Palatinate Issue 733 by Palatinate

No. 733

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First fashion photoshoot of the year: Fittest Fresher

Marcus Brigstocke interview: comedian/atheist talks about his new book ‘God Collar’

Indigo Cover Story, pages 3-6

Palatinate Profile, page 15

Palatinate Durham’s student newspaper since 1948

Tuesday 8th November 2011 | FREE

David Miliband addresses the DUS on his university tour, page 5

Photograph: Delaney Chambers

JCR’s to unite in protest . . 38-week lets provokes protest motion at DSU Council

Daniel Johnson Hugh Anderson-Elliott College JCR’s are set to stage a protest against 38-week lets after growing exasperation at the University’s handling of the issue. JCR Presidents’ Committee was damning of the proposals, speaking in a statement of the “real student anger that surrounds the issue”. They were also heavily critical of the impact 38-week lets could have on post-application open days and college services. A motion for the protest outside Old Shire Hall will be put to DSU Council on Thursday, with insiders saying it is certain to pass, most likely unanimously. The protest will take the form of a walk out of all lectures at 12, at which point everyone will

gather outside Old Shire Hall and sign a petition. DSU President Mike King lamented the lack of consultation on the issue: “It is not good enough that college presidents have only been consulted once over a lunch. “What is required is a working group set up of all 12 colleges involving the JCR president, principle and bursar.” A Durham University spokesperson said: “The Deputy Warden is leading on consultation with Colleges, the JCR Presidents and the DSU to determine the right value for money packages for future years, which meet the individual needs of Colleges. “A further meeting is scheduled with the JCR Presidents and DSU on November 12 when this issue will be discussed. It is not clear what purpose any protest would serve and at this stage it would be premature.”

University says protest is “premature”

Surveys have shown that the overwhelming majority of students are opposed to 38-week lets. A survey last year of over 1000 students found that only 6% supported the proposal of compulsory 38 week let, a tiny proportion considering the wide ranging implications of the policy.

“Real student anger surrounds the issue” JCR Presidents’ Committee

In addition the survey found that 98% of students did not want college open days to cease, and 76% had found their college open day an important factor in deciding whether to

come to Durham University. Colleges say it is extremely doubtful whether post application open days will be able to continue in their current form were the university to implement mandatory 38-week let. A more recent survey of around 700 students has found that when questioned on the same issue, over 80 percent said that open days were “important or very important” in causing them to chose Durham. Similarly, this year only 22 of 327 Hild Bede students signed up for 38week let, a mere 6.7%. One JCR President said, after the motion had been proposed: “the University have been diabolical in their communications with us on this issue”. DSU President Mike King pinpointed the lack of liaison with the University on the issue as a key reason for the protest. He said: “The motion has gone to council because col-

lege presidents and students do not feel that they have been consulted on how 38-week lets will be implemented. “The University executive has made the decision on 38-week lets but they do not know how they will implement the policy. Policy should be forward thinking and 38-week lets should be retracted until they have a plan on how to implement 38week lets.” There have been question marks over the process by which the University has come to this decision, as conflicting messages have been given out by different high profile figures. The DSU have been told in no uncertain terms that the policy will go ahead, but meanwhile several University offices are still refusing to participate in the debate, hiding behind the fact that it is still not “official” policy. continued on page 5

Editorial

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The reason we have Unions

he debate over 38-week lets is a timely reminder that Universities are a business. They are businesses that just happen to provide a service that is vital to the economic well being of the country, a service that is also coveted by every single sixth-former and their parents. There is no earthly reason for making extended let compulsory other than to make money. There just isn’t another argument that even remotely makes logical sense. University officials, skating over the interesting little dichotomy between “choice” and “compulsory”, have bandied around the word “flexibility”. Those that want 38-week let already have it, those that don’t want it don’t. You can’t get more flexible than that. Having been in education for our entire lives, pretty much since our

memories began, one can fall into the trap of treating University like school. The clearest manifestation of this is a failure to adapt to new working methods. No more spoon-feeding. Self-motivation is suddenly priority number one. But something that often goes overlooked is the difference between being a school student and university student. When we graduate from sixth form, we go from being pupils to customers within minutes. There is a benevolence, a camaraderie in a school between those that run it and those that attend. Even in private schools, where people often pay more than the £9000 of next years freshers, there isn’t the divide between the academic and business sides that exists at Universities. This is why Universities have Student Unions. They’re not there to

provide cheap drink and meeting rooms, they’re our representation, the only means by which we can influence university policy. In Durham we often lose the significance of our Union because our colleges deal with all our social & pastoral concerns. A University isn’t a school. Our representation is going to become ever more important as the commercialisation of higher education spreads. Apathetic protests and poor university-level involvement are increasingly becoming a trademark of Durham, but soon it will become abundantly clear that strong representation is vital. The controversy over 38-week lets has shown how easy it is for the business side of the University to implement policy that no student wants.

Tuesday 8th November 2011 | PALATINATE

08.11.2011 No.733

Contents Palatinate News pages 3-8 Careers page 9

Business pages 10-11

Comment pages 12-14

Profile page 15

Sport pages 17-20

Indigo

Editorial pages 2 Cover story pages 3-6 Food & Drink page 7 Features pages 8-9 Music pages 10-11

Stage pages 12-13 Film & TV page 14 Books page 15

Travel page 16

Blurred Vision:

The pilot episode of a new series chronicling nights out in Durham

Fresher’s Ball:

Was it worth it? Palatinate TV investigates the opinions of students and Tinchy Stryder himself

Strictly Come Cafe:

Briony Chappell and Ellie Ross review some of Durham’s classic cafes

In Music: Funeral for a Friend interviewed

Oxjam:

Corrections

Palatinate TV goes behind the scenes of Oxjam 2011

We have two corrections we’d like to make from last edition. In an investigatin into JCR levies we stated that Trevelyam College has no sabbatical officers. This is in fact incorrect, as their bar manager is a sabbatical position. In addition, on pages twelve and thirteen a photo was credited to Chris Willets. It was in fact taken by Delaney Chambers.

In Food: the food festival reviewed

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 Daniel Johnson Hugh Anderson-Elliott editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Editors Olivia Swash & Alexandra Bottomer deputy.editor@palatinate.org.uk News Editor Rowena Caine news@palatinate.org.uk News Features Editor Mei Leng Yew news.features@palatinate.org.uk Deputy News Editors Ettie Bailey-King & Emma Charles deputy.news@palatinate.org.uk Business Editor John Zhu business@palatinate.org.uk Careers Editor Charlotte Seager careers@palatinate.org.uk Profile Editor Jessica Waite profile@palatinate.org.uk Comment Editor Olivia Rudgard comment@palatinate.org.uk Sport Editors Delaney Chambers and Peter Vickers sport@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Sport Editor Tom Ryder deputy.sport@palatinate.org.uk Indigo Editors Hannah Shaddock & Rachel Aroesti indigo@palatinate.org.uk Features Editor Sarah Murray feature@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Features Editors Catherine Bradfield & Ellie Ross Food and Drink Editor Molly Fowler food@palatinate.org.uk Travel Editor Alexandra Groom travel@palatinate.org.uk Fashion Editors Laura Gregory, Rachel Bailin & Tom Weller fashion@palatinate.org.uk Film and Television Editor Christian Seiersen film@palatinate.org.uk Stage Editor Kathy Laszlo stage@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Stage Editors Larry Bartleet & Sarah Johnson Music Editor Jess Denham music@palatinate.org.uk Music Multimedia Editor Briony Chappell music@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Music Editor Will Clement deputy.music@palatinate.org.uk Books Editor Izzie Bengoechea books@palatinate.org.uk Chief Sub-Editor Florence Snead sub-editing@palatinate.org.uk Section Sub-Editors Kelsey Tollady, Alice Melton, Rebecca Lee, Rebecca Paul, Malik Al-Mahrouky & Gemma Neale Chief Web Editors Dori Beeler & Rhiannon Mehta web.editor@palatinate.org.uk Photography Editor Tamsin White photography@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Photography Editors Kartikeya Khanna, Delaney Chambers, Katherine Merchant, Sam Lipman deputy.photography@palatinate.org.uk Illustrations Editor David Drysdale illustration@palatinate.org.uk Palatinate TV Editors Ellie Onions & Danford Showan ptv@palatinate.org.uk Blogs Editor Julie Fisher blogs@palatinate.org.uk Publicity and Advertising Editor Charlie Taverner publicity@palatinate.org.uk

News News Editor: Rowena Caine news@palatinate.org.uk @PalatinateUK Palatinate

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011

For more, visit palatinate.org. uk

News

Former LSE academic David Held is set to take up the post in January Daniel Johnson

Former LSE academic David Held, who held close ties with Saif-al-Islam Gaddafi, has been announced as the new Master of Castle. In a statement Held said: ”I will be taking up the position of Master of University College and Chair of Politics and International Relations at the University of Durham from January. “This move is being made for academic reasons and I look forward to the new avenues of research that this role will bring. I have many links to LSE which will be maintained in the

years ahead.” Professor Held was an academic adviser to the toppled dictator’s son when he studied at LSE, and was caught up in the scandal earlier this year which forced LSE’s director Howard Davies to resign. Often described as an “informal academic adviser” of Saif Gaddafi, Held is leaving LSE ahead of a report into the scandal.

pages 6-7

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Gaddafi-linked academic made new Castle Master

David Held has often been described as an “informal academic adviser” of Saif Gaddafi

our initiations >> for investigation, go to

Professor Graham Towl, Durham University’s Deputy Warden, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Professor David Held as Master of University College. “Professor Held was selected from a very strong field of candidates from across the world following a rigorous interview process and is joining Durham from another leading institution, the LSE. “He has a particular passion for education at undergraduate and postgraduate level and also brings both entrepreneurial experience, for example in modern academic publishing, and a wealth of management skills which will prove invaluable in his role as Master. However, Castle Senior Man Christopher Winterhoff was critical of how students were consulted on the issue. He said: “There is a general dissatisfaction, not just at Castle but throughout other colleges, as to how the University communicates with its students and their representatives concerning matters such as (but not limited to) the appointment of Heads of College. “On my request concerning any information regarding the selection process or the current stage of the selection, I was greeted with a short and inconclusive answer. “It seems as though the students who are the main stakeholders in the appointment of the Head of College position are being ignored in the process.”

A University spokesperson said: “Professor Held was selected from a very strong field of candidates from across the world following a rigorous interview process. “The interview process involved inviting staff and student nominees to meet all candidates.” Held had been a co-director of the LSE’s Global Governance research centre, which was shut down earlier this year after heavy criticms of LSE’s

acceptance of a £1.5 million gift to the Global Governance centre from the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation. Former Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf has been commissioned by the LSE to investigate the decision to accept the donation. He is also to look into allegations that Saif Gaddafi’s doctoral thesis was plagiarised. Held replaces Maurice Tucker, a favourite with students at Castle.

newspaper and others all made note of Professor Held’s links to Saif al-Islam, son of ex-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Professor Held supervising Saif’s doctorate at LSE, and the university’s acceptance of a huge donation from the Gaddafi International Development Foundation certainly do look fairly worrying at first glance. Yet, we should not be passing

judgement on Professor Held without acknowledging his record as a world-leading political theorist in the field of international relations and as co-founder of a major academic publishing firm. Furthermore, Lord Woolf’s report into the links between LSE and Libya are still yet to be published. And upon seeing Saif’s involvement in the recent Libyan

conflict, Professor Held described a young man torn between loyalty to democracy and to his father; very different to the young man he had known. Clearly, the university has appointed a world-leading figure in David Held. But, until the links between LSE and Libya are fully known, it would be rash to pass harsh judgement.

David Held was an academic advisor to Colonel Gaddafi’s son Photograph: London School of Economics

There’s much more to David Held than links to Libya Charlie Taverner Commentary

The majority of reaction to the appointment of David Held as Master of Castle has been very critical, but we must be careful not to make assumptions about his suitability. The headlines in both this

News DSU President’s Column Mike King

I was not surprised when a motion came to council this week asking for a demonstration to hold a student walkout in opposition of mandatory 38-week lets. 38-week lets is the new default option for university affecting catered accommodation and is not what the majority students want. Students want clarification on the choice and price. The university wants to create a college experience throughout Easter term rather than the current package where facilities are limited over the Easter period. In principle students welcome this but at what cost and what choice? Currently we are not clear what the issues are and what the resolutions are. The Vice chancellor has told me that a demonstration is premature and I have responded by saying that a default 38-week let position by the University is premature. The solution is for us to accept that 38-week lets is premature, that the majority of students and staff feel the decision is premature, that students will protest against a wrong decision and we will only accept a policy that is in the best interest for our university.

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Tuesday 8th November 2011 | PALATINATE

Professor Higgins insists the University will not move Vice-Chancellor reacts to recent fears that Durham is becoming a “campus” university

DUCK Officer’s Column Archie Dallas

Normally, when I get writer’s block, I pull out my hair and occasionally beat my head into the table in the vain hope that inspiration will come. However, this week’s lack of creative juice has been a positive joy as it gives me the opportunity to scratch the manly moustache that I fondly imagine I am growing on my top lip. That’s right folks; this is the month when every boyfriend rebels against his better half by growing as much facial hair as humanly possible. It’s now worth admitting that I have barely any ability to grow facial hair. However, this is what I love about the whole event: it’s the chance for men to put aside our own insecurities and face up to a genuine problem. One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lives and about one in four will die as a result. This is why Movember is such an important campaign. It’s not just about looking ridiculous, it’s about demonstrating that you care about your own health. Gentlemen of Durham, give your razor a rest, book a check up and revel in the fact that you will, at the very least, have a better moustache than me.

The University has invested more than £100m in new facilities Photograph: Katie Merchant Rowena Caine Recent developments have suggested that Durham University is gradually moving away from the city centre, however, the Vice-Chancellor argues that this is not the case. John Burton, Managing Director of estate agent J. W. Wood said: “The decision to move the University out of town has been happening gradually”. Previously, the Anthropology site has moved to the Science site. Economics will move into the Durham Business School and the Law Department is moving to the University’s Gateway complex. Similarly, the newest colleges are based on the hill. However, Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins argued: “It has been part of the University’s strategy to move out of Old Elvet for ten years”. He explained that buildings on Old Elvet are not fit for teaching or administration and because the buildings are listed, they cannot “knock them around”. Indeed, Old Shire Hall is moving to the Gateway development. Professor Higgins added: “It’s simply not big enough for modern working”. Over the past few years, the University has invested more than

£100m in new facilities. These include the Main Library extension and the Palatine centre, due to open in 2012. The £16.6m plans for the redevelopment of Durham Business School were approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee. Professor Higgins said: “The extension to the Business School and the refurbishment of its facilities will allow us to maintain this progress by providing a stimulating learning, teaching and research environment which will continue to attract worldclass staff and the most able students from around the globe”. When asked if these extensions are part of a plan to move the University away from the Bailey and Palace Green, Professor Higgins revealed: “No. We have been carrying out work on the buildings on Palace Green, both renovation and extension. “However, our university student support is scattered and we want to bring it all into one place. “There is some local pressure to move the students out of areas of Durham, including the Viaduct and Whinney Hill. We are moving some departments from Old Elvet to make it available for housing. “Although some local people would like to see certain areas returned to residents’ housing, students will always be living in the Via-

duct area”. Durham University Treasurer Paulina Lubacz argued that many colleges and departments will retain their place on the Bailey and on Palace Green. University officials added: “We continually strive to maintain the University’s unique architectural heritage”.

“The old buildings make it worth studying” Ben Hayden, second year student

Durham University has 63 listed buildings and owns and manages the World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral. When asked if these new developments are moving away from the architecture of the city centre, the Vice-Chancellor commented: “The law students love the new buildings because they will be in a proper space – in fit-for-purpose buildings. “We need buildings like the Science Site which in fifty years time will be looked at as being listed and architecturally important buildings. “We also need to build buildings that are the best of their era, such as

Dunelm House. We couldn’t build another castle”. Local fishmonger and café manager Ian Kennedy said that although the University needs to develop “you can’t lose track of why people come to study here”. Ben Hayden, second year Hild Bede student, said: “Durham town is what makes the University. The old buildings, the history and having lectures around these areas is what makes it worth studying here. “If we studied in fit-for-purpose, modern lecture rooms, you’d lose what part of studying here is about”. A history student added: “The science site looks futuristic. The old buildings are a major characteristic of the University and is a major factor as to why students come to study here. “Lectures in Elvet Riverside are like working in an office”. Also, developer Banks Property has plans to build purpose-built accommodation for up to 1,000 students at Mount Oswald. Fears that this would move the student population out of the Viaduct and city centre were extinguished by the Vice-Chancellor. He argued that unless the accommodation is linked to colleges it will not happen, despite claims by the Banks Group. Additional reporting by Emma Jones.

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8thth November 2011

Miliband addresses students

News

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Rowena Caine

David Miliband visited Durham on October 21st for the British Book Festival. There was also a question and answer session at Durham Union Society. With the DUS completely filled, many people were turned away. Robert Bailey, a Grey’s College biology student (1st year) commented: “We were told that we weren’t allowed in because it was full. But David Miliband told us to come in and said he’d find space for us. “Despite going against health and safety rules, we sat right at the front on the floor”. After a late entrance, the Labour Party MP spoke on a wide range of topics including international development and the UK’s foreign policy. He discussed key political issues and problems that governments around the world are currently dealing with. He also informed students about his community project “Movement for Change”.

David Miliband spoke to a packed debating chamber at Durham Union Society Photograph: Delaney Chambers

Wealthy ex-pupil pays for 38-week lets students’ drinks all night prompts protest Christopher Murphy

A wealthy ex-pupil of Collingwood College generously put a large sum of money behind the bar on a normal October Saturday evening, enabling the college’s students to enjoy free drinks all night. Mark Hillery, who was a student at Durham between 1985 and 1988, was at the University to give a seminar on the finance industry to Collingwood students. After the seminar he made a hugely generous donation of approximately £12,000 to the Collingwood bar. This meant that Collingwood’s students were able to enjoy as many drinks as they wanted (apart from bottles of wine) totally free of charge. Hillery is now a successful hedge fund manager, having spent many years working for the Tudor Investment Corporation.

He spoke with students throughout the evening who quizzed him on his career path and the keys to success. The event passed off mainly inci-

“Stocks of vodka were exhausted before 11pm”

dent free, as increased numbers of bar staff were employed to look after the large numbers of drinks requests throughout the evening. Stocks of vodka were exhausted before 11pm, meaning that further supplies had to be sourced from Grey and Van Mildert colleges. Although there are rumours that the evening caused controversy due to numbers of students passed out across college, the atmosphere was in fact quite controlled. In a message to Collingwood stu-

dents, Principal Joe Elliot thanked the bar staff, welfare team and porters for their efforts in helping wherever they were needed. Mark Hillery, who has also donated substantial amounts of money towards the refurbishment of the Collingwood JCR, sent out a message to the College’s students. He affirmed that: “It was, as ever, both a joyful and poignant privilege to return again to the place where I spent the best three years of my life, and to the place that did so much to formulate the person who I am today. “After you leave this place never forget the favour it has bestowed upon you. A favour in life should always be reciprocated. “By donating some of your future success back to this College you will help perpetuate and accelerate the same attitude in future generations of Collingwood students. “You will feel proud to then show your children and grandchildren this great place”.

continued from front page

In November of last year the University faced severe criticism when it became known that they were planning compulsory 38-week lets on college accommodation instead of the current 33-week let. All JCR Presidents wrote an open letter to the Vice-Chancellor heavily criticising the policy, and the President’s Committee described the let as “like paying for a hotel for the week and not being able to use it on the Tuesday and Thursday.” Student opinion was almost universally negative, one student asking, “Has anyone noticed that our University makes all its decisions without ever asking the student population’s opinion?” After heated discussions between the University and colleges the issue appeared to be resolved, but in recent weeks JCR’s say the University has not taken heed of their concerns. Protests at Durham are something

of a rareity, but in recent years have including a demonstration against cuts in higher education, and a vocal protest at the visit of former NUS President Wes Streeting over the BNP debacle. The protest against cuts in higher education also included a counterdemonstration, with a few students holding up a sign saying, “we want unlimited fees”. However, with backing from colleges and the DSU, the planned protest against 38-week lets looks set to be well attended. Mike King added: “We are currently in consultation with the Police, national media, local council as well as the National Union of Students. This is not what anybody wants. Presidents want consultation, students want clarification and everyone wants choice.” Local MP Roberta BlackmanWoods was clear in highlighting that compulsory 38-week lets is a bad option for students.

News

Initiations but by any other name Four years after Team Durham banned initiations, Palatinate examines how new members are inducted to their team and how they feel about excessive drinking Katie Pavid Mei Leng Yew

Initiations have been banned for four years but in some sports clubs, the controversial welcome still exists in the form of “welcome drinks”. Palatinate canvassed students to find out how much initiations have evolved. Excessive drinking led to an Exeter fresher’s death during a golf initiation in 2006, and videos “shocked” the University of Gloucestershire after students were filmed in 2008 lined up against a wall with bags over their heads. In 2007, Team Durham laid out a code of conduct for any sports club

“Sports teams should play sport and drinking clubs should do silly things”

planning welcome drinks for new members. Assistant Director of Student Sport Quentin Sloper said: “We have a definitive stance on initiations and clubs’ socials as a whole, which we publicise on the Team Durham website under ‘code of conduct’. “The code was formally introduced three years ago but we have worked with clubs to ensure that social events are managed appropriately for a number of years”. The code as it stands bans “club initiations,” excessive alcohol consumption during a club social resulting in inappropriate behaviour and any form of illegal or dangerous behaviour. The number of incidents resulting from excessive alcohol consumption drinking has decreased in recent years, possibly due to Team Durham’s policy. Many people told Palatinate of their positive experiences

of welcome drinks and nights out which were arranged in their first year. Some welcome drinks involve fancy dress, challenges or often wearing very few clothes at all, as many will have seen lines of males flying past them, in boxers, silver hotpants, thongs or completely naked. A member of one Hill college girls’ club said: “The theme was Hugh Hefner and the Bunny Girls. We had to eat a gherkin, drink sambuca and do a boat race (a drinking game). I definitely didn’t have a negative experience”. Likewise, a member of a Team Durham mens’ club told us: “The boys had to dress as nuns and do challenges like press ups, boat races and drinking a pint from off the floor”. A Hill college footballer recalled: “For our ‘initiations’ we had to drink a glass of red wine using a tampon, eat food from a nappy and drink a pint of half-beer, half-SMA formula milk. For captains’ initiations last year, we each downed a dirty pint mixed specially by the club captain, who had to do a dirty pitcher. This cost around £30 with all the items in there: Marmite, sweetcorn, crisps, cinnamon, chilli powder to name a few”. These challenges can often be percieved as harmless fun. A friendly atmosphere and some dutch courage can aid team bonding and ultimately improve team spirit on the pitch. However, the first social can still be intimidating for freshers. Some nights out have been known to end in injury and criminal activity. Clubs renowned for heavy alcohol consumption can lose members as potential players want to avoid the embarrassment of drinking challenges. One student from a Bailey college mixed club said: “I know an England Under-21 rugby player who played for his local club rather than his university team purely because their focus was too much on social life rather than the sport. “There are plenty of drinking

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Tuesday 8th November 2011 | PALATINATE

Welcome drinks are now very similar to ordinary socials Photograph: Tamsin White

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011 clubs in and around Durham so sports teams should be there to play sport and drinking clubs should be there to do silly things”. A Team Durham athlete described her first social: “We had to dress up as purple fairies and play Never Have I Have Ever. Everyone had to say the dirtiest thing they had ever done, it had to be sexual and you had to say. “It was good fun, but at the same time some of us were thinking, why do we have to do this? How is this relevant – it’s got nothing to do with us having fun as sportswomen”. However, one third year highlighted the benefits of welcome drinks which included heavy drinking: “I was recently in my bar for the college rugby “initiation” and true, freshers were pressured into drinking; true, they were rowdy and they changed the atmosphere in the bar, but how does this differ from a normal “social”? During the course of the night, several of the senior rugby players, the third and fourth years, weren’t drinking as much as usual and when a fresher appeared from the toilet looking much worse for wear, a senior made sure he got home safely.

“One of the main alcohol awareness campaigns has the slogan “KNOW YOUR LIMITS” but how is one meant to know their limits if they cannot find them in a relatively safe environment? Personally I’m happy we still have initiations because I’d much rather make a complete idiot of myself when I know that some people there are more sober, and there will be someone to carry me

“I’d rather get drunk when I know there is someone to carry me home”

home”. The fact does remain that any other social of the year is almost equally as likely to have negative consequences as freshers’ ‘welcome drinks’. This term alone, three members of one Bailey college are facing either a ban on entering their college bar or a university investigation because of incidents which occurred on a drunken night out.

7 www.palatinate.org.uk

Quentin Sloper recognised that drinking plays a large part of student life: “Social events can be great fun and are, without question, part of the culture of sport and the culture of student life as a whole. We have been keen to recognise that social events do have a role to play but, at the same time, we have been clear that forcing students to do things that they do not want to do, such as drinking excessively and behaving in any form of anti-social manner, has no place within Durham University Sport. “Thankfully the number of incidents we have to deal with is extremely small”. On the whole, club initiations are enjoyable experiences and a fast way for a group of strangers to get to know each other and gel as a team before they are placed on a pitch or a field together. As one third year asked, “Why does “initiation” seem such a dirty word, whereas “a social” is something that is smiled upon?”

Additional reporting by Alex Slotwinski

News

Students invited to shape development of CIS and Library Prof Elizabeth Burd talks to Alexandra Feast about the next step in improving IT services As the University’s five-year IT Vision & Strategy, written in 2007, comes to an end, it is now time to look towards the future and consider what next steps should be taken to deliver “world class” IT provisions. Professor Burd, from the Department of Education, explains how Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) will improve the student experience, and how students can get involved with the developmental process. When talking of TEL, Prof Burd is quick to distinguish it from e-learning, where all learning activities are technology-based. The emphasis is that learning should be supported by technology, not dependent on it. In fact, Liz stresses that in the wrong environment, technology can actually inhibit learning. For her, TEL is about creating flexible work environments so that students can use technology as much or as little as they like to support their learning. The library already boasts some of these learning spaces, such as comfortable seating areas for those who prefer a more relaxed work space and large desk areas more suitable for group work. Students from last year will remember the library’s crammed computer room, now a thing of the past. Set to reopen soon, the room is now spacious and specifically designed so that students can use books and notes alongside their computer screens. “Not everyone wants to read off of a screen” says Prof Burd.

“The survey results will impact on the design of level 3 of the library”

The professor says that giving students a space they can be proud of is key when creating these work areas. So how can we get involved in the creation of these new spaces? In the upcoming weeks, there will be a survey held in the library, asking students which type of work spaces they find the most productive for learning. The survey results will have an impact on what shape the design of level 3 of the library will take.

Yet these new desk areas and learning spaces are of little use if CIS, formerly ITS, is not up and running efficiently. On whether CIS have achieved the goals they set out in 2007, Liz notes that it is difficult to answer such a question because technology is constantly progressing. She was most concerned that ITS met their goal of installing

Professor Elizabeth Burd, Department of Education Photograph: Durham University wireless facilities in more locations across the University, something which she says has been achieved. This will support the learning environments that she is working alongside others to create. With regards to future IT provision, Liz wants to open the debate to students as to what extent we expect the University to embrace the latest technology. So where does Durham stand in comparison with the other universities in terms of providing innovative learning spaces? Liz stresses that whilst larger universities may have buildings which appear more impressive due to their size, Durham does in fact stand out as being recognised as one of the most adventurous in terms of these spaces. If you are still unsure as to how TEL can enhance the student experience or if you want to engage more directly in the process, Professor Burd will be giving a talk entitled “Meeting the educational needs of the next generation” on Nov 10th, at 7.30pm in Fonteyn Ballroom, Dunelm House.

News

Tuesday 8th November 2011 | PALATINATE

www.palatinate.org.uk

Vice-Chancellor says going to university is “a good deal”

The Vice-Chancellor spoke at the DUS last week regarding tuition fees Tim Perry

Durham University Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins has described university education in Britain as “a good deal”. Professor Higgins addressed the Durham Union Society (DUS) last Thursday as he offered his personal opinion on tuition fees and the role of universities. He said that the university degree remained “very good value”, despite Durham fees rising to £9,000 per year for students starting in 2012: “The United Kingdom has the best value for money higher education system in the world. “The loan system is in effect a graduate tax - you only repay the fees after graduation. If you don’t earn enough, you don’t pay it back. We must explain more clearly what the fee system is – the Government has failed [to do so]. “I think very few students will de-

cide not to go to university because of the cost - certainly not to leading universities like Durham. The problem is poor aspirations in some communities. ‘Aspiration raising’ is part of our job”. Regarding the balance of private and state schools, he added: “Sadly for society, some state schools let down their pupils and do not allow them to reach their full potential.

“The ‘one size fits all’ university system simply isn’t sensible”

“We will not reduce entry requirements for any school type - it is a tough competition for admissions to Durham”. Professor Higgins also desires a fairer distribution of the money raised from tuition fees: “It is unfair that through the current loan system

part of the fees paid by Durham students support people to go to other universities. “I much prefer that it’s averaged out across Durham students but not UK students as a whole”. He also put the case for greater diversity of universities and for students to find out which was most appropriate for them: “We need a range [of universities] to suit different students’ needs, abilities and career ambitions; the ‘one size fits all’ system simply isn’t sensible. “The challenges are that we match the right students to the right university, and that money doesn’t put people off the right university for them”. Professor Higgins thought that a post-results university application system will never happen and “won’t solve any problems”. He also believes that it is the university, and not the degree subject itself, that matters: “A good Durham degree, not the specific subject you take, is the passport to a successful future”.

Professor Higgins wants a fairer distribution of tuition fees Photograph: Durham University

Other points mentioned in the talk

. . . .

Durham undergraduate applications have risen by 8% so far this year whereas national applications have decreased by 9% 60% of Durham students are from state schools however Professor Higgins added: “They are still underrepresented” Durham receives twice as many straight-A applicants as Cambridge The University would like more post graduate research students Durham’s use of the A* in selection procedures does not disadvantage particular school types.

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011

Careers

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The best of the careers fair

“It’s all finance and management... right?” ...Wrong. There were a variety of employers offering all types of graduate work at the Careers Fair. Companies from each sector are detailed below. Visit their websites for full details: Retail: Abercrombie and Fitch co., Fenwick Ltd., Autonomy, Jaguar Land Rover, John Lewis Partnership, Tesco, Diageo plc, Nestle UK, Rolls-Royce, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s. Engineering or Scientific: DSTL, AEM Futures, BAE Systems, Centrica, Rolls-Royce, Cooper Industries.

Many think the Careers Fair is all about finance, but if you look closely there is plenty on offer Photograph: Natasha Coral

Biggest in their field:

Did you know...? Lloyds Banking Group: They start graduates off with a £3,000 sign-on incentive and an attractive salary of £28-£38 K with an extra allowance if your placement is in London.

TDA: Teachers will start on at least £21k -27k with the ability to earn up to £90k as a head teacher. For more information, visit www.teach.gov.uk/sep Centrica: The UK’s leading energy supplier. They offer a competitive starting salary of £25k for graduates, with a £2,100 starting bonus plus flexible benefits. They offer work in the following streams: Customer Operations, Marketing, HR, Analyst, Information Systems, Finance, Health, Safety and Environment, Engineering or Subsurface and have been rated in The Times top 100 graduate employers.

Diageo is a global alcoholic beverages company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s largest producer of spirits, and a major producer of beer and wine. They have recently been ranked in the top 25 multinational places to work by the Great Place to Work Institute 2011.

BAE Systems is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. BAE is among the world’s largest military contractors and offer graduate employees an attractive starting salary ranging

between £24,000 and £28,000 with an additional welcome payment of £2,000.

IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. As of September 2011, IBM is the second-largest publicly traded technology company in the world by market capitalization. They offer a starting salary of £27,000 for all graduate positions, except Strategic Analytics Consultant positions which offer a salary of £32,000, and Software Developer and Information Developer PhD positions which offer a salary of up to £35,000.

The “big four” firms Ernst and Young, is part of the “Big Four” accountancy and consultancy firms worldwide. Headquartered in London, it employs over 140,000 across 700 offices – providing auditing and accounting services in 140 countries. For information on their graduate schemes or internship programmes, visit their website. PWC are one of the world’s leading professional services organisations. From 158 coun-

tries, they advise some of the most successful organisations, entrepreneurs and private businesses. To apply, check out their website.

Deloitte is the second largest professional services network in the world, with 182,000 employees in more than 150 countries providing audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk and financial advisory services. For more information visit them online.

The top earners: Morgan and Stanley Their starting salary is a whopping £49,000 a year. J.P. Morgan They say your earnings will be at the upper end of the salary range for new graduates. Barclays Capital Like other investment banks, Barcap tends not to be specific about its basic starting salary for graduates and says only that it is competitive.

Human Resources: BT, Centrica, J.P. Morgan, Mercer, Lloyd’s Banking Group, Nationwide building society, Towers Watson, Rolls-Royce, RWE Npower, Sainsbury’s, Barclay’s Capital, Tesco.

Advertising and PR: Asda, BAE Systems, Nationwide building society, Nestle UK, Sainsbury’s, Barclay’s Global Retail Bank, Tesco.

Media/ Creative work: CDC Enterprise agency, CITI, Metaswitch networks, Milliman limited, Re:generate, Accenture, Capgemini UK plc, Dunnhumby limited, Jones Lang LaSalle, L.E.K Consulting.

What employers had to say: “Durham graduates have a very high chance of making it through our recruitment process”. -Lloyd’s Banking Group

“Our graduate group scheme offers graduates the opportunity to spend time in all areas of the company, before choosing which sector would suit you best to work in”. -Morrison’s representative

“We offer a wide range of choice in our schemes for graduates”. -J. P Morgan

Business Business Editor: Jon Zhu

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The Italian Job: not so mini anymore Euro leaders take the plunge. But will it be enough to save Italy?

Silvio’s image has been irrevocably damaged by sex scandals and court cases Photograph: segnaleorario

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Isabella Grotto

Palatinate

fter the recent summit in Brussels, markets responded positively as stocks, bonds and the Euro all rose in response to the approval of an emergency economic plan. The measures approved were also aimed at supporting the weaker areas of the Eurozone, none more so

118% of GDP

Italy’s debt compared to its GDP

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than Italy. Fears that it too will soon be engulfed by the crisis have been paralysing markets for months and last week’s measures were explicitly aimed at reducing the likelihood of this occurring. After Greece, Italy is the second most indebted country in the Eurozone, its debt weighing 118% of GDP, but thanks to peculiarities endogenous to its system, the country has escaped the fate of other, less heavily indebted countries in Europe. Moreover, except in 2009, Italy’s debt has been above 100% of GDP since 1991. Surprisingly to most economists, Italy had managed to remain solvent, since the majority of its debt

are relatively liquid, easily exchangeable for cash and therefore a lowrisk investment. Moreover, Italians have a culture of being risk-averse: household debt is relatively limited and government expenditure has been below income every year since 1992, except in 2009. That being said, Italy’s finances are very weak. Its economy is one of the slowest growing in the world and its long-term instabilities and defects are now threatening to engulf itself. Mr. Berlusconi has long been a source of concern for his international counterparts, and widespread lack of faith in his government culminated this summer, when squabbling, particularly within the leading coalition, lead to the approval of a watered-down version of the austerity plan first proposed by Italy’s finance minister, Giulio Tremonti. The plan was immediately criticised as unfair, ineffective and inadequate. Most of the spending cuts it included were delayed until 2013 and the rise in taxes contained within the fiscal policy it outlined appeared mostly damaging to lowincome households. Furthermore, the plan appeared to do little to address the problem of tax evasion, a fundamental cause of economic weakness in Italy. To make matters worse, Mr. Berlusconi attempted to make personal use of the plan by slipping in a clause which would enable him to post-

pone the payment of an indemnity of 750 million euro to a business rival, who recently won the right to compensation after Berlusconi’s lawyers were found to have bribed a judge in a previous legal battle between the two. Unsurprisingly, this failed to impress investors and Eurozone leaders alike. Investor pessimism peaked and Italy was downgraded first by Standard & Poor’s and by Moody’s,

“Tax evasion is widely tolerated, and is in fact publicly endorsed by Mr. Berlusconi himself”

two of the most important rating agencies in the world. This in turn prompted the spread (the difference in interest rates on sovereign debt) between German and Italian bonds to reach historic highs over the Summer, sparking further ineffectual panic within the government. In the end, the European Central Bank intervened, hurriedly buying up Italian bonds, but at a price: the formulation of a new austerity plan to include a new, more stringent budget.

Eventually, a final version was presented at the European summit last week, but not before Mr. Berlusconi was chided once more by his French, British and German counterparts, sparking noisy resentment in the leading coalition. The root of Italy’s economic malaise is clearly political. A prime example of this was the markets’ reaction to an incident in July which saw the finance minister, Giulio Tremonti, implicated in a scandal involving a close friend being accused of corruption. As soon as the scandal emerged, markets reacted sending Italian bonds soaring and bringing the whole economy to the brink of disaster. This is because, in a state system which appears increasingly corrupt and volatile, Mr. Tremonti was viewed as a safeguarding influence, having been widely praised for his role in steering the country through the recent financial crisis. When his reliability and integrity came under scrutiny, so did his ability to hold the economic fort. The problems that plague Italy are endogenous. Profits from organised crime are thought to comprise up to around 7% of GDP. Tax evasion is tolerated and is publicly endorsed by Mr. Berluscon. Corruption is beginning to be seen as a necessary part of politics, and Italy is now at a point where tough decisions will prove inescapable. Unfortunately, its future rests once again in the hands of corrupt giants and political mice.

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011

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Manchester United: Still winning, despite a history of setbacks Photograph: Paolo Camera

The curious phenomenon of the financially resilient football club Edward Owen

ou might be inclined to savage the title; after all, what makes this business different? If the answer is nostalgia and loyalty, it is very easy to suggest that these things do not belong in the business world. Indeed, they may even act as millstones slowing the ascent and continued progress of

companies. And you’d be right. Yet, in some places, nostalgia and loyalty continue unabashed, undimmed by such pesky notions of financial reality. Take the example of one of football’s most well known clubs: Manchester United. It has lurched between wind-up orders (saved at the death in 1902 and 1927 by local businessmen often sourced by the captain) and tragedy (in the 1958 Munich air disaster the club lost sev-

So who audits the auditors? Tom McNally On the 21st of October the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) referred the audit market to the Competition Commission. Auditors are appointed by a company’s shareholders to ensure that the company’s financial statements represent true and fair value of the company. This follows public consultation that opened in 2002 and recently ended in September, where it was deemed that the audit market is too concentrated and uncompetitive, with high barriers to entry. Whilst 70% of CFOs believe the

audit market remains competitive, the Big Four (Ernst & Young, Deloitte, PwC and KPMG) collected 99% of the audit fees for the FTSE 100 in 2010. James Robers, partner of the professional services firm BDO Stoy Hayward, said: “The way the market stands at the moment, it is not a level playing field. There is institutional prejudice against firms outside the Big Four because people stick to the status quo”. However, PwC boardmember Richard Sexton, said: “There is fierce rivalry as we compete vigorously for audit appointments,.All of our audit engagements are for one year only, after which shareholders must vote

eral senior administrators along with its playing staff), as well as internal disputes and prospective coups (an argument over the ownership of a racehorse begat an attempt by thenmajority shareholders J.P McManus and John Magnier to have manager Sir Alex Ferguson deposed). This of course says nothing of the hugely unpopular Glazer-led leveraged buyout of the club in 2005, saddling it with £660 million’s worth of debt. Note that however chequered, this

is the history of the most successful club in British football. When viewed on a larger historical scale, we can see that a football club can survive almost anything- if we look at the clubs that made up the football league in 1923 and compare them to their counterparts in 2008, eighty-five percent of these clubs still exist, and a majority of them (48 clubs) operate at a similar level. In comparison, when economic historian Les Hannah looked at what had

become of the top 100 companies from 1912 in 1995, he found that 49 of those companies no longer existed; five of them had gone bankrupt, six had been nationalised and the rest had become victims of mergers. Of those companies that still existed, many of them were no longer of the same stature, or had moved into different sectors. Why is this? The answer is simple: brand loyalty, from the top down. In the footballing boardrooms, the concept of the moral hazard is alive, kicking and unashamedly acknowledged. No football club actively folds; the debt tends to be saddled on the investor, and there will always be somebody willing to bail them out, resize and move on. The greatest example of this is Leeds United, where Peter Ridsdale saddled the club with huge debts in a pyrrhic quest for Champion’s League football. Despite the inevitable catastrophe, Leeds United still consistently fill their 40,000-seater stadium for second-tier football. Leeds fans were willing to go and watch a lower quality players produce a lower-quality product, even after having been spoiled by the empyreal heights of European football years before. In no other business is this possible. If Ford started making lower-quality cars to save on costs, we would all simply flock elsewhere for our automobiles. Indeed, in all other businesses there is the omnipresent threat of a better product, and so there is a strong ethos of innovate or die. Football is the only exception to this rule, where degradation doesn’t mean disaster, simply because of this loyal consumer; some will always come back, no matter how bad the product. To call this loyalty is an understatement, and to understand this psyche one need look no further than Rogan Taylor, Liverpool fan & University lecturer; ‘Nobody has their ashes scattered in Tesco’.

UK’s monopoly watchdog to review the Big 4’s market dominance Photograph: EG Focus again to decide on our reappointment”. At the same time, Michael Izza, chief executive of ICAEW, a UK based accounting body, warns the Competition Commission to not forget that UK has very high standards of audit quality which should not be disorted by market intervention. However it is worth noting that all this comes at a time when the

European Commission (EC) looks to legislate on the audit market. OFT’s referral appears to pre-empt and inform the European Commission’s proposals. The EC plans to take a hard line with the Big Four and aims to separate them into smaller audit and non-audit firms to make the market more competitive and reduce conflicts of interest. There are also plans to introduce

compulsory rotation of auditors every eight years, and introduce joint audits between large and small firms. If this draft paper were passed in its entirety it would drastically change the landscape of the audit market and the accounting industry. There are fears that since the Big 4 recruit graduates heavily into their audit divisions, they will be the ones first to feel this change.

Comment Comment Editor: Olivia Rudgard

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Debate: are some degree courses a waste of time? Are some students wasting their time and money on pointless degrees? YES: Jamie Sherman

ew courses and changes to traditional degrees at this and other universities have led to mockery amongst the self-important medic and engineer, but beyond mere degree snobbery there are in fact courses which simply amount to a waste of time. It is unfair to say that a university course needs a particular amount of content to make it worth studying. One could never judge this objectively and content in one area may be more useful than the same quantity of content in another. Nor would it be fair to say that seemingly over-specific courses such as Architectural Glass or Basket Weaving are not worth their salt per se, because particular careers require such specialisation; the same argument would apply to Aerospace Engineering or Midwifery. What is

NO: Charlotte Deans

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he slightly raised eyebrow when your reply to the quintessential Durham introduction ‘Name, College, Degree’ with ‘Sociology…’ will be familiar to the majority of students whose future career prospects do not include a company so huge that it is known only by an abbreviation. Subjects belonging to the Faculties of Arts and Social Science are often branded with the ‘waste of time’ tag. It is amusing to reminisce about the time in Freshers’ Week when I was informed I was “very brave” to read a subject because I enjoyed it. Discrimination against ‘softer subjects’ is rife. The term ‘softer’ is in itself inaccurate. Do you know what a Sociology student actually studies? Rhetorical Foucauldian discourse analytics is (I think) pretty solid by anyone’s standards. I first encountered such subject prejudice when my sixth form ‘careers advisor’ (who also happened to be Head of Chemistry – go figure) urged that I do a science instead of Theatre Studies, as it would make me look “more rounded to universi-

determinable, and significant, is that some undergraduate courses do not require the university setting; they can be taught and learnt without the facilities of an institution of higher education and that is what makes them a waste of time. Coming to university as an undergraduate involves a massive sacrifice which should be justified by the eventual benefits of doing so. What makes the substantial cost of a degree worthwhile for the student is the academic experience gained and the employability of the resultant qualification. The real question worth considering here is whether the student is getting back more than they are putting in. The academic credentials of a university make it the perfect setting for some degrees. Others could be taught better in another context. Vocational courses can be mocked only on the basis that they are being taught in the wrong environment. They ought to be taught. They ought to be read, but not at university. Setting up this sort of degree in a university simply makes no sense ties”. The competitive nature that permeates all aspects of Durham, be it the library, the sports hall, the Assembly Rooms or the JCR, is particularly evident during the current ‘job season’. The atmosphere at the recent Graduate Recruitment Fair could only be described as overwhelming to those of us who do not have the next twenty years planned meticulously. It is understandable that lots of

“

A degree is about broadening your mind and self

”

students attend Durham and other such universities because of the direct link to the corporate treadmill, and to obtain this they may purposefully choose a degree subject that makes this transition more fluid. I must ask, are such subjects taken

for the student, since they are forced to pay through the nose for skills they could be better learning in the workplace, at a college or through an internship. Labour’s target to reach 50% university attendance may have had noble intent, but the figure has led our education system down the wrong

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road. Badly put together courses with little in the way of employable skills do not get students into good jobs. Nor do they improve the skill set of our workforce, or reduce unemployment in any worthwhile sense. Our economy is not enhanced by poor-quality degrees and the students who study them emerge three years later only to add to the unemployment statistics. As for the public in general, the result of higher taxation is that eighteen year-olds on leafy campuses are spending due to a love for numbers and figures? Or is enjoyment being put on the back burner for such applicants, for three years or perhaps for their whole future? Do they look forward to retirement already? I know that many enjoy such subjects, as well as the lifestyle and financial security they bring. Yet there’s only so much comfort and happiness a six figure bank balance can provide. I accept that by not doing a subject that serves me well for the trading floor I will probably be less comfortable in later life than my more fiscally driven peers. But I think the old adage, ‘Don’t let your degree get in the way of your education’ should not be ignored. Surely a degree is first and foremost about broadening your mind and self. It is my opinion that everyone should be encouraged to study, even if they may not achieve an A*. Success does not automatically equal happiness. Although recent reports by the Association of Graduate Recruiters stated that the Labour target of getting half of all young people to university has ‘driven down standards’ and ‘devalued degrees’, a lack of opportunity in the job market has left many wanting to pursue a degree in order to become more well-rounded and intellectually stimulated citizens. In the words of NUS, it is in the long term interest

most of their day doing whatever they like. Some people just don’t need to be at university, even if their parents see it as the obvious route to success. Given the cost of the degrees in question to the student, it is at least simple to see why they are being established and why people are so happy to sign on to them. For the university, another name on the register means another set of tuition fees and a higher government grant. The cost for the institution is very low; new degrees generally provide around eight hours of teaching, costing a university very little for each new student. For the student, years spent frolicking on an interest-free loan in a town overrun by young people is a perfect draw. It is not for the student to decide whether a chosen subject justifies the university lifestyle. Instead the worth of a qualification should be judged by its demand in the economy and its improvement to the life of the student. Unfortunately, some degree courses are simply not living up to these standards.

of our economy that the number of skilled graduates entering the workforce continues to increase. We as a society are in constant need of graduates from less traditional subjects. Among our greatest exports are television greats such as ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ (a concept now shown in thirty countries) and ‘The X Factor’, powered by those with media degrees. Social science has never been more at the forefront of current events. The ever changing bureaucracy of the NHS, August’s civil unrest and the row over tuition fees are all explained from the learned viewpoint of social policy makers and analysts. We need to analyse factors that cause such events in order to produce solutions. Although in our capitalist society we will always need accountants, traders and oil executives, there are other job sectors that need to be tapped by a constant flow of degree graduates. Universities higher up the league tables may dismiss those at the lower end of the spectrum, and their graduates may well hold positions at the higher end of the job chain, but will they be happy, well-rounded, members of the Big Society? When The Bubble bursts, I know who I would rather sit next to at a dinner party, and it won’t be the fat cat who supposedly got the cream.

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8h November 2011

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Obama’s opponents are handing him victory

Georgia O’Brien

University offices will soon move to the library, but the benefits have not been considered Photograph: Delaney Chambers

Look for the positives in Mount Oswald plans Alex Slotwinski

he mere mention of Durham becoming a campus university has been met with outrage by some students, alumni and even prospective applicants. As one of only five collegiate universities in the UK, even the University’s prospectus cites the college system as being fundamental to the ‘Durham Difference’. Indeed, Durham’s pastoral collegiate system offers students the best of both worlds – the opportunity to participate in a multitude of sports and societies at a more informal level together with an authentic community sentiment in University accommodation that’s simply not replicated in the impersonal halls of other universities (whilst avoiding the prison-like confinement of Oxbridge). Again like the ancient universities, the history of the University and consequently much of its estate is intertwined with a presence in the medieval city; therefore it’s hardly surprising that loyalty to these two defining aspects alone has already sparked much hostility towards the University’s development plans. However, on consideration of

the detail, certain pillars of the opposition camp’s argument begin to crumble. Barely over a third of the University’s fourteen colleges are situated on the Bailey, the old beating heart of the City; yet Bailey bar crawls, Philosophy seminars on Old Elvet and of course queuing in Tesco’s are as much part of any Hill student’s experience at Durham. In fact, non-Bailey college students arguably enjoy a wider range of opportunities than those at central colleges, from the extensive on-site sports facilities at Hild Bede to not having to share a room for at least some of their undergraduate life. Yes, the Bailey may be pretty, but is it really worth sacrificing the quality and comfort of facilities for a slightly shorter walk to lectures? Perhaps the most major aspect of College provision is accommodation, and despite apprehension over a mixed-college hall this is one aspect of the Durham experience the Mount Oswald complex would vastly improve. Needless to say, large chunks of the University’s college builds already look overdue for refurbishment and the Bailey colleges, listed buildings and castles aside, are renowned for having some of the worst accommodation. The complex could open the option of warm, ensuite rooms to all students, even if their college does not provide it, or limits it to returning students.

Another likely benefit would be the provision of self-catered accommodation, currently an option for students at only two Durham city colleges. Not only would this be a desirable and more economical option for many first years - who can feel that their routine is locked around mealtimes - but it would offer more independence to returning students who wish to avoid the hassle of finding a house. The debate over mixed college halls is really a non-issue; the plans for Mount Oswald would vastly improve the college integration that already occurs to a lesser extent in sports and societies, enabling students to branch out more easily and socialise outside their college. The Mount Oswald complex’s ambition of a new ‘community hub’ for students also reinvigorates the debate over the role of the DSU and its increasingly tired looking headquarters. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the outmoded and somewhat stagnant atmosphere of Dunelm House reflects and perhaps exacerbates the increasing stagnation of the DSU in students’ minds. An innovative and purpose-built new hub would ensure the physical image of the DSU catches up with its already forward-looking ethos, as inevitably students base their opinion of the Union on its packaging. The fact that a new hub would presuma-

bly be at the heart of a mixed-college community almost guarantees the DSU’s revival. It would become the convenient bar and social space of choice for students, thus working its way back to the forefront of their minds. Being located in the middle of an accommodation complex would also rectify the problem of the DSU’s perpetually empty feel, as being the closest bar it would be difficult for it not to be busy. Perhaps there would finally be a situation where DSU bar takings start to give the colleges stiff competition! The long-standing city-orientated structure of the University evidently holds a certain nostalgia for many (who perhaps have turned a blind eye all these years regarding expansion and relocation onto the Hill). However, it is important to look beyond familiarity and see the ways in which the Mount Oswald development will enrich, not mar, the Durham experience for students in particular. A more 21st-century take on Durham’s ‘difference’ is in order. A balance of city and campus need not rid the University of its distinct character and atmosphere, but simply complement it. We can retain the College system and link to the Cathedral, whilst enhancing the student experience in line with rising expectations and facilities at other top universities.

With the US presidential election barely a year away, all eyes have turned to Iowa as Republican candidates begin their fight for the party nomination. The entire field are to the right of the moderates that have picked up the nomination in recent years. This is a dangerous game for the Republicans to play. As well as social conservatives may do at the Republican nominating convention, the same cannot be said for the American public. No candidate has shown the leadership needed of the next president at a time when recession, unemployment and budget deficit are pressing issues. Straw polls suggest it will be former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain and Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney who will compete to face Obama next November. Cain, who has never held public office, is basing his credentials to become leader of the free world on the fact he used to run a fast-food chain. Romney is the moderate of the field, but his flipflopping on key right issues such as abortion and gun control has made him unpopular with many in the Republican party. The GOP candidates must swing to the right to win the party nomination, then swing left again to align with the general populace. This makes them look insincere and out of touch with the American public. More than half of Americans are pro-choice, support gay marriage and lean left on social issues, whereas the current field of republicans are the most socially conservative candidates of the past decade. Cain said this year that he would not appoint a Muslim to either his cabinet or a judge position and Romney has admitted to chastising a woman who had an abortion. Of course the candidates do have individual strengths. Romney is an experienced career politician and his views on social and economic policy will be much more amenable to independent voters than any of his rivals. Cain has the might of the Tea Party behind him, and as an AfricanAmerican may be able to reach out to centrist African-Americans. But does any of this offset their social views? I don’t think so. A social conservative may snatch the republican nomination, but they will be handing Obama reelection.

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PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011

Population boom is a disaster waiting to happen Charlie Taverner

Opinion

The current rate of population growth is unsustainable

n the few minutes you take to read this article, the world population will have grown by about 400 people. Britain’s population will have shot up to 70 million by 2027. The world population has just hit seven billion. These figures have real life significance for all of us. In fact, if the rate continues to grow exponentially, the extra billions will cause more upheaval to the world economy than any sovereign debt crisis ever could. This incredible pace of world population growth is a relatively recent phenomenon. Until around 1750, the population was estimated to be around 500 million. Then, with Britain leading the way, industrialisation and population growth went hand in hand, finally reaching one billion in the early nineteenth century. Since 1900 and particularly in the last 50 years, the global population has skyrocketed. While the expansion of Britain’s population has slowed since the heady days of the industrial revolution, it is still growing at 0.6% per annum. It’s not just a matter of increasing birth rates. Our population is living far longer because there is better healthcare

while immigration accounts for two thirds of our overall growth. The typical trend has been that as a country becomes richer, population growth slows. However, Britain’s high immigration levels are

“

How different will a world of 9 billion feel?

”

distorting the usual pattern. These extra people all require healthcare, housing and basic transport. Ros Altman, director general of Saga, explained to The Times that whilst people live for longer, “the infrastructure needed to go with this achievement has not moved along at all”. Financially this will deal a mas-

sive blow to the government’s plans to drastically reduce expenditure. Cutting the deficit was a moot point in the General Election debates in May last year but is gradually slipping out of the public consciousness. The Office of National Statistics totalled our net public sector debt at £940.1 billion in July 2011, 61.4% of GDP. Over the course of this parliament, departmental budgets will be cut by an average of nineteen per cent as the Coalition plan to reduce the yearly budget deficit. The deficit has to come down, and so does our national debt in the long run, so these cuts are neccessary. Everyone might just have to expect a bit less from the government. The limp growth of 0.1% in our economy doesn’t bode well for the future. It’s impossible to be sure if we can grow ourselves out of the dilemma. On a global scale the problems become even more basic. At the current rate of growth, the world population will be well over nine billion by 2050 and those billions have got to be fed. We need raw materials to power and fuel this population. Such growth makes you wonder how much the earth can take? And

if it can, how different will a world of nine billion feel? There is a huge amount of scientific research currently going on that will form part of mankind’s solution to the population boom. The jump to seven billion was pushed off the front pages by the crisis in the Eurozone and that is understandable. After all, the resolution of the international debt crisis will determine the economic

7,000,000,000 There are now over seven billion people in the world

prospects of the near future. Yet this huge population growth is a real issue, that actually isn’t that far away. Such a global problem requires long term strategic planning by the best and brightest, and it should start now. And while discussions in Europe seem far more pressing, the rest of us should sit up and take notice too.

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011 Profile Editor: Jessica Waite profile@palatinate.org.uk

Profile: Marcus Brigstocke

Marcus Brigstocke promotes his book which follows the (hilarious) quest for spiritual fulfilment Photograph: Katie Merchant

“Don’t let schooling intefere with your education” British comedian Marcus Brigstocke talks to Jessica Waite about his new book ‘God Collar’

n preparation for my interview, I had read ‘God Collar’ during a lazy week-long summer holiday in Turkey after finishing Russell Brand’s ‘Booky Wook 2’. Informed by this first experience of comedic hilarity, I wasn’t then expecting to be plagued with existential anguish at the words of one of the UK’s finest comedians. In the book, Marcus, a self-titled “wish-I-wasn’t atheist”, pens his experience of delving into the histories and cultures of the three chief Abrahamic religions in “the hope of filling his ‘God-shaped hole”. By the end, his ‘hole’ remains unfilled. Still, I’ve never known a failed attempt at spiritual fulfilment ever to be as funny as ‘God Collar’ shows Marcus’ to be. I follow the comedian and his publicist into a backstage dressingroom, where he ignores all seven available chairs and instead invites me to perch next to him on top of a table. I wonder aloud whether his journey into comedy was as unconventional as his sitting habits. “I tried to go to drama school and didn’t get in, so my best friend organised a stand-up gig for me to do

and it was a competition [organised by Kiss FM in 1995]. I was terrified and – even though I was sh*t for the first half of it - in the end, I came second and I was like, “Oooh, hello – I like this”. Knowing that from that point onwards, he wanted to be in comedy, Marcus went on to the University of Bristol to “meet like-minded people” and study Drama.

“Here’s my card!”

“I wore a green suit with quite a bold waistcoat, a tie and Doc. Martins. I looked extraordinary. I knew what I wanted and I had cards printed with my phone number on them – and when I saw a few people that I thought were funny (on stage, obviously! Not just random people in the street), I approached them asking how to get into comedy”. Marcus dons a macho, confident voice: “Here’s my card!” One of the recipients of Marcus’ cards was Dan Tetsell, who teamed up with Marcus and his friend Danny Robins to form a sketch group called Club Seals, which later

made the transition to TV in the series of short programmes ‘We Are History’. He performed at the Edinburgh Festival every year and gigged as much as possible – doing, on average, ten shows a week. In fact, it was in Edinburgh that Marcus was nominated for BBC New Comedian of the Year Competition in 1996 – and won it. “From the end of my first year, I was a full-time comic. That ruined my degree – I never got it. I’m still waiting!” Since then, Marcus’ career has taken off – in all directions. He’s released stand-up DVDs, captained the Red Team on Dave’s comedy debating show ‘Argumental’ and had a cameo role in the Christmas romantic comedy ‘Love Actually’. My brother knew him because he is a familiar face on the CBBC show ‘I’m Sorry I’ve Got No Head’. He is most well-known, however, for appearing on satirical news programmes, as a presenter on Radio 4’s ‘The Now Show’, BBC4’s ‘The Late Edition’ and the popular panel show ‘Have I Got News for You’. “I’m careful, though, about my panel shows. I’m very regularly introduced as, ‘You’ll have seen him

on ‘Mock the Week’ - but I’ve never actually been on it, out of choice. I don’t think they deal with the golden opportunities thrown up by the news to do what satire is supposed to do - comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. You shouldn’t afflict the afflicted and comfort the comfortable. Mock the Week too often blurs the line and literally mocks the weak”. I wonder where Marcus feels most at home - on the stage, behind a panel, with a pen in hand? “I consider myself a comedian first and then second a writer - because I have to, not because I enjoy it”. So Marcus didn’t enjoy writing ‘God Collar’? Everyone laughs, including his literary publicist – nervously. “No, I didn’t. I found it lonely and my neediness as a performer – which I was aware of, but not to that extent – came out. With comedy you write it, you say it, they laugh and then you know you’re okay. With a book, you write it, you put it out there and then you say” - (Marcus curls up on the table in the foetal position) – “‘Now judge me!’” Perhaps the book was also difficult to write, given the genesis of the

idea. Marcus’ crisis of faith came about when his aforementioned best friend, James Ross – to whom ‘God Collar’ is dedicated - died in 2006. “As an atheist, I didn’t know where to put him. ‘God Collar’ was about finding that place”. I mention the fascinating passage in his book, where Marcus describes atheism as “an absence of a thing. It’s as potentially exciting as a blank canvas, waiting to be filled with whatever the creator chooses. It holds as much fear as it does excitement… An absence of belief requires you to build a philosophy out of what you can believe in”. It seems to me, I tentatively suggest, that Marcus hasn’t found anything concrete with which to fill in his canvas. He agrees: “I’ve become aware, definitely, of the things in my life that I do that exist on that blank canvas… For example, when I write a new show and do it, and I’m proud of it and I feel validated by the enjoyment that the audience get from it, then I’m fulfilled. That’s the sort of person that I am. But, it would be nice to have something on that blank canvas that is a bit more permanent - that isn’t reliant on applause!” From ‘tweeting’ Marcus directly about the possibility of conducting an interview at the Book Festival, I noticed that that his twitter page bears the Mark Twain quote, “Don’t let schooling interfere with your education”. I’m intrigued. Is this Marcus’ own canvas-filling philosophy? “My education was a failure for reasons complicated and simple. [Marcus struggled with an eating disorder as well as drug and alcohol addictions as a teenager]. The challenges I threw up stumped most of the people whose responsibility it was to educate me. I am one of the people who falls through the cracks

“University is a holding pen for lunatics”

of conventional education. The formal structure of education – not so much now, but certainly in my day - can prevent you from thinking and asking questions”. Does this mean that Marcus felt that university, too, was stifling? “I knew that I was going to fail my degree, fairly early on… But quite quickly, I realised that for me, anyway, that wasn’t the point of it all”. What is the point then? “University is a holding pen for lunatics. People who are still discovering who they are and deciding who and what they want to be. If you come to university and you don’t take part in anything that happens at university other than what’s offered on your course, except possibly a drinking club where you hilariously collect wine bottles and decorate your bedroom with them, then you’ve missed it. You’ve missed it. It’s golden”.

Sport

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011

Sport

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Sport Editors: Delaney Chambers & Peter Vickers sport@palatinate.org.uk

@PalatinateUK Palatinate The Men’s 1st’s won 5-1 at L’boro, ensuring both men and women sit top of BUCS leagues Photograph: Tom Whitworth

The resistance continues Durham women fight back to extend their unbeaten record in the EHL Durham University

Brooklands Poynton 2 Spencer Brown

HOCKEY

pub sports >> take seriously? Go to page 19

For more, visit palatinate.org. uk

Durham University Women’s Hockey team preserved their unbeaten record in the National Hockey League after a stirring comeback against Manchester-based Brooklands Poynton. Following goals either side of the interval, Durham were facing a first defeat of the season at the hands of a confident and in-form Brooklands outfit, but a late onslaught ensured Durham escaped with a draw. Harriet Moore continued her prolific form to halve the deficit deep into the second half, before Libby Sherriff pounced in the dying minutes to level the scores at 2-2. Captain Steph Elliot expressed mixed feelings of pride and frustration after the game: “We’ve dipped a bit recently and we’ve not been taking our opportunities” she said. “However, I’m proud that we didn’t drop our heads and came back so strongly in the last 10 minutes”.

Heading into the game Durham sat at the top of the Conference North table, having picked up three wins – including two seven-nil demolitions of Northampton Saints and Whitley Bay & Tynemouth – and two draws from their opening fixtures. In the process, Durham’s lethal potency in front of goal saw them amass the division’s strongest goal difference. They then carried their form into the BUCS Premier North League on Wednesday with an opening victory over rivals Loughborough. Confidence was therefore high

“I’m proud that we didn’t drop our heads and came back so strongly”

Steph Elliott Captain in anticipation of Brooklands’ trip across the Pennines. However, the Manchester-based team were in blistering form themselves after three successive victories in which they scored 14 goals and conceded just one. After relegation from the Premier Division last year they are no doubt

targeting an immediate return, and soon after half-time their journey to Maiden Castle threatened to be a fruitful one. Durham’s resilience however coupled with Harriet Moore’s trademark eye for goal - meant that the momentum soon swung and a dramatic equaliser from Libby Sherriff was a fitting conclusion to a breathless period of play. The final whistle was a blessing for the Brooklands players, who in the latter stages were pinned deep into their own territory. As Captain Elliot put it: “If only we could have played the whole game like the last 10 minutes”. Nonetheless, Durham are yet to taste defeat this season. Though they lost top spot in the Conference North due to results elsewhere, there are a plethora of positives to take from such a battling performance. Currently Durham have a game in hand on their opponents and sit five points off the top following three wins and three draws this season. Rival student team Loughborough are also in the mix for a spot in the National League play-offs but Durham’s resilience may prove crucial over the course of the season. Durham’s next game against Liverpool Sefton was frustratingly postponed due to traffic delays . They will play Doncaster on 12 November.

DUHC make excellent start to a promising BUCS season

Durham University hockey club are high-flying after a fantastic month of results in October. Both the Men’s and Women’s first teams sit top of theirNorthern Premier division thanks to three wins apiece. The men are looking to retain their title after winning it for the first time last season. In the Northern Conference 2B, the Women’s 2nd’s and 3rd’s occupy the top two slots having also maintained perfect records. The Men’s 2nd’s have three from three matches as well, which puts them top of 2B, whilst the 3rd’s currently occupy third in the same divison. The Men’s 4th’s have picked up maximum points too meaning that they top 3B whilst the Women’s 4th’s are positioned in fifth.

Sport

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Tuesday 8h November 2011 | PALATINATE

DUBC secure early-season medal haul Rowers impress in GB U23 trials and return with a clutch of medals from first BUCS event William Warr

ROWING DUBC enjoyed a successful weekend in Boston, Lincolnshire, where the first set of GB U23 trials and the BUCS small boats head took place. On Saturday trialists undertook the mandatory 2km ergo test, with some impressive results achieved in both men’s and women’s fields. Callum McBrierty came 3rd out of the U23’s in a time of 6:02 and Izzy Currie impressed finishing in the top ten.

DUBC rowers returned with a medal

Hannah Cannell also made an impact with a time of 7:10. Having only started rowing last year with Durham’s fresher’s programme, she managed to make the 2km erg cut-

off for the U23’s, getting 7.14.0. She came 9th at U23 level, just behind the top Durham woman, Izzy Currie, who came 4th. The men also did well in the scull category. Fresher Andy Brown came 13th overall, making him the top Durham male sculler. Former GB junior, Angus Groom was likewise pleased with his result of 20th. The lightweight men also made their mark in the trials. Former U23 World Champion, Will Fletcher got an impressive personal best of 6:19 on the ergometer, as well as coming 11th in the scull. He was closely followed by Tim Woodman, a fresher, who came 12th in the ergo (6.24.9) and 26th in the scull. This was Woodman’s first time at trials so this was a meaningful result. Veteran of the club, Stu West, was pleased with his PB on the ergo of 6.28. But Durham’s success was not confined to the trials alone. In the BUCS small boats head, the men’s double (Callum McBrierty and Angus Groom) and the women’s double (Hannah Cannell and Izzy Currie) both won gold.

Medal magic: DUBC’s triumphant rowers savour their success Photograph: GB Rowing When asked about their success, the men’s double put it down to the intensive programme they had been following and the quality of the new facilities that they had been using. The second women’s double (Jess Budgett and Rachel Martin) won an

impressive silver medal, and the second men’s double (Barney Stentiford and Andy Brown) came 8th. Other medal winners were Lucy Glendinning and Courtenay Hallwood, who picked up a bronze in the women’s lightweight double.

Meanwhile, Daisy Colsell and Camilla Hadland in the women’s pair, John Ford and Simon Hardie in the men’s pair and Will Fletcher and Stu West in the men’s lightweight pair all finished fourth in their events, narrowly missing out on medals.

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011

Sport

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Pub sports: the college scene

“The game’s impressiveness comes from its flukes and flair”

game how they wish to play it whilst maintaining the important element of college competition in the comfort and familiar settings of college bars. Durham Pool League president, Matt Barnes, commented that students are often surprised when they find out how many people are involved in pool at the University. As a result there are always ways new players can get involved. Barnes also said that regularly visiting other colleges is one of the great attractions of the sport. For a large number of players and spectators, the game’s impressiveness comes from its flukes and flair. To others, however, the game is much slower, and individual shots or breaks are meticulously thought through. This level of precision is where the attraction of the game lies. Pool is an important element of college life which allows students to meet other players, improve their skill and also provides a welcome distraction from studying. Overall, what is very clear is that many students at the University are indeed committed to pool, but it is importantly not a sport that demands seriousness or a standard of the same level seen in many other inter-college leagues.

But what is it then that makes pool so popular? The commitment to pool across the University is illustrated clearly by the number of players and teams taking part in the University leagues - at Trevelyan and Hild Bede as many as six teams. Each match team consists of six players and gameplay is subject to preference, with students playing the

For hundreds of students at Durham, college darts has become an essential part of their university lives. On a Monday night in the corner of every college bar, you can expect to find two darts teams fighting it out in the prestigious darts league. In total there are 22 college teams. This year every college has a least one team. Trevs and Butler have three. John Lumley, the organiser of the league, explains how popular the

Stuart Marshfield William Warr

POOL For many students, pool is quite simply a pub game that could never be taken too seriously as a sport. That said, one thing is very clear: students at the University take pool to be an important part of college. Fuelled by inter-college competition and rivalry, the pool league includes a variety of students. Pool at the University has an undeniable ability to keep cross-university competition alive in the casual setting of college bars. In the evenings it is a rarity that pool tables go unused, occupied by perhaps those simply wanting a couple of relaxed frames with friends or those fighting for promotion or a crucial deciding frame within the college leagues.

DARTS

Pool of talent: college participation is growing rapidly Photograph: Delaney Chambers sport is: “We had demand for 25 teams, but I couldn’t fit that many in the schedule.” Each of these 22 teams has eight players and each member plays ‘a leg’. A leg begins with 501 points, and the aim is to get to zero before your opponent by finishing on a double. There is also a ‘beer leg’ halfway through the fourth match, in which all sixteen players in the two teams play each other. The losing team has to buy the winners a pint. Rob Powell, captain of the University Darts Team and member of

Checked-shirt checks out in style: darts is serious business Photograph: Delaney Chambers

Mary’s A Team says that he: “necks a pint and a half of Guinness before he starts to help him relax his throw, giving him a smoother action.”

Number of college darts teams in the university

However, he practices without alcohol, which is just as well, as he trains 10-12 hours a week. Emily Pearson, Captain of Castle B team, plays hockey, netball, football, rowing, badminton and squash. “I do loads of sport, and darts is just a social thing,” she says. The same seems to be true for numerous players. Some teams are made up entirely of members from one college sports team. Watson, Captain of Mary’s Darts, says: “Our B team is almost exclusively made up of the college football club, who get together on a Monday night to play in the league.” This social aspect seems to be key for many involved in the darts scene. Whilst all the players have the intention of winning, they maintain that meeting and catching up with friends is just as important. It appears that some team selection is based on friendship groups rather than solely darts talent. John Lumley explains, “Our A team is just my friends, our B team is just freshers and our C team is a lot of the

football club”. However Lumley does acknowledge that in other colleges, where there aren’t as many teams, meritbased team selection is necessary. With only one team, Grey has to have a ladder system, where you can challenge the person above you on the ladder to a game in the week and then the top eight go out and try to win in the league on Monday night. Yet the players are not the only winners in this sport. Monday night would be one of the quieter nights in most college bars, but Lumley explains that the 16 darts players provide plentiful business. “Trevs bar would be empty then if

“We had a demand for 25 teams, but couldn’t fit them in the schedule!” John Lumley Organiser, College Darts

it wasn’t for the league”. What is more, it seems that no one need feel inhibited about participating. Emily Pearson says that as a girl it was at first a bit intimidating “with all the boys shouting and standing around the board.” But Pearson denies the thought that darts is male-orientated, saying: “It’s quite the opposite really! If a girl is playing, it is darts etiquette for all the guys to support the girl, no matter which team you are on.”

Sport

PALATINATE | Tuesday 8th November 2011

Hockey Reports Men and Women unbeaten, page 17

Pub sports: serious? Pool and darts coverage, page 19

DUBC success

Rowers come back with medals, page 18

Durham anihillated Northumbria to secure their 27th win in a row in front of a massive crowd of 2,000 spectators from Durham Photograph: Tamsin White

No charity for Northumbria Durham triumph over Northumbria in annual charity challenge, continuing their winning streak Durham

Northumbria

Alex Stewart Pete Vickers

RUGBY In front of a 2,000-strong crowd at the annual Rugby Charity Challenge, Durham Men’s Rugby 1st XV cruised to a resounding 72-5 win over Northumbria University 1st XV. Durham’s run of consecutive victories stretches all the way back to the beginning of last season. Their success began with the appointment of coach Alex Keay, who will surely be delighted with the emphatic nature of the result against their local rivals. Centre Tom Shiel and Winger Sam Rupar each registered a brace of tries as the Palatinates put on a vintage attacking display for the spectators.

Outside Centre Tom Shiel said, “Not only are we winning, we are playing well, which is something we didn’t always do last year.” The team were equally impressive in defence, restricting Northumbria to a solitary consolation try in the closing stages of the game. The day of showpiece rugby that had earlier seen a combined college ‘Barbarian’ XV convincingly beat a team from the HMS Bulwark. The University 1st’s came racing out of the blocks against Northumbria, scoring within a matter of minutes. A promisingly-placed scrum was driven over the opposition try-line by the ever-impressive Durham pack. This allowed for Number Eight Harrison Collins to touch down and begin the rout. Durham continued to dominate up front but the backs in particular were simply destructive, slicing through their counterparts on a regular basis. Fly-half Mike Ward had a fine game, consistently finding gaps for his outside backs to exploit.

The speed of Danny Holmes, Tom Shiel and Sam Rupar in particular was breathtaking as they galloped down field with ball in hand. Perhaps what impressed most about the attack was their ability to keep the ball live.

“The balance of the team was right and the players fitted together nicely”

-Number 13 Tom Shiel Some superb support running and sublime off-loading allowed Durham to attack at a consistently frightening pace that Northumbria simply couldn’t handle. The match was over as a contest well before the half-time whistle blew, by which point the Palatinates had amassed an impressive 38 points

without reply from the visitors. The half-time on-pitch entertainment provided some well-needed respite for Northumbria. The crowd treated to a performance from the Durham Divas and a surreal inter-college ‘Welly Wanging’ competition with college mascots, presidents and guests. The spectacle continued as play resumed. The Palatinates exhibited a fine display of creative rugby, moving the ball quickly and drawing some desperate and often late tackles from their frustrated opponents. Second-row Josh Beaumont and flanker Jak Pattinson delivered highquality performances, whether it be with ball in hand, in defence or at the breakdown. Despite allowing Northumbria to register a try towards the end of the second half, Durham managed to rack up another five themselves before the final whistle. The team clearly take well to the big-match atmosphere under the floodlights after thumping much-

fancied Loughborough in their charity challenge a week earlier. Next week, Durham travel to Leeds University for a showdown be-

Number of tries scored by Durham University

tween two teams with 100% records this season. It will surely be Leeds feeling the pre-match jitters as the Palatinates show no letting up in their quest for back-to-back titles. Proceeds from the Rugby Charity Challenge went towards Sport in Action Zambia.

Inside Palatinate >> More on university sporting success plus college ‘pub sports’