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Northfield students demand compensation for freezing conditions Page 3

A personal account of a students decision to come out as bisexual Page 8

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16 fEBRUARY 2015, WEEK 5

NEWS The Big Debate

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WouldFestival you votereview for a SICK! comedian as your MP?

The lowdown on the ‘three-parent babies’ debate Page Page12 3

The arts team brings you a preview of Spring culture Page 14 & 15

13 Page 11

Staff Satisfaction with management below Universities UK benchmark Only 22 percent of staff think that the University 13 percent of staff believe that changes at the University are managed effectively management show effective leadership University of Sussex scores below the benchmark in 51 percent of categories in ORC report

Alexander Ferguson News Sub-Editor Yet to be published ORC International statistics has shown University of Sussex staff satisfaction to be below the “norms of the Universities (UK) benchmark” in over half of the issues surveyed, The Badger has discovered.

The report compares Sussex staff satisfaction, measured in a 2014 staff survey, to other Universities in the UK. This report comes after a Sussex University staff survey, which was organised by the University itself, asked its employees whether or not, among other issues, they believe that their senior management “provide effective leadership”, to which only 22 percent of respondents gave a positive response, 15 percentage points below the Universities UK benchmark.

Additional questions that received low scores in the University’s staff survey asked whether or not the University “manages change effectively”, to which 13 percent of respondents gave a positive opinion. It asked if “when changes are made they are usually for the better”, to which 14 percent of responses were positive.

Additionally, it asked whether or not the respondents “believe that action will be taken in the University in response to the results of this survey”,

to which 20 percent of those surveyed said yes. At 20 percent, The University scored 22 points below the benchmark for this question, their worst result in the report.

The University of Sussex did not rank above the benchmark in any of the 36 questions asked to its employees.

Out of a total of the 3,107 staff that were invited to participate in the survey, 1,537 staff members decided to respond. This represents a response rate of just over 49 percent.

The questions in the survey that received more positive answers were those that asked whether or not staff “have good relationships with my colleagues”, to which 91 percent responded positively. When asked to respond to the statement, “It is clear to me who my line manager is”, 87 percent of the responses were positive; and 86 percent of participants responded positively to the phrase “my work is interesting to me”.

However, despite these more positive results, the ORC International report showed that out of all of the 36 questions extended to staff members in the survey, 18 results were within 5 percentage points either side of the benchmark and 18 were 5 percentage points or more below the benchmark.

Commenting on the survey results, Professor Luke Martell, an academic in

the University’s Sociology department, said: “the survey shows staff have positive experiences working with colleagues in schools and units but significant disquiet about management. This reflects feelings about the outsourcing, handling of student protest and expansion”.

He added: “Many hope the survey results will lead to more consensual and inclusive management, rather than a top-down business-style approach”.

In response to these results the University has said that an institutional plan will be developed in order to focus on the key issues coming out of the survey.

A University spokesperson said:”The views of our staff are extremely important to us and since we received the results of the survey at the end of last year, we have been discussing these across all the schools and professional services divisions. We have also shared the results with the recognised trade unions. Over the coming weeks, we will developing an institutional action plan which will focus on the key issues raised in the survey. We’ve also asked our staff to let us know about specific ideas they may have and will be feeding this into the action plan. Our expectation is that we will now conduct a regular annual survey to get the views of staff and to address any issues raised.”

Students’ Union introduces free printing for students.

See more in News in Brief on p5

VOTE NOW for your National Union of Students (NUS) conference representatives

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the badger

16 Feburary 2015

in pictures • 2

IN PICTURES Your pictures of spring sun across Brighton

Daniel Roberts

Daniel Roberts

Sophie Jones

Sophie Jones

Sophie Jones Editor-in-Chief Deborah Batchelor badger@sussexstudent.com

Sports Editor Joe Cummins josephcummins.sportseditor@ gmail.com

News Editor Jack Williams Comment Editor Victoria Farley Tech/Science/Features Editor Jordan Ellis Arts Editor Tom Powell Head of Publicity Lili Pammer-Zagroczky

News Sub Editors Daniel Green, Zoe Halse, Alex Ferguson, Rosie Dodds,Jess Pitocchi badger-news@ussu.sussex.ac.uk Comment Sub Editors Miriam Steiner, Alice Nettleship badger-opinion@ussu.sussex. ac.uk

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Louis Patel badger-letters@ussu.sussex.ac.uk

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badger-online@ussu.sussex.ac.uk Media Development Officer Paul Millar mediadevelopment@sussexstudent. com Communications Officer Michael Segalov communications@sussexstudent.com

the badger

16 February 2015

NEWS • 3

Exam cheating halves while plagiarism rises

Jessica Pitocchi News Sub-Editor

The number of cases of cheating in exams at the University of Sussex last year is more than half the figure it was the previous academic year.

In a Freedom of Information request, it was revealed the number of recorded cases of academic misconduct in formal examinations has reduced from 18 in 2012-13 to seven in 2013-14.

Education Officer Bethan Hunt said: “It is really positive that cases of academic misconduct have been reduced.

“But I would call on the University to continue to improve their practices. The majority of cases I have experienced of misconduct are down to poor communication.

“Lecturers will discuss academic misconduct during induction week but students are bombarded with information at this time so it is unsurprising that they will not remember all of these details.

“Similarly, the University has a policy of allowing students to join the University up to four weeks late so it is crucial that the University has a mandatory catch up week, which it currently does

not have.”

The number of major cases of exam cheating has increased from one in 201213 to three in 2013-14, while the number of minor cases has reduced from 17 to four.

Instances of both major and minor cases of academic misconduct involved students bringing notes into the examination rooms with them.

The majority of minor cases were found to be ‘no case to answer,’ meaning the student was acquitted from the proceedings against their conduct. The others involved the students being issued with a caution but not penalised further.

In the major cases, students had their test marks reduced to zero.

One student was recorded as a major case for looking around the room and at his fellow classmates but the case was not upheld and no penalty was issued.

Hunt and Communications Officer Michael Segalov sit on the Academic Misconduct Task and Finish group, a University committee which focuses on providing improvements for academic misconduct.

Hunt added: “Our core focus, and something that will change for next year is renaming this whole process as

academic integrity and not misconduct, to promote a positive approach to these issues rather than being like Big Brother and shouting at people.”

Plagiarism at the University has shown a different trend. In 2012-13, there were 122 recorded instances with the majority, 106 cases, being first time plagiarism.

The remaining 16 were major instances of plagiarism which have to be referred to a misconduct panel.

The following academic year, the number of cases had risen by 12 to 134. Of these cases, 112 were first time and 22 were major.

The marks for the first time instances of plagiarism were reduced by markers to reflect the extent of the plagiarism. Students were interviewed by their module convenors and referred to an academic workshop.

In the majority of major cases, assessment marks were reduced to either the bare pass mark, 30 per cent or zero.

In one case from 2013-14, a student’s mark for the whole module was reduced to zero and the final grand mean was reduced by 2.5 per cent.

Another extreme case from the previous academic year a student was disqualified. According to the University

of Sussex Examination and Assessment Regulations Handbook 2013/14, this means the student will have been found guilty of a second offence of misconduct.

A University of Sussex spokesperson said: “We have very few cases of students cheating in exams each year but when they are detected, they are dealt with as major misconduct cases.

“In terms of plagiarism, our aim is to help students to develop good practice in referencing as academic integrity is central to our student experience at Sussex. Several years ago we changed our misconduct system to refer first offences, excluding dissertations, to academic practice workshops which has been a very successful educational approach.”

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Northfield students freeze in sub-paraccommodation Enraged residents call for compensation in online petition after months of unaddressed repairs and lack of heating

Daniel Green News Sub-Editor Enraged Northfield students are demanding compensation for time they spent without hot water and heating, with an online petition attracting over 100 signatures.

The petition, set up by a Northfield resident, explains that: “the heating across the Sussex campus has been very temperamental, with Northfield being particularly badly affected.

“As Northfield is not exactly cheap to live in, it is not acceptable that people should be living in sub-par accommodation.

“This highly frequent lack of heating is not what we originally anticipated when moving into the accommodation Sussex has to offer.”

“We didn’t have a working microwave for months, we had a false widow spider infestation and the heating has been on and off all winter” Speaking to The Badger, the petition’s author said: “People have been complaining about how bad the heating and hot water situation is and there doesn’t seem to be enough of an initiative to fix it.

“I made the petition in the hope that it would provide them with more motivation to either fix the problem or offer us compensation”.

Criticism of both the University and Sussex Estates and Facilities (SEF) has been scathing on social media, in particularly Facebook, with some stu-

dents sharing pictures of residents resorting to using saucepans and kettles to wash themselves.

Several complaints about SEF were

“we resorted to cleaning our dishes in the showers” also brought up in a recent Student Experience Forum.

Bethan Hunt, Education Officer, explained: “Students complained that the Jubilee building constantly needs to be repaired, which is ridiculous as it is a new building.

“When people put in for repairs to SEF, they never hear back so it doesn’t get fixed.

“There was only one toilet in use in the Jubilee building for the Post-graduate open day, as SEF hadn’t repaired them.”

She added that one Media, Film and Music (MFM) student rep explained that: “Arts A had no heating and was so cold that a lecturer cut their lecture short so they could get back to the warmth.”

One student in university accommodation explained that she experienced several issues in her flat, saying: “We didn’t have a working microwave for two months, we had a false widow spider infestation and the heating has been on and off all winter.”

She added: “A disabled friend in my block was left without lighting in their bathroom and no working hob for a few days, forcing them to shower in the dark.”

Another student who lived in Northfield last term spoke of her frustration at not being able to get a kitchen sink repaired, saying: “We had water spilling out of the pipes into someone’s

Sophie Jones cupboard and onto the floor.

“After six weeks passed, I decided it was ridiculous. It had now been reported three times and we had resorted to cleaning our dishes in the showers!

“I ended up calling a family friend who worked as a repairman; it took me 10 minutes to find and fix the problem. After fixing it myself, we were never contacted about the issue, nor were they informed we had fixed it.”

The student condemned the University and the quality of service provided by Sussex Estates and Facilities, saying: “I’m not sure if £144 a week is worth it.

“An external landlord fixes problems quickly, but the University lets their students who are mostly new to

being alone deal with all the problems alone with no one to help them fix the situation.”

In a statement, a University spokesperson said: “We welcome feedback from our residents, much of which is passed on from our colleagues in Sussex Estates and Facilities (SEF), who are responsible for maintenance on campus.

“During the period recently when there were issues with the campus heating, most students were able to take advantage of the alternative provision we offered, such as portable heaters and nearby hot showers, while repair works progressed.

“To date in 2015, we have received eight formal complaints from Northfield residents about heating via the Housing Services complaints proce-

dure, and we are investigating each of these with due care and attention.”

The spokesperson added: “We would always advise our residents to report any issues directly to their residential porter or Building Manager and, outside office hours, to the York House 24-hour Reception on campus.

“Contact details are in the Residents’ handbook, which is provided in each room and electronically in advance of arrival.”

The University has previously defended the decision to privatise accommodation services in January last year, stating: “There is no evidence to suggest that maintenance issues are taking longer to be resolved since SEF took responsibility for campus facilities; in fact, in many cases it is quite the reverse.”

the badger

16 February 2015

NEWS • 4

Report finds over half of students have poor experience with mitigating evidence Ayomide Oluyemi 52 percent of Sussex students have had a bad experience in submitting mitigating evidence claims to the University, a study by the Students’ Union reveals.

The report released by the Students’ Union last week student experience regarding the mitigating evidence process. Students can submit a mitigating evidence claim in the event of temporary and unforeseen adverse circumstances hindering their academic ability in assessments.

The report found that: “52 per cent of respondents had a bad experience when they submitted mitigating evidence whilst very ill, stressed or grieving.” Several students responded that they found the system difficult to navi-

gate with clear up to date information hard to find. The report includes several recommendations to the University on how to improve the system.

Students’ Union Education Officer Bethan Hunt, Welfare Officer Rianna Gargiulo and President Abraham Baldry all committed to reviewing the system during the current academic year. Hunt commented: “I was aware as a student that there were numerous problems with the mitigating evidence system. Many of my friends had experienced issues with the system or found it extremely impersonal.”

Research for the report was undertaken in November and December 2014. It was collected from an IT workshop, three focus groups and an online survey answered by 120 current or recently graduated Sussex students.

The report recommends the establishment of a new department within the Student Life Centre solely for dealing with mitigating evidence claims. It states that this would be one way to ensure that the system “is more personable, compassionate and based on a system of trust…”

Another key recommendation in the report is changing the name from “mitigating evidence” to “exceptional circumstances.” Focus group participants found the former term confusing. Hunt said, “We (Hunt and Gargiulo) were concerned that “mitigation” is a legal term- whereby you have to prove your innocence. This system should be there to protect students who are having a difficult time and should come from a place of trust.”

A University spokesperson said:

“Students can be reassured that there are no plans to bring in any changes to terminology this academic session, as the regulations for 2014-15 are in place.”

The University also states: “The ProVice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Professor Clare Mackie, is fully supportive of the work that the Students’ Union have done with regard to communications about mitigating evidence…However, the mitigating evidence policy remains unchanged in that students have to provide evidence of temporary and unforeseen circumstances that impact on assessment.”

The report, including potential terminology changes, will be considered at the next Mitigating Evidence Committee, which is due to take place on 17 February.

Safety concerns close Mandela Hall Pete Humphreys Digital Sub-Editor Mandela Hall will be closed for approximately three weeks while health and safety work is ongoing.

The unforeseen closure will disrupt countless societies and events, including talks to encourage more first generation scholars.

The activities office have also been affected, relocating to the committee room on the top floor of Falmer House.

It has been speculated that asbestos removal will be taking place, however the Students’ Union will not comment on the nature of the work.

The Union “hope that the remedial works are carried out as quickly as possible and we’ll be doing our best to minimise any disruption so please bear with us”, according to their website.

University explain scrapping Sussex Direct is sorry equality and diversity post Phoebe Day In response to a Freedom of Information Request, the University of Sussex has disclosed their reasons for not employing a new equality and diversity coordinator.

The position has been empty since former equality and diversity coordinator Abigail Brook left the post in 2010.

The University of Sussex has justified this decision by stating: “the University’s senior management decided should be mainstreamed and embedded across the University.”

Previously to the coordinator post, the University had a equality and diversity officer, but after the post holder left in 2005, this position was scrapped. There is concern that now the equality and diversity coordinator post has also been abolished, the equality and diversity committee will not be not enough to implement improvements for inequality and diversity at Sussex.

Students’ Union Welfare Officer Ri-

anna Gargiulo commented: “The fact that the University meets merely a couple of times each year as Equality & Diversity committee, and has decided not to refill the position of Equality Officer, conveys to students an unwillingness to take equality issues seriously, and suggests that these are infrequent, unproblematic, and can be resolved within a few hours each year.

“Furthermore, the type of comments often made in University committees - that students with disabilities are ‘grossly advantaged’ by seven day assessment extensions - only further exemplifies the University’s misunderstanding of disability and its often debilitating effects on students.”

The University addressed these concerns, stating that the coordinator role’s work “is now being taken forward by staff within the Governance Office, with input from the University’s data systems.” Sussex University also expressed that by removing the post “a whole range of equality and diversity initiatives are taken forward

within Schools and professional Services as part of the University’s strategic agenda, for example, the work to promote gender equality which started at the University level with success in gaining an Athena SWAN institutional bronze award in April 2013.”

The committee are not the only group to tackle inequality issues, the Student Union have two campaigns ‘Access Sussex’ and ‘Time to Change’ which focus on E and D issues. Access Sussex have lobbied the equality and diversity committee for “the creation of a new Accessibility Steering Group” which has been granted. It is hoped that this change “marks a shift in the University’s approach towards E&D, and that they will begin to see the necessity of having a team whose sole area of responsibility is equality.”

The committee have already scheduled two meetings this year, however the Student Union still say they will be lobbying for the reinstatement of the equality and diversity officer post this year.

Pete Humphreys Digital Sub-Editor The University of Sussex has defended the outages of its Sussex Direct site on results day, saying: “extra resources were put in place to deal with the expected demand.”

Some undergraduate students had difficulty accessing their exam results on February 6.

The site faced similar problems in 2014, leaving many unable to select their preferred modules for the next academic year.

The university have released the following statement: “Some of the Sussex websites have been much busier than normal today as students attempt to col-

lect their marks.

“As in previous years, extra resources were put in place to deal with the expected demand and the release of marks has been staggered over the course of the day. However, with volumes so much higher than usual, there are likely to be some moments when users are temporarily unable to connect.

“Large numbers of students have been collecting their results successfully this morning, so any students who are trying to log in to Sussex Direct or Study Direct and experiencing problems are encouraged just to try again a little later.”

One student said: “Its ridiculous. I pay nine grand a year to an institution that doesn’t have the server capacity to deliver my results when they say they will.”

Referendum? Pol Soc chides Union Council for leaving out UKIP Alexander Ferguson News Sub-Editor The Politics Society has issued a statement condemning the Students’ Union Council vote which has resulted in the Brighton Pavilion UKIP candidate not being invited to attend an event on campus.

The event, jointly organised by the Politics Society and the Students’ Union, is set to take place on 4 March and will follow a candidate Question Time style debate. However, due to the vote recently taken in the Union Council, the UKIP candidate’s invitation has been retracted.

The Politics Society has said: “In light of the recent decision by the Students’ Union to ban UKIP from attending the

joint Politics Society and Sussex Students’ Union Question Time event, we felt obligated to write an official statement in response. As a society we feel that the decision... is unjust and not in keeping the with the Union’s commitment to democracy.

“The Politics Society were not a part of this decision as we had previously invited all candidates up for Brighton Pavilion election to our joint event. This decision has infringed on our rights as a society to arrange the events we want. This decision was not discussed with us and we did not have a say in the final outcome, even though it is a joint event. We hope that this will not become a trend where the SU feels it is acceptable to intervene in societies’ events which the student

population are organising.

“We anticipated that the Question Time event would emulate that of the national debates, which UKIP will be a part of. The event organised will be on a range of issues both local and national and so insight on the national policies of all parties would be of value. The Union’s reasoning for UKIP to not be invited to the event is that they didn’t poll above 5% in the 2010 elections in the Pavilion. However this is inherently flawed as recent polling attributes 9% of the vote in Brighton Pavilion to UKIP. The Liberal democrats only have 3% of the polling, however the Union is still allowing them to be a part of the event.

“We stand by our conviction that freedom of speech should be upheld

at Sussex University which, at the moment, is not the case. We should be able to make our own decisions with a plethora of opinions. For a Union who prides themselves in acting under democratic principles this goes against the basic right of freedom of speech.”

Michael Segalov, Communications Officer said: “The Students’ Union executive and Council both voted to invite parties that polled 5 percent or above at the 2010 general election to attend the upcoming Hustings. This decision was made through the correct democratic process.

“This was to ensure candidates with a chance of being elected had a platform, as some candidates in the constituency polled extremely poorly.

“However the Students’ Union is

more than its elected representatives and having received the letter from the Politics Society, Union exec will reconsider its decision on Friday 13th.

“Personally, I will be suggesting that this decision goes to a referendum, giving all students the opportunity to decide who is invited to the upcoming debate.

“Being a representative in a democratic structure is always difficult but I hope that by allowing all students to have their voices heard on this issue will ensure that the fairest outcome is reached regardless of my own personal contempt for certain political parties.

“Should exec decide to call a referendum or a members meeting, this will be done in time to implement any decision at the upcoming event.”

the badger

16 February 2015

NEWS • 5

Lib-Dem candidate University to increase counselling sparks fees debate sessions to cope with demand Dorothy Yim As general election 2015 approaches, heated debate was sparked regarding Liberal Democrats’ failure to deliver their promise of abolishing tuition fees in 2010.

Christopher Bowers, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion in May’s general election, had an open discussion with students at the University of Sussex on Tuesday.

Exploring good and bad impacts brought by the new tuition fees system introduced by the coalition government in 2010, Bowers justified the policy, explaining that it has not caused a decrease in the number of students applying to University.

Instead, UCAS figures showed that it has narrowed the gap between children from high-income and low-income families.

According to statistics from 2014/15, 72 percent of 18-yearolds from low-income families were more likely to go to university in 2015 than 9 years ago.

In the current education system, the tuition fee cap is at £9000 which came into force for students enrolling in university places in the 2012/2013 academic year.

Bowers referred to the 2010 manifesto to phase out first degree tuition fees of undergraduate over a period of 6 years as a ‘costed policy’

which cannot be done within the lifetime of one government.

That the issue was constantly referred to as ‘Liberal Democratic broken promise’ but Bower believes that the change of policy from the Liberal Democrats shows that the party is capable of adjusting to societal needs.

Given the current economic climate, Bowers argued that the Browne Report regarding funding of Higher Education left their party with two options - to abide with the pledge, or to use leverage from Higher Education to get the best possible deal for the younger generation. Mr Bowers believes the party should choose the latter.

He said: “Having an alternative voting system was always one of our red line issues, tuition fees wasn’t.

We campaigned on it. It’s very difficult to develop an argument within 50 words or a 12-second soundbite,” Mr Bowers attributed part of the negative views in society to its portrayal in the media.

He hopes that students and the society will see the full picture and understand there is an element of social equality within the tuition fee system Liberal Democrats have compromised.

Bowers also wishes students will care more about other aspects in the society, including issues regarding the environment and human rights, apart from what directly affects what is in their pocket.

Tolu Branch More students at the University of Sussex are seeking counselling help for mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety than academic issues.

According to the University, the number of one-on-one appointments available to students has been increased in order to cope with the rise in the demand for counselling services.

Director of Counselling Service, Mel Withers, said: “We offer evidence-based cognitive behaviour therapy and psychodynamic therapies and we are well resourced.”

Mel Withers said that the University of Sussex has a greater openness about mental health issues.

The University has shown its commitment to offering support for students who suffer from mental illness by raising awareness and increasing the quality of service available.

Statistics show that the number of students seeking counselling across UK universities has risen from over 52,000 between 2011 and 2012, to over 62,000 last year.

The statistics show that students and young people are finding it increasingly hard to cope with tests, grades, study schedules, their appearance, and relationships.

Jordan Burns, 22 year old Journalism student, said: “I think it’s really hard because there is a lot of

The University of Sussex pressure on students at university, and expectations are really high.

“It sometimes can feel like bad grades are the end of your life.”

A spokesperson for the University has stated that students seek counselling for issues ranging from eating disorders, relationships, drugs and alcohol to identity and loss of loved ones: They said: “Only 19 percent of Sussex students who attend counselling ask for support because of academic issues and concerns and 35 percent for relationship difficulties.”

Rianna Gargiulo, the Students’ Union’s Welfare Officer is of the opinion that the University of Sussex is more open to addressing these issues more than other universities.

She said: “Sussex has a higher than average number of students accessing counselling services but this is partly to do with our campaigning and the availability of services here.”

The Counselling Service and the Student Life Centre run 24-hour sessions for students to access. There is also a self-help online service called Calm Relief Series.

Sussex students some of Britain’s most “influential” voters Mia Blakeney The Guardian newspaper has declared that the University of Sussex could be home to some of the most influential student voters at the 2015 election.

The University of Sussex was described

by The Guardian as “home to one of the

most politically active student bodies in the country.”

Students’ recent involvement in major demonstrations against the privatization of the University and the ‘Big Kiss-In’ protest in a local Sainsbury’s store have proved that Sussex Students are a shining example of young people’s increasing involvement in politics.

News in Brief

Library set to reduce lost book charges

Replacement charges for lost books are set to be significantly reduced following talks between the University Library and the Students’ Union.

Students’ Union Welfare Officer, Rianna Gargiulo, Education Officer, Bethan Hunt, and President have been meeting with University Library officials in the hope of seeking agreement to reduce the fines issued to students for losing books.

Offering her view on the news, Bethan Hunt said: ““I’m very happy that the library has reduced the replacement fee. The new fee represents the exact break down of the costing to replace a book, it is transparent for stu-

dents and shows that the library is not making a profit from this service. We welcome the co-operation from the library and look forward to working with them in the future in regards to reducing other costs to students”.

The University of Sussex were contacted but were unavailable to comment.

A University of spokesperson said: “As a result of improvements to processes, costs incurred in raising an invoice have fallen since they were last reviewed, despite increases to staffing costs.

“We therefore propose that charges are adjusted to reflect the current costs to the Library of raising an invoice, and will be introducing the revised charges no later than the start of the new academic term 2015-16.”

After a recent report by the NUS, it has been revealed that almost 200 constituencies have a student population large enough to overthrow the majority vote of 2010, and have a considerable influence over the outcome of this year’s election.

NUS polling shows that 73 per cent of students are now registered to vote, compared to only two thirds in February

Free printing service introduced by Union The Students’ Union will be providing a free colour printing service for all Sussex and Brighton and Sussex Medical School students.

The Students’ Union has partnered with Awip to provide the free printing service. Students can now register at www.aiwip.com and print at the station in the Falmer House Common Room.

Initially there will only be 2000 spaces available and students will be limited to 100 pages per person per month, however this will be increased as registrations go up.

Michael Segalov, the Students’ Union Communications Officer, said: “Studying at Sussex is expensive, from rent to travel, books to pens. I’m still convinced that we need free higher education for everyone and a universal maintenance grant to make Universities more accessible. But I reckon not having to pay for printing isn’t a bad start.”

2014.

“Students are the force to be reckoned with at the ballot box” states NUS President Toni Pearce.

“We endure financial hardships and future debt unimaginable even to the students of ten years ago, and we stand to suffer far worse prospects than our parents.”

With this in mind, it is clear as to why students are so passionate to have their voices heard, with Sussex students as an active example.

The Green Party currently hold the seat

at Brighton Pavilion which is currently their only seat in parliament.

Political blogger Ian Dale has predicted that Labour may take this seat in the next general election.

However, Caroline Lucas, the Green Party’s MP for Brighton Pavilion, was named MP of the year in 2014, and with the Green Party backing the recent campaign for free higher education, an issue which students are clearly passionate about, and the steady rise in student voters, the Green Party may well hold on to this seat.

Correction The article on page 3 of last weeks Badger (2 February) entitled ‘Students want to create UKIP society’ stated that we contacted the prospective president of the potential UKIP society but he declined the comment. The Badger actually contacted another person from the potential UKIP society committee but not the president. The Badger apologises for this mistake and any confusion caused.

On the possible creation of a Sussex UKIP society, the potential president said: “We are pleased to be in discussions with the Students’ Union at present, with a view to forming a UKIP society. There are less than three months to go until the general election, and so it’s more important than ever that students get to hear the full range of parties’ views. As a society, we intend to engage with the other political societies on campus, to ensure that students get all the information they need to make their own, informed decisions on May 7th.”

Thursday Evenings from 5pm in Room 76.

(Falmer Back Bar).

Sit : Down Listen : to live music Talk : to your friends Drink : Craft beer, Coffee, Cocktails

NEW

Relax.

the badger

16 February 2015

FEATURE • 8

FEATURE

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

Ludovic Bertron

LGBTQ+ first person account: I am Bisexual Grace Kavanagh provides a personal account of her decision to ‘come out’ as bisexual, detailing her reception and anxieties surrounding it.

Grace Kavanagh I have recently come out as bisexual.

Although there are some people I have not told, for the most part, it isn’t something that I intend to hide at all.

The fact that I’m not just attracted to men has been something that I have thought about for a long time, but I always felt that I had to avoid the term “bisexual”, as for me, it only had negative connotations.

By the time I was fifteen, the only people who I had met who called themselves bisexual were my friends who openly admitted it was only so that they could get the attention of guys, which inevitably shaped my opinion of what being bisexual was.

A few years later, one of my friends came out as bisexual and was then constantly told that it was, wait for it... “just a phase”.

Although she dismissed these comments, it was always something that she had to defend, which I think made me sceptical at whether bisexuality could be a sexual orientation which people accepted.

A combination of these things made me constantly second-guess myself when it came to thinking about my sexuality, and the possibility that I wasn’t straight.

I clearly remember having a crush on one of my female friends and then trying to convince myself that I was forcing myself to like her, and that it wasn’t a real crush at all.

I continued to do this over and over, trying to repress any attraction I had to women telling myself that it wasn’t sexual attraction;

rather it was a platonic attraction, and I simply wanted to get to know them better.

Looking back, I realise now that I have always had some kind of attraction to both men and women which my friends did not have.

I mentioned it one day that I sometimes was attracted to women as well as men not thinking anything of it, as I assumed at some point everyone, even if they were straight, were attracted to a person of the same gender.

My friends said that no, they never felt that way, which began to make me consider the idea that possibly I wasn’t straight.

Deciding to ‘come out’ was a big step which I felt that I was ready to take. I had thought of myself as bisexual for a while and I felt that I was ready to tell someone.

I was apprehensive about telling anyone at all but thought that it was important to make this first step to being openly out.

The reaction of the person I told was neither what I wanted, nor what I expected; I was made to feel guilty for feelings and attractions that I couldn’t help, which massively shook my confidence.

This made me question whether I should actually be telling anyone at all and massively shook my confidence when it came to embracing, and telling other people about my sexuality.

After that, it took months before I actually told anyone else. This time, it was during a casual conversation about sexuality with people that I

didn’t know so well.

However, they were amazingly accepting and made me feel so much more confident than I had before.

It was such a relief to be able to say the words “I am bisexual” out loud and know that I wouldn’t be judged for it.

I then went on to tell more of my friends who all were extremely supportive and made me feel that it was something that I could celebrate rather than attempt to hide.

Since ‘coming out’, I’ve been open about it to people who ask, and I haven’t tried to hide it while I’ve been at university.

However, one question I am always asked is: “So how far have you gone with a girl then?” This always comes from people that I don’t know very well at all.

This question irritates me for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s an invasion of my privacy; just because I am attracted to women as well as men doesn’t mean that it is acceptable to ask how far I have “gone” with a woman. Secondly, it suggests that I can only justify my sexuality if I have actually slept with a woman as well as a man.

One of the anxieties I had when I decided to come out to more people was that would I be considered ‘bisexual enough’ for people to believe me.

At one point, I had decided that I would only come out to anyone at all until I had actually at least gone on a date with a woman, just so that I had proof that I was actually attracted to women too.

“...it took months before I actually told anyone else. This time, it was during a casual conversation about sexuality with people that I didn’t know so well. However, they were amazingly accepting and made me feel so much more confident”

me realise that the reactions and attitudes to bisexuality that I had experienced before shouldn’t shape my idea of what it is to be bisexual.

I think that coming out during the first term of university was probably easier for me as it was a way of being able to talk about it as if it was something that I had always labelled myself as, rather than making it into a big deal, which did mean I found it harder to tell people back home.

I don’t think that there will ever be a time where coming out won’t be daunting.

However, being surrounded by people who accept my sexuality has given me great confidence to be able to openly say that I am bisexual.

As I was already was worried about whether I would be accepted as being bisexual, being questioned on whether I have ever gone out with a woman simply added to my anxieties.

Although realising my sexuality hasn’t always been easy for me, I feel much happier and confident in myself now that I have been able to not only come out to others, but also to myself.

In the back of my mind I was always subtly questioning whether I was actually straight or not and it was not until recently that I thought that I should consider it more closely.

Coming to university and seeing other bisexual people who are so open about their sexuality made

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16 FEBRUARY 2015 THE BIG DEBATE • 11

THE BIG DEBATE Would you vote for an comedian as your MP? With Al Murray starting his campaign for election as the MP of South Thanet against UKIP’s Nigel Farage, The Badger asks if this is really all that good of an idea?

Daily Post

Yes

Elin Edstrom

What’s wrong with voting for a comedian when Nigel Farage is just one bad joke?

Let’s be frank- no one’s particularly confident in the UK political system nowadays. When the leader of the opposition to the government can be mocked on the Internet for simply eating a sandwich, something is definitely wrong here.

The problem is that there aren’t any heroes in the UK. Unlike Obama in the US (though I may be talking five years ago here), there’s no one to look up to, no one to admire. I’d rather give my vote to a comedian who makes me laugh than to the first name on the voting ballot.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that a political system should be built on good, workable ideas, and one representatives you can trust. But the UK doesn’t have that.

The country is still reeling from the expenses scandal that erupted in 2009. And who can blame it?

The people elected to represent and rule the people exploited their positions and the trust put in them to gain money and power.

Why should anyone trust a politician after that, and indeed why should anyone trust the system that put them there?

“Why should anyone trust a politician after that, and indeed why should anyone trust the system that put them there?”

Out of all the candidates up for election in South Thanet, at least you can be sure that Al Murray is likely the most principled.

He’s got no ulterior motive and he already has a career in something other than public relations or marketing- can you say the same for any of the others? Really?

Let’s focus on the alternative here. Is Nigel Farage really better than the Pub Landlord?

Don’t think of it as voting for a comedian- think of it as not voting for UKIP. I think that’s something we can all support.

If you’re concerned that voting for a comedian will open some kind of political ‘floodgate’, lay your concerns to rest.

Maybe go buy a pint.

No

The problem I have is that there doesn’t seem to be any real end- probably because Murray doesn’t believe he’s actually going to win. What if he does?

Victoria Farley I just cannot entrust my vote- the vote we only Comment Editor get once every five years- to a man who doesn’t intend to win. Nobody should.

Let’s be frank here- I’m not a fan of Nigel Like many of us, I abhor the idea of Farage winFarage, and I do think Al Murray is funny. But ning a seat in Parliament. My plans to emigrate does that make him a suitable politician? I have already been made if it looks like UKIP are don’t think so. gaining any real power. But that doesn’t mean In my idea of a ‘good’ MP, I think of practithat a comedian is the right answer. cality. Are their policies something that could The problem is that, in all honesty, putting a potentially make real change? I’m sorry to say joke candidate up seems like the best alternative. that the Pub Landlord doesn’t fill these boxes.

When we are seriously considering voting for a His policies are a joke- and that’s the whole joke, our political system needs a serious rethink, point. Who better to show Farage just how Cameron, Milliband, Clegg- if you really believe demented he and his whole group of loonies are in the future of this country, resign. The next ten than a man with no ideas past 1p pints? years do not belong to the alumni of the Bullingdon Club, they belong to the people who work “I just cannot entrust my every day to be able to afford to eat.

They belong to the students who were told their vote- the vote we only get university fees wouldn’t increase, only to be given once every five years- to a a £9,000 bill two years later.

They most certainly do not belong to Nigel Farman who doesn’t intend to age. But then, we cannot trust in the whims of a win.” comedian either.

But where does the joke end? When Murray If you want real change, don’t vote for the joke. is standing in the House of Commons, debating Rip your ballot up, vote for Labour, do anything. in Prime Minister’s Questions?

Just don’t let politics sink further into the mess.

the badger

16 February 2015

SCIENCE • 12

SCIENCE

A lowdown on the ‘three-parent babies’ debate

Sophie Robinson

On February 3, MPs voted in favour of changing the law on a controversial IVF technique to create babies with ‘three parents’.

The new law will allow IVF clinics to replace an egg’s defective mitochondrial DNA with DNA from a healthy donor to prevent debilitating diseases, such as muscular dystrophy.

For many people who don’t have knowledge of mitochondria, the ‘threeparent baby’ headlines can make the procedure sound quite alarming, almost like Frankenstein science.

Mitochondria are like little batteries inside every cell of the body. They pro-

vide cells with the energy that allows them to operate. As well as the DNA in the cell nucleus that is inherited from both your parents and determines all your characteristics, mitochondria also contain a tiny amount of their own DNA. This makes up just 0.1% of total DNA and doesn’t determine anything about who you are like hair colour or height; it only controls the cell’s energy supply.

Also, unlike DNA in the nucleus, mitochondrial DNA comes from your mother only. This is because when you were first made, all the mitochondria came from inside your mother’s egg and none were from the sperm. Severe mitochondrial disease affects about 1 in every 6500 children. Symptoms depend on which

part of the body is affected and can include fits, diabetes, blindness, muscle wasting, heart disease, deafness and dementia. Currently, there is no cure and most children diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease die prematurely. Mitochondrial genetics are complex.

When a mutation occurs, only some of the many mitochondria in each cell will carry the mutation. A woman might have so few faulty mitochondria that she herself has few or no symptoms, but her eggs will carry various amounts of healthy and faulty mitochondria.

Whether or not a child develops a disease is down to the biological lottery of which egg is fertilised. Depending on the ratio of mutant to normal mitochondria

Paul Hocksenar Via Flickr

Science factoid of the week Jade Groves Science Sub-Editor According to a study of two groups of chimpanzees, research shows that chimps can change their grunts to communicate better with new companions. This is the first evidence of primitive apes relearning ‘referential calls’.

The study, conducted with chimpanzees from Edinburgh and Dutch safari park analysed the grunts associated with the emotional value of food.

In 2010, the Dutch chimps used high-pitch calls for apples, while local Edinburgh chimps used disinterested grunts. However, by 2013, the Dutch chimps’s grunts appeared low to match the grunts of locals, despite an undiminished craving for apples.

As the chimps became ‘friends’ and developed social bonds; there was a striking shift in their communication, “the Dutch chimps had actually adopted the Edinburgh call for apples” noted Dr. Slacombe from University of York.

This change in accent or vocabulary appears to be a example of vocal learning. Perhaps this first piece of evidence suggests an older capability that our last common ancestor may have had.

in the egg, a mother may give birth to one child with a very severe disease and a second child with no disease symptoms at all. This presents a huge dilemma to parents who already have one child affected by mitochondrial disease, of whether to take the chance on having another.

Two techniques exist to replace faulty mitochondria. The first, called Maternal Spindle Transfer (MST), removes the nucleus from one of the mother’s eggs and transfers it into a donor egg with healthy mitochondria that has had its own nucleus removed.

This egg is then fertilised with the father’s sperm and the embryo is implanted into the woman like any other IVF embryo. The second, called pronuclear transfer (PNT), eggs from both the mother and a healthy donor and fertilises them with the father’s sperm. The DNA from the donor’s egg is then discarded, and replaced with the DNA from the mother’s egg. The resulting embryo is ready to grow and is implanted into the mother’s womb.

Both these techniques are controversial for reasons of safety as well as ethics.

Years of scientific research has concluded there is no evidence the procedure is unsafe. However, as the procedure leads to a permanent change in the germ line, any unexpected problems could affect people who are not yet born.

Most experts are in favour, however a

few have raised concerns about it being a risky uncharted territory that could lead to disability and increased rates of cancer. The Church of England says it is not opposed in principle, but wants to see more scientific research and debate on the ethics and safety before the procedure is legalised.

Some critics argue that this may be the start of a slippery slope, eventually leading to parents selecting genes based on desirable traits to create ‘designer babies’.

However, the health minister and other ethicists have dismissed these claims, saying “there is a big difference between replacing defective mitochondria, and making sure all babies are blue eyed and blonde.” Advocates go on to say that such concerns about a slippery slope should not dissuade us from grasping the vital benefits of medical breakthroughs.

In conclusion, this new technique seems to present the usual trade-offs between benefits to people now and unknowns concerning future dangers. The introduction of all new technologies involves uncertainty about long-term and unforeseen events.

What is clear is that this technique will prevent some of the cruellest and most devastating diseases. We can only hope that in the long-term, the suffering it prevents outweighs any suffering it may create.

The biology of us - Part 2: The growing stage Oliver Davis Have you ever wondered why the human body is shaped the way it is? The answer goes back to when a fertilised egg was growing in the mothers womb.

This series of articles explores why it is that our guts grow on the inside and our skin on the outside, and why this is important for you and me.

The previous article explored the morula; a ball of cells that implants in the uterus, and the two layers inside, which include a shell that goes on to help form the placenta (provides blood supply to the baby) and an inside group of cells that go on to make the end result - the human body.

To do so, the inside group of cells divide into two layers, to make an upper epiblast and lower hypoblast layers. A cavity also forms in the epiblast layer, known as the amniotic cavity, which fills with amniotic fluid. There’s also a lower cavity beneath the hypoblast layer, known as the chorionic cavity.

Later on, the two cavities fuse and line the outer region of the sac the baby develops in. When the mother is nearly ready to give birth, the “water breaks”; it is that sac and all the fluid inside that breaks.

At this point this sphere of cells, lodged into the mothers uterus, is divided along the equator by two layers of cells. The next step is really important: the top layer – the epiblast – folds

inwards on itself into the middle, creating a new layer of cells in between the epiblast and hypoblast below. This process is called gastrulation, and turns the two cell layer into a three layer one.

This is a key point in embryology, the morula has now become the embryo and the rough outline of the shape of the tiny body can be seen.

You may well be thinking that only 3 layers of cells thick seems far too little, however, if you think of it in relation to an adult human being it makes more sense. Humans are divided into three layers; we have an outside- the skin, a middle - the bone, muscle, connective tissue, and all the inside parts- like the guts.

So, using this structure, it becomes clearer where each layer of the embryo goes: the most outside part of the embryo is the ectoderm, which forms the skin; the middle bit is the mesoderm which forms bone; the most inside bit is the endoderm, which forms the intestines and stomach. Cool, right?

As you can see this is a really important time for the embryo. Here, at three weeks, when the embryo is forming three layers inside the mother’s uterus, it is completely depend on the mother for food, oxygen… everything really.

All these things travel in the blood, and if the mother drinks any alcohol it travels to the embryo too. So what happens if the mother does drink alcohol?

The embryo begins to get ‘clumsy’, the three layers of cells get a little uncoordinated when trying to grow into our organs. This is very bad for the developing embryo because if the embryo grows the wrong way, there’s a chance it could be born with badly formed body parts.

It also worth noting here that at this stage the mother might not even know she is pregnant as pregnancy tests work around the same time that

the two and then three layers of cells are forming.

Up next, the three layers of cells are about to divide uncontrollably into every body structure you possess.

Viewed another way, that is a group of around one thousand cells that need to grow in the correct place, in the correct pattern, at the correct time to form the billions of cells in our bodies.

How on earth is that achieved? Look out for part 3 to find out.

Lunar Caustic via Flickr

the badger

16 February 2015 ARTS • 14

ARTS

Gallery Showcase: No Walls

This week, Arts Editor Lottie Brazier takes a look at one of Brighton’s best galleries, No Walls. Meanwhile, the rest of the team give you their cultural tips for the rest of term.

Ariel Pink, TOM March 4th

Ariel Pink Press

Annu Kilpeläinen Press Despite Brighton’s reputation, it’s actually quite hard to find any galleries in this otherwise cultural city. After some searching, you’ll find that Phoenix Gallery and Sallis Benney Theatre occasionally put on the odd exhibition or lecture on art. And whilst of a credibly high standard, shows trickle in and out of the Brighton Pavilions exhibition space at an excruciatingly slow rate. It’s very fortunate then, that we have No Walls gallery.

Very much playing the role of ‘tastemaker’, No Walls has showcased a variety of artists and graphic designers whose art comes to life once viewed in person and not on Tumblr. These works are saccharine, but are more nauseatingly so than twee and homely - it’s a sugar rush at tipping point, on the verge of its impending crash.

The works of Finnish illustrator

Annu Kilpelainen and the Londonbased Supermundane epitomise No Walls’ focused aesthetic to an unnerving degree. A standout from last year’s exhibitions, Kilpelainen’s illustrations vividly frame the patterns of everyday objects such as clothes, drawing our attention to them so that they become more central to our focus than to the objects that they adorn. And last summer saw Supermundane, aka Rob Lowe, displaying an obsession for intricate, rounded patterns which grow outwards into forms of people, cities, animals or flowers. His work is only familiar in their invocations of people and animals - once drawn closer into the excruciatingly detailed forms, one gets lost in their erratic complexity.

Current exhibitions include two solo shows. Until 22nd February the gallery will see ‘Masquerades and Sil-

Jan Rijk houettes’, a show by the secretively named Mr Penfold, whose works are graphic and textural. From 27th February to 22nd March is ‘White Teeth’, which will include paintings and sketches by Jim McElvaney, that allude to the once-controversial figurative painters Egon Schiele and Francis Bacon.

A thoroughly recommended visit, No Walls is completely free, but do sell prints and originals.

Radioland - Kraftwerk’s Radio Activity Revisited, Komedia - March 19th Kraftwerk were flagged as being ‘more influential than the Beatles’

by Paul Morley in his recent BBC documentary about the 1970s German band. After you recall their long standing impact on British music (think anything from 80s disco to Joy Division to Pulp) you might consider this a less controversial statement than it first seems. Unlike their guitar-toting British contemporaries Kraftwerk were happy to employ the new technologies of the age, most iconic of which being the synthesiser. Particularly, Kraftwerk’s Radio Activity is emblematic

of the eventual Anglo-German cross pollination, with the album’s lyrics in both countries’ languages - a truly bilingual album. After all Kraftwerk were members of the post-war German generation, and so were seeking to redefine the image that Germany portrayed to the rest of Europe. This year is Radio Activity’s 40th Anniversary, and to mark this, three artists Matthew Bourne (The Leaf Label), Franck Vigroux and Antoine Schmitt will be revising it as an audio-visual performance piece.

Tickets are £12, to be shown at the Komedia.

Ever the contrarian, often the controversialist, Ariel Pink has regularly been in the music headlines for his antifeminist shit-slinging contest he got into with Madonna and subsequently Grimes in the tail-end of last year.

Grimes’ well measured response called her Californian 4AD label mate out for being an inconsiderate trolling fool (so I’m not sure I’d call them mates).

Now, according to Noisey, we’re all missing the point by jumping to Grimes’ defence because Pink ‘clearly doesn’t take himself too seriously’; that doesn’t mean what he said wasn’t dumb though, does it guys?

Anyway, onto his music: it’s a definite demonstration of Pink’s court jester like qualities.

His 80s inspired pop sits somewhere between strangely heartfelt balladeering (“Round and Round”, “Picture Me Gone”), stoned-out Sega Megadrive soundtrack (“Beverley Kills”, “White Freckles”) and that godawful Paul McCartney song about frogs (“Exile on Frog Street”)—so in short, he’s sonically entertaining, even if his offstage persona errs on the spikier.

Funny or not, check him out at The Old Market on March 4th, courtesy of Be Nothing.

Matthew Bourne Press

The War on Drugs, Brighton Dome February 22nd In the last twelve months, The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel has gone from Kurt Vile’s also-ran to a Kozelek-baiting, high critical rating, unabating dad-rock sensation.

Admittedly, I think the term dad-rock is a little harsh, and really I only used it to complete an unsatisfying half-rhyme that you’d expect to hear at a Bruce Springsteen concert rather than here on the pages of The Badger; however, my reference to The Boss is measured.

In my eyes, last year’s Lost in the Dream bursts into life through the sound of Granduciel’s U.S. rock ancestor.

If Springsteen did away with his EStreet Band and was backed instead by ghosts, The War on Drugs would be the sum of his output.

While nothing the band has released is a Born To Run or Darkness on the Edge of Town, they adopt that same stadium-rock sensibility, albeit more spectrally that Springsteen in all his pomp and glory.

So where better to start than Brighton’s largest venue, The Dome?

Rob Lowe Press

Rob Lowe Press

the badger

16 february 2015 ARTS • 16

LIFESTYLE

Your Valentines Day: I hope it was a massacre Louis Patel If you took your other half out for Valentine’s Day, you shouldn’t have bothered.

You could’ve done better.

Do something more valuable with your time.

Take a swing dancing class.

Buy expensive condoms.

Watch another YouTube video.

Try sex in the library.

Spend the evening stalking your exes.

It would’ve been a better way to spend your time.

Because dressing up, putting on an extra lick of deodorant, and curling that one random strand of hair only masks what’s missing from your relationship: substance.

Couples feel obliged to buy into Valentine’s Day culture, even though it’s a colossal waste of time, money, effort and endorses the idea that you have to look hot to be a successful couple.

If you really think that you need to invest money to make someone feel special, then maybe you should stick to Tinder dates and buy your way into bed that way.

You may think I’m just a grumpy bugger who scorns at everything: you’re probably right (my exes would agree).

But, I have a suspicion, that Valentine’s Day irks you as much as it does me.

Balboa Observer-Picayune It’s a night which is for the uncreative and boring who splurge their spare tenner on plastic roses and oversized cards.

A Vice article recently tried to justify Valentine’s Day; the gist being that boys spend the year being grubby and selfish and apparently a mediocre three courser at Café Rouge can fix all that.

Ah, I see.

So Valentine’s is about making up for what a crappy boyfriend you are?

If anything, Valentine’s night is for the biggest cheapskates around.

Most Valentine’s meals are geared towards spending as little as possible, resulting in eating sub-standard food.

So you either have to donate an organ to really splash out, or enjoy a Valentine’s supper on dry chicken and half a boiled egg.

Like I said, you’ve done better.

And do you think dressing in your finest attire will warrant you a romance god?

Seeing couples decked out in their finest Abercrombie costumes on Valentines night is about as repulsive as being tagged in an emotional Facebook status that ends with a <3.

Your tight jacket and ridiculously tight chinos rolled up at the bottom to expose that tiny sliver of ankle isn’t fooling anyone; you’re dressing for yourself, no one else.

As per usual the narcissist’s come out, thinking they’re envied by the waiter who taking their photo.

What’s both sad and crazy, is that people want to be taken on Valentines dates.

I overheard a girl on the train this week saying ‘But I just really want a date for Valentine’s Day’.

Really? Is your romance aspiration having something to tweet about?

Being taken out for a disingenuous meal and then going for a quick romp after doesn’t sounds like you’re living in the Nicholas Sparks novel you so desire.

Besides, he just got divorced, no more kissing in the rain for him.

Just don’t even celebrate the damn night, a playlist is just as bad as a kiss coupon; organising a flash mob is just as bad as making them dinner.

This ridiculous idea that we need to ‘appear’ in love rather than ‘be’ in love is what old Cupid is perpetuating.

No good relationship survives on being bought or ‘treated’ to making the effort.

If you really wanted your campus relationship to have appeared worthy, then you should’ve stayed home on the fourteenth.

And to the singletons among you who yearn for a date, take that swing dance class instead: you’ll work up a more fulfilling sweat than you would with your Tinder date.

‘The Undateables’: the problem’s in the name Jessica Middleton The similarities between ‘The Undateables’ and other reality shows popular at the minute is its subject of a group of people attempting to navigate the dating scene and find love, and this is where it begins and ends.

Unlike many others, it is a show that follows adults with disabilities or learning difficulties on dates.

The show was nominated for a BAFTA Television Award last year, and its fourth series broadcasted last month.

The show has been met with critical acclaim, hailing it as “balanced and sensitive” (Michael Pilgrim – The Telegraph) and “sensible, sensitive, and kind” (Sam Wollaston – The Guardian).

I absolutely love the show. Its not like most voyeuristic reality rubbish on our TV screens which tend to have as much depth as a puddle in the desert.

Its endearing characters, and the humbling way we see them deal with their struggles, gives coverage to a group of society that is so often ignored and forgotten.

There is just one problem: the name.

I was hostile to even watch the programme at first because of what it is called. The title and the show itself seem to at odds with each other: it’s a

dating show for ‘undateables’, which when I did watch it, realised could not be farther from the truth.

‘The Undateables’ insinuates that the people we will be watching are impossible in love, synonymous to undesirable, but at its core the show is about disability.

Placing the name in its context, it is presenting that those with disabilities are undesirable, a stigma perhaps faced every day.

We meet all different kinds of people, from many different walks of life, with an eclectic mix of personalities, but you soon see past their common thread of disability.

They are charming, inspiring characters, certainly not ‘undateable.’

The show itself is brilliant in what it portrays.

Watching these people with different disabilities grow in confidence, express themselves, and be given a voice is something that should get much more scope than it does.

It is simultaneously great entertain-

ment, with such eclectic and unique personalities, whilst also a platform to spread awareness about the conditions some people are dealing with every day.

‘The Undateables’ as the defining description of the show does not celebrate that, in fact it enforces a subtle degradation by collectivising such a group that plays up to our prejudices about the disabled, and this is deeply concerning.

Instead of enforcing empathy, it detaches people from normal life and the rest of the population.

It could bse a strategic move, the producers playing on our own assumed perception of the disabled community, but as Jim Shelley has pointed out that “The way it navigates the perilous path between being appearing to be unacceptable, offensive, and then wholly admirable makes it one of the few shows you can change your mind about WHILE you’re watching,” a sentiment that many viewer’s of the show, including myself, echo.

The show is so much deeper than its

“Instead of enforcing empathy, the name detaches these people from normal life and the rest of the population.”

shallow name; you get to understand who the show’s participants are beneath the derogatory and reductive label ‘disabled,’ an alienating stigma that society, but also the name of the show, normalises.

All it needs is a change of marketing.

Rather than calling them ‘Undateable’ and thus reinforcing the prejudices placed on these individuals for something that they cannot combat, call it something that doesn’t demean the courage that they have to find romance.

Instead call it something based in fact, such as ‘Disabled and looking for love’, or ‘Dating with Disabilities and Difficulties’, names that are much more accurate.

Fundamentally its producers are doing themselves no favours by calling the show something that completely contradicts what it portrays: showing that those with disabilities are not different from anyone else whilst watching them seize an opportunity for happiness.

We live in a world now where such dogmas no longer have a place, and such perceptions are regressive to where culture is today.

Playing into such assumptions hinders progression towards a much more celebratory, accepting future; one where being different is not a negative thing.

Recipe of the week Lottie Brazier’s

Red Dragon Pie Ingredients For two people: Three tins of aduki beans Four large sweet potatoes, chopped One tablespoon tomato puree Two tablespoons soy sauce (or to taste) One tablespoon coriander One large onion Three carrots, chopped One stock cube Two tablespoons vegetable or olive oil 20g of butter/margarine Method This recipe is for a vegetarian variation on shepherd’s pie, which uses aduki beans instead of mince meat.

I choose to use sweet potatoes for the topping but you can use standard potatoes.

You can find pre-cooked aduki beans in Sainsbury’s, which means that you don’t have to cook them for an hour first! This recipe makes two pies - I do this so I can save some in the fridge for the week.

First, set the hob to a medium heat, then add oil and chop onions. Add onions to the oil and leave for 5 mins.

Chop the carrots into small chunks and add to the onions. Cook until the carrots are starting to soften.

Meanwhile, peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into smaller pieces.

Add the sweet potato to two large saucepans of boiling water.

In a measuring jug, add the stock cube, soy sauce, coriander and tomato puree. Pour a litre of boiling water into the jug and let it sit for 2 mins.

Now drain the aduki beans and add to the carrots and onions. Pour the stock over the beans and leave on a medium heat for 30-40 mins, until the liquid has become more like a gravy consistency.

Set the oven to 200C/gas mark 6 After this time, check with a fork to make sure that the sweet potatoes are softened.

Take the aduki bean mix and set it to one side. Take the sweet potatoes and place them in a big mixing bowl. Add the butter and mash until soft. Place the aduki bean mix in two deep dishes.

Then layer the mash over the top of the mix.

Put the dishes in the oven, and leave for 15 mins or until the sweet potato topping has started to darken.

the badger

16 february 2015 ARTS • 17

ARTS & MINDS

In this week’s Arts & Minds, Badger contributor Shivonne Surace questions the relationship between fashion and religion and our very own digital editor Steve Barker sheds light on an especially offbeat Brighton happening

More than Meets the Eye: The Unlikely Role of Religious and Cultural Symbolism in Fashion

MTV VMA Press

Shivonne Surace For years the symbol of the Christian cross has been used as a common fashion accessory.

The cross that was once a symbol of shame for early Christians is now a feature of many jewellery collections and is often printed on clothing.

The symbol was largely featured in punk looks from the 80’s and today, many of whom choose to wear it do not attach a huge amount of emotional weight to the symbol itself.

Though the cross is arguably the most common and recognisable religious symbol in mainstream fashion, particularly in Britain, this apparent trend also includes numerous religious and cultural emblems that have been incorporated into clothing and accessories by the fashion industry,

such as the Hamsa or evil eye.

Two years ago, Dolce and Gabbana released their fall collection, which featured many prints that were seemingly inspired by church mosaic patterns and stain-glass window images; a prevalent feature of Catholic churches.

A Tom Ford leotard featuring stainglass was worn by Beyoncé at her last VMA performance and artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga have used religious symbols in both their concerts and as part of their on-stage outfits, arguably to create controversy.

Givenchy have also released a number of sweatshirts and tees which feature depictions of the Virgin Mary, a trend which has made its way into fashionable high-street stores like Urban Outfitters which have sold tshirts with the image of the Hindu

God Ganesh, for example.

Other traditional accessories have also been adapted by western fashion outlets, such as the ‘bindi’, often worn by Hindu women; it is usually marketed as the ‘face gem’ to appeal to western consumers.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed famously criticised Selena Gomez for wearing one in her VMA performance last year, as it has religious significance.

Often worn at Hindu weddings and other celebrations, the bindi is now also commonly worn at musical festivals. While the appropriation of religious symbols may be deemed offensive, some insist this is unimportant in the major concerns facing religious institutions.

Mr. Ilankovan from the Stoneleigh Amman temple said:

Religious images, symbols and accessories have traditionally allowed devout followers to identify with their faith on a visual level; such images can evoke a sense of religious or cultural pride.

However to some, these symbols may be mere fashion accessories, to others, they are even worn ironically, as a comment against established religious systems.

In a diverse society, religion and culture can play huge roles in projecting individuality.

The perceivable problem with wearing religious motifs arises not only due to the possibility of causing offence, but also due to the issue of selfexpression.

People should certainly not be limited in what they choose to wear due to the risk of being too controversial, but it is important to know about what you are wearing.

While we may be inclined to purchase items containing religious iconography for various reasons, the intent behind wearing such items usually remains unclear.

Aside from genuine expressions of religious devotion, whether you aim to wear something for the purpose of fashion, to show openness to aspects of a particular culture or religion or to create irony, it is important to consider the history and significance of that image or symbol as well as to know your reasons for wearing it.

“There is a social side to religion which includes fashion but we are concerned with the theological side of Hinduism, we have no problem with what people wear.”

He even suggested people wearing such items could show they are embracing aspects of a different culture.

However, referring to the cross, Father Kevin Dring of the Sacred Heart Church in Hove said: “It is a symbol of the death and sacrifice of Jesus and we need to treat it with respect and reverence, if used in fashion, it could be seen to lose that focus of reverence.”

MTV VMA Press

Catalyst Club: a unique monthly event held in Brighton Steve Barker Digital Editor

Every few weeks a bar in Kemptown fills with people going to the Catalyst Club – a night of conversation, debate and drinks.

The format is simple: three speakers are each given the opportunity to speak passionately about a topic for 15 minutes.

It’s a sort-of cross between TEDx and the salons of the French revolution.

But that doesn’t really do justice to the oddities that tend to arise on a platform of this kind in Brighton.

The first time I went was last year,

and I had no idea what to expect.

I dragged along a few friends, we found the place, got our wrists stamped and were told to go downstairs.

The venue is ideal – a beautiful building with a cosy basement in which the event takes place, filled with round tables and plenty of red wine.

I love that nobody knows what the three speakers of the evening will talk about, adding an element of curiosity.

Some speakers are brilliantly

comical, while others are more serious – but the range of topics is wildly eclectic.

The catalyst club lets you peep at a unique sort of bookish eccentricity; I’ve witnessed catalyst talks on Nazi UFOs, Seinfeld and an account on how it is to live by old Yoga texts to the letter (not worth it).

Others topics have included: bees; emergence theory; anarchist cooking; cunnillingus; James Joyce; the exciting world of slime mould and the dawn of civilisation.

The club has also heard a talk from

Brighton’s oldest prostitute.

Catalyst has also played host to a number of musicians, authors and poets, including Faithless guitarist Dave Randall and Bunny Suicides creator Andy Riley.

The open-platform is a strength and weakness – naturally some talks are more entertaining than others, though it’s rare that I find myself looking at my watch.

The evening is always superbly put together by the lively and entertaining host: Dr. Bramwell, who holds the talks together with witty com-

mentary and anecdotes.

As of this month, this long-running talking shop has started to be recorded, for the purposes of Dr Bramwell’s latest project, the Odditorium podcast.

The Catalyst is something you should come to at least once while you live in Brighton, not least to meet some of the interesting regulars.

The Catalyst Club is held at Latest Music Bar, and is £6, which is “still less than the price of an organic lettuce at Infinity Foods”.

The badger

16 February 2015 Arts •18

Arts

Editor’s Picks

Arts Editor Raymond Jennings shares her tips on the week ahead in culture MUSIC The Decemberists

PREVIEW Nisennenmondai

Brighton Dome Friday 20th February

Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar

Wednesday 18th February

£18.50

The Decemberists Press Hi Zero

£8.50

The Decemberists like to do weird stuff live. They might use the audience to re-enact a historical battle.

Or they might ask various audience members to interpret their music via the medium of dance.

Whatever they do, it is usually a lot of fun.

FILM Annie Hall

Resident Advisor

CLUB Hodge

Nisennenmondai know F*ck a Buttons trick.

Their trick is so simple, so effective, and so obvious I’m amazed no one has ever really done it before; they mix techno with krautrock. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Kraftwerk. Nisennenmondai sound nothing like Kraftwerk. Imagine listening to Can and Carl Craig jam

together, and you’ve got a pretty good approximation of Nisennenmondai. Hailing from Japan, the band are gaining something of an international reputation for their fantastic blend of two disparate but complimentary genres. Wielding traditional rock instruments as well as an array of synths and pedals, the band create driving, pulsating shrouds of sound to lose yourself in. Expect a lot of noise, brave but ultimately fruitless attempts at dancing, and a musical experience poised somewhere between a good gig and a great club night.

Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar

Fabrica

Friday 20th February

Wednesday 18th February

£4

£3

Woody Allen’s timeless classic is given a special screening at Fabrica, with guest speaker Catherine Smith reading a selection of her acclaimed poetry both before and after the film. Part of Fabrica’s trio of screenings focusing on age, this week will reflect on what it is to be middle aged.

Annie Hall

Once again, there a bunch of great club events on the same night this week. Whilst grime fans will definitely want to head to Audio, fans of techno will probably want to get to Sticky Mike’s for Keep It Moving. With Hodge at the decks, you can expect plenty of hard hitting beats.

Nisennenmondai Press

Theatre Austentatious The Old Market

Friday 20th February

£14/12

The Old Market

Not into clubbing but still fancy a laugh next Friday? How does an hour long, improvised comedic play in the style of a Jane Austen novel sound? Each night the cast create a new Austen novel using only improv and audience suggestions. With rave reviews around the country, this is a definitely a must-see for comedy fans.

Fifty Shades of Grey

Night Slugs Press

MUSIC The War on Drugs

CLUB L-Vis 1990 & Jam City

Sunday 22nd February

Friday 20th February

Brighton Dome

Audio

£22

Do you like Bruce Springsteen?

Are you fond of reverb? Do you love a good sing-along to a big chorus? Have you ever used the phrase “Stadium Rock” in a nonderogatory way? If so, you’re either already a fan of The War on Drugs or you’re soon to be one. Either way, buy a ticket.

The War on Drugs Press

£7 Night Slugs comes to Brighton! The label, known for their daring blends of grime, Jersey beat, ballroom, and who knows what else, have sent two of their best artists down from London. Expect great sets from both, and maybe even some teasers of new material from Jam City.

FILM Fifty Shades of Grey

Duke of York’s Picturehouse Showing all week Student: £8/Adult: £9

I know you all think us Arts lot are a pretentious bunch, interested only in arthouse cinema, obscure bands and fair trade coffee. To be honest, you were right. But we also love those rare and wonderful films that are so inherently awful, they somehow transcend into something captivating, impressive, and hilarious. Not since Tommy Wiseau’s magnificently awful debut The Room has a film had so much potential to be so wonderfully awful.

Watch, write, review Get involved in the Arts team by joining us at our writers meetings or searching on Facebook for

Badger Writers

THE

BADGER

the badger

16 FEBRUARY 2015

SporTS • 20

SPORTS

Another immaculate Wednesday for Sussex Volleyball Sussex Volleyball men hand tearful defeat to Royal Holloway

Vladko Grozev Sports Sub-Editor In light of all the love and support that Volleyball girls have and continue to deserve, it is reasonable that their male counterparts get often forgot.

However, quietly and in the shadows of the Women, the guys have managed to string together an impressive record in Division South East 2A and currently sit second in the table with an immaculate record and a game in hand. Regardless of the depleted squad that coach James Clow inherited at the beginning of the season, the Men saw an influx of fresh talent to patch up some gigantic voids. Battle veterans from last season oversee the development of the rooks on the squad, but at this point the organization works hand in hand and the huge number of games played provided an opportunity for new players to see their court time increased, if not doubled.

Under the influence of captain Tur-

bo Cheung, the guys went into Royal Holloway on a Wednesday afternoon on the back of a victory against New Buckinghamshire which occurred a fortnight prior. A minimalistic, yet brave group of volleyball soldiers crossed two football pitches to encounter hard opposition from their vastly improved adversaries.

The game Despite a sluggish start from both teams, Sussex, reeking of energy and enthusiasm, took control of the first set and after constantly improving the point differential, they rode the advantage to an easy victory in the opening set. In spite of the improved play that Sussex revealed, this story would not have been written if drama had not occurred in the following sets.

Which is exactly when Royal Holloway clicked and Sussex started to fizzle out. Free balls were not properly executed and Sussex’s receiving took a turn for the worse. A swift defeat in the second set made Sussex demoralised, which led to...

A humongous lead of 6 points for Royal Holloway in the third set. Never build your own grave, though, and an uplifting pep talk from Robert Buler and a return to the simple, yet powerful attacks of Ignacio Abarca and Vladko Grozev made the opposition’s advantage melt and Sussex equalised at 20-20. Selling woof tickets and an electrified play won the remainder to hand Sussex the psychological third set.

With the momentum swinging in favour of your favourites, captain Turbo Cheung tried to switch it up and involved first-game-having Mehran Nickbacht, who justified his inclusion in the team with powerful blocks and nice attacks. Middle hitters Robert Buler and Cian Whelan also served immaculate and provided another attacking outlet for Cheung. Despite of a nerve-wrecking thriller at the end, Sussex managed to come out on top 27-25 (3-1) - and is still undefeated in the midst of a brilliant season, which makes both the club and coach proud.

Sussex Volleyball Women smile last against Bournemouth Vladko Grozev Sports Sub-Editor Girl power. A particularly good draft for Sussex in the Refreshers Fair gave hope in light of the recent 2-point thrillers that the Ladies managed to lose. And draft is a particularly perfect word to use, as the Women secured the services of NCAA star Deirdre Wilson for the rest of the season.

However, a 3-5 record prior to Wednesday made coach James Clow aware of the possible scenarios. Fielding the absolute best that Women have to offer, Clow was hoping for a defeat of the giant that second place holders Bournemouth are.

The girls were off to a slow start, which swiftly lost them the first two sets of their away encounter. Switching things paid off as Sussex built a substantial lead in the third set, which was ridden to victory in the most needed set.

With their energy restored, Sussex handled Bournemouth in the fourth set to a humiliating differential of 2511, leading to the decider.

A nervous fifth set for Clow and the girls followed as Bournemouth lead by one point for most of the decider.

Equalising at 11, Sussex seized control and put a score of 13-11 on the board. Fighting back to equalize at 13, Bournemouth proved to be a wor-

thy opponent, but no match as their nerves did not last until the 15-13 victorious end.

Which should not take away from our girls’s efforts at all. An MVP performance was given by Saso Anri, who, despite her size, provided consistent output for the much deserved win. Immaculate sets from vice-captain Barbara Franca made the attacking players more comfortable, whereas Graciela Ragone played her best game of the season so far as a middle hitter.

The win shows the giant-killing antics of the Ladies have not disappeared.

The future in the Premier League South is secured with only a single home game against leaders Oxford left.

Money can buy you love, and a trip to Uganda Sugby raises over £500 to fund charity trip to Uganda Claire Murray With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, ten lucky guys and girls bagged themselves a date for a pretty price at Sussex Women’s Rugby’s charity Valentine’s Auction. The team put on a night of cheesy chat up lines, wolf whistles and tongue-in-cheek flirting.

The recently redecorated lounge space at the back of Falmer Bar, renamed Room 76, was the perfect venue. Love-heart bunting and fairy lights adorned the ceiling and walls, providing a cosy atmosphere and making the 150 people in the audience members suitably warm and fuzzy inside.

The evening was expertly hosted by third year Jonny Meah who made short work of making the volunteers embarrass themselves with questions such as ‘what is your guilty pleasure?’ and ‘what is the least romantic thing

you have ever done’, the latter of which was outrageously answered by one participant with ‘pimped out my girlfriend for money’. We aren’t one to name names but some mouths were indeed gaping.

After a slow start, the two first participants to be auctioned were understandably nervous, going for around the £10 mark, the night picked up as people began to whip out their bank cards both at the bar and the auction.

Talents were flying in from all angles, with Sussex footballer Monica Lewis jumping through her own arms, Jodie Ho hypnotizing the crowd using Becky Grimwade in a Sussex football double act, and Sussex Men’s Rugby’s Jonny Turpie surprising the whole room by dropping to the floor to perform the splits, and then getting the whole room to do the Macarena!

A deal was struck when the bid for Jonny Turpie was nearing £50 - £60 on the condition that he oblige the bidder’s request for a strip tease on the stage to Tom Jones’s ‘You Can Leave Your Hat On’, which he did in good spirit, walking away with his dignity intact and becoming the most expensive date of the night!

The night ended with over £500 being raised to help Sussex Women’s Rugby, affectionately known as Sugby, get to Uganda in June later this year under the wing of the Tag Rugby Trust to do some aid work, hoping to instil life values into children, giving them a head start in life as well as bringing a bit of light into their lives in the form of fun tag rugby practice.

Sussex Women’s Rugby would like to thank everyone for attending and donating, and those that helped make the night a success.

Morrow’s Muse Everything is bigger in America Michael Morrow At the start of this month, over 114 million people watched on as the New England Patriots claimed victory at Superbowl XLIX (that’s 49 in Roman Numerals, but you already knew that). Now in America the Superbowl is a big deal, a REALLY big deal, think Strictly final-meets-X Factor final-meets- the Queens Christmas speech all in one, and you may be getting somewhere close. Such a big event clearly requires a venue big enough to do justice to the magnitude of the event itself. Luckily, America is in no short supply of big stadiums; the Rose Bowl, Michigan Stadium and Madison Square Gardens are just a few of the hundreds of ginormous amphitheatres up and down the States that are no strangers to playing host to some pretty major events. The aforementioned stadiums were, however, this year overlooked, in favour of the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Not a typo, the UNIVERSITY of Phoenix hosted the Superbowl.

Yeah, over 70,000 people found a seat in the stadium to watch the game. 70,000 is a very large number.

To contextualise, if the stadium existed in England it would be the second biggest stadium in the Premier League, eclipsing the capacities of some of the worlds biggest football clubs; Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool (…and Brighton and Hove Albion…).

I’ll reiterate, this stadium is the property of the University of Phoenix.

In an attempt to swerve any aggressive letters sent into The Badger addressing the ignorance of the new sports columnist, I will now address the obvious facts which allow for such a sports facility to exist in the Phoenix but not here at Sussex. In terms of size, revenue and intake there is literally no comparison between the two, it could be like comparing Friston with the Jubilee Building. According to Wikipedia (sorry to all my tutors, bad source yes I know) the University of Phoenix has 112 campuses world wide, in case you were unaware, that’s 111 more campuses than Sussex. Just over a quarter of a million students study in Phoenix compared to the roughly 12,500 (Wikipedia again, sorry) who study at Sussex. Like I said, no comparison. So this column is not a rallying cry for Falmer Sports Complex to put in a bid to host the next FA Cup Final, or for the Students Union to pay for the deconstruction of the Amex to make way for a new purpose built 70,000 capacity stadium for

the Ultimate Frisbee team. But I do think we could learn a thing or two from our transatlantic cousins (Yeah I hate that phrase too) about taking pride in our University’s sporting prowess.

The highlight of the Sussex sporting calendar is of course the annual Varsity day against archenemies Brighton University. This really should be a day where the whole uni turns out in force to form a fiercely partisan crowd; all clad in the same colour (Red? I like red, lets go with red) cheering on our sports teams as they fight for bragging rights, which will be cashed in later on at Prysm.

Instead, we have roughly about 100200 students at any event, kind of half watching on from the sidelines armed with a six-pack of whatever was on offer at the Co-op and a can of pringles.

CBCNEWS

The true winner of Super Bowl XLIX

Remember when I said before that we couldn’t compare sporting events at the University of Phoenix to sporting events here at Sussex?

Well I’m going to. Perhaps using Phoenix’s stadium was unfair, after all it is the home of NFL team the Arizona Cardinals, but it was more to introduce the subject of the role of sport within universities. Each week University students in America pour out in their tens of thousands to fill stadiums and watch their teams in a number a sports.

This is of course, to a large extent, a matter of volume of students. And whilst replicating this at Sussex is therefore simply impossible, my point is that it would be amazing if we could replicate the passion and pride put into our sports teams. So if you ever find yourself bored on a Wednesday afternoon why not head up to Falmer Sports Complex and give a cheer for our teams (wear red), after all, who doesn’t love Sussex?

the badger

16 february 2015

Societies - 21

SOCIETIES SPOTLIGHT ADVERTISE YOUR SOCIETY

Their amazing services include support groups, one-to-one counselling, complementary therapies and financial advice.

However, the most exOn this page you can find out about what our citing news is that the societies have been up to money raised by the and what their plans are Business and Management Society will be gofor the coming weeks! ing directly into a new You can view and join all of our 150 + societies project for teenagers who have a close tie to cancer, online at www.sussexoffering a place for them student.com/societies.

If you’d like to advertise to meet each other and share their feelings. your society on this page, send your articles There is currently to societies@sussexstunot enough support or dent.com by 12pm on awareness of the ways in Wednesdays. which cancer can affect the lives of young adults.

This is a project with huge scope and although there is a lot of work to do, this generous donation can get the ball Last week one of the rolling.

University’s newest societies, the Business and Management Society, went to visit Marilyn All day every day this Drury at The Olive Tree week the Christian UnCancer Support Centre ion will be having a sofa in Library Square! in Crawley.

After completing an Come and have a chat entrepreneurial chal- with members of the lenge which involved Christian Union on our organising a Christmas Sussex Sofa to hear all Charity Fair last term, about our upcoming three members of the so- events! We look forward ciety went to hand over to meeting you! the cheque of £656 to this fantastic local charity and to see where the money will be spent.

The Sussex Model UN The Olive Tree Cancer Society is extremely Support Centre is a small proud to present its first charity that has been ever Model UN Conferrunning for 25 years only ence from Saturday 21st on donations, that offers to Sunday 22nd of Febemotional support for ruary. anyone affected by can- It is an honour to host cer.

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT SOCIETY

CHRISTIAN UNION

MODEL UN

this event and we promise you a weekend of learning, debating and, most importantly fun!

We welcome you to a year of discussing contemporary global issues which affect countries and people from around the world.

Your chairs will be some of our society’s most experienced and award-winning delegates with a passion for international relations and politics!

We will be honoured to have Professor Kevin Madders as our Guest speaker for the conference.

He is currently the Managing Partner of Systemics Network International, a consultancy and think tank. SNI has assisted institutions including the European Commission, the European Space agency and governments alongside major and smaller corporations in the space and ICT fields.

He was also the Administrator of the European Space Agency from 1985 to 1994. He is also a visiting professor in ICT Law at King’s College London. Tickets to the event are available on the Students’ Union website.

STAR There will be a pub quiz in Falmer Bar at 8pm on Monday the 16th of February in aid of Student

Action for Refugees.

Come along and test your knowledge on music, geography and trivia.

Entrance is £2 and the winning team will get a bottle of tequila!

POLITICS WEDNESDAYS Come along every Wednesday to join the politics department to debate on the issues of the day.

Past topics have inlcuded: corruption, Charlie Hebdo and free speech, Tuition fees, multiculturalism and the far right in France.

Events are usually held in Freeman G22, but join the Politics Society Facebook group for more details. Happy Wednesdays!

SUSSEX LGBTQ It’s LGBT History Month this February and Sussex LGBTQ has plenty of events planned! With a multitude of events, ranging from thoughtprovoking talks, to a viewing of the awardwinning film Pride, there is something for everyone this month.

It doesn’t matter if you have been to 1 or fifty, everyone is welcome to come!

THE WEEK AHEAD: Tuesday 17th February • The Debates: What’s the Difference between the Political Parties?

First debate in a series of 4!

Jubilee 144, 5pm Wednesday 18th February • BSMS Psychiatry Society MedFest is an international medical film festival run by psychiatry trainees & medical students, with individual events taking place all over the UK, Ireland and beyond.

We’ll be showing 9 short films, with time for debate and discussion involving a panel of doctors & academics and the audience. Wine & nibbles will be provided!

Quadrant, North St., 7pm Thursday 19th February • History Come along to the History society’s cheese and wine night provided jointly by the society and the department.

This is a great opportunity to get to know tutors and other people on your course in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Meeting House, 5.45pm.

• Polymath Society Caroline Lucas talks about her work in Parliament and the constituency, with a focus on what she’s done to make sure she’s as effective a voice as possible for Brighton Pavilion.

Jubilee Lecture Theatre, 6pm.

Friday 20th February • LGBTQ As part of LGBTQ History Month 2015, Sussex LGBTQ and Queersoc join for a night of discussion about the history and the evolution of Pride. All are welcome to join!

Fulton 101, 6pm.

Women’s Conference Other liberation group place - we have one place available

Lyndsay Burtonshaw

B-Shaw to Vote for Burtonshaw!

As Sussex Activities Officer and a queer woman, I expanded my role to raise social justice issues through Activities. I have: •

Implemented I Heart Consent workshops for all sports/societies committees

•

Worked with I, Too Am Sussex to promote a specifically intersectional liberated curriculum

•

Introduced gender neutral sport

•

Rallied students around LGBTQ History Month to promote intersectionality and campus community

•

Feminist-led Role Models peer-mentor project

•

Have helped put decision-making with survivors of sexual violence

I want to use my experience working with our men’s teams on misogyny to promote community-inclusive reactions to “lad culture”.

Pippa Sterk

Member of Femslate - All Women Are Important Through my involvement in FemSoc and Women’s Group, I have taken part in a wide variety of debates on women’s issues, and heard so many female voices that I’d be honoured to represent. While I love the amount of student activism that goes on at the University of Sussex, I believe we can do even better still. Too often, the experiences of those who do not fit a certain image of womanhood are ignored and erased. All women’s experiences of student life are important, which is why I’d be very happy to represent Sussex as a queer Woman of Colour.

In addition to the candidates listed above, a number of students have been automatically elected to represent Sussex at National Union of Students (NUS) conferences where the number of candidates was the same as the number of places available: Black Students’ Conference - Jaja Jasper Chinedum Disabled Students’ Conference - Max O’DonnellSavage

National Conference - women’s places - Bethan Hunt & Holly Rigby Lewenstein LGBT Conference - Dan Greenberg, Abraham Baldry, Emily Pinto, Pippa Sterk & Kristopher George Women’s Conference - open place - Subira Wahogo In addition, Laura Grossman and Mustafa Madni are automatically elected as the Union’s Ethical & Environmental Reps.

VOTE online at: www.sussexstudent.com/vote

WOOF! Language partners work together to learn each other’s language and culture

MEOW! A sociable, informal and free way of language learning with a native speaker

Learn another language & help someone else learn yours! Sign up to be a Language Partner...

Find your Language Partner today!

1) Log into Study Direct: https://studydirect.sussex.ac.uk/login 2) Using the ‘Search for a site box’ search for ‘Language Partner Exchange’

3) Subscribe to the ‘Language Partner Exchange’ site 4) On the left hand menu ‘click’ on the ‘Language Exchange Forum’ 5) Click on the forum of the Language you want to learn