QMessenger Issue 50

Issue 50

Controversial essay writing services claim to guarantee a good grade.

Want a first? Focus on Page 6

Tuesday December 13 2011

Read about our birthday in our leader this week.

Ken the critic Livingstone criticises chemical company’s sponsorship of the 2012 Olympics.

Page 7

Page 3

The Newspaper of Queen Mary Students’ Union

Senate says No, Minister » University has no confidence in David Willetts following Senate vote

Sam Creighton Queen Mary Senate has declared official opposition to David Willetts and the government’s reforms to higher education.

At a meeting on Thursday December 8th, a motion of no confidence in the Minister of State Universities and Science passed through Senate – the body responsible for overseeing academic activity at Queen Mary and second in authority only to College Council – unopposed.

The motion stated: “The Senate of Queen Mary, University of London has no confidence in the policies of the Minister for Science and Higher Education David Willetts.

We call on the government to pause its implementation of the White Paper, which has the potential to inflict great and irreversible damage to Higher Education in the UK.” Queen Mary Students’ Union (QMSU) passed a similar motion at the last meeting of Student Council. This means the two institutions are united in joining the national movement against Mr Willetts, which includes Oxford, Leeds, Bath and Birkbeck universities who previously passed motions of no confidence in the minister.

The motion was proposed by Rich-

ard Saull, a politics lecturer and UCU Branch Secretary and seconded by Omar Garcia, Professor of Hispanic Studies and Comparative Poetics and Director of Taught Programmes in the School of Languages, Linguistics and Film.

Mr Saull commented: “I want to thank and congratulate my colleagues on Senate for voting for this no-confidence and thank the Principal for facilitating it.” He said that in the future he may get College Council to consider the motion but pointed out that they fill more of a governance role and that “what’s important is that the academics at Queen Mary have made known their discontent with current government policy.”

Oscar Williamson, QMSU Vice President Education and Welfare, who was present at the meeting said: “’The HE White Paper reads like a work-in-progress, and its contradictions, oversights and omissions have inflicted an unprecedented amount of uncertainty on the sector. I have yet to meet anyone who’s read the proposals and has any confidence in them. This result is a credit to Senate.”

Three of the five abstentions came from the Principal, Simon Gaskell, and the two Vice-Principals present, Susan Dilly and Evelyn Welch. It is thought that they made this deci-

David Willetts speaks at the University of Birmingham sion because they deemed it unwise to make their individual political beliefs known when they would still have to work with Mr Willetts and representatives of his department to carry out their duties.

The university has released a state-

Image by Dept. of Business, Innovation and Skills

ment, saying: “Following a motion proposed by an elected member, Queen Mary’s Senate has passed a motion of No Confidence in the Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willetts. Senate is composed primarily of elect-

ed members of staff from across the College, student representatives and Heads of School/Directors of Institute.”

The exact numbers of the vote were 27 for, five abstentions and none against.

Blacklash stops change to dyslexia funding

» University were to stop full-funding of dyslexia testing » Students were to pay up to £250 Kaamil Ahmed Plans to change the way services for Dyslexic students are provided were scrapped last week after controversy.

The university had planned to stop covering the full cost of tests used to determine whether a student has Dyslexia in January, but has been criticised by both students and staff.

The changes would have meant that the College would still cover the first £150 of a students Diagnostic Dyslexia Assessment but that the student would have to fund the remainder of the cost themselves. Depending on which educational psychologist is used for the assessment, this could have left students with a charge of anywhere between £65 and £250.

Simon Jarvis, head of the Disa-

bility and Dyslexia service at Queen Mary, confirmed that the department had planned to limit its contribution to the cost of the tests but said they would now be looking for an alternative solution.

“Our proposal had been to reduce our support from the full cost to a flat contribution of £150,” said Jarvis. “In the light of representations made to the DDS since the proposal was raised

at a recent meeting, we are reviewing whether we can secure additional funds to continue to meet the full cost of assessments for UK students.”

Jarvis said that with an increasing number of students taking assessments, how to fund them is increasingly becoming an issue. He explained that the Access to Learning Fund (ALF), which provides support for students in financial hard-

ship, is diminishing - in part because of the amount provided for dyslexia assessments. Jarvis emphasised that his department would have ensured that students who could not afford the tests themselves would not have become disadvantaged if the proposals had gone ahead.

“Students receiving funds for the cost of their dyslexia assessments

» Continued on page 2

2

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

News

Editorial Team: • Executive Editor - Sam Creighton vpcommunications@qmsu.org • Managing Editor - Caz Parra editor@qmessenger.co.uk • Sub-Editors - Robert Pritchard, Maria Sowter and Lauren Mason proof@qmessenger.co.uk • News Editors - Rosie Reynolds, Kaamil Ahmed and Ariane Osman news@qmessenger.co.uk • Comment Editors - Kashmira Gander and Stephanie Rankin comment@qmessenger.co.uk • Satire Editors - Ben Richardson and Aaron Barber satire@qmessenger.co.uk • Sports and Societies Editors - Shafi Musaddique, Hollie Carter and Ashley Sweetman sport@qmessenger.co.uk • Photography Editors - Keeren Flora and Bethia Stone photography@qmessenger.co.uk

You should be writing for us.

Email any of the above email addresses to sign up to our award winning team and get your career in student media off to a flying start.

The Cloud How you fit into the news.

A review of UK cancer patients has revealed that avoidable lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking and eating unhealthily is the cause of almost half of cancers diagnosed each year.

QM researcher Dr Melania Capasso from the Barts Cancer Institute fought of tough competition to win GlaxoSmithKline’s first UK Oncology CASE (Collaborative Award in Science and Engineering) PhD Scholarship.

Alternatively find us on facebook.com /QMessenger twitter.com/QMessenger

run of 1,000 and costs £445 to print and deliver.

Established in 2008, QMessenger is the free weekly newspaper of Queen Mary Students’ Union. We are proud of our editorial independence and endeavour to always hold the College, Union and external bodies to account and to provide the best news and analysis to the students of Queen Mary, University of London.

Any views expressed in QMessenger section are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper, the editorial board, Queen Mary Students’ Union or Queen Mary, University of London.

@QMessenger

In this digital age of ours it would be remiss forusnottokeepaneagleeyeonouronline presence. So, here are the best messages tweeted @QMessenger this week.

Washing up when I see a man not only fall over but do a sort of back flip roly poly...@qmessenger news I think that should at least be a nib Pleasantly surprised to see my own mug staring back at me on the front cover of @QMessenger today :P Really informative coverage of @cbanalytics by TK from @qmessenger http://bit.ly/ sW7jZM - many thanks, ^S.B.

news@qmessenger.co.uk

Chinese President Hu Jintao has told the country’s navy to prepare for warfare as tensions mount due to territorial disputes over the South China Sea.

A study of 40 athletes using extreme endurance exercises to train for sporting events such as triathlons has found that most had stretched heart muscles which could pose a permanent risks to the heart in the long term.

QMessenger is printed at Mortons of Horncastle Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 6JR. Tel: 01507 523 456. Each issue has a print

QMessenger is created entirely by students and the publication retains all copyright of design, text, photographs and graphics, along with the individual contributor.

Parents are not including enough fruit and veg in their children’s packed lunches which could increase their risk of cancer in later life according to a study by The School Food Trust.

The Metropolitan Police have issued an appeal to find ex-Albanian intelligence chief Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro, 58, wanted on torture charges who skipped bail and is missing in London.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has claimed that he feels no guilt over the violence committed against his people as he did not order the country’s security forces to kill any protesters during the uprising.

By Ariane Osman and Rosie Reynolds Images by: Fruit by Bright Meadow (Flickr) Cigarette by Super Fantastic (Flickr) Bashar al-Assad by PanARMENIAN_photo (Flickr)

Dyslexia funding change blocked » continued from page 1

have not been subject to this meanstesting. The amount of ALF to support students in hardship has been diminishing as the cost of supporting increased numbers of dyslexia assessments continues to rise,” said Jarvis.

“Students in hardship and needing a dyslexia assessment would still have been able to apply to have the full cost met from the ALF, subject to means testing.”

Professor Michael Roberts, the Dean for Students at the School of Medicine and Dentistry was one of those who voiced concerns about the idea of changing the way that dyslexia testing was funded, when the plans were discussed at a recent student support meeting.

Though Professor Roberts understood that it would be hard to fund

those who may request the test without “good cause” he was concerned that money should not be a barrier for students.

“My own view is that I would not wish any change to the system that might disadvantage students who may be dissuaded from undergoing a formal assessment simply because of the cost,” said Professor Roberts.

“Specifically in cases where the School or University recommends testing then I would suggest there is a duty of care to ensure that a student is able to have appropriate support that would include making a formal diagnosis.”

Shaun Ramanah, the QMSU Disabled Students’ Officer said he was worried that making students pay for their own assessments may deter those who are unsure about whether they have dyslexia: “I didn’t know

I had dyslexia before I came here and I was relying on the Dyslexia and Disabilities Service to send me on these examinations to get assessed in order for me to find out that I actually had dyslexia.”

Oscar Williamson, the Vice President for Education & Welfare also said that the cost of the assessments if the plans had gone ahead could have been a problem.

“Students arrive at university, they don’t know if they have dyslexia or not, quite often it doesn’t occur to people,” said Williamson. “The idea that someone will have to stump up between £65 and £250 and not know how much out the outset, will probably deter people who aren’t certain they’re dyslexic or not which will mean which we’re just left with lots of undiagnosed dyslexics.”

Jarvis said that there would be now be no changes to the way that the dys-

lexia support services are funded but that the department will have to look at long term solutions.

“The funding will come from our budget. This hasn’t been cut, although we will need to monitor it closely over the remainder of the academic year to ensure that we are not overspent. It is possible that we may need to secure additional funding toward the end of the academic year, although at the present time I would not like to speculate as to where this could come from.

In the longer term - i.e. from 2012/13 - we plan to bid for some funding from a central College fund which is designed to promote student retention to pay for the cost of students’ diagnostic dyslexia assessments. This would free up the Access to Learning Fund, which is subject to reductions each year from HEFCE, to support those students in financial difficulty.”

3

QMESSENGER TUESDAY NOVEMBER 13 2011

News

Livingstone condemns controversial Dow Chemicals Olympic sponsorship » The London Mayoral Candidate criticised the company’s behaviour towards the environment Ariane Osman Ken Livingstone condemned a multi-million pound sponsorship of the 2012 London Olympic Games by Dow Chemicals due to its part in the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, India at a question and answer session at the University of London Union (ULU) last week.

Dow, the second biggest chemical manufacturer in the world, was offered a sponsorship deal worth £7 million in order to wrap the Olympic Stadium with 336 advertisement panels.

The company logo will not be featured on the panels due to “clean venue” rules, which ban advertising during the length of the games.

"I am opposed to Dow Chemicals being a signature sponsor of the Olympic Stadium,” said the 2012 London Mayoral candidate. “Water supplies in Bhopal are still contaminated as a result of their wholly owned subsidiary’s activities – meaning that children in affected areas are born damaged at a rate ten times higher than in other parts of India. Dow has a moral responsibility to act to clean up the mess that the Union Carbide disaster left.”

Seven to ten thousand people

been held to account for the leak and its consequences.”

Seven Indian Employees of the plant were convicted by an Indian Court in 2010 whilst the chairman of Union Carbide at the time, Wes Anderson, resides in the US and refuses to face trial.

Union Carbide, which is now owned by Dow Chemical, says that responsibility for the future of the abandoned factory lays with the Indian Government, to whom they paid £288 million in compensation.

The company stated that it "never owned nor operated the [Bhopal] plant and the legal claims surrounding the incident were resolved in 1989, long before Dow acquired Union Carbide, we - along with the rest of the industry - have learned from this tragic event and have helped to drive global industry Livingstone is hoping to win the London Mayoral Election in May 2012 performance improvements to enImage by Kate Grey (via Flickr) sure that such incidents never hapdied due to the leak of 42 tons of which is affecting the health of the pen again.” methyl isocyanate and other toxic local population who use the water "They came through a rigorous chemicals by the Union Carbide In- for drinking and cooking. procurement process,” a London dia Limited pesticide plant in BhoA report by Amnesty Internation- 2012 spokeswoman said. “One that pal, Madhya Pradesh, India in 1984 al says: “the survivors still await just was geared to creating the most with an extra 15,000 dying from its compensation, adequate medical sustainable solution to the wrap effects, according to Amnesty Inter- assistance and treatment, and com- around the stadium." national. prehensive economic and social reMr Livingstone said that the isChemicals from the leak are still habilitation. The plant site has still sue “can go as far as creating a pocontaminating the water supply, not been cleaned up and no one has tential crisis of legitimacy for the

Games” as the Indian Olympic authority recently announced that it would be meeting to discuss calls to boycott the London Olympics due to the Dow Chemicals sponsorship.

He went on to argue that the Dow sponsorship money, which makes up 0.08% of the Olympic budget, is not needed to sustain the games as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has spent millions of pounds less than was allocated in its original budget.

He said: “Our thoughts should be with the victims of the Bhopal Union Carbide disaster. The Mayor and LOCOG must pull back from the brink and not risk damaging the London Olympics' reputation, or the success of London's Olympic Games, any further."

“How can a company responsible for one of the most horrific environmental and human disasters … sponsor what the Olympic website describes as the most sustainable games possible?” asked Marianne Gelister, a student from the Green Mary Society at QM. “The new sponsorship deal undermines the legitimacy of the Olympic claims for a sustainable and green Games, and reveals the importance of vested financial rather than environmental interests.”

‘Rude awakening’ in fight against diabetes Break in sees students

Up to half of all cases of diabetes can be prevented by lifestyle measures Image by Kaamil Ahmed

Aamna Mohdin Almost none of the many different techniques available to predict Type 2 diabetes are currently being used, according to new research from Queen Mary, University of London. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that many cases of Type 2 diabetes could have also been prevented.

The team led by Dr Douglas Noble reviewed 145 different 'risk scores' for Type 2 diabetes. The risk scores went on to provide a predic-

tion of the chances of someone developing diabetes over the next decade. The risk scores included: age, ethnicity, obesity, history of diabetes, lack of physical exercise, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Socio-economic status is also a risk factor, since diabetes is more common in deprived populations.

Dr Noble said: “The best ones, of which we identified seven, represent a big opportunity for people to spot whether they are at high risk of developing diabetes, and if so to take urgent action to reduce their risk.

Importantly, for most people that means increasing physical exercise

and losing weight. If we stop people from developing diabetes in the first place we will prevent a great deal of ill health, save money, reduce use of NHS resources and, crucially, save lives."

Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, who was also part of the research team, said: "This study has confirmed what many doctors already suspected: that risk scores are good at detecting people at high risk of developing diabetes but very few people have actually had their risk estimated."

The study suggests that the reason why new techniques to prevent diabetes are not being used is because some were developed without a specific user or use in mind. More research is required to tackle usability, as diabetes risk scores can have a massive impact on the way diabetes is prevented.

Mohammed Moosa, a second year medical student at Barts and the London, was “alarmed” by the results of the study. He says: “It shows how doctors can be complacent around diabetes. It’s a rude awakening for my colleagues and I, and as trainee doctors it’s something we need to correct.”

lose £2.4k of equipment

Matthew TK Taylor QMessenger Media Group (QMG), the student media division of Queen Mary Students’ Union (QMSU), has fallen victim to a burglary, with approximately £2,400 of video equipment belonging to QMTV stolen.

QMG’s offices had a cupboard broken into that contained two Sony handycams and a Canon DSLR camera and a Sony wireless microphone.

No other equipment was taken. It’s believed the break in was premeditated as the thief aimed specifically for small, high value items.

The break-in occurred on the morning of Thursday 8th December, around 10:25am. A thin man wearing a Barbour jacket was seen leaving the premises with a Canon strap around his chest. Sam Creighton, QMSU VP Communications, and Oscar Williamson, QMSU VP Education and Welfare, both encountered the intruder leaving the building: “We questioned who he was and why he was there, but by the time we went after him it was too late”, said Creight-

on. They described him as 5’10” tall, stubbled, with a local accent. One of the builders working in the area says they saw a man fitting this description running from the scene near the Engineering Building.

Police arrived quickly, but were unable to find any forensic evidence.

A member of Queen Mary security commented that, in their experience, whenever there is large-scale building work on campus there is usually a “major” break-in. They posited that this was probably due to lax security for people entering the building site.

However, it is not believed that Coniston, the current contractors, have anything to do with the incident.

“It’s difficult when these sorts of works are going on because so many new people are walking around”, said Creighton. “Speaking to people working on the site it seemed like everyone thought this person was a student, while we thought he was an electrician; it’s this sort of confusion that aids opportunist criminals.”

Students who noticed anything suspicious around this time are encouraged to contact campus security.

news@qmessenger.co.uk

4

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

News

Asthma app launched by QM group » New app allows asthma suffers to record their medical information and gives tips on how to manage condition

Aamna Mohdin A new iPhone and Android app, My Asthma Log, has recently been made available for young people to help them manage their asthma.

NECLES Health Innovation Education Cluster collaborated with QApps, Queen Mary’s smart phone application development venture, to create My Asthma Log. QApps launched at the end of September 2011 and is the brain child of Professor McOwan. Students and research teams across the college have come together to create and distribute smart phone and social networking apps. QApps has also teamed up with AlwaysOnMessage, an award-winning application development company.

My Asthma Log allows patients to collate medical information such as asthma attacks which they can then show to their doctor. The application contains information and pictures of asthma medication and useful links to Asthma UK’s social media pages. The application aims to promote self management for young asthma sufferers, and help them take control of their condition.

With 1.1 million children affected, asthma is the most common childhood chronic disease in the UK. Recent studies have shown that 75% of hospital admissions with asthma can be avoided, and patient self-management has the potential to improve quality of life.

Bahga Said-Mohamud, a second year Genetics student who suffers from asthma, said: “My Asthma Log looks like a great app that

New asthma app created for young people to keep an eye on their asthma. will help people like me to man- change the way people learn, take you can search for apps on health, age their condition. I found it dif- care of their health and they way games, social networks and so on. ficult to cope with asthma when I they socialise? “I hope so,” Pro- All the wonderful ideas that stuwas younger, and something like fessor McOwan told QMessenger. dents and staff can turn into apps this could have made a difference. “That’s part of the reason I created are there, ready for the world to It’s an interesting concept with the it, it’s one of the very first universi- use.” My Asthma Log is one of the potential to change people’s lives.” ty app portals in the world, and it’s many innovative apps available on Does QApps have the potential to deliberately not on a single topic, the Android market from Queen

By Neil T via Flickr Mary students. “I think QApps can help cement QMUL as a world class university that has great students and staff, and that can create amazing new ways to make the world a better place.”

Visit www.qappsonline.com for details on how to get involved.

“Global 99%” being forgotten during financial crises » Queen Mary University Professor says Global Fund decision to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria will hit poorest hardest Sao Mai Ly While European and American politicians talk about austerity, financial problems are having a far more serious effect on less developed countries according to a QM academic.

Dr Simon Reid-Henry wrote in the New Statemsan last month, that the decision by The Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria to cancel next year’s funding round was proof that the poorest people in the world would be hardest hit. He said the “global 99 per cent” were suffering because of the international financial crisis which was leading to “malnutrition and disease.”

Queen Mary lecturer Dr Simon Reid-Henry said: “The Global Fund

news@qmessenger.co.uk

is an important institution that has ry. “The danger is that in focusing peanuts in comparison to the bank done much good work, but at the on the problems of the global fund, bailouts we have gotten used to in end of the day it is not just fund- we obscure the problems that the recent years -- it’s about the same ing, or even more funding, that is Global Fund was set up to address.” amount that Goldman Sachs has required.”

Dr Reid-Henry also wrote in his cheerfully set aside in bonuses “Local health systems - which article that the situation reveals again this year.” may be undercut as much as as- “just how precarious daily life has “The Global Fund’s apparent desisted by large inflows of money become for the global 99 per cent: mise could hardly come at a more from a body like the Global Fund those whose very health, as much crucial time. The last couple of - must be invested in, for example,” as their job security, is pegged to years had seen greater optimism he continues. the rise and fall of the money mar- in the battle against Aids. Thanks From his point of view, what we kets.” to internationally funded proshould focus on is not the funding He said that The Global Fund is grammes, the number of people on shortfall experienced by the Glob- one of the most important meas- ARVs had increased by 20 per cent al Fund, but “the wider justice def- ures in place for fighting HIV/Aids since 2009, and many had begun icit experienced by those who are but that a lack of funding has es- looking forward to a generation poorly served by the current struc- sentially put an end to its work. free of HIV.” tures of international governance The Geography department lecThe decision to end funding for and global health.” turer emphasised that the amount The Global Fund was made pub“Funding is not the only thing that needed to support the fund is small lic after a board meeting in Accra, is required, and so the financial cri- in comparison with the other costs Ghana, and will have consequencsis is far from the only problem that that governments meet. es on the number of people eligible we confront”, claims Dr. Reid-Hen“Ten billion dollars sounds like for medical treatment.

Although less than 50 per cent of those who require ARVs currently receive medical treatment in South Africa and Kenya, these nations have been denied funds for the year to come. Figures in Malawi are heading towards a reduction.

The Global Fund has set up an emergency ‘transition mechanism’, but this solution might not be enough, as some developed countries recently cut their pledges.

The financial crisis might not be the only factor, as suggests UCL public health specialist David McCoy: ‘What is happening to the Global Fund ought to concentrate the minds and efforts of public health workers all across the world on the need to change the broader social and economic institutions within which our fragile health programmes are located.’

5

QMESSENGER TUESDSAY DECEMBER 13 2011

News

QM alumni in top 100 young entrepreneurs Alexander Penn Two Queen Mary alumni were honoured in a prestigious young entrepreneurship list last month.

Yash Bheeroo and Jason Gibbs, who met whilst studying Law at QM, garnered a place on the Ernst and Young Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs list after launching university comparison website www.comparetheuni.com.

The website, which aims to help prospective students make their minds up about higher education, has had over 5000 unique visitors from over 65 countries since its launch on November 1st.

The Future 100 awards list recognises the success of young entrepreneurs aged 18-35.

“Winning such an award early on in our entrepreneurial journey is definitely an honour”, Gibbs said.

With an innovative interface, the website allows users to compare all the UCAS recognised courses and universities on such factors as league table positions, employment rate and even male-to-female student ratio.

Bheeroo said: “We were discussing how confusing it can be making decisions about going to university, and realised there was a gap in the market for this kind of website. It has everything students

21-year old QM graduates Jason Gibbs (right) and Yash Bheroo (left). need in one place to guide them through the process of applying to university” The duo have built on this success by forging a partnership with money saving company Pouring Pounds. With the scheme launching in two weeks, users of the website will be offered discount vouchers for over 2500 retailers.

“Users do not have to be students and therefore brothers, sisters, cousins, aunties, and uncles

can benefit from our new partnership and save money on everything from flights, clothes, restaurants, electronics, and much more. In addition, if your student loan is running low you will be able to print vouchers from our site such as 2 for 1 at Pizza Express and other amazing deals”, Gibbs said.

The website also has a forum tab under each university, called Hidden Gems, opening discussion on the best things to do around each

Tips of a young entrepreneur »

QM graduate says students can make their own jobs

Josh Robin Thorpe Queen Mary graduate Junior Ogunyemi has hit the ground running since completing his BSc in Economics.

The 21 year old inspirational speaker and multi-award winning social entrepreneur recently released his book ‘How to be a Student Entrepreneur’ – the ultimate handy guide for making millions while you study.

Out last month and written in three weeks, the book addresses everything from your personal development to how, as a business leader, you can manage time, stress and finance.

“I want to help people become more self-sustainable so they are not just dependent on the state of the economy or Lotto numbers coming in,” Ogunyemi told QMessenger. “I want people to prepare and take hold of their own future.

Whether this is by starting their dream business or simple creating another stream of income, cultivating that entrepreneurial mentality is very important.”

Ogunyemi, who moved here

when he was two years old from Nigeria, first learnt his entrepreneurial skills at Queen Mary. By graduation he owned a football coaching academy operating in schools and communities across London.

He also released a student magazine publishing company that spread to 15 universities – achievements which have gained him honours including the Black Youth Achievements award for business and enterprise and the Unltd Sport Relief.

“Knowing that I can create something that is making a positive impact in other people’s lives is the greatest sense of fulfilment. This is why I chose social enterprise. The job of an entrepreneur is to come up with brilliant ideas. Some ideas are so brilliant they make millions of pounds. Other ideas may not make millions of pounds but they are still brilliant, because they change millions of lives. The latter is a good enough reward for me.”

He found inspiration for his new book by attending talks by successful entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Sir Alan Sugar - and now he wants to pass on the knowledge gained from time

Image courtesy of comparetheuni.com area.

“It will inform prospective students about the best places to eat, drink, socialise and party around the university”, Gibbs continued.

The site also contains career ladders, so students can work out which degree they need, profiles of real people and their experiences of university, a personal statement guide, and interview advice.

Bheeroo and Gibbs graduated from their QM Law degrees in

2010, both with 2:1s.

If you’d like to write in the Queen Mary Hidden Gems section or to simply have a look at what the website has to offer, visit www. comparetheuni.com.

The website enables people applying for university to compare all the UCAS recognised courses and universities in terms of every factor you could think of, from league table positions to the maleto-female student ratios.

Principal supports Tower Hamlets bid for city status

he dedicated studying and shadGreater London which, together owing millionaires to young and Tom Stevenson with the other 30 boroughs, form enthusiastic business minded stuthe territory. dents.

Queen Mary University of LonFinal year English LiteraOgunyemi encourages his read- don’s Principal, Simon Gaskell, ture student, and President of ers to start young. “In my book I publicly expressed his support for the Philosophy Society, Priya highlight all the benefits of being Tower Hamlets’ bid to become the Soni said: “If getting City status a young entrepreneur. Possibly United Kingdom’s next city this means more investment for Towthe most important one is that the month. er Hamlets from private industry, risks are lower. We all know enTower Hamlets is competing then great. I think the short term trepreneurs are risk takers, how- with 24 other boroughs and towns impact looks good, but the long ever the younger you start the in the UK for city status, which will term effect may be more difficult more minimal the risks are. When be granted during the Queen’s Di- to judge.” you’re young you don’t have a amond Jubilee celebrations next Cathryn Parkes, a final year Engspouse, three kids and a mortgage year. lish Literature and Linguistics stuto take care of. You don’t have a The Principal joined over 100 dent, said she thought the idea full time job paying you a comfort- community leaders from across of making Tower Hamlets a city able wage. Really, you have very the borough last month at a recep- was: “on the face of it a bit ridiclittle to lose, so take that leap of tion in Parliament, organised by ulous. However, when you considfaith early while you still have the Jim Fitzpatrick MP, aimed at en- er how much the borough has been passion and energy.” couraging support for the bid. let down in promises made by LonIt’s a timely message too, with A Queen Mary spokesperson don with regards to the Olympics, the current unemployment rate at said: “As part of its commitment to it’s perhaps the best way to drive 21.3% for 16-24 year olds and re- the local borough and its partner- change for the area.” cently released figures for Tow- ship with Tower Hamlets Council, The last Diamond Jubilee in the er Hamlets showing 3,460 people the College has lent its support to UK, held in celebration of the 60th aged 18 to 24 year claiming Job- the bid and the Principal attended year of Queen Victoria’s reign in seekers Allowance. a recent bid event hosted by Coun- 1897, saw three county boroughs Ogunyemi made £300 selling an cil.” gain city status: Bradford, Notend of term DVD in sixth form and If the Tower Hamlets bid is suc- tingham and Kingston upon Hull. hopes more young people will be cessful, the borough would join Politicians from the major parable to make a tidy profit while still the City of Westminster and the ties have pledged their support for in education.

City of London as the third city in the campaign.

news@qmessenger.co.uk

6

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Newsfocus

Murky world of essay writing services leads students astray

Essay writing services are twisting the truth when it comes to their advertising.

Alexander Badrick Online custom essay providers are controversial but common – “academic writing services” produces almost 100 million results on Google – but confusing advertising from providers may encourage students to submit work that is plagiarised.

Many providers advertise using social networking hub Facebook.

“Struggling with your University Essay? We can help you... 35% off all orders today!”, says Oxbridge Essays, just one of the UK based essay providers. Oxbridge Essays claims to be the country’s “largest and leading provider of guaranteed Upper 1st, 1st Class and 2:1 essays and dissertations,” and that all essays are “custom written” by Oxford and Cambridge academics.

Genetics student Alice has seen adverts for essay writing on Facebook – “for sure!” – and expects that once an essay is paid for a student is meant to “just hand it in.”

“If you’ve paid for an essay, you expect to just be able to hand it in. I know someone who used [a service] for their personal statement - all she had to do was write down her hobbies and interests, and her previous grades, and then, two weeks later, a ready made personal statement was waiting for her!”

news@qmessenger.co.uk

Essay Writing, by Mortson (Flickr CC)

Oxbridge Essays say their be illegal.” Ivory Research, another company “offers custom-made second offence the penalty is a fail services are “NOT cheating” “100% London based service, advises that undergraduate and Masters essays, mark in every module taken that legal” and “educationally positive” “you are not able to submit our and [...] the work it provides is academic year.

Oxbridge Essays is owned – but be warned, their website’s papers [...] you need to rewrite the guaranteed to be the standard of a 1st or a 2:1” in April 2007, although by brothers Roger and James disclaimer says products are solely main body of the text.”

“I hope nobody is stupid enough no article in The Times from any Malamatinas, the latter graduated intended as “learning aids” and from Kings College in 2007 and that submission of material bought to give [an essay bought online] year contains any of that phrase.

The 2007 article in The his LinkedIn profile lists 2000 from their site is theft, and will be in without trying to edit it first,” reported to the police. “Where the says Biology student Mandy, “but Independent their website links to “expert scholars” contracted to fraudster[s] are overseas students,” I expect people would submit it has been since removed from The parent company The Oxbridge the website continues, “we work in some form. Why would you Independent’s website - “possibly Research Group, with between 11 with universities to revoke their spend hundreds of pounds on for legal reasons,” says a member and 50 employees. According to visas and have them removed from an essay and then just use it for of The Independent’s online staff, one forum member on the website Oxbridge research? Companies are deluding before he referred the case to their www.essayscam.org, the UK.” Essays employs “current students, This is a marked difference to themselves if they think students lawyers.

Plagiarism “is not as simple as thats people without degrees, just a quote from their website found won’t plagiarise a perfectly good just cutting and pasting,” says finished A-levels! [sic]” and they in a 2006 article in The Times. essay.”

The Oxbridge Essays website Dr. Robert Janes, a departmental “write a load of rubbish, normally There, Oxbridge Essays is quoted as saying: “once our work has been says the company has “helped Plagiarism Officer at QMUL, “there out of date and just plain made given to the customer, it can be thousands of students to improve are many other ways in which up... DO NOT USE OXBRIDGE impossible for us to stop students their degree grades and thus secure plagiarism occurs.” Rewriting an ESSAYS! REPEAT DO NOT USE!! misusing our service. You can better graduate jobs with higher essay in whole or part (purchased They will not deliver and they will hand our work in as your own, and salaries” ands boasts coverage in from an essay writing service or take your money and rip you off.”

Oxbridge Essays’ recruitment no one will probably ever know.” The Times and The Independent not) is “thesaurus plagiarism”, The quote has since been removed newspapers, using their logos which Dr. Janes calls “extremely mini-site suggests most writers from their website, although after extensively. Their website claims common” adding, “all that has earn between £30 and £70 per their disclaimer the company the company’s press coverage happened is that a few words have 1000 words, although the price reassures potential customers that “should further enhance your been changed from the original but for a 1000 word essay, which vary their university will “NEVER” find confidence in ordering with us,” the essence of the text remains the depending on subject, grade and timescale, ranges from £208 and although the 2006 article in The same.” out if they use their service.

QMUL “actively” encourages £500 for the next day delivery of When asked via their online Times their website links to does chat facility (“Any questions? Click not offer any endorsement. “They academics to use the plagiarism an English Literature piece. The to chat with us”) if students can shouldn’t have our logo,” says a detecting software turnitinUK, price was marginally better value submit any material they purchase, member of The Times’ staff when which analyses the originality for science essays. A top grade, full JenniferY says “you are not meant asked over the phone about the of a piece of work. If more than 10,000 word English Literature to submit it as your own as this is 2006 article, quickly adding, “I 17% of a body of work is found to dissertation would cost £6672 at plagiarism.” Do students submit have no comment on behalf of The be unoriginal, the penalties are short notice – although this is serious; work would be marked reduced from £8,340. essays as their own? “I’m afraid I Times.”

Oxbridge Essays also claims as zero and the offence noted on do not know. They are unlikely to tell us if they did because it would The Times wrote that their the individuals’ transcript, for a Names have been changed.

7

QMESSENGER TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER 2011

Comment

The Great Debate

Are young people more susceptible to drug abuse?

Bloody hell, we’re 50!

Fifty. FIFTY! Wow, we’re quite old.

Although, saying that, we were set up in September 2008, so, in terms of student press, even compared to our very own CUB, we are still relatively spritely.

Despite this youth we have done a lot over the last three and a bit years. A lot to be proud of. From our first ever headline “Has Queen Mary gone too far?” we’ve created and upheld a reputation of holding all those with influence and power over Queen Mary students to account.

This first article looked into the anger that swept through the local community when Queen Mary attempted to buy Bancroft Library, an important and treasured local landmark. Since then, we have reported on the inappropriate conduct of Sabbatical Officers, students falling between cracks created by unfair College regulations, homophobic and racist remarks from people in power, ranging from individual society presidents to the president of the University of London Union, along with anything else we’ve thought it important for the Queen Mary community to know.

We’ve had several different incarnations as a newspaper, when we were first set up, we were an 8 page fortnightly publication, then in our second year we increased to 16 pages, 24 in our third year and then now we have dropped down to 16 pages again, but become weekly!

Whatever our size, our print run or anything else, we’ve always been a student paper. Even our name was chosen by QM students. Our first issue was published under the banner ‘I need a name’ and QMessenger was chosen out of submissions, beating strong competition, such as The Hogwarts Express. We’ve always had the policy of printing whatever Queen Mary students are feeling and talking about, we work with any interested students to make sure they can make their voice heard in their newspaper.

We’ve grown from a team of three editors, to one of 13 and withwell over a hundred students contributing in some way each year.

We’ve also been successful, last year picking up the gong at The London Student Journalism Awards for best comment writer. Our reputation has flourished with other Students’ Unions and individuals asking for copies each week and positive feedback more and more common.

As the person who has worked on each and every one of the 50 issues of QMessenger thus far I have to say that I have been proud to work with every single person that I have.

The best is yet to come, I’m sure...

Yes Tianna Pilipovic Don’t do drugs and stay in school!

This is a silly phrase I’d hear repeated over and over again by adults attempting to give advice and ‘set a good example’. The sentiment is nice, I guess, but it makes two problematic assumptions.

Firstly, this idea assumes that if one does drugs that it will be to the detriment of their schoolwork and greater life. Then secondly, that the student being addressed has not already had some sort of experience with drugs. I think this statement and those like it often result in exactly the opposite of what they’re going for.

They’re vague, they don’t offer any sort of explanation as to why one shouldn’t do drugs they just attempt to place a blanket moratorium on them.

Teenagers are just starting to delve deeper intro discovering and constructing their identity.

With that development comes a very exploratory inclination and when something is mysterious it’s made all the more appealing. This is not me advocating drug use or suggesting that it’s necessarily a good idea for anyone but, many people will try them, specifically marijuana, most prevalently in their teens and early twenties.

I think that youth are susceptible to drug use because of their curiosity. Curiosity that is exacerbated by the way that many adults in positions of authority deal with drug use, through vague statements that offer no real explanation of why one shouldn’t partake.

Clearly some adults give explanations, but all too often, it’s a simple condemnation with no reason why.

I also believe that this susceptibility is selective and generally not as detrimental as the sentiment expressed at the opening

might have one believe.

I obviously can’t speak for everyone, but in my life among my wider social circle, at my high school and university back in the US, marijuana use is very prevalent.

Definitely, the most prevalent drug used among people that I know and seemingly, people our age in general. Much more often than not the ‘drug users’ that I know are intelligent, productive, and otherwise normal individuals completely indistinguishable from non-drug users. They stay on top of their schoolwork, they get really good grades, they hold jobs, and have a ton of ambition.

They are the opposite of the stereotypes conjured up by all the assumptions made by the statement ‘don’t do drugs and stay in school!’

These kids are going places, not just sitting around getting high.

Most of these people have also not been tempted to delve into more hardcore drug use. Just because they partake in a joint every so often, maybe even every day, does not mean they have any interest in snorting cocaine or shooting up heroin.

They are susceptible, but only to a point and once their curiosity was satiated by something that made them feel good, that they could control, that didn’t ruin their lives in any way, they felt the need to look no further. This curiosity is youth specific.

How many middle-aged people do you know that have never tried drugs and suddenly get an interest in trying them? Or if they are currently taking drugs, chances are they’ve been taking them since their teens or early twenties.

Interest in and susceptibility to drugs hinges on the curiosity that comes at the big identity shaping point of a person’s life.

Tianna Pillpovic is a student from the University of Minnesota and has been involved in the QMUL Theatre Company.

Cartoon by Masie O-J

No Stevie Elizabeth Rankin This isn’t going to be a simple answer to a complex question. Nothing ever is. For what I can assume was the entirety of my childhood until a certain age, my parents had been living a double life.

When we were sharing a room, they were a typical couple creating a typical family, but when our backs were turned and tucked up in bed, they were regularly using drugs. Though we had been aware since we were young that our mother was partial to the odd ‘smoke’ with our uncles, it wasn’t until our early teens that we discovered the penchant for cocaine that they both had.

And so we weren’t in the dark any more, but life went on as usual. In a summer just a few years ago, my parents had reached a stage of drug-induced chronic insomnia. My father stayed up gambling online, and I could hear the whirring of the hoover coming from my parents’ bedroom until four in the morning. I’d wake up at midday on a Sunday and hear my mother having night terrors just an hour into her sleep. You’ll be glad to know that once she experienced a paranoia-fuelled breakdown while hiding in the curtains, she knew it was time to seek help.

My grandparents took her away and she came back a few days later determined to change.

Skip a few years into the future, and my parents are divorced.

My father has been openly growing marijuana in the back garden, and my mother continues to remain intact (and to even prosper) despite the horrors she has suffered in her lifetime. And I, somehow and miraculously, have made it here.

My parents came from completely different families, yet they both ended up abusing drugs almost to the point of their own de-

struction. My sisters and I, however, have each managed to involve ourselves in the many delights capitalism has to offer us without indulging in its drug culture. So why is it that we’ve never felt that inclination to deviate?

We practically grew up within a how-to(-abuse-drugs) household; drugs were a part of everyday conversation and everywhere we look there’s supposed proof that we’re susceptible to use because we’re young and thus weak-willed and experimental. But we just don’t have any desire to partake. Our parents are liberal human beings, and, though it may appear surprising, also good parents. We knew the difference between right and wrong, but at the same time drugs had been normalised under our roof. We were more susceptible than most and we still didn’t take the bait.

I had friends that did take it.

I had friends that attempted to pressure me into taking it too.

One might pinpoint youth and inexperience as the cause of participation in drug use, but my sisters and I ticked all of the boxes of a susceptible candidate and yet, have continued to defy the conventional criterion.

Perhaps my parents became parents too young, and, at their most restless, sought to relive their lost youth through the use of narcotics. Or, perhaps, it is within curiosity that the real lure to drugs is found: drugs are mystified, and so curiosity is magnified.

I believe it is simply a case of this curiosity hitting some much sooner than others.

Drugs used to be discussed openly, and today they seem to be discussed only according to their effects. Drugs are mystified and so our generation has been fatally drawn to them.

Stevie Rankin is a first year English Lit student, co-comment editor of QMessenger and a member of the LGBT society.

comment@qmessenger.co.uk

8

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Comment

Cycling scheme needs safety policy

The Mayor has been accused of rejecting “cost-effective safety measures... reuslting in two avoidable cyclist deaths”.

Vanessa Meade For the past couple of years Boris Johnson and Transport for London (TfL) have worked in a partnership, to paint the town blue. Together, these eco-warriors have encouraged people to cycle around the city in environmental bliss. However, it has all gone wrong. The duo, so preoccupied with getting Londoners out of cars and onto bikes, have forgotten to spend time improving cycle safety.

In the meantime, the Cycle Superhighways are death traps for the inexperienced, or unlucky, cyclist.

The deaths of Brian Dorling and Svitlana Tereschenko caused an outcry throughout East London. Both were tragically killed whilst trying to negotiate the Bow roundabout, a site which has taken three lives and caused 8 casualties in recent years.

The roundabout, which is included in one of Boris’ Cycle Superhighways has often been criticized for being dangerous and unsafe, but nobody has taken any notice.

News reports published by Road CC, have revealed that a report commissioned by TfL before the installation of the Barclays Superhighway CS7, had expressed several safety concerns over its construction. Johnson’s decision to ignore the report has meant that the superhighway has been built with many critical flaws. The superhighway,

Images by (clockwise from left): Rob Enslin, Tony Hisgett, Dave Knapik (via Flickr CC)

TfL director, was recently forced to dangerous junctions in London. The make some compromises on the is- “Tour du Danger” was met with an sue. In an address to the Green Party overwhelming response and hunAssembly member, Jenny Jones, dreds of cyclists joined the campaign.

Plowden stated that cyclists heading Amongst the ten junctions featured to the Olympic Park will be “deliber- was the terrifying Elephant and ately directed” away from the Bow Castle Roundabout, which Johnson Roundabout. Despite being a stones recently told the London Assemthrow away from the Olympic Park, bly “is fine…if you keep your wits TfL have decided that the Super about you”. A tactless comment on Cycle Highway will not be one of the Johnson’s part as this South London preferred routes for those travelling from the City to the site. Unwilling to admit the roundabout’s faults and TfL’s mistakes, Plowden reasoned that the Highway would make it harder for cyclists to access the temporary cycle parking spaces installed for the Olympic Games. Instead of fixing the problem, TfL have decided to avoid it.

It is not just TfL that are evading roundabout alone, has witnessed 89 rectifying the problem; the great cyclists killed or seriously injured in advocator of cycling, Boris Johnson, the past two years. Neither TfL nor continues to reject possible improve- Johnson have heeded official warnments to London’s cycle schemes. ings issued concerning the safety He repeatedly ignores demands for of the roundabout, and a proposal the integration of cycling into road to turn Elephant and Castle into a layouts, it is becoming obvious that slower, safer pedestrian peninsula people being encouraged to take to Boris’ Superhighways are little more was rejected by TfL on the grounds two wheels during the Olympics re- than a splash of blue paint. Even the that it would “slow down traffic too main completely oblivious. Cyclists scheme itself have been criticized for much”.

Unsurprisingly, during the tour, using Barclay’s Bikes on these gov- encouraging inexperienced cyclists ernment endorsed paths, naturally to jump on without considering a organisers found that many participants considered London’s roads assume the route is safe, little do helmet.

In response to the Mayor’s inac- harder to negotiate in recent years; they know that in fact they are being tion, the Cyclists in the City blog despite the constant encouragement led straight into a danger zone.

With Londoners up in arms about organised a cyclist sight-seeing tour, they receive to continue cycling. the two fatalities, Ben Plowden, the taking in the view of the 10 most One male cyclist taking part com-

which terminates at the centre of the roundabout, does not incorporate any of the safety suggestions such as traffic lights, pedestrian and cycle crossings, wider pavements, and an advanced stop line. The London Cycling Campaign has since accused the Mayor of rejecting “cost-effective safety measures...resulting in two avoidable cyclist deaths”.

The roundabout has always been regarded by locals as perilous. Darren Way, the founder of local charity, Streets for Growth, recently referred to it as “the risk and run”, saying that “it’s so bad we have to say to our young people, don’t cycle there”.

However, while locals are aware of the dangerous area, the thousands of

do “Cyclists not know they

comment@qmessenger.co.uk

are being led into danger

”

roundabout “This has witnessed 89 cyclists killed or seriously injured

”

mented, “Ride here? With my kids?!

With nothing but a helmet and paint to keep me safe? Do you think I’m mad?!”, as he rode through Vauxhall gyratory. Despite rider numbers increasing significantly in the past years, the road system is unsatisfactory.

This is not to say that efforts to improve the cyclist’s experience have n’t been met with enthusiasm. The government’s scheme to install Trixi mirrors at busy junctions is a particularly popular idea. Their addition to the roads reduces the chances of fatal collisions when HGVs turn left at a junction- a scenario that is most likely to cause a cyclist fatality.

However, is it enough? When Boris is questioned on cyclist safety he always begins with a complaint of HGVs using the road. Quick to blame the skills of HGV drivers, Johnson often avoids the real issuedangerous road layouts. By refusing to acknowledge that cycle lanes are currently acting as add-ons to the road, London’s Mayor remains ignorant. The government is choosing to address the easy insignificant details rather than change the fundamentally flawed structure of the roads.

Safety mirrors and driver training won’t solve the problem, what we need is more space.

Vanessa Meade is a third year History student and a member of Queen Mary RAG.

9

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Comment

Britons, take your boozing further afield Passion without presentation: and explore Europe’s hidden treasures Labour, Miliband and strikes Kavos, Benidorm, Malia and Ibiza.

What do all these places have in common? An abundance of British tourists. The familiarity of a ‘fry up’ and the sheer volume of British people can make these places seem less daunting than the many purpose-built tourist traps which exist.

We can’t be naïve enough to think that for many people the allure of certain places is the abundance of bars and cheap drinks, because this is also available in most European cities.

For example, the Delirium Cafe in Brussels offers two thousand beers to a wide variety of students.

Where else in the world can you visit a bar with a drinks menu this extensive? But why, from my experience, were so few Britons present? There were Spaniards, Italians, Australians and Scandinavians, but very few Britons. If we are looking just for bars and alcohol, then why are we missing from here?

I believe it is partly because many countries, such as Belgium, are not marketed as extensively in the UK as Greece and Spain are.

Secondly, there is the language barrier. We often let ourselves down by not being able to speak or understand other languages, and this can deter many people from travelling.

However, so much can be gained from travelling to alternative tourist locations. You can immerse yourself in a culture and a place which is completely unfamiliar.

You can experience sights, sounds and smells which are not available at home. This is mainly why people should become reluctant to visit places like Benidorm or Malia:

Noah Pok Hei Sin

People should become reluctant to visit Benidorm or Malia: They aren’t genuine representations of Spain or Greece.

Image by David Boyle they aren’t a genuine representa- do not have custom during the ‘off tion of Spain or Greece. In many in- peak season’.

This type of tourism turns many stances they are not working cities like Seville or Thessalonika, they of these locations into ghost towns are hollow imitations. Some of you for large proportions of the year.

By visiting the unadventurous may ask, ‘What is wrong with that?

The locals are still providing a ser- British tourist destinations, not vice to remain in business.’ Chat- only are we missing out on amazting to a number of business own- ing places that exist only a short ers in Cyprus, this is not necessar- distance away, we are also saying that it is okay for a foreign settleily the case.

The more tourists that flock ment to exist purely so it is there there, the more prices rise. This when we require it. It is not okay. pushes many locals out of the area because it is too expensive, which David Watson is a second-year English in turn forces a lot of the small Literature student and a member of the businesses to close down as they Amnesty International Society.

On November 30th, hundreds of thousands of public sector workers went on strike.

Many students did, too. In solidarity, they said, even though it gave some just an extra day off, or a few more hours of sleep. After all, meeting at 7am is a little too early for most students.

As for Labour Party members, they could go on strike, but not in the name of their party. Leader of the Party Ed Miliband refused to either condemn or back the strike.

That did not help protect him from the malign accusations of being “in the pocket of the trade unions”.

Labour MPs are comfortable when attacking the Coalition, but find it difficult to defend their party’s position; the party is simply sitting on a wobbly fence.

However, there is one significant issue they must address: Whether the pension changes that the Coaltion are planning to implement are fair?

No, says the Labour Party, the rise in contribution from public sector workers is for the government to fill its debt hole, not due to higher age expectancy. Yes, says the government, it is crucial to the future of our economy, and the debt hole was created by Labour. And so on. The blame game is stuck in a perpetual cycle.

The real concern for the nurses, teachers and dinner ladies who went on strike on Wednesday was: How are we going to survive? It will be agony for low-paid public sector workers, required to work years longer, pay more, and receive less when they reach the age of retirement.

It is no wonder that 61% of people believe the strike was justified.

Ed Miliband is right: Strikes are a sign of failure, from both the government and the trade unions.

But why is nobody taking his comments seriously? This week, we see a passionate Labour leader defending the working poor, those sometimes forgotten by New Labour. We need not the policy of Tony Blair, but the presentation of another passionate and appealing future Prime Minister ready for 2015. In my opinion, Ed Miliband needs to work on the latter.

I asked Andy Burnham, one week before the strike, whether Ed Miliband needs to change his image. As expected, he said no; though I could see the uneasiness in his response.

The day after, I saw the same sentiment on the face of a repre-

concern of “ The strikers is: how

are we going to survive?

“

David Watson

sentative of Young Labour London, when I chatted to him about Labour’s reluctant to support the strike.

Ed needs to change the party, and the party needs to change Ed. Only then, will the country take Labour seriously, and make people like David Cameron and Jeremy Clarkson realise, maybe the strike was more important and less funny than they otherwise would have thought Noah Pok Hei Sin is a first year Modern History student, editor of The Progressive, and Publication Officer of the Labour Society.

Sceptical academics need to realise the benefits of Q-Review Everyone knows the feeling. Your tube stops inexplicably in a tunnel, your alarm doesn’t go off, or freshers’ flu makes venturing into the outside world an unthinkable prospect.

Missing a lecture or three in your years at uni is inevitable. Equally universal is the mid-lecture sigh of defeat as whatever it is your lecturer is talking about becomes truly incomprehensible. The good news is there is a way to alleviate the cold feeling of dread.

Thanks to the Learning Institute, this year has brought a new era, wherein a greater number of lecture theatres and rooms on campus are equipped with recording devices.

Lectures can be captured and post- saw that 95% of students surveyed ed to blackboard or distributed by out of 614 said it would be useful, and email. Twenty rooms across Queen 100% of lecturers who used it said Mary have the potential to record au- they would recommend it. dio, video and PowerPoint, with the Unfortunately, hardly any students are benefiting from these systems due to resistance from academics. In a survey of 83 staff, 13% were opposed to the use of Q-Review.

However, all of those opposed used online videos and/or podcasts from other institutions in their teaching, and many simply haven’t tried using it themselves.

Q-Review isn’t just a handy backup aim to expand to 44 next year and it is standard in all new builds. Combine for missed lectures, it is an important this with how everyone has a laptop learning tool, a revision aid, a helping and Q-Review campus coverage is hand to any student who might find keeping up difficult. However, there very high.

The pilot scheme of Q-Review, are many worries from academics conducted over the last two years, about the consequences of this soft-

of 83 staff, “Out 13% opposed the

“

Oliver Brown

use of Q-Review

ware. The manipulation of footage, intellectual property rights and lecture attendance are legitimate concerns, but can be quickly dealt with.

Eoin McDonnell of the Learning Institute says: “The take-up of the service has been slower than expected and that’s frustrating. But teaching staff have some real and genuine anxieties that we need to address.”

But don’t despair, beyond the concerns of staff, there is a willingness to consider the use of lecture capture.

Ray Kiely, head of Politics, stated: “I think we need to seriously consider making full use of all resources, including recording of lectures, to improve the experience for students at university showing an encouraging care for the quality of education students are receiving.”

So what do we do? So far Q-Review has been an experiment. We need to start showing that we want it and allaying the concerns of academic staffthrough accessible information.

With fees going up to £9000, students certainly deserve more from universities. It is up to us to tell them what we want, and why we think it’s important. In this case, we have a mandate, we have had a positive trial, we have positive survey results, and we have already got the structure in place.

The only thing we need is academic support. It’s time we start asking for it.

Oliver Brown is a second year International Relations student and President of the Queen Mary New Turn Society.

comment@qmessenger.co.uk

10

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Comment

Why you should be president!

George Ryan BLSA President

Sophie Richardson QMSU President

B

eing QMSU President is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Despite the rumours about it being an extended year as a student, the job is a more-than-full-time, paid post and is quite a challenging role, but an exciting one at that. We often joke in the office that being President or a Vice President is not a job choice for a year, it’s actually a lifestyle choice!

As the QMSU figurehead and lead representative of students at QMUL, I have a number of responsibilities with regards to representing the student voice, issues and other student matters to the University.

I do this through a number of University boards, subboards, 1-2-1 meetings and task and finish groups. Internally in the Union I have a number of responsibilities too, including chairing the Board of Trustees (the governing board of the Union), implementing policy set by students, interpreting our governing documents and overseeing the management of the Union through the Chief Exec (a paid, fulltime staff member who manages the Union and staff). I am also the sole shareholder of the business side of the Union (shops, bars and cafes) that is currently turning over £4million a

year. Externally, I represent QMUL students within the University of London and also to the National Union of Students.

It’s difficult to describe a day in the life of QMSU President as each day is so different from the next.

For example, today I have been at a Colours and Honours meeting this morning, then spent an hour talking to students and surveying opinions on tuition fees, expectations and value for money to use as research and data for a presentation to University staff next week. This afternoon I have a meeting with an organisation called Open Book, who are looking to work with Unions on widening participation projects, followed by a Senate (the

comment@qmessenger.co.uk

main academic board in the University) briefing meeting with Course Reps and VP Education & Welfare, followed by the Senate meeting itself.

However, one day last week I spent the whole day in Faculty Planning and Accountability Review meetings and one day next week work begins at 9am with an Exec meeting and ends at 8pm after two hours of Exec Question Time. Another day next week is spent at the Heads of Schools Away Day, where I will be representing students’ opinions on a number of different issues and leading on a workshop on future expectations and challenges with regards to students and their QMUL experience. There are of course also the hundreds of emails that I have to read and reply to each week and this job is quite often a balancing act; you have to make some difficult decisions about priorities as it’s impossible to do everything and do it well.

As President, the buck ultimately stops with you, however, with great responsibility comes some even greater opportunities and the chance to change aspects of the Union and the University, leading to improving the lives of students, is such an incredible opportunity and one that I’ll never forget.

S

o what does the BLSA President/VP Association do? That’s a question a lot of people ask and it’s a tough one to answer succinctly.

To quote my job description, officially I’m “The Voice of students who study at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry”. I can appreciate this doesn’t go far towards helping you understand what I do dayto-day. The first thing to say is that every day is different, there is no normal day in the life of a sabbatical officer as it is so wide ranging. One minute I could be sitting quietly in my office writing an article for QMessenger, the next minute standing in front of 300 Freshers giving my best ‘chat’. One minute chairing a meeting of the Student Presidents Council, the next in a meeting with senior staff at the medical school giving my thoughts (and technically the thoughts of 3,000 students!). The best way to describe what my job entails is to take you through the schedule of an average day.

The day starts for me at 7:30am on the bus into Whitechapel answering emails. Emails from students, medical school staff, union staff, doctors who have created ‘the next best app’ for medical students, Presidents of other medical schools, my Student Presidents Council and the BMA to name a few currently in my inbox.

Of course let’s not forget the ‘Free Porn’ email that comes through once a week, remnants of previous users of the BL President email address I suspect (cough, Laura/Jeeves). My day starts smoothly with a 9am shout out to the Freshers, informing them that BLSA won the bid to host the next national Medsoc conference, imploring them to volunteer for a position on the organising committee. I try my best to be witty when it comes to lecture shout outs but I’m growing ever more aware

of the sigh that goes across the room when people see me enter. Shout out complete, it’s then time to head into the Garrod building for a meeting with Deborah James who works for the medical school.

We meet quite regularly, most often in search of money and this time I was after almost £2000 to fund a course in micro and reconstructive surgery organised by two students. These two students had got several consultants on board with their plans and via myself put in a bid to the school for sponsorship, as a result of this Barts and The London SMD now runs its own national microsurgery course, all because of the efforts of two students; this is a great example of how easy it is to set something up as well as how supportive the school are of students projects. In this case, the idea was such a good one, the school were interested in investing in it and have incorporated the course into a year 5 SSC on offer to students from next year. After 30-40 minutes of conversation about the proposal and the practicalities behind it, the students bid was accepted by the school and the course will also go ahead next year. By now it’s nearly 10 o’clock, time to head down the road to pay a visit to QMotion. Here the future of sport at QMSU and BLSA was discussed, within the next few years investment in sport at QM will see participation increase through the Get Active programme, a pool of coaches will be hired by the union to support elite sports and plans will be made to develop sports facilities on campus (potentially to include 3G pitches).

In between meetings is the perfect time to catch up on phone calls to my colleagues on the Student President’s Council. Generally we discuss projects that they wish to carry out and I try to offer any way in which I can support them. A few days a week I pop

into the Blomeley Centre to catch up with life at Mile End, meet with the other sabbs and have a breather. The only times I don’t enjoy being in the Blomeley are when my fellow officer Sam Creighton is around, for those of you that don’t know him, his chat is pretty poor.

On this particular afternoon I had a Fitness to Practice meeting. This is where a panel, made up of senior academics in the university and a student representative (me), meet with students whose fitness to practice is in question. These meetings are often quite tense as the topics of discussion are very close to the bone for a lot of students.

The purpose of the panel is to meet the student to discuss their situation and decide how best the university can help them get through whatever hardships they face or if necessary, discipline them. If, in very rare cases, it is deemed the student has been offered all of the support available and yet their situation hasn’t improved, the panel has the power to de-register the student.

Each day can finish between 4pm or 4am depending on evening plans, admittedly it is questionable if the events which finish at 4am are a part of the job.

What I enjoy most about being BLSA President is the diversity. From doing a cheery lecture shout out in to being on a ‘Fitness to Practice’ panel requires a huge shift in mentality over a short space of time. My first 4 month has been the steepest learning curve I have yet encountered.

I work with so many people, from students to Professors, to managers, all with very different personas and demands. I work long hours, at times it’s very demanding, and I find myself thinking on my feet a lot. All of the above are very similar characteristics needed in a doctor and it’s for these reasons that I can’t recommend the job more.

12

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Satire All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Please don’t mistake anything on this page for fact. Apart from the interview. That’s real. Well I say real, It’s a guy playing a character so not entirely real. But real in the sense that the things printed in the interview were actaully said and not made up. I hope this is clear because I’m told it’s important.

Burger van owner Angelos Epithemiou chats to Ben Richardson about his DVD, suing Mark Zuckerberg, and stalking Ulrika Jonsson.

So Angelos! You’re probably most famous for keeping the scores on Shooting Stars, looking back now it’s over, did you enjoy it at all? No, no I didn’t.

I could’ve thought of about five, six hundred things I could’ve been doing that were better than doing that, like rolling down a hill, or, you know, walking? Or mucking about in the bushes, that sort of thing. So that’s what I’d rather have been doing if I’m honest with you. But you know, the biscuits fell where they may, and I ended up doing that job.

What about your coffee shop, ‘Epithemioubucks’, Is that still running? Well, that was a prototype really, I’m just to see if I can get the funds together to put that together. Also I’ve had one or two threatening letters from Starbucks.

They said “If you go anywhere near this, we’ll have you killed”. So I might have to think twice about that one.

I wonder if it’s evil: An exposé on Satire by special reporter Toby Jeff In light of recent criticism of your section for perpetuating sexism, I would like to level a criticism at previous perpetuations of despicable social vices and inequalities that other satirists (your good selves included) are guilty of. My point is that satire in any form serves no purpose other than to further instil negative values in society and, rather than deterring them by making them humorous, in fact validates them. To prove this I will use several examples of satire throughout History and illustrate how they have perpetuated the social vices they claim to be satirising.

I will start with one of the ‘greatest’ exponents of satire, Jonathan Swift.

This Anglo-Irish clergyman penned probably one of the most famous satirical novels, Gulliver’s Travels.

In Gulliver’s Travels we see how the character of Gulliver explores four different civilisations with various quirks, qualities, and flaws. The banal and general consensus is that the book satirises the squabbling European governments of the time, and questions human nature. Yet this was written in a world before both World Wars, the Holocaust, and Justin Beiber. It’s clear to see that this book, through satirising human nature, did nothing to expel the squabbling nationalist governments of the time and instead perpetuated the ideals of

Moneysaver of the week Insted of buying a new and bigger telly, just sit closer to your current one .

-Aaron Barber

satire@qmessenger.co.uk

the tyrants and megalomaniacs that have dominated the global political scene since the book was published.

Contemporary satirical publications again do nothing but uphold the seedy and corrupt world of contemporary politics. While Private Eye may steal a chuckle from me every now and again with its exposés of expense swindling and corruption, we still see further revelations of corrupt politicians and bankers every day. It’s clear to see that satire, if anything, is feeding the deepest darkest vices of our society.

The satire pandemic has further spread with the invention of the internet and social media. Now everyone is a satirical genius. Take the case of George W. Bush. During his first term in office the World Wide Web was awash with Bush videos, memes, GIF’s, games and many other interactive satirical devices, not to mention the exposure he got on programmes such as 2DTV and Dead Ringers. Despite his idiocy and blatant thirst for war he was still reelected into office, further evidence that satire and comedy do not raise social awareness of society’s vices but perpetuate them.

Pictured is William Hogarth’s classic, “Gin Street”. Here he satirically depicts a decadent street where only the undertaker profits and babies are often carelessly

Quote of the week “I hate women and ethnic minorities.”

-The British media

dropped down staircases due to the consumption of Gin. This has done nothing to stem the consumption of Gin. Any QM student will know that hordes of ‘sportspersons’ roam Drapers Bar freely in debaucherous gin fuelled hoards swathed in vomit, piss, and bodily fluids. Gin’s evils still loom large in society despite this 18th century satire.

To conclude, satire as a form of comedy is poisonous. It never seeks to illuminate society’s crimes and injustices as it claims to; instead it simply validates and perpetuates them. I wonder if satirists are genuinely satirists or simply politicians, gin salesmen, and sexists all subliminally spreading their gospel of hatred in the name of satire. I personally call for an outright ban on it.

There’s talk that you’ve got your own show on Channel 4 coming soon, what is that going to be about? I don’t know.

They’ve given me the show and they’ve given me the money and I’m spending that as quickly as I can. I’m going to Spain and I bought my mate Kenny a bottle of cooking sherry so he can get pissed.

So things like that and once the money’s gone, I’ll start thinking about what’s going to be in the show.

You’re not just on TV though, you’ve been on tour, how was that? Oh, you know. They make you do these things don’t they, because they think they can make money out of you. So it was with great regret and reluctance that I went around the country doing it.

Would you tour again? Not for a long time, I’ve got to catch up on some sleep and put my feet up, catch up on my videos and when I’ve done all that, then I’ll think about it.

It depends how much money I owe people, that’s what usually makes me go out and do touring.

You filmed a show from the tour for your new DVD, Angelos and Friends. What can we expect from the DVD? Three jokes, an impression, and a dance. Now that’s sort of dragged out for an hour and a half. Three jokes is enough, keep them wanting more.

With all of this going on, have you had a lot of interest from the ladies? Of course I’ve had an interest from the ladies. Right, when you get on the telly, mate, they, like, you know, they want a piece of you.

And so I’m keeping them off with a stick… Which I keep in my bag just so that if they come near me I can whack them.

Also in the news “Jar of rotten pig shit to replace Adrian Chiles on Daybreak.”

“David Cameron accuses socialists of being ‘left wing’.”

“Protests succeed, cuts reversed.”

What else is in your bag at the moment? Hedgehog mask, a cutout newspaper clipping of a cat with a Hitler moustache and some fish food I think.

Talking of the ladies, I know Ulrika (Jonsson) is your girl but last I heard she was, to quote, “on the turn”. Is she over the hill yet? Yeah, she’s well over the hill, she’s right on the cusp at the moment. But, you know, me and her, now that we’re not working

together on the telly anymore, the coast is clear and we’re ready to go.

And so all that really separates me from Ulrika Jonsson is her bedroom window.

You’ve got a huge following on Twitter and Facebook, but did you ever get any money from Mark Zuckerberg for stealing the idea for Facebook from you? No, I haven’t, I’m yet to hear from him. Although I’ve written him about five hundred letters, I await to hear from his lawyers. If he doesn’t get back to me soon I will regrettably have to contact my lawyers which I don’t want to do at all, because, you know, I haven’t got any.

QMessenger is the students’ union newspaper at Queen Mary, have you ever considered going to university, Angelos?

Yeah, I’ve considered it. I want to go and do a physics degree. It’s because I was sat in front of my bar fire the other day and it buggered up and it broke and I thought how do I fix this?

Do I buy a new one or do I work out how this works by going and doing a physics degree? So I thought I’d go and do a physics degree. In a couple of years, that’s probably what I’ll go and do, a physics degree.

What would be your advice be to Queen Mary students who would like a career as successful and as varied as yours has been?

Well I would say don’t muck about.

Get your head down, and if you can get in with someone else who will do all the hard work for you so that you don’t have to, then do that.

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

13

Games

Sweaty Brows of the Week

Image by Kaz Gander (feminist)

These two landed themselves in hot water this week after an anti-sexist piece left them embroiled in a sexism scandal. Bloody plonkers.

cartoon by Indy Bullock

There are three sides to this riddle

Last week’s answers:

The sweaty brow belonged to: Jeremy Clarkson

That’s all the games we did last week... the cartoons were nice though. You remember them :)

Fancy yourself a cartoonist? Email Maria D’Amico at cartoon@qmessenger.co.uk

Which triangle has a bigger area?

1. A triangle with sides measuring 300, 400, and 500.

2. A triangle with sides measuring 300, 400, and 700.

Sudoku

games@qmessenger.co.uk

14

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Societies

Opinions split over Paralympics Ruth Faulkner A recent survey showed that the Paralympics, coming to London next August, divides the opinions of the British public, with some even endorsing the idea of merging the two games together.

The survey, carried out by leading UK disability charity Scope, came out on Saturday 3rd December, which marked UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2011. On a day of celebration for diversity, inclusivity and accessibility, the survey showed the disappointing results that less than a quarter of the disabled people polled and only 11% of the total polled were excited about the 2012 Paralympics.

The extensive survey also found that 22% of the disabled persons polled find the Paralympics in its current state to be patronising, but an equal 23% found it empowering. At the same time, 65% of the disabled persons polled would support the scrapping of the Paralympics to merge it with the Olympics.

The idea of merging the two games has risen before and met hostile criticism.

Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive officer of the British Paralympic Association, said: “No one disputes that the Paralympic Games

Frances Larke, Aspire Volunteer Team Leader, disagrees with calls to merge the Paralympic and Olympic games.

Image courtesy of Provide Volunteering

has a crucial role to play in changing perceptions of disability.

“However, for Scope to suggest that it would be appropriate to scrap the competition now and combine it with the Olympics fails to appreciate its unique purpose, scale and

Society in Spotlight: BL Music Society Hollie Kingsnorth Barts and the London Music Society is for all students, at both BL and QM with an interest in music.

From singing in our choir to playing in our orchestra, using our resources to set up your own band to just coming to listen at our concerts, we’ve got it covered. Working with a varied repertoire and multiple genres we hope to cater to everyone’s taste.

This year we’ve been working hard to expand our horizons including setting up our own Jazz Band to keep those who love jazz and blues crooning along. In the New Year we’ll also be looking at other new small groups that could be created. If anyone has any ideas – do get in touch.

The committee is working very hard to keep all of our members’ calendars very busy, from the concerts we put on, to the weekly rehearsals and of course the all important socials, including the upcoming Music Culture Tour – which will see us heading off to Liverpool for the weekend.

We put on three concerts for stu-

dents and staff a year, as well as performing at external and college events. Last month hosted the Freshers Concert which saw our Orchestra debut their new conductor, Choir tackling some challenging pieces including Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and some amazing solo pieces from Freshers and non-Freshers alike.

After the holidays we’ll be pulling out all the stops to make this year’s RAG Barts Arts evening even bigger and better than before (keep your eyes peeled for more information) as well as performing in the annual BLAS show! Busy, busy, busy!

If you’re interested in joining us, new members are always welcome. No auditions. Rehearsals take place in Whitechapel on a weekly basis. Check out our previous performances on our Youtube channel, search for user ‘BLmusicsoc’.

Get in touch: Email: blmusicsoc@googlemail. com Facebook Group: “Barts and the London Music Society” Become our friend on Facebook: ‘Bartholomew Musica’

societies@qmessenger.co.uk

power”.

While the arguments for merging the two events can be seen as they would increase turn out and integration, the move would also lead to a number of adverse effects.

The most obvious issue would be

that fans would have to chose between the different sports happening together, which could lead to Paralympic sport being overlooked, while the removal of a separate stage could affect the comfort and enjoyment of the competitors.

Aspire Volunteer Team Leader and Dwarf Sports Association competitor, Frances Larke disagreed with the call to merge the two competitions. She said: “When I took part in the Dwarf games I found the fact that I could fully compete for the first time in my life incredibly rewarding rather than some grim sports day back at school.

“I do feel is that putting them at the same time could be detrimental to the profile and overall uniqueness of the Paralympics. By having them separate Paralympics stands alone and is special and unique in it own right. We should focus on raising the profile of Paralympic sport in its own right.

“I find it upsetting that 65% of disabled feel they should be merged as disability sport being a stand alone event was what made the Dwarf games incredibly special for me.”

QMSU Aspire champions para sport and Paralympics, aiming to increase awareness and excitement for the event in Tower Hamlets. To get involved email: aspire@qmsu. org

Bring on 2012 Charlotte Burke QM Societies have had a great start of the year. New Turn, RAG, Amnesty, the Philosophy Society, the Humanist Society and so many other QMSU affiliated societies and student groups have been putting on great events which have also been well attended.

It looks like 2012 is going to be even better. Dubbed by Dom Bell as “the year of societies” this academic year has so far been very different from the rest. Having a dedicated full member of staff has improved the way societies run, in preparation for next year, when the Vice President of Student Activities job will be devided between a part time officers and QMSU members of staff.

QMSU societies also welcome new members throughout the year.

So if, like me, you finished your first term at uni without having done half of the things you wanted to, remember that we get a chance to start over again in January, at refreshers fair.

January will bring more opportunities of getting involved.

Provide, Read, Reach Out, RAG and other affiliated charities will be offering plenty of expciting projects to get involved with. Don’t miss out!

BLAS says Elegance 2011 will be their biggest and best so far Anoushka Rh The Barts and London Asian Society (aka BLAS) have started preparing for a major charity showcase next year. Winner of two Barts Best Society awards and raising an admirable £10,000 in both 2010 and 2011, the committee held five types of auditions in order to ensure that the 2012 BLAS Elegance Charity event is the best year to date.

From catwalk trials for the fashion parade, to a melange of western and eastern dance classes, over 1000 students participated in potentially showcasing their ethnic cultural talents at the London venue next spring which is yet to be confirmed.

At these auditions, which took place at Mile End campus, there was an eastern/bollywood dancer Davina Bharj, who performed in last year’s event as a fresher. She said: “last year the BLAS performance was incredible. Everyone had to work and train hard, but it was all for a great cause and to be part of the final elegance show enabled me to have the best of both

One of the performances at BLAS Elegance 2010 the eastern and western world sand do what I love- dancing!”

Apart from putting on a social event for a good cause, BLAS Elegance enables both campuses to create memorable friendships and experiences.

“Being part of BLAS gives students the opportunity to meet new people and develop friendships as well as take part in a show for an excellent charitable cause” said

Image courtesy of BLAS

BLAS president, Ragu Ratnakumaran, “It has personally been my most enjoyable time in university so far”.

If you are interested in watching one of QM's biggest social events of the year, in support of the Great Ormond Street Hospital, this is certainly one to attend.

Tickets can be purchased from the student union Blomeley centre from the 15th January.

15

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Sport

Where have all the good women gone?

Frances Larke The recent announcement of nominees for the 2011 Sports Personality of the Year award were met with mixed feelings as the list contained noticeable absentees.

A range of sports had been covered from Cycling’s Mark Cavendish to Boxing’s Amir Khan; no what was missing were both women and also arguably most surprisingly in the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic year: disabled sports people. Of course this is not to say those on the list don’t deserve to be there. However surely questions should be asked, particularly shouldn’t it have been considered that with no women on the list the attention has now been taken away from fantastic sports people on the list. Type into Google ‘Sports Personality of the Year 2011’ and you immediately see the phrases “women get overlooked” and “women-free” in fact not one name of any of the nominees is noticeable in the first few hits.

Arguably having too many high achieving sports people to fit onto the list is a great problem to have coming up to Olympic year. However it cannot be ignored that even a glance at the achievements of both women and disabled sports

David Weir missed off the SPOTY list has received many awards for his sporting successes

Image courtesy of London Youth Games people prompts one to question Kwon Do championship even after nees. Yet even Adlington in full PR if one could have been squeezed devastating loss of both her par- mode couldn’t help query whethonto the list. It’s not like high ents this past summer. However, er friend Keri-Ann Payne deserved achieving sports women were let it be known this is not the time to be nominated after reclaiming short of supply either with Rebec- to decry those on the list who in the World Championship title at ca Adlington winning gold at the more ways than one deserve to be the Shanghai open water event swimming World Championships there; Adlington herself this week this year.

Moving away from women anthis year. Furthermore Sarah Ste- admitting there are some “amazvenson took gold at the World Tae ing athletes” included in the nomi- other noticeable absentee from the

list were disabled athletes. This is incredibly surprising given that the ever-achieving Eleanor Simmonds broke two world records in July’s IPC Swimming European Championships in Berlin. In addition David Weir, a wheelchair racer, claimed an amazing fifth London marathon title this year to add to three gold medals he won at the IPC Athletics World Championship this year.

The list of nominations was compiled by sports journalists and experts from all around British media and so arguably the situation is more depressing given that those who most help build support and attention for any athlete have not looked at female or disabled athletes. This came to the extent that some media outlets didn’t even include one female or disabled name athlete in their ten name shortlist sent to the Sports Personality of the Year committee.

However as mentioned before we should be thankful that coming up to our Olympic and Paralympic year our country is awash with high achieving sporting talent. Of course questions will be asked about the selection procedure this year but what might be a more worthwhile suggestion would be doubling of the amount of nominees allowed.

London prepares: handling goalball ahead of 2012 Shafi Musaddique Last Saturday the International Goalball Tournament took place in the Olympic Handball Arena as part of the London Prepares series.

I was one of the lucky few given tickets to watch the first Paralympic test event in the purpose built arena in the Olympic Park at Stratford. Being one of the honoured few allowed into the Olympic Park on that Saturday morning was a treat in itself, and I have never felt more like a tourist in the city I have inhabited for the past two and half years as I suddenly found myself trying to capture every angle of the Olympic Stadium with my Blackberry camera.

There was a feeling of nervous excitement within the park that came from the knowledge that in less than a year’s time this site will be host to the greatest sporting competition in the world. Although some buildings are still to be completed its clear to see that these Olympic games are going to be something amazing and I personally cannot wait.

Once in the arena, I had to admit to my co-editor that I had no idea what Goalball was, how it was played or any of the rules, to add to my embarrassment, we found ourselves sat surrounded by the Great

Britain Men’s Goalball team! Little did I know that by the time we had watched three of the round-robin matches I would be a convert to this amazing sport. Goalball is a Paralympic sport that is played by visually impaired athletes. In order to ensure that all players compete on an equal footing, the athletes wear blacked out goggles which prevent them from seeing anything happening on court. Each team has three players on court at one time, and the

aim of the game is to throw a ball, with a bell inside it, into the net of the opposing team without them blocking it first. The opposing team attempt to block the ball by using their bodies as physical barriers. My explanation of Goalball leaves a lot to be desired, and does little to highlight how much of a highly skilled and complex game this is, for a better understanding and to see how talented these athletes are I urge you to watch the range of videos on

YouTube.

Goalball makes for an interesting spectator support as whilst the game is in play the audience are asked to remain silent so that the players can hear the ball. The silence in the arena added to the tension as I found myself having to hold back from cheering in celebration or groaning at those near misses. One thing that I took away from Saturday, other than a new found interest in Goalball, was that no matter

what sport you’re watching there is something about being in the Olympic arena that makes it that extra bit special. So, if you’re one of those unlucky thousands of people who were unable to get Olympic tickets why not apply for tickets for the Paralympic games, because I can guarantee that whatever sport it is, the atmosphere and the passion from those surrounding you will make you feel like you’ve got tickets to the 200m finals!

Image by AshleySweetman

sport@qmessenger.co.uk

16

QMESSENGER TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 2011

Sport

And it's another trophy for The Angels

» QM Angels dance team win fourth place at Future Cheer Winter Wonderland Competition Alice Stewart Every December, Crystal Palace Sports Centre welcomes an extravaganza of dance and cheerleading in the shape of Future Cheer’s Winter Wonderland Competition.

This year, the QM Angels Dance team entered the Open Senior Jazz dance category with a large team of seventeen dancers. At these competitions, the dances usually take on a theme and this year the Angels chose the theme of birds.

They incorporated graceful, swift movement with bird-like costume and make-up and were praised by the judges for their Black Swan inspired concept and choreography.

The team placed fourth behind Exeter Emeralds, who came first, Royal Holloway Tomcats and Bath Jets who came second and third respectively.

The Emeralds were deserved winners, performing a beautiful yet subtle piece to the very recent ‘Wherever You Will Go’ by Charlene Soraia. However the Angels performed elegantly, with great poise and posture, receiving high praise from the QM Angels Cheer team; one of its senior member praised the Dance Team by saying

“it was the best dance the Angels have ever put on the mat”.

Last year, the team entered the Senior Open Hip-Hop category at Winter Wonderland and took home the 3rd place trophy.

The QM Angels, which started off as a cheerleading dance team, also have a full-cheer squad which has been highly sucessful. Members of the full Cheerleading team attended the event, including several freshers - for many of them it was their first experience of a Cheerleading competition.

The day was enjoyed by all as the team could bond whilst watching the routines. They not only supported the dance team, but also their coach’s team the London City Stars who placed second in the Senior Open Co-Ed Level 4 category and first in the Senior All Girl Group Stunt Level 5 category.

The competition acts almost as a “practice” for the bigger competitions in the cheer calendar: Saturday Night Fever in February and BCA in April 2012. The day gave the new cheerleaders a taste of the buzzing competition atmosphere and etiquette. It also gets the whole team excited and ready to work hard to achieve the best they can to represent the university.

The Almighty Angels Having taken part in the most prestiguious cheerleading competitions in the nation, the Angels own a large trophy collection.

Here is some of them: 1st place Saturday Night Fever 2011 Co-ed, Level 2 1st place BCA Midlands Classic Senior Co-ed, Level 2 1st place BCA University Competition 2011 Senior Co-ed. Level 2 1st place BCA University Competition 2011 Senior Co-ed Group Stunt, Level 3 3rd place Future Cheer International Senior Open Co-ed, Level 2 Highest Basket Toss QM Angels Dance Team rehearsing before Winter Wondeland Image courtesy of QM Angels

BCA Grand Champions

QMRFC Celebrate a good start to the season James Bulman After promotion into BUCS SE 2B this season Queen Mary RFC 1XV had a lot of pressure on their shoulders to not got straight back to where they came from, which is quite often the case in the first season in a higher league.

Starting the season with a 16 – 11 win against Canterbury CC 1st XV and then losing by a point away to the University of Hertfordshire, the 1st XV squad felt they had a real chance of doing well.

The boys then lost the next two games to King’s Medics 1st XV 31 -12 and UCL 1st XV 22 – 3. These two were always going to be the

sport@qmessenger.co.uk

hardest two games in the league and both teams (still yet to play each other) remain unbeaten. The old cliché that the score line did not justify the performance does unfortunately apply with two late tries in the dying minutes of both games.

Determined to end this bad run of form the guys worked hard in training, both on the field and in the gym to make sure that they would be prepared for their next fixture against LSE 1st. The hard work paid off with a 24 -7 and a strong performance from all the whole squad.

After an early start on Wednesday QMRFC 1st XV had to travel to Kent for their second round cup

match against the University of McDonald. The game ended with Canterbury CC 1st XV. a further 2 tries a piece for Flanker The game started well with an Josh Campbell and Inside Centre early try from QM Captain Joe Mc- Supreet Jayaprakash. This huge Donald, then Canterbury dug in victory was complemented by a and put some pressure on the QM 100% kick rate for Fly half Scott scrum keeping us pinned in our Cook, including a great drop goal. own 22. However, this pressure This game also saw the first 1st XV did not last long with great work performances for some of the QM from the pack to turn the tide in 2nd XV players with potential to QMs’ favour. With the platform to step up permanently in the future. work with, the QM back line was Queen Mary 1st XV will be playing able to show the class that fea- RUMS 2nd XV at home on Wednestured so importantly in last sea- day 7th December. son’s promotion. The tries started to flow with 3 coming from OutSquad List side Centre Rainer Iveson. The game became a whitewash after 1.

Charlie Gale tries from Alex Flowers, Barney 2.

Alex Clark Frost, followed another from Joe 3.

Mike Ward

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Alex Flowers Dylan Eames Callum Upfield Steve Carr Josh Campell Justin Wretham Scott Cook James Bulman Supreet Jayaprakash Rainer Iveson Barney Frost Joe McDonald (c)

Substitutes 16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Arthur Horsfall Oyedola Osilaja Will Haynes Nick Finch Daniel Yarger