801.03 could allow the DSU to refurbish – and I don’t mean converting more rooms into ‘study spaces’, I’m talking about things that students want. £24,801.03 could go towards funding societies in their development. £24,801.03 could be used to bribe Topshop to give Durham students a discount too. Regardless of where you think the money should go, I’m sure that most will agree that it should stay in Durham, rather than the NUS. A look at affiliation costs in the past reveals an alarming trend: for 2009/2010, the cost was £18,584. The year after, it was £24,801 – a 33% increase. Assuming the affiliation cost goes up again at the same percentage, this figure becomes an excruciating £39,202 bill for the DSU to cough up in 2011/2012. The longer we stay affiliated, the more we will pay to this dismal organisation. Next, we set fire to those who voted ‘Yes’ for the booze discounts offered by the NUS’ commercial arm, the NUSSL. Looking at the Cost Benefit Analysis supplied by Durham Student’s Union sadly has made direct comparison somewhat obtuse: a table of prices for beverages supplied by other wholesalers was presented alongside similar prices from the NUSSL and this was riddled with inaccuracies. It suggests, amongst other things, that a bottle of wine is the same price as a glass from the NUSSL, and that £19.24 is a lower price than £18.99. Not only this, but rather than state the amount of discount the author has simply highlighted the cheapest option – in other words, the NUSSL. Please forgive me when I ignore the author’s comment that “the NUSSL does tend to offer better prices”, despite NUSSL Amaretto being five times more expensive than wholesalers. Written in the contract to the NUSSL is a clause forbidding the union to purchase from any other vendor, such as a cheaper wholesaler, without their written consent. Economists refer to this as a monopoly, and is frowned upon for good reason. My favourite thing about the NUSSL is that it costs another £300 to actually use their ‘services’. That’s right, an extra £300 for restricted choice and, in general, no discounts. The DSU have certainly seemed less than impartial in the matter: the ‘Yes’ campaign was headed by none other than the President of the DSU, despite it being suggested that he was only voting in a personal capacity. Similarly, the online voting page featured two ‘Yes’ articles and one ‘No’ article for the vast majority of the voting period, with no obvious way to spoil ballots.
Perhaps the Sabbatical Officers are clutching the NUS’ training schemes close to them for comfort – yes, those courses that the DSU pays for, adding an extra £6,000 to the NUS’ coffers. In reports back from NUS conferences (which the DSU also pay for, an extra £5,000), it is stated that “the NUS is unrepresentative of the vast majority of students”. Next, I would like to offer some advice to the DSU: there is only a certain amount of publicity you can distribute before you start annoying people. After a look through my inbox and a ponder back to referendum week, I had about 8 e-mails from several organisations encouraging me to vote in the referendum. I then had two people ask me while I was heading to lectures whether I had voted in the referendum. This is annoying nuisance, which drove a friend of mine to such distraction that he deliberately didn’t vote. I know that representation is low, but there are better ways than hounding people down until they vote. The DSU offered students the power of democracy: if they don’t care, then respect their decision the first time they are asked. Finally, I put the NUS in sights of
“£24, 801. 03 could allow the DSU to refurbish” my dung-filled trebuchet. The NUS is not the organisation suggested by their propaganda. It is designed to be a representative body of students nationwide. It is not stated anywhere on the website that they are, to quote Andy, a Durham student attending an NUS conference in 2008, “heavily infiltrated by the distant left who do not live in the same reality as the rest of us and have views held by only a small fraction of the student body”. What the NUS has become is a political playground for those involved as they wait for their ‘House of Commons fresher parents’ to come and pick them up. It appears that “time heals”, given that some people are unaware of the reasons for disaffiliating in the first place. We disaffiliated in 2009 because the NUS tried to stop a BNP candidate from speaking at a Durham Union Society debate in light of the General Election that year. The NUS threatened to send coaches of angry students up to Durham to protest against this fair and honest debate, albeit with a controversial figure. The NUS does not seem to be a supporter of truly free speech – a key component of a democratic system, and one that I would like to keep. The NUS is an organisation that enchants unions as a way of representing students on a national level and deliver discounts to their members. However, once you cross their palm with gold (lots of gold) you discover that the representation you receive often seems to be their own, and that those discounts you were looking for were nothing more than smoke and mirrors. When the next referendum comes (and it’s close to an annual fixture now) then read through the material for both sides. Attend debates and question those speaking. Whatever you do, think about your vote and your union.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 22nd February 2011
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Sport
Premiership clubs unfazed by incoming regulations FLICKR ID: TIMOJAZZ
IAN WILLIAMSON
At £35m, the transfer of Andy Carroll from Newcastle to Liverpool was one of January’s most talked about stories Christian Seiersen
In the late hours of 31st January the financial prestige of the English Premier League collapsed after a prolonged bombardment from various offshore
bank accounts. There had been evidence of structural deficiencies in previous transfer spending sprees but the decisive blow came in the form of an £85 million splurge involving two strikers, Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll. The sheer expense and rashness of the deals marked a fitting end to a
month period that has been charachterised by top-flight teams charging around the market with the financial shrewdness of a stag party in Vegas. With only eleven Premier League goals to his name, 22 year-old Carroll’s £35 million transfer to Liverpool earned him the title of most expensive British footballer...although with a hair-
style better suited to an unemployed addict of World of Warcraft, Liverpool shouldn’t have to pay too much for the 6’3” striker’s image rights. Newcastle’s official statement declared the transfer fee was “reluctantly accepted”, a view that owner Mike Ashley is sure to reciprocate once he returns from funding his latest project, a kebabflavoured pint. Not to be outdone, Carroll’s partner in crime, Fernando Torres, commanded a £50 million fee, placing him fourth in the globe’s most expensive transfers. Significantly, the fee was £15.8 million higher than the amount Barcelona paid for Torres’ compatriot, David Villa, in 2010. The 29-year-old striker is just three years older than Torres and scored five times in the 2010 World Cup finals, with Torres failing to find the net. There is no doubting Torres’ class, but in the previous two seasons he managed only 46 appearances in the Premier League, raising questions over his susceptibility to injury. In a transfer window where it was jokingly said that Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson had declared Howard Webb was “not for sale”, Sheikh Mansour’s Manchester City restrained themselves to a £27 million flutter on Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko. However the most remarkable aspect of the January spending, which increased by £195 million on last year, is that it has occurred in the same year that the governing body of European football, UEFA, are initiating their financial fair-play rules. Starting with the 2011/12 sea-
son, European club’s finances will be checked over the ensuing three years and clubs that are operating at a loss of £40 million or more over the period will face punishments such as being banned from the Champions League. For Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea, reaching this target will prove an arduous task, seeing as their January spending on transfers alone accounted for £71 million. This also comes on the back of last season, where Chelsea reported total losses of £70.9 million. Since 2005, eleven Premier League clubs have been taken over by private owners, including Sheiks, corrupt Prime Ministers and Russian oligarchs. Premiership teams have seemingly become an accessory for the globe’s überrich, with every big cheese queueing up to dunk their hardly-earned bread into the bubbling fondue of English football. This culture of a billionaire boys club has propelled Premiership spending into a league of its own, made apparent if you compare the spending of the Spanish Primera in January, of just £23.5 million. Whilst such financial gallivanting has provided pages of tabloid fodder, it is clearly not sustainable in the eyes of football’s controlling bodies. At the beginning of the season Manchester City’s wage bill, accounting for £133 million, single-handedly surpassed their total revenue by £8 million. Unless teams can wriggle their way around the incoming regulations, the acts of financial decadence indulged in this January may have to be banished in the future to the forlorn speculation of the Sun’s football gossip column.
Is Andy Murray being held back by his entourage? Patrick Fletcher
tive from his communication with his mother. He only channels it into negative energy, which further whips up his anxiety, stress levels and grumpiness. Novak Djokovic had similar problems not long ago; his volatile temperament often translated into hostility towards his team and the crowd. Now
though, he is on top form and seems a transformed man. He has learnt to channel his emotions well by blocking out the crowd entirely, not looking to his team for help and getting the job done single-handedly with tunnel vision. This is exactly what Murray needs to do. He and his team need to realise that FLICKR ID: MIRSASHA
Andy Murray’s defeat in the final of the Australian Open last month is still fresh in the memory of sports fans across Britain, who continue to wait for another major British winner. In nightmarish fashion, the rollercoaster ride of hope and disappointment that was Tim Henman’s career seems to be repeating itself. This time, however, the nation is not affording the same amount of patience to Murray, who has come in for widespread criticism and growing doubt as to whether he is actually capable of winning a Grand Slam tournament. I myself have harboured such doubts in the past, and have come to the conclusion that whilst his ability to win a major is unquestionable, he will only do so provided a few simple changes are made. It is the nature of his entourage that needs to be revolutionised. In no other sport do athletes rely so heavily upon their coaching structure, friends and family during play. It’s difficult to imagine a footballer, cricketer or any other sportsman for that matter, gazing longingly into the crowd as if it would magically provide
them with an inspirational boost. Tennis is unique in that respect, and although coaching teams, as Novak Djokovic pointed out last month, are crucial to a player’s success, from the sidelines they simply cannot win a match for their player. This is where Murray’s problem lies. His coaching team are too prominent, he communicates with them far too often, and his mum Judy just never sits down. We are all familiar with the stereotypical tennis parent; obsessive, intense and pushy, but Judy Murray makes Richard Williams look like he follows the careers of his daughters with indifference. Don’t get me wrong, I think Judy has done a fantastic job for Andy, his brother Jamie, and British tennis in general. She has been an indispensable force in Andy’s rise to the top of the men’s game, but if she wants to fulfil her lifetime dream and see her boy win a slam, now is the time to take a step back. In Melbourne last week the cameras switched regularly between Murray and his mum, who was living every rally and was always on hand to offer encouragement to her son. Many people will wonder how this is a negative thing, and I’m sure Judy’s intentions are benign, but Murray rarely seems to draw anything construc-
Is Murray’s coaching team more of a hindrance than a help during matches?
once he is on court, it’s up to him alone to get the job done. A coaching team in tennis is vital, but its work must be done behind the scenes. Essentially Djokovic has learnt to be focused, whilst Murray is buckling under the pressure of an expectant and impatient nation, and a pushy mother. In the final at Melbourne last month Murray was unbelievably cautious, always playing the percentage game and never willing to take risks. Murray’s temperament is indeed an issue, but the only solution is to cut the chord with what is feeding it. The presence and prominence of Judy and the rest of the entourage in part provide the pressure which causes Murray’s attitude problems and the distraction that indulges them. Of course she has the right to be there and to cheer him on - but surely if she wasn’t such an obtrusive figure, then Andy would be able to work his way through a match by himself and would be forced to resolve his on-court problems alone instead of spiralling into a state of moodiness and desperation. Judy and the team need to take a step back and allow Andy to mature as an individual who is capable of rising to big occasions, realising his undoubted potential and winning a Slam.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 22nd February 2011
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Durham News
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Durham boxing club at charity show JACK ROLO
Delight for record-breaking Durham alumni Tom Clarke JOHN QUINN
Yuto Suzuki, in the red heardguard, boxing at the show
Elation at the finish line Simon Zieleniewski
D
urham University Amateur Boxing Club has been quietly growing and progressing in recent years. The recent popularity of boxing in Durham has resulted in in-
Castle men dominate Novice Cup Novice Cup - Castle Hazel Scott Aiten Trophy - St. John’s Royal County Plate - Castle Women’s Reserve Plate - Hild Bede Lauren Stark
JOHN QUINN
The end in sight!
creasing club members, of both novice and competing abilities alike. Even other Team Durham club members have partaken in boxing sessions after hearing of the legendary intensity of boxing training. This academic year has seen the club’s facilities improve along with the member intake. The main upgrade has
an extremely close fight, which could have gone either way. The final Durham fight saw James Cochrayne-Dyet, at 69kg, making his ring debut against a much taller opponent again from Albert Hill ABC. The fight started well with James making use of the block and parry to counter with his own jab. However, the opponent’s height advantage eventually showed as he landed more shots, causing James to lose his earlier advantage. After James received a large right hand midway through the second round, the referee decided to stop the fight; safety of the boxers being paramount in all amateur contests. Despite the results, this was a great evening of boxing and good representation from Durham University. Making a competitive debut is always the toughest part of the sport so congratulations go to James. Congratulations also go to Yuto who will now be sorely missed after heading back to Japan for the remainder of his studies. The future is looking bright for DUABC with a potential entry to the ABA National Championships and other upcoming local shows.
ESME HEYWOOD
A Durham lecturer has set a new record for the quickest time to row across the Atlantic. She was joined by two other Durham Alumni in a six-person crew, named Team Hallin, which smashed the previous record by 20 hours and 14 minutes. Naomi Hoogesteger, 29, who teaches Modern Languages, was the only female on board the 31 day, 23 hour and 31 minute voyage, but she was treated as one of the boys. It took just three days for the men to strip off to avoid blisters. One day later she was joining them. “I had some big sores on my bum and just had to do it. My crew had stripped off the day before and were just getting on with it”, she said. “i’ve seen enough dangly bits to last me a life time”, she added! This was just one of the many sacrifices made to become world record holders. Flying fish, 30ft waves and a Russian cargo ship were amongst other hazards the crew had to negotiate; a far cry from the meandering River Wear. But the most physically and emotionally demanding challenge was sleep deprivation. The crew rowed around the clock in two teams of three. Each team had just two hours to eat, sleep and run repairs on the boat before another gruelling two-hour stint. The voyage cost each rower two stone. Team Hallin took advantage of January’s trade winds and settled currents to make the 3,000-mile journey from Tenerife to Barbados. But their boat was their secret weapon. The 40 foot long boat has a revolutionary tri-hull design that was built for both speed and stability - an important feature if they all wanted to keep dry. For ex-DUBC rower, Chris Covey, the journey provided plenty of time to consider his next challenge: how to pop the question to his girlfriend. Fortunately it went as successfully as the voyage. Let’s hope his next journey is plain sailing.
been the purchase of a training ring, finally allowing members to spar effectively and experience the gladiatorial ring environment. As a result of the improvements the club was able, on the 4th February, to enter five boxers into the Durham Mayor’s Appeal Charity Boxing Dinner at the Abbey Leisure Centre in Pity Me. Unfortunately as is sometimes the way in boxing shows, only two Durham boxers were matched to opponents, after numerous withdrawals by opponents. However, 30 supporting club members still attended to cheer on the two boxers, Yuto Suzuki and James Cochrayne-Dyet. Yuto, a student at Teikyo University of Japan, weighing in at 60kg for his fifth bout, boxed an opponent from Albert Hill Amateur Boxing Club, Darlington. Yuto was by far the slicker and cleaner boxer, landing good shots on the counter and back foot. His opponent was an aggressive and scrappy fighter but threw numerous more shots. After three rounds of good boxing, the judges scored the fight as a split decision against Yuto. This was an unfortunate result from
Crabs, crashes and competition... the 2011 Novice Cup did not disappoint. Novice rowers gather every year at the river bank for a weekend filled with drama and excitement. This year, the 12th and 13th February, was no different, bringing in all the expected drama from Durham’s newest rowers in their first races. The head to head regatta, stretching 750m down the Wear, gave a chance for the new intake of rowers to compete for the first time. Which college could stand above the rest? Some crews showed true grit, whilst others seemed to be debating whether swimming might be a better past time. Supporters on the bank of the Wear and Bath’s Bridge, watched on in anticipation and excitement to witness the close battles of their college rowers. Despite the great showcase of talents, and to the amusement of the onlookers, several crews became dangerously close to capsizing - the weekend was one not to be missed. The race course started at Collingwood’s landing station and finished just after Bath’s Bridge. As a result, there were numerous cases of interesting steering and many crashes into the river bank, mainly on the Pelaw Woods side. A strong current over the weekend also meant that there were some tricky
starts, with crews having to start as far down the course as Hild Bede’s landing at times. One of the first crews to race was Stephenson College, with their race against St. Aidan’s setting the mood for the weekend. After only a few seconds, Stephenson’s stroke managed to snap his macon oar clean in half. However in true sportsmanship, they continued to race with only two men and still managed to beat Aidan’s to the finish line! A brilliant effort from Stephenson and a truly unique race only found at Durham’s Novice Cup. At the end of the weekend a ‘Castle v Castle’ final guaranteed Castle the Novice Cup, while the Hazel Scott Aiten trophy was awarded to St. Johns after they beat Cuth’s in the final of the Women’s cup race. Any crews knocked out of the cup in their first race also had a chance to compete in the plate competition. Castle’s men raced Hild Bede for the Royal County Plate and narrowly came first; taking yet another award that day. However, the Women’s Reserve plate was awarded to Hild Bede after they beat Castle’s crew in the final. Castle’s performance over the weekend displayed an extremely high standard of novice rowing, although at times even they had their share of chaos, with one of their crews nearly sinking. With banter rife on the river side, the commentators expertly filled any
Castle taking home the Royal County Plate
lulls over the weekend. With college rivalries customary, chants and screams echoed down the wear. The weekend was a huge success. Repercussions of the weekend included the novices enduring a vast amount of blisters, and the Durham
Amateur Rowing Club boat that lost its bow ball and a portion of the bow itself! However, I’m sure any of the rowers involved would agree that the early mornings and painful sessions on the ergs paid off, and provided a fantastic weekend for all involved!
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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DurhamSport News Durham
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Intercollegiate ski racing makes its debut SIMEON HIGGINSON
January saw the inaugural Intercollegiate Snowsport Championships Emma Jackson
A
new event on the Durham sports calendar had the perfect setting up in the mountains before term had even started. The first ever intercollegiate Snowsports Championships, sponsored by Clifford Chance, successfully took place in Val D’Isere on Friday 14th January. This was all made possible by the inaugural Pa-
latinalps Event, a ski trip like no other we have seen before- over 1,000 people from every college hitting the slopes and the après in the same place at the same time. Mont Blanc provided the backdrop on a clear day with fantastic snow conditions despite unseasonally warm weather. First up was the individual slalom, which was one for the early birds if nothing else. Course inspection was an optimistic 9am. Most concerned had
Tim Crisp (left) and Callum Totten (right) stood out in the individual slalom
rolled in during the early hours after the Palatinalps Penultimate Party in Dou Doune, the biggest night of the week. 22 competitors eventually made it to the world cup race piste in La Daille to see a rather ominous course looming above them. Bibs we donned and the average time was pretty demanding below 60 seconds. Two runs were attempted by each competitor and the best of these counted. The winner of the men’s ended up being highly controversial with the disqualification of Tim Crisp from Stephenson College. A keen racer since first year, Tim has stepped up from being described as “leisure” to wearing his catsuit free skiing. An adamant Crisp said that there was no way he had straddled a gate after clocking in the best time of the day, 44.27s. This would have just pipped Callum Totten, St Aidans, with a time of 44.35s. It was eventually decided that Crisp had indeed completed the course legally, putting Totten in second followed by Greg Newman, Grey, in third with a time of 52.93s. The female winner with a time of 49.59s was DUSSC President, Alex Emerton, also St Aidans. Second was Hannah Bostrom, Josephine Butler, with third
place being taken by DUSSC Race Captain Laura Creed, Stephenson. Over lunch, the Freestyle competition was taking place in the Val Park. A combination of gnarly jumps and burly rails were set up to challenge the most hardened adrenaline junkies. The competition was open to all abilities and a variety of the features were used. The comp consisted of a 1hr Jam Session from which the top three skiers and top two boarders progressed to a 1 run final. Tricks were marked for amplitude, style, technicality, and ‘ballsiness’. With a total of seven riders doing inverted tricks, the competition turned out to be a great event for both the competitors and spectators alike. The top three skiers (in order) were Thomas Colebourn, Tom McAlpine, and Arthur Crawshay. The top two snowboarders (in order) were Chris Langel and Sam Colley. The final event of the day was the Dual Slalom. Sixteen teams of five battled it out head-to-head in a direct knock-out competition. With racers competing in a side-by-side relay, there was high potential for heroes to be made or for those with high hopes to crash out. Tipped to be favourites, St Aidans were knocked out in the first round due to an alleged equipment failure. Grey were soon to follow form after they too were knocked out in the very next race. The eventual final was an all Trevelyan affair, with their first team comprised of Josh Grootenhuis, Matt Wilson, Piran Merkl, Olivia Gleeson, and Nick Goldberg, all claiming glory. St Chads won the play-off to join them on the podium in third place. Following the final, a prize-giving was held in La Folie Douce. Durham packed it out for our last sunset in the mountains with champagne showers concluding an amazing week. More competition awaits our skiers and snowboarders, with the BUSC Main Event, boasting the BUCS individual and dual slalom; super G; the infamous big air; slopestyle; halfpipe, and more. All this is coming up from 2nd-9th April from £369. If you would like to put your racing skills to the test, then why not contact DUSSC’s race captain: laura.creed@ durham.ac.uk.
Collingwood ease past Hild Bede B Collingwood A
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Hild Bede B
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Patrick Fletcher
Collingwood A booked their place in the 3rd round of the College Knockout Cup with a three goal victory over last year’s finalists, Hild Bede B. In 2010, Hild Bede B enjoyed a magical cup run, seeing off a number of College A teams, including favourites Hatfield in the semi-final. Last Sunday such an upset wasn’t to be as Collingwood, widely regarded as serious competition contenders, proved too strong for their opponents. Due to recent weather conditions, this was Hild Bede’s first match back after the Christmas break. The signs of fatigue and rustiness from the winter lay-
off showed as they made a slow start. Collingwood took advantage of this, spreading the ball across the pitch with ease and enjoying the majority of possession. Their early dominance was translated into a one goal lead in the tenth minute when Anthony Brown ghosted unmarked into the box to steer home Adam Winchester’s corner from close range. Hild Bede spent the rest of the first half trying to find their feet, and it seemed that if they could have kept it goal-less, they would have been able to get into their stride and really challenge Collingwood in the second period. They were rattled though, and Collingwood didn’t give them a chance to settle, adding a second midway through the first half. James Tyrer burst through the defence and had the composure to slide the ball home, beating the keeper with accuracy rather than pace. The remainder of the first period saw Hild Bede offer more going forward, their best chance coming from Sam Clothier, who was denied by a last ditch
block. Collingwood made good use of the wings, looking to flight balls into the danger area in a bid to capitalise on their height advantage. The second half was a far more even contest and, from the offset, a resilient Hild Bede established a firmer grip on the match, making their presence felt in the middle of the park. As in the first half, Collingwood showed the more attacking purpose, but now Hild Bede were able to cope with whatever was thrown at them. Collingwood continued to look to spread the play whenever possible, but were largely thwarted by the resolute defending of captain Adam Withnall and Sam Stirrat at the heart of the Hild Bede defence. The best chance of the half fell to Collingwood in the form of a goal-line scramble, but a couple of ricochets and fine saves from keeper Jamie Andrew, along with a hint of luck, saw the chance go begging. By this stage, Hild Bede were more composed in possession and showed greater adventurous spirit going forward. They had matched Collingwood
in the second period, which is why they will consider themselves unfortunate have conceded a third late on. Jordan Williams was manhandled in the box by full-back Darren Heeran, who was subsequently shown a red card. It was a harsh blow for Hild Bede, who remonstrated with the referee amidst the confusion as to whether Heeran was dismissed for the foul or for dissent. Whatever the case, Chris Musgrave smashed home from the penalty spot to put a gloss on the scoreline and to leave Hild Bede feeling duly hard done by. Although it was an unfortunate end to the game from Hild Bede’s perspective, Collingwood were deserved winners on the day. Skipper Jamie Butler is positive about his team’s prospects for the season, “Although it’s still early on in the competition and there are many games still to be played, we are confident that we can mount a serious challenge not only in this cup but in the floodlit cup and league also”.
Impressive Trevelyan lift Senate Cup Hannah Bolt
Over sixty boats descended upon the River Wear this week to compete in the rescheduled Senate Cup. Most Durham college boat clubs took part in the event organised by Durham College Rowing, including the Stockton colleges and a large number of Durham School competitors. Trevelyan were the fastest boat on the water and finished the course in an impressive six and a half minutes. Dominating from the start, the crew increased their lead with impressive pushes and eventually finished with a 30 second lead over Grey College Boat Club. Castle also had a successful day, winning both the men’s novice four and men’s double categories with two powerful and technical races. For the women, Hatfield’s crew stroked by Walters were the fastest women’s four by a margin of only five seconds over Collingwood College Boat Club. St Chad’s college triumphed in the novice fours competition ahead of Grey and Van Mildert who finished second and third respectively. Durham school took the titles for both men’s and women’s single sculls and pairs, finishing in very competitive times considering the blustery conditions. The course starts at Counts House, just after Prebends Bridge, and takes the crews 1,800m upstream to finish on the last bend of the race course. Navigating Elvet Bridge at full pace means the race is always full of surprises and no crew can guarantee a smooth race. Durham School’s women’s novice crew were one among many boats who came unstuck, wedging themselves in the arch. Senate Cup was a fantastic display of the talent amongst Durham’s rowers. All college successes earn their clubs points in the Durham College Rowing Pennants series, which tracks performances over the year. Currently Grey College lead the table by two points, with Hatfield and Collingwood second and third. The racing schedule continues with the Novice Cup next weekend (12th and 13th February) and is an opportunity for those rowers who have been learning since October to showcase their talent and get their first taste of racing. The competition is a 750m head-tohead regatta and competitors race in a series of heats over the weekend. Two separate events are run, the Cup and the Plate, giving crews who are knocked out of their first race the opportunity to compete again in the Plate event. This year all 16 Durham college boat clubs will be entering and it promises to be exciting, with college rivalry, near misses and all the close battles expected from such a contest. As always, support at the river banks is more than welcome and we hope to see many supporters cheering their college crews to victory.
PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th February 2011
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Sport
Durham march on after thrilling win over Leeds 25
Leeds Met
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the score. While the scrum continued to dictate terms, a series of loose passes and poor decisions heaped unnecessary pressure on the Palatinates. From one such mistake, Leeds were granted promising field position and then scored from a maul of their own. This appeared to galvanise the visitors, as it was only by virtue of some outstanding scramble defence, and some good luck, that they were prevented from taking a good lead into half-time. Indeed, from the last play of the half, a well-worked break from the Leeds centre would have resulted in a stroll under the posts for a supporting runner, had the final pass not been spilled within diving distance of the line. Ten minutes into the second half, a penalty was kicked deep into Leeds territory. The maul from the resultant li-
neout rolled on intact despite attempts to sack, enabling captain Malaney to score the second of his hat trick. From this point onwards, the game began to open up as legs began to become heavier, and Leeds began to push for breakthroughs, leaving themselves slightly vulnerable at the back. Several handling errors prevented the game from being entirely fluent, but it was most certainly gripping. Durham appeared to be weathering the green storm but an innocuous penalty again resulted in a good territory gain for Leeds. They scored, and subsequently converted to go into the lead for the first time in the game. Now with only fifteen minutes remaining, they looked to close the game out, but kicked away too much possession in doing so. Durham had numerous lineouts
in good positions and threw the proverbial kitchen sink at the opposition at every opportunity. After several attempts to smash the green door down, Malaney broke from a maul to score in the corner. With the score now at 18-14 with under ten minutes to go, Durham were in control. The one moment of magic in the whole game came when least expected. From a scrum in centre field, the Leeds fly-half dropped a deftly weighted chip over the onrushing three-quarter defenders, leaving their centre in acres of space. Once they were in behind, their momentum was irresistible and after a few phases, they managed to score in the corner. To a lesser side this try would have delivered the knockout blow. However, when in the middle of a twelve game winning streak, victory needs to be
throwing interceptions on two early drives and failing to move the ball effectively down the field. Only the stoic defence helped keep the score tied as Napier failed to convert on opportunities to score from close to Durham’s endzone. After a change in personnel at the quarterback position, Durham forced themselves ahead with Mike Thate’s 68 yard TD pass to Adam Sanderson. Taking advantage of lackadaisical coverage by the Napier secondary, Thate bought time in the pocket, evading the rush and launching a strike downfield to Sanderson who made the catch and then stepped out of a tackle to run in for the score. Thate also then carried the ball into the endzone for the 2-point conversion which would become so crucial. This touchdown late in the first quarter led to optimism on the sideline from
Durham, yet they only really threatened once more, and too often during the game they were let down by sloppy play and penalties which stalled any potential progress. From this point on the game revolved around a battle between the Durham defence and the Napier offence which began to look more potent as the match progressed. The first half was highlighted by Tyler Cling’s interception and the resilient tackling of Alex Thompson, but after halftime Napier focused more on running and following injuries to several players, including Thate, Thompson and Geoffrey Hodgson, who had helped to snuff out the Napier attack, the game looked as if it might slip away. However, this hardship simply brought more from those remaining on the field for Durham. Defensive End Andrew Mason led the way often
chasing down the ball carrier, and also finishing with a sack, but he was greatly assisted by all parts of the defence being willing to put themselves in the way to stop Napier’s attempts to score. Eventually the outcome of the game came down to a single play as Napier’s quarterback completed a touchdown throw into the corner of the endzone, capitalising on a tiring defence that was struggling to contain him, yet it was the failure of the two point conversion which kept Durham’s lead intact. With a mass of bodies piled in the middle of the field, the nimble Napier quarterback attempted to run into the left corner of the endzone, however, he was tackled well before the line by several Saints obviously with the strong desire not to lose the game. Although Napier regained an onside kick to prolong the drama, the defence once again made the important stop
knocking the ball out of the quarterback’s hands to end the game. While the result may have been positive for Durham, the performance still required much work. The defence performed well, but on occasion lost contain on the scrambling quarterback allowing him to gain extra yards on the ground; and the offence while showing promise, as evidenced by Will Fisher’s 90 yards rushing, could never put the game away despite opportunities to do so. The result of the game was most definitely a “could do better” as, although Durham have now got their first win of the season, they will need to greatly improve if they are to match their achievements of the past two years and make the playoffs. Anyone interested in joining the Saints can get in touch with Team President Andrew Mason at american. football@dur.ac.uk.
JOHN BURN-MURDOCH
Durham
wrenched from Palatinate hands with a great deal more force. If the attack had been fierce ten minutes previously, it was now brutal. The bone shattering collisions were interspersed with sleights of hand that almost unlocked the Leeds defence on several occasions. Now, deep into added time, one such break by fly-half Mike Ward nearly led to a try for substitute Jak Pattinson with his first touch of the game. However, Durham proceeded with the triedand-tested method – they besieged the fatiguing Leeds pack with bludgeoning drive after bludgeoning drive. After a series of collapsed mauls (and with a penalty kick not being enough to win the game) Durham chose the scrum after a string of cynical infringements were committed by Leeds, who were by now probably fearing the worst. It had to be reset on several occasions, with the Leeds front-row looking for any opportunity to avoid engagement. Eventually, however, Durham managed a pushover, with the deserving Harrison Collins dotting the ball down over the line. After a period of added time that seemed interminable, an end had been put to the tension, and the home side were the jubilant victors. Durham were deserved winners after excellent performances form the entire pack, particularly the StonellBeaumont lineout axis which provided an invaluable source of possession throughout the game. Due to the conditions, speed of mind was significantly greater than speed of hand or foot, and this meant that in the key exchanges, organisation and hard work were crucial. The fact that three of the four Durham tries game almost directly from driving lineouts is proof of this. Accuracy of throwing was vital, particularly given the conditions; then the organisation of the mauls themselves and then the exertion required to gain momentum and advance. While the margin of victory was slim the character shown, allied with no little skill, should stand Durham in good stead looking forward to the semifinals.
James Oram
T
he annals of rugby history will record this game as a tightlyfought contest between two evenly-matched teams – but it was far more than that. For the final ten minutes, every break in play brought breathless silence to the Palatinate players and partisan crowd, expecting, yet dreading, the referee’s final whistle. As it turned out, the final whistle proved to be more of a shrill ‘good luck’ message for the next round after a late turn around secured a Durham victory. Despite the terrible conditions, a pattern quickly emerged: Durham took every contact on their own terms. In attack, the power and leg drive of the forwards propelled them over the gainline time after time, while in defence, they appeared always to be outnumbering the Met players – a testament to the work rate and superior fitness of the Durham boys – and were consequently able to shut down the opposition. Durham started shakily, with Leeds winning a penalty in the first minute. The heavy turf proved more than a match for the Leeds fly-half as his effort dropped harmlessly short of the posts. The first scrum then provided a prophetic projection of its later importance, as Durham turned Leeds ninety degrees, and after the reset Tom O’Toole expertly slotted a penalty. First blood to Durham. Just a few minutes later, further Durham pressure led to a lineout in the Leeds twenty-two. A catch, from Josh Beaumont, colossal at the front of the lineout, and then a maul, led to a try for inspirational captain Rob Malaney. The crowd, having by now swelled significantly, arose as one to acknowledge
Durham frequently put the Leeds defence under pressure in their hotly contested cup match
Still room for improvement despite Saints win Durham Saints
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Napier Knights
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Richard Johnstone Having relocated to Houghton-leSpring due to the inclement weather’s effect on their normal pitch, Durham’s season came back to life as they struggled past a Napier team that they had been expected to beat far more easily. However, they will not have been happy with the performance, even if the outcome was a positive mark in the win column. The Saint’s offence started slowly,