Palatinate Issue 741

Graduation Special: we catch up with graduates past and present

Incoming Chancellor Sir Thomas Allen talks about his upcoming installation

Graduation Special, pages 9-11

News, page 3

Palatinate

No. 741

Durham’s student newspaper since 1948

www.palatinate.org.uk

Thursday 21st June 2012 | FREE

Hild Bede students express concern over library loss ..

College library to be merged with Education Department Fears that privileges of Hild Bede students will be lost

Matthew Lee

The University is to go ahead with plans to integrate the Hild Bede College library into the Education Library, despite major concerns from the student body.

The proposal would officially make the 40,000 volumes contained within the college library part of the wider University stock and, therefore, subject to the same regulations.

For example, the Hild Bede library, which has the largest college book collection in Durham, presently allows only its own students to take out books on loan. However, should the planned assimilation be implemented, books previously retained exclusively for Hild Bede students could be loaned to any Durham student.

Furthermore, like other college

libraries, the Hild Bede equivalent operates flexible opening hours, especially during peak times such as in the evening, at the weekend and during the exam period. With the merger of the two libraries would also come the extension of the Education Library opening hours which, at the moment, offer only four hours of access during the weekend.

40,000

Number of books in Hild Bede Library’s collection

In addition to its impact on the accessibility of resources to Hild Bede students, the move will subsume books paid for by Hild Bede alumni and the compulsory library charge levied on all college members.

So far, it is this combination of unfavourable library regulations and

Music: Van Mildert’s festival Jam by the Lake reviewed

diversion of college resources which has caused the most consternation amongst Hild Bede students. Unsurprisingly, some student representatives have expressed severe opposition to the plans.

Matt Woodhams, Hild Bede SRC president, said: “Those responsible for the move clearly do not care about the college or its students. The assimilation of our library overrides the express wishes of Hild Bede students and alumni.”

University Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins explained the motivation behind the plans: “The scheme will provide a better stocked library on the Leazes Road site.”

The University’s decision-making process has also received criticism.

Initial soundings of student opinion were made in the summer of 2010 but were met with a negative continued on page 3

Photograph: Delaney Chambers

Thousands braved the rain to watch BBC presenter Matt Baker carry the Olympic torch on to Durham University’s Racecourse Sports Grounds Photograph: Nicoletta Asciuto

Film: Do the viral ads for Prometheus mislead the viewer?

Comment: Were the Jubilee celebrations justifable?

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Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

www.palatinate.org.uk Editorial Colleges will always show hostility to difficult 21.06.2012 central decisions: it’s the ‘Durham Difference’ If you thumb over the pages of this last edition of Palatinate for the academic year, there is a substantial amount of discussion of what makes Durham ‘different’.

Much of the debate (see our Graduation Special, or Daniel Johnson’s Comment article on p.16) centres on the propensity of students here to devote countless hours to extra-curricular activities, often at the expense of their studies. This means that the quality of our sporting, charitable and artistic achievements is sensational.

However, there is an alternative and equally potent suggestion: that Durham’s set of sixteen vibrant, passionate and, most importantly, semiautonomous colleges make it stand out from the scholarly crowd.

The degree of independence the colleges possess gives them their distinctive character and helps create a fierce sense of pride at being a member of whichever college you found yourself in as you entered Durham as a fresh-faced fresher. From JCRs to College offices, the significant degree of devolved power to these bodies allows individual colleges to shape the lives of their students. Colleges provide services and entertainment tailored to the communities they serve.

Recent news, which you can read in the subsequent pages of this Palatinate, shows the anger and disappointment felt by college administrations and JCRs alike when substantial change is forced upon them, which

they feel will have a detrimental effect on the lives of students.

Many students have voiced concerns about the ‘assimilation’ of Hild Bede Library with that of the Education Library (p.1 & 3) and the removal of the JCR-elected sabbatical Bar Steward position at St. Cuthbert’s (p.6).

The concerns expressed in both cases are worrying for the affected students. The former could possibly hamper the learning resources dedicated to Hild Bede members, while the latter might suggest that the JCR is losing an element of control over its College bar.

Whether or not these changes will have the negative effects their detractors claim, these two situations highlight how central University governance can quickly and efficiently enforce changes on various Colleges, in a way that might feel as if students are not being properly consulted.

Admittedly, de-centralised colleges are not infallible institutions and on a large number of issues, central decision-making is essential.

It makes sense, for example, to have standardised accommodation costs across the University and there is a strong case for sabbatical or JCR officers not possessing the highest level of professional skills and qualifications. This is, of course, why there are only four sabbatical positions in DSU alongside numerous full-time employees, and this is why colleges

employ large numbers of professional staff to look after their students.

There is an interesting paradox expressed in the above stories. JCRs and DSU provide layers of representation for the student body. However, the Hild Bede and St. Cuthbert’s situations see many students claiming that the University or the College administration has not sufficiently consulted them.

It is likely that in both scenarios, arguments will be made both ways and the University administration will insist that they took time over consultation, while aggrieved students will claim the reverse.

There is no need to adjudicate on such issues. However, they do highlight the anger that can be felt when students feel their concerns are not being taken into account by the central body.

It is important that the views of JCR leaders, and those of the students they represent, are taken seriously.

Colleges at Durham are distinctive bodies who still possess sufficient power to shape thriving, diverse student communities. The University celebrates the Colleges’ diversity as part of the ‘Durham Difference’ allowing them freedom become individual communities. Therefore it is inevitable that when central decisions are made which students feel will detract from college life, the reaction from these communities will be fierce and proud.

Charlie Taverner & Larry Bartleet

No.741

Contents Palatinate News pages 3-8

Grad’s Special pages 9-11 Business pages 12-13

Comment pages 14-16 Sport pages 17-20

indigo

Edtorial page 2

Books page 3

Features pages 4-5

Music pages 6-7

Fashion pages 8-9

Food & Drink pages 10-11 Film & TV pages 12 Stage page 13

Travel pages 14-15 Back page page 16

Remember to check out the last releases of term, including interviews, news and features.

Preview: Spring Awakening

Profile: Mark Silversides

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 Larry Bartleet Charlie Taverner editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Editors Alexandra Bottomer & Olivia Rudgard deputy.editor@palatinate.org.uk News Editors Katie Pavid & Julia Chapman news@palatinate.org.uk News Features Editor Christopher Murphy news.features@palatinate.org.uk Deputy News Editors Matt Lee, Harriet Line & Emma Francombe deputy.news@palatinate.org.uk Business Editor Jon Zhu business@palatinate.org.uk Careers Editor Amy Sandiford-Watts careers@palatinate.org.uk Profile Editor Jessica Waite profile@palatinate.org.uk Comment Editors Flo Snead & Joe Adams comment@palatinate.org.uk Sport Editors Spencer Brown & William Warr sport@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Sport Editors Kate Houghton, Hugh McDowell, Will Rudd & Tom Ryder deputy.sport@palatinate.org.uk Indigo Editors Molly Fowler & Alexandra Groom indigo@palatinate.org.uk Features Editor Sarah Murray feature@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Features Editors Catherine Bradfield & Sarah Holmes Food and Drink Editor Belinda Davies food@palatinate.org.uk Travel Editor Ellie Ross travel@palatinate.org.uk Fashion Editor Olivia Swash Deputy Fashion Editors Sophia Chan & Ella Cole fashion@palatinate.org.uk Film and Television Editor Ed Owen film@palatinate.org.uk Stage Editor Anna Bailey stage@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Stage Editors Gabriel Samuels Music Editors Jess Denham & Will Clement music@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Music Editor Patrick Bernard deputy.music@palatinate.org.uk Books Editor Justina Crabtree books@palatinate.org.uk Chief Sub-Editor Kelsey Tollady sub-editing@palatinate.org.uk Section Sub-Editors Alice Melton, Rebecca Lee, Rebecca Paul, Malik Al-Mahrouky & Gemma Neale Chief Web Editor Rhiannon Mehta web.editor@palatinate.org.uk Photography Editor Nicoletta Asciuto photography@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Photography Editors Katherine Merchant, Asher Haynes, Kelsi Butler & Anni Pekie deputy.photography@palatinate.org.uk Illustration Editor James Crosland-Mills illustration@palatinate.org.uk Palatinate TV Station Manager Livia Carron ptv@palatinate.org.uk Blogs Editor Julie Fisher blogs@palatinate.org.uk Publicity Officer Tilly Barr publicity@palatinate.org.uk Advertising Officer Matt Lee

News

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Incoming Chancellor Thomas Allen prepares for installation

@PalatinateUK Palatinate Durham’s Official Student Newspaper

Thomas Allen speaks of his pride in Durham University and the reputation of the North-East Photograph: Sussie Ahlburg

on European Extremely Large Telescope page 4

P

For more, visit palatinate.org. uk

Opera star Sir Thomas Allen is preparing to be installed officially as the new Chancellor of Durham University on Tuesday 26th June.

He will be the 12th Chancellor to receive the robes and cap and take the oath of office in an installation ceremony in Durham Cathedral.

Speaking about his new role, Sir Thomas said: “The installation and everything surrounding it have been occupying my mind for what seems like years, and is in fact just a few short months.

“It’s one of those occasions that has no onerous issues attached which allows me personally to bring together family and friends to share a uniquely special occasion in my life”.

When the announcement was made in 2011, Allen spoke of his pride at having grown up in the county and felt the appointment meant he was “coming home.” He is positive about the University’s local and international reputation: “The University is a source of pride for any North-Easterner. I may be biased slightly, but I know that when I was in Hong Kong recently and saw the University badge on an enormous poster in Kowloon, amongst a number of others displaying their wares, it made me immensely proud.

“I happen to think that was not just the Chancellor in me, but also the North-East man. I believe many, many North Easterners would have thought likewise.”

Allen is a world-renowned operatic baritone, having studied at the Royal College of Music and worked with both the Welsh and English National Operas. As well as performing on the international stage, he has performed in London’s Covent Garden for over 35 years. In 1989, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and he was knighted in the 1999 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

He encouraged the students of Durham to make the most of the opportunities which the unique institution offers them: “University is not a God-given right. You are here having worked hard to gain a precious place in an extraordinary institution. Enjoy yourself, work hard, play hard.

“The opportunities you have here will not come again in your life. Be a sponge, be curious and learn about everything that life has to offer in your chosen field and then whatever else the place offers.

“And Durham is a lovely, special place, the county, the city. You may or may not return to it afterwards, but learn of its values whilst you are here. They are, I can assure you, remarkable, along with its warmhearted people”.

Allen intends to enjoy his time as Chancellor, and declared his desire to aid the growth of the Durham community: “There are serious things to be addressed always, but I would like to think that my face will become familiar around the University and in the streets of Durham. You’ll find me wandering there frequently if I have anything to do with it, and I hope that any student should find me approachable.

“I have a concern, born I believe of the focus and dedication necessary to become a serious artist, that we are largely too insular and perhaps even isolated.

“I want to encourage a crossing over of interests that I think will bring benefits to all. We need to work towards a world devoid of cultural and racial prejudices to one of greater understanding and tolerance.

“I believe the seed of that may well lie within the life of our University and I would feel I’d have served some good if we could see the growth of greater understanding”.

The Chancellor’s installation will be taking place at 10:30am on 26th June at Durham Cathedral. Students are encouraged to attend, and can register for free tickets at http://bit. ly/MCPUyh

taken a book out of the Hild Bede Library”.

Professor Higgins further commented: “It is pleasing to see the Library and Hild Bede College working in partnership to enhance library access.”

To assuage student fears, the ViceChancellor has also promised “more student study space in Hild Bede” as well as hinting at the possibility of longer opening hours for the com-

bined library.

In response to criticisms of the decision making process, Professor Higgins said that “the Leazes Road site was approved two years ago by Hild Bede College Council and the University Library Committee, both of which include elected student representatives.”

Nevertheless, the vocal opposition is likely to prevent any chance of a smooth and swift assimilation.

Katie Pavid

News Editors: Julia Chapman Katie Pavid news@palatinate.org.uk

at >> Scientists Durham work

News

College Library to merge with Education Department Continued from page 1 response. Despite this, plans for the assimilation were revealed in January.

One Hild Bede second year said: “It’s an outrage that the University hierarchy can just completely ignore student opinion and get away with it.”

Another second year remarked: “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out we’re going to be at a disadvantage compared to other colleges.”

Despite much criticism of hte proposals, other Hild Bede students were less concerned.

“We’re going to be at a disadvantage” Hild Bede second year student

A first year student noted: “Personally, I prefer to work in the Education library and I don’t think I’ve ever

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Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

Proposal for ‘Faculty of Colleges’ rejected by Senate Charlie Taverner University proposals to create a ‘Faculty of Colleges’ have had to be shelved after opposition in the Senate, Durham University’s supreme governing body for academic matters.

On 1st May at Hild Bede College, a show of hands almost led to the motion being passed before calls for the proposals to be put to a written ballot were accepted. The first ballot in Senate for nine years saw 17 votes in favour, 28 against and 3 abstentions, meaning the Senate did not recommend the proposed statue changes to the University’s executive body, Council.

The proposed transition from the Colleges Division to a Faculty of Colleges would recognise the increased role of colleges in education and research at the University.

The paper put to the Senate suggests that the organisational change would “frame the Colleges first and foremost as scholarly communities in which academic activities are undertaken in support of the University Strategy under the leadership of sen-

ior academics.”

The general principle of acknowledging further the Colleges’ informal academic role has been developed throughout a long period of consultation with staff and student representatives, and the notion was approved by the University Executive Committee, Senate and Council in their respective February and March 2012 meetings.

Professor Graham Towl, Deputy Warden of the University, said in a statement: “Our colleges are scholarly communities with scholarly leadership from our Heads of Colleges, all of whom are senior members of our academic staff at Durham University.

“We are keen to both recognise the excellent work of our College communities and also further enable such scholarly work to flourish in the future.”

When the paper outlining the reality of the statute change was circulated prior to the May meeting, concerns were raised that the precise nature Faculty of Colleges concept blurred the lines between colleges and academic departments.

Professor Ranald Michie, Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, circulated a paper via email to

fellow Senate members prior to the meeting expressing concern. His note of opposition suggested that with the title ‘Faculty’ there would be ambiguity over where degree-awarding powers would lie (currently they are devolved to the three academic Faculties).

Furthermore, he suggested the Faculty of Colleges statute change could potentially harm the unique formal and informal academic communities that the current form of Departments and Colleges provides, which allows students to meet a wide range of peers and academics

September 2003

The last time the University Senate held a written ballot

to focus on high quality research.

The paper said: “Colleges have a very important contribution to make to the ongoing success of Durham University a successful academic institution. So do the existing Faculties and the departments and individual

institutes that they contain.

“We should not confuse the distinctive contribution that each make by giving them the same name as the proposed Statute change does.”

Prior to the meeting, Professor Michie requested, as is his right as a Senate member, that preparations were made for a written ballot on the proposed statute changes. Reports from the 1st May meeting suggest that when the Faculty of Colleges proposals arose, the Chair of Senate (Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins) wanted to accept the positive show of hands as the approval of Senate.

However, Professor Michie reasserted the right to hold a written ballot, giving a short speech expressing his concerns, before voting slips were distributed.

Subsequently, the result of show of hands was reversed by the ballot’s rejection of the proposals.

The holding of a written ballot at Senate was the first since 29th September 2003. Usually, motions are decided by a public show of hands.

Alongside the reversal of the result, Palatinate has been informed by numerous witnesses that the ballot itself was handled poorly. Several

Senate members expressed uncertainty over the wording of the ballot, particuarly whether they were debating the general principle of the colleges’ academic role or the ‘Faculty of Colleges’ name.

Professor Towl added: “The reorganisation and development of the College’s Division to reflect the development of the individual Colleges as scholarly communities was strongly endorsed and approved formally by both Senate and Council.

“Some staff at Senate had concerns about the use of the term ‘Faculty of Colleges’ and discussion and debate on such matters is important in a university community. However, this will not in any way deflect the growth and development of the very special College system which contributes so much to the Durham education and student experience.”

Following the meeting, the Faculty of Colleges statute changes were not put to the Council at the meeting on 15th May and therefore will not be going ahead. Instead, a proposal will be made to the 19th June meeting of Senate for the current ‘Colleges Divisions’ to drop the word ‘Division’, but not to become a Faculty.

Durham collaborates on world’s largest ground-based telescope Harriet Line

The programme for the world’s largest ground-based telescope, which involves scientists at Durham University, has been approved by the Council of the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

The European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), which was approved on Monday 11th June, will be the largest optical or near infrared sensor in the world, and will help to improve the understanding of dark matter and dark energy – something which has not yet been directly observed.

E-ELT will have a 39m diameter optical or infrared telescope, which should be over ten times more sensitive than any current telescope of its kind. It will collect 12 times more light than the current largest optical telescope.

Construction, however, will not commence until provisional votes from the member states are confirmed and 90% of the required funding is secured. Competition for industrial contracts will be open to all member states, to a value of £645 million.

The UK has a strong position considering its ability in optics manufacture, detectors, software and structural engineering.

Durham University will collaborate with the University of Oxford,

Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Air Traffic Control and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Space programme, as well as other leading institutions and UK industries.

The UK’s major involvement in the planned first light instrument has been attributed to the country’s world leading scientific and technical capabilities. UK scientists are prominent in the discoveries with the new telescope.

Research institutions will benefit financially from their involvement, and so far £8 million has been won by the UK for work in the preconstruction phase.

Professor Simon Morris, Deputy Head of Physics at Durham, and coPrincipal Investigator for the EAGLE instrument, said that “the European Extremely Large Telescope will greatly surpass the already amazing suite of four Very Large Telescopes.

“It will have a huge light collecting area, with ways of correcting atmospheric blurring, and the ability to observe large numbers of faint, distant galaxies at once.

“This will allow UK astronomers, in collaboration with our European colleagues, to solve many current mysteries about the way in which the Milky Way formed. UK astronomical instrument builders are also very excited to be taking a number of leading roles in the planned cameras and spectrographs for the telescope.”

It is hoped that the telescope will solve mysteries surrounding the formation of the Milky Way Photograph: ESO E-ELT archive

PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

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Grey College hosts children’s sports day as part of community initiative Gabriel Samuels On Wednesday 13th June, members of Grey College invited children from three local special needs schools to a second sports day event as part of the college’s Grey in the Community initiative.

The first of these events took place on the 29th of February to great acclaim. Over 35 children and adults joined Grey students for a day of sport, music and craft-making.

Wednesday’s activities emulated the first day’s successful formula as a total of 30 special needs students from three different Durham schools tried their hand at a range of sports inside Durham’s recently renovated sports complex at Maiden Castle, including curling, tag rugby and rowing.

The students were then driven back to Grey, where they had lunch and enjoyed an afternoon of live music performed by students of the college in Fountains Hall including beat-boxing from John Oliver and a well-received routine by the Grey Cheerleaders.

The students were also given the opportunity to express their creative

side with a range of arts and crafts activities.

The highlight of the afternoon was the opportunity for the children to meet and shake the hand of British Paralympian swimmer Ben Proctor, winner of a 200m freestyle bronze medal at the 2010 World Championships, who also suffers from learning disabilities.

Ben presented a certificate and trophy to each child individually to complete the day’s proceedings.

“The reward was really in the day itself; the kids have so much energy and it’s our job to match that as far as we can, and give as much back to them as possible”, enthused Hannah Langton, organiser of the Grey in the Community scheme.

Concerned by the widening the gulf between “town and gown”, Langton and JCR President Turner established the initiative at the start of this academic year as a way for Grey College to give something back to the local community.

Recent initiatives include organising a range of visits to local schools including St Michael’s Primary School, a visit to elderly residents at Hallgarth Care Centre and a trip to Holme House Prison in Stockton.

The programme has received generous funding from Durham City Council’s Disability Commission, the board of Grey College Trustees and from personal sponsorships, a large portion of which was afforded to the running of the two sports day events.

The scheme was recently described by the University as “a model of Durham college life at its best.”

Feedback from participants received by the college following the two sports days was overwhelmingly positive in nature, with everyone involved in agreement regarding the success of the events and the benefits of the initiative as a whole.

“Our service users were always treated as equals, with dignity and respect”, wrote Tina Outhwaite of Auckland Gate Day Centre, “we all felt very much part of your community”. Gail Hopper of Durham County Council wrote of how “the approach of the students and staff to the task at hand was a credit to Grey College and the University as a whole”.

Grey in the Community are looking to build on these successes in the next academic year. If you would like to get involved with the initiative in the future, or to donate, email c.j.blois-brooke@durham.ac.uk

the Mount Oswald site which is located on the South side of the city next to Van Mildert College.

The land in this area is currently owned by the Banks Group, a property development company with the intention to build a residential complex on the land.

Recently, the Banks Group put forward a proposal to build a hall of residence for students, which was rejected by the University, which insists on maintaining the University’s collegiate environment for all students.

Other plans for refurbishment are underway, with a focus on making all college residences appropriate for student living, despite the many restrictions on building and renovating in Durham City.

It is also the University’s intention to demolish a block on the Hild Bede site in order to make way for a brand-new set of accommodation.

Existing student accommodation is expected to be universally fit for purpose by 2018.

Other, smaller, developments will be taking place in colleges both on the Bailey and the Hill.

St. Chad’s College, the smallest college at Durham University, is having a new block built as well as taking over a building on Church Street.

Chad’s is also likely to acquire the Queen’s Court building when the Music department relocates.

Hatfield College will acquire the old boiler site which will be turned into further accommodation.

The expansions within existing colleges will generate no more than five hundred bed spaces.

The University is hoping to have at least a thousand new bed spaces by 2020.

Because of this, other areas such as Mount Oswald are being

Special needs students participate in the Grey in the Community initiative Photograph: Lubee Abubakar

University considers building two new colleges by 2020 Julia Chapman

Durham University is planning to expand its accommodation further to create an extra thousand bed spaces for students and staff.

The University has started to address issues of oversubscription in some colleges by beginning small-scale refurbishments and is now looking to build new college accommodation in both Durham and Stockton.

Speaking to Palatinate, Professor Chris Higgins, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, was adamant that any developments of accommodation at Durham University will be collegiate, either incorporating new buildings into existing colleges or establishing entirely new colleges.

The plans for growth have emerged following an increase in student numbers over the last few years. Professor Higgins said, “We are not looking to increase those substantially any more. We are still growing, to some extent, our postgraduate numbers, but the university overall is not going to grow substantially.”

The area the University believes has the greatest scope for development of new accommodation is

1000

The number of extra bed spaces the University expects to provide by 2020

Instead, the land owned by the Banks Group will be developed into housing which will be suitable for university staff and their families.

In addition to maximising the number of students who can live in college during their time at Durham, the University is in the midst of several college refurbishments, with works currently ongoing in St. John’s College, due to be ready for the 2012/2013 intake.

considered.

The University is also planning to develop a new accommodation complex at Queen’s Campus in Stockton.

A property in the North Shore area of Stockton has been purchased by the University and building is expected to commence in the next two years.

The new accommodation in Stockton will either be affiliated with one of Stephenson or John Snow College or will create a new

“As a university we’re doing reasonably well financially” Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins

college altogether.

Additionally, the University has plans to encourage balance between undergraduate students, postgraduate students and staff living within the college communities.

New accommodation growth will also enable students greater flexibility in catering style when living in college.

Professor Higgins said, “Firstyear students usually just want

to eat in college, but returners or postgraduates often want some level of self-catering, and not all colleges are configured for that”.

As a result, Grey College has recently adapted one accommodation block to provide a selfcatered option for students living in college, and other colleges will soon be adopting a similar course of action.

On the other hand, self-catered college Josephine Butler will be given a kitchen to facilitate smallscale formal dinners.

In terms of the financial implications of such ambitious developments, Professor Higgins confidently expressed the University’s comfortable financial situation by saying, “As a university we’re doing reasonably well financially, we’re making a good surplus”.

The surplus earned by the University is invested in future projects, predominantly the planned accommodation developments.

Already, the University spends £5m to £6m annually on refurbishments.

The 2005 construction of Ustinov and Josephine Butler Colleges cost £35m, and the University anticipates that the Mount Oswald build will be roughly as expensive.

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Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

Large-scale DSU refurbishment approaches Christopher Murphy

This summer will see a substantial amount of money spent to refurbish Dunelm House and attempt to bring it into the 21st century.

Proposals are in the advanced stages for a full redevelopment of the entire building both inside and outside. Over £380,000 has been set aside to be spent. The details are currently being finalised, with work set to begin in July.

Mike King, the current DSU President, claims that the works will turn Dunelm House into the world class Student Union that Durham Students have both asked for and deserve.

Dunelm House was designed by acclaimed Anglo-Danish architect

Sir Ove Arup, the same man who designed the Sydney Opera House.

Arup designed both Kingsgate Bridge and Dunelm House as a joint piece of work, which was upon its completion considered glorious architecture.

One second year student commented: “It’s just such an ugly building in the middle of a beautiful city.

Durham University doesn’t really suit the concept of a Union due to the college system, but if it were a little more comfortable and welcoming I’m sure people would be much more prepared to use its facilities.”

This investment in refurbishing Dunelm House has shown the University’s commitment to restoring Dunelm House to its former glory. It was originally designed as a centre that gives students central facilities

not provided by the colleges.

The space is heavily used, with multiple societies utilising the city centre location on a regular basis.

However, the DSU building has been in need of a refit for several years now.

One third year finalist commented: “Just during the past three years I have witnessed the decline of Dunelm House; now there aren’t even any club nights held there, whether regular or one-off occasions. Hopefully these refurbishment plans can regain student enthusiasm for it.”

The Fonteyn Ballroom in the DSU is reported as being the largest function room in Durham City, but it is not equipped with the facilities to take full advantage of the space.

The current academic year has

seen investment in the new Activity Centre, as well as refurbishments of most of the toilets.

However this has failed to change the opinion of the majority of students of the DSU, something that the upcoming refurbishment works will hope to change.

These works will include major upgrades to the Riverside Café and the Fonteyn Ballroom. The Riverside Café, which is losing custom to Durham’s wide variety of cafés, will become a café/bar, with new furniture and increased plug sockets for laptops.

The Fonteyn Ballroom floor will also be replaced with a vinyl floor to better suit the variety of societies that wish to use it than the current wooden form.

The Kingsgate Bar will also see

minor refurbishments that will increase its suitability as a space for societies and activities as well as its function as a bar.

Landscaping to the surrounding areas of Dunelm House will also aim to improve the look of the DSU from outside.

A second year student commented: “I look forward to seeing the changes, but for me the DSU needs a full scale refit with much more than £380,000 going towards the refurbishments.

“I have been really impressed with the new library wing, and the work on the new law buildings on the science site should be a credit to the University. Hopefully the DSU will be able to keep up.”

Cuth’s students angered by change in bar management Harriet Line

The College office of St. Cuthbert’s Society has introduced a professional Bar Manager and repositioned the role of the Bar Steward, angering many students as the Junior Common Room (JCR) claims it was not properly consulted.

An external Bar Manager has been appointed from the college of St. Hild and St. Bede, where they will now spend only half of their hours in order to oversee the running of the St. Cuthbert’s bar, reducing pressure on the bursar.

The Bar Steward position has also been removed from the JCR executive committee, allegedly because of problems with the licensing agreement, something which members of the college refute.

Originally, the Bar Steward was an elected, sabbatical position, employed by the University, but also a graduate of the college and a current member of the JCR. The College office have said that the Bar Manager position has been introduced because of a decline in bar profits. However, members of the JCR have suggested that the figures for this are unreliable.

Students are angry with the lack of communication between the college office and the JCR. The JCR was offered four options, none of which were suitable, but the employment of a Bar Manager was not rejected outright by the JCR. However, the final decision was made by an interview process without student consultation.

Furhtermore, the JCR claims that emails were ignored and the College refused to provide them with the relevant and accurate financial data.

Gabriel Currie, Senior DSU Representative at St. Cuthbert’s Society, said: “People are really upset that col-

lege is failing to communicate with them at all - which is a major issue. I have tried to get data provided openly, but they are unwilling to do so.”

The figures that have been provided by the College office were questioned by several members of the current bar staff who believe it is “difficult to see how we do not make a lot of money”.

However, some aspects of the bar are affecting its profitability. The lack of seating reduces the popularity of televised sports events, the cellar is the wrong temperature for storing beer effectively and the lines of the draught taps are so long that around 15 pints are wasted per week per tap as the bar is cleaned.

The JCR has suggested that reducing the opening hours of the bar or training the staff in business skills would improve the profitability of the bar.

Removing the sabbatical element of the Bar Steward role has concerned many students who saw it as a great way to gain experience and improve their employability.

The choice for the Bar Manager has also been questioned due to his twofold role serving both St. Cuthbert’s and St. Hild and St. Bede.

One student at St. Cuthbert’s commented that splitting time between colleges is not effective; “We know that this situation doesn’t work out because our bursar does a similar thing [balancing a role between the two colleges].

“The quality of time invested in St. Cuthbert’s has decreased since the merging of college positions a few years ago.”

The lack of response echoes the issues with the gas leak last year, once more highlighting problems with college communication.

One student commented that “Cuth’s was such a community, but now there is so much politics and so much anger.”

Students of St. Cuthbert’s Society have expressed frustration over a lack of communication between the college and the JCR Photograph: Gabriel Currie

PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

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News

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Oriental Museum launches new exhibition James Ablett Durham University’s Oriental Museum continues to bounce back from its recent break-in.

Opening to the public on June 16th, the museum has united local sixthform pupils and University students with its ‘Made in China: Exports and Experiences’ exhibition.

Designed and curated by the teenagers and their University counterparts, the display explores the relations between Britain and China from 1500 up to the present day.

As part of the year-long project, the students have conducted extensive research in several areas, including exploration of the Chinese collection at the Oriental Museum, examination of the material found during archaeological excavations in Durham City (now housed in the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology), and an assessment of the Palace Green Library archives relating to the field.

The students also conducted interviews with the local Chinese community to gather their memories, and so produce an interesting and diverse exhibition.

The exhibition is part of the Cultural Olympiad for London 2012, and forms a segment of the ‘Stories of the World’ project, which invites young people aged 14-25 into museums and art galleries to reinterpret their collections in new and inspiring ways, with the aim of living up to the London 2012 motto – ‘Inspire a Generation’ – in all aspects of life.

The Oriental Museum has joined forces with Tyne and Wear and Middleborough museums to discover and promote the collections of the north-east.

A large range of objects are featured, including an English bishop’s chopstick holder, early European maps of China, and Olympic mascots.

The students have enjoyed creating the exhibition, putting in hours of work during evenings and weekends for over a year.

Alex Green 18, a project team member from Gilesgate Sixth Form Centre said, “I have always had an interest in history. Doing Stories of the World has broadened my knowledge of a history I never knew.

“This project has opened doors for me and shown me new ways of exploring history. I have also built up my team-working skills and increased my self-confidence. I have made new friends locally and from all over the world.”

Heather Lawton 17, also from Gilesgate Sixth Form Centre, said, “Every session has been fun, interesting and I’ve learnt some amazing things that most people will never experience. Everyone’s really welcoming and it makes Stories of the World a really fun experience.”

The Oriental Museum, situated on Elvet Hill, is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and noon to 5pm at weekends, with entry being free for students and £1.50 for adults. Phone 0191 334 5694, or visit ww.w.durham.ac.uk/oriental. museum for more details.

DUCK Officer’s Column Archie Dallas

This is the last time that I will grace the column of this paper as the DUCK Officer, and is therefore your final bulletin from DUCK this year.

This has been a phenomenal year for DUCK and has seen thousands of you taking part in central events (1,357 at last count) as well as many more who have attended events, sponsored a friend or just chucked their last precious pennies into a bucket.

This year has been one of great success for Durham students. We dominated Tough Guy with the largest team at the entire event. We’ve had teams of Jailbreakers getting as far as Kuala Lumphur without spending a penny. We’ve tipped 15,000 rubber ducks off Elvet Bridge and even spent a night in Durham Cathedral. We’ve had incredible people doing outstanding things, raising

huge amounts for charity.

Specifically in fact, we gave away £421,034.27 to charity this year which is a phenomenal amount. If you split this figure up it comes out at £25.51 per person in the University which shows just how generous you guys can be.

Thanks have to go to everyone; it’s entirely a team effort. However, a special shout out to the DUCK team who have been working tirelessly to pull it all together this year. However, before we dwell on the fact that they’ve been running events with hundreds of participants, managing huge budgets and generally having an epic time I have to tell you that we are recruiting for next year.

We’re looking for the brightest, most passionate and innovative students to run the team next year. No experience required, just enthusiasm.

Interested? You should be. Email carmen.o’loughlin@durham.ac.uk to get involved.

Local sixth-form students have been working with the university to create a new exhibition entitled ‘Made in China: Exports and Experiences’. Photograph: Nicoletta Asciuto

Registrar criticises Vice Chancellor in ‘Muppet’ blog Julia Chapman Durham University Registrar and Secretary Carolyn Fowler wrote a controversial blog post, which has since been removed, commenting critically on her professional relationship with the University Vice Chancellor, Professor Christopher Higgins.

In the post made on her blog, durhamregistrar.wordpress.com, Ms Fowler likened herself to Kermit the frog and Professor Higgins to Miss Piggy, both characters from the Muppets.

As a comparison to the Vice Chancellor, Ms Fowler wrote: “Piggy, secure in her stardom and suffering not

a moment of self-doubt, performs with single-minded determination regardless of whatever chaos might be going on around her.”

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In contrast, she wrote of herself: “Meanwhile the registrar – Kermit desperately tries to keep Piggy and everyone else happy at the same time, his only fixed point of knowledge that the show must go on.”

An excerpt from the post is still available on Times Higher Education.

In her position as Registrar Ms Fowler acts as University Chief Operating Officer responsible to Prof Higgins.

However, she is currently on leave.

After posting her blog, Ms Fowler was challenged on Twitter for her audacity, tweeting in response: “The boss thought it was funny!”

The blog is controlled by Ms Fowler and the post has since been deleted.

Ms Fowler, the University’s first female registrar, has occupied the position since April 2009.

She is also a former Durham University student, having been one of the earliest female graduates from University College in 1990.

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News

DSU President’s column Mike King It’s with a sense of great honour, serving as your president, that I reluctantly write my final column in our student newspaper. I would like to outline some of our achievements over the past twelve months, which I am proud to say have been numerous.

Some highlights include high election turnouts, the upcoming Dunelm House refurbishment, the launch of Question Time with the Vice Chancellor, 30 new student societies, over 12,000 students transported by the Nightbus, £641,000 raised by DSU charities and the launch of the new DSU website.

I will not apologise for allowing some local and national issues to slip through the net and that is because I am proud to say that we have prioritised restructuring the Union, guaranteeing that students are at the heart of the system.

This year I have tried to ensure the Union is looking beyond one term ahead, beyond twelve months and rather three years into the future. This Union is more than one sabbatical or staff team, more than one set of finalists and more than one cycle of students. This is a Union that has seen hundreds of thousands of students pass through as members and will continue to do so for centuries to come. DSU looks to a future where DSU leads on the national scene in 2015.

OIA acknowledges plagiarism policy issues in UK universities Emma Francombe The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) has released a report that acknowledges a substantial increase in the number of complaints received from students with regards to plagiarism punishment.

The OIA, established in 2005, is an independent assessment body and can intervene with student issues, should a university’s internal measures fail to resolve them. Over the past year, it has become apparent that some universities are failing to correctly inform students about the consequences of plagiarism before an offence is committed. CEO Rob Behrans explains that whilst plagiarism is an academic misconduct, students either were unaware they were committing an offence, felt their punishment was too harsh or their university failed to allow the student to defend their actions in a fair and plausible hearing.

Palatinate spoke about the issue with students and found that for Arts students especially, there is an element of uncertainty with regards to how much can be lifted from alternative sources, although every student interviewed was aware that the University does not tolerate plagiarism.

“It is easy to plagiarise accidently, by failing to reference or incorrectly framing a quote,” said a Politics student, “and it is harder, especially in my subject, where we often need to reference new media, such as Twitter or online blogs. There are limited guidelines on how to correctly cite such sources, and this could be considered a breach of conduct. It is hard to say where the line between right citations and plagiarism lies.”

Another English student summarised her experiences with pla-

giarism: “If you asked me what the exact rules were, I couldn’t tell you.

I’ve just continued with what I was taught at A-Level and GCSE: if you use someone else’s idea, you should say so and you cannot just copy and paste without acknowledging the source. Anything that is not my own work I would consider plagiarism, but then how far does this go? Is lifting a three-word phrase an issue? I think part of plagiarism is down to the presentation of ideas and how concepts are phrased, but I’m not sure if this is exactly what the university says.”

Plagiarism detection software is also to be considered, as programmes such as TurnItIn are encouraged to allow for automatic detection of unoriginal work. Durham students generally considered it to be effective: “I think it does its job, but I know that only some subject areas use it, so it is hard to be exact.

Plus, formative work is not always assessed in this way, and therefore could be overlooked when it comes to summative work which directly affects academic grades, and consequences of this would be considered more severe.”

Behrans believes that universities should reinforce their policies on plagiarism, and explain what is acceptable, what can be cited as a source and what breaks the rules entirely. He warns that if universities fail to explain their protocol fully, assumptions could be incorrectly made, and problems could be met.

Liam Burns, President of the NUS also explained his concerns: “I also worry some academics are reluctant to stir up cases of minor plagiarism in a student’s first year because they worry the repercussions might be severe, but if plagiarism goes unchecked early on, come the final year, a student can be in really hot water.”

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Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

Durham experts aid NASA in space X-ray research Larry Bartleet Durham University experts are playing a major role in the NASA-led mission to determine the source of X-rays radiating from the cosmos, in order to improve the understanding of the growth of black holes.

On June 13th, the $170 million NuSTAR observatory satellite was launched into orbit, which operates through its sensitivity to high-energy X-ray photons. The satellite will investigate the origin of the X-ray background.

The deepest component of the X-ray background project is coordinated by Professor David Alexander, from Durham University’s Department of Physics. NuSTAR’s key components are its mirrors, which have a special coating designed to focus high-energy X-ray photons from space accurately.

This technological advance is expected to answer a question that has puzzled scientists since 1962. Prof Alexander commented, “The X-ray background is made up of X-rays that reach the Earth from all directions within the cosmos.

“Despite being first discovered 50 years ago, astronomers are still not entirely sure what produces this cosmic X-ray ‘noise’, with possible candidates ranging from growing black holes to yet undiscovered ‘exotic’ objects.”

The satellite has a number of other goals. NuSTAR will also study the remnants of supernovae (stars that have exploded) within our galaxy.

Galaxy clusters will also be investigated, which are some of the largest structures in the known Universe. It is believed that dark matter holds them together, a mysterious substance which is believed to make up 85% of the matter in the universe.

Dr James Mullaney, a researcher at Durham University, analogised the value of NuSTAR, saying “It is as though we were previously trying to read a book without our glasses.

You can see that there is text but can’t make out the individual letters.

Currently we can only make out 2 per cent of this ‘cosmic text’. With NuSTAR, we will be able to make out the majority of the story, dramatically improving our understanding of black-hole growth and the history of the high-energy Universe.”

The satellite lifted off from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands over a week ago in an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL launch vehicle.

Currently orbiting the Earth at an altitude of 550 kilometres, it is scheduled to deploy its 10-metre mast this week, in order to begin utilising its unique X-ray focusing capabilities.

PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

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Graduation Special

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So long, class of 2012 As this year’s finalist cohort ventures out into the big wide world, we highlight a selection of ones to watch for the future and catch up with some recent leavers

A sunbaked post-exam celebration in leafy Durham is undoubtedly one of the most cherished memories for those graduating Photograph: Mat Ladley

Goodbye and good luck, from the DSU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Higgins ViceChancellor

D

urham alumni are amongst the most successful in the UK. You only have to look at the many leaders in every walk of life who have graduated from this University: in business, in the forces, in politics, in the church, in sport, in academia, in music and theatre, as entrepreneurs, and in charitable and voluntary activities.

Durham is rated 15th in the world for the desirability of its graduates by global ‘blue chip’ employers. We like to think one reason for this is the distinctive, rounded education you get in our Departments and Colleges: not just academic excellence but gaining transferable life skills through the

“On behalf of your University I wish you every success in your future”

opportunity to participate in and lead activities such as music and the arts, student leadership, sport, volunteering and fundraising.

The cohort of students graduating this year are no exception, from amongst whom you have picked a handful but could have picked hundreds with equally exceptional credentials.

On behalf of your University I wish you every success in your future. Although of course you are not leaving us, but when you graduate you are becoming part of the worldwide family of Durham alumni.

Mike King DSU President

I

arrived at Durham on the train and dragged my suitcase to Hild Bede. I made lots of friends, joined a few societies and went to a couple of formals. Now, like you, I am trying to work out how ‘University life’ rapidly flashed by!

With short terms and more events in college, DSU and the Viaduct than one could possibly attend it’s easy to

allow three/four years at Durham to merge into one blissful mess and so my parting advice would be to buy a yearbook and fill it with stories, messages and photos from your time at our small city in the North East of England.

You are blessed with friends, memories and a degree that will set you up to achieve in any walk of life that you choose; public or private, home or abroad. You are unique, you are gifted and you will be successful if you surround yourself with positive, loving and caring people, remembering that success is not only based on your bank balance. Good bye and good luck!

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Graduation Special

www.palatinate.org.uk

Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

Celebrating the Durham Difference: Name: Sarah Peters College: Hild Bede Degree: Combined Arts

Sarah has taken on a prominent and important role in the management of Durham Student Theatre during her time at university.

She is the current president of DST, the first woman to take on the role, and has been involved in 50 separate productions, in adminisName: Joe Leather College: University Degree: Law

Joe’s contributions to Durham Student theatre have enabled much of its recent success. As well as taking on Exec positions such as Social Secretary for DST and President of DULOG, he has taken on lead roles in university productions including Martin Sherman’s ‘Bent,’ and ‘Rent’, in which he played Angel.

He has been a leading member of the Durham University Improvised Musical Group for the past three years and has represented Durham at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in musical theatre productions.

This year he reached the final round of applications for the prestigious drama school LAMDA, and after graduating will be moving to London to pursue a career in theatre.

trative and creative capacities.

Since starting up a production company with her sister at the age of 15, she has produced and directed numerous plays. and is currently preparing for a national tour with a reworked version of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

As a president she has changed the face of theatre in Durham, abolishing the unpopular and expensive hire fees on the Assembly Rooms.

Name: Adele Pope College: Hild Bede Degree: Natural Sciences

Name: Jon Zhu College: Stephenson Degree: Accounting and Finance

During his time at Durham Jon has been an integral part of JCR politics in his college, turning Stephenson JCR into a debt-free and financially healthy organisation.

Beyond this, he has doubled the membership of Durham University Consulting Society, and instigated their innovative Outreach Programme, working with local businesses to improve their performance.

He has secured a competitive role as an investment banking analyst with HSBC, a testament to his hard work, dedication and financial skill.

s

Adele had to overcome great adversity to achieve success

Adele has overcome the trauma of suffering severe burns as a child to become extremely successful and prominent on the Durham theatre scene.

She has taken on lead roles both in Durham and on tour at the Edinburgh Fringe, starring in productions such as ‘Copacabana’ and ‘The Hot Mikado’.

Last year she released a charity single with the Eden Voices in aid of the Katie Piper foundation, a charity which helps those living with bodily disfigurements.

Adele’s commitment to following her dream of working in musical theatre and her tireless advocacy of charity are both admirable and earn her her a place in our list of top Durham graduates.

Name: Carmen O’Loughlin College: Treveleyan Degree: History

Carmen has been a solid member of DUCK throughout her time in Durham. In her second year she was the Trevs DUCK rep raising over £11,000 in the college.

However, it has been in her role as DUCK Community Outreach Officer that she has really excelled.

She fought hard to organise the Sleep Out in Durham Cathedral for the first time ever. Working single handedly, she managed to persuade the Cathedral to let 400 students and non-students spend a night sleeping rough for the homeless charity, Moving On Durham. The event was an enormous success and raised around £13,000 in the end.

Finally, Carmen is staying on to be the DUCK Officer and will lead the DUCK team to even greater success.

Name: Mike Ward College: Stephenson Degree: Business

Mike Ward on the field for DURFC Photograph: Elis Wilkins

A former England Under 16 player, Mike moved from Bath Rugby Club to study Business at Durham.

He has played for the 1st XV throughout his time at university, on occasion captaining the side to victories in the 2011 BUCS championship and in both the 2011 and 2012 Sevens championships.

He has also gained experience as an international, playing for England Students in his first and final years.

He has signed a professional contract with Leeds, where he will be able to put his substantial rugby experience to excellent use.

Carmen organised last term’s ‘Sleep Out’ in the Cathedral which raised £13,000 for charity Photograph: Quin Murray

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PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

www.palatinate.org.uk

Graduation Special

top graduates of past and present Rob Malaney (grad. 2011)

Name: Quinton Murray College: Collingwood Degree: Psychology

A worthy recipient of the most nominations, Quin has involved himself in a huge variety of aspects of Durham life.

He is rarely seen without his camera, and has taken publicity photos for a wide variety of Durham clubs and societies. He is also a keen explorer, having participated in two DUCK expeditions and cycling from Canada to Mexico at the end of his first year.

This year as DUCK Challenges Officer he has taken on the mantle of organisation, planning the DUCK skydive, the bungee jump on Palace Green and the Toughguy team.

Already the photographer in residence for the Royal Geographical Society, he is currently the artistic director for the up-and-coming London fashion label ‘Olivia Tarpey’, a project which will no doubt find success in his capable hands.

Name: Briony Chappell College: Collingwood Degree: English Literature

Briony has been involved with charity fashion shows throughout her time at Durham, coordinating events that in total have raised over £13,200.

Most recently she co-ordinated the Durham University Charity Fashion Show, held in a marquee on Palace Green. The event raised over £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust and earned Briony and her team a nomination for DUCK’s Best Fundraising team award.

Briony’s talent for event management and dedication to charity fundraising mean that she is a more than worthy of inclusion in Durham’s top graduates.

What have you been doing since you left Durham?

I‘m currently studying a History Affiliate Degree at Cambridge and have just finished my first of two years. I played in this year’s Varsity Match at Twickenham and have since been elected as the Cambridge 1st XV captain.

I also played for the Barbarians in May. What are your main memories of being at uni in Durham?

Quin Murray Name: Daniel Johnson College: University Degree: History

Throughout his time at Durham Dan has been a successful and prolific student journalist.

As Palatinate News Editor he broke stories, such as the imprisonment of Iranian student Ehsan Abdoh-Tabrizi, the Wikileaks scandal and 38-week lets.

He acted as Editor-in-Chief between March and December 2011, overseeing a major reorganisation and revamping of the newspaper.

He has been accepted onto the extremely competitive Telegraph journalist trainee programme, one of only five successful applicants out of several thousand, despite not possessing a Masters in journalism.

Name: Thomas Whitworth College: Grey Course: Earth Sciences

Thomas has played University Hockey for the first team for the past two years, dedicating a huge amount of time to the club and taking on the roles of Vice Club Captain and Publicity Officer.

On top of this, he has demonstrated considerable skill in video editing, producing promotional videos for the hockey and lacrosse clubs.

Thomas is currently employed by a Consett gym making videos to promote both the gym itself and the athletes who train there, including a recent video for the Make a Wish Foundation.

Thomas Whitworth

Graduation Special compiled

by Olivia Rudgard. Our selected graduates were all nominated by members of the student body.

I had an incredible time at Durham - it was easily the best 4 years of my life. The rugby club had a massive contribution to that, especially our success last year, and I’d like to think I’ve made some lifelong friends.

Other than rugby the other memory that is predominant would be the trek it up the hill to the politics department, which is one thing I don’t miss so much.

What are your plans for the next couple of years?

Over the next few years I’ll finish studying and eventually (hopefully) get a job in law.

Ben Starr (grad. 2010)

What have you been doing since you left Durham?

I’ve been studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). I (finally) graduate in July.

What are your main memories of being at uni in Durham?

Durham has a brilliant theatre scene that I don’t think enough people are aware of. I have come across quite a few successful actors working at a high level in London and abroad who all had their start in DST. It is fantastic for building amazing friendships but also potential professional contacts in the arts world that extend beyond university. I also remember Library fines... and Planet of Sound.

What are your plans for the next couple of years?

Hopefully make a (successful) living as an actor. As a result of my training at LAMDA and Durham I have been lucky enough to sign with a fantastic London agent, and while I am completely aware of how perilous this career can be, I have been given a great platform from which to start.

Where are they now?

Palatinate has tracked down some of our hotly tipped graduates from previous years to find out what they’re up to now

James Birch (grad. 2011)

What have you been doing since you left Durham?

Since I left Durham I have taken a gap year to travel to the rugby world cup, Australia, Fiji, America and to take one big shot at my racing as last season I took a sabbatical to concentrate on my final year studies.

What are your main memories of being at uni in Durham?

I have so many great memories of Durham, from taking a inflatable car down the river to simple things like not being able to go into Tesco unless you were willing to commit half an hour to social encounters. In a weird way I even miss going to lectures! Just having all your best friends constantly around you is great.

What are your plans for the next couple of years?

This year I am competing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge GB. I have currently won 3 races out of four and lead the championship. My ambition next year would be to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, to which my current series acts as a feeder, with a view to developing a career in Le Mans and GT sport cars in general.

Meanwhile I unfortunately have had to be realistic and have potentially joined the rat race with Accenture, beginning in September. However I’m hoping I dont have to grow up too soon and can still drive for a living as long as possible!

Tom Brown (grad. 2010) What have you been doing since you left Durham?

From the age of 10 I wanted to work for the BBC - and after leaving Durham I went on to fulfill that dream. I did a postgraduate diploma in Broadcast Journalism at Cardiff University, before spending two months in Paris on an internship with Eurosport. I then got a job at BBC East Midlands Today in Nottingham where I do anything from reporting in the field to presenting from the studio. A dream first job.

What are your main memories of being at uni in Durham?

College life. Being surrounded by your friends, taking on rival colleges in anything from hockey to mixed netball, and going clubbing in the same room you eat your breakfast. And not realising how lucky we are until you get out of Durham and finding out no one else had a college experience like ours.

What are your plans for the next couple of years?

I want to carry on working at the BBC - hopefully eventually at a national level. Gary Lineker’s got to give up that Match of the Day sofa at some point...

Rajvir Rai (grad. 2010)

What have you been doing since you left Durham?

Since I left Durham I have completed a Masters in newspaper journalism at City University, been a freelance football reporter at the Telegraph and I’m now a trainee journalist at the Daily Mail.

What are your main memories of being at uni in Durham?

My memories of Durham include sweaty nights at Loveshack, 1am pizzas editing Palatinate and general fun and games for three years.

What are your plans for the next couple of years?

My immediate aim is to establish myself at the Daily Mail and continue to develop and refine my craft. I would also love to win the SJA (Sports Journalists’ Association) Young Writer of the Year award. I’m only 23 so I’ve got five years to do it!

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Spain finally admits Euro defeat Spain becomes the fourth eurozone member to seek financial assistance Matt Williams Analysis

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pain, the largest of the PIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain), has finally swallowed its pride, squealed defeat and come on bended knee to the other members of the Eurozone. Its bailout is likely to be up to €100 billion (£80 billion) but is likely to be considerably more after two audits of its banks are completed this month.

Unlike the other PIGS, Spain’s problems are not caused by irresponsible government spending.

In fact, the Spanish budget was balanced up until the crisis of 2008 and had enjoyed a growth rate of 3.7% per annum. Instead, its problems lie in the financial sector. The cheap loans enabled by the entrance into the Euro allowed banks to rapidly expand with a strong reliance on the property market. Cheap mortgages to the public and developers saw the development of a housing bubble with house prices rising by 44% between 2004 and 2008.

The inevitable explosion of this bubble, with many defaults on loans, has left Spanish banks with almost worthless assets in property, forcing mass amalgamations and takeovers of smaller banks by larger ones.

Even the fourth largest bank, Bankia, had to be nationalised in order to safeguard savings and attempt to stabilise the sector.

Although the Spanish budget was relatively healthy, the necessity of huge borrowing to pump capital into the financial sector, which has amounted to over €50 billion, has left it with a large deficit. In their current state, Spanish banks struggle to raise capital at affordable prices, making government aid inevitable.

€100 billion

Size of the Spanish bailout

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Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

The problem is that even more money has had to be borrowed by the government to deal with the effects of a severe recession and the worst unemployment rate in Europe. It cannot afford to bail out its entire banking sector, which analysts expect to cost around €180 to €350 billion.

The central difference of the Spanish bailout is that it will be focussed entirely on the financial centre with no constraints or obligations on the national budget. The Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, has insisted that the austerity measures taken by his government over the past five months have ensured that there is no need for further austerity. In short, Spain wants to avoid the slaughterhouse, unlike

Bankia, Spain’s 4th largest bank, recently asked for a € 19 billion bailout Photo: Jazamarripae the other PIGS countries which have been forced to adopt strict austerity measures and obligations from both the Eurozone and the IMF. There is probably some sense to this as more measures on top of the existing ones would only exacerbate public hostility and resistance, which has often been fierce.

The question is, how will it be bailed out? If it was able to gain the aid of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and defaulted, then its loans from the private sector would be paid as equally as the EFSF loans. But if it were to be bailed out by the new European Stability Mechanism (ESM), which is replacing the EFSF, then the ESM loans would be paid before the private sector loans if Spain were to default. Although Spain is less likely to default than Greece, it will face the same issue of being unable to access the usual commercial loans, or only loans with very high interest, as it will be seen as too high a risk. This would of course slow its recovery at a time when its economy is set to retract by 1.7% anyway.

The negative effect of the Eurozone crisis on Britain is not insignificant and the entry of Spain into this situation will only heighten the effects. Firstly, it will further restrict the mortgages for first time buyers with mortgages available only with a 20% deposit of the value of the

property they wish to buy. Banks will be more restricted as they have less money available to lend and are more cautious, therefore only lending to those who do not pose a risk of non-repayment. Furthermore, Britain is seen as a safe haven for capital with investors from the PIGS buying property in London, where property prices have risen by 5.1% while falling in many parts of the country.

The Eurozone is our biggest trad-

“Spain cannot afford to bail out its entire banking sector, which analysts expect to cost around €180 to €350 billion”

ing partner with around 50% of both exports and imports. Adverse circumstances in Europe will have a large impact on British jobs. Reduced trade from big economies such as Spain will require British firms to find cost saving solutions, which will inescapably involve a loss of jobs. It will also mean that there is less scope for growth and investment, so no new jobs either,

especially for younger people. An unhealthy Eurozone is certainly not within Britain’s interest.

Finally, contrary to popular fears, the Spanish-owned Santander, although downgraded by Moody, is in a stable condition. Its UK subsidiary is quite autonomous from its Spanish parent and would only be able to channel money from the subsidiary through a large dividend, but only with permission from the FSA, which is unlikely. Even if it were to fail, the UK government would guarantee up to £85,000 of savings for each customer through the FSCS. The volatility of the markets requires confidence for the Euro to survive. Confidence in the Euro is tenuous primarily due to fears that Greece will default on its debts and leave the Eurozone. If this were to happen it would set a dangerous precedent which would make lenders to the Eurozone question the viability lending to it. It would also cause a further banking crisis due to the enormity of its loans to French banks of €41.4 billion, German of €15.9 billion and British of €9.4 billion.

For the Euro to survive and for another financial crisis to be avoided, confidence must be engendered in the market. The solution to Spain’s problems can function if the current deal succeeds.

PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

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Analysts believe trading losses from Nasdaq OMX Group’s mishandling of Facebook’s IPO are close to $200m Photo: diTii

Euro strength and ‘Grexit’ Justin Cash

Has Facebook failed expectations?

Alex Bond Commentary

A

s Mark Zuckerberg rang the NASDAQ bell on the 18th May 2012, the Facebook Initial Public Offering (IPO) was set to be one of the most widely anticipated and highest valued in American history, with Facebook raising $16 billion by selling 15% of the company. However, the social network’s stock market debut was fairly muted.

The initial signs appeared positive as shares rose by more than 10% after trading started. At the end of the first day, shares ended at $38.23, marginally higher than the initial pricing of $38. This pricing valued the company at $104 billion which meant that the social network site was worth similar or more than company giants such as Amazon and Disney.

It was anticipated that small investors would ignite a rise in the share price. However, the result was far more modest. There was even reluctance among some investors to buy or sell at all. Oliver Pursche, a New York financial advisor, argued “we’re telling our investors to hold off.” This was because of the limited understanding held by investors about the business. Victor Basta at Magister Advisor argued that Face-

book will need to have around $30 to 40 billion in revenues to justify its current valuation. He stated: “This is a tenfold increase over the revenues that it currently generates. The question is where [will this come] from?”

One of the most interesting aspects of the IPO has been the valuation of Facebook. The value of the firm is linked to its number of users, which equates to around 13% of the world’s population, 900 million peo-

“At the end of the first day, shares ended at $38.23, marginally higher than the initial pricing of $38.

This valued the company at $104 billion”

ple. Moreover, placing a value on the company raised doubts from some commentators over its ability to generate profits as its revenues originate from streams such as advertising along with its ability to exploit new mobile technology. This is particularly stark because Facebook is worth

six times more than WPP, the world’s largest advertising business.

However, it is important to note that technical glitches hindered the success of the firm’s debut. There was a thirty minute delay at the start of trading, which was attributed to a high demand for the stock. Despite this, 82 million Facebook shares changed hands after thirty seconds of trading. High demand has been a feature of the IPO with 25% more shares being sold than planned, which is around 421 million shares overall.

Criticism over slow order confirmations, suggestions that there were too many shares and that they were too expensive continued to dominate. Swiss bank UBS is allegedly looking to take legal action against NASDAQ OMX Group because of losses sustained by the bank. Specifics regarding the loss have alleged to be up to £350 million. The bank attempted to buy 1 million shares, but technological failures meant that the amount of stock purchased was higher than expected. There was also discontent with some Facebook investors who are attempting to launch legal proceedings against Mark Zuckerberg, claiming that the stock was overvalued and the Facebook founder protected his share by unloading some of his shares.

NASDAQ has been under huge pressure to compensate outraged

investors because of their response to the issues encountered before and during the flotation. NASDAQ created a $40m fund to compensate those affected. Although UBS’ losses appear large, it had not been confirmed whether they have been recovered through subsequent trades.

The meagre $40m fund drew distaste from brokers and market makers alike.

On Friday 8th June 2012, the share price closed at 29% lower than its original price at $27.10. To many, this has vindicated the view that the IPO was overvalued.

This was compounded by the relative success of recent IPOs such as LinkedIn’s whose original share price of $45 initially doubled and now trades at $100. However, like Facebook’s, not all IPOs see a longterm rise in share price, Groupon’s shares now trade at $12, compared to their original $20 flotation price.

US-based global stockbroker, BTIG, provided some sage words by stating “Valuing Facebook is more art than science at this stage of its development and the current state of both social and mobile advertising.”

Clearly this is far more realistic.

The expectations of many may have been dashed, but it seems reasonable to suggest that it is simply too early to tell whether the IPO will be as successful as expected.

In years to come, when we reflect on the current European debt crisis, there should be no doubt in our minds as to the depth and pervasiveness of the crisis Europe faces.

So why is the Euro as a currency still relatively strong then? Well, stronger than one might expect given the extent of the current woes of Europe at any rate. Greece’s exit from the Euro looks increasingly inevitable (if inevitability can in fact increase), and we would expect this to be reflected in a drop in its value as traders flee the beleaguered Euro for currencies with more stable futures.

Of the competing explanations of this observation, there is one in particular that seems sufficiently plausible. Imagine the Eurozone economies as the individual apples that make up a bowl of fruit. Removing the rotten Greek apple can only serve to increase the quality of the fruit as a whole.

If this metaphor is an accurate one, a strong currency for Europe seems the result of perfectly rational economic thinking; traders on foreign exchange markets are essentially betting that the Eurozone will no longer be burdened by having to give huge bailouts to a failing economy.

Chances are they’re right in thinking Greece will exit. But it may not be alone in doing so.

Though it was portrayed as a victory for European governance, the money used to recapitalize Spain’s banks last week simply amounts to an equivalent increase in Spanish sovereign debt.

Ironically, the last thing the Eurozone needs is a strong currency; devaluing the Euro would boost exports in an instant, generating some badly needed revenues. Unfortunately, those countries that are struggling the most financially, i.e. Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain, have no way of independently devaluing their currencies.

In this respect, a Greek exit from the Euro may not be such a bad thing. Sure, there is scant precedent for such a move, but it is likely that the Euro will be devalued as a knee-jerk reaction to it. Investors know that the Eurozone is only as strong as its weakest member, and that the members of a common currency do not by necessity share a common fate.

A Greek exit will restore confidence in the idea that being fiscally profligate as a government is self-defeating, and will reaffirm the consensus that countries cannot be bailed out indefinitely. This is why the Euro remains strong, and why the Eurozone may well ride out the storm.

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Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

Debate: Was the Queen’s Jubilee a waste of money?

In our current age of austerity, was the high cost of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations justifiable?

YES: Florence Snead

D

urham, like the rest of the UK, seems to have been overcome with Jubilee fever. The Union Jack adorns everything from cheddar cheese packaging to paper plates and there has been a marked increase in Facebook statuses declaring a love for all things royal.

The majority of us probably made the most of the long bank holiday weekend and a nationwide holiday which practically mandated drinking lots of Pimm’s, an activity which will always have my whole-hearted support.

However, after the feel-good haze of boats and bunting has dissipated, was the Diamond Jubilee – while undeniably a pleasant weekend off – money well-spent?

On the contrary, it is becoming increasingly evident that the enormous expense of the Jubilee will cost the taxpayer more than the government is currently willing to let on.

While we struggle through a double-dip recession, the drawn-out proceedings could easily have been curtailed to celebrate the Jubilee in a more modest but nonetheless positive manner. It is estimated that the extra bank holiday will cost the economy an approximate £1.2 billion, a large price to pay for weekend of unerring patriotism.

In addition, the opportunity of the Jubilee to create employment was largely missed and the celebrations have even been accused of exploiting cheap labour.

This comes as the story emerges that unpaid workers who were bussed into London under the government’s Work Programme were left stranded and forced to sleep under London Bridge in the early hours of Sunday. As part of the programme these workers must

undertake work placements to maintain their benefits, yet instead of using money to provide them with paid work, the government has instead spent on excessive pageantry and parades.

I would not want to mislead people in giving the impression that the Jubilee celebrations were funded solely from the taxpayers’ pockets. Indeed, an approximate £10.5 million budget for the celebrations came directly from both individual and corporate sponsors and the artists who played in the Jubilee concert played for free.

However, this £10.5 million is but a small percentage of the overall costs of the Diamond Jubilee; there were many extra costs about which the government is conveniently remaining very tight-lipped. The vast underlying costs certainly darken an initial impression of the Jubilee as an event which relied on the generosity of the affluent.

The issue of affluent sponsorship of the Jubilee highlights the fact that if these sponsors had not spent their money on the Jubilee, they could have given financial backing to much more worthwhile and sustainable causes.

Government cuts were arguably one of the reasons for last summer’s rioting and with the memory of this still fresh in our minds, it is more justifiable for such sponsors to direct their money to the aid businesses which suffered at the hands of rioters or to prevent this happening again.

In the north London borough of Haringey, the youth services budget was cut by 75% after the council’s budget was slashed by £41 million. It is undeniable that the £10.5 million sponsorship could be put to good use in the restoration of at least some of these youth services, and this is just one example of how this money could be injected back into society.

Separate to the private sponsorship, the costs of the Jubilee quickly escalate when practical matters are

Can the expensive Jubilee celebrations be justified, or are they considered. The Greater London Authority budgeted £2 million for outside screens, road closures, signage and other expenses and while towards this it will provide £100,000, the rest goes to the Department for Media, Culture and Sport.

“

Costs quickly escalate when practical matters are considered

”

In addition to practical issues, the Royal household was given an extra £1 million to cover the increased volume of administration and correspondence from the Jubilee, gained from taxpayers via the Sovereign Grant. It is worth noting that this amount is more than double the contribution made for the Golden Jubilee in 2002, which by comparison was a much smaller £450,000.

We can also take the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a further example of the wasting of taxpayers’ money in the Jubilee. The MoD made a big contribution to the proceedings

through the provision of ships for the river flotilla, the RAF flyover and the 1,000 strong personnel in the processions. What is most telling about the contribution of the military is that they refused to disclose any cost estimates for their participation.

At a time when the armed forces have increasingly diminished resources at their disposal, their obligation to pump what little they have into the Jubilee is a veritable waste. Indeed, charities such as Help for Heroes exist because the government cannot provide the support and resources that military personnel require for recovery.

It is therefore astonishing that instead of sending financial support in this direction, the government has used excessive amounts of money for a few days of pageantry.

If the pomp and ceremony had been scaled down, the MoD could have used their fiscal resources for much more worthy causes, like rehabilitation and better job security for serving members of the forces.

With all these factors considered, it becomes increasingly apparent that the Jubilee celebrations wasted an inordinate amount of money that could have been put to much better use.

With the public still caught up in patriotic fervour at present there are doubtless many who might disagree.

However, give it a few months and once Britain has emerged from the euphoric haze of the Jubilee and Olympics, the state of our bank balance will tell a very different story.

PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

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Soapbox

Durham alumnus Lloyd Wade-Jones discusses dyslexia

costly but essential for British unity? Photograph: Gary Knight

NO: Catherine Malpass

T

he Diamond Jubilee celebrations have become a contentious talking point, particularly in the light of the recent extra bank holiday. This allowed some Britons to enjoy a long weekend, spend some time with their friends and family, and watch the flotilla and live concert in London. However, amongst such jovialities, there is always cynicism close by - celebration of national pride has come under scrutiny in the current economic climate.

Indeed, recent times have been tough. With more people out of work, spending power reduced by lower wages and inflation creeping above the government target, everyone has had to tighten their belts. However, some estimates surrounding the economic effects of the Diamond Jubilee have been blown out of proportion. They would have us believe that the monarchy are responsible for plunging us deeper into an inescapable economic downturn, just so they can have a bit of a jig to Paul McCartney outside Buckingham Palace.

This is clearly not the case. Admittedly, some businesses may suffer at the loss of a working day and workers may feel the pinch at the loss of a day’s pay. However, most

of this money can and will be made up in the subsequent days. A service needed over the bank holiday will still be needed after it; hours not worked over the holiday can be worked at a later date.

Moreover, while some sectors may lose business at the hands of the extra bank holiday, some sectors, particularly that of retail, will pick this back up. Let us take the example of the Royal Wedding. It is estimated that this celebration boosted retail sales by around £515-620 billion.

Some predictions have suggested that the Jubilee will follow a similar trend, in which the loss of output from the workplace will be offset by consumer spending figures.

Think food, alcohol and excess amounts of bunting - the conflation for any Jubilee party - and this consumerism is apparent. The Diamond Jubilee has given Britons a real reason to spend all in the name of patriotism or merely to copy Kate’s latest fashion trend.

Evaluating the Jubilee solely in terms of economical factors, and as a waste of money, is missing the social point. Yes, the economy is in a bad way at the moment, however, ignoring a traditional day of national pride and celebration could have been detrimental. Neither revoking celebrations nor curtailing them would instil confidence in the British public that their country has some form of economic control.

An estimated six million people sat down to The Big Lunch on 3rd June, that’s at least six million people who still have faith in their country

When I arrived at Durham I found the first two years challenging because at school I had not developed good comprehension skills. Because I could not spell, the teachers at my school saw that as a blocker to teaching me more advanced comprehension which would have helped me when I got to university.

I was lucky that my Departmental Tutors were very supportive and helped me learn the skills most undergraduates come to university with. As I specialised in the second and third year I also found that the subjects which interested me the most also came with a higher requirement for background reading and with the support of DUSSD, I was able to use the non-medical helper allowances to get my reading list transferred onto audio tapes by

during these difficult times. Even for those who don’t support the monarchy, the long weekend has at least given some people the time to spend with those who matter to them and to recuperate.

While the Jubilee beacons have been lit all over the world, there is also the resonance of the current Olympic torch relay. Both events have caused some excellent PR for Britain.

This subsequently has a positive impact on tourism and greater confidence in British business. Hotel bookings soared from 2-5th June in and around London due to the Jubilee, and estimates predicted that £10 billion was injected into the economy as a result.

Jubilee celebrations have also extended across the Commonwealth.

This worldwide publicity can only benefit the British economy and reputation. The Jubilee spectacles have been worthwhile in their positive and unified portrayal of Britain as a nation.

Even for those who are not supporters of the monarchy, cast your mind back to last summer. Thousands took to the streets to riot, predominantly to convey their distress amongst mass unemployment. The outcome however seemed futile.

An estimated £100 million bill was placed on the tax payer. This makes any spending on the sixty year anniversary celebrations seem much more justifiable.

In the Jubilee spectacles, money was spent to unite the British public under a positive wave, not in an attempt to repair and redeem the destruction and discontent that placed added strain on the UK economy

Comment other students on my course.

I believe I was also one of the first students to complete their final year exams on a word processor that was set up for me in the Geography Department. I believe that without this support from DUSSD and my department I would not have graduated.

When I left university I did have a fear that my dyslexia would hinder my career, so I looked for operational rather than office-based roles and ended up starting a career in retail working initially for Sainsbury’s on their graduate programme.

I quickly specialised in Logistics and Supply Chain feeling that this would offer a stimulating career.

Since then I have worked with a number of multinational retail organisations over the years in senior operational roles managing teams of over 700 people, and I now currently work for Amazon within the UK Operational Team.

If I had started my career ten years earlier then my dyslexia would have hindered me more in the workplace but with the evolution of word processors and email systems I have always been able to use the tools available to compensate for the challenges of written communication with dyslexia.

I have always worked for employ-

ers that understand the challenges that a dyslexic can have in the workplace and have never felt that it has hindered my progression within an organisation. I don’t believe that my personal experience is unusual - all employers have a legal obligation to make allowances, but progressive organizations such as Amazon focus on your individual skills and contribution that you bring to the workplace and that drives your career progression rather than that of any other factors.

My own anxiety has been more of a hindrance to me over the early years of my career where I felt selfconscious about my dyslexia and it is only in the last five years that I have been able to move away from this and focus on my successes.

The challenge for a dyslexic student graduating now in my view is to have the self-confidence to ignore their disability as it is unlikely to hinder them in the workplace.

Ensure that you discuss it during any interview process with an employer but don’t perceive this as a negative discussion; it just enables your potential employer to make the right allowances for every individual in the workplace.

Illustration: James Crosland-Mills during the riots.

Current times are tough, yet they have also been so for the Royal Family. They all put on brave faces when Prince Philip was rushed to hospital with a bladder infection. They are an example that austerity should not deter these acts of patriotism.

Britain was right to unite under the Jubilee celebrations under the current economic climate.

Overall, the effects of the Jubilee weekend upon the economy are still very much unknown. Predictions have been at best tentative and loss

in some sectors could mean gain in others. The economy is certainly a delicate entity , however, sacrificing a day of national pride at the expense of something so unpredictable would have been a great shame. It is these spectacles that will keep Britain strong through these uncertain economic times.

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Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

What makes Durham ‘different’?

Substantial engagement outside degree studies separates the University from the rest Daniel Johnson

I

f you are coming to the end of your years at Durham, you’ve probably encountered what is often touted as the ‘Durham Difference’. A mainstay of the University’s marketing exercise, it is supposed to encompass all that is brilliant about Durham; a devilishly daring turn of phrase to describe this quaint old place.

A distaste for overly crude advertising aside – after all, it is the logical by-product of our modern university system – it might be worth seriously considering what this ‘Durham Difference’, if anything, actually is.

First, let’s take the University’s definition. Admittedly, it’s a vague one. The Vice-Chancellor himself wrote in a pamphlet: “we all have an obligation to ensure it - whatever it is - continues to provide the inspiration and education which will prepare future generations of students.”

The ‘Durham Difference’ thus en-

capsulates the University’s academic prowess (a recent invitation to join the Russell Group was greeted with particular fanfare) as well as its extra-curricular and cultural achievements. Hence the obsession with promoting ‘Experience Durham’, the other pillar of the University’s marketing axis of evil.

Maybe that term is a bit cynical: there is a much about Durham which makes it an excellent university, if not different in the way that Chris Higgins suggests. We can be proud of the fact that Durham is one of the highest achieving universities in the country.

A quick glance over recent university league tables neatly illustrates the point. We are the third best in the country according to the Sunday Times, and frequently sit at the summit of the tables for subjects ranging from English to Physics.

But does this make us different?

Arguably not. Instead, it makes us one of a small cohort of universities seeking to unseat Oxford and Cambridge from their centuries of dominance. You could be forgiven for seeing ‘Durham Difference’ as a buzzword, little more than a vacu-

ous branding tool.

One former Palatinate editor wrote a couple of years ago that the Durham difference is “that we compete.” There may be some mileage in this. In 2011/12, over 6,000 students competed in college sport, in more than 5,000 fixtures. (Although there should really be a disclaimer if these college sport statistics include darts and pool).

“

The ‘Durham Difference’... pillar of the University’s marketing axis of evil

”

Our competitive edge isn’t merely confined to sport. Durham’s debaters on Palace Green frequently reach

the final stages of international competitions, and DUCK seems to be one of the best in the country at taking other students’ money for forays for “expeditions” abroad.

Maybe then, the difference about Durham, and there’s not really an eloquent way of putting this, is that people just seem to do stuff. Things that don’t just revolve around their degrees. Things that are fun, fulfilling, character-building and CV-enhancing in equal measure.

Students at other UK universities get involved in all kinds of things outside of their degrees. But Durham students’ dedication to spending enormous quantities of time involved in clubs or societies, often at the expense of academic work, has to be up there with the very best.

People seem to have turned getting involved in sport, theatre, music, or maybe even journalism into something which is at the least equal to academic work. I see no reason not to celebrate and embrace this as one of our defining characteristics.

For those who had college spirit firmly embedded in their veins way back in freshers’ week, fruitful careers in JCR politics and bureaucracy

duly followed. For those who began to find the whole concept somewhat wearisome, there are a whole plethora of societies whose ranks swell with college sceptics and flourish as a result. And then perhaps there are those fence-sitters, who enjoy a bit of both.

The key point is that while some of this may be facilitated by the University, so much of it functions more effectively and successfully when it runs independently and autonomously.

I’m almost certain that the University Executive Committee will take little notice of this commonlymade plea. But it should begin to fathom that its attempts to monopolise and use for its own purposes the societies and colleges which do make Durham genuinely “different”, would be entirely self-defeating. If students are to truly ‘Experience the Durham Difference’, then it seems right that they find out what it is for them, and on their own.

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Welcome to the Arab Summer A year after the first events of the Arab Spring, the results of the national uprisings still seem ambiguous Jack Stallworthy

M

ore than a year on, what has become of the Arab Spring?

Once the results of the first round of Egyptian Presidential elections were announced - the first time after millennia of civilisation that Egyptians have been able to vote for their head of state - it became clear that the two candidates to go through to the next round (to be held on 17th June) were to be Mohamed Mursi, the official Muslim Brotherhood candidate and Ahmed Shafik, a former Commander of the Egyptian Air Force and the last Prime Minister to be appointed by the ousted former Egyptian president, recently condemned to life imprisonment for the deaths of protestors, Hosni Mubarak.

Initially the two favourites were both independents: Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood - expelled after breaking with the party line and the former Secretary-General

of the Arab League and Foreign Minister under Mubarak, Amr Moussa, who went head-to-head in a televised debate days before the election, managed to obtain only 17% and 11% respectively.

The decision of the Egyptian electorate (or more accurately 43% of the electorate – the turnout) result was immediately dubbed ‘the nightmare scenario’ by the intelligentsia.

In addition, allegations have surfaced that suggest 900,000 Egyptian soldiers were given ID cards so that they could vote for Ahmed Shafik, the preferred candidate of the Supreme Military Council which has been governing the country since the resignation of Mubarak 16 months ago.

Egyptians now have a choice between an Islamist, whose colleagues elected in the parliamentary elections have proven to be less competent than the long history of the Brotherhood’s public engagement might have suggested, and an appointee of the former regime, supported by the army, which continues to lose legitimacy and popularity.

Indeed, the hoped for Arab spring into a democratic future has become a hard slog for reformers across

the Middle East. Whilst Tunisia has managed to have successful elections, Egyptian revolutionaries feel disillusioned, Libya is facing numerous problems in constructing a functioning state and depressing news stories of atrocious massacres committed by Assad regime, desperate to hang on to power, emanate from Syria seemingly daily.

“

The spring has become a hard slog for reformers

”

Tunisia’s success is certainly not insignificant; indeed, the Arab Spring started there; but the country is small compared to Egypt, with Cairo seen as the centre of Arab political and philosophical thought.

Indeed, it is not just the result of the election that is to be regretted;

Egypt still needs a new constitution.

The next president will be elected under the old constitution and have the same powers that Mubarak had.

Negotiations over the formation of a committee to decide upon the contents of the news constitution have stalled, with secularist voices claiming that the committee is dominated

by Islamists, using it as an opportunity to strengthen their power.

Whilst the British and French-led intervention can be championed as a foreign policy success, Libya still has a mountain to climb before it can be described as a functioning democracy. Unlike Egypt, where, although fraudulent, elections had previously been held, Libya not only lacks the basic infrastructure for the electoral process, but corruption is also rife and militias still have arms, meaning that the state has no monopoly over the use of lethal force, undermining its authority. Kalipha Shakreen, a lecturer in economic and politics at Tripoli University, refuses to vote in the upcoming elections, as distinct political parties remain to be established, individuals do not know where to vote and constituency boundaries are not even clear.

Russia and China, not wanting to

be fooled twice, are refusing to allow Libya-like measures, such as a nofly-zone, to be enacted over Syria, fearing that the West might use a UN Resolution sanctioning such undertakings as a cover for encouraging regime change and actively helping the rebel Free Syrian Army. Thus, the autocratic Assad government can carry on wiping out any opposition.

A tragic situation indeed. However, it must be remembered that in the last 18 months four Arab dictators have been forced from office, free and fair, if not perfect, elections have been scheduled for the first time in three North African countries and the threat of civil war or sectarian strife has been thus far avoided. If not a ‘dream scenario’, the region has thus far avoided the ‘nightmare scenario’ of a continued, across-the-board lack of democracy, conflict along religious lines, military coups or Islamist hijacks of the revolutions.

At time of printing it is believed that the Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi has won, with 52% of the vote. Official, final results will be announced today, Thursday 21st June.

Sport

PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

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Sport

DURFC back on top

Rugby club earn sweet revenge against Hartpury to retain National Sevens title

Hartpury may have stopped the Palatinates at Twickenham, but Durham managed to get their revenge Photograph: DURFC

Sport Editors: William Warr Spencer Brown

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James Hallam

Men’s Rugby Durham University Rugby Club retained its National Sevens title at Broadstreet Rugby Club in the Midlands in early May. The team swept aside UWE Hartpury 49-14 in a relentlessly efficient performance to avenge, in part, the defeat they suffered at Twickenham in March.

to page 18 >> Turn and 19 to see Durham celebrate the Olympics

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“With the memories of the heavy defeat at Twickenham still vivid, a strong performance was required”

The win caps off an amazing season for DURFC 7s who also won the Jarrovian 7s and inaugural SKOFIC 7s.

In addition to this several Durham students played for the ‘Pride, Passion, Party’ 7s team who were

surprise finalists of the highly-rated Kinsale 7s tournament.

Durham entered the tournament as favourites, having clinched the BUCS title with a last gasp win over UWIC in the final last year.

The squad contained familiar faces in playmaker and full Palatinate Mike Ward, Sam Rupar, David Haigh, Jack Pattinson and Harrison Collins.

They were joined by freshers Charlie Gordon and Simon Hammersley as well as finalists James Lo and Leonidas Morris.

Bruce Fulton was also included, having impressed head coach Alex Keay with his performances at college level and in the Hill vs Bailey charity match.

The group stages were ominous for DURFC as they began with fairly straightforward wins over Manchester, Exeter and Brunel, which saw the team pitched against UWIC in the quarter final.

Despite the great results, the team suffered a significant setback as illustrious centre Tom Shiel sustained a horrific knee injury which abruptly ended his involvement in the tournament.

The injury will see him miss the whole of next season, which brings a sad end to the England Students representative’s Durham career.

Durham, however, did not let this affect their game and produced strong wins against a feisty UWIC

and the rapidly improving Bishop Burton to reach the final.

It was at this point that the team were really beginning to hit their stride.

Ironically Durham were drawn against Hartpury for the second time this year in a national final.

With the memories of the heavy defeat at Twickenham still vivid in the minds of the Palatinates, a strong performance was required.

Durham began well, first stretching the Hartpury defence, spinning it out wide before a half break by winger David Haigh saw Simon Hammersley find space to break the Hartpury line and score the first try of the match.

Hartpury scarcely had time to catch their breath before ruthless tackling resulted in a turnover and a try in the corner for Charlie Gordon.

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DURFC’s victory margin over Hartpury in the final

Duncan Finnie profited from strong offloading from Harrison Collins and increased the score to 19-0.

Hartpury were on the back foot and Durham took full advantage as Haigh, unflustered by the onslaught

of Hartpury defenders, calmly grubber kicked the ball down field and, much to the delight of head coach Alex Keay, regathered the ball for Finnie to score his second try of the match.

“Hartpury were on the back foot and Durham took full advantage”

Half time came and the Palatinates were firmly in the ascendancy with the score 26-0.

While Hartpury managed to get on the scoreboard with two wellworked second-half tries, scores from Haigh, Rupar and Pattinson ensured a strong Durham victory as the champions ended the match 49-14.

Durham can be extremely pleased with the manner in which they won this title.

They not only showed the attacking flair that 7s demands but also composure and structure in defence.

Furthermore, six of the 11-man squad will be in Durham next year which looks promising for the 2012/2013 season, where Durham will aim to retain their title for an unprecedented third season in a row.

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Q & A with Kira Roberts - elite fencer and one of the University’s three Olympic torch-bearers Tom Ryder caught up with Kira after her stint with the torch

How did you find carrying the torch, how did you enjoy it?

How was the support on the streets?

It was really really cool. Basically, I overslept this morning, and I got a call from the Samsung helper saying “Where are you?!” so I ran out of bed and it was all a bit of a blur for the first hour! They put us on a bus and showed us highlights from each day of the torchbearing so far, that was great and I had a bit of a cry! And then by the time you get out of the bus you’re just overwhelmed by people handing you their kids and asking you for pictures, it’s just an amazing feeling.

There were loads of people running alongside it which was pretty cool – the crowds as well as the helpers.

There was plenty of support and my mates had a ‘Go Kira Go!’ banner. They had all the pictures of my missing friends superimposed and held them up too, so everyone who couldn’t be there was there sort of!

My grandmother also came from Singapore so that was really nice.

What route did you take?

We went through part of Sherburn for 300 metres, a slow run. I got passed on from a guy called Kieran and passed it onto a trampolinist with Cystic Fibrosis called Paul. I had a good chat to them.

And there were no slip-ups, drops or burnings?

This morning when I was running to get to the torch meeting point I twisted my ankle again (because I’ve already twisted it last week) so that was pretty bad and I was wondering how well I’d be able to run.

“It’s definitely helped promote the University... and it helps promote the area as well”

And how is training and preparation going at the moment?

Unfortunately I didn’t make the Olympic team this time around, so I’m taking a bit of a break and I’ll probably start up again around August.

There are nationals in October which

Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

Olympic fever: With local celebrities, live music and talented

I really want to do well in because it’s the first competition after the Olympics where everyone will be on form again. I’ve come second and third in that last year and the year before so it’ll be good to get first this year.

Has the buzz around the Olympics been what you’ve anticipated? Did you feel it when you were carrying the torch?

When I was carrying it not so much, but the build up to it where they show you highlights and things, it was very much a case of ‘Wow’. You get to meet all of the torchbearers as well. The other Durham student Naomi was on there as well so I got to speak to her.

Do you see it as a good advert for Durham and the North East generally, the way the celebrations have gone up here?

It’s definitely helped promote the University because I had a couple of people ask me “are you that student from Durham?” and I was like “yes!”

So obviously it’s gone well for them.

I think it helps promote the area as well, it brings everyone together.

There were loads of parties as well, on the sides of the streets, which I thought was really nice.

Durham’s Steph Elliott with the torch Photograph: Rose Winter Tom Ryder

Olympic Torch event

Kira Roberts ran her 300m torch stint in Sherburn, near Durham Photograph: Rupert Roberts

The miserable weather failed to extinguish the Olympic flame on its triumphant journey through Durham’s streets to the racecourse, and the spirits of the community at large that had gathered to welcome it remained equally defiant.

At just before 7pm on Saturday, the BBC’s Matt Baker carried the torch into the University cricket ground to be met by students and locals alike, who had thronged in their thousands to see the beacon lit on stage.

Baker, who hails from County Durham and had aspirations to be an Olympic gymnast in his youth, declared the moment to be “one of the high points” in his life so far, in a career which has seen him attain broadcasting fame from Blue Peter through to The One Show.

Earlier in the day the crowds had been roused by a stunning performance from The Gala Theatre Company’s junior stage school.

The story of the Olympics was displayed on a huge screen and acclaimed local band Little Comets

provided further entertainment with their lively set evoking indie elements of Razorlight and The Futureheads.

Local gymnasts then demonstrated incredible strength and poise in a spectacular routine.

“The event served as testament to the pride and passion of the North East and this great city in particular ” The commercial and corporate aspect of the Games made a slightly less welcome appearance, as official Olympic Games sponsors Samsung, Lloyds TSB and CocaCola pushed their products and brands in extremis.

But nevertheless the event served as testament to the pride and passion of the North East and this great city in particular.

It was also a celebration of the university, which places such an emphasis on its sport, and has en-

PALATINATE | Thursday 21st June 2012

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Sport

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crowds flock to watch Olympic torch young performers, Durham put on a true show to welcome the London 2012 Games to Durham

Illustration: James Crosland-Mills joyed another tremendous season of sporting success in the Olympic year.

University Vice-Chancellor Chris Higgins was keen to express his delight at proceedings, and the way in which the ceremony acted as a showcase for the University and the city at large: “It’s wonderful for Durham and for the University. It’s good publicity, and of course Durham University women are number one in the country for sport, and the Men are number two.”

The Vice-Chancellor also sang the praises of the university facilities as venues for the torch festivities.

“Most of the celebrations are on University land. Here we are on the university cricket ground, which is probably the most beautiful cricket ground in the country with the cathedral and the castle in the background.”

“And then we’re going up to the University’s Palace Green tomorrow morning with Paul Collingwood. What more can you ask?”

As well as being an advert for the University and being immensely popular with students, the celebrations were well attended by local residents, many of whom brought their entire families along to wit-

ness the flame passing through.

Helen Huitson and her daughter Rebecca, who travelled from Belmont to spectate, championed the event as something which truly the brought the community together and united local residents and stu-

“There is much more harmony between locals and the students. This is emphasised today ” Local resident Helen Huitson

dents.

Mrs Huitson said: “Durham has become far more cosmopolitan of late and there is much more harmony between locals and the students. This is emphasised today.

“This is the only time we’re going to be able to see [the torch being carried] so why not come down when it’s on our doorstep?”

Mrs Huitson also spoke of how the Olympics has “brought sport to the forefront” and will encourage

them to become more active as a family.

“We’ll be watching all of the events. We don’t usually do sport as a family, we just tend to go on walks and things like that. But the Olympics being held here will definitely encourage us to get the tennis or badminton rackets out, if we ever get a summer!”

The torch’s journey paused at the racecourse overnight but continued its journey on Sunday, where it was helped along its way by three of Durham University’s finest athletes.

Kira Roberts (a Commonwealth gold medal winner in fencing), Naomi Hoogesteger (who holds the world record for rowing the Atlantic), and Steph Elliot (England under-21 hockey captain), all held the torch aloft in its route around the city and out towards Sherburn as it continues its tour of the UK. There will be plenty of Palatinate representation in the games themselves: five of the ten women rowers on the GB shortlist are from the University, with many more involved in the various organising committees.

Judging from the support and enthusiasm the torch’s arrival generated, we are in for an unforgettable summer of sport come July.

BBC’s Matt Baker lights the cauldron Photograph: Nicoletta Asciuto

Sport

Thursday 21st June 2012 | PALATINATE

Olympic torch comes to Durham City celebrates historic moment, p.18 & 19

Interview with torch-bearer

Kira Roberts describes carrying the flame , p. 18

DURFC retain Sevens title

Durham beat rivals Hartpury in final, p. 17

Durham’s netball players endured a 72-hour marathon match for charity Photograph: DUNC

DUNC smash record for longest match Pete Vickers From the 5th-8th June Durham University Netball Club attempted to set the world record for the longest continuous netball match.

A brutal 72-hour marathon was completed, smashing the previous record by 12 hours.

Although a Guinness adjudicator was not present, evidence has been supplied and an official decision will be made in due course.

The idea was originally sprung from DUNC fundraising secretary Maxime Rowson in the summer of 2011 and throughout the year figures across the club have put in a tremendous amount of effort to arrange an event of this magnitude.

Over the opening hours of the charity game the lead changed hands

regularly but by the first morning the ‘purple team’ had opened up what became an unassailable advantage of over 100 points.

Despite the best efforts of their black-dressed counterparts, the closest the two teams came after the opening 12 hours was 20 points and throughout the remaining 60 hours the purples continued to dominate.

However, the blacks were persistent and still gave a fantastic performance.

Club Captain Katie Worthington spoke honestly of the true pain experienced by the players.

She said: “We knew it would be hard but none of us knew exactly how bad it would be until we were already playing.”

A stringent rotation policy meant each player spent three and a half hours on the court, followed by two and a half hours off court.

But as more time passed the players began to struggle; off court time was reduced further to just an hour.

Throughout the three-day match many of them managed just eight hours of shut-eye.

“We knew it would be hard, but none of us knew exactly how hard” Kate Worthington

The Guinness Book of World Records stipulates that a maximum

of 12 players per squad can be used for an attempt to be considered valid, yet DUNC began with only 11, which was dramatically reduced as play continued.

Some periods of the game were played as 5-a-side.

Despite obvious pain and discomfort none of the players allowed themselves to be ruled out, demonstrating their incredible spirit and desire to play.

Worthington reported that the pressure on the feet was the most painful part of the match, emphasized by a number of players donning slippers or bare feet as opposed to trainers.

To greet the end of the 72nd hour a huge crowd surrounded the court and celebrated this momentous occasion with the very relieved and exhausted players.

The final score read 3045-2824

to the purple team, but this was the least of the worries of the drained players as they shared this joyous moment together.

As well as surviving the gruelling 72 hours, an additional achievement was the funds raised for the chosen charities, Help for Heroes and Team Durham’s Zambia Aid project, which have passed halfway towards the £10,000 target.

How long this record will stand remains dependent on whether rumours of an iminent attempt from Birmingham University are true, but the magnitude of DUNC’s tremendous efforts should be remembered longer than any record can stand.

DUNC are still accepting donations for their marathon efforts.

You can donate to their charities by heading to: www.justgiving.com/ duncworldrecord