friday 20th february 2015
spark volume 70, Issue 2
NEWS
LIFESTYLE
RUSU ELECTIONS
BEAUTY USES FOR COCONUT OIL
The candidates answer their questions for The Spark!
Five things you can do with this popular, natural beauty product.
ENTERTAINMENT SHAKESPEARE MEETS BERKSHIRE
SPORT BOXING
Modernised Much Ado About With Deontay Wilder winning Nothing takes stages by storm, in Las Vegas Christian Mueller looks at the future.
Keeping yourself safe at university TILLY CORLESS RUSU Welfare Officer
As the nights begin to get darker, getting home safely becomes more of a worry for students. Unsurprisingly, student safety is a recurring focus in the remit of the Welfare Officer and in light of recent student feedback and incidents, RUSU’s responsibility to ensure that students can travel home safely has never been more vital. Whether you’ve been studying in the library until dark or had a night out at the Union, worrying about your journey home should never have to be a concern. The University of Reading prides itself on being a safe campus; and it is. For instance, there are over 500 CCTV cameras in 24-hour operation. However, while the Union itself is bordered with bouncers and security guards, the rest of campus is not, leaving intoxicated students vulnerable to strangers and traffic as they make their way home. Although some students opt to call a taxi, other students would rather save money by embarking homeward on foot. In fact, many Reading students have confessed to putting more thought into what they are going to wear on a night-out rather than how they are going to get back. But getting home after a night-out isn’t always easy, especially after a few drinks, and criminals know this. Sarah Udin, a second year French and German student, said: “It’s great to be involved in so
many sports clubs and societies because I get to go out on lots of socials, but it can sometimes be difficult getting home, especially if you want to leave earlier than all of your friends - which I often do!” It is, therefore, worthwhile to take a few minutes to plan ahead with your friends and discuss how you’ll be getting home. If you’re heading out alone, make sure to tell somebody where you’re going, what route you’ll be taking back and what time to expect you home. Walking is not the best option, but if you have to, never walk “Getting home after a night-out isn’t always easy and criminals know this.” home alone. Contrary to popular belief, men are statistically just as likely to be assaulted on the way home as women. So if you do have to walk home alone, make sure you’re aware of the security and transport provisions in place. What’s more, the University has a chaperone service where students can ask that security walk with them through an area in which they feel particularly vulnerable. To use the service you will be asked for your name, number and your current and intended location. Once security has the details, they will suggest the best method of chaperone, which will either be a personal chaperone(s) or the “Hawk Eye” CCTV service. Mathew Barling, a third year Politics student who lives offcampus said: “Coming home from
RUSU has numerous safety features in place around campus, including the Safety Bus Image courtesy of: The University of Reading
campus at night has never been an issue for me or my friends. If you stick to main roads and avoid poorly-lit areas, walking home is fine because there are so many other students in the area.” However, Reading Buses have recognised the growing demand for late-night transport and are excited to announce that the Claret 21 and the Purple 17 bus services now run for 24 hours a day through campus. In fact, the Scarlet 9a runs a reliable late night service until around 11pm. To see timetables and prices, visit reading-buses.co.uk/night-busesto-university-of-reading. To help put students’ minds at rest even more, RUSU also runs a Safety Bus driven by student staff volunteers from the library Monday to Friday (6.00pm to 12.00am in Autumn and Spring terms and 7.00pm to 12.00am in Summer term) and will drive you to anywhere near campus.
The Relationship Virgin
De-stigmatising the relationship virgin: why having never had a boyfriend should no longer be a dirty little secret!
JESSICA PHILLIPS Deputy Editor
It’s February, which means finals are fast approaching, and Valentine’s Day graces us with its presence once more. It’s that time of year filled with cheesy Instagram posts of champagne and engagement rings; when purchases of chocolate and roses keep Tesco in business for another year, couples jet off for romantic
weekends in Paris, and reenactments of every cliché from every movie ever created occur worldwide. However, this is also a time of year when many hearts are forever the supporting act, and never the leading lady. Some girls have never experienced Valentines from the inside. Never been bought an oversized teddy bear. Never gazed into the eyes of a significant other in the candle Continued on next page